I love this charming preview, and I can hardly wait to read the rest when it's published. At first I thought I might find this novel too young for me as a reader, but soon I was under its spell. It's excellent! Thanks for the preview.

Thank you so much for this sneak peak into the 1700 I really love reading about this era

Although I only read a sample of this book, I think I have read enough to understand both the general plot and style.


I adore the premise, and it's sure to be a popular book given how popular Hamilton is. I'm also interested in learning more about the historical Eliza. That being said I found the style of writing a little off putting. Yes, this is a historical fiction book and yes it's odd in that most readers will know the basic plot, but I found myself inundated with details as I read. The narrative style "told" many many facts about Eliza, Alex, and their families, often pulling back from their Point of view to do so. While I was interested in the historical details, it left me feeling very distant from a Alex or Eliza as characters in a novel.

That being said, I will try to pick up this book when it's out. I just hope there is more showing and less information dumped as "telling" in later chapters.

I can only review the preview I was given, but I can tell this is going to be a FUN one! Oh, how I love a good romance where they start out hating each other...and the fact that it's based off the lives of Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler? Bonus.

Quick wit, strong characters, good pacing, and I love the detail of the Revolutionary Period. Cannot wait to read the entire story!!

I received a sneak peek containing the first four chapters of Alex and Eliza: A Love Story from NetGalley.

I was so excited about this premise. A YA romance about Alexander Hamilton? Yes please! But after reading the sneak peek, I don't think I'll purchase this book.

When talking about the past, about the battles that had passed and the families that had lost or gained their fortunes, about how Alexander Hamilton came to live in New York, I loved this story. Melissa de la Cruz tells history in a way that's truly enjoyable and where I was interested to learn more.

However, when it came to talking about 1777, I found myself bored. There was no subtlety. In chapter one, the three Schuyler sisters find out that Alexander "Alex" Hamilton will be attending the ball that night. The three sisters all hope to meet him and discuss how best to get themselves introduced and what do wear to catch his attention. In chapter two, Alex heads to the ball wondering if perhaps what he's heard about Elizabeth Schuyler is true, that they have similar interests and that she wouldn't mind marrying someone of his not-so-prestigious lineage. While I loved the background information, the plot was so straightforward that I found it dull.

And I didn't really like Alex all that much. He shows up to the Schuyler ball to inform the father that he's being court-martialed. While he's rather apologetic, that's no excuse for not only still attending the ball, but also asking to spend the night at the house of the man who he's court-martialing. He worries that none of the women there will be interested in him, but is pleased to find out that the ratio of women to men is highly in his favor because all the men in the city are off dying at war. Overall, Alex just seemed like a huge dick.

I probably will not read Alex & Eliza when it comes out. However, if Melissa de la Cruz wants to publish a history textbook, I would 100% be there.

Alex & Eliza: A Love Story comes out April 11.

The book was like a modern day novel retelling of the play Hamilton about Alexander Hamilton's life and love life.
One read of his biography and I don't care to see a musical about it nor read an novel adaptation about it.

I have enjoyed Melissa de la Cruz's novels in the past and the added layer of historical fiction makes this a must read for me. I was disappointed that this was only a preview and I do wish it was a bit longer of a preview, but the brief intro was enough to pique my interest. Eliza's character is already set up so well to be a strong woman and a fun character to be immersed in. I can't wait to read the rest and find out what happens to her father and how she ends up falling in love with Alexander Hamilton.

I read a sneak peak of this book and I'm in love with it! It's funny and fascinating. I was laughing through the first four chapters. I can't wait any longer for this book!

I just saw Hamilton, and I loved this sneak peek. It was so interesting to see the beginning of Alex and Eliza's story told in a different way. I'm dying to read the rest of it. I'm about to teach Alexander Hamilton, so I'd love to use this book in my curriculum.

This preview just makes me more excited for the finished copy in April. Excitedly it comes out on my birthday and it'll be the best gift ever!!

The mini History lesson in the first half took a bit to get through as History was never my strong suit. However, it does well to catch you up on what you need to know for what you're about to read.

Melissa does amazing in just these short reveal chapters. I hope I get granted a full ARC soon. We shall see. Otherwise I will await the full release!

Sneek Peek— Alex and Eliza: A Love Story is an excerpt of the young adult historical fiction novel that will be published later this year. It provides a fascinating look at the personal lives of Alexander Hamilton and his future wife, Elizabeth Schuyler. Their attraction to each other seemed like an unlikely match— Alex who came from humble beginnings on the Caribbean island of St. Croix and Elizabeth whose family were prominent members of old, wealthy New York society.

Based on the excerpt, it appears that this novel promises to be a hit with both young adult and adult readers who enjoy historical fiction and a charming love story. It’s a well written and captivating novel that I’m looking forward to reading in full!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read the excerpt!

I got confused as to what was going on. This book seems okay for older teens, but younger teens might get lost in what's going on

Pouncing, no doubt, on Hamilton-mania, Penguin Young Readers is rolling out a novel featuring the love story of Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth (Eliza) Schuyler. What a great idea for engaging our teen/YA readers with exciting American history! If only.

I wanted to like this excerpt so much more than I did! After a dry prologue (solid information, but like a history lecture), the story sets the Schuyler sisters up like any good romance--with stereotypical physical description: "Angelica, the oldest, was a whip-smart, mischievous brunette, with glittering eyes, her pretty lips set in a perpetual smirk. Peggy, the youngest, was a waifish beauty, with a waist so tiny that she rarely bothered with a corset, and alabaster skin set off by a mass of lustrous dark hair that was simply too gorgeous to powder or bury under a wig (no matter what Marie Antoinette was covering her head with at Versailles)."
Sigh.
We first encounter the girls smuggling some fabric for Union uniforms into their home just before a ball commences. Now that has potential! But rather than focusing on those details and using this interesting plot line to draw us into the story, we devolve into girly-banter. We have learned that the girls need to marry well--and quickly--to help restore the family fortunes, and we are introduced to the fact that one Alexander Hamilton will be at the ball that night. The light banter between the sisters is fine, and of course young women of the time must have talked about these things, but I couldn't help feeling I had opened a Harlequin Historical Romance. (Anytime I'm reading dialogue and come across: "____ bit her lip, doubtful,.." I know I'm in trouble!)

Was this the right choice for setting up the plot and characters? I'd have liked a different approach, especially considering this book is for the teen/YA market; why not give young female readers, especially, more to engage with than a primary focus on clothes and swoon-worthy looks and fortune? Certainly it was true that the sisters' job was to marry well--but we also know they had other interests; why not approach their story that way, and then bring the romance in as a second and equally important and thrilling story line? The Schuyler sisters were famous for being more than just pretty fortune-hunters--give them some credit!

This librarian will be looking for a better version of this love story to put on the shelves.

A retelling of Hamilton?? How awesome! This excerpt is such a delight. I'll be looking forward to the full version and possibly ordering.

I am really excited to read this book and now even more excited after the sneak peak. I have enjoyed many of Melissa's books and am looking forward to this one. With the popularity of Hamilton this is a great book to be coming out. I know very little about him so I am excited to learn as well as be entertained. I hope April comes soon or a full galley becomes available.