Shandi Sturgill

 America’s First Daughter by Laura Kamoie and Stephanie Dray begins at the end. It opens on July 5, 1826. Thomas Jefferson has died, and his daughter, Martha, is sorting through his papers. Looking back on her past Martha, often called by the nickname Patsy, tells us the story of her life and about her relationship with her iconic father.

Needless to say this novel covers many years of American history, which makes for a compelling and complex plot. Yet, despite my love of this history, I found the various themes presented to be the most interesting aspect of the book. Two of the themes, often featured in tandem, are choice and sacrifice. Sally Hemmings gives up a life as a free woman in France to remain with Thomas; similarly, Patsy leaves behind a life with the man she loves to stay with her father and sister. Afterwards both are left with the repercussions of these choices; Patsy finds herself in an abusive marriage, and Sally remains a slave slandered by the public for her involvement with Jefferson.

Kamoie and Dray blend their voices seamlessly in their first work together. I enjoyed that the chapters were prefaced by letters from the Jefferson family and their contemporaries; it is easy to see that the authors did their research, even if some things had to be embellished for the sake of drama. I thought the characters were well crafted, especially Thomas Randolph, William Short, and Patsy. Ironically though, I wish we had seen a bit more of Thomas Jefferson and his relationships with his daughters. I found Patsy’s arc from a young girl to a wounded, almost jaded, woman to be flushed out and highly entertaining.

This is a bit of a romance novel, but even if that isn’t your thing I think you’ll enjoy this novel for its characters and rich history. And if you’re not a history buff, I imagine that you will still find yourself caught up in this well paced plot.