A political and legal thriller that you won’t put down until the very last page!

President Madeline Parson Wright is about to reveal a legacy plan to overhaul the economic disaster facing the United States. As she’s scrambling to put last votes in line, her husband, the First Gentleman, is arrested and accused of committing a murder. Cole Wright, ex tight end for the Patriots, now avid supporter of his wife, is on trial for the crime committed against a former cheerleader, Suzanne Bonanno, almost 20 years ago when they were both connected to the team and they were dating, against team and NFL rules.

Of course there are many who don’t believe Cole did it, but there are two people are determined to prove him guilty and who intend to write an expose nonfiction book covering the story. Brea Cooke and Garrett Wilson go behind the scenes, contact family and other people involved to create a narrative that will bring Cole Wright to justice. The trial promises to be epic.

There was so much going on in this book and so many different characters — some you’ll like and others who turn your stomach or rub you the wrong way. You may think you know where this is going, only to find a new twist or revelation popping up that sheds a new light on things. I loved the way the book was written and the style used by authors Patterson and Clinton to keep me hooked so that I read the book in a single sitting. Totally hooked and fully invested in the outcome. The trial scenes were great and I’m a sucker for the legal stuff so I couldn’t get enough. I’ve not read any other books by this duo but I plan to rectify that.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publishers. The four different narrators did a masterful job of bringing the story to life and the production was extremely well done. The tone, the dramatic flair, the accents, and the sound effects really enhanced my enjoyment of the novel. My favorite voices were those of the men and the voice of Brea got on my nerves at times, but overall I definitely recommend.

Thank you Little, Brown and Company for the ARC!

I have been on a major Patterson kick lately and loving it. The First Gentleman lived up to the excitement that I’ve been enjoying from Patterson!

This story was intriguing, had good drama, the guessing of “is he guilty or not???” kept me on the edge of my seat, and the characters were great. I loved that while the idea of the story is a little wild, the work that Clinton added to the story made it feel like this really could happen. Especially considering current political realities 😬

Overall, this was a great read and so happy to get this for my dad for Father’s Day!

The President of the United States is up for re-election. But her husband is on trial for murder. Talk about bad timing. A pair of journalists hit the streets, do their research and investigate whether the First Gentleman is a killer.

I am disappointed with The First Gentleman. I loved the previous collabs from Patterson and Clinton, The President is Missing and The President's Daughter, so much that my hopes were up. I just knew it would be a page-turner. Their writing did not complement each other this go-round. It did not flow. The chapters were choppy trying to stick with Patterson's signature writing style. It lacked the usual suspense and plot building that Patterson is known for. Clinton slacked on the political intrigue.

Where was the thrill in this thriller? Pass on it, Bookhearts. Save the time of reading almost 500 pages of an unsatisfying read.

Happy Early Pub Day, James Patterson and Bill Clinton! The First Gentleman will be available Monday, June 2.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

You better put on your thinking caps before you start reading this one because you are going to need it. The first half of this book is building up to quite the story/scandal with the introduction of a lot of characters, who are definitely necessary to the story. At times I had to stop and think about what character was being described. The story goes back and forth from the past to the present being told through the eyes of a lot of different people. However, the short, snappy chapters, that we all love and expect from this author, kept the pace moving and helped the suspense build. Once I had all of the characters separated in my head, I was hooked.

Cole Wright holds many titles, but right now his most important title is First Gentleman as he is the husband of Madam President Madeline Wright. He is also what most would view as an American hero. He played college football and went on to play professional football. Now he has been accused of murder while in college. Some want to believe it, and others cannot fathom it. Whether you believe it or not, he is on trial.

Hold on for a wild ride through the halls of justice and a storyline where politics are front and center as well. It is a long one, but it is definitely worth your time to read.

Thank you to Little Brown and Company and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

wow! Great mystery and details

I really enjoyed this book!!!! Perhaps a bit slow starting, it got faster and faster then tied it all together... It is obvious how important it is to have an author and a subject matter expert work together to make such an interesting, exciting, and well crafted novel. This need to be the top of your must read pile!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-constained e-arc via Netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

This novel took on a slow burn and then tied everything up in a neat bow with only 5% left of the novel. Told from the POV of Brea, a lawyer turned investigative journalist, we follow her as she and her partner Garrett attempt to uncover a decades-old murder of which Cole Wright, the First Gentleman, becomes the prime suspect. All the while, the President is attempting to refine and pass the Great Bargain, a non-partisan plan to rebuild the nation's economy. The court trial seems to come out of nowhere as does the story's resolution.

Another thrilling page turner from one of my all time favourite authors, James Patterson. This time collaborating with former US President Bill Clinton for a fast paced, action packed legal/political thriller. What’s not to love about that!!

I loved the idea of the president being a woman for a start, and also that her husband is a former NFL player who is charged with the murder of a cheerleader. Come on, tell me you aren’t intrigued. With the short, punchy chapters than jump between characters, we learn about the trial of the century as well as the past. If that wasn’t enough for you, there is a an investigative journalist hot on the story

This book is so fun to read and I wish I had been able to read it faster., darn work getting in the way. I changed my mind so many times about his guilt, with each piece of evidence coming out in court. I can see the Bill Clinton contributions, with the political storylines having that extra detail and depth.

Highly recommend, a standalone book that is well worth picking up.

Thank you so much to Little, Brown and Company for my advanced copy on NetGalley. Out on June 2nd.

Another interesting thriller from the collaboration of James Patterson and Bill Clinton. An interesting premise that isnt too hard to keep track of

4.25 stars
President Madeline Parson Wright is in the middle of crucial, top-secret negotiations that could prevent the U.S. economy from collapsing. The past actions of her husband, former NFL player Cole Wright, could land him in jail and destroy her career. Could the handsome, popular first gentleman really be responsible for the death of an NFL cheerleader that he had dated before his marriage? Those with their own agenda are happy to exploit Cole's situation, but there is one journalist who is determined to uncover the truth, no matter what the cost.

This is the second collaboration between President Clinton and James Patterson that I've read, and I enjoyed them both. Patterson's skill at creating intriguing characters and fast-paced stories, combined with Clinton's insider information about the presidency and the U.S. government add up to an engaging book. Some things are predictable, but there are still some surprises when things are revealed at the end. I enjoyed the multiple points-of-view and short chapters of this fast-paced mystery/thriller.

I received an advance review copy of this ebook from Little, Brown and Company but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

In James Patterson's new book, America has a powerful new president. and her husband's on trial for murder.

Is the First Gentleman a killer? A pair of brilliant investigative journalists set out to answer that burning question about the NFL star-turned-political spouse.

I am not a Bill Clinton fan but I do like this book and his collabortation with Patterson.

President Madeline Wright is soon running for reelection and is also fighting to pass an important piece of legislation while her husband is on trial for the murder of his former girlfriend back when he was an NFL player and she was a cheerleader. A story of revenge, betrayal, secrets, mob activity, and more! A fast-paced edge-of-your-seat thriller. Loved it!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

James Patterson and Bill Clinton team up again to write a gripping and page turning suspense story that will keep you riveted until the very end. This is one super duo writing team! Thanks for the ARC!

The First Gentleman is a fast paced story about a female President who is running for re-election and seeks to introduce a revolutionary new legislation, while her husband, an ex-NFL star, is on trial for murdering a former girlfriend decades earlier. With many twists and turns and a surprise revelation, the story kept me engaged and wanting to read more until the end.

The president is up for reelection and her husband is on trial for murder. What a great start to the story that unfolds. Is he a killer? he is an ex NL star so he could have committed the crime. This plot has all the twists and turns you would expect in a Patterson/Clinton novel. It does not disappoint.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review on my Goodreads page. This is out June 2, 2025.

In their latest collaboration, Bill Clinton and James Patterson introduce readers to a compelling premise: the First Gentleman is accused of murdering his former girlfriend two decades earlier, forcing the sitting President—his wife—to navigate both the legal chaos and the political fallout while pushing forward her ambitious legislative agenda.

While the concept was intriguing, the execution fell short for me. The characters felt underdeveloped, making it difficult to feel invested in their outcomes. The resolution was predictable, and I was left unsatisfied by the rushed courtroom scenes, which lacked the realism and suspense I typically expect from Patterson’s work. Additionally, several plot threads were left dangling—something that’s uncommon in his books.

Overall, despite its high-profile authors and timely themes, this one didn’t quite deliver for me. 2.0 stars.

As a general rule, Patterson's books are not great literature but they are fun to read. This one is no exception. Take a lawyer turned reporter looking to find out who murdered her boyfriend (while they were investigating the First Gentleman), add in the first female president who is working on a mysterious plan to save the country, mix in the mob, a 17-year old murder and a mix of characters whose motives are mixed and you have The First Gentleman. The short chapters serve to keep you in suspense and wanting to read just one more chapter. Before you know it, you are at the end of the tale. This one is great summer reading.

4.5⭐ Another winning story from a great writing duo. This was a real nail biter for me. Once I reached the 80% mark, I read another 3 hrs until I finished at 4 AM. I could not put it down!

The president's husband is accused of a 17 year old murder. The evidence just keeps stacking up against him. Meanwhile, the bodies are piling up. Is there a cover up? Who's behind it all?

While he is on trial, Madam President is needed at the White House, she has to chose between her husband and her country, because the world doesn't stop needing her. With a hurting heart and divided mind, she works hard to do the job she was voted into.

The whole story was very intense, with several story arcs happening, a lot of secondary characters, but culminating into a very satisfying ending. I have to say though, with so much detail in the book, I found the ending to be a bit rushed and not as much to that part of the story as I would have liked. But like I said, the ending was great, justice was found and served.

Thank you Bill Clinton, James Patterson, and NetGalley for this ARC. The above is my own and personal opinion.

Scandal around political figures what’s not to love?
Loaded with twist a turns it was enjoyable to read.
Fans of the authors will not be disappointed.

This book is the literary equivalent of a summer blockbuster movie: good, solid entertainment, but not too deep. But if you’re in the mood for that, this really hits the spot! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was fantastic. I really enjoyed reading it and didn’t want to put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!