A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams

by Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie

In time for the 250th Anniversary of the birth of the United States comes a sweeping, intimate portrayal of Abigail Adams—wife of one president and mother to another—whose wit, willpower, and wisdom helped shape the fledgling republic. A stunning historical novel with modern-day implications from the New York Times bestselling authors of America’s First Daughter and My Dear Hamilton.

In the heart of revolutionary Boston, Abigail Adams raises her children amid riots, blockades, and the outbreak of war. While her husband, John Adams, rises from country lawyer to nation-builder, often away for years at a time, Abigail builds her own independence—managing their farm, making lucrative investments, amassing savings, battling plague and loss, and defending their home. Unafraid to speak her mind, she famously offers fearless political counsel, urging John to “remember the ladies” in the new government. Through it all, she becomes his most trusted confidante and indispensable ally.

When peace is secured, Abigail steps onto the world stage—exchanging ideas with Thomas Jefferson in the French countryside, navigating court life as the wife of the Minister to Great Britain, and presiding over the parlor politics of the early American republic in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. Even after her husband’s presidential administration, she continues battling political foes and working behind the scenes to advance her family, secure independence for the women in her life, and ensure a better life for the next generation of Americans.

From war-torn streets to the chandeliered halls of power, A Founding Mother is the unforgettable story of a woman ahead of her time—one whose voice, vision, and valor still resonate powerfully today.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, American Revolution, American History, Adult Fiction

464 pages, Paperback

Expected publication May 5, 2026

About the author

STEPHANIE DRAY is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author of historical women’s fiction. Her award-winning work has been translated into eight languages and tops lists for the most anticipated reads of the year. She lives with her husband, cats, and history books.

Reviews

[Abbey]

A book on Abigail Adams from my fav historical fiction author duo?! So excited!

[Stephanie (Bookfever)]

2026 is going to be a phenomenal year for new books!

[Wisegirl Wiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abigail Adams is highly capable of raising her children and running a household while her husband is away. In spite of the legal constraints on women of the day, she flexibly invests in properties and businesses to keep her family and many of those less fortunate around her supplied with the basic needs of life. But she is unsettled about it. She and John Adams have much love, and an unusual kind of all encompassing trust for each other. But most of their lives are lived in challenging but, sadly, parallel adventures. The letters that these stories are based on are the truths behind their stranger than fiction lives. You will walk the walk of an eighteenth century colonial family separated by politics, war, and service to their country. There are decisions that are life and death, frustrations with both friends and the common man, and moral lines to be straddled in politics and society. No holds are barred as they have discussions regarding their sometimes contrasting opinions of colleagues or moral dilemmas. Finally able to spend their old age together, there are some unsettled reflections Abigail and John share together about how they handled things along the way. Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoi do not sweep anything under the rug. In the end you will feel you saw the full measure of the good, the bad, and the ugly in the amazing life of Abigail Adams. Abigail knew the sacrifices of her commitments as she supported her husband's political missions for the survival of the fledgling nation called the United States. She more than John saw how this changed their relationship and their family and who her children were. You may find, like I did, that Abigail and John Adams held their friendship. their marriage , and their commitment to family as the most important things in life. But they sacrificed all for their personal commitments to patriotism, and their foundational mission of forging the basis of a long term survival for their country. I for one, saw clearly. after this read, how grateful during our country’s 250th anniversary we should be for not just our Founding Fathers, but for the one and only Abigail Adams. our Founding Mother.

[Kate (k8tsreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie that I have read, and I have truly enjoyed them all. While I do think it's possible to find them a bit dry, overall, I think they manage to strike that difficult-to-achieve balance between making the characters (who are real historical figures) seem interesting and alive without sacrificing too much historical accuracy. I especially appreciate the extensive author's note that is included at the end of each book - the writers are very careful to explain where/when/how they took liberties. Although I'm not much of a stickler for accuracy in historical fiction, I think a lot of readers will really appreciate this.

A Founding Mother follows Abigail Adams throughout her husband's career as a lawyer, prior to the start of the revolutionary war, all the way through his presidency and into James Madison's. I had no idea that she and John lived abroad at one point, and I enjoyed seeing how their relationship with Thomas Jefferson evolved over time. It was also really interesting to learn more about the Adams' children, especially their daughter. I especially enjoyed how the authors demonstrated Abigail's tendencies towards feminism during a time when activism looked very different. It was so cool to learn about her championing of women's rights from such an early time.

Overall, I do find books that cover entire lives to suffer from the extended timelines (in this case, many years go by between chapters, and this can make the plot feel a bit disjointed and the characters a bit distant), but I think the historical context is enough to make up for it. I always come away from these books having learned so much!

[Arin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This book was excellent—I enjoyed it just as much as the authors’ previous two works. I’m especially drawn to well-researched, beautifully written historical fiction centered on women, and this novel delivered. I learned so much, particularly in seeing how the political issues of the past echo so clearly in our present. It’s striking to realize that we are still grappling with many of the same debates today.
I loved gaining deeper insight into the lives and endless love of Abigail and John Adams, as well as the personal sacrifices they both made in the founding of our nation. This is a book everyone should read in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.

[Monica Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abigail Adams is an absolutely amazing woman and I feel lucky to have read about her life. She is an inspiration to women everywhere, even though she lived more than 250 years ago.

This book took me through a gambit of emotions. The story starts in 1765 when she is pregnant and the revolution has not quite begun. The reader learns about her life through her many pregnancies and life with a husband who was often absent. She not only had to run a farm by herself but raise small children all the while a war was going on. Not only did she raise children, kept the farm going, but she also managed to survive a war and make her own money during a time when women had no independence outside of their husband. I am in awe of all that she accomplished, plus she never stopped championing women's rights and the end of slavery.

Abigail Adams's life was fascinating to me. She went through so much and never stopped helping others including her husband and children. She did so much for our country and before reading this book I knew very little about her or her husband. What was also fascinating is the parallels we can see when we look at our modern culture and what our country is currently going through. Books like this are why I read historical fiction. I learn so much, but it is also an unforgettable story. Abigail's story will stick with me and I highly recommend this novel!

Thank you to William Morrow Books and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy in exchange for a review. All opinions stated are my own. If you have read any other books by the author, you know the depth of research that goes into the books. The author notes are usually as good as the book, sometimes even more interesting. But you don't have to read the author notes first on this one! Wait patiently (or impatiently as I did) for the ending to the soak up the authors notes like bread soaking up the leftover sauce on your plate.
Abigail Adams is not a common historical figure featured in books but she should be. In this year of our country's 250th anniversary, we are craving revolutionary war stories. We all know the 'shot heard round the world', the ride of Paul Revere, and the Boston Tea Party but this is more of the story - of how people sacrificed and managed months, years and sometimes eternity without their spouse, fathers, brothers and sons.
Abigail left a trove of letters to aid the authors in bringing her to life. This is a book that you will want to do in your book club this summer. I would recommend to all of my patrons as well as it is clean and unoffensive. I left the book wanting to learn more and that is a litmus test. Congratulations to both authors. I would love to hear this on Audio someday.
4.25 stars.

[Judith Worthington · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams
Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie

5 Stars

To be published: May 2026

What a wonderful way to begin this year as we celebrate 250 years of Freedom. I've read so much about our Founding Fathers and the American Revolution that I was surprised at how many new details I learned from Abigail's perspective.

The authors did an incredible job of bringing her to life. I felt her pain, suffered her struggles, cheered her efforts, praised her wit and fearlessness when confronting the most powerful men in the world.

Previously, I had the impression that John Adams loved and adored his wife. I'm left with conformation that he not only loved and adored her, but valued her brain and heart. There was a point where his words were cruel and hurtful and I was smacking the air in front of me as if I could reach through time and knock some sense into him. I understand why he behaved as he did, but do not believe it was valid enough to treat the person you relied on the most in such a manner.

Abigail Adams was everything you would want in a First Lady and Founding Mother. Excellent read!

[Sharon Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and William Morrow for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.
This is a fabulous book! I liked it because it was written in such a way that John and Abigail Adams seemed like real people. Even though they both did so much for our country, the authors also portrayed their struggles and heartbreaks. I am glad the authors wrote this book about Abigail because I don't think she always gets the credit she deserves. She was a very smart woman, and she saved the family countless times. I also learned about how hard our Founding Fathers worked for our Independence. It made me want to read more about these men and women. I like books that lead to further exploration of a topic. I hope Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie continue to write together, especially historical novels. I highly recommend this book. It is very well-written-it will keep your attention through the whole book!

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction at it's best, a novel that flows like we are there with Abigail!
This is a story of her life and the birth of a nation. The sacrifices that she made are incredible, but she is also very smart. She did fight for women's rights, hard to believe that women really had nothing!
As we follow this courageous women and all the obstacles she faced, you truly see how amazing she was. She fights on and takes pride in both her husband and children, and country.
I did not realize that she had so much tragedy in her life, she was such a roll model!
I am so glad to have read this book about such a courageous women!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher William Morrow, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Founding Mother by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamdie is a wonderfully written novel about Abigail Adams’ impact on her husband, John and her son, John Quincy during a period when women basically were not supposed to have opinions and if they did they definitely shouldn’t express them. Fortunately, Abigail Adams, a self taught reader and writer, was a prolific letter writer and the authors give their readers a good sample of her opinions. This reviewer also appreciated the ‘refresher course’ in our nation’s founding as we approach the 250th anniversary. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before there were feminists, there was Abigail Adams. This historical fiction read goes into her role as mother to two presidents: her husband and son. She had years long separations from other children as the sons took diplomatic jobs overseas. Underlying the opportunities of her sons, she knew the same was not for her daughters. I especially loved learning about her "pin money." She was a fierce advocate for women and this is a big part of this read. Thank you authors for bringing to light this remarkable women as she served along side history in our new nation. Highly recommend this story, especially at the eve of 250 anniversary of our nation.

[Madeline Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Founding Mother is a vivid and meticulously researched portrayal of one of American history’s most remarkable women. Dray and Kamoie bring Abigail Adams to life as a fierce intellect, a woman who powerfully defied limits set before her, and whose courage, wisdom, and strength helped shape the nation. This inspirational story of Abigail Adams’s incredible life is historical fiction at its absolute finest.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning and important historical novel focusing on Founding Mother Abigail Adams, wife of a president, and later mother of a president. This beautifully written, meticulously researched story makes the personal sacrifices come alive of patriots behind the scenes like Abigail, who effectively advanced the cause of the American Revolution as profoundly as any soldier. If you read one histfic book this year, choose "A Founding Mother!"

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly amazing! Having read both America’s First Daughter and My Dear Hamilton, I was excited to read about founding mother Abigail Adams. It was informative yet historical and enlightened me to the strength, intelligence, and wisdom of this woman. The writing is superb and descriptions allow one to feel as if they are a first-hand witness to history. Many thanks to Net Galley for this advanced reader’s copy.