"Historical fiction at its best. -- Good Morning America, on The Personal Librarian Praise for the novels of Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray "The book's narrative is seamless.I became hooked." --NPR "A fascinating story!" -- Real Simple "Benedict and Murray bring their knack for historical fiction to a story of the women's unlikely alliance and the ways their bond and efforts forged the beginnings of the modern civil rights movement."-- Entertainment Weekly "This book will expand your perspective and keep you reading late into the night." --Dolen Perkins-Valdez, New York Times bestselling author of Happy Land " The First Ladies is a wonder!" --Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye "This timely story encapsulates the unmovable power of when two strong minds come together in the name of justice and equality. " --Sadeqa Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve "A marvel of a story. Serious kudos to Benedict and Murray for bringing this true story to life.

" --Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue "A compelling and important story." --Therese Anne Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of A Good Neighborhood "An intimate and extraordinary conversation with the past. A novel abundant with culture, art, literature, and romance--the beauty and recklessness of love are revealed with astonishing clarity." --Patti Callahan, New York Times bestselling author of Surviving Savannah "A powerful and unforgettable story of female strength and the triumph of the human spirit." --Pam Jenoff , New York Times bestselling author of Code Name Sapphire "I've never read a more inspiring story about women raising up other women and working together to try to change the world. A tour de force." --Natasha Lester , New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Orphan "Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray herald the beauty and passion of a celebrated friendship across color lines and the complications of history." --Vanessa Riley, award-winning author of Queen of Exiles "This impeccably researched, relevant novel is a must-read and destined to be a book-club favorite.

" -- Booklist (starred review) "An excellent piece of historical fiction that many readers will find hard to put down." -- Library Journal (starred review).