This was such a great read for Women’s History Month! I really enjoyed learning more about WW2 from a different perspective, the Churchills, and more specifically Winston’s wife, Clementine. It was really evident that she worked to support her husband and England, even when having to put aside some of her own dreams to support her husband and his endeavors as prime minister.
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Fascinating look at the life of Clementine Churchill and her work during the war, both with and without her husband, Winston. I learned so much about her and the journalist, Jenny Miller (Janet Murrow), whose story is also told here. The writing draws you into the story, and while it started slowly, once it got going, I was captivated by all these two women had accomplished.

Thank you to NetGalley, Anna Stuart, and Bookouture Audio for this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

In recent years I started getting really into historical fiction. I especially love books written about strong women in the past. Clementine Churchill is a name I had never heard of before. She is the strong pillar that helped keep Winston Churchill going throughout World War II.

I loved listening to the way that Clementine supported her husband, and family, and made strong contributions on the home front, like creating hospitals for pregnant women of soldiers fighting in the war and making bomb shelters safer for the people who had to stay there.

I loved the character of Jenny (loosely based on Janet Murrow) and her American view of the war before America joined. Both the main female characters are strong, passionate, and loved helping other people. They are definitely an inspiration.

Anna Stuart has an extraordinary talent for setting a scene. I really felt like I was on the rooftops with Clementine ready to put out fire from the bomb. Also, I could feel the guilt coursing through Jenny and Clementine's veins when they were relieved the bombs landed somewhere else knowing that someone else was hurt. World War II was a tumultuous time in England and the Churchills went through the ringer.

Jane McDowell did a fantastic job at narrating this book. I felt like she was reading straight from Clementine's and Jenny's diaries.

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!

The English Wife explored WW2 from a new-to-me angle, from the perspective of Clementine Churchill, giving us a look into the humanity of allied leadership during the war. I didn’t known enough about her before reading this, and I am so impressed by her strength and contribution.

There are also chapters from the POV of Jenny Miller, a character based on Janet Murrow, American CBS radio broadcaster and another strong woman who’s husband (based on Ed Murrow) gets much more credit that she does.

I love learning about history through engaging stories like this. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narration was perfect.

Thank you to Bookouture Audio for the ALC.

The English Wife by Anna Stuart.

This is a fictional historical novel about Clementine (Clemmy) Churchill, the wife of Winston Churchill, set during the years leading up to World War II and during the war. The woman behind the most important man in England during the second world war.

The main character is Clementine, who Winston called Cat or Clemmie, and an American broadcast journalist Jenny Miller who was based in London during the war. Jenny’s character is based on Janet Murrow and her husband, Edward Murrow, who had an affair with the Churchills’ daughter in law, the infamous Pamela.

Clementine was a very strong woman who was not scared of getting her hands dirty. She visited many bomb shelters and made sure they were made habitable and sanitary. She even took her turn at doing fire watching shifts. Mrs Churchill was also instrumental in creating maternity hospitals for the wives of officers which in turn allowed them to do their jobs without having to worry about their wives and children back home. She raised many millions of pounds for the war effort through fund raising teas she held.

The author has interesting research notes at the end of the book and confirms what is fiction and what is fact. A very interesting read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

Thank you @annastuartauthor, @netgalley and @bookouture for an advance audiobook copy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
From the author of several World War II historical fiction novels like The War Orphan, The Midwife of Berlin, and The Midwife of Auschwitz, comes The English Wife.

The English Wife is a story primarily of Clementine Churchill but also of stories of Eleanor Roosevelt and an American reporter, Jen Miller, both considered friends during World War II. Their support, ideas and strength led their own projects but also their husbands and families.

I highly recommend this wonderful read!

#theenglishwife #netgalley #bookoutureaudio

What I love most about historical fiction is discovering incredible people from the past that I’ve never heard of before. Clementine Churchill was an extraordinary woman, yet she’s rarely talked about—at least in my experience.

The English Wife is a fictional novel that follows Clementine Churchill as she navigates World War II alongside her husband, Winston Churchill. She was not only a devoted wife but also a remarkable mother, friend, and woman in her own right.

This book had me absolutely hooked! Learning more about her was exactly what my heart needed. It’s a story filled with love, action, joy, and sorrow, and I also enjoyed getting a glimpse into the lives of her children. Such a fantastic book!

The narrator made the audio experience very enjoyable!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

4.5⭐️s rounded up. Well written and a really great look at the little known wife of Winston Churchill. I thought both Clementine and Jenny, who was modeled loosely off of Janet Murrow, were well developed and I felt both women’s ups and downs in the story and was invested in their characters.

I liked how the author compared both women’s lives - and other peripheral women like Eleanor Roosevelt - in viewing independence and purpose in their lives and the war. It was a great look at how some women find fulfillment in having autonomy and independence and being successful in their endeavors working, but it is equally important for other women who invest their purpose in being selfless and supporting their husbands and making them successful instead. It is worth noting that if Churchill didn’t have Clementine putting her own needs second and putting his dreams first, he may not have been successful or won the war. She had just as important a role as more visible women but she was ok with someone else taking the lead and getting the credit. It’s a hard balance that isn’t black or white - I think each woman’s purpose is different and neither should be diminished.

Really enjoyed the book. Love looking at women in history who made a huge impact but were never well known.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook. All opinions are mine.

Unlike Marie Benedict's <i>Lady Clementine</i>, <i>The English Wife</i> hones in on just Lady Clementine Churchill's World War II experiences whereas the former covers the entire Churchill marriage. This small focus allows readers to dive more deeply into Clementine's experiences, including her efforts to assist her husband (both politically and during his health crises), her time as a fire warden, the various charitable acts she oversaw (including aid to Russian civilians and and creating maternity homes for wives of soldiers). What this paints is a picture of more than just a political wife, showing Clementine for whom she really was, including her worries and fears. The novel also aimed to show Clementine's relationships with her husband, children, daughter-in-law Pamela, and with her friend Janet Murrow (broadcast journalist and wife of Ed Murrow), whom is fictionalized in this novel as Jenny Miller.

In some alternating chapter, we gain Jenny/Janet's viewpoint as she also struggles during the war. There is conflict with her husband, both when he strayed and because of their competing careers. Then there is the undercurrent of Jenny's lack of ability to become pregnant despite she and her husband desperately wanting a child. But even these chapters show the strong bond between two women whom became friends over the course of the war, especially as they work together on projects to benefit British civilians, including improving air raid shelters.

As a whole, this novel was both heartwarming and heart wrenching at times as readers see the ups and downs in Clementine and Jenny's lives. At all times, it was deeply emotional, something the narration in the audio version drove home as well. This is well worth the read. And to dive deeper into Clementine, consider also reading Marie Benedict's book and some nonfiction about the Churchills.

I read a lot of historical fiction, but I found this one very disappointing. Its coverage of both the war and the characters was superficial and dull. The characters were inconsistent and even confusing in their motivations and beliefs, and the side story of the Wilsons was meaningless and distracting. There was a hint of rising feminist sentiment, but even that failed to hit the mark. It was an easy read, and had an interesting anecdote here and there, but I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone for who wants a in-depth exploration of the Churchills’ relationship, family, and wartime strategy.

This author has a way of describing a scene so fully that you can imagine all the tiny details.

Sometimes you see the man who is the leader, but you do not see the woman behind/beside him. It is she who keeps him going, takes care of the little details and listens to the concerns. You do not realize the strength it must take to carry such a great burden especially in the forties.

This historical fiction novel follows Clementine Churchill in through the years leading up to World War II and through it. We follow two different perspectives - Clementine Churchill and Jenny Miller. Jenny is a character based on Janet Murrow, who was the wife of Edward R. Murrow. He was an American broadcast journalist and war correspondent. Jenny also lived a life of working along a husband who outshined her. Both ladies deal with the struggles and joy fame can bring.

It was a captivating story about Clementine Churchill and the women who made a huge and significant contribution during the war.
It was beautifully written and heart touching historical fiction.

I really enjoyed the story and the narrator was excellent and did justice to the life of the characters.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher Bookouture Audio for the ARC-audio.

Anna Stuart, prolific chronicler of strong women during WWll, gives us a an in-depth look into the woman next-to Winston Churchill, his wife, Clementine. Not only was she the backbone of Sir Winston, but also the British people. We are afforded a a well researched fictionalized viewpoint of the tumultuous war years through Clementine’s eyes. Stuart has a knack for weaving accurate details into an interesting tale.

Kudos to Jane McDowell for an excellent narration of the story. Listening to her reading felt as if Mrs. Churchill was reading her diary to me!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a very good book! If you like Historical reads that keep your attention this is the one for you! This book has two women POVs. I love how this book focuses on the strong women behind powerful men in history.

I absolutely loved The English Wife by Anna Stuart! It’s a beautifully written, immersive look at Clementine Churchill, not just as Winston Churchill’s steadfast supporter during WWII but as a force in her own right. The book highlights her quiet strength, showing how she worked behind the scenes to support women, communities, and the war effort in ways that often went unnoticed.

One of my favorite things about this book was how it shed light on the vital roles women played during the war. While Churchill led publicly, women like Clementine worked tirelessly to keep morale up, ensure people had shelter, and make complex news accessible to everyone. The love story between Clementine and Winston was another highlight. It was so touching to see their deep, 30-year-old bond. Their way of communicating felt warm and familiar, like a cozy blanket, and it was beautiful to read about a marriage built on respect and support.

Jane McDowell’s narration made the story even better! Her ability to switch between American and English accents brought the characters to life in such an engaging way. She captured the emotion of the story perfectly, making it even more immersive.

This book is a must-read, or listen, for historical fiction fans. It’s a beautiful tribute to an incredible woman, and I was hooked from start to finish!

Thank you #NetGalley, #BookoutureAudio, and Anna Stuart for the Audio-ARC of The English Wife in exchange for an honest review. I was captivated by Jane McDowell's voice characterization. She was the perfect narrator for this Historical Fiction novel; McDowell's accent contributed to the characters' believability. Stuart clearly well-researched Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine Churchill, their family members, their friends, and WWII battles. Stuart's writing is brilliant! She maintains the English diction and word choice as well as euphemisms. The narrative show listeners what it was like for Clementine during WWII. The listener can imagine the Clementine rushing to Churchill during air raids, or Clementine giving hospital tours to news reporters, or Clementine comforting her American friend Jenny Miller (a character based on Janet Murrow). Stuart carefully shows Clementine's heroics and fears, her happiness and frustration with Churchill, and her choices to place Churchill first in her life, so he can achieve his goal of becoming and holding the position of Prime Minister.

The American point of view is seen through Jenny Miller and her husband. Listeners / Readers learn how the media crafted their reports to show British support. This American perspective also permits the discussion of British people escaping to America in order to save their lives versus remaining in England to show support for their homeland.

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook, and I have ordered a physical copy to add to my bookshelf.

I didn’t really know much about Clementine Churchill before reading this and the book was well researched. I found myself googling to learn more about the whole Churchill family and in doing so, learned about the American couple portrayed in the story as well. I like how the author emphasized the important role of Clementine not only in her husband’s life but in the war effort. She was impressive. An interesting read!

I really enjoy historical fiction and this book did not disappoint. It tells the story of Clementine Churchill during the rise and fall of Hitler and her husband becoming Prime Minister. Throughout the novel we meet historical figures that became friends of the Churchills and learn about the work Clementine during this historical period. I have read several books set in this time period and this one feels like a peek behind the scenes - insight to the family dynamic of the Churchills and the impact on WWII.


Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy of the audio book.

I had the pleasure of reading an ARC e-book of The English Lady by Anna Stuart, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This heartfelt story weaves together history, romance, and resilience, making for an engaging and emotional read. The novel beautifully captures the essence of a true love story, with well-developed characters and an immersive setting. While there were moments that felt a bit predictable, the depth of emotion and historical detail kept me hooked. A wonderful read for historical fiction lovers!