4.5⭐️

[a copy of this book was provided to me by the published from netgalley. thank you!]

an enthralling tale about Winston Churchill’s wife, Clementine, during WWII. well-researched, written & developed with a strong cast characters.

Thank you @bookouture & @netgalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Stories set during World War II represent one of my favorite sub-genres of historical fiction. Despite my enjoyment of these narratives, I recently realized I have read little about Clementine Churchill, the wife of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Clementine was actively involved during both World Wars; she was a contemporary of notable figures like Eleanor Roosevelt and Queen Elizabeth (wife of King George). As a fascinating historical figure, she was known for her impeccable fashion sense and beautifully decorated homes. Clementine believed her role was to fully support her husband, and she did so by actively participating in the fight to save England.

During World War II, she made significant contributions through her unwavering support for the war effort and her involvement in various charitable organizations, including the Red Cross and the Women’s Voluntary Service. She tirelessly worked to boost morale among the British public by visiting troops and hospitals, uplifting spirits during challenging times. As an advocate for women, she encouraged their participation in the workforce and military roles, highlighting their vital contributions to the war effort. Additionally, she engaged in diplomatic efforts, meeting with dignitaries to promote British interests and strengthen alliances, leaving a lasting impact on both her husband’s leadership and the nation. Readers who enjoy WW2 historical fiction will not want to miss this one!

This is an excellent example of an historical novel, based on the union of Winston Churchill and Clementine Hozier It portrays a picture of love, devotion and two people who really care for each other and of the strength of trust. The prose is smooth and simple and I especially enjoyed learning of Clementine’s work supporting those affected by the war in both the United Kingdom and also Russia. Clementine’s daughters played their roles in defending the country with vigour and commitment but the same could not be said for Randolph’s wife Pamela. To add a bit of spice to the narrative, the author has included the roles played by an American couple employed by CBS to report on developments in Europe.

An interesting, informative read addressing the disturbing subject of the impact upon so many lives of the War.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC .

I really enjoyed this book. Even though I have read many books about Clementine Churchill and World War II, I loved the parallel stories of Clementine, Eleanor Roosevelt and Jenny Miller (a pseudonym for Ed Murrow’s wife) who were the silent heroes who helped win the war. I highly recommend it.

The English Wife tells the story of Clementine Churchill as she comes out from beneath the shadow of her husband Winston during the dark days of the Second World War.
I loved this book! I love a book that tells the story of an overlooked female figure in history and Clementine Churchill is exactly that. I thought that the dual perspective between Clementine and Jenny was a really great way to give an outsider's perspective of the work that Clementine was doing during the war. I think if the viewpoint had stayed just with Clementine, then it would have been easy for the reader to not realise just how brave and strong and to dismiss the work that she was doing in the same way that Clementine does.
The pace does feel a little rushed in places, but I think that is down to the author wanting to fit in everything that Clementine did during the war and not miss anything out. While I did like the swapping of viewpoints between Clementine and Jenny, I think there could have been less of Jenny's story as it took away from Clementine's somewhat.
Overall a really great read and it was great to get a different look at this period of history. This is definitely a book that I will be looking for to buy a physical copy of and will be recommending to friends and family.

I was offered the chance to read “The English Wife” by @annastuartauthor as an ARC. I was entranced by this book the minute I started it and found every excuse I could to find time to read it, even just minutes here and there. It stayed with me during the day, and it was so incredibly thought provoking and empowering. As a woman, I am grateful for the women before me who paved the way to the world we live in now, even as behind the scenes as some of them had to be. Clementine Churchill’s achievements are not something I have ever known, and after reading this book I’ll be reading more about her in the future. The saying is true, behind every strong man is an even stronger woman holding him up. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#womenempowerment #womensupportingwomen #empoweredwomenempowerwomen #history #historical #thoughtprovoking #wwiihistory #churchill #ygk #ygkwomen #books #bookaholic #bookshelf #bookstagrammer #womenreaders #read #reader #readersofinstagram #recommended #recommendation #womensfiction #arc

Told through the alternating perspectives of Clementine Churchill and American journalist Jenny, The English Wife offers a rich and immersive look at the years leading up to and through World War II. Clementine, the brilliant and determined wife of Winston Churchill, is more than just a political spouse—she is a force in her own right, advocating for women’s rights, improving conditions in bomb shelters, and spearheading humanitarian efforts in Russia. Though her husband is the face of Britain’s war effort, the book highlights how Clementine was often the one making quiet but crucial decisions behind the scenes. Through her perspective, readers gain insight into the sacrifices and resilience required of women in positions of power, as well as her remarkable friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt. One of the book’s most striking themes is how history often overlooks the contributions of women like Clementine, making this a refreshing and necessary addition to historical fiction.

Jenny’s storyline provides a stark contrast to Clementine’s privileged but demanding world. As an American BBC correspondent living in London, she finds herself in the midst of the war, struggling to balance her passion for journalism with her turbulent marriage to Ned, a fellow war reporter. While Jenny deeply admires Clementine’s strength, her own life is filled with personal heartache—years of infertility, the loss of a child, and a husband who belittles her ambitions. As she and Clementine form a deep friendship, Jenny becomes an essential part of the war effort, helping to establish a home for postnatal mothers and accompanying Clementine on visits to bomb shelters. Yet her relationship with Ned takes a devastating turn when he betrays her, leaving readers to wrestle with her eventual decision to take him back. Jenny’s perspective adds an emotional depth to the book, offering a glimpse into the struggles of women who dared to step outside of traditional roles.

Spanning the years from just before the war to its end, The English Wife skillfully weaves together the lives of two extraordinary women, illuminating their resilience, sacrifices, and influence in a world dominated by men. The book excels in its historical details, touching on figures like Eleanor Roosevelt and referencing key wartime moments such as Bletchley Park. Its themes of female empowerment and unseen contributions to history are powerfully conveyed, though the abrupt ending—just as Clementine and Winston celebrate the war’s victory separately—leaves something to be desired. A deeper look into their post-war lives would have been a satisfying conclusion. Nonetheless, The English Wife is a beautifully crafted, thought-provoking book that highlights the women behind history, making it a must-read for historical fiction enthusiasts.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

The English Wife is a well written and informative story a remarkable woman, Clementine Churchill. Mrs. Churchill was a force to be reckoned with and a beacon of light for a man who had an entire country and world relying heavily on him during one of the darkest times. It is a heartwarming love story and a tribute to her many achievements in life. An interesting and highly recommended read.4 stars
I would like to thank the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for my free copy of this novel, in exchange for my honest review.
#TheEnglishWife #NetGalley

I really enjoyed reading The English Wife.
It was fascinating to read about Clementine Churchill's strong will and the support she provided to her husband, Churchill.
Her character was well-written.
She supported her husband, but she also had her own loyalties, helping the UK and other nations during the war and raising money for charities.
Another Anna Stuart book I couldn’t put down and I can’t wait to read more of her work.

An amazing story of Clementine Churchill and her work during WWII - and not just her work supporting Winston. I don’t understand where Jenny’s story fit in, though I enjoyed it. I really wanted to know what happened with the baby at the end.

A historical novel with a dual timeline, The English Wife follows two women connected by war and secrets. While the premise is intriguing, the pacing felt slow, and I struggled to connect with the characters. The emotional depth was there, but something about the execution left me wanting more. A decent read, but not as gripping as I’d hoped.

I haven't heard much about Clementine Churchill. Her husband, Winston, was always front and center. It was partially because he was the Prime Minister, but also because he liked, maybe even demanded to be the one. Thanks to The English Wife I have realized the saying, "Behind every great man there is a strong woman” sums up Clementine Churchill.

She wasn't just a strong woman. She was devoted to Winston and the people of England. She worked hard during the war for the benefit of others. She could have hid out in the annexe. She could have remained in the country and ignored it all. She chose to stand by her husband and step up for the British people.

The English Wife shares Clementine's life. As a book of Historical fiction, I know that it isn't all true. Things have been embelished to keep me and others up late into the night to read and discover more. Anything that I questioned I could research and learn about. It was great fun.

The story is filled with an eclectic group of people. The reader goes on journeys as Clementine learns of travesties resulting from war and works to correct them. She attends political events where the reader can imagine who is rubbing elbows with whom. She travels to America. During her travels the reader is exposed to more of what might have been. I couldn't find information on some of the characters. The names were changed to protect the not so innocent.

I found the story to be well written. I felt the emotions. I cried over the horrors. I was shocked over the acceptance of affairs, and how envious some would be of others. I learned quite a lot about Clementine Churchill. More importantly for me, I am excited to learn about this amazing women.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love historical fiction, it brings me so much joy to read about our history from the POV of someone living through that moment. However, I found this book really hard to read, which upsets me because I loved Anna Stuarts previous WW2 books. I felt this book was a little too political for me. Overall, it just was not for me.

What I loved: Clementine. I did enjoy reading about her and her life as a politician’s wife. Clementine and Winnie married for love, and you could see how much she loved him by supporting him. When Winston was feeling doubtful about Hitler, and that fear that Hitler could not be beaten and UK would have to bend, it was Clemmie who reminded him that Hitler doesn’t negotiate, something he had told her in the past. This gives him the strength needed to stand up against him. Together they were powerful and sometimes the world needs reminding that behind these great, powerful men were even more powerful women.

What I didn’t love: aside from the political aspect, Jenny. I was not a fan of the dual POV in this case, and I feel if the book was only done in Clementines perspective it might have been better for me.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

The English Wife by Anna Stuart is an excellent historical novel about the life of Clementine Churchill. It is a brilliant and fascinating portrayal of her. Clementine is a very strong woman and extremely supportive of her husband. The author sheds light on an unknown part of history.

The book’s focus is on Clementine Churchill, her relationships and her influence on her husband and everyone around her. Clementine marriage to Winston was a true love story enduring through some extremely rough times. She was the force behind the great man.

I would highly recommend this book to everyone but especially to historical fiction lovers. I learned a lot about the Churchills that I didn’t know. Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of this book.

The English Wife
By: Anna Stuart
Pub Date: March 26, 2025
I have read a couple of books about Clementine Churchill. Her marriage to Winston Churchill was not easy, but he relied on her during the darkest of times and the people loved her.
She knew when they married of his ambitions, but little did they know that he would become Prime Minister during the war with Hitler.
Clementine helped the community around her and visited hospitals and helped the people.
The author notes were fascinating. Clementine was engaged a couple of times before marrying Winston and they had 5 children. Her aristocratic background was unknown to me. Stuart always delivers a fascinating historical fiction novel.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction book. It’s was a departure from the usual in that it was told from the viewpoints of several strong women, one being Clementine Churchill. Such an interesting character and a great read.

The English Wife tells the stories of two women during the Second World War. One of them, Clementine Churchill, was very much real and, as the wife of the Prime Minister Winston Churchill, unavoidably at the heart of what went on. The other, Jenny Miller, is an American broadcaster and is not real, though the authors’ note tells us that she was inspired by a real person (Janet Murrow, wife of the US broadcaster Ed Murrow).

As far as my grasp of history tells me, it’s a faithful retelling of a critical and fascinating period in world history, and I really enjoyed seeing a well-known narrative told from a different point of view, showing us how Clementine’s sense of duty, sense of self-worth and love for her husband didn’t always overlap.

I admit that I was particularly touched by the story and, as I read, it rang bells with me. My mother used to tell tell how, as a little girl living in South Wales during the War, she raised money for Clementine’s Aid For Russia fund, and received a letter from Mrs Churchill in response.

I think there can often be problems in telling a true and widely-known story, and its always easier (I think) to tell them through the eyes of a fictional character, rather than a real one whose deeds are known, whose letters and diaries are public and so on, which means the truth can be a bit of a straitjacket for an author. Because of this, Jenny’s life story felt a little more real to me than Clementine’s and I would have liked to have read more about her and seen Anna Stuart’s imagination take wing.

That said, Stuart’s talent and Clementine’s life story combined to make this less of a problem than I had feared. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I really like Anna stuarts books. And i liked that this book was about clementine Churchill, how streng she must have been to stand by her husband. . Through thick and thin. But it was also a testament how much she accomplished on her own. Really glad i read the book. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc , in exchange for an honest opinion

This book provides fascinating insight into the war and its effects from the viewpoint of the woman behind the man. History tells us much about Winston Churchill, but we don't hear often enough about Clementine, the rock who stood by his side through it all.

Anna Stuart tells Clementine Churchill's story beautifully. Clementine is a strong and capable woman who constantly put the needs of the people in the forefront of her thoughts and actions. She supports Winston and tends to the more trivial matters so he can focus on the war. She provides guidance to her children and grandchildren, as well as countless friends, as they navigate through their lives. At the same time, she manages to also take care of the people of her country! She spends countless hours at air raid shelters, ensures the hungry and homeless have food and shelter, and even oversees the building and maintenance of homes for military wives to give birth and receive the care they need during unprecedented times. Clementine interacts equally well with political figures and strangers from all walks of life, and she does it with grace.

The author gives background into Clementine and Winston's early life, and it enriches the story without overshadowing it. She portrays Clementine as a relatable character, and her strength and compassion shine through. You can't help but love her by the end of the book!

I received this ARC through NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for a fair review.

Wonderful, unputdownable historical fiction!
Go back in time with that most indomitable of women, Clementine Churchill, and experience WW2 through her eyes. Her marriage to Winston was a true-love story, enduring through some of the worst times in our world’s history.
The author has interesting notes at the end, indicating where she got her research information, and also real facts vs. fiction.

*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

A must-read for historical fiction lovers!