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Reviewed by David Jaggart for Readers' Favorite
Richard Robbins’ First Lady of the New World is about Felicite St. Maxent, a young woman trying to make her way in colonial New Orleans. After her husband dies young, she has to manage her life while politics and society around her are constantly evolving. Everything changes when she meets Bernardo de Galvez, a Spanish general. They end up getting married, despite the scandal it causes, and together they play a monumental role in turning New Orleans around and even aiding in the fight against the British. The story follows Felicite as she goes from a young widow to a powerful woman, blending drama with real historical events. In the end, will she be able to rise to the challenges she faces, or will everything crumble around her?
I really enjoyed reading First Lady of the New World because it doesn't just throw history at you; it makes you care about the lives of the characters. Richard Robbins did a good job of showing how Felicite’s personal life was affected by the political tension unfolding around her. What really impressed me was how she grew stronger and more independent as the story went on. The way her character developed was both captivating and compelling. You can tell a lot of thought went into integrating real history into a fictional story about a woman who made a big difference in the world around her. Even with the history woven in, the story remains easy to follow. So if you like historical fiction with a main character who is sharp and engaging like Felicite, this one’s worth your time. It blends romance, drama, and history in a way that keeps you reading. I recommend it to readers who want a solid historical story that will stay with them for a long time.
