Truth, Lies, and the Questions in Between

by L.M. Elliott

As a presidency unravels and the fight for women’s rights intensifies, a teen girl’s future will be determined by her willingness to seek the truth, in this stunning work of historical fiction perfect for fans of Monica Hesse and Malinda Lo.

Patty Appleton is making history. As one of the Senate’s first female Congressional Pages, she’s not only paving the way for other politically minded girls, she has a front-row seat to debates dividing the nation, especially around women’s rights and roles. The battle between the old ways and the new polarizes the women in Patty’s life, and she finds herself torn between traditional expectations—to be anobedient daughter aspiring to become a perfect wife—and questions new friends like fiercely feminist Simone encourage her to ask.
But the questions don’t stop at women’s rights: The Watergate scandal is intensifying. As evidence mounts that the White House engaged in crimes, smears, and cover-ups to manipulate an election, Patty worries her dad, a fundraiser for President Nixon, could somehow be involved. Determining truth from lies becomes ever more essential for the nation’s future—and for Patty’s as well.

Illustrated throughout with remarkable real-life images and headlines, this timely exploration of 1973—the year of Watergate hearings, the Equal Rights Amendment, and Roe v. Wade—unfolds through the story of a young woman driven to question everything as she learns to think for, and rely on, herself.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Fiction, Audiobook, Teen

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 14, 2025

About the author

L. M. Elliott was an award-winning magazine journalist for 20 years before becoming a New York Times bestselling author of historical and biographical novels. Three-time finalist for the National Magazine Award and winner of multiple Dateline Awards, Elliott focused primarily on women's issues. Her groundbreaking profile of a domestic violence survivor, wife of a high-level federal government appointee, was one of the first to discuss "white-collar" violence against women and the psychological/emotional control intrinsic to the abuse. Elliott’s extensive reporting experience on such topics informed and enriched the themes and characters of TRUTH, LIES, AND THE QUESTIONS IN BETWEEN. It is her third docudrama-novel exploring a fraught political era and the dangers of disinformation, unchecked power, hate-rhetoric, and censorship.

Her 14 novels cover a variety of era--–the Cold War, WWII, the Great Depression, American Revolution, and the Italian Renaissance–--and are for a variety of readerships, ages middle grade to adult. Her works have been honored with the Scott O'Dell, VLA Cardinal Cup, and Grateful American prizes for historical fiction; been named NCSS/CBC Notables, Bank Street College of Education Bests, Kirkus Bests, Capitol Choices, and to the TXLA Tayshas HS Reading Lists; as well as named finalists for state awards in VA, MD, PA, UT, ME, VT, KS, IA, and SC.

She holds a BA from Wake Forest University and a MA in journalism from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Reviews

[Hope Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!
Dive into the year 1973 as Watergate and Nixon's presidency were crumbling and the United States was cycling through major change as the Vietnam War was ending and women were pushing just a little harder for equal rights.
Patty is one of the first female Congress aides thanks to her conservative father who thought he was sending his only daughter to the Capitol to learn to be a good politician's wife and find an ideal husband. Instead Patty new ideas and thoughts instead of a man.
Written from multiple perspectives and interspersed with relevant news clippings this historical fiction was intriguing. I was interested in the parallels that can be drawn to today's political climate (history repeating itself and all that) and how refreshing it was to read a book set in this time period and really explore what was going on. It was a bonus having an educated, informed female character who demonstrated a head on her shoulders and an ability to think things through instead of waiting to be told what her opinions should be. All around excellent book!

Thanks to Algonquin for the arcs given at ALA 2024!

[Kim Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

For history fans, those curious about the Women's Rights Movement, or anyone who loves a good scandal, join Patty Appleton on Capital Hill as she joins the first class of the House Page program in 1973 in a dynamic time in American History. In Truth, Lies, and the Questions in Between, LM Elliot takes an emotional and well researched look into life for women in the peak of the ERA movement. Patty confronts not only her personal values, but also struggles with how a nation can continue to support a President whom she has grown up staunchly supporting even as she sees him break the very constitutional tenants he took an oath to protect. Educational, informational, and also maddening in its current day parallels, this book is an engrossing read with likeable characters. The strength of the writing and the story telling isn't always top tier, but the quality of the story told makes up for this.

[Mary Wegrzyn-Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really brought back some memories. I was in Jr. High when all this was going on and I didn't really pay any attention to it. Reading this book gave me insight into what was happening at
that time. The actual headlines throughout the book were great. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Janet Macreery · Rating 5 out of 5]

ERA
STOP ERA
The recent Roe v. Wade decision
The Watergate hearings
Rampant discrimination

Truth, Lies, and the Questions in Between is a masterful docudrama set in the midst of a chaotic and transformative time in Washington, DC and the entire country. Elliott seamlessly retells the rapidly unfolding events of history through the experiences of a teenager who is serving as one of the first female pages in Congress. The collages of historic records introducing each chapter prepare the reader for the historic context but the characters experience realistic difficulties and face the challenges of the day in their own lives. Several viewpoints and perspectives are presented through different characters. While these are strongly held ideas, the characters are able to create space for discussion. A great book for older teens, adults, and a fabulous choice for a group or family read. Truth, Lies, and the Questions in Between creates many opportunities for conversation.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical fiction. Elliott really brings the events of 1973 to life through her engaging characters and collages of headlines, photos, and other media. She clearly notes her research and sources.
I was 9 years old in 1973, and had no idea I was living through such a tempestuous year. Thanks to Laura Elliott for giving me a clearer, more contextual understanding of the interplay between politics, feminism, and racism that came to a head that year, especially as we navigate these latest tumultuous times.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up to five stars
Thank you @novelsuspects and @algoquinyr for the free arc 💖.

✨What it is about:
Patty Appleton as one of the Senate’s first female Congressional Pages, is not only paving the way for other politically minded girls, she has a front-row seat to debates dividing the nation, especially around women’s rights and roles. The battle between the old ways and the new polarizes the women in Patty’s life, and she finds herself torn between traditional expectations—to be an obedient daughter aspiring to become a perfect wife—and questions new friends like fiercely feminist Simone, encourage her to ask. As a presidency unravels and the fight for women’s rights intensifies, her future will be determined by her willingness to seek the truth.✨

💭My thoughts:
This was excellent! I was transported by this book to 1973, a time when I wasn’t alive, but I was able to feel like I lived through it too. It was like I was right next to Patty, experiencing all during Nixon’s presidency, the uncertainties and tragedies of the Vietnam War, and witnessing the magnitude and weight of women’s issues at the time.
Well researched, I loved that the book also includes news articles and photographs which carry the story along, giving the reader a well rounded look at all the details from the time. Fantastic!
It is a “younger readers” book, but I do feel it would be vastly more appreciated and understood by older readers (like high schoolers as opposed to middle schoolers), because it is heavy on the politics, and includes some suggestions of sexual content, and assault/rape, that I feel would be better understood by older readers. The characters felt real, honest and true to the time. Through the story you’ll learn so many of Nixon’s political dirty tricks, the exploitation of presidential authority, how broken Americans were by Vietnam, and so much more. You’ll see how threatening it was for a woman to have a choice, a career, and a voice. How extremely hard it was to be taken seriously a woman. Interesting enough, though things have changed a little since then, it kind of feels like they haven’t in many ways… One thing to note is, the story doesn’t have a resolution, (which might upset some readers, but regardless I feel the book does meet its purpose. So much fun to read!

4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read if you like:
📖 The 1970s
📖 Explorations of identity
📖 Women’s rights
📖 Strong female protagonists
📖Historical fiction

⚠️CW: Implied eating disorder, implied infidelity, sexism, fat-phobia, sexual assault, rape, racism, gender based violence , drug use and abuse, suicide attempt, self harm, war, implied pregnancy.

[Jamele (BookswithJams) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Novel Suspects for the gifted copy to review.

I listened to this book mostly via audio and the narrator was fantastic. When it started, we were going through facts about Nixon, Watergate and other happenings during 1973 and I was wondering what in the heck did I pick up and what was I about to read. Then the next chapter began with the story, I was hooked, and I friggin loved this book!!

In addition to the above events of 1973, women were making history as female Congressional Pages. Patty Appleton, our FMC, is one of them thanks to her Republican fund raising father who is also a prominent psychiatrist. She has her views, which are completely called into question once she begins working, and as she makes friends and learns the ways of Washington, it was fascinating to watch her navigate everything especially as Watergate is heating up. I loved how this was done, and having the physical copy as a companion to the audio was lovely, with all of the headlines and illustrations in between the chapters that were from that time period, and the story was very well done too. I read this in a day, and was so glad I picked this one up!

[Ashley LeCates · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no better time than now to read this book. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, needs to read this. It’s disheartening to see that we, as a country (US) have made basically no progress since the 1970s, in racism, sexism, any sort of equality. BUT, this book also brings hope. There are so many similarities between the nonsense (which is a nice word for what I’m actually thinking) Nixon tried to pull and what Donald Trump is attempting to do now. This story and the outline of Watergate and those that stood up to Nixon and his bullying tactics gives me hope that maybe, just maybe, people will break with their party line and do the RIGHT thing once again. History repeats, so let it, and let this be the downfall of Donald Trump. Yes, this is a political review because this is a political book.

Trigger warning- rape. It’s not described in detail thankfully, but it’s there.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should start out by saying that I am not a big fan of historical fiction. However, I loved this book! I learned so much about the time period, Watergate, and the Women's Rights Movement happening at that time. I went in not knowing much about that era, but walked away with so much knowledge that was easy to understand. The characters are well-written and easy to love. I am so glad I picked this book up!

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5-overall this was an interesting YA historical fiction take of Watergate and ERA. It was a little heavy handed on every issue but it’s also eerily familiar to things happening today so could make for some good discussion.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the format of this book.

[Darlene Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a 70’s child - how was I oblivious to these things - tucked away in a small town where no one even spoke of what was really going on at Capitol Hill!
This was a very serious time - with very serious issues. Our nation was in turmoil while I sat in my classroom drawing “peace” signs on my notebook not really knowing why (liked the shape and thought of it).
Thank you for educating me on the details of this historical event. Even though I was unaware of the tragedy at the time, it was a painful part of our history that shattered many lives.
I fell in with the page characters. Loved Patty’s bravery! Only wishing for a little happier ending for her - hey! Isn’t that what makes a great book;)

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5, fantastic YA that depicted the 1970s so well.

[Patti Sabik · Rating 5 out of 5]

1973 was a turmoil, pain, action, and upheaval. It’s a wild ride for Patty, who is one of the first female senate pages who finds her reality on quickly melting ice. This is a riveting story set in a terribly interesting time in our country’s history which hauntingly mirrors our present day. Captivating and well researched.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 5 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Netgalley

Patty Appleton is glad to be one of the first female Congressional pages in 1973, but it's not an easy position to be in. Her father is a prominent psychiatrist and Republican fund raiser, so her mother, Dot, is scandalized when Patty mentions things to the press like that she's "not a bra-burner". Patty's dating Scott, who is very conservative, but while she is busy in D.C., he's been playing tennis with one of her friends. Patty is in the thick of things, meeting prominent politicians, and spending the weekend with her cousin Simone, who is much more liberal, and her aunt Marjorie, who is working for the women's caucus with the sull support of her husband. Patty hangs out with fellow pages, Will and Abe. Abe is much more liberal, and frequently makes disaparaging remarks about President Nixon, who has run into trouble. Will is a bit different; his brothers all joined the military, and while one of his brothers was held as a POW, we see his anguish as one is killed just as the military operations are wrapping up in Vietnam. Patty is having trouble aligning the attitudes and social mores she has been taught with the new information she is getting everyday. Being a page isn't easy; senators snap their fingers when they want something, and there are no concessions for a women being a page; Patty isn't allowed to carry a purse, so when she has her period, she tries to keep one of the new adhesive backed pads in a suit pocket that she has to sew onto her double knit skirt suit herself, with Simone's help. She also has to adjust to the new guy that Julia is dating, and the continual struggles in the news with the ERA and the fight over women's rights and issues. Patty's mother is also struggling; she seems to have more and more prescription pills that she's taking, and she even gives Patty a handful of Obetrol when she looks like she's gained weight. The ingestion of that drug goes slightly more smoothly than Simone's experience after someone drops an acid laced sugar cube in her Fresca at a party. Patty is concerned that her father is having an affair, and has to deal with Scott's feeling of sexual entitlement as well. There is a LOT going on in 1973, and Patty is right in the middle of all of it. How will she manage her changing world?
Strengths: This book absolutely picked me up and dropped me directly into Aunt Marjorie's 1973 living room, watching television while sitting on a harvest gold Colonial style couch on avocado green shag carpet. The fashions, the attitudes, and the NEWS felt so immediate that I half expected to be transported to that time. Had I smelled a strawberry lip smacker, I might have been. This had two distinct levels; there is the absolute swirl of politics, and Patty's life as a Congressional page that was 100% influenced by everything going on around her. Modern teens might wonder if their counterparts in 1973 paid this much attention to the news, but they absolutely did; I was only 8, and still followed what was happening with Watergate in the news. Many of the Herblock political cartoons looked VERY familiar. It makes perfect sense that Patty fully believed in all of her mother's expectations, and even uses them to diffuse a situation with police officers when Simone's modern attitudes almost get them arrested. But, seeing everything that she does definitely changes her, almost as much as it changes her mother. Not only does Elliott weave these two strands together brilliantly, but she inserts constant popculture references seamlessly. Final Net hair spray, black patent leather go go boots, and strawberry Lip Smackers make an appearance in the first chapter. There are copious historical notes on historical figures at the back, as well as source notes and a bibliography. This really is a tour de force of 1970s history.
Weaknesses: "Gag me with a spoon" was not a phrase that a teen on the East Coast would have thought to herself during this time period. I will, of course, defer to Elliott, who is about six years older that I am, and whose historical details are 99.9% accurate, but I doubt just this one!
What I really think: As much as I would like to have this available for my middle school students, it will be most successful with high school audiences. There is a LOT of political information, which is all extremely well researched and explained, as well as backed up by period photos and articles, but there is also some suggestions of sexual content and rape that will be better understood by older readers. Reading this along with Balis' and Levy's Bringing Down a President is highly encouraged. This begs to have a play list to go with it; plenty of songs are mentioned, and I imagine that high school readers would be mesmerized by Helen Reddy's I Am Woman.

[Ms. B · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title. I cannot believe I am both the first person to put this on a goodreads shelf and the first to review it.
Even though I was only a child in the 1970s, I always told those younger than me that it was a rough decade. Things I remember that were dark to young me include inflation, the energy crisis (we were constantly being told to conserve electricity, recycle, not pollute, etc.) and the Iran hostage crisis. This book confirmed it. Taking place in 1973, we learn that the United States is dealing with Watergate, waiting for states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and experiencing a battle of the sexes (i.e. Betty Friedan; the feminist vs Phyllis Schlafly; the conservative housewife, the the classic Bobby Riggs vs Billie Jean King tennis match).
Patty has grown up in a conservative household with a dad who backs Nixon and a mother who provides a united front by agreeing with him. She also has the perfect boyfriend in the handsome and ambitious Scott. Now Patty is a Senate page staying with her Mom's college roommate Marjorie, her husband and daughter Simone. Simone's household is one in which discussion and debate is welcomed and encouraged. Simone is also seeing Julius, a black guy.
Patty starts to see the world beyond her family and childhood. She meets new people and makes new friends as a page. How will the year 1973 change both her and those around her? Know that the book will frustrate some readers as the book ends without resolution.
If you liked the documentary style of Deborah Wiles's Sixties trilogy, you'll love this book that could be a continuation of that series. This would also be great for anyone who enjoys books about women's issues like Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique or Randi Pink's Girls Like Us which deals with women's reproductive rights.

[Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to express my gratitude to Net Galley for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book and I gave it a 4-star rating, although it's closer to 4 and 1/2 stars when rounded up.

I want to highlight that this book may not be suitable for everyone as it contains several triggers. These include:
Graphic: Sexism, Fatphobia, and Gender-Based Violence
Moderate: Sexual Assault, Rape, Racism, Drug Use, Drug Abuse, Self-Harm, and Suicide Attempt
Mild: Implied Eating Disorder, Infidelity, Implied Pregnancy, War, and Injury Detail

These are events that directly impact the characters in the book. Additionally, the book delves into the events of 1973, including the political landscape at that time, such as Watergate and the ERA.

The book does a good job of explaining these historical events, along with the societal context, through real-life sections and discussions among the characters. Even if you're not well-versed in these topics, the book provides sufficient background information.

Our protagonist, Patty, works for the Senate in Washington D.C. Throughout the story, she forms new friendships, encounters differing political views, and learns about the significance of standing up for her own opinions.

I will provide more insights into the characters in a separate review once the book is released, delving into spoiler territory.

However, I must note that the book's ending seemed abrupt. Two major storylines were left unresolved, leaving me wishing for more closure. I believe an epilogue that addresses the characters' fates, in addition to the historical context, would have been beneficial.

Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, including its historical elements, storyline, and characters. I would unequivocally recommend it.

Truth, Lies, and the Questions In Between will be released on January 14th, 2025. Enjoy the read.

[Beth Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My senior year of high school I was part of the Maryland General Assembly's Page Program where I worked in the Maryland State House of Representatives. The work was far from glamorous, but was a fascinating first-person look at what can actually happen in the legislative body.

This novel, Truth, Lies, and the Question in Between, took place over the course of 1973 and followed a number of member of the US Senate Page Program as they had a front row seat to the Watergate hearings, among other historical moments of the year.

My time in the Maryland House was pretty boring and unimpressive, to be honest, but I immediately felt like kindred spirits with the pages in this novel (and loved the author's note discussing her decision to tell this year in history through their eyes!).

This book was a historical fiction masterpiece, told with nuance and care, full of true, historical events. Everything is up close and personal, sometimes uncomfortably so. This is what it means to be a true student of history; to approach an event with a desire to learn what it felt like to live at a specific time, not judge that time through the eyes of the future. Each chapter was one month of the year and was prefaced with news articles from things that happened during that month. That was my one complaint, that at times the articles made aspects of the chapter feel a little repetitive, but I think that ultimately they helped so much, providing context for the reader (and especially for teen readers, the target audience, who will not come to this book with the history that I have).

This book delves into some very realistic and hard topics, but I do think it handles them tastefully, making this a fascinating read for 14+ and a perfect book to read and discuss with your teens, especially as there are many moments in history that are relevant to our lives today.

[Desirae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

This has to be the most uninspiring cover art I’ve seen all year, which is unfortunate because the novel itself is quite interesting.

Definitely for fans of history, but accessible to a YA audience, focusing on the Women’s Rights Movements of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. The story focuses on Patty Appleton, one of the first young women allowed to be a house page on Capital Hill in Washington D.C. Half of the country is focusing on keeping women in the home, meanwhile Nixon’s Watergate scandal is on the horizon. In Truth, Lies, and the Questions in Between, LM Elliot takes an emotional and well researched look into life for women in the peak of the ERA movement. Patty confronts not only her personal values, but also struggles with how a nation can continue to support a President whom she has grown up staunchly supporting even as she sees him break the very constitutional tenants he took an oath to protect. Educational, informational, and also maddening in its current day parallels, this book is an engrossing read with likeable characters. The strength of the writing and the story telling isn't always top tier, but the quality of the story told makes up for this.

Some of the relationships felt forced or underdeveloped, and some of the prose felt bogged down by the story itself.

This is my third LM Elliot novel, and although I though Hamilton and Peggy was light hearted and fun I thought Da Vinci’s Tiger was droll and doughty. This novel falls somewhere in the middle of that.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Truths, Lies, and The Questions In Between, L. M. Elliott vividly recreates the early 1970’s, an era of political and social upheaval. The Nixon administration was embroiled in Watergate. Women were campaigning for and against the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. The protagonist, teenager Patty Appleton, is one of the first female Congressional Pages on Capitol Hill. Patty is a firsthand witness to the political controversy over President Nixon’s involvement with the Watergate burglary. Raised in the Midwest with conservative politics, Patty hears viewpoints she has not encountered before, particularly regarding a woman’s role in society. In metropolitan DC, Patty meets women who demand equal status in their relationships with men. Young readers today may not be aware that women were not always able to get credit cards without a husband or father signing for them. Or that women did not tell employers they had children for fear of losing their jobs. In the 1970’s, women who expressed their own opinions or contradicted men were often chastised for being hysterical or worse. L.M. Elliott seamlessly weaves the fight for gender equality against the backdrop of the Nixon era. Truths, Lies, and The Questions In Between does an excellent job of portraying a time, not unlike today, when the public was bitterly divided. It is an engrossing historical fiction for readers of all ages.

[Britney Crouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an interesting read for me, as I knew very little about Watergate or the Equal Rights Amendment. I enjoyed drawing parallels between how politics, including the media, we're then vs. now. I believe this was written for the left leaning crowd, but even as a Republican, I was able to really enjoy it. Not to say that it's radically left. The democrats of that time are not the democrats of today, just like the republicans of that time are not the republicans of today.
Anyway... back to the book! It follows Patty, a trailblazing republican teen, who, for a year, acts as a Page for the Senate. I believe she is the first female in history to be in this position. She learns some truths that make her question everything she's ever known and forms a really beautiful relationship with an unlikely character.
If you have an interest in history or politics, I would absolutely recommend this read. The flow of the book itself makes for a fast-paced journey through the year. If politics doesn't interest you, pass on this read.

[Mandy Quarantillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome! I loved all the inside things about DC, especially as someone who grew up an hour away in Moco, MD. I greatly appreciate all of the news clips and historical blurbs to give more context to the story, it felt like a time machine taking you right there.

There's a saying that those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. I hope we can learn from this book before it's too late. I never got to this part of history in school, because we spent ages on the founding and the civil war. I've since learned more on my own after graduating college and I hope it's enough. I'm thankful for Elliott and others who write historical fiction so I can fill in the gaps.

I get really invested in books, and often feel for the characters in the book as if I truly am them in that moment. I cried for these characters, I raged alongside them, and I laughed and cheered for them too. It's an amazing book, and I hope readers feel for these characters like I did too.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Patty Appleton is making history as one of the first female congressional pages, history is unfolding around her, Watergate. Patty’s father is a doctor and Nixon fundraiser, she grew up sheltered and wanted to be a page so she could become the perfect politician’s wife someday. D.C. showed her life in not black and white and a lot more complicated and interesting than she ever knew. Patty new friends push her to open her mind, and we watch Patty question and grow.

I absolutely loved this story with so many connections to the world today. The Illustrations throughout of real-life images and headlines, is amazing!
Thank you NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers #TruthLiesandtheQuestionsinBetween #NetGalley

[Samantha H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book did have some issues, I enjoyed it overall. I liked that the historical angle was different from anything I had read before. I liked getting to see the inside life of a page. The mixed media helped break apart the length which I appreciated. I enjoyed the dissection of gender roles during the time period. The plot overall is a little inflated and while I enjoyed it as an adult, I can't see a teen loving it. Maybe an older, more mature teen who is interested in gender roles and historical fiction, but that's about it. It didn't feel particularly YA. Also, the ending gave me a little bit of WTF, but I guess that's neither here nor there. It definitely threw a wrench into the overall narrative and made it feel slightly less authentic then the rest of the work, but I digress.

[Emily Cissell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not really a historical fiction reader but when I tell you I could not put this book down, I could not put this book down!! Such a wonderful take on the Watergate Scandal and intertwining with the ERA. Reading Patty's story as she comes into her own and learns to form her own opinions was truly a privilege to read as she overcomes the terrible treatment from her father and other men during this time period. Or let's be real, the treatment we still receive from many men. My one complaint is this book ended her story so open ended! I craved more!! Where does she go to college? Does she become a lawyer? What happens to her mother? How does she overcome the tragedy she experiences? What about her friends? Such a great book, I cannot wait to add this to the collection.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deeply ensconced in 1973 amidst the Watergate scandal this book reverberates history.
Most young readers will be astounded at just how different things were, especially treatment of women but it was also a time of enormous change.
I think the author included too many cliches, like she was jamming in as many as would go.
Two things bothered me: one gag me with a spoon was not a phrase until the early 80s and two: I was left hanging about Patty and Dot. What happened to them?? Readers are left in limbo while the author documents all the real people portrayed in the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown and Company for the early read.

[Tracy Brissette · Rating 5 out of 5]

My, how history loves to repeat itself. The way this author mixes the news stories of 1973 into her story brings together a narrative that's well worth the read.
I was a child during the Watergate scandal, and obviously didn't understand a lot of what was going on at the time. This book allowed me to see things as an adult, and through new perspectives.

[Suzanne Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this very much. The headlines and news stories between the chapters added a lot to the narrative.

It felt particularly relevant to be reading this now.

The author's notes are also a must read.

I was a kid during this time frame and while I knew what was going on, I wasn't aware of some of the details shared here.

[Lori Adell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t normally read YA, but this is a must read for all who did not experience life before ERA. Women’s rights have come a long way in a few short years. With all that is on the line politically, we must not repeat history. Written in the Watergate era. Great use of graphic historical reading along with the historical fiction story woven within.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version of this book that we recently purchased for the Skyline Library. Not sure it’ll be a hot seller in the library, but any reader interested in politics will be rewarded with a fascinating look at 1970s Washington DC through the eyes of a female congressional page. I didn’t live through this era, but I imagine the author did extensive research.