I love historical fiction; it is my favorite genre. And I especially love books based upon true characters. I had not read much on President Woodrow Wilson, so I was excited to be given the opportunity to read this ARC. The love story between Woodrow and Edith was inspiring. Ms. Wood certainly did her research.
The writing style was so in-depth it made you feel as if you were right there with them on the campaign trail or making historical decisions to avoid a war. I learned so much, and truly enjoyed the journey. It is amazing the difference between how social media has replaced the newspapers that were instrumental in delivering the news and I cannot imagine the stress of working the campaign trail on trains instead of planes. This was a great story and I give it a high 5 stars.
I received an ARC from Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for my unbiased review – This one comes in with high 5 stars.

One of the parts of historical fiction that I love is that not only do you get a good story, but you also learn. I did not know a lot about Woodrow Wilson and even less about his second wife, Edith. But in The President’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood, I learned about both. It was refreshing to know that Woodrow was a man of very strong belief and values. He mourned his first wife but learned to love again. Once he met Edith, he seemed to form a true bond with her. While a very independent woman, who saved her deceased husband’s business, she seemed to be totally comfortable in her own skin and in her life. However, when Woodrow and Edith met, there was a chemistry that resulted in a true union. History tells us very little about Edith and how, when called upon, she cared for her husband’s health while assisting in running of the country. An admirable woman, who should have a bigger place in American history. Enjoyable and informative book. I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes a good story while learning some history.

Sorry to say I dnfed it at 50%. The story was good. But it felt too political for me, and that is not my cup of tea
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

I just could not get into this one. I ended up DNFing after chapter 5 (15% in?). It’s extremely slow paced and overly descriptive for my taste. I was hoping to learn more about Edith and how she helped run the country in her husband’s place as well as the influence she had. But the courtship has taken up so many chapters that it’s dragging the pace and I honestly couldn’t care less about these characters from what I’ve read so far. The dialogue fell a little flat and I kept getting bored, setting the book aside multiple times before finally giving it up. Also I hate how Woodrow keeps calling Edith “little girl”

I hate rating books I DNF but Netgalley requires it so I’ll give it 3 stars, an average rating, since I can’t comment on novel as a whole

I received an advanced reader’s copy from net galley in exchange for an honest opinion.
I try to be selective when the new books I’m reading- trying to keep it to things I’m already interested in, or authors I will always read. My historical boyfriend is Teddy Roosevelt, and you can’t know about TR without delving into his arch nemesis Woodrow Wilson. And much like if you give a mouse a cookie- you can’t read about Woodrow without getting drawn into Edith.
Edith is super fascinating in her own right! You have this woman who comes from a more humble background, knows nothing about politics and suddenly she’s being wooed by the recently widowed President and she’s thrown into the thick of things. She’s advising the President, getting involved in foreign affairs, and then he has a stroke and she’s kinda running the country in secret for a bit.
I liked that this book read more like a novel, but it was a bit I dunno reserved. Woodrow has a stroke- he for all purposes is out- they don’t even know if he’s going to survive. When he starts improving he can’t even move one side of his body! There was one meeting Edith couldn’t defer so they positioned Woodrow in a darkened room and angled him so you couldn’t see his worst side. When he improves enough that he’s walking and talking- he’s insisting he’s going to run again!
Overall the book was solid, good introduction to Edith. I’m glad I read it

Edith Bolling is in no rush to remarry after losing her first husband, even though President Woodrow Wilson is courting her. When she does accept his proposal, she prepares for her life to be turned upside down. She quickly becomes the President's closest confidante and advisor on worldly matters. When the President becomes extremely ill, Edith speaks to his advisors and helps with decision-making as her husband recovers. Theirs is a political love story of adoration and respect.

There are two things to know before reading a Tracey Enerson Wood novel: 1. It will be a slow-paced read and 2. She is loquacious. She does her research and tries to fit every piece of information into her stories once you realize that you will enjoy her writing. Now as for the main character, Edith, she allows personal grudges to guide her feelings and thoughts which often does not help while making long-range decisions. One thing this novel has me curious about is whether Wilson was truly as romantic as the story makes him out to be. If true, it borders on overwhelming and akin to today's definition of love bombing. The story was well told but the pace was unusually slow and I found myself distracted by outside things. Although this was not one of my favorite reads, I could see this being perfect for someone who likes a good slow but steady read.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A few months ago I had the pleasure of listening to Untold Power: The Fascinating Rise and Complex Legacy of First Lady Edith Wilson by Rebecca Boggs Roberts. It was the first recent comprehensive biography of President Woodrow Wilson’s second wife, Edith, and her role in his time in office. I was happy to read The President’s Wife as sort of a companion book to that one, as Edith Wilson needs further study.

What is written, and from what I read elsewhere is true: Edith was reluctant to get involved with Wilson and kept him at arm’s length. However, Wilson was, despite his nerdy professorial looks, quite a passionate man who fell in love with her not long after his first wife died. He was a man obsessed, writing to her repeatedly and mooning over her so much that advisors and friends talked to Edith, telling her how none of the President’s work was getting done. Finally, Edith succumbed to Woodrow’s charms, and the two were married after an acceptable amount of time had passed following his mourning period.

Much is made of the fact that after Woodrow Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke 18 months before leaving office and Edith and his doctor pretty much ran the show, so some say we’ve already had a woman president! This book shows how influential presidential wives can be; Edith was part of Woodrow’s decision-making process long before the stroke. For such a successful man, he always relied upon his women to spitball ideas. Some say Edith was his sounding board from everything regarding the Great War to domestic matters.

What absolutely makes no sense to me is that Edith Wilson, who, prior to her marriage ran a business and a household, was against the suffrage movement. Unfathomable, but Woodrow agreed with her until it was politically advantageous for him to support a woman’s right to vote.

I enjoyed this book for the most part but did find it dragged in places and could have used a little more editing. A solid 4.5 stars. Well worth your time if you’re a fan of presidential history and historical fiction.

I enjoyed this book and learned a lot. the author did a lot of research on Edith and delivered a lot. I didn't know much about Woodrow Wilson, so I learned quite a bit while reading.

Thanks to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

A historical fiction that centers on Edith Bolling, the second wife of American President Woodrow Wilson. The story follows their courtship and his terms of the presidency. Great premise, but I failed to connect to a lot of these characters and there were a few cringe scenes.

So now you're probably asking yourselves " Who was Edith?" and "Why is she getting a book of her own? " Well...... probably because when her husband suffered a stroke, she kept working behind the scenes basically assuming the presidency. Scandalous!!

I think there are a few reasons Edith is not as well known as some of the other presidential wives. Many of her contemporaries felt that the whole marriage between her and Woodrow had begun as an affair when his first wife was still alive. Those around Wilson chafed at how much the president consulted with his wife on different issues. Add to that her actions in the last two years of her husband's presidency in which there was much criticism. As the book reveals, she was very against women having the vote( which makes her a product of her time), but Edith was also very involved in helping many causes during WWI. So I think I leave this reading of her life with the knowledge that she was very complex.

I mentioned that I had difficulty relating to the characters and I did and I think it is largely because I found most of the dialogues between Edith and Woodrow to be weird. Not when they were talking about the issues of the time BUT when he referred to her as "his little girl."🤮 It's a shame I didn't like it more.


Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

#ThePresidentsWife #NetGalley.

Expected Publication Date 15/08/23
Goodreads Review 05/07/23

Edith becomes the second wife of Woodrow Wilson and helps his campaign and his terms as president of the United States.

The Presidents Wife chronicles the courtship, marriage and close working relationship between President Woodrow Wilson and his second wife Edith Bolling. They always say behind every great man is an even greater woman and this story is no exception. Edith is a independent woman with close relationships who fills her time with travel who just happens to be courted by the most powerful man in the country on the precipice of WW1. The research and attention to detail in this novel was excellent. It provided a wonderful picture of the turmoil felt in the country leading up to and during WW1 and how everyone in the country was impacted. Throughout the story we watched Edith become more accustomed to her role as First Lady while making several contributions to the war effort and proving to be a trusted advisor to her husband. I really enjoyed Edith’s story and how she grew into her role as First Lady and advisor to her husband. Her inner conflict of her own personal views and what is the best for the country were interesting especially when it came down to the women’s right to vote, I want to thank netgalley and the publishers for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was intrigued by the subject matter of this book because I knew little about Woodrow Wilson or his presidency. And, I knew even less about Edith Bolling, his second wife. Boy, did I learn a lot.

Edith, a Washington socialite who was a widow, was quickly wooed by President Wilson, a very recent widower. Their speedy courtship revealed a president who was deeply romantic and completely bowled over by this strong, independent woman. The author’s take on how Edith might have responded to such passion and how she was reluctant to become the First Lady intrigued me.

I was even more intrigued to learn about the level of involvement this woman had in the presidency. She was indispensable to him as a critical advisor and policy shaper. Edith practically assumed the role of president when President Wilson was incapacitated by his poor health.

My favorite aspect of the book was the relationship she had with a president faced with World War I and the consequences it dealt the world in the early 1900s. Her strength, resolve, opinions, and insight gave America more than it could have known. I can’t imagine a First Lady having that kind of power today.

I was less enamored with the amount of details about the politics the author included. Sometimes I felt like I was reading a history book, which I realize might be a draw for some readers. For me, it took away from the personal story of a man, who happened to be president, and a woman who was pulled into his universe. Their relationship was the point of fascination for me.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the advance review copy.

Tracey Enerson Wood masterfully brings to life the remarkable story of Edith Bolling Wilson in The President's Wife, a captivating historical novel that explores the little-known tale of a First Lady who clandestinely assumed the presidency. With meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of the era, Wood paints a vivid portrait of a woman thrust into a position of power and the sacrifices she made to protect her husband and her country.

Wood's prose is elegant and evocative, transporting readers to the White House and allowing them to witness the inner workings of the presidency. The emotional depth of the narrative is palpable, as Edith grapples with the weight of her responsibilities, the secrets she must protect, and the potential consequences of failure. Wood's storytelling prowess brings Edith's struggles and triumphs to life, leaving a lasting impact on readers.

While the novel successfully captures the essence of Edith's journey, there are moments where the pacing feels slow, particularly during the exploration of political intricacies. However, these instances are outweighed by the strength of the characters and the compelling narrative.

In my opinion, The President's Wife is a captivating and poignant portrayal of a courageous First Lady who defied expectations and assumed a role of immense power during a tumultuous time in American history. Tracey Enerson Wood's meticulous research, skillful storytelling, and rich characterizations make this novel a must-read for fans of historical fiction. Through Edith Bolling Wilson's remarkable story, Wood reminds us of the unsung heroes who played pivotal roles in shaping our world.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from SOURCEBOOKS Landmark through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you so much!

This was solidly a 3-star read for me, There wasn't really anything objectionable here, but I somehow wanted this to be more than it was. I was very intrigued by the idea of learning more about Edith Wilson, as I'd heard rumblings that she was the force behind the Wilson presidency in it's latter years, but that period of the book was decididely hurried through. It all painted a portrait of a woman whose motivations were somewhat inscruitable and this book didn't do a lot to shed much light on it all. Never the less, it was well written, and did a great job of making you feel like you were there, back in the 1910's. It's hard to believe that this was only a little more than 100 years ago, and so much has changed. I'll certainly recommend this to reader's of Historical Fiction who might want to branch out from the ordinary, but probably not with a rave review.

"The President's Wife," by Tracey Enerson Wood follows the story of Edith Wilson, the second wife of President Woodrow Wilson through their courtship in his first term and subsequently during the "Great war" and peace process.

Overall, the book was not arduous to read and remained historically accurate. However, it feels like a simple recounting of of the trials and tribulations experienced during Wilson's administration and only slowly meanders to the important role that Edith Wilson played. Even then, the telling of her influence felt cursory, racing over important decisions in which Edith was more heavily involved. As a result, I was left wanting more information about Edith Wilson's role in influencing important historical events, including female suffrage.

Thank you Netgalley and and Sourcebooks for the ARC.

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Well, with all due respect, I flipped to the end of this book around page 151. I enjoy historical fiction and how you get a story interwoven with history. After reading the Epilogue, I understand the author’s intentions and reason for focusing on Edith and Woodrow Wilson. Their’s was a time of war and the fight for women’s suffrage. The author wants to use the history of Woodrow’s presidency and the role of his second wife, Edith, as a point to open a conversation about several contemporary issues. However, it was just painfully slow and the fiction portion of the novel could do with an enhanced pace.

The President's Wife is a look into the lives of Woodrow and Edith Wilson. Readers learn of the romantic relationship of the couple as well as the global politics at the turn of the twentieth century. We are led to a clearer picture of why the Wilsons were pacifists and their efforts to keep the United States from playing an active role in World War I. We learn a great deal about the development and formation of the League of Nations. Finally, we see into the inner circle of those who surrounded Wilson after a devastating stroke and the effects of their decisions not only on immediate events but those in the future. Interesting and well-researched, this story is worth the read.

When Woodrow Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke about halfway in to his second term as President, Edith, his second wife, became a sort of shadow president, keeping his true condition a secret to all but a handful of trusted advisors, and making decisions on his behalf. It's a remarkable story, and very well researched and told. Historical fiction lovers will really appreciate this.

“The President’s Wife” is a historical fiction book by Tracey Enerson Wood. I’m a little bit familiar with President Woodrow Wilson - from being NJ’s governor, to President of Princeton University, and - of course - being infamous for his re-election campaign slogan “He Kept Us Out of War.” I didn’t know much about his second wife, Edith Galt, so I thought reading this book, where Edith was the main character, would be good for rounding out my knowledge of Mr. Wilson. I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, President Wilson is a rather interesting character (like him or not). He is known for forming the League of Nations (forerunner to the UN), but also, under his term, the 19th amendment was ratified (though Wilson seemed to support its passing as a way to gain votes not for equal rights). Wilson managed to both praise and also separate himself from the movie “Birth of a Nation,” which required some nice tap dancing. However, that’s all background to Edith Galt Wilson - his second wife. I felt at times that their courtship was both incredibly slow (it takes up over 25% of the book) yet also rather quick (they met, he was smitten with her, she resisted marrying him, yet also felt a spark). Wilson was known for his love letters - in fact there are online articles about his letters to Mary Peck. I think where my expectations weren’t met was that this books is really more about Edith Galt becoming President Wilson’s wife - from courtship to becoming his partner and after his presidency. I thought the book would focus a lot more on the months of her “stewardship” but it wasn’t. I think for those who don’t know a lot about this time period, this book would be an interesting read, but for me it missed the mark as it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. 3.5 stars.

This is sure to be an appealing book for lovers of history, as well as historical fiction and all things presidential. I enjoyed learning about Edith and Woodrow Wilson and their time in our country's history from this story and I even ended up researching a little more about them on my own.

The story gives us a glimpse into the sanguine, yet sometimes turbulent, lives of Edith and Woodrow Wilson, from the time they first met in 1915, when he was a newly widowed President, until they left the White House in 1921. It encompasses many historical events, such as the sinking of the Lusitania, the U.S. entry into WWI, the formation of the League of Nations after the war, and the fight for women's right to vote. Edith became very involved in what was taking place during her husband's presidency.

Like all First Ladies, Edith was a role model, an idol, and often a target of ridicule. She was devoted to her husband and her country, even when protecting one was quite possibly detrimental to the other. Her choices and actions following her husband's stroke were interesting to read about, because there is so much discussion in today's political arena about our current President's mental stability. Also, the story reveals how it was possible for unelected individuals to have an impact on critical issues affecting the nation. I wish that my history classes in school had been this fascinating.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.