Thank you PRH Audio for the ALC and Berkley #partner, for the advanced e-copy of Becoming Madam Secretary in exchange for my honest review.

This was a much anticipated read not only for March but for this year and it absolutely delivered in every way! Stephanie Dray is quickly becoming a favorite author for historical fiction and while this is only the second book I’ve read by her, I have her backlist on my tbr, ready to read when I get a chance.

I can’t think of a better book to celebrate Women’s History Month than this one. Frances Perkins is someone who we should all know and yet, I feel that this book is really the first time I completely understood who she was and all that she did. Don’t shy away from this one because of the length. Yes, it is 500 pages, but when I tell you I could have read 500 more pages about this woman, I am not joking!

This book takes us from the time Frances comes to New York and not only follows her career, starting in social work and then moving into politics, but we also see a personal side of her too, her marriage, motherhood, and all the friendships that came to have such an impact on her life. I particularly loved how when she first met Franklin Delano Roosevelt, she didn’t particularly like him, but eventually they became quite a pair.

I did an immersive read, where I paired the audiobook, narrated by the brilliant Cassandra Campbell, along with the print book, and there were so many times that I stopped so that I could mark a passage or quote that I wanted to remember or look into further. Yes, it did take longer that way, but I wouldn’t have done it any other way. This is why I love reading historical fiction – I learn so much! The way Stephanie Dray portrays the life of Frances Perkins, she comes alive on the page and I learned more in this book about some of our social and government programs than I did in any government or history classes I took in school. This book covers a big time period – from 1909 to 1963 – and yet it is done so vividly that I found myself completely immersed in the read. And when I was done, I wanted more!

It is quite evident this book is well-researched. I found it to be incredibly readable and I very much appreciated the author’s note at the end where we learn just a little bit more! I can’t wait to find more books on Frances Perkins and I definitely can’t wait to see who Stephanie Dray writes about next!

**Many thanks to Berkley and Stephanie Dray for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley!**

"Being a woman has only bothered me in climbing trees." - Frances Perkins

It is this frank and fearless nature that sets Frances Perkins apart...and from the moment she arrives in New York City, destined to bring about change, she truly has her work cut out for her. Working with some of the poorest in Hell's Kitchen's tenements, it is apparent that working conditions (and living conditions) are not sustainable for the people of her fair city. She has several compatriots, each with a fire for revolution in their bellies: there's Upton Sinclair, a cheeky young fire-haired writer who longs to be more than just friends with Frances, a wealthy but kind socialite Mary Harriman Rumsey, and a brooding, sensitive young reformer Paul Wilson, each determined to change the landscape in their own way.

But after witnessing the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire firsthand (with workers literally LEAPING out of the burning building to the ground below), Frances knows that labor conditions need change: immediate and DRASTIC change. Though she isn't directly involved in politics herself, Frances gets word that Franklin "Feather Duster" Roosevelt, a rich and haughty man she encountered at a party once (who wasn't exactly her number one fan, to put it mildly!) is running for office...and he might actually WIN. Roosevelt has a plan that will take him up through the ranks, and quickly: a plan that will end with him in the White House. When all of this comes to pass, NO one is more surprised than Frances when FDR not only recognizes Frances' passion for reform and labor policy, but wants to appoint her to be his Secretary of Labor...making her the very FIRST woman in the presidential cabinet.

Although Frances is honored and perhaps more passionate and driven by her work than anyone around her, she is met with pushback and criticism over and over again. Many men assume she can't do her job AND be a wife and mother...and Frances isn't going to let anything stand in her way. But balancing the severe troubles experienced by members of her family...acting as an indomitable force during FDR's tenure...AND fighting for social security and labor reform proves to be nearly overwhelming for Frances, and she starts to wonder if she can TRULY make all of these dreams come true. Will her bold determination start a blaze of glory that will continue on for generations to come...or will everything she has worked for crumble before her very eyes?

I'm a bit ashamed to say that before picking up this book, I probably hadn't heard the name Frances Perkins since elementary school...and since this may have been back in the 2nd or 3rd grade I couldn't have told you a THING about her. After reading this book, it's not only shocking but saddening to me that such an integral part of history was not a MAJOR focus in the curriculum. As someone who is very passionate when it comes to workers' rights (and as a former Union member myself, when I had the opportunity to be in one!) it was easy for me to become VERY invested in Frances' mission as she fought to keep children out of factories, to enforce more limited working hours (No more fourteen hour days...and we think we have it bad now!) and to establish programs like social security which would benefit ALL citizens, not just those born into wealth. Sadly, many of these fights persist today, but they would have been Dead on Arrival PERMANENTLY if not for the tireless work of Frances Perkins. To say this book is enlightening is an understatement: I feel I owe Frances a debt of gratitude!

Dray also does something special with this narrative: this is technically historical fiction, but almost reads more like a diary or a memoir. Perkins takes you through so many years of her life, but the chapters are fairly short and manageable, and there is a solid balance between Perkins' work life and her personal life. There is romance and heartache, inner turmoil and also an exploration of the power of friendship. While Perkins and FDR have a rocky start, the two learn to work in tandem in a truly powerful way, and like all of the relationships explored here, has a complexity and a beauty all its own. Perkins' choices are never easy, and this is the recurring theme underlying her entire career. Being a woman during this time was hard enough in and of itself, but to make some of the 'radical' statements and decisions Perkins was forced to make at times was what set her apart...and I am SO thrilled Dray chose to share this history in such an interesting way.

This book is also 500+ pages (!) which is usually somewhat of a red flag for me when it comes to historical fiction, but this one is written in such a way that it never feels overly long or complex. The chapters move along at a pretty good clip, and as a reader I felt that the only reason the book was this length was to make sure she captured as much detail about Perkins' life as possible: this one is meticulously researched, with Dray highlighting at the end any areas where she took creative liberty, but these are few and far between. There's always a stark difference between authors who TRULY do their research in historical fiction and those that rely on more 'basic' tropes and commonly known information. I applaud Dray's dedication to preserving the integrity of Frances Perkins and EVERYTHING she accomplished during her truly impactful time in office.

And through Dray, by the end of her journey, Perkins makes an observation true of so many bold and brilliant, brave and breathtaking revolutionaries of the past, present, and future: "So maybe a spark of madness is what it takes to accomplish anything truly revolutionary in this world."

One tiny, seemingly insignificant, but POWERFUL spark.

4 stars

This is the first book I've read by Stephanie Dray, and she quickly moved to the top of my list of favorite historical fiction writers.
In addition to learning about the fascinating life led by Francis Perkins, social reformer and all-around powerhouse, Becoming Madam Secretary does an incredible job of humanizing not only her, but those around her. You may recognize a lot of the names, but instead of them being these two-dimensional characters from history, Dray brings them to life. I especially loved the fictionalized scenes where Francis put FDR in his place when he needed it.
This book is particularly relevant not only during International Women's Month, but also in a time when the Social Security system and other social programs (which Perkins was a driving force behind) are under fire.

This is a compelling behind the scenes look at the life of Frances Perkins on her way to becoming the first female presidential cabinet member serving as Secretary of Labor through all four of FDR’s history making terms as president of the United States. A chance meeting of FDR at an afternoon society tea-dance is the turning point in Perkins’ career. Stephanie Dray’s impeccably researched novel keeps the reader’s focus on work-life balance as Frances juggles her burgeoning social and political activities with her family life.
I was enthralled with Frances Perkins’ determination and resolve to bring the horrid, unsafe working conditions in factories to the government’s attention and her tireless work to pass legislation calling for vast improvement in safety conditions and limiting work weeks to fifty-four hours. Dray’s unforgettable details and descriptions of a monumental time in U.S. history include tenements in Hell’s Kitchen, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, the Great Depression, FDR’s rise in the Democratic Party, Women’s Suffrage, and World War 11. I was most impressed with the courage and fortitude shown by Frances Perkins as she forged her place in history as a woman with a brilliant mind who became advisor, and confidant to our 32nd president. Her service to the U. S. is most evident in the New Deal and the Social Security Act which she was instrumental in convincing Congress to implement.
Stephanie Dray’s Becoming Madam Secretary is a terrific force, very much like Frances Perkins and her infamous tricorn hat.

Am I the only one that thinks my high school history classes were seriously lacking? I’m not sure I ever heard of Frances Perkins before picking this one up. And she led a fascinating life. This was the perfect International Women’s Day read. And it was an amazing read.

She helped create social security after being the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet position. And did I mention she also was also the longest serving secretary of labor? As a woman in a time when women were undervalued in the workplace, she accomplished so much. As her story starts, she isn’t even eligible to vote!!!

Her life is fascinating. I was equally intrigued in her early and personal life as I was with what she achieved in her career. Her life wasn’t easy yet she was such an accomplished woman.

Some of the read was sad as she fought to help eradicate child labor in the US and help those that couldn’t help themselves out of poverty. Her life outside of work wasn’t always easy. The illness that her husband suffered through and the time she spent away from her family for her career left marks.

And learning a little about FDR and his rise to power. I wondered what I had gotten myself into when this 500 page book showed up, but it really was a quick read.

I flipped back and forth between my book and audiobook and Cassandra Campbell did a terrific job narrating this one and bringing Frances to life. She sounded just like I thought Frances would sound and kept me interested in the story.

I recommend this one. Highly!

Quick and Dirty
-historical fiction
-rich in American history
-perfect for Social Work Month
-highly character-driven

What Worked
As a Social Worker (MSW, LCSW) this book was very much up my alley! Reading about a social worker turned politician pursuing progressive social reforms who also happened to be the first female cabinet member was such a joy. I loved learning about Frances Perkins and her relationship with FDR, who relied on her for SO much! The policies and programs she and FDR implemented changed our country, establishing safety net programs that many still depend on today. They laid the foundation for modern progressive politics, and I, for one, am forever grateful for their service. Discovering her as a person and not just a politician was really intriguing and made me wonder what more I could be doing for my community and country. Overall, this was an inspiring read that I very much connected with and enjoyed!

What Didn’t Work
The biggest challenge for me was the pacing of this novel. It was much slower than my typical reads, but the social justice aspects kept me engaged enough to power through! If you aren’t a fan of slower-paced novels this one might not be for you. The author dives deep into the character's motivations, inner thoughts, and rationale for nearly all her choices/actions, which is highly informative but for some might be overkill.

Read This If
If you’re passionate about social justice and progressive politics and enjoy highly character-driven novels this is for you!

Such a good book!! I had no idea who Frances Perkins was, but now I feel indebted to this woman! What a huge difference she made and how hard she had to fight to improve the lives of all Americans. Well written and quite enjoyable.

Thank you @berkleypub & @prhaudio for my complimentary copy. My thoughts are my own.
#penguinrandomhousepartners

I love a good historical fiction novel, but I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this one!

When Frances Perkins was sworn is as Secretary of Labor in March of 1933, she became the first woman to serve on a presidential Cabinet. Before she served on FDR’s cabinet, she was quite influential in the New York State government. She worked to implement many policies and programs that are still enforced today. She is known for:

*advocating better working conditions and less working hours per week for women (and children).
*improving fire safety in public places.

She was influential in the Roosevelt administration and lobbied for minimum wage and unemployment insurance for FDR’s New Deal program.

Perkins had many influential friends and was a close friend of the Roosevelts. Her personal life was interesting as she managed to balance her life as a working wife and mother during a time when women in her circles did not work.

The author did a beautiful job weaving details of government policies, social need, and Perkins’s personal life into an enjoyable story. I equally enjoyed both the audio (narrated by Cassandra Campbell) and print versions of this book.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and the author for my gifted physical copy and eARC to read and review!

This book is absolutely riveting, engaging, entertaining and informative. ALL THE THINGS!

I knew very little of Miss Perkins’ story and only slightly remembered that this trailblazing woman in history was “Baby’s” namesake in the movie Dirty Dancing. Remember that? Oh ya!!

Stephanie Dray cleverly and artistically uses historical fiction to re-introduce us to this brave and strong American woman and her story ... and she does it brilliantly! I especially enjoyed reading the author's notes at the end where we get a small glimpse into her creative process and see what facts she chose to intertwine with fiction and why. So fascinating!

This is one of those books I will be thinking about for a long time!

I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Frances Perkins, someone who had a huge impact on history that we should all know more about. She was behind some of the social programs we take for granted these days, like Social Security.

This book beautifully captures why I am drawn to historical fiction. It offers a glimpse into her private life in the context of history without having to strictly adhere to historical accuracy. If this were a non-fiction version of her life, we wouldn’t get what conversations might have taken place and what likely happened without relying on historical fact.

This is a wonderful read for historical fiction lovers and people interested in social reformers and American history.

It’s Women’s History Month, and I’m always game to learn more about strong women who have made a real difference. Although I knew Frances Perkins was the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet, I didn’t know she had Maine roots! Stephanie Dray’s Becoming Madam Secretary is a fascinating fictional (but based on true events) look at the woman who was one of the chief architects of FDR’s New Deal.

I've read many books, fiction and nonfiction, of the men in FDR's political cabinet. I don't think I ever heard there was a woman in his cabinet....and that's a terrible disservice not only to Frances Perkins but all women who would aspire to cabinet level positions.

The era of FDR was very different than any before or after. A country in turmoil and a world in war made every day an exercise in surviving and prospering. America would move from a country with a brilliant future to a country battling to survive a depression and the ravages of war. Frances Perkins' contributions to the country's return to the industrial age can not be looked over simply because she was a woman. This is an excellent book for any history buffs or those who would teach young women they have a place in history.

Many today consider Social Security benefits a non-negotiable part of American life, something we’ve always had and will have. But Social Security wouldn’t exist without the hard work of Ms. Frances Perkins, the first woman who served on a presidential cabinet as FDR’s Secretary of Labor. During the throes of The Great Depression, Ms. Perkins’ persistence in the face of personal tragedy, political criticism, and blatant misogeny not only gave Americans the New Deal, but also paved the way for women who wished to serve in public office.

And yet, until I read Stephanie Dray’s Becoming Madam Secretary, I had never heard of Frances Perkins.

Anyone interested in history, public service, and the evolving role of women in America during the 20th century should read Dray’s new release.

Premise

With poverty devastating the US and war brewing in Europe, FDR won the American presidency and immediately asked Frances Perkins to serve on his cabinet as Secretary of Labor. The two had become acquainted in New York political circles, and Perkins was not always a fan of the crafty, arrogant Franklin Roosevelt. But after illness tainted both of their lives, they developed a friendship and political partnership that would change the trajectory of modern America.

What I liked

Frances intrigued me from the start. She grew up in a comfortable middle class family in Massachusetts, attended college, and taught physics and biology. But by 1910, she felt compelled to help the poor, and her interests turned to social reform.

Early in the novel, when contending with another female social reformer who questions Frances’ motivations, Frances replies,

“… many people in America believe poverty is a moral problem having to do with spirits, sloth, or some other sin we can blame on individuals. But I believe that poverty in America is an economic problem that can be solved, and I intend to solve it.”

Go Frances! Early in her social reform days, when she was accosted by a pimp, Frances literally beat him off with her parasol. This woman had pluck! (Which sometimes worked against her with the press and political adversaries.)

After earning a masters degree in economics and sociology from Columbia, Frances became the secretary of the New York Consumers League. In that role, she investigated working conditions and fought for laws to limit working hours. In 1918, she was the first woman appointed to the New York State Industrial Commission, which put her in contact with several influential politicians, including FDR.

I also enjoyed learning about FDR and his determination in the face of polio, world war, and a failing economy. Even though he and Frances didn’t always see eye to eye, he recognized her talent and bolstered her career. Without Frances, The New Deal might never have happened. FDR and Frances cared deeply not only for the rights of the poor, but for the survival of the country. Their passion is as relevant today as it was while they fought for American democracy.

If we don’t lend a hand to millions of folks out there who’ve lost everything, they’ll be sitting ducks for nationalist demagogues. Just look at what happened in Italy and Germany. It’s going to come to blows one day. We’ve got to give our people a reason to believe in our democratic system so they’ll stand up of it. If we want to keep our American way of life alive and well, we need to give our folks some security and a democracy worth fighting for.”
FDR speaking in Becoming Madam Secretary.

In Becoming Madam Secretary, Dray highlights the sacrifice and struggle of working in public office, especially for a woman in the early 20th Century. Frances’ husband struggled with bipolar disorder, and eventually moved to an institution. She kept his condition quiet to avoid public scandal. Her often petulant daughter resented having a such a busy mother, adding more stress to Frances’ life. Dray deftly examines the precarious balance between motherhood and career, still so relevant today. She also highlights the burden Perkins carried as she broke barriers for other women.

I was coming to the uncomfortable realization that other women felt a strong personal investment in my career. Even those who weren’t my friends. Beyond any policy I might advance, they wanted to see me succeed. As if my rise validated their won ambitions and self-worth as women. It was both an honor and a terribly humbling to hold such a mantle.

While the events of Becoming Madam Secretary happened almost 100 years ago, they ring familiar in today’s political climate. For example, as Hitler made concerning changes in Germany, Frances fought to bring Jewish refugees to the United States. “Nativists” at the time accused her of being a communist and worse. The rhetoric echoes some of the language we hear today regarding immigrants.
What I didn’t like

Becoming Madame Secretary started slowly for me. There were also lots of characters introduced in the early chapters, and the name dropping made me feel like a newbie politician in the New York legislature. At times, the dialogue, especially between Frances and her friend and admirer Sinclair Lewis, felt awkward and stilted. However, as the book progressed, it sucked me in and I looked forward to reading about Frances and finding out how she managed to get her policy passed.
Recommendation

I have read several of Dray’s other historical fiction novels, including My Dear Hamilton and The Women of Chateau Lafayette. Becoming Madam Secretary is one of my favorites. If you love historical fiction or inspiring stories about strong women, you should read Becoming Madam Secretary. Dray’s novel is the perfect way to celebrate Women’s History Month.

Frances Perkins throws herself on to the scene in NYC. She is determined to change the working conditions for everyone, including children. She has an interaction with FDR and things do not go as planned. But, their relationship, or rather, partnership helped Americans… then and now!

I love Frances and FDR’s relationship, especially at the beginning. She calls him a popinjay. How this author describes their relationship and their interactions just brings them to life in the eyes of the reader.

This book is so well researched and I learned so much. Highly recommend you pick up this book today! I had no idea about Frances Perkins. She changed so much about America.

I did fluctuate between a 4 and 5 star on this one. But, I settled on a 4 star because it does get a bit slow in places. I am sure it is because the author is writing about a real life person and wants to tell it all.

Need a wonderful, historical fiction…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Frances Perkins was the first woman to serve on the American president’s cabinet when she was named Secretary of Labor by Franklin Roosevelt. With a degree in economics and sociology, she battled with congress, generals and the president to make changes that are still prevalent today. Stephanie Dray brings Perkins to life from her early work in Hell’s Kitchen in New York City to the halls of power in Washington. She was a worker’s rights advocate and fought for safety in the work place. Having met Roosevelt at a social function early in his career, she found him a lightweight who dabbled in politics. She came to change that opinion as she later worked with him as Governor of New York and as the President. She was criticized for keeping her maiden name after marrying Paul Wilson, an economist who worked for the Mayor of New York. She had made a reputation for her efforts for the workers and did not want it to overshadow her husband’s position. Wilson was later diagnosed as manic depressive and was institutionalized. It was a heartbreaking decision for Perkins. In an effort to support her daughter and husband, she moved to Washington, accepting the position on the Cabinet. She shared a home with Mary Harriman Rumsey, who was her closest friend until Mary’s death. In Washington she became a major force behind the Social Security Act of 1935. This is a portrait of a woman torn between the needs of her family and the needs of her country and the president she served. It is beautifully written and will stay with you long after the last pages are read. I would like to thank NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing this book for my review.

I would have liked to have met Frances Perkins! This is a great historical fiction about a woman who made a significant contribution to the U.S., among her various roles was that of the first woman U.S. secretary of labor in Franklin Roosevelt’s cabinet and fighting for the creation of the social security system we have today. She was feisty, highly principled, and committed to serving people. She was a strong woman and dealt with so many challenges, it’s amazing she powered through them all at huge emotional cost. I thoroughly enjoyed the working relationship she had with Roosevelt - she was not afraid to speak her mind and push for what she believed in and he admired and respected her tremendously. Stephanie Dray does a wonderful job capturing Frances Perkins’ character, personality, and voice. She did the same with all the other characters in the book - they were real, vibrant, and I felt I got to know them all as if I was a spectator in an unfolding drama. I also enjoyed the writing that made for a quick-paced read, which was surprising. I never felt bored at any point in the book, which was quite amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and highly recommend it. This was my second read by this author and I’ll definitely be seeking more of her books out. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray is a novel about Frances Parkins, the first female secretary of labor in the history of the USA, who served under the presidency of president Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Harry S.Truman, between 1933 en 1945.
The book starts when Frances lives in New York City, and is determined to make a difference for the many poor, mostly immigrant workers who work in bad conditions which reaches a terrible point during the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, where many young women perished because of the bad and unsafe working conditions. Frances starts to work for a social welfare organisation in the crowded and dirty tenements of Hell's Kitchen, where many children suffer from malnutrition, which is the topic of the researching of Frances for her thesis. What she sees during her work here leaves a big impression on her and is the backbone for her later political career. In her private life, she starts a relationship with Paul Wilson (and they get a daughter), which starts good, but later on becomes problematic when he starts having psychological problems and is admitted to a psychiatric hospital, something that Frances tries to keep secret because she doesnt't want it to affect her political career, a political career that is becoming more succesfull when she becomes the most trusted secretary of president elect Roosevelt and over the next twenty years, they will form a historic partnership that will carry them both to the White House when Roosevelt is elected for president. But her life is not easy in and out of the White house It was very challenging for a woman back then to work in a work field that is dominated by men and with the struggles to balance the demands of a public career with marriage and motherhood., and she pulls the nation out of the Great Depression together with the president.

Becoming Madam Secretary is a beautiful book. Altough it is fiction about a real historical person, it all feels very realistic. The storyline isn't the most exciting one, but the well crafted fictional biography of the main character, and a great cast of side characters makes up for it. The story is entertaining and keeps you interested to the last page. I never heard about Frances Perkins before but I feel I learned a lot about this prominent figure in American History by reading this book. Her starts in the political fiels where not easy, and her professional relationship with Roosevelt didn’t start out as positive but it became the most important one of her life, and she became the woman who defied societal norms to fight for change in American society. I absoulety love this book about her, and I truly recommend it!!

Becoming Madam Secretary was a fascinating look at a time and topic I didn’t know much about, and it was my first from historical fiction author Stephanie Dray. Of course, FDR and his New Deal as well as the Triangle shirtwaist factory fire were not new to me, yet I had never heard of Frances Perkins - the first female presidential cabinet member.

I really enjoyed the first-person narrative of Frances’ perspective, so it almost felt like a memoir. The story covers a lot of terrain as we learn about her life as both a political activist and powerhouse reformer. We also follow her personal life with brilliant but troubled husband Paul Wilson whose struggles with mental illness (bipolar disorder) were heartbreaking. We also meet real life figures including politicians like Al Smith and the Tammany Hall gang, flirtatious author Sinclair Lewis, best friend Mary Harriman Rumsey, and her Labor Secretary assistant Charlie Wyzanski.

I was surprised and impressed by how much Frances accomplished throughout her life! Her role in eliminating childhood malnutrition; creating workplace reforms like shorter work weeks, fire safety regulations, and child labor laws; and of course, pushing for the Social Security Act were all unknown to me. And I had no idea she was the first female cabinet member. I loved the dynamite story with NY Governor Al Smith and loved watching FDR’s evolution from “feather duster” to a true leader. 4.5 stars!

I highly recommend this for historical fiction fans, and it’s the perfect read for Women’s History Month!

While historical fiction isn’t the first genre I typically go for I do enjoy it a lot, and I especially love stories like that this that take a piece of history that is not typically focused on. I will admit I didn’t know Frances Perkins or all that she did to change America. While I knew we didn’t always have fair labor laws or social security I didn’t understand the work she went through to make them happen. I also will admit I didn’t know as much as I should have about Franklin Roosevelt. I thought the book was well written and the voice it gave Frances was very believable. I will say it’s a hard book to read because there are a lot of sad turns, but life is sad and to shy away from that is a bigger shame. I did think the story moved slowly at times and it was a long, but overall I greatly enjoyed it. 4.5 stars rounded up for helping educate me while I was also being entertained.

Becoming Madam Secretary shines a light on the story of Frances Perkins, a trailblazer with a penchant for social justice who becomes one of FDR’s most trusted allies.

Being unfamiliar with Perkins’ story, I found myself wholly wrapped up in the narrative of it. Author Stephanie Dray does a wonderful job of encapsulating a true American legend through the lens of historical fiction.

Fans of this genre will find themselves enthralled by the trajectory of Perkins’ life, both professionally and personally. And I, for one, enjoyed the ride.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC.