Historical Fiction Novels about the First Ladies

Mount Vernon Love Story: A Novel of George and Martha Washington by Mary Higgins Clark 

Mount Vernon Love Story by Mary Higgins Clark was the first novel of her prolific career and is a sweet look at the true love match between Martha and George Washington. It dispels the myth that their marriage was a business deal devoid of feelings and shows the true devotion they had for each other throughout their long and adventurous marriage. 

Washington’s Lady by Nancy Moser

Washington’s Lady by Nancy Moser is a deep dive into Martha’s life and details the uncertainty that filled her years. From the deaths of her first husband and children to her travels to Gen. Washington’s winter encampments during the American Revolution, you’ll be amazed at what this tiny woman endured. Plus I loved learning more about Martha’s faith and trust in God. 

The Ninth Daughter by Barbara Hamilton (The Abigail Adams Mysteries series)

Abigail Adams is known for her sharp tongue and political mind, so it’s no wonder that a mystery series has been written starring her! In The Ninth Daughter by Barbara Hamilton, Abigail solves a murder mystery using her fast thinking and perseverance. While the murder mystery itself is fiction, there are lots of great historical details about colonial Boston sprinkled throughout the book. If you like this one, there are two more in the series. 

Dolley Madison and the War of 1812: America’s First Lady by Libby Carty McNamee

Even though this is a book written for teens, adults will learn great historical facts about the vivacious Dolley Madison and her feat that saved George Washington’s painting from the invading British forces. You’ll feel like you’re riding right beside Dolley as she flees the burning city!

Dolley: A Novel by Rita Mae Brown

This novel is a rollicking look at Dolley’s life. While a bit dated (it was written in 1995), it has lots of historical details and brings this vivacious woman to life!

Patriot Hearts: A Novel of the Founding Mothers by Barbara Hambly

This book provides a window into the lives of Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, and Dolley Madison, intertwining their lives in unique ways. It also includes Sally Hemings who was an enslaved woman at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello with whom he had a family. I loved learning about all of the women and how their lives were so connected.

The President’s Lady: A Novel about Rachel and Andrew Jackson by Irving Stone

While dated as it was written in 1951, this is the only novel about Rachel Jackson. Rachel’s life was full of adventure on the frontier and personal heartbreak as she extricated herself from an abusive first marriage and then remained childless during her true love match with Andrew Jackson. Just when her husband hit the pinnacle of his career, she passed away, mere weeks from becoming first lady. It’s one of the most heartbreaking stories to read about first ladies.

Harriet Lane: The Original “First Lady” of Washington by Bob O’Connor

I loved learning more about this niece to President Buchanan who served as his White House hostess. She was a remarkable woman with a lasting legacy and should be remembered by more historical books!

Mrs. Lincoln’s Sisters by Jennifer Chiaverini 

This is a fascinating look at the Todd sisters and the way they enabled and shunned their infamous sister, Mary. Being the sister of the temperamental Mrs. Lincoln must have been difficult, but her sisters were able to see through her actions to the pain underneath. You can also read Chiaverini’s other books about Mrs. Lincoln’s tumultuous relationships in Mrs. Lincoln’s Rival and Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker.

Mary, Mrs. A. Lincoln by Janis Cooke Newman

This long novel is a sympathetic look into Mrs. Lincoln’s madness and its causes, beginning with the loss of her mother at a young age. It has some hard scenes of death and grief along with speculation on her love life that is a little uncomfortable, but it’s a worthwhile read.

The Emancipator’s Wife: A Novel of Mary Todd Lincoln by Barbara Hambly

This is my current read and one that I’m enjoying! Written by the same author as Patriot Hearts above, this novel is a detailed fictional account of Mary’s life jumping back and forth in time with her insanity trial as the basis. You can feel the worry and grief in Mrs. Lincoln’s anguished thoughts during the trial.

The House of Lincoln by Nancy Horan 

This book came out in 2023, and I enjoyed its insight into Mary’s life (which is just one of several storylines and not the focus of the book). The book really picked up for me at the halfway mark when the Civil War began. I love reading about the Civil War, so these chapters were my favorite part.

The First Lady and the Rebel: A Novel of Mary Todd Lincoln by Susan Higginbotham

This is my next read in my Booking It Through History: First Ladies project on Mary Lincoln. It’s fascinating that her sister, whose Confederate husband was killed at the battle of Chickamauga, crossed the battle lines and lived with the Lincolns in the White House for a brief time during the war. I can’t imagine!

Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule by Jennifer Chiaverini 

This novel compares and contrasts Julia Dent Grant and her enslaved maid, Jule. Serving as the wife of the general leading the Union Army while also enslaving Jule, Mrs. Grant is an example of the dichotomy of the time. I always love how Chiaverini gets into the minds of her subjects! 

The General and Julia by Jon Clinch

This literary take on President Grant’s struggles to write his memoir at the end of his life is also a poignant look at his life with Julia, including their courtship. I would have loved even more about her!

The President’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood 

Edith Bolling Wilson is often called the unofficial first woman president as she alone communicated President Woodrow Wilson’s orders after his massive stroke while in office. This novel describes her love and devotion to her husband that may have gone too far in preserving his power to the detriment of the country and potentially the world. 

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray 

From the authors of the popular The Personal Librarian, this book is a look at the genuine friendship between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights leader Mary McLeod Bethune which led to many advances for both women and minorities during the turbulent years of the Great Depression and World War II.  

And They Called It Camelot: A Novel of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis by Stephanie Marie Thornton

We all know the sad history of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, but this book tells the story from her point of view, showing readers how she was able to survive some of the most horrific times in our country’s history. I loved learning more about what made her so strong and about her fight for her children. It was a five star read!

Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld

I love alternate history books and this premise is so interesting. What if Hillary hadn’t married Bill? How differently would her life (and our country) be? I especially loved the last few chapters detailing the list of presidents and other events that are so different from reality. It was fascinating!