A behind-the-scenes look at the election trail told through the eyes of a soon-to-be bride. Cady Davenport is living in a new city as her fiance embarks on the road for the presidential campaign. As a supportive partner, she is making the best out of her present situation. Crossing paths with the other campaign widows makes her feel connected in her new environment. Her circle consists of an eclectic group of women: a Georgetown doyenne, a mommy blogger, an artsy website editor, and a reluctant potential first lady. As the pressure of the election begins to affect them all, Cady struggles to find her place in the group amid the daily chaos. She recognizes the power these women hold and the importance they have in her new life. Through ups and downs, she realizes these women will come to depend on her as much as she needs them. With razor-sharp wit, Agresti delivers a lovable cast of characters set in Washington, DC, the heart of the political world. A must read especially in the current political climate, Campaign Widows gets my vote as a definite winner.

An enjoyable book, great for taking on an airplane or when you want a fun read. Not too heavy but not completely fluff either.

I was excited to read this book because I loved another book with a similar premise - however I really liked this book more! The detail and writing style really pull you into the story without it being to superficial. Really enjoy and have recommended to many!

A timely, fun, and sexy read. As a current Washington DC resident, this was a page turner and a page turning read.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

There’s a common saying that Washington, D.C. is Hollywood for ugly people, and if you’ve ever seen a coterie of pretty young staffers orbiting around a fat wrinkled white man that folks call “Mr. Speaker,” that’s only half of it. The Hollywood part comes in when players are more concerned with the game they’re playing than with the people whose lives are affected by the laws that are passed or blocked on Capitol Hill.

This was a fun look at what happens during campaign season for the candidates, their staff, and their family/significant others. I had never really thought about it before, but so many people's lives are effected by this. This book was eye opening in some ways, but so much fun to read. I was rooting for Cady and loved the way that all of the "widows" supported each other. Definitely a light, easy read for summer.

Thank you to Graydon House and NetGalley for a copy of this ebook. This did not influence my review in any way.

I really liked this- I read it in one day and basically one sitting. I was a PoliSci major and once had dreams of being a Campaign Manager so this book was right in my wheelhouse to begin with. I really ended up enjoying it not just for the subject matter, though, but for the well-written characters (especially the women) and the engrossing plot. I would definitely read more from the author and would love to hear from these characters again!

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

Campaign Widows combines politics with comedy and I found it quite enjoyable. This book revolves around the spouses involved in the upcoming election and everything that goes on behind the scenes with just enough humor I found myself laughing more than I thought I would. Definitely worth giving a read.

I received an advanced reader copy of Campaign Widows in exchange for an honest review. I had very high expectations for Campaign Widows because I’m a political nerd and a huge West Wing Fan. The book also sells itself as the West Wing meets Sex and the City, so I was pumped. I hate to say it but this book did not live up to my expectations and I’m not sure.

What It’s About: The book focuses on several significant others of those on the campaign trail. Cady Davenport, a news anchor, moves to DC to be with her fiancé Jackson just as he is about to head out onto the campaign trail. Jay is an entertainment editor, with a boyfriend, Skye, who just got the break of a lifetime when he begins following the campaign trail of a rock-star turned politician. Reagan is a former speechwriter now stay-at-home mom with twins and a husband on the campaign trail. Madison is the wife of the front-runner for one party, except she doesn’t want him to win. Birdie is an event planner that always throws the most fabulous party, but is also on a break with her husband. The book follows these characters from the primaries to the general election, as they struggle with being outsiders to the campaign process while their loved ones are away.

What I loved: The main characters are really, really excellent. I loved all of them and their struggles. I cheered for them to succeed. I thought they were funny and likeable, plus the close friendship that these characters share does resemble the friendship in Sex and the City.

What I didn’t like so much: This book pitches itself as the West Wing meets Sex and the City, but there is no real West Wing element other than it being set in DC and some discussion of politics. I didn’t feel the hope or love of country that the West Wing makes me feel, so I was disappointed. The book doesn’t follow the politics at all and so it often feels like there’s not a huge plot (again, I was expecting some campaign stuff). My advanced readers copy had terrible grammar so I think this played a role in my distaste so I think if you read the real copy, it may be less frustrating to read.

Who Will Like It: If you like Sex & the City and close friendships, you’ll enjoy this book. This book really focuses on the character’s friendships and connections to each other.

General Summary: A book that focuses on the lives of those left behind by the campaign and a story of strong friendship.

Despite the political climate we are in today, the year 2018, this book embodies what we can strive for. Strong women, genuine beliefs, colorful characters, and loud voices. I genuinely enjoyed this book cause it can make a person dream, laugh and even reflect. Yes, there are laughs, fashion, fighting and drama but this book had a unique spark to it. Thank you again Harlequin Books for the free copy.

3.5 stars This book follows the lives of Cady Davenport and a group of unlikely friends who she meets whens he moves to D.C. to be with her long distance boyfriend. All of the group bond together due to being "campaign widows" while their significant others are out on the campaign trail in various capacities.

The author does a good job of providing a peek inside the D.C. scene without being "political." Readers on both sides of the aisle will fin the book enjoyable.

My only criticism is that there were A LOT of additional characters to keep up with besides the core group and that sometimes got a little confusing.

4.5 Red White & Blue Stars!

I was really impressed with this novel from Aimee Agresti - to write a political themed novel in today's tumultuous climate and write a book focused around election season that appeals to all readers regardless of affiliation and manages to make the key players all likable is quite a feat. Told from various perspectives of women all connected to the presidential election in various ways was fresh and interesting and kept me hooked the entire time. Highly recommend!

Every four years, presidential candidates and their staffers travel the country searching for funding and votes. Campaign Widows follows five people who have been left behind by their partners as they work for electoral victory. But don't kid yourself - these "widows" have lives of their own. There is Cady, a newcomer to DC who is producing a show that is sagging in the ratings, Reagan, a speechwriter who is now doing freelance work as the recent mother to two twin girls, Birdie, a media mogul and DC taste-maker, Madison, whose husband Hank is in the running to be president, and Jay, whose partner Sky who got quickly upgraded from the "culture" section of the Queue (think Huffpost) to "politics" due to a staffing shortage. The book covers each of these dynamic characters as they live their own lives and effect the election in their own ways - with or without their partners' support.

This book is the perfect summer beach read, which is to say that its a light, fluffy read that would be great for any vacation (no beach necessary). The premise and setting were unique - I've not read a ton of women's fiction that is politically centered or even set in DC, and that really added to the title's value for me. All of the characters were well drawn and interesting in their own way. Often, when I read a book with multiple POVs, I find myself more invested in certain stories and then race through the chapters I don't much care for, but that was not the case here. Everyone was likable and engaging.

I wanted more political satire than I got. While there definitely was some satire (Hank is a Trump stand-in, for example), and some dream scenarios (a three person dead heat race), I wanted more. Everyone's arcs were tied up a little too neatly for my taste, and it also made the book feel a bit less realistic.

Overall, I would recommend this read to anyone who enjoys the genre and likes happy and easy reads. It reminded me of Crazy Rich Asians in tone and style, so if you liked that book, give this one a try! I hope it gets made into a TV show or movie, because it'd be excellent in either of those formats if the drama and comedy were both amped up a bit. If you are looking for a light summer read, look no farther.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Graydon House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Graydon House Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was very excited about this book and it did not disappoint. The political campaigns were interesting to follow and the characters were fun and smart.


The book covers the storylines of Cady, Birdie, Jay, Reagan, and Madison. Each character is incredibly well developed and enjoyable to learn about. They also each have a significant other that plays a role in a presidential election, which makes them "campaign widows". Cady was my favorite character as I found her the most relatable, however, I did enjoy Birdie fabulous lifestyle.


I enjoyed this book so much and it definitely made me laugh. I also appreciated the fact that the author portrayed the sometimes less than glamorous side of running for office and it was refreshing to read the perspective of those who are involved in campaigns because their significant other is and how that effects them.


While there are male characters in this book, I did appreciate how many strong female characters were represented.

Overall, I really enjoyed Campaign Widows. I think it will make a great summer read and I would recommend it to my friends and family.

Campaign Widows is a fast paced, funny, drama filled look into the lives of the significant others left behind when their partners hit the campain trail. Behind the success or failure of a candidate, the loved ones at home supporting them and keeping normal life on track experience their own success and failures and bond in a way only they can. With cheating partners, new friendship bonds, a surprise pregnancy, and even a fire baton twirling First Lady candidate, the entertainment in this book doesn't ever stop.

Ms Agresti's writing is timed perfectly throughout the novel. Each chapter had more drama than the previous one, keeping the reader interested and flipping those pages. The characters are real and relatable, even if they do rub elbows with the rich and famous at every event. If you are a fan of the West Wing or Scandal on TV, you will love this book.

I received an advanced reader copy for my honest review.

A breezy try-to-guess-it-really-is novel about a group of women-and men- involved with a Presidential campaign. If there's a fault to this novel it's that there are too many characters. There's also virtually no back story on anyone, which works only because again- there are so many characters. Although Cady is ostensibly the star of this group, Madison is perhaps the most intriguing (if least realistic). There are some nice DC details (even if I could not figure out where Reagan was living that she could walk the twins where she did) and a few good snickers. If only all campaigns moved as quickly as this one! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good beach read.

I didn't realize that our political system requires so much behind the scenes action. I enjoyed the descriptions of the parties, the clothing, and the back stories of how all these characters ended up as part of the campaign. This is a light read with many interconnected characters and plots. I did find myself becoming confused as the transitions were made between characters. I'd get hooked into a plot line, settle in for the duration and then moved into another story more frequently than I liked. I can see this as a summer beach read suggestion on many lists.

Campaign Widows is an entertaining and occasionally pointed book about a group of friends left alone in D.C. while their significant others are on the presidential campaign trail in one capacity or another. The book is very funny, timely, and includes a fantastic cast of characters. I'll list the key players:

Cady: New to D.C., recently engaged, and works on a struggling fluff TV news show. Her fiancee is a political advisor to a candidate and their relationship seems a bit rocky.

Birdie: Renowned event planner and major player in DC society with a soft spot for scrappy women in difficult situations. Dealing with some marital problems that have been brewing for years.

Reagan: Mom of toddler twins who gave up her dream speech-writing job to become a parent and write an advice column on the side. With a husband working on a campaign, she often feels like a single parent. She's whip smart, but often feels overlooked because of her new role. I loved her and related to her in a lot of ways.

Jay: Lifestyle reporter who helps launch his secret boyfriend into a growing career following a female rapper-turned-presidential candidate on the campaign trail. He wants to propose, but worries that the campaign is pulling them apart.

Madison: Spunky wife of a presidential hopeful who surprisingly, doesn't want him to win! She is hilarious and covers her outrageous antics with a gracious southern smile.

That should give you some insight into what you are in store for, but this is a very fun book about friendship, love, politics, identity, and what it means to have a healthy relationship. I really enjoyed it a lot and loved the strong feminist messages woven throughout.

*****Spoiler Warning*****

I also really appreciated the fact that Reagan and her husband ultimately work things out. It could have gone another way with Reagan having an affair and I'm SO glad that isn't the direction it took because that would have felt cheap. I thought the relationships in general were handled with the respect they deserved, which was great to see. I definitely recommend this book if the premise interests you. I received an e-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have never read a novel from Aimee Agresti, but I really loved her writing. This book was amazing, and thank you to the publisher for giving me the eARC in exchange for an honest review. I love how the description claims it is Sex and the City meets The West Wing because that was quite fitting! It was very fun and featured really likeable characters, but also featured a lot of political gossip and drama. I really loved this one!

Loved this - a fast-paced, fun read with engaging characters. The only element I did not enjoy was the chapter titles - they took me out of the story.