The Widow was a solid political thriller. It wasn’t my typical read, but I appreciated its unique storyline. I felt like it was a bit hard to get into and it fizzled out a bit for me, but I enjoyed the ending!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!

Kaira Rouda is an auto buy author for me and I was excited to be approved to read and review THE WIDOW.

Martin and Jody Asher were the golden couple on Capital Hill for fifteen years. Days before their only daughter’s wedding, a reporter threatens to uncover a scandal involving Martin and his dealings which would ruin everything they have worked for. There is also talk of an alleged affair Martin had with a young staffer. Martin suddenly dies and Jody decides she will continue his legacy and run for office filling his position. Jane Asher has a treasure chest of secrets and bombshells that she’s not afraid to use in her climb to the top.

This author knows how to create the perfect narcissistic character you love to hate. I despised Jody Asher just like I did Jane Harris in THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER. She didn’t care who she hurt on her way to the top even her own daughter. She even uses her grandchild solely for photo ops. It was disturbing to read how she must force herself to behave like a mother to her daughter, the feelings not coming naturally to her. There are several twists towards the end that took me by surprise and really elevated the story. I love books about ruthless psychopaths and this one fit the bill perfectly.

This novels centers in Washington DC, a corrupt congressman, his sociopathic wife and his lobbyist with ties to China. All unlikeable and after the death of the congressman, a power struggle between the lobbyist/think tank firm and the ambitious wife. Hard to read in some ways as I couldn't relate to any character but also an interesting take

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Kaira Rouda for the advanced copy of The Widow in exchange for my honest review.

I can't really put my finger on what I didn't love about this one, but it was ultimately just okay for me. I enjoyed the different character point of views, but the plot jumped around a little too much for my liking, and it never felt like we fully flushed out some of the developments.

I also didn't suuuper love the ending, but it definitely had a clear direction.

If I had to compare this to something I'd say it's like a tame version of the TV show Scandal. Loooots of political drama which I learned just may not be for me.

The Widow will be on US bookshelves December 1!

In typical Rouda fashion this was well written, exceptionally clever and a fun ride.

However, I felt that it dragged on a bit and had conflicting moments where it felt contemporary while also set in 1950? This was odd for me.

Overall I liked it, but it did feel a bit long winded.

Jody Asher is the perfect partner for her politician husband, Martin. He has been a successful congressman until a scandal threatens to taint his legacy. When Martin suddenly dies, Jody steps into the spotlight herself to secure her future. Now a congresswoman herself, she will let nothing (and no one) get in her way.

This was another fast-paced, entertaining read by Kaira Rouda. Told in alternating points of view, readers get the perspective of a politician the intense world of Washington, a spouse and various members of staff. The short chapters are interspersed with tips/notes from former spouses and staffers. This reminded me a bit of House of Cards with its cut-throat characters and leading lady’s willingness to do anything to get what she wants. There were also some twists that I did not see coming at all.

Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer and Kaira Rouda for the ARC! “The Widow” is out December 1st.

This review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) soon 😊

I really enjoy the authors brand of writing, she always creates fascinating characters that are wholly unlikable but this is done intentionally. You know that that you’re supposed to be annoyed by these people and they’re supposed to get under your skin and Jody was no exception. There is something deliciously fun about reading about a devious character and I definitely enjoyed that aspect. Unfortunately that’s about all I enjoyed here, so thank god for unapologetically awful characters like Jody haha. I knew this centered on politics but it was just too much for me and I felt bogged down by all the political talk. The drama felt convoluted and unnecessarily messy just for the sake of it and I didn’t fully believe many aspects of the characters actions and behaviors. Overall a bit of a miss for me but if you like sociopathic characters and politically charged plots this may work for you.

A congressman and his wife were the power couple for many years.

Then a scandal hits about some deal and also about an affair he had with a young staff member.

THE WIDOW takes us through Jody and Martin Asher's life before and after the scandals and as Jody is the push behind him.

Thrown into the mix is the wedding of their daughter whose wedding is to be the talk of the town.

Will it be the talk of the town for more reasons than how lavish it is to be?

THE WIDOW was not a favorite for me.

It was cleverly done, but I didn't like any of the characters, and it dragged on for me.

There are some surprises at the end, but not enough to make me love the book.

Those readers who enjoy turmoil, secrets, watching characters struggle through solving problems, strong female characters, secrets, and a political backdrop will enjoy this book. 3/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

Political intrigue..... new topic for Ms. Rouda and done well! Jody is the villain you want to like and are secretly rooting for - or at least I am. Well done!

Ooh time goes by and if i don't write the review right away...sigh. I'm trying to be better. The best i can do right now is give a star count...

The Widow is a creepy and twisty thriller that I loved. Jody Asher is the dutiful wife of a Congressman from Ohio. She revels in the lifestyle but is always wanting more. Along the way she will fight to take down those who have betrayed her and it is a story that takes you to a fabulous ending. Kaira Rouda books never disappoint!

Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy of this wonderful book to read and review.

I absolutely loved this book! The characters, the plot, the secrets!! It kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat, I just wanted to finish it so I could see what happens!

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Martin Asher has represented the same Ohio district in the US House of Representatives for 30 years and his wife, Jody, loves being a rep's wife even though she wishes he would have aspired to more. On the eve of their daughter's wedding, they get hit with scandals and a challenger backed by their daughter's in-laws to be. But Jody is a schemer and won't go down without a fight.

I think none of the books I have read from this author since Best Day Ever have lived up to how unexpectedly good that one was. She has written several repulsive characters like Jody but I haven't found any of them to be nearly as entertaining as Paul Strom. I didn't mind the DC setting because I do follow politics. I found the party Jody and Martin were associated with to be questionable. Certainly there are crooks on both sides, but in these times I would have expected the opposite party designation. Anyway it was sort of entertaining but after hating her previous book I think I might be done. I think Paul was the peak, everyone else is boring compared to him.

Page turning and gripping. I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t stop reading.
Knowing the author’s back story intrigued for the subject and setting. Kaira rouda remains a favorite thriller writer

Martin Asher is in Congress, and his wife Jody prides herself on being the charming wife of a political icon. Though the 15-term congressman certainly has his secrets, his wife has a few of her own too. When a reporter on the Hill breaks a news story about the Congressman's shady ties to China, as well as a potential affair with a staffer, his wife is determined to save her reputation - even if her husband's is already ruined.

They've been living above their means for ages, and their daughter Charlotte's wedding was the social event of the season, even if it might have financially ruined them. When Martin drops dead, Jody is determined that her life will not go back to how it once was - there will be no small town, anonymous living in her future. She still deserves respect, and she'll get it one way or another.

In a way, this was a refreshing story of political corruption in the wake of the political corruption we all lived through recently. It almost seemed quaint compared to a twice-impeached president who tried to overthrow the government. But the people in this fictional story were just as desperate to hang on to power as the real-life politicians.

Jody is a fascinating, multi-dimensional character. She's cutthroat, uncaring, and highly intelligent. She's downright diabolical and I couldn't wait to see what she was planning next. I wish there was a bit more about the daughter and her relationship with both of her parents, but admittedly the most fascinating character was her mother.

Wow! I haven’t enjoyed one of of kaira roudas books this much since her first book, Best day ever( which is still may favorite, although this one comes close). It was filled with surprises at every turn and was a fast read for me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for review.

This is the novel you will want to spend the whole day and forget dinner, chores and life. Captivating and delightful.

Martin Asher is a charming congressman. He and his wife Jody have been together a long time and share political ambitions. They have one daughter.

For fifteen years they have stood by each other side and are beloved in Ohio and the Hill. As his secrets come out, his next term is challenged. Besides the stress of overextending financially with their daughters wedding, the media is about to disclose some dirty secrets.

As Martin dies at his daughters wedding, things began to unravel. Jody wants to stay in office to complete his term!

This novel is gripping, scandalous, candid and just plan fun! Rouda’s imagination and page turning novels always have me waiting for her next one.

I really wanted to like this book more, it felt too political for me and I was hoping for some big twists.

I enjoyed past books by the author and was looking forward to read this new instalment.
The widow description sounds like a very intriguing story and it delivers exactly that. An intricate tale of family, greediness and revenge where the characters are driven by hidden secrets and the twists won’t stop coming up with each chapter ,especially in the second part of the story.

I found it interesting and a story that many domestic thriller readers will enjoy as much as I have.

Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy

Ohhhh I love Kaira Rouda Books SO much! Her ability to lure you in from page one right until the end is a gift.

I always love her characters and this book was full of likeable people and some not likeable :)

Loved the pace of the book! Want more :)