Alex & Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz Narrator: Cassandra Campbell
Published by Listening Library on April 11, 2017
Genres: Young Adult Historical
Length: 9 hours and 49 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Borrowed
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Their romance shaped a nation. The rest was history.
1777. Albany, New York.
As battle cries of the American Revolution echo in the distance, servants flutter about preparing for one of New York society’s biggest events: the Schuylers’ grand ball. Descended from two of the oldest and most distinguished bloodlines in New York, the Schuylers are proud to be one of their fledgling country’s founding families, and even prouder still of their three daughters—Angelica, with her razor-sharp wit; Peggy, with her dazzling looks; and Eliza, whose beauty and charm rival that of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball.
Still, she can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.
Alex & Eliza is a charming romance of Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth “Eliza” Schuyler. I have not seen the Hamilton musical but I do know enough so when I began reading this book it was difficult for me to separate the musical from this book. Each deserves to shine in their own light, so I found Alex & Eliza an enjoyable historical romance. The story of a soldier with no money and prestigious name falling in love with a headstrong high society General’s daughter will make you swoon and cheer them on for a happily ever after ending.
This is my first book from author Melissa de la Cruz and it won’t be my last. I enjoyed her writing and the independent voice she gave to these characters. As a historical romance, I thought this book was well-written with the details and characters mannerisms true to that time. But I did think the historical facts in the first half of the book made the story drag. The romance of Alex and Eliza was sweet even though most of us know of their heart-breaking future. Despite that I did enjoy this book and would recommend this to historical romance fans.
4 Stars Audiobook Review
Cassandra Campbell does another entertaining performance. Even though the story dragged with historical facts Ms. Campbell added the emotion and excitement of the story. I love the voices for the female characters she portrayed with passion and fierceness, which for the time an unlikely characteristic. Her art of creating distinct voices for each character made it easy to follow. Cassandra Campbell is becoming one of my favorite narrators and I can’t wait to listen to more audiobooks from her.
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About Melissa de la Cruz
Melissa de la Cruz is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens including The Au Pairs series, the Blue Bloods series, the Ashleys series, the Angels on Sunset Boulevard series and the semi-autobiographical novel Fresh off the Boat.
Her books for adults include the novel Cat’s Meow, the anthology Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and the tongue-in-chic handbooks How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less and The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-inch heels and Faux-Pas.
She has worked as a fashion and beauty editor and has written for many publications including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.
Melissa grew up in Manila and moved to San Francisco with her family, where she graduated high school salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart. She majored in art history and English at Columbia University (and minored in nightclubs and shopping!).
She now divides her time between New York and Los Angeles, where she lives in the Hollywood Hills with her husband and daughter.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2017 Audiobook Challenge
- 2017 New Release Challenge
Oh this sounds fun! I love the idea of a historical romance focusing on real people and Alexander Hamilton is definitely hot right now. I’m adding this to my TBR! I love the book look. Those shoes are amazing.
I love historical romance and everyone is crazy about Hamilton lol. I can’t wait to see the musical. I love the shoes too (but would have a hard time walking in them lol).