It would seem that the old saying behind every successful man there is a woman is true. Clementine is a strong woman and influences her husband, Winston Churchill greatly. The book may have Clemmie at the center, but other important historical figures and events are given their due. Churchill led his country during WWII even after the tragic events at Gallipoli. Never has a woman's' influence and wisdom been so boldly described as in this book. Well-Done.

Clementine Churchill never expected to be the wife of a man like Winston Churchill. Together, they maneuver the political world of England. Through ups and downs, good times and bad she is by his side making his life easier and working with him on his public persona. Eventually, she discovers what she needs to do to be herself and finds her own voice. The story of a woman that discovers her strengths and uses it to support and empower women even when men try to discount her participation in events that shaped a nation.

Another excellent book by Marie Benedict. I love learning about the Churchills, and hearing about the women behind great men in history. Marie kept me engaged from the first sentence until the end. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to review this book!

I received an ARC ebook of this novel courtesy of NetGalley. It's the story of Clementine Churchill told as imagined by Marie Benedict in the historical fiction genre. For me, history comes alive and is much more palatable and relatable when fictionalized. Suddenly, I can see myself in the era of the story and in the situations the protagonist faces. I thought Marie Benedict did an excellent job of highlighting Clementine Churchill's strengths and weaknesses and her unconventional upbringing of which I had known nothing about. If you're a fan of the TV series "The Crown" or any of the recent novels set in WWII Europe, I think you would enjoy this tale of a strong woman who helped her husband achieve much of his success.

History has served Winston Churchill as one of the heroes of WWII. He served his country well and while there are many tributes acknowledging his accomplishments, little is known about Lady Clementine Churchill, his most avid supporter. From the very beginning of their marriage in 1908, she understood her role in his life, as his confidant, his supporter...even at times when that support was difficult, she was there for him. Her sacrifices for herself and her family were immeasurable. Yet there was "Clemmie" ever by his side, feeding his ambitions, as well as her own.

Marie Benedict with her impeccable research, her eloquent words has brought out to us, her readers, a woman that was beyond amazing, writing with the respect that Lady Clementine so deserves. While this is a fictional novel, much was learned from the telling.

My thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.

I have long been fascinated by the Churchills, most especially Clementine who had to be a force to be married to such a brilliant and driven man. Not long ago, I read about his mother, Jennie Jerome. I found her a less than likable person, and frankly a horrible mother. I marveled at how well he turned out in spite of her lack of maternal skill (all credit goes to Nanny Everest). I was surprise that Clementine was raised in a similar manner by a mother who not only lacked in maternal instinct, but was also a self-serving alcoholic who was prone to numerous relationships and gambling. I mention this, because this is what created the strong bond between Clementine and Winston. They relied solely on each other (well Winston more than Clementine), and their long union is a testament to this bond. Clementine was not without her faults (lack of maternal instinct is apparently hereditary), but she was an integral part of Winston’s rise to power, the only person who could completely speak her mind to him and maintain his unconventional lifestyle. While doing this, she was the driving force in involving women in the war effort, spent countless hours with the people of England trying to make the misery of war bearable, and orchestrated some of the most crucial meetings and strategies to help win WWII. A great read if a little lengthy and tedious in places. Thank you Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book.

I learned a lot from this book about Clementine Churchill, but I thought the author tried to cover far too much much time and events in this book. The book starts right before Clementine marries Winston Churchill (with flashbacks to her childhood and youth), and it goes through Winston's career blow by blow. Personal challenges are included, but the book covers so much ground that momentous events are almost skimmed over.

The character of Clementine came across as rather cold and self-righteous. I didn't feel that I got to know her at all during the course of this book.

I wanted to like this book, but it lacked soul.

London, 1908

Clementine Hozier attracts attention of Winston Churchill by her intellect and responsiveness. He is very impressed with her, stating, “…you listen, understand, and engage with the important issues of our day.”

After five months of courtship he proposes.

She quickly realizes “that if she wants to play a meaningful part in his life, she must become involved in his political world,” which naturally fits her. And Winston encourages her to take a charge no matter how unusual the issue is, specifically if it’s fit for a woman.

On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, gets shot in Serbia. The brewing war is now inevitable.

The strategic plan of Dardanelles to cut off Turkey from helping Germans fails.

Winston Churchill is dismissed from his position of lord admiral.

Since he can’t command the war from afar, he decides to join the men in the trenches and fight alongside them.

And she on the other hand, plunges into repairing her husband’s damage by meeting with governmental figures and making other engagements, anything to bring him back in favor.

From the trenches, he rises to the position of minister of munitions, then ascending to secretary of state for war and air.

When Winston falls out of favor again, Hitler gains his momentum. “Hitler has mustered the forces he’s secretly assembled to conquer and lay waste to Poland. (…) Hitler thumbed his nose at England by blatantly invading Poland.”

Later as a wife of Prime Minister, she receives criticism which she uses as fuel. She turns it around and uses as positive ammunition, “involving women in the war in a meaningful way,” by convincing her husband to hire women in supportive, administrative, and manufacturing capacities.

The story entails major events, making the pace fast. It gives a glimpse at brewing relationships among European countries; then Nazi Germany annexation of Austria, and then invasion of Poland – ultimately leading to WWII. It’s an interesting glimpse from British perspective of slow reaction of then current PM Chamberlain; and later the efforts of new PM and his wife to woo the Americans into the war, to help end it.

This book paints a portrait of a very strong woman, who knows how to tackle men’s world. She is a woman to reckon with. But she struggles as a mother. Motherhood gives her more anxiety than the challenges thrown at her by men. And still where she feels most comfortable, she sees room for improvement for herself. While meeting Mrs. Roosevelt, first she notices her out-of-style dress, but then what impresses Clementine the most is how Eleanor conducts herself. And that’s what inspires her to be even a better diplomat.

Well-written, with steady pace, informative, but not overwhelming, presenting a story of a commendable woman with an engaging prose.

Lady Clementine comes alive in this wonderfully written tense historical fiction .She was involved in all aspects of her husbands life career a bright strong woman her story kept me turning the pages. #netgalley#sourcebooks#

Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict is a delightful and enthralling historical fiction/biography of the incredible Clementine Churchill.
It encompasses how they met, what she was thinking during this courtship, as well as their early years of marriage through the end of WWII. While I would have loved to read about the remainder of her life, I feel that the book ended on a romantic and satisfying point in her life, and it was fitting for this novel.

I have to say I have always been a huge fan of Ms Benedict and have read, and enjoyed, all of her novels. This one did not disappoint.

I have so much respect for Ms Churchill, and learned so much more about her through this story. The author clearly did her research and brings nothing but respect and has created a wonderful piece that does justice to an amazing and classy woman.

I think I like Clementine so much because she is imperfect. Yes, she is strong, passionate, caring, selfless, intelligent, and fiery, but yet she has her weaknesses (an imperfect mother, bouts of anxiety), but she is impressive enough to call herself out on these issues and honestly does what she can to better herself.

I will read more on Clementine because this novel has created that inspiration for me to find out as much as I can. That is a huge compliment to the author.

5/5 stars enthusiastically

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this stunning ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am submitting this review to my GR account immediately and will post a review to my Amazon, Bookbub, and B&N accounts upon publication.

Thank you again!

I absolutely loved the book The Other Woman in the Room written by this author. I was excited to pick up this story, another historical fiction, about another impressive woman.

Clementine knew when she married Winston Churchill that he had huge goals and wanted her by his side.
She readily accepted the challenge. She became a true partner to him, both romantically as his wife but as politically.
Reading this book, you get the impression that every decision made by Winston was first reviewed and debated with Clementine.
As a result, she made a much bigger impact on the world than she’d ever be given credit for.

I enjoyed the story but it wasn’t quite as exciting as the previous book. No doubt it’s about a woman with a fascinating life and I enjoyed learning more about it.

I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. Thanks!

Absolutely loved this book! The story flows, the characters are fascinating and I couldn't tear myself away. Highly recommended.

First, thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for providing me an e-ARC copy of this incredible book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I normally don't like books about politics but this is the story, told from Clementine Churchill's point of view of her life married to Winston Churchill and the behind the scenes influence that she had on his career, her struggles with motherhood, her inner struggles and her balancing her strong personality with the times. It is a definite page turner and it goes through all the significant political events without being boring, at least to me. It outlines their financial and political struggles and how she had to hold this all together. It's not easy being a woman!

This author is wonderful and I am going to read her other books as I love her writing style. I couldn't put this book down it is that great. I highly recommend it!

Lady Clementine will both inform and entertain its readers. The author presents a story not only of the tumultuous times the world suffered through two world wars, but also a story of an unbreakable bond between a husband and wife. Winston Churchill’s contribution and place in history is secure. What is presented in this story is how significant the contribution of his wife was to his success. She tempered his brashness, assisted with his speech preparation, provided another set of ears to conversations her husband had with other world stage leaders, all while maintaining a household and giving birth to five children. This reader appreciates the extensive research the author did on her subjects and therefore the fictional conversations have the ring of truth. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

Being a fan of Marie Benedict's, and admittedly knowing next to nothing about Lady Clementine Churchill, had me especially excited about this book. After reading it and learning how involved she was with her husband's work for their entire lives has given me a new sense of respect for this woman. And I look forward to learning more about her.