This wasn't my normal reading genre, but regardless, I quite enjoyed this backstage political drama. The title character was equal parts creepy, funny and calculating, and was believable. I was a little thrown by an additional point-of-view added in midway, but in the end it worked to for the story's betterment.

I would absolutely read more from this author. I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher for an honest review.

Always love a strong character who will get anything they want by any means. I am not one for political dramas and the author didn't change my view. The writing is fine but the characters are annoying and the plot truly is a bit bonkers. Isn't the scheming, cunning woman trope a bit done? The book was strong in the first half but dragged in the end and I wanted to stop reading multiple times.

I am a fan of Kaira Rouda so I jumped at the chance to read The Widow. If you like political drama and unlikable characters, this is the book for you. There were parts of the book that I really enjoyed and others that I wanted to skim through. Definitely looking forward to more books from this author.

La femme fatale

Is the scheming evil female genius just a trope? She manipulates and scripts every move, calculating where she will end up, pushing people's buttons, getting the best of everything. Are there really people like that? NaMo's rise to the power seems to be something like that.....

Meet Jody Asher, our protagonist. Beautiful, chic, and having an antisocial personality disorder. She marries Martin, who becomes a congressman, and stands by him over years of corruption and a final affair. Then he dies and this starts her own political journey.

I enjoyed every sentence of this book. It's very dramatic and borderline unbelievable to read about the schemes of every character in here, but it's gripping. Besides Jody, Mimi is also a awful and compelling. Literally. Martin on the other hand was mildly boring, and an addition we could have shortened.

They aren't good people and yet it is mildly inspiring to think of how maybe, just maybe, some people act like life is a game of chess.
Kaira Rouda has done quite well on the research front to write about life in the Capitol.

This book made for a very enjoyable Friday night.

Thank you, NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jody and her charismatic husband, Martin are the "IT" couple on Capitol Hill. Martin has served 15 congressional terms, and he and his wife Jody are enjoying the good life. Jody loves all the prestige and power of being a Capitol Hill wife.

However, Martin has a secret affair with a young staffer. Jody knows this would be a death sentence on her perfectly constructed life. To add to the drama, a reporter starts investigating the affair. Jody is terrified that all will come crashing down.

Then, Martin dies suddenly and unexpectedly. What lengths will Jody go to insure his legacy is preserved?

I LOVED this book. It pulled me in on the first page and does not let up until the last. I also liked the addition of the political drama.

I loved the main character, Jody - and all her backstabbing and ruthlessness.

Would highly recommend and would read more by this author, Kaira Rouda.

Does anyone do it better than Kaira Rouda? The Widow does not disappoint! The power couple, with a politician husband dies suddenly, and there the widow is born. Jody Asher now must navigate life without the political world she is used to. However, she is not quite ready to leave that world behind her.
The Widow is filled with a twist I did not see coming! There is more government and politics than I expected but I enjoyed it! For fans of Rouda, this book is a must!

Power, politics, ambition and a scheming wife...I rather enjoyed this book!

Jody is the spouse of congressman Martin and over the years they have worked their way to the top of political society. However, as Martin's misdemeanours come to light they face ruin and when Martin suddenly dies Jody sees no choice but to scheme her way back to success.

What an awesome read! The ending left me wanting more. I loved Jody's character and was rooting for her most of the book. I definitely will be recommending this thriller to all my friends!

Martin and Jody’s only daughter Charlotte is getting married in what will be a DC society wedding. At the same time, reporters are threatening to publish a story that may ruin Martin’s political career. With wedding costs spiraling, Martin is taking steps to find new income sources while maintaining his career. Jody on the other hand is focused on appearances and how to preserve political power.

This multi-perspective tale shows the differing view points pre and post wedding.

This was a quick, twisty read, recommended for those that enjoy domestic thrillers, particularly those with a political backdrop.

A fun domestic thriller set in the world of politics. Jody Asher, is the charming wife of a political icon. They are the "who's who" in Washington and have held considerable power for 15 congressional terms. All it takes is a scandal to bring that world crashing down.

I found this book to be an interesting take on the world of the politician's wife. Jody as a character is not completely likeable. Her public persona was very different from her private thoughts and feelings. It was an entertaining dichotomy that kept me turning pages to find the resolution. As always, there was a twist at the end that I did not see coming. Another solid thriller by Kaira Rouda.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an advance copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

The widow is a book about political intrigue and secrets. It kept me hooked and I read it almost without stopping

Martin Asher has been in the US Congress for thirty years - his district in Ohio is known as "Asher Country". HIs intelligent and beautiful wife Jody has been his partner through these years and a crucial factor in his success. However Martin has made some judgement errors that have landed him in a potential scandal and might lead to the demise of his political life in Washington. Jody is in an ice-cold fury. Her whole life is in Washington and she loves being a political spouse. She IS NOT losing all this due to her husband's stupidity! But it will take a cool head and political maneuvering to make things go exactly her way. Fortunately that is where Jody, an unapologetic sociopath, excels.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel - so devilishly entertaining. What if you could ignore the angel on your shoulder and act completely selfishly to achieve your own ends? I enjoyed following the machinations and psychological manhandling in this pursuit of power and wealth. None of the characters are especially likeable or sympathetic, so I didn't really feel too badly about what happened to them; and the twists of fortune keep you glued to the page! And yes, I was rooting for Jody all the way through.

If you’re into political drama you’ll love this. For me, it was a struggle. I didn’t love any of the characters and I felt like the first 50% of the book dragged on and on and everything in it could have been accomplished in 20%. And then something happens and then we’re back to just a lot of political drama. Again, if that’s your thing, you’ll love it.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Kaira Rouda writes some of the best RUTHLESS characters so it comes as no surprise to me that this one hooked me right away! While some of the characters views were a bit outdated and got on my nerves I found the story itself to be quite entertaining and thrilling. I recommend this one for sure!

#TheWidow #NetGalley
Awesome.
Jody Asher had a plan. Her charismatic husband, Martin, would be a political icon. She, the charming wife, would fuel his success. For fifteen congressional terms, they were the golden couple on the Hill. Life was good. Until he wasn’t. Martin’s secret affair with a young staffer doesn’t bother Jody personally. But professionally? It’s a legacy killer. Soon a reporter gets word of this scandal in the making, and Martin’s indiscretions threaten to ruin everything Jody has accomplished. When Martin suddenly dies, it’s a chance to change the narrative—but the reporter won’t let go of his lead. As the balance of power shifts in the Asher house and on the Hill, it’s time for Jody to take control. And there’s nothing the ruthless widow won’t do to secure the future she’s entitled to. Even if she has a secret of her own.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for giving me an advance copy.

Wow! A total thrill ride all the way up until the last line. This book had me turning pages long into the night. I loved it !!!

For domestic suspense lovers, Kaira Rouda will never disappoint. Excellent pacing and kept me guessing ..I especially enjoyed the "helpful" notes before the new chapter would begin . .I recommend..

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the chance to read and review.

A husband with secrets. A wife with no limits. A riveting novel of marriage, privilege, and lies. Great plot, great pacing, and a voice that jumps off the page.
Adrenaline charged...an action-packed, twist-a-minute thrill ride.

Don’t miss THE WIDOW, a wickedly fun novel by Kaira Rouda. The main character is Jody Asher, the wife of long-term Congressman Martin from Ohio. Jody and Martin, and some other important characters, met in college and have risen to powerful political positions in Washington, D.C. Throughout her husband’s long career, Jody has become a consummate and heartless political spouse. I thoroughly enjoyed this book that reads like an insider’s view of the scheming, backstabbing, and illegal activity we suspect of many political leaders. Jody continues to reinvent herself and manipulate to get what she wants no matter what it takes, all the way to the end of the novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.
Another great book from Kaira Rouda, she is one of those authors I automatically purchase a book from.
I don't normally read stories regarding politics however, I couldn't get enough of this story and it was very hard to put down. I was hooked after the first chapter. It had a surprise ending. I really enjoyed this book.