This is the second book I’ve read by Marie Benedict and I could not be more impressed. She is one great author. Once I finish her books, I feel like I’ve had a wonderful and enjoyable history lesson. I wish high school could have used this venue in history class. I had also previously read a novel covering Winston Churchill’s mother and this story continued the saga.
This novel is not just about Lady Clementine, it also covers Winston’s life, accomplishments, tenacity and challenges, but most importantly, it shows their true love for each other. The author has such a way of storytelling that you get to know Clementine, so many of her self-doubts when raising her children, her accomplishments and political views but also her caring for the English people. Her devotion to Winston was remarkable. I absolutely recommend this book for anyone who would enjoy a great book on Clementine and Winston Churchill. The book covers many years from their first meeting, marriage, raising children, good times, hard times and then WWII, so well done.
I was given the opportunity to receive this book from Sourcebooks Landmark through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This one gets the highest 5*****’s. An awesome book.

four stars on Goodreads

One of my favorite Winston Churchill quotes is, "I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught" and I agree with it. That's one reason why I like reading historical fiction because I learn without being taught.

This is my first book from Benedict. I really don't know much about Winston, let alone Clementine, his wife and this was a good introduction. I didn't realize he was at the top of his political game, then out, then back in again and out. He changed political parties a few times. He always looked old to me, and he was in his late 60s during WWII, and Clementine was in her late 50s.

Clementine had enough political ambitions for five husbands. I don't know if I would have been friends with her--she was very driven and had to then take "rest cures" for nervous exhaustion. Someone needed to tell her life was a marathon, not a sprint. While her childhood wasn't the easiest, she certainly didn't put her children at the top off her list. I found it ironic that when an American diplomat was coming to England to view the damage of the bombers in WWII, she knew he had stomach cancer and catered to him, serving him nutritious meals and even putting a hot water bottle in his bed, yet she didn't put the same concern in the care of her children. Looking up more information about her mothering habits I found some concerns about Marigold's care (or lack thereof) and Diana's death.

I was unaware how the Churchills viewed Roosevelt as the Americans joined the Allies in WWII and though he was pushing them aside to control the battles. I find it odd that Clementine put so much energy into raising funds for Russian children's hospitals when certainly there was so much need for that in England.

photo of the Churchills

Thanks to Netgallery and the publishers for an e-ARC. I really have no idea why Clementine's hair and coat are purple in the cover. Oddly, it kept reminding me of Violet, a daughter of the prime minister, who had designs on marrying Winston.

When an author is passionate about their subject matter it’s easy for readers to get lost in the narrative. Melanie Benjamin is such a writer. Some of her previous works of historical fiction such as The Swans of Fifth Avenue, The Aviator’s Wife and Mistress of the Ritz (to name a few) are among my favorites in the genre. Now with LADY CLEMENTINE she provides readers with a rich and satisfying foray into the life of the wife of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill who fought for the rights of women in an era that encouraged women to be “seen and not heard”.

Ms. Benedict paints a compelling portrait of a complex woman, her 57 year marriage to a driven politician as well as her dogged perseverance as she acts as a sounding board and confidant to the man she lovingly calls Pug, bolstering his courage through WWI and tending his needs and encouraging his resolve as he leads his nation through the dark days of WWII.

While her contributions went largely unnoticed during her lifetime as she devoted herself to her husband’s career and successes, Melanie Benjamin has highlighted Clementine’s contributions and granted this impressive role model the recognition she so richly deserves.

Inspiring, poignant, and beautifully crafted, I dare say that Lady Clementine is Marie Benedict's best novel yet! I could not put this book down. Benedict's writing is utterly atmospheric, and I really felt like I was in Clementine's shoes. I always enjoy reading about women in history, but what really made Lady Clementine for me was Clementine's character development and the relationship between her and Winston. A triumph!

Marie Benedict is a best selling author who writes historical fiction about remarkable women. I had previously read her novels The Other Einstein and The Only Woman in the Room. I am not a huge fan of her writing style, but commend her for bringing the women she writes about to a public who might not know their stories.

Lady Clementine is about Winston Churchill's wife, usually portrayed as long-suffering and anxious for Winston to put aside politics and enjoy his life--and give her more of his attention. Benedict shows a woman who understood what she was taking on in marrying Winston.

Twenty-three-year-old Clementine married the thirty-four-year-old Winston, with wanting to "write my own chapter." The novel takes their story through WWII, told by Clementine, in episodic scenes.

I just did not feel compelled to pick up the book, and half-way through decided to move on. It just couldn't compete with the other books I was reading at the time.

I received access to a free egalley by the publisher. My review is fair and unbiased.

Lady Clementine is a historical fiction novel about Winston Churchill’s wife. It has major girl power vibes and was such a treat to read.
I love the author’s ability to write about historically strong women who aren’t always given the attention or credit they deserve. The story begins in the year 1908 and follows Clementine’s life as she navigates politics and the arduous years of war.
I learned so much history and background from this story in a fun to read way and appreciated it from start to finish. Historical fiction fans will want to grab their copy of this one!

Marie Benedict has taken yet another unknown historical figure and done the research to discover why that person deserved more attention than they had received. Clementine Churchill was the great woman behind a great man. Marrying Winston Churchill in 1908, she took on various roles as Churchill's successes were followed by failures, followed by more success. She made do in whatever public house she ended up living in. She balanced budgets that were woefully inadequate to support her family. Churchill had been raised by a mother who neglected him. Clementine was raised in similar circumstances. She and Winston found themselves clinging to each other and drawing strength from the other partner. Clementine helped Winston write his speeches, he rehearsed the speeches with him. She was very good at reading people and then turning it to Winston's advantage. During World War II, she felt a duty to serve her country by using her public position to help make the lives of her fellow citizens a little better. Throughout the bombings of London, she went out at night with Winston to check on the people. She could be found visiting the shelters, taking her turn on the rooftops, watching for the planes carrying bombs.

Her sole attention was on Winston. Her children came in a very distant second, and when things got to be too much for her, she would leave, sometimes for months at at time, to get her nerves back in order.

Overall, a good read. Perhaps a bit long, and I would like to have learned more about their lives post war.

This book will likely be categorized as "historical fiction", but for me it was more than than, or, more accurately, different from more typical historical fiction. I have been trying to come up with a name that might capture my experience of this difference; fictional psychology is the best I have been able to come up, yet this doesn't quite capture it. The events of Lady Clementine have all been described before. What feels so fresh is Ms Benedict's ability to describe the (fictional) internal experiences of these events by Clementine and Winston Churchill. They come across as real people; people with wonderful qualities and deep flaws. They do their best; sometimes successfully, sometimes not, but always with air of authenticity that makes them utterly compelling. Ms Benedict's writing accomplishes the near impossible feat of having the grand history through which the Churchill's lived (and, indeed, helped to shape) fade as the reader's interest becomes more and more focused on the 'small'events of daily life and the impact of these small things on each individual and on Clementine and Winston as a couple. I deeply appreciate Netgalley for allowing me to share Ms Benedict's tremendous book in exchange for a fair review.

What a great read about a strong and powerful woman, especially one who had her own mental health challenges. I very much enjoyed learning about Clementine and the work she did. The time hops were a bit disorienting, but it moved the pace along well so that all aspects from marriage to end of WWII could be covered. I would have preferred to have a blurb about what she did after the war was over and throughout the rest of her life as well.

I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC of Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict in exchange for my honest review.
I had not known very much about Clementine Churchill, a true woman behind the man, until reading this book.
She fought for rights for women, was always available to advise and support her husband during his many years of service to their country and took on projects herself so Winston could focus on the war effort and his many meetings and ideas shared with world leaders. She traveled extensively when her husband did, even if it meant leaving her children for extended periods of time. Since this is historical fiction, I am not sure if she was as unconcerned about her children as it appears. I was very happy to read this book an learn about all the work Clementine Churchill put into helping her husband.

This book is a fictional retelling of the life of Winston Churchill’s wife, Clementine. Clementine Churchill was a fascinating woman and the research that has gone into this book is obvious. The problem for me was that I simply didn’t like Clementines character very much, she was portrayed as cold and controlling, with little compassion. What drove her was a sense of duty to her husband and to her country and whilst this is admirable it did not endear me to her, so I found it hard to connect and ‘care’ about the story.
Her portrayal as a mother was also hard to understand, even given the difference in time period. That Clementine did amazing things and played a vital role especially during ww2 is not doubted and I like the fact this book brings her out of the shadows but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would sadly.
This book is written extremely well but the language is quite flowery and the descriptions are sometimes long winded.
Al in all a good effort but this one wasn’t really for me.

Quickly I realized this book is not for me.I had a really tough time following this story. I did not connect with the characters or the story line for that matter. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this complimentary book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Lady Clementine is the kind of Historical fiction story that everyone should read because it’s about an amazing woman that after reading, I feel doesn’t get enough credit. Maybe it’s because I’m in the USA that we don’t hear much about Winston Churchill’s wife but she was clearly an amazing woman. Everything that her husband did she was right by his side doing her best to make sure the people of her country were taken care of and saw that she cared for them. Plus it has WWII in it and I’ve always loved a story about the second World War. It’s just one of those things that is always interesting and there are so many different stories to tell.This was one that I haven’t read before.

The only issue I have with the novel that it went on a little too long. Yes it was interesting to see everything that she went through but there was so much going on and the book could get a little wordy. Yes I never realized that Winston Churchill had a wife that did so much for him or how involved he was in WWI but the main focus of the novel was on his wife and at times she wasn’t written to be very likable. But that could never well be because things are different now. Women raise their children so hearing that she went out of her way to make sure her children's rooms were on the opposite sides of the house from her was a little off-putting.

Would I recommend this book? Of course because one you get into it you’re hooked and I couldn’t put it down and it’s a very descriptive book. I enjoyed it but it did take a little bit to get going.

Read if you: Love historical fiction stories featuring women, World War II, or are a Marie Benedict fan.

If you know historical fiction, you know Marie Benedict. Her recent novels featuring women who deserve greater recognition have been terrific reads, and Lady Clementine is no exception. Clementine Churchill (wife of Winston Churchill) had a remarkable life in her own right; the highlight of this book is in the World War II era, in which Clementine battled against expectations of a proper prime minster's wife. In doing so, she endeared herself to the everyday British people, and helped them to feel that they were not forgotten. If you're looking for a great book club pick, try this one (or really, you can't go wrong with any Marie Benedict title!). .

Many thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Lady Clementine is a fascinating, engrossing novel about the life of Clementine Churchill. I knew very little about her life before reading this novel and found her to be a strong and formidable character in history - and in this book! I found her very inspiring.

Marie Benedict has written another exceptional historical fiction novel in the story of Clementine Churchill in Lady Clementine.

This is a story about an incredible woman who was an important force behind a very powerful and important man. Its a story of shared history and how that can bind us with the ones we love.

Enjoyed this book immensely. Thank you #netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I would recommend this book.

Marie Benedict has been a favorite author of mine. Unfortunately, I was greatly disappointed with this book. It was slow to read as it was monotonous and repetitive. Told in the first person by Clementine Churchill it was all about what she did to keep her husband successful in the British Government. Yes, women usually were not active in this role but the book just kept repeating her activities and how she supported him. I as disappointed and am glad to have finished it.

3 1/2 rounded up to 4 🌟
20 years ago while visiting the Cabinet War Rooms in London, I read a letter addressed to Winston Churchill from his daughter. It referred to his political defeat in 1945 and his despair - she lovingly relayed her own "never surrender" missive. How could one of the orchestrators of the D-Day invasion, and subsequent liberation of Europe lose this election? This led me to question how history distills facts into an often misleading summary of events, and prepared me to take the deep dive into the characters who were front-and-center during this time period.

I was thrilled to read another edition of Marie Benedict's "woman behind the man" novels, learning more about Churchill's wife, Clementine. I feel history under-represents this strong-willed partner who was instrumental in the success of ending the Nazi assault on the free world. The detailed interaction with her contemporary, Eleanor Roosevelt was quite interesting, but the companionship and shared leadership with Winston, is the heart of the story.

Fans of Ms. Benedict's historical novels will not be disappointed! Thank you Net Galley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for an Advanced Reader Copy of Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict, in exchange for an honest review. I am very impressed by the subjects that Benedict selects for her works—strong women who have been overlooked by history. This was the first book I read from Benedict, but I have been and remain interested in reading more.

Lady Clementine is in fact the wife of Winston Churchill. The book opens on their wedding day but then backtracks to explore their first meeting, courting, and engagement. Winston selected Clementine as more than just a wife, but as a partner for his political career. The book relays the way in which he relied on her for advice, and to sometimes pave the way for his advancements. Meanwhile, Clementine also takes on the burden of managing the household and tending to her own political/charitable interests. In all this activity, with Winston and love for country at the forefront of her mind, she admittedly neglects their five children.

The book is presented in a first-person perspective from Clementine. It jumps to key moments and events, sometimes backtracking to fill in gaps between those jumps. Much of the early part of the book felt a little narrow or choppy in its scope. I found it somewhat difficult to become fully engaged. At the midway point, as the events of WWII started, I found myself feeling more immersed in the story. Clementine plays big roles that may have otherwise been forgotten. The book ended just after the conclusion of the war, rather than relaying events from the rest of her life. I found this abrupt ending a bit disappointing, as I would have liked to know more about her subsequent life, especially as she outlived Winston by many years. Perhaps an Epilogue would have been helpful. My copy did not have an Author’s Note, but that may also fill in the gaps and I would be interested in learning about Benedict’s approach towards the book.

I did not get as emotionally invested in this book as I tend to. I think it was the narrow focus on moments/events and Clementine’s first-person perspective. Clementine is presented as very bright but somewhat clinical in her approach to situations. She always seemed to know exactly what to say and do to cause the effect she wanted. While she seemed to lack some warmth, I did appreciate other aspects that made her feel like a real person. She did deal with a lot of tragedy in her life. She also found herself sometimes overwhelmed and worn-thin by Winston’s demands. As a result, she dealt with some mental health concerns and had to purposely attend to her own self-care through vacations or respites. While some might see this as weak, I feel Benedict made it clear that Clementine was quite strong to carry all she did throughout her life.

The book certainly made me think about society and how much progress women have made, but also how much more progress is needed (and how frustrating it is that the progress has been so slow). It seems likely Clementine would have been a formidable politician in her own right, had she been given the chance, rather than just working at it through Winston’s career. In the book, Clementine also acknowledges that she was perhaps not suited to motherhood. Indeed, it seemed as though she and Winston had children because that was the expected thing. However, I imagine they could have been much happier (and avoided the tragedies of neglected children), had they not felt the pressure of those expectations and had more choice. I think with these themes, Benedict has not only paid homage to an extraordinary woman, but she has also made a strong commentary on society then and society today.

When I think about this book and my overall reaction to it, there certainly is a lot to like. It is well-written and explores important people/important themes. Yet, if I had to sum my thoughts up in a word, it would be ‘uneven’—the first part seemed to drag a bit, the second half was much stronger, but then it had that abrupt ending. Some emotional depth was lacking, although it was thought-provoking. I think I found myself a bit underwhelmed, given the very strong reviews I have heard for Benedict’s other works. This is the reason for four stars, rather than five. Nonetheless, I still look forward to reading Benedict’s other works.

A few final notes—the cover depicts Clementine standing next to (presumably) Winston and she looks much shorter. The book indicates that in heels, and standing up straight, she was as tall or taller than him. Pictures also seem to show little height difference. I believe he was relatively short for a male, and she was relatively tall. I question whether he is needed on the cover at all—after all, this is Clementine’s story and he has overshadowed it enough.

Finally, I am in the early stages of developing my own blog and bookstagram, I will happily be including Lady Clementine in my reviews, so that others can pick up this valuable history lesson.

Sadly, I must admit to having never given a thought to Winston Churchill's wife. I am thrilled to have discovered this gem! I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. What a strong, fearless and brilliant woman she was. Winston certainly met his match in her and to her credit, he knew it. She was literally and figuratively the woman behind the man. I am looking forward to reading more about her other than under historical fiction format butthis book is a great intoduction to a most remarkable woman.