I wish I could say this was enjoyable, but unfortunately I can't. Our two main characters, Xavier and Estella, feel like bad stereotypes. Beyond their one-dimensionality, the plot doesn't offer anything new in the dark romance genre. Many reviewers have liked this book, so if the premise sounds interesting to you, then disregard my feelings on it. Here's the tropes you'll find: political romance, celebrity romance, love triangle, romantic suspense/intrigue

Will you leave for love? Estella has always loved her husband Xavier but the last couple of years have been hard on her. She has given up everything to make sure that Xavier has always gotten what he wanted but living this way can’t continue. But she knows that you just can’t walk away from a politician without you being the bad one. She knows that she continue her affair with Michael without anyone finding out. She knows that she will lose the best man that she has ever met if she stays but she is too scared to take that step and she loses everything. Can Estella find the courage to do something fit herself for once? A good interesting read. I was lucky to receive a copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

There is a bit of everything in this story. Actual history relative to the time such as the Civil Rights and the Women Rights movement, then you get the racy sexual affairs of the time and setting and then much more.

A flaw is in the characters who do not hold your interest very much as they are slightly unreal and a bit distant. There are lots of secrets and intrigue which was to be expected in high up political circles but the occult involved was a bit too way out for me.

I expected more from this book and it did disappoint me a bit.

This book starts with something I didn’t realize ever existed, let alone still did, which is the Rape and Marriage laws.
Not that long ago a child (!) of 11 was married in Florida to her rapist, because – get this, she had had a child as a result of the rape. This resultant child meant that the minimum age for marriage could be ignored!
It appears that even still, the Federal Govt can provide an exception to the minimum age for marriage in the case of a rape.
It is still the case in a large number of countries, that after a rape, the woman is forced into marriage with the rapist – as rape is not rape within a marriage!
There were also some good points made about campaigns for racial and social equality and what would happen if the senators etc found out they were black and that Renee and her daughter were ‘passing’. But this was not enough to redeem the somewhat sludgy writing.
I confess, I did not finish this book. I got just over half-way through, but the the 2 weird sects and the ‘happenings’ and… I just could not be bothered.

I really loved this story. S. M. Ford has left plenty of room, and I would like to hear more about this family. It would also make a great movie or even a miniseries.

It's the story of a mother with a family destroyed by the KKK. It's the story of that mother's daughter with a second husband; the daughter who has no idea of her race. It's the story of a wealthy, politically ambitious family who will stop at nothing to achieve their desires. Lastly, it's the story of a weak and evil man.

That being said, it's a struggle to make it through this book. The writing is stilted and awkward, and grammar errors abound. The book clearly needed a strong editor, which was sorely absent.

Even with all its flaws, I would recommend this title to romance lovers. It should be avoided, however, to anyone triggered by the following themes: domestic violence, rape, sexual abuse, racism, and graphic sex. This book is not for children under the age of 18.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a free digital copy of this title to review from Net Galley.

#MemoirsoftheSenator'sWife#NetGalley

I felt like I was reading a very detailed outline instead of an actual book.
The narration was flat and bland and lacked detail and description. I kept looking for an emotional connection, for something to connect in someway, anyway, and there was nothing. I could create a mental picture of what the characters looked like, where they were, or what the mood in the room was like.
The dialogue was flat and read like ‘insert angry words here about how you are a bad person’ instead of some that that actually made you feel.

The thing is, I wanted to like this book. I wanted to read a story about a politicians wife that drives change and champions causes, that is complex and overcomes obstacles... but instead the anachronisms were distracting and it felt forced. Any ‘steamy’ moments were just as bad.

Overall, not a fan. And I am sorry to say that.

Only got through the first 4 chapters. I just didn’t like the writing style. Very just to the point, no emotion, scene building, etc. I couldn’t last 3 more hours of it. Did not finish

The story takes place during such turbulent times. The book has many of the high and low points in that part of history. By covering such a wide time span no one part of history is the focus. The story is about the wife and her aspirations. I did not care for the characters. Well maybe Michael. So much negative energy in the book, I found it lacked any entertainment factor. The book was just okay.

Too much sexual content for me.

I read this EARC courtesy of Books Go Social and Net Galley. pub date 08/31/19

4.5 stars for a romance set in a historical time ranging from the great depression to the period in which the United States were moving towards a revolutionary period. I loved reading the book and a topic, which is still so current. I'm not giving it a 5 stars because the female character lacked of personality. Estelle was too bland, I was really expecting a passionate character. Xavier instead was the typical racist disguised by an aura of respectability that fooled everyone even his beautiful wife who later discovers her afro-american origins. A dark romance that sweeps the reader into a dimension that leads towards a country dealing with delicate issues. I admit, I wasn't expecting such a peculiar theme but this book is really worth reading.