Love & War by Melissa de la Cruz

Love & War (Alex & Eliza Trilogy, #2)

by Melissa de la Cruz

1781. Albany, New York.

As the war for American independence rages on, Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler begin their new life as a married couple. Still, Alex is as determined as ever to prove his mettle and secure his legacy…even if that means leaving his beloved Eliza behind to join the front lines at the Battle of Yorktown. But when the war unexpectedly arrives on Eliza’s doorstep, she must fight for a better future - for their fledgling country and for her marriage.

Yet even after the Revolution comes to its historic close, Alex and Eliza’s happily-ever-after is threatened. Eliza struggles to build a home in the hustle and bustle of New York City just as Alex’s burgeoning law practice brings him up against his greatest rival - the ambitious young lawyer Aaron Burr. And with Alex’s star on the rise, Eliza can’t help but feel neglected by a husband who seems to have time for everyone but her. Torn apart by new trials and temptations, can Alex and Eliza’s epic love survive life in the big city?

The battles are just beginning in the sumptuous sequel to Melissa de la Cruz’s New York Times bestselling Alex & Eliza: A Love Story.

Reviewed by readingwithwrin on

4 of 5 stars

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4.5 stars.

Thank you to Penguin for sending me a physical copy in exchange for my honest review.

If the blood in this room were any bluer, we could have used it to dye the uniforms of the Continental soldiers!"

If you remember my review of ALEX AND ELIZA from last year, then you'll remember that I didn't like a few things that happened. Nothing like that happened in this book, and I absolutely loved it!
Eliza is still living at home for the first part of the book because the Revolution was still happening and keeping Alex away. I loved this part of the book, getting to see the Schuyler sisters! I loved their interactions with each other and the banter and just all the love.

"Between Colonel Hamilton's purple prose and your purple puns, this party is off to a magnificent start!"

They each have their own lives now, but are still extremely close and learning their new roles as wives. We even get to see their last sibling being born, which was a very eye-opening experience for two of the sisters.

"Never discount a lady's network for efficiency of communication."

During this time we also get to see Alex getting to have one of his dreams and standing up to General Washington. Alex was Washington's right-hand man and I am so glad we got to see more of this.

"I think we do everything on short notice these days. New York is still so raw after its recent travails."

We also get to see them start a life together in New York and some of the struggles they had. Seeing how different New York was during this time and being reminded of some of the struggles America had in it's beginning was so nice to see. Nothing was glazed over really, and we really see Eliza grow during this time of getting used to a different lifestyle from what she grew up with. We also see Alex start to be the Alex we also know who is constantly writing and working.

"They will see it by the time I am finished... I don't care if I have to talk for two hours, or four, or the entire day. You shall have justice."

Overall I couldn't get enough of this book! I need more, please!! The author does mention taking certain liberties when it came to this book and some of Alex and Eliza's timeline. Mainly being that they don't have a child right away, but I'm glad she did this. Seeing Alex and Eliza have this time without a child, and just them learning more about each other and what their life will be like from now on. I absolutely loved Eliza in this book and I am so proud of her and how she took charge in certain situations. I loved the continuing tension between Burr and Alex and I cannot wait to see how the rest of there story pans out in the other books.

"In the New World, one didn't have to have a title before one's name to be welcomed into high society."

I really do think this book bridged the gap between ya and the adult category as it does deal with two people in history. Melissa writes it all so beautifully. and I cannot wait to see how she continues on with their story.

Now can someone please get me a time machine so I can jump to next year to read the next book?!


"They could meet every obstacle and temptation in their path as long as they were by each other's side, in love and war, failure and victory, poverty and prosperity, until the curtain closed on their story."

*All quotes are from an arc, and are subject to change.*

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 9 April, 2018: Finished reading
  • 9 April, 2018: Reviewed