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.

This was such a fascinating look at Alice Roosevelt's life. Alice Roosevelt was the daughter of Teddy Roosevelt and I basically knew nothing about her before reading this novel. It was interesting to read in the author's note at the end that she used all of Alice's actual letters and her actual scandals. There were just a few minor events that the author changed to fit the narrative. But it was amazing how scandalous she was, especially given the times. I loved reading about her relationships and her political machinations. Alice was pretty smart when she had the thought that she wouldn't ever actually want to be President because she enjoyed welding power behind the scenes. She was such a feminist before women even had the right to vote and before being a feminist was cool. I thought this was a great look at her life and I thought the author was so thorough with it. Great read!

This novel chronicles the life of Alice Roosevelt, daughter of Theodore Roosevelt. I was interested in this book because I knew nothing about Alice and I love a novels about women from history.

In the early chapters, Alice is a difficult character to like. She’s spoiled, headstrong, and entitled. I absolutely love the quote from Theodore Roosevelt, “I can either run the country or I can attend to Alice, but I cannot possibly do both."Alice Roosevelt was definitely a force to be reckoned with! Throughout her life she gains wisdom and the ability to relate to people, but still retains her strong convictions and sense of character. I especially admire her ability to be true to herself and her perseverance through the many complexities of her life.

I loved that while I was caught up in this story, I was also experiencing a period of history. I found the Roosevelt family tree very interesting and enjoyed the relationships (though challenging at times) between Alice, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt.

The attention to detail in American Princess is remarkable. It’s obvious that the author spent a great deal of time and energy researching this prominent family and then carefully crafting the story, ensuring that all the information was properly portrayed.

Fans of historical fiction and strong female heroines will be delighted by this book.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC to read in exchange for my honest opinion.

Beautifully told historical novel that tells the story of Alice Roosevelt. Recommended for fans of historical fiction.

This was such a fascinating, interesting book! I didn't know anything about Alice Roosevelt or this period of American history, and I was good at resisting Wikipedia so the narrative would surprise me. It's always hard to fit an entire life in a 400 page book, especially one as full as Alice's, and I feel like it was done well. I liked the emphasis on her younger years for half the book. Infidelity is not a topic I enjoy, but all of the "characters"... real people... were nuanced and interesting, which I appreciated. And I very much enjoyed the ending, it was lovely. I would definitely recommend this to historical fiction readers!

Alice Roosevelt is a fascinating character, but not one that many people know much about. This book will appeal to readers of other novelized biographies such as The Paris Wife. It will pair well with nonfiction books about Teddy Roosevelt.

I was very excited that Netgalley gave me the opportunity to read American Princess before its actual release. I knew nothing of Alice Roosevelt and after reading about her I felt like I met someone I would have loved being friends with. Alice's zest for life and actually living every day, mistakes and all, was a lesson for us all. Continuously being in the limelight, her life was full of adventure, heartbreak, success and great mistakes that were shown to the world, however, her courage and strength allowed her to continue to put one foot in front of the other and never quit. She was definitely a force to be reckoned with and as the book continues, a perfect example that even people with age can be relevant!

I will look into reading more of Stephanie Marie Thornton's books.

A wonderful Historical Fiction depicting Alice, the daughter of President Roosevelt. Full of stories and history. I love a book that gives me knowledge! I found myself looking up names to get a face with the name!
Great Read!! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.
I greatly recommend American Princess by Stephanie Marie Thornton.

Alice is subjected to the life of the presidents daughter and all the scrutiny and public focus that comes along with it. She is someone who tests the limits at every turn. She falls for a congressman that she shouldn't, she spends her time trying to balance her life between the world she lives in and who she wants to be.

In June 2016 Stephanie Thornton announced she’d finished the first draft of her fifth novel. From the image that accompanied that announcement, I deduced the novel’s subject which means that I waited an excess of two years to get my hands on American Princess. Two. Whole. Years.

Turnabout is fair play and while I feel I’d be entirely justified in holding this review until 2021, I also recognize my inability to follow through on such a threat. Tough as I might talk, I am a book junkie with a serious coffee addiction and can’t be trusted not to scream from the hilltops when a book hits just the right note.

Thornton’s passion for her subject matter radiates from every page of this novel, but the author’s ability to endow her iconic cast with such deeply poignant and complex emotions is what makes this story shine. Thornton’s illustration of Alice’s relationships pulls back the curtain and invites readers to indulge in both the privilege and pressures that accompanied membership in the Roosevelt clan, to understand the delicate alliances they forged, and experience an unadulterated glimpse of the world they knew.

There is something deeply moving in Thornton’s firebrand characterization of Alice and I was intrigued at the underlying idea of legacy and how it ripples across generations, but I have to admit the author’s portrait of Alice’s love-hate relationship with Eleanor Roosevelt my favorite element of the story. McNees’ Undiscovered Country, Albert’s Loving Eleanor, and Bloom’s White Houses have all featured the first lady’s relationship with Lorena Hickok, but Thornton’s subject allowed her to showcase another side of Eleanor. Together, these women engage in and foster the ambitions of those at the upper echelons of power in the United States and I liked both the perspective and relevancy that created in the fabric of the narrative.

I loved this book, Like most people, the only thing most of us knew about Alice Roosevelt Longworth was the infamous line from her father "I can either run the country or I can attend to Alice, but I cannot possibly do both." While this book is a novelization, it stayed true to many facts of Alice's life that I've read about other places (and apparently stuck with me as I'm watching the Roosevelt documentary while writing this). This book was well written and fascinating!

When I first started reading this book, I thought it was pure fiction. But then I realized it was more truth than fiction. The author masterfully gave voice to the life of Alice Roosevelt Longwood. The story reads almost like a soap opera but better. After I read Alice's bio on Wikipedia, I realized that she lived much of her life during my lifetime. I would relate what was happening to her to what was happening in my life at that particular time. I found it amazing that while I was raising my children, Alice was flitting all over the world on adventures. I didn't read or listen to much news when I was younger, as I was concentrating on my own life. But now I wish I had paid more attention. Alice's life is an amazing story of resilience and fortitude. I suggest you read about her on Wikipedia first (it's a short entry) then sit back and enjoy this novel. Most of the occurrences in this book are true. Even if you're not a fan of biographies, you'll enjoy this fictional version of Alice Roosevelt Longwood.

I know it’s only the second week of January 2019, but I’m going to make a prognostication: “American Princess” is going to be one of 2019’s must read books. I haven’t felt such an intensely intimate reading experience since the 2013 publication of Melanie Benjamin’s “The Aviator’s Wife.”

“American Princess” tackles Alice Roosevelt Longworth, oldest daughter of Teddy, cousin to Eleanor and Franklin. Readers are taken inside one of America’s most intriguing characters. She was so popular that song and a color (like Alice Blue) was named after her. She adored her Cuban pearls.

The story opens in 1970. Alice is being prepped for surgery. She knows she’s lead a life that most people only dream of, but that doesn’t mean it had been easy.

Her mother and paternal grandmother died on the same day, hours apart, in 1884, when she was two days old. Teddy was so distraught that immediately after the funerals, he packed his bags and left for the Dakota Badlands. Her aunt tried to get him to hold her, but he pushed her away, saying I can’t. She has her eyes…I just can’t. Alice spent the rest of Teddy’s life “trying to clamber onto his lap.” Eventually, the two became good friends and confident.

Readers will learn that no-so-lady-like Alice, the snarky, “gun-chewing, cigarette-smoking, poker-playing First Daughter,” had a mind of her own and wasn’t afraid to speak it. Readers get to experience the highs and lows of a high-profile life, her world travels, her marriage to a swashbuckling congressman, the birth of her daughter, her affairs her love for her father and the bond they ultimately shared, and her keen insight into politics.

After Teddy’s death in 1919, Alice led the campaign against America’s membership of the League of Nations. So politically savvy was she that the Republican Party briefly considered her for vice-president on Herbert Hoover’s ticket in 1928.

There is so much detail in this epic story that it feels as if Alice has written a memoir. Author Thornton must have spent decades researching Alice’s life. One of my favorite parts was the epigraph that begins Part 3: “If you can’t say something good about someone sit right here by me.” That pretty well sums up Alice’s unreserved personality.

Alice lived to be 96 years old, dying in 1980. She had seen sixteen president’s and was often called Washington’s other monument. “American Princess” is a tribute to Alice’s life. I enjoyed this novel so much that it receives 6 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

This book was received as an ARC from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Historical Fiction is becoming a popular on demand topic for our patrons at the library and the Roosevelts are one of the most famous families in America. I also love a rebellious attitude that Alice had throughout the book in her childhood and as she got older becoming more heavily involved with politics. Knowing potential background stories of family members of famous presidents can become very interesting and is sure to spark the interest of our patrons and members of our library community as well.

We will consider adding this title to our Historical Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

American Princess tells the story of Alice Roosevelt, the headstrong daughter of the indomitable Teddy Roosevelt. This was a fast-paced piece of history that was fun to read!

I was excited to read American Princess because Alice Roosevelt was not a historical figure I knew much about. I absolutely loved learning about this time period and seeing the world through Alice’s eyes, especially as she rolled up on the DC scene as a young woman looking to make waves. A beautiful story told over 96 years with enjoyable detail that left you rooting for Alice the whole way.

Despite being more than 400 pages I read this in two days because I enjoyed her fearless spirit in pursuit of supporting her family, advocating for herself, and following her heart. The writing kept me turning the pages and left me sad to close the book when I reached the last page.

I'm realizing how much I love realistic historical fiction, thanks to some recent titles, as well as American Princess. Can't wait to recommend this to my friends! Thank you to Berkley for letting me preview this read.

This is a beautifully written novelized biography of an important figure in 20th century America: Alice Roosevelt. She met and knew most of the important political figures from 1910 through the 1970s. (She may have rivaled Forrest Gump in this respect!) I loved the historical atmosphere surrounding her escapades and having history come alive through her life.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC to read and review.

This book was so well written with many intriguing historical characters, especially Alice Roosevelt herself. It was the historical research that made this book come alive for me with insights into not only Teddy Roosevelt himself but the figures surrounding him. All in all it was more than a shallow look at a time in history but included a Grand love story to boot. I heartily recommend it for lovers of historical fiction.

Many people know of the accomplishments Alice Roosevelt made as an envoy of the White House during her father, Theodore Roosevelt's presidency. The rest of this energetic, feisty and totally rebellious woman's life is played out in this ambitious novel that spans from her debutante days to her death at the age of 96. Alice was the consummate politician aiding in her father's, husband and lover's campaigns as well as was on the shortlist for every state and foreign dinner and social event. Her spunk defied polite society, her love of life survived all the scandals and her loyalty to her family knew no bounds. Her only wish was to be truly loved and appreciated for who she was by the important men in her life. This is historical fiction at its very best and a fascinating look at the woman they called "the other Washington monument". My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

Although a fictionalized account of Alice Roosevelt, the author backs the story with much fact. The reader gets a true sense of Alice, her faults and flaws which make her more lovable and admirable as a heroine. Alice laments through the story of the lack of love from her father and stepmother, but the reader can discern otherwise through their actions and get the sense that the immediate family of Teddy Roosevelt was actually a close one. After normal teenage rebellion, Alice's actions and activities were politically motivated and she knew how to 'play the press.' Our American Princess had a full, wonderful life full of passion and adventure. It was a pleasure to read this book and have this historical character brought to life!