“My Name Is Ona Judge” is a dual timeline historical fiction book by Suzette D. Harrison. One of the things I greatly enjoy about historical fiction is learning something new - and on that front this book delivered - and how! I knew that President and Mrs. Washington had slaves at Mount Vernon, but what I didn’t know were the “property” details regarding the ones Mrs. Washington inherited from her first husband’s estate versus those Mr. Washington bought. Ms. Harrison makes that difference really clear and explains it very well - so my hat off to her for both that explanation and clarification. Ona Judge’s story is extremely interesting and Ms. Harrison’s touches of creativity shine through. I admit to consulting the internet to learn more about Ona Judge’s story and was heartened to discover more books about this courageous woman. Where this book fell flat for me was in the modern story. While I found Tessa’s discovery interesting, I’m not much for a touch of the supernatural nor for all the angst Tessa had regarding her personal life. It took me a while keep track of the family/friends in Tessa's sections, which distracted me for a while. If you want to learn more about a fascinating real person who was enslaved by the Washington’s (and the Slave Laws at the time of our nation’s beginning and how they varied state to state), do pick this book up.

Wow I’m picking some fab books at the moment…. The evocative details and impeccable research make for a delightful reading experience.
The writing style is great and it's fantastically written. A wonderful story, beautifully told. I absolutely tore through it! Top marks ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Speechless on so many levels!

Just WOW!

I must say that my mind is simply reeling now. That it has truly taken me a few minutes to find the “correct” mindset prior to writing this review.

If that makes sense?

I had written an entire dialogue as I normally do, however I will refrain from it this time. Some things are simply better left unsaid.

Harrison begins her story with her talent of intertwining her characters lives, with a Past and Present journey. Let us begin


Tessa Scott: TSL is an interior designer going to look at the property of her childhood best friend and ex-boyfriends’ family home, in Chincoteague, VA.
At the behest of their grandmother who she calls “Momma Calloway,” to take pictures for the redesign so BC (the ex and grandson of Momma C) can sell the property) However! Momma C is not really interested in selling the property. she believes that the property did really belong to their family members that were slaves, to the President of the United States, George Washington, and First Lady Martha Washington. (She just had to prove it)
So! Off Tessa goes to Chincoteague to look at the property, however Tessa has all sorts of problems prior to even getting there. For starters it is raining, her mind is somewhere else because her period is late, Dominic her boyfriend is angry because she is late for his father’s dinner party, and she just rear ended a van. Time already not on her side, it is now dark, and Momma C could not wait for her longer but did leave her pralines.
As Tessa is taking the photographs, she feels a cold breeze on her neck. In her scared state she bumps into the fireplace knocking down the candlestick, dislodging the letter “O” carved into the masonry work. (You have to read why this is so significant) Upon Tessa getting up, she notices something stuffed within the space. As she digs out the space, she pulls out a wad of fabric, when she hears footsteps upstairs. She grabs her pralines and hauls it out the door, upon looking up at the window she sees a figure.

Ona Judge: Ona’s mother Betty is the expert seamstress for the Washingtons, and Ona wants to be just like her. She is almost as proficient as the other menders that work for her mother and Ona is only ten. On this particular day Ona is waiting to see if she has met her mother’s approval of her work (which she has) when Nancy and Washy Jack decide that they want to play. This day will be the last time that Ona spends the night in her family dwelling, for Nancy decides that she wants Ona as her plaything all the time. Which Martha Washington cannot refuse anything her 5-year-old granddaughter requests of her (Especially since her grandchildren are all she has, since all of her children have died before her) Then one day, Mrs. Washington is having one of her debilitating spells! Ona happens to be passing when she hears yelling and screaming, she goes to the room to help. Where she sees Simmie Mrs. Washingtons personal house maid, getting yelled at about ink being on the floor. Mrs. Washington tells Ona not to stand there but to help clean it up. As Simmie goes to help, she knocks the bottle to the floor. Mrs. Washington fly’s up and Slaps Sammie and tells her to get out, that Ona will finish the day out. As Ona checks to make sure all is clean and tidy in the room, she picks up the stuffed rabbit that Mrs. Washington has torn to shreds. Ona fixes the rabbit and is going to give the rabbit to little Washy as a present, only to have forgotten it is in her apron. When it is snatched by “Evilest Eliza” (that is what Ona calls her) and is shoved to the floor by Eliza. Mrs. Washington questions Ona about the rabbit and tells her the history of the rabbit. Ona tells her she did fix the rabbit and that is when Ona’s life as she knew it would change forever.

Here is where I leave you, to figure out what happened to Ona Judge and Tessa Scott.

Now! Make no mistake whatsoever my fellow readers of the world. I have not even pricked this story.

Harrison is a MASTER storyteller!

The intermingling of the two women’s lives is beautifully done, especially at the end.

Oh! I wish I could say how….

There was no way to do this review any justice….

My only words are:

Harrison has the book on Unlimited on Amazon for FREE and for Review on NetGalley for FREE

Do yourself a favor, get the book.

Harrison to you I, say “Well Done” Bravo!!!

APPLAUSE TO YOU MA’AM!!!😊


Thank you to NetGalley, Suzette D. Harrison and Bookouture for making this free eARC available for review . My review of this book are of my own volition.

As someone raised in the South, the stories of slavery are so much of our history curriculum growing up but what we don't know the names or stories of incredible women like Ona Judge Staines and what her story meant to history. I think another interesting book would be about Sally Hemings.