“As juicy and enlightening as a page in Meghan Markle’s diary.”—InStyle“Presidential darling, America’s sweetheart, national rebel: Teddy Roosevelt’s swashbuckling daughter Alice springs to life in this raucous anthem to a remarkable woman.”—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network and The HuntressA sweeping novel from renowned author Stephanie Marie Thornton…Alice may … novel from renowned author Stephanie Marie Thornton…
Alice may be the president’s daughter, but she’s nobody’s darling. As bold as her signature color Alice Blue, the gum-chewing, cigarette-smoking, poker-playing First Daughter discovers that the only way for a woman to stand out in Washington is to make waves—oceans of them. With the canny sophistication of the savviest politician on the Hill, Alice uses her celebrity to her advantage, testing the limits of her power and the seductive thrill of political entanglements.
But Washington, DC is rife with heartaches and betrayals, and when Alice falls hard for a smooth-talking congressman it will take everything this rebel has to emerge triumphant and claim her place as an American icon. As Alice soldiers through the devastation of two world wars and brazens out a cutting feud with her famous Roosevelt cousins, it’s no wonder everyone in the capital refers to her as the Other Washington Monument—and Alice intends to outlast them all.
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Received an ARC for the possibility of a cover quote, which I was delighted to give. Teddy Roosevelt’s swashbuckling daughter Alice springs to life in AMERICAN PRINCESS: Presidential darling, America’s sweetheart, and national rebel. Whether smoking cigarettes on the White House roof or cutting political enemies and jealous rivals off at the knees with her witty one-liners, Alice is a force of nature and a delight on the page. Stephanie Thornton pens a raucous, rollicking anthem to a remarkable woman determined to live life to the fullest.
Ever read a book that stays with you days and weeks and months after you finish it? American Princess has invaded my mind to the point I think I must read it again! I LOVED this book. I loved learning about Alice Roosevelt’s wild personality and the relationship she had with her larger-than-life father, Theodore Roosevelt. I learned so much about this “side” of the Roosevelts and enjoyed so much Alice’s feisty adventures and outrageous escapades. It simply must be made into a movie, though I’ll hold my breath if they can do it justice. Fabulous read!
In this dishy novel, Thornton skillfully brings to life the incomparable and unapologetic Alice Roosevelt, whose scandalous life was at the center of American politics for nearly a century. Alternately spoiled and neglected, whip-smart Alice can be insufferable… but she’s never boring. And neither is the tapestry of American historical life that plays out around her as a daddy’s girl. Fast-paced and written with verve and sass, this book is a treat and a treasure for history lovers.
Skillfully woven and impeccably researched, American Princess brims with scandals, secrets, and the complexities of love in all of its wondrous, maddening forms. A vividly imagined portrait that mesmerized me from the first page to the last.
The first daughter of Theodore Roosevelt, Alice Lee Roosevelt Longworth lived in and was married in the White House, was married to the Speaker of the House, the mistress to a senator, and referred to as the Other Washington Monument. She knew Presidents Taft, Harding, and Woodrow Wilson, was a cousin to Franklin Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt, met Richard Nixon and Jack, Jackie and Bobby Kennedy and was introduced to Queen Elizabeth at the White House. She was a darling of the newspapers who chronicled her every misstep. She lived through The Spanish American War, World War I and World War II, the Vietnam conflict and saw the change from horse drawn carriages to automobiles. And she survived a philandering husband and the suicide of her only daughter. This is a strong and fascinating woman.
I really liked Alice. Stephanie Thornton does a great job of bringing her character with her flaws and strengths to life. For anyone interested in US History or independent women this is a must read and one to be read again and again!
With graceful prose, Thornton paints a lively portrait of the indomitable Alice Roosevelt—socialite, writer, and president’s daughter…. A rich and compelling read, American Princess is one I won’t soon forget.
Stephanie Marie Thornton , Author of “American Princess” “A Novel of First Daughter Alice Roosevelt” has written an enthralling, intriguing, page-turning, and entertaining novel. The Genres for this Novel are Historical Fiction, and Fiction. The time-line for this story is just before Teddy Roosevelt became President, and continues into the twentieth first century. The author describes Alice Roosevelt as complex, complicated and attention seeking, adventurous, independent, stubborn, feisty, and intelligent. Alice was familiar with all the Politicians and important historical people.
Alice had an image of being a “Party girl”. She was known to chew gum, smoke cigarettes, loved fast-moving cars, and crave attention. Often that led to the choice of poor friends, who would betray her. Alice was a celebrity in her own right.
I appreciate the many hours of historical research that the author did to provide this story. This novel is written in a descriptive and entertaining way. The author describes her father as saying that “he could either control Alice, or the country”, when comments were made about her inappropriate behavior. Alice lived 96 years, through at least two wars, and had the opportunity to witness many things in her lifetime. I would highly recommend this novel to readers who enjoy Historical Fiction. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. This is the story of Alice Roosevelt, the daughter of our President Theodore Roosevelt. She was a rabble rouser and just like her father. This book gives a fictional view of her life and it’s awesome! She lived a wonderful and exciting life full of politics, love, family, and travel. She traveled all over the world for her father, with her husband, and later for herself. This is a wonderful novel that is a definite must read!
Well-written and kept my attention throughout. The Roosevelts are a fascinating family, and Alice is among the most fascinating of them all. She comes across as a bit on the selfish side, but certainly led life on her own terms. I enjoyed learning more about her.
An excellent novel about an important woman from our county’s history. A must read!
With each historical fiction I read I find myself looking for more. Stephanie Thornton has pulled me deeper into the historical world and I am loving all that I am learning about our history. Alice Roosevelt is someone who I knew very little about but I now find myself looking her up online and learning more about her.
I love how even though the world frowned on Alice’s way of life. She lived life to the fullest and didn’t really worry about what the rest of the world would think. She used her knowledge of politics to further her causes and to make political pushes for a better world. Her determination and ability to hold her own in almost any situation made her a force to be reckoned with both personally and politically.
American Princess tells the story of Alice but it also gives us a glimpse into life during the Roosevelt presidency and the world during that time. I liked that it wasn’t just set in the United States but also throughout the rest of the world bringing to the book a broader storyline. I learned so much about the world, the United States, and the presidency.
Theodore Roosevelt’s election launched his eldest daughter into the national spotlight. Alice became America’s sweetheart and her dress styles were copied and sold using her name. During her father’s presidency, she was constantly followed by the press and she often rebelled with her headstrong and non- conforming personality.
Alice’s life started with a tragedy when her mother died two days after childbirth. When her father was unable to cope, she was looked after by his sister. Teddy soon remarried which introduced a stepmother and new siblings into her life.
This story is a realistic view of Alice’s life as she progresses through failed relationships, politics and her frustrations over having to share her father with the world. This well-researched novel examines the life of a progressive woman who walked to her own beat and lived life to the fullest. I really enjoyed ”American Princess” by Stephanie Marie Thornton.
I am so sad I’m finished with this book! Engaging on every page!!!
The feistiness of Alice Roosevelt was evident from the very first page of this magnificently written novel. I wanted to know more about her and hear all of her exciting stories and memories.
The times in which she lived added to my fascination as I read on. She was a force to be reckoned with every step of the way, and Thornton was spot on with every thought and feeling. I had to stifle my laughter more than once. Alice’s spunk was brilliantly blended with her vulnerabilities and need to be loved. The realness of her definitely helped to pull me into the story even more and had me emotionally invested in everything that was happening. It was very powerful.
As she grew older and life appeared to shift from happy-go-lucky to being more on edge for loss, I ached for her and all of the traumas that she had to endure. And yet she did so with gusto and a thirst for life. Her uncanny ability to pick herself up and dust herself off over the years and situations was inspiring.
This was truly a brilliant novel about an incredible woman from even more incredible times. All that she saw, conquered, and had the opportunity and strength to do was perfectly portayed in this novel. I am also still in awe of everyone that she had the chance to meet and on whom she worked her charms.
I absolutely cannot wait for Thornton’s next book, and I hope that Alice is able to make an appearance in it as well. I haven’t gotten my fill of her wild ways just yet.
Stephanie Thornton’s sparkling new novel captivates from page one. This intimate portrait of Alice Roosevelt follows America’s favorite first daughter from wild young debutante to Washington D.C. grand dame and delights every step of the way.
I fell in love with Alice Roosevelt’s voice…. Thornton has successfully created an endearing, unforgettable female figure.… American Princess, is a powerful, mesmerizing historical novel, destined to be shelved as a classic!
Delightful biography of Alice Roosevelt! I knew a little about her before reading this book but WOW!! What a life she led! I found the whole book fascinating and enlightening. The Bush twins had nothing on her. Alice was a rebel before there were rebels, especially in the White House.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
I loved reading about how this no-holds-barred woman took the country, the world by storm. Her life spans many of the important events and people of the twentieth century, from World War I to the assassination of J.F. Kennedy. A completely satisfying, mesmerizing, read.
First daughters don’t come more rebellious than Alice Roosevelt, the oldest and boldest of Teddy Roosevelt’s children. Living and loving more wildly than wisely in her youth, Alice takes Washington, D.C. by storm, becoming both a celebrity and a scandal. But there’s much more to the story, and Thornton’s novel goes on to explore Alice’s post-presidential years, as she hangs on through tragedy, triumph, romantic disappointments, political maneuvering, and so much more, which earned her the moniker “The Other Washington Monument.”
Fascinating book about a fascinating woman.