Alex & Eliza (The Alex & Eliza Trilogy)

I wouldn't say that this book disappointed me. I didn't have high hopes for it. But Melissa de la Cruz is a legit author, so there was potential. But much like Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book, Alex & Eliza has proven that writing about well-known and (at least to me) beloved characters and storylines are sadly not as automatic a home run as you might think.I would hazard a guess that if one has chosen this book, you are familiar with and enjoy the musical, Hamilton. Just to be clear this is not a book about that version of Alexander and Eliza Hamilton. This isn't a rip off of the musical. It does feel as if it is an attempt to cash in on the musical's popularity. On the plus side, it is full of Hamilton references. If you are hugely into the musical, it was fun to come across them while reading.It is also not a novelization that adheres to the real character of the Hamiltons. Maybe it is the fact that I finally finished reading the Chernow biography of Alexander Hamilton this week that has made me overly critical. However, there was a lot about colonial life, and especially colonial life as a woman that was not explained at all or the reality just did not exist. Sometimes, in historical fiction this is acceptable but when the main characters were real people I expect a certain amount of historical detail and accuracy. It isn't as if there is a lack of research material.I think that the book would have been more effective to have the YA romance be about two separate but Hamilton family adjacent characters. A YA romance-y Johnny Tremaine type thing. It would have satisfied my need for all things Hamilton but also avoided me picking it apart because it did not adhere to my vision. Seriously, change a few names, and it would have been ready to go. Why do people not run these things by me so I can give my input?One of my main gripes about this book (aside from my suspicions of it being a cash cow job) is that Melissa de la Cruz are the female relationships in this book. So many things are ripped off from the play that it saddens me that the sister relationship was not fully developed in this book. But there are many irritating YA tropes to be found:1: pretty but doesn't know it2. not like "other girls."3. she is SOOO smart4. but modest5. and selfless6. but feisty! "Let's be mean and sassy for no reason."7. nonconformist but also a daddies girl8. hate to love- but like for no real reason?9. big misunderstandingSo, you might like this if you are a huge fan of either the musical or the Treasury Secretary himself as well as romance you might enjoy this book. If you are looking for a dense historical novel about the American Revolution or the Hamiltons, it would be best to avoid this. I found it disappointing and in the end utterly tedious.

Like most people right now, I am riding high on the Hamilton wave. When I saw a trilogy had been written, I decided to give it a go. It's amazingly well written for what I was expecting to be a usual sort of easy read YA novel. The details in character and language were superb. The book is chock full of wonderful historical tidbits and while there was definitely quite a bit added to it (and I only know this from reading more historically accurate accounts; I am by no means an expert) I found it fun and even at parts, nerve wracking! The story is romantic and soft while not being too spicy for the kiddos. Anyone who enjoyed Lin Manuel Miranda's masterpiece of a play is sure to enjoy and appreciate the first installment of this trilogy. I can hardly wait to sink my teeth into the next one!

I enjoyed this novel very much. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect never having seen Hamilton and knowing it was De La Cruz’s initial inspiration for the book. However, I’m familiar with the music and plot of the musical which helped keep the novel in perspective. The YA spin on the story worked perfectly; basing the novel on Alex and Eliza’s early romance made them perfect subjects for a YA story. The author did well to blend historical information, character development, and plenty of humor into her story. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to readers of YA, historical fiction, and fans of Hamilton and Melissa De La Cruz.

I greatly enjoyed this book. I’ve been interested in Hamilton for years (like back in middle school). I liked how this story covered how he met his wife. The story itself reminded me a lot of a Jane Austen book actually. Eliza and her sisters all needed to be married off before their family lost their fortune. Eliza was the only one to go completely against her family’s wishes. A quick read and perfect precursor to seeing Hamilton this weekend.

I got this book because I've been obsessed with the Hamilton play. This book helped me learn that the play wasn't based completely on facts(should have seen that coming). But I enjoyed it nonetheless and read it completely in two days. Though I would have enjoyed if the romance was longer. They didn't start having strong feelings until less than half way through the book.

Perfect for fans of Hamilton and for lovers of history and/or the American Revolution. This fictional account of a famous historic couple was fantastic. I loved Eliza and she was the perfect fiery and independent woman that made Alexander fall in love with her. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

In this turbulent time in America, it's wonderful to read a love story about one of our most lauded founding fathers. Loved every second of being a part of the Revolutionary War, to see the promise of Amera's greatness, which is in peril today.

Gave this as a gift to a 23yo Hamilton freak, and she loved it. Her only complaint was that it didn't keep going.

This read like an average story you'd see on AO3 or fanfiction.net. From the unnecessary sexual violence to the anachronisms in the attempted historical accuracy, to the clunky attempts at "old fashioned" speech. But the thing that made me want to throw my kindle in rage was when the writer decided to have Eliza claiming that the Schyler family valued black equality... Her family owned LOTS of slaves. And Alexander Hamilton bought some of them on her family's behalf! Also, the amount of work de la Cruz does to pretend this isn't true is actively deceitful. Her aunt has a "Brown skinned servant girl" in 1780? Are you kidding? I'm annoyed I paid money for this book, and that I wasted three hours of my life reading it. There is nothing of value of originality to this work, and it only exists because the author and her publishers knew they'd make a fortune off the back of the Hamilton musical. Utter rubbish.

"Does it hurt when you hide every last shred of your individuality and self-worth behind acres of silk and cups of powder and smiles that never, no matter how hard you try, reach your eyes."Alex & Eliza was just a little blah for my tastes, I have no doubt if your a Hamilton fan then this book will be for you but for me the history side of it had no point of reference to me and as much as it pains me to say this Alex's devotion to Eliza came across as cringe instead of swoon.....

My daughter and her friends are obsessed by Hamilton the musical and wanted to get into the nitty gritty in the background. Only downside was the book arrived with a tear on the spine and I didn't have time to change it as it was a present

Bought as a present, looked really good but I personally never used it so couldn’t say! But arrived quickly on time and without any damage!

Arrived in great condition on time. A brilliant book, especially for Hamilton: An American Musical fans. Also great if you enjoy historical romance. Would definitely recommend and I eagerly await the second one.