I absolutely devoured this fictionalized account of Teddy Roosevelt’s great love. I loved the inclusion of the letters, and the way the pivotal moments of the Gilded Age are woven into the plot to demonstrate how they shaped Roosevelt’s character and legacy.

Full review to come on Goodreads, Instagram, Tiktok and my blog.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

If a Poem Could Live and Breathe is the story of Teddy Roosevelt and his courtship and marriage with Alice Hathaway Lee. The book is historical fiction but uses the love letters of Teddy and Alice to hold the story together. and that grounding works well for the story. I enjoyed learning more about the personal life of the man who in future years would be president and part of the Rough Riders. Seeing the young lover as well at the Rough Rider gives a more well rounded vision of Roosevelt.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If a Poem Could Live and Breathe
A Novel of Teddy Roosevelt's First Love
by Mary Calvi is a great historical fiction that I really enjoyed.

Ms. Calvi takes us back to the late 19th century and brings to light the early lives of the future President Theodore Roosevelt and one of his inspirations, loves, and first wife, Alice Hathaway Lee.

Through actual facts and events, the author weaves a fictional story that brings history, passion, love, loss, and where paths join and divert into different directions all together into one narrative. The love, hope, and promise was paired with loss, pain, and despair. While some of this was fiction, one can read this and imagine how he must have felt and how this helped shape the man he was to become.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and St. Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/14/23.

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✨ PRINCEMAN REVIEW ✨

Have you ever been so captivated by a TRUE love story, that you KNOW their love will be told over and over for generations to come? The story of Theodore Roosevelt and Alice Lee is one I didn't know much about, but now I will never be able to forget it. In 'If a Poem Could Love and Breath,' by Mary Calvin, readers can experience what it's like to fall in love with one's soulmate.

📝 In 1878, Harvard student, Teddy Roosevelt, is discovering his own path and what his future will entail. Until he lays eyes on socialite, Alice Lee, and everything changes. Alice wants to be more than a woman who's expected to marry She wants a chance at an education that only men are allowed to have. What unfolds is one of the greatest love stories between one of America's presidents and a woman who was destined to change history in the United States.

What I 🤍:
✍️ Poetic, Beautiful Writing
📝 REAL Love Letters
🕰️ The Gilded Age
💕 Love at First Sight
💪 Allies for Women's Rights
🥊 Emotional Punch

What a story! This has the makings of a movie! 🎥 I just adored Mary's writing along with all the facts and research she put into making this as realistic of a story as possible. When reading this, I was in awe how different 'falling in love' was back in the late 1800s. The process was so heartwarming and sweet. Be prepared though! This story has an emotional ending, and I would recommend reading this blind! (Don't research these two ahead of time because you will spoil their story!) 😉

Prince's Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Passion: 🔥🔥 (Kisses and One Closed Door)
Read If ➡️: You adore a love story and historical fiction.
Read 📅: Anytime of Year

One part that threw me off was the pacing. Sometimes several chapters would be within one day, while all of a sudden you jumped six months. I assume this is due to missing information, so the author wanted to keep their story as authentic as possible. (So she didn't just add fluff). If you love historical fiction, the backstory of how Presidents became to be and TRUE LOVE, this story is for you!

🙏 Huge thank you to St. Martin's Press and Mary Calvi for a physical and digital ARC of this book.

🌟 If a Poem Could Live and Breath comes out February 14th! 🌟

Valentines Day may be over but that doesn’t mean all the love needs to be gone! Here’s a book just released this week that will keep it going.

If a Poem Could Live and Breathe by Mary Calvi. Thank you St. Martins Press for the advanced copy of this remarkable book!

I’ll be honest, I did not know much of Theodore Roosevelt going into this but since this books focuses on Teddys younger years and the relationship he had with his first love, Alice Lee, it was the perfect start to learn more about him. Etched with real letters the couple wrote each other, this book has such an authenticity about it that you can’t help to feel sincere emotions while reading. It’s about life’s trials and obstacles such as first loves, heartaches, losses and how even through all this, if one doesn’t lose hope in one’s self or in love, you can have a resiliency to keep moving forward to great things.

This was a fascinating story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Teddy and Alice and their love for each other. You could tell a lot of time and research was put into this novel by Mary Calvi and it definitely pays off! If you’re a historical fiction lover and/or romantic at heart, be sure to check this beautiful book out!

Theodore Roosevelt dealt with a great deal of tragedy in his life - being sickly as a child, the death of his father when Theodore was a teenager, the sudden death of his mother - but nothing affected him so much as the death of his first wife Alice Lee Hathaway. Alice died in childbirth, a victim of Bright's disease obscured by pregnancy. This book examines how Alice and Teddy met and fell in love. Seeing the great T R as a vulnerable young man smitten with a girl is a refreshing take on the giant of a man who charged up San Juan Hill and spoke softly but carried a big stick. And the book gives readers an opportunity to see Alice, a sharp, intelligent, independent young woman as a person rather than as part of a great man's biography. Beautifully written, "If a Poem Could Live and Breathe" tells a love story sadly forgotten to history.

Wow!!! What have I just read? This was a beautiful love story about our 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt and his first wife Alice Lee.
I live in the Town of Oyster Bay, not far from Sagamore Hill. I enjoy going there with my family. Recently, I have been reading up on his life so this book came at the perfect time. If you like historical fiction, this book is for you. The author weaved real letters between Alice and Teddy throughout the story. Many thanks to the author, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#IfAPoemCouldLiveAndBreathe #NetGalley #Bookouture #BooksOnTour #BookLove #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalFictionLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks

I am not going to lie. I wasn't a fan. The book was a little dry and I felt the characters had a very one dimensional tone to them.

The storyline was actually quite good but it fell a little flat in the execution. I didn't connect with any of the characters.

Having said that, I feel the author writing style, while I can see the talent, just wasn't my cup of tea. I did finish the book and the ending was worth it.

3.5 stars

I have been fascinated by the life of Teddy Roosevelt ever since the sixth grade when I read his biography. I was so excited to read this book because it features a part of his life I hadn’t read about before.

My favorite part of the book was reading the letters between Teddy and his first love, Alice Lee. The letters let you in on their thoughts and lives on such an intimate level. This book is sweet, romantic, and sad at times.

If you enjoy history, letters, or presidential fiction, I recommend you give this historical fiction novel a try.

This is the love story of Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, and his first wife, Alice Lee. If a poem Could Live and Breathe is a fact-based speculative fiction based on the love letters the two shared over their courtship and subsequent marriage.

Their love is like no other until tragedy strike leaving a gapping hole in Teddy's facade. Its through his journeys to the Dakota's that he learns the skills to pick-up his life to become America's 26th President. This novel perfectly portrays the authenticity of their time together, the heartache and how adversity can drive a person to greatness.

Their love is one that can never be replicated, as Teddy refused to allow anyone to say the name Alice in his presence. If A Poem Could Live and Breathe is a beautiful story that me left emotional in the end.

Thank you St. Martins Press for the complimentary copy of this novel in paperback and e-book format.

Flowerily language, elaborate dinner parties, and a sweet YA romance is what's in this novel. A good book won't suit every reader. This is true for me in this book. Halfway through the book, I became tired of the slowly evolved romance and their elaborate lifestyle. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review.

How fitting that this love story’s publication date is Valentine’s Day. Here is a terrific work of historical fiction that tells the story of the young Teddy Roosevelt and his love for his first wife, Alice. I was especially delighted to read this book as I had just visited the Theodore Roosevelt birthplace and I have also been to Sagamore Hill. These experiences helped me to place myself in this story’s time frame. No spoilers but I saw TR’s journal entry for a terrible day; readers will learn about what happened in these pages.

Teddy met Alice when he was a Harvard student and they married not long after his graduation. Their story is told here. It is deepened and enhanced by excerpts from letters that were written at the time.

Historical fiction fans and fans of stories that humanize the presidents are sure to enjoy this book. I recommend it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Teaser post published 14 February 2023 at https://wellreadpiratequeen.blogspot.com/2023/02/if-a-poem-could-live-mary-calvi.html
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This could have been amazing. A lot of people are already in the "it is amazing" camp. Parts of it are, even for me ... but there are enough parts that make me shake my head that it's just not an overall amazing for me.
It time jumps.
It changes from first person to third person.
It went on and on and on when it seemed wholly unnecessary.
I have a feeling that had Calvi chosen one time or the other and had stuck to a singular point of view I wouldn't have minded the on and on and on quite so much. My head was already aching from the other two qualms, though, so I ended up skimming quite a bit. Some parts jumped out at me and made me go "ooooooh that's lovely," but it wasn't enough to be amazing.

We start this journey in 1884, the present for Theodore Roosevelt in this story.

We then go back in time to 1878 and meet Alice Lee as she's eavesdropping on a conversation involving her cousin Richard Saltonstall. The debate is about allowing women to attend Harvard and it's a bit heated. It's not until one of the participants mentions old maids that Alice says something. She asks why aren't there old bachelors? Her cousin Rose interrupts at that point and Richard informs them of the coming arrival of one of his Harvard Mates, Theodore Roosevelt.

From the moment Theodore sees Alice he is smitten. This book will take us from that moment through the ups and downs, illness, engagement and marriage.

I felt as though I was walking those streets, taking tea and even breaking the rules with Teddy and Alice. The letters when they are apart are fun, uplifting and laced with a touch of longing and humor.

I love the way the past comes to life. From the parlors in Massachusetts, to the drawing rooms of New York City, and gardens of Long Island estates we see the families meet and navigate the relationship.

I could feel Alice's horror at discovering Teddy's hobby and his dismay at her reaction that causes him to relinquish it. As well as his determination to win her over afterward.

There's also betrayal from Alice's mother with regard to her education. A shame since Alice was most opinionated and outspoken.

There's Teddy's journey from Harvard to the NY Senate, and on to be President. With all his travels out west during this time highlighted as well.

Mary Calvi has brought this story and the Gilded Age to life for me. While tragic, this is a love story for all time.

📚 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 📚

𝗜𝗳 𝗮 𝗣𝗼𝗲𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲
𝗕𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗶
𝟯𝟮𝟬 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝟮/𝟭𝟰/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯

📖 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸
If a Poem Could Live and Breathe is a speculative historical romance about Teddy Roosevelt and his first love.

Alice Hathaway Lee is a beautiful, brilliant nonconformist, set on breaking the gender norms of the late 1800s, and getting an education in traditional "men's subjects." The times are a-changin', and Harvard is in the beginning stages of allowing women to attend. Though her mother is dead set against allowing Alice's finishing school years to go to waste (afterall, a woman who uses her brain too much is bound to develop physical side effects 🥴), Alice is determined to live life on her own terms.

During this time, Harvard student Theodore Roosevelt comes into her life at the best possible time. Originally from New York, Teddy is a charismatic, forward-thinker, and doesn't believe Alice's plans or thoughts about women's rights are radical. For the first time, Alice feels seen and heard. And Teddy is just smitten with the beauty and brains of Alice Lee.

The two embark on a journey that will forever change their lives. It is thought that Alice Lee had a significant impact on who Teddy would become, and the way he led the United States.

💭 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
This was such a pleasure to read! I flew through it in less than 24 hours. Mary Calvi did an outstanding job bringing these characters to life, and capturing their emotions and personalities. You can tell this was incredibly well-researched, and I loved the inclusion of the letters and diary entries. Calvi takes readers directly into the time period with her enormous skill. Well done!👏🏻

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romance, historical fiction, or history in general.

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the gifted eARC.
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Breathing! A beautifully written love story between Theodore Roosevelt and his first wife Alice. This is why I love to read! We see a side of Theodore Roosevelt rarely seen or talked about. I learned so many things.

I love reading about moments of history not well known and this is one of them. This novel based on the letters of Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt and his first love, Alice Lee. While I thoroughly enjoyed the history and learning so much about the time, I thought it was too sappy. I wanted more illiterate - less lovely-dovey, sugary, mush —- more love and less romance. Thanks to St Martins for the advanced copy.

Poignant, fact-based story of Teddy Roosevelt’s first love
Quote from book after Teddy tried to outrun grief: “If I have learned anything from being here, it is that courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when you don’t have the strength. Today I shall go home.” This book is phenomenal.
Read the “Note to the Reader” from the author for a fuller description of how she came to have the information to write such a lovely albeit sad story. This book is told in Four Parts and opens with Theodore on his land in North Dakota in the year 1884. The book shifts in each Part from the first chapter in Teddy’s present-day to the story of his meeting, loving, marrying and losing his greatest love, Alice Hathaway Lee. I still cry as I remember parts of this stirring and incomparable novel.
I’ll admit that I researched a bit about Theodore and Alice before reading the book. Although her death in all likelihood made Teddy the man he became, it would be so nice to imagine that her death never had to occur. This book was quite a departure from what I usually read but I devoured it. If you like sensitively told, well-written and captivating almost-true stories, this is a must read. Truly this is a ten-star book! I volunteered to review an ARC of it through NetGalley.

Most of the history books naturally focus on Theodore Roosevelt's time as president and the things he did for our country. If a Poem Could Live and Breathe takes us through his earlier years and his romance with his first wife, Alice Lee.

The book alternates between two time periods- the development of their romance and the after. Young Teddy Roosevelt struggled with health issues but worked to build himself up physically. He studied hard and was a unique man who enjoyed oddities like taxidermy. Alice was a young woman before her time and wished to be educated at a time when women weren't allowed in higher education.

Their connection was quick and sweet to read about. Towards the end of the book, the author includes actual love letters between Teddy and Alice. The language they used and the nicknames they had for each other ❤️

I wasn't familiar with Teddy or Alice and their history, so I was saddened by the end of the story. I had an idea of what would happen because of the chapters where Teddy is in the west, but it was truly to read about.

If a Poem Could Live and Breathe was a tender historical romance which felt authentic because of the language used throughout and the inclusion of the love letters between Teddy and Alice. For me, it was a sweet transport back in time to observe a pure love- perfect for Valentine's Day (which is when it becomes available! )

Sentimental, tender, and intriguing!

If a Poem Could Live and Breathe is a compelling, heart-tugging tale that sweeps you away to the late 1870s and into the lives of Harvard student Theodore Roosevelt and debutante Alice Lee Hathaway who, after meeting on an estate in Chestnut Hill, MA, quickly became friends, confidants, and partners until Valentine’s Day just over three years from the day of their marriage when tragedy strikes and Alice succumbs to an undiagnosed kidney infection while giving birth to their first child.

The prose is evocative and rich. The characters are multilayered, intelligent, and engaging. And the plot, infused with preserved love letters, is a fascinating tale about life, loss, family, friendship, history, emotion, determination, heartbreak, passion, and love.

Overall, If a Poem Could Live and Breathe is a beautifully written, enchanting tale by Calvi that does a remarkable job of highlighting her immense knowledge and research into this complex, historical figure who although lived to have an incredibly successful life, both politically and personally, never fully recovered from the sudden loss of his first true love.