Having loved Suzette Harrison’s The Girl at the Back of the Bus, I was excited to read My Name is Ona Judge. Harrison has again proved that she is a master storyteller! I devoured this story of Ona who was a slave for Martha Washington. I was emotionally invested in her story. I felt like I was at Mt. Vernon as an observer. This book had a second story set in present day Cape Charles. We were introduced to fictional character Tessa Lorraine Scott who owns an interior design business. She was involved in an abusive relationship. The book alternates chapters between these two stories. Tessa found Ona’s journal buried under a brick in front of a fireplace in an old home on Chincoteague which is owned by Mama Calloway the grandmother of Brandon (B.C.) Calloway, Tessa’s old boyfriend.
It did not take me long to read this book as I felt like I was a fly on the wall for both stories. I laughed. I cried. I got angry. I definitely wanted to have a conversation with President Washington and his wife. This book would make an excellent choice for book clubs who love historical fiction. So much to discuss. My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

What an amazing story of resilience and strength. Ona never imagined the affections of the owner’s granddaughter would cause her to lose more than she gained. I loved this story. Ona’s story traveled generations to Tessa whose life was changed by the words of a woman she could never possibly meet but would never forget. Author Suzette D. Harrison did an excellent job of expertly weaving the past and present together in a harmonious literary melody. Well done. Thank you #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

. I would like to thank Ms. Harrison for telling such an important story in America’s history. Without this book I would not have heard of Ona Judge. This was a wonderfully told story about Ona Judge who was a slave to Martha Washington. Although this book was a dual time line, weaving together two lives from the past and present I really was intrigued by Ona’s story and felt that it would have been just as valuable as a stand alone.
That being said I throughly enjoyed the characters on both sides of the timeline from Mama Calloway to Miss Eliza, each character was so vividly depicted that I felt as if I was a part of the household.

I definitely recommend you read Ona’s journey and personally anticipate reading more from this author.

Thank you to Bookouture and Net Galley for the advanced copy.

For many years I’ve read most things fact or fiction about the Washingtons, which included the story of Ona Judge. I was thrilled to be approved for this historical fiction based on her story.
Harrison does a good job giving Judge a voice and realistically depicting the events, conversations, and feelings of her characters.
It’s a powerful read. While the split time frame works, I think Ona”s story was strong enough to stand on its own, but the contemporary time frame molds nicely into the 18th century frame.
It’s a book that is not to be missed.

MY NAME IS ONA JUDGE-Suzette D. Harrison

I received this to my Kindle for the purpose of review. It is considered historical novel. In that description I can read and enjoy the story. Ona Judge was a slave for George and Martha Washington prior to him becoming President. She has been a slave since birth and is considered property.

Ona went from learning to sew and being with Mom all day every day. The niece of Martha loved "Oney" and so Oney moved to the main house to stay and be available to the niece who was really the same age as Ona. In the years that followed Ona went from being the playmate to being the personal maid to Martha.

Ona was well cared for by the Washingtons......however, she began to rethink what sbeing a slave meant. She missed her family terribly as unable to see them except on Sundays. She developed an overwhelming desire to run away after she witnessed the beating of some friends. After attending multiple freedom meetings she began plotting her plan to run.

Having being sent to Ona's home by Ona's great grandson to see how to renovate the home, Tessa happens upon a journal which had been hidden by Ona. As Tessa incorporates the journal into her daily thought processes. Tessa/Ona becomes a fast friendship drawn from the journal and Tessa's own challenges in relationships that were not healthy.

I felt the writing was good. The story was well written and quite interesting. I did feel the underlying theme was an effort to discredit George Washington. Some of the details she gave about the Washington family was in direct opposition to what I had learned and studied about George Washington.
#My name is Ona Judge #Net Galley

My Name is Ona Judge is a dual timeline historical fiction novel based on a true story. In present day, Tessa discovers a mysterious journal in the house of a family friend in Chincoteague, MD. The journal was written by Ona Judge, who was an escaped slave from George Washington's household. The stories of growing up in that household were completely horrific, and you will change your opinion of the nation's first president when you read this. Ona is a really strong character who survives a seemingly impossible childhood.

In modern day, Tessa is figuring out who she is, personally and professionally. Ona's journal puts things in perspective for her, and brings her closer to her family and friends.

This book has some tough parts, but it's worth reading.

My Name is Ona Judge by Suzette D. Harrison was such a great historical fiction book. As I have mentioned many times, I love the genre but get so burnt out on World War II which tends to be the setting of so many historical fiction books. I want more from the Civil War era and before! When I saw this book, I knew I needed to read it and I’m glad I did.

New Hampshire, 1796. “My name is Ona Judge,and I escaped from the household of the President of the United States. I was the favored maid of George and Martha Washington, but they deemed me a slave and thought me property, and I hear ten dollars is offered as reward for my capture. Now I must write the truth that I have lived, and tell my story…”

Chincoteague, Virginia, present day. Rain soaks Tessa Scott as she runs from her car to the old, vine-covered property she has been called to survey. She’s too busy to accept a new job, but doing this favor for the grandmother of her childhood sweetheart delays a painful decision she must make about a future with her controlling boyfriend.

But when Tessa finds a tattered journal carefully hidden inside the house’s ancient fireplace, the tragic story of how Ona was ripped from her mother’s arms to live and work in the palatial Mount Vernon, and the heart-shattering betrayal that led her to risk her life and run, has Tessa spellbound. Could discovering this forgotten scandal at the heart of her nation’s history force her to confront her own story? As she races to reach the final page, will anything prepare her for the desperate moment when Ona’s captors find her again? Will it inspire Tessa to take ownership of her own life and set herself free?

My favorite chapters were the ones about Ona, I just loved learning about her. Don’t miss this book when it comes out in September!

September 6.

Typically I am the one to recommend books for my mom, but she recently read The Girl at the Back of the Bus by Suzette D. Harrison, and couldn’t stop gushing about it! So, when I saw My Name is Ona Judge by the same author on NetGalley, I quickly requested it!

The book is written from two perspectives, Ona Judge, who lived as a dower slave to Martha Washington, and Tessa, a close family friend of Ona’s descendants. When Tessa accidentally finds Ona’s diary, she gets a glimpse into a life she could never imagine, and learns some life lessons herself.

Perhaps my favorite thing about this book is that it is based off of a true story! Ona Judge Staines was one of Martha Washington’s slaves, and escaped to live in freedom for the rest of her life. Prior to reading this novel, I had never heard of Ona, and I loved that Harrison took the time to share such an important part of history. Hopefully Ona Judge will be a household name like Harrison mentions in the novel.

Additionally, I felt as though Harrison told both Ona’s and Tessa’s stories in such an eloquent way. While there are many books about slavery, I don’t think I’ve ever read one from the perspective of a child, so that truly made this book stand out. Similarly, I thought it was important that the novel addressed significant issues, such as colorism and the belief that slaves working in the house had it easier. Ona’s story dispelled the common belief that all slaves working in the fields had more difficult lives, and encouraged readers to recognize that all slaves faced different types of adversity.

Furthermore, Tessa’s story amplified the power in Ona’s story, but also stood on its own. The fact that Tessa found bravery through reading Ona’s diary was inspiring, and I liked that she did not compare her experience to Ona’s, but was still able to find the wisdom in Ona’s story and her own.

Overall, I will certainly be checking out Suzette D. Harrison’s other books! My Name is Ona Judge was a wonderful novel that speaks on both past and current issues in our society!

My Name is Ona Judge is a fascinating read about Ona Judge the personal maid to Martha Washington.

The story is told in dual time line which works exceptionally well.

Tess is an interior designer who is on site at her ex boyfriends property at the request of his Grandmother.

It is here she discovers the diary of Ona Judge.

The story is so well told (in both time lines) that for me to describe it would never do the book justice.

I cheered for Ona and Tess, cried for them both and could not help but admire there tenacity and strength.

This is one book that will stay with me for a very long time.

Put My Name is Ona Judge on the top of your TBR pile. You will be thankful you did.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a fascinating and unforgettable read.

I liked the dual timelines here. I liked see Ona's story and how everything played out for her.
I liked that Tessa learned more about herself and her relationships as she learned more about Ona.
I think this one is really well done in bringing parts of the past into the future. We can all learn from where we come from.

Thanks NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC!

Wow!!! This was definitely a page turner that sent me on an emotional journey. I enjoyed the dual timeline as well as the characters. This was an informative and thought provoking story and I recommend it.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a masterful piece of writing! This story will blow you away! I know it’s Historical Fiction,, but deep down inside I came away with the feeling that there was a lot of truth attached to the conflicts, characters and scenes. That’s the mark of a great writer, and author Suzette D. Harrison is that writer!

You will be pulled in from the first lines of the Prologue as you meet Ona Judge, the historical heroine. Chapter One introduces us to the present day heroine, Tessa Scott. Ms Harrison flawlessly delivers this story over two distinct time periods: the late 1700’s and current day. By the end of this riveting story, we find ourselves at the one setting that ties everything and everyone together.. This will all make sense when you read this “gripping historical novel.”

The characters are perfect! Tessa and her ancestor, Ona, both come to grips with abusive situations. The side characters are instrumental in adding to the intrigue of the storyline.. I couldn’t help wondering Is present-day Dominic that much different from historical George Washington in the treatment of people? Yes, fans, that George Washington, the so called Father of this country. is front and center in this story. Please, don’t just take my word for it. You have got to read this book! It is insightful, educational, entertaining, and thought-provoking. You can thank me later.

Excellent dual-timeline book with strong female characters. First person point of view alternating between Ona Judge, a slave to “Mistress” Martha Washington and Tessa, an interior designer who uncovers a connection to Ona while surveying a property. Very engaging and absolutely held my attention. I live about half an hour away from Mount Vernon, and this book brought new perspectives vs. what I learned as a girl on school field trips.

Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest feedback.

Great story told in two perspectives and two time periods. I enjoyed both stories but found the slaves held by George Washington more interesting and informative. Both stories have similar themes but I found it hard to compare the devastating lives of slaves with the working and dating world of today. Both stories are tied together nicely and found the characters to be well developed. I recommend this book and found myself easily drawn into both time periods.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

If you like historical fiction and enjoy dual timelines then this is the book for you! Well written and absolutely captivating.

This is a dual timeline story...one that is set in our present day and one that is set in 1796 when we first come upon Ona. As a bondswoman/slave in President George Washington's Mt. Vernon home, she is given to Martha Washington as a gift she inherited from her first husband's estate. While Ona was "property" there is a difference between the fact that she was inherited as opposed to being bought. Present day, we find Tessa Scott who is helping out the grandmother of her childhood sweetheart. It's in that house that Tessa finds a diary written by Ona detailing Ona's separation from her mother and sisters, as well as her escape from the President's home. The diary gives us details about slave life, the treatment of these people...their brutality by those who owned them and their overseers wasn't just sad, it was just plain inhumane.

For me, even though I know that the present day story was there as a stepping stone to Ona's history, it was one I could do without. To be honest, it was those parts of the book I skimmed over. Ms. Harrison's novel brought an extremely interesting to her readers, actually amazing in its telling. As I read along, the internet helped me learn more about Ona Judge and her life.

My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love how the story intertwines generations apart and while both are strong minded capable women, their lives are dominated by men and it was worse for Ona who was at the mercy of her captors. A five star riveting story that I’d have no hesitation in recommending this to read.

This is a bit of a difficult review. I absolutely loved the historical timeline detailing Ona Judge’s diary of her thoughts and experiences. The present day timeline with Tessa Scott didn’t work as well for me. I’d have loved the book just being about Ona! That being said, I enjoyed the book overall.

This is the third book I have read from this author and every time she writes a book, it gets better and better!

Ona Judge is based on the true life of the maid of the first President of the United States and is the favored one as well. Ona then escape from the slavery and the Washingtons post a reward post, demanding Ona's return. Ona writes a diary, detailing about her life as a slave under the Washingtons. Back to the present day, Tessa Scott finds a journal written by Ona Judge. Tessa is helping out the grandmother of her childhood sweetheart and she was dealing with a controlling boyfriend. As she read the journal detailing about how Ona was separated from her mother and sisters and her daring escape from the Washingtons, the story made Tessa feel courageous if she can get out of the abusive relationship.

To me, what I enjoyed most was reading Ona's story. The author must have done tremendous research about Ona Judge's life making it as realistic as possible even though the book itself is fictional. There were parts where there were scenes of slaves being brutally treated--whipped for escaping and making the slaves work without a break. The fact that this did happened many years ago was too sad as we read how slaves were treated in plantations back then. However, we also see how the Washingtons, particularly Martha Washington, known to Ona as "Mistress" treated Ona and she was considered as Mistress' favorite maid. The most interesting part was how Ona escaped and considered herself a freed slave even though she was known as "fugitive" slave. And Ona got married and had three children and died in Mount Vernon. I also enjoyed how Ona's story inspired Tessa to leave behind her controlling boyfriend.

Overall, if you want to read and get inspired by Ona's story, then try this book out--worth five stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

A well written historical novel that was a riveting read with a dual timeline and well developed characters. This book has=d obviously been well researched and it made for a great book. It was evocative, emotive and made me want to find out more. I loved it,