Far more than just a book, Let Us March on beckons us to take action, challenging us as readers to reflect on our own roles in the quest for equality and justice. The narrative demonstrates how we are truly better together. It leaves you with a renewed sense of hope in what can be. Until then, let us march on…

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

This was a fantastic historical fiction novel. I really enjoyed learning about Miss Lizzie McDuffie, who worked very closely with Franklin Delano Roosevelt. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in historical fiction novels, especially about the lesser known historical figures who really should be more well-known.

I was not aware of who Lizzie McDuffie was or the role she played in the FDR White House until I read this book. She was a maid and a somewhat reluctant Civil Rights activist. Her husband, Irvin ‘Mac’ McDuffie, was Franklin Roosevelt’s valet. They were employed there for 12 years.

I thought this was such an interesting book and I loved how she had the ability to advocate for people of color in big and small ways through her connection to the president. I enjoyed learning from this story.

[Thanks to the publisher, William Morrow Books, and NetGalley for the advance electronic copy of this https://www.instagram.com/apuzzledbooklover/book in exchange for an honest review.]

I found this book to be fascinating. I had never heard of this woman, however I felt this author did an excellent job bringing her to life. I really admired the strength and courage of this woman who put herself out there in so many brave ways during the time period she was in. She also brought FDR to life as well. I hope that this author continues to write. I want more. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

I became fascinated with this book from page 1. I Immediately fell in love with Lizzie and greatly appreciated that it was written from her point of view. The relationship which she and her husband Mac achieved with Mr and Mrs Roosevelt was one of value and worth, they truly became friends and confidants. Lizzie says she never considered herself to be a civil rights activist but by bringing people’s stories and concerns to the President and being willing to bring up the hard subjects of injustice with him, she truly was an activist of the good kind. This story not only shared what Lizzie did and went through, but also shared what Mac’s journey was which resembles many people and also shared things about FDR that many may not know and certainly many did not see. This is an easy read in a very good way!
Thank you Netgalley and ARC for the opportunity to read this.

I really enjoy reading historical fiction particularly if I learn something about history that I did not know.
This is a truly engaging read about Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ McDuffe who was a maid during the Roosevelt presidency. Lizzie becomes so much more to Franklin D. Roosevelt and the First Lady but also to the black community as a whole. She became know as the Secretary on Coloured Peoples Affairs. This is a well researched story of a strong female figure in history. A great read.

Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow for this ARC! Starting this on MLK Jr Day was special. A timely book for today, this reminded me of how history repeats itself. We watch the FDR four term presidency through the eyes of White House maid Lizzie McDuffie.

FDR was president during WW2 and was responsible for the Japanese internment. However, Lizzie sees FDR as a hero. A quote from one of Lizzie's speeches when she was leading campaigns for his reelection: "God emancipated our souls and Lincoln emancipated our bodies, but FDR emancipated the civic side of the negro."

Lizzie is the perfect example of someone using their position for good. The personal White House details were a fun touch.

I did struggle with some aspects of the book. For example, it rubbed me the wrong way that it was seen as progressive that most of the White House staff, at the servant level, were negroes (as the book says). Towards the end of the book, Lizzie does appear to see this in a negative light as well, it seemed. There were also undertones of Lizzie being used by FDR and his family to win the negro vote. Lizzie seems to be against this and speaks of FDR as a friend and great boss.

Mr. Squeaks was a great moment and a great metaphor (IYKYK).

Another great quote: "When the most vulnerable members of our society are in trouble, then the rest of us have an obligation to safeguard them the best we can."

A bright and inspiring debut novel for this author. Having recently read “Becoming Madame Secretary”, by a different author, but also about a strong woman who worked alongside FDR during his presidency, this was a great parallel. Lizzie McDuffie is a colored woman who follows her husband “Mac” to the White House as he continues his position of valet to FDR. Lizzie soon becomes employed herself as a White House maid. She is then able to use her position to be a bridge between the president and the black people of America to try to help create a better world for “her people”. Lizzie and Mac are portrayed as hard working, loyal people and I enjoyed learning more about them throughout this book. I also discovered more about the kind of person Roosevelt was. Kind, tough, hardworking… very much like Mac and Lizzie. He truly did what he could to make our country better through some hard times. I would have liked to have had the author delve into a little more of the things Lizzie did for people of color, as it sounds like she was instrumental in getting some things accomplished by continuing to bring their perils to the president and Eleanor Roosevelt. I love that the author chose to tell the story through Lizzie’s eyes as it let us see her world up close and personal. I would definitely pick up future books by this author!
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morriw publishing for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

From the first page, I enjoyed this story! I absolutely loved learning more about FDR, Lizzie, and the Civil Rights movement. Moon's storytelling brought Lizzie and the White House to life for me. I didn't know much about this period and had fun leaning more.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I know that I am in for a “ good ride” when I get hooked into a book on page one, this book did not disappoint in any way, I thoroughly enjoyed this story about the relationship between FDR and Lizzie Mc Duffie who was more than a Negro maid in the White House during his administration. Lizzie , who worked in the White House as her husband Mac who already was employed as FDR ‘s personal valet became a “ personal secretary “ to FDR regarding the plight of colored people . Lizzie who was a educated woman became a nanny/ nurse to white families in the South due to difficulties in obtaining employment as a Negro, she worked in the White House as a maid but also reported to FDR about the colored people , she ultimately campaigned and gave speeches for FDR. I thoroughly enjoyed this book about this amazing woman, it was interesting, enlightening and gave insight into the workings of the White House. The author certainly did her research on this well written book. I highly recommend it

This is the fictional story of the woman named Lizzie McDuffie who was a White House maid during FDR's presidential terms. She followed her husband to the White House as he served as FDR's valet. She quickly found her place as a maid, but also as an activist and representative of the Black community during a very difficult time in history. This is an inspiring look at the life of this woman and her impact.

This was an interesting read that highlighted the life of Lizzie McDuffie and her special connection to and influence on FDR. I felt her passion and frustration as she worked for justice and equality. The story was told as if Lizzie was reflecting on her life, preparing to write her memoirs. This allowed for the inclusion of many of the highlights of her career, but as a result, the storytelling didn't always flow smoothly. Also, I felt it would have benefited from an epilogue to round it out (There was a prologue).

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the early read.

Let Us March On chronicles the life of Lizzie McDuffie, who as a maid in FDR’s White House helped spearhead the Civil Rights Movement. After joining the White House, Lizzie managed to become indispensable to the Roosevelt family. Never shy about pointing out injustices, she advocated for the needs and rights of her fellow African Americans. This is a fascinating book – I knew nothing about Lizzie McDuffie before I read this one. FDR’s terms were such a time of change for the U.S., and Lizzie made important contributions. For fans of untold stories and the Civil Rights Movement.

4.0 stars
DEFINITE recommend

I liked this book, but, unfortunately, didn't love it. The writing and storyline were good.

It was the story of a husband and wife (Mac/Lizzie) who worked in the White House for FDR from his inauguration until his death. The novel was more about FDR and Eleanor than Mac and Lizzie. I wanted to learn more about their relationship with each other. - their character development needed more work. This would have been uncharted writing territory.

This novel made me think about how far we have come with Civil Rights in 80 years. But recently, we seem to be going backward instead of forward on this issue. Disheartening!


This is a review of an eARC/eBOOK due to be published on 2/4/2025

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7094205202 - posted 1/9/2025

Books by Dorothea blog: https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/2025/01/review-let-us-march-on-earcebook.html - posted 1/9/2025

As a huge history buff, especially when it comes to Presidents, Let Us March on captivated me! The book reads like a fascinating blend of biography and memoir, chronicling the life of a maid who worked for FDR—though she and her husband were so much more than just White House staff. The name drops of historical figures were mind-blowing, and the connections between personal and political histories added so much depth.

What truly stands out is how the book tackles the inequalities faced by POC in America and the relentless fight for change. However, the ending left me wanting more. It felt rushed compared to the slower pace of the rest of the story, leaving key moments of change underexplored. Still, it's a compelling and thought-provoking read for anyone interested in history, social change, or the unsung stories that shaped our past.

*ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and truthful review.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.

I love stories about unsung and overlooked important women in history. Lizzie McDuffie, married to FDR’s valet, is given a job as a maid in the “all Negro” service staff at the White House. Lizzie uses her role to speak for those black Americans who do not have the president’s ear like she does. She and FDR become friends despite her frequent frustration with his reluctance to speak up regarding an anti lynching bill.

There was a lot to cover in this book and I would argue it’s almost too much. The story shone in the interactions between Lizzie and FDR but got bogged down in a lot of “and then this happened and then this.”

3.5 stars

Shara Moon creates a novel that brings FDR’s presidency to life. I enjoyed this walk-through of history, especially learning about Eleanor Roosevelt’s White House maid, Lizzie McDuffie, and the role she would grow to play in FDR’s early push for the nation's Civil Rights. The story is not always easy to digest, but it is worth reading from start to finish. The author researched the book thoroughly, creating believable characters. I felt like I was reading a biography, not historical fiction.

When FDR asked Lizzie to travel the country as his advisor on the lives of the African American communities, the real history lesson on this pioneering woman began. This is not a heartwarming, cozy beach read but a must-read for all history lovers and armchair historians. I highly recommend Shara Moon’s novel. She has earned a place on both my virtual and library bookshelves.

I want to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to read this novel as a free ARC. This review is voluntary and is mine and mine alone.

"As your self-appointed secretary on colored people's affairs."

Shara Moon crafts a stirring novel of an unsung crusader named Elizabeth "Lizzie" McDuffie. Devoted wife, White House maid, college-educated Southern Black woman. Lizzie helped spearhead the Civil Rights movement as the SASOCPA, voice of over 170 million people.

Officially, Lizzie McDuffie was maid to Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Unofficially, she was the President's eyes and ears to the Black community. Alongside her husband who worked as the FDR's personal valet, they became indispensable to the Roosevelt family. New novel Let Us March On follows her life throughout her time in the White House. With care, she took issues from the community to the ears of the longest-serving U.S. President.

Let Us March On left me with a humbling fact: not much has changed. In the United States, in the White House, in political administrations. Shara Moon did a great job of highlighting the injustices Blacks faced back then. They say history repeats itself. This novel will give a glimpse into the life of a Black woman behind the scenes, holding it down making change from the inside out as best as she can, while she can.

The writing style and tone of Let Us March On is easy reading. There could've been more depth into Lizzie's marriage, everyday struggles and relationships with other White House employees. Toward the end of the book, it drifted and seemed hurried. But if you are looking for an unsung historical figure to read about this upcoming Black History Month, this is it! Add to your 2025 TBR as a historical fiction tale with more than a touch of truth.

Happy Early Pub Day, Shara Moon! Let Us March On will be available Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Fascinating debut historical fiction novel that highlights the life of Elizabeth "Lizzie" McDuffie, the wife of FDRs valet and White House maid. Set in the 1930s and 1940s, you are introduced to these two selfless people, Irvin, "Mac" and Lizzie, who end up dedicating many years in service to the Roosevelts through is governorship and then his 4 presidential terms. You get to experience life in the White House through their eyes and Lizzie takes you on a journey that shares her accomplishments and how she was an important liaison between the black community and the First Couple. Lizzie wore many hats: wife, maid, union organizer, helper to the president, liaison between numerous Black people that wrote to her asking for help, etc. I enjoyed Lizzie when she was excited to meet famous celebrities, heads of state, and other important people. This story presented FDR in a different light because it came from Lizzie's perspective behind the curtain of presidential pressures.
As a history nerd, I loved learning about another woman from history that I had never heard of before and her role in trying to do what she could to help the Black community. In this early copy, the author notes were not available so I am looking forward to reading those when the book is published as I am always curious about what is read and what is adjusted for the story. I highly recommend this book for all historical fiction fans, especially those looking to read about lesser known important figures.
#LetUseMarchOn #NetGalley #historicalfiction
Thank you William Morrow Books and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Shara Moon's Let US March On follows Lizzie McDuffie through decades of service to the Roosevelts, working as a maid and spokesperson for the President. She came to the White House at the beginning of the Roosevelt presidency to work alongside her husband who served as FDR's personal valet. The book highlights the changing role (and increasing political power) of Blacks from the early 1930s through WWII and beyond.

Based on a true story, Lizzie McDuffie championed equal treatment of all people, especially those of color, using her personal relationship with the President to gain access and bypass roadblocks put up by official channels. Told from a first person POV, it highlights her insecurities, mistakes and successes. Her story is enthralling and inspiring.

Thank you to William Morrow Paperbacks and Shara Moon for the advanced reader copy. I'm happy to recommend this book.