The President’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was interested in the subject matter of this book. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read by Tracey and I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed by this one.

Edith was an interesting character. When she meets President Wilson there is an instant connection between the two. I didn’t know a lot about Wilson’s presidency except that he was the president during the Great War. This book made it seem that Edith pulled a lot of strings and encouraged her husband to make a lot of decisions and I’m curious about how much influence she really had during that time.

Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and RB Media for my copies of this book.

Edith Wilson was the second wife of President Woodrow Wilson and the First Lady of the United States. Her claim to fame was that she hid the news of the president’s health for the last few months of his presidency. She was also known for running the government in his stead. In this historical novel, it tells the love story between President Woodrow Wilson and his second wife. It also tells how Edith tries hard to protect his reputation, even taking on the presidency herself.

Before reading this novel, I did not know much about Edith Wilson. In the beginning, she was a widow who yearned to hang out with her friends and travel the world. She meets Woodrow Wilson and gradually falls in love with him. I love her loyalty to Woodrow Wilson. It is clear that while she made many questionable choices, she had a deep love for him. I was surprised that she was not a feminist and was against the women's suffrage movement. Thus, she was fascinating enough to keep me reading.

Overall, this novel is about love, choices, and family. I thought all of the characters seemed very realistic. I found Woodrow Wilson to be the most developed character. He had a strong, possessive love for Edith. I also thought the novel was very well-written and meticulously researched! I felt I was walking alongside Edith Wilson! Even though I liked the novel, there were a few drawbacks. I thought the novel was very slow-paced. I also wanted more pages of Edith Wilson acting as the unofficial president. Nevertheless, The President’s Wife was a delight to read! I recommend this for fans of American First Ladies! I also recommend this for fans of American Princess, If a Poem Could Live and Breathe, and Jacquline in Paris! The President’s Wife is a feast for historical fiction lovers that should not be missed!

Tracey Enerson Wood delivers an unforgettable historical novel with *The President's Wife*, a captivating portrait of First Lady Edith Wilson and the extraordinary role she played during one of America’s most turbulent times. This book masterfully weaves fact and fiction, bringing Edith’s strength, intelligence, and unwavering dedication to life in a way that feels both compelling and deeply personal.

From the moment Edith meets President Woodrow Wilson, their love story unfolds with warmth and authenticity. But as World War I rages and Wilson’s health declines, Edith finds herself in an unprecedented position—acting as a gatekeeper to the presidency and making decisions that would shape the course of history. Her determination, resilience, and belief in her husband’s vision make her a truly remarkable figure, and Wood portrays her with nuance and heart.

The storytelling is immersive, with rich historical detail and a narrative that flows effortlessly. I was fascinated by Edith’s journey, from her initial reluctance to enter the political world to the immense responsibility she ultimately took on. Wood does a fantastic job highlighting the complexities of power, love, and sacrifice, making this novel both engaging and thought-provoking.

If you enjoy historical fiction with strong female leads, political intrigue, and a touch of romance, *The President’s Wife* is a must-read. It’s a beautifully written and well-researched novel that shines a light on a lesser-known yet incredibly influential woman in American history. Highly recommend!

Here's a First Lady we haven't heard much about. . . and rather startling, too, considering the end of Woodrow Wilson's presidency and the question as to who was leading the country during the last of his years. Overall, an interesting read about Edith Bolling and that period of time in the US. The Wilson's took us through some difficult times, and appear to have been on the wrong side (IMO) of some of history's errors and injustices that to this day are hanging on. . .

Thankfully time marches on, and am glad to learn of these with a backwards glance rather than in real time. Problems we have enough.

The love story here is well-written and fully felt, and the author's note was helpful as to her motivations and subjects of focus.

*A sincere thank you to Tracey Enerson Wood, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks for sending me this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
I love reading about First Ladies and historical fiction so I really wanted to like this one. I have never read anything about Edith Wilson before and doing some research before jumping into the book, her story is fascinating. As First Lady in a time before Presidents were on TV and obviously no social media, Edith was really able to step in to help her husband during a difficult time for the country – during and after World War I – and when his health really didn’t permit the kind of attention the presidency needed.
Unfortunately, and maybe I just wasn’t in the mood. Oddly, I found this book a bit slow and also like I had just been dropped into it without any context. With so little time and so many books to read, I’m going to stop reading at about the 23% mark. I’m sure the book will get better from here as Edith assumes more and more responsibility but I just wasn’t getting into it.
Because I have to give a star rating, I'm giving this three stars here, because I think the premise is promising for it to get better. Because I didn't finish it. I will not post this review anywhere else.

The President’s Wife explores the life of Edith Bolling Galt Wilson, the second wife of President Woodrow Wilson. A socialite widow content with travel and friendships, Edith’s life changes dramatically when she marries Woodrow and becomes First Lady. Despite her discomfort, she rises to the challenges, dealing with press scrutiny and World War I.

Edith soon becomes indispensable, replacing distracting staff, discussing policy with Woodrow, and encrypting top-secret messages. Her role expands further when she joins Woodrow in France for the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.

The author highlights the turbulent last months of Woodrow’s administration. After his debilitating stroke, Edith shields him from the press, effectively running the presidency until his death in 1924. Her dedication to preserving his legacy comes at a great personal cost.

The prose is sometimes cluttered with period details, and the portrayal of Woodrow as a simpering fool and the family's involvement in Spiritualism, including seances and Ouija Boards, might be uncomfortable for some readers.

Despite these drawbacks, the book vividly portrays Edith’s struggle to balance her position's demands with her personal integrity and her husband's wellbeing. Wood’s meticulous research offers a deep understanding of the period and the pressures Edith faced, capturing intimate moments against significant historical events like women's suffrage and partisan politics. 3.5 stars.

** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a comp of this title. The opinions are my own.

Edith meets. dates and marries President Woodrow Wilson during his time in the White House. Her input into many decisions the President makes during WWI and Women's Suffrage make an interesting read.

I chose to stop reading this title at about 20% in the ebook. The premise of the book was very interesting and I really enjoyed learning more about Edith’s character. The pacing of the book, however, was very slow and the plot was drawn out.

Tracey Enerson Wood does it again! She has mastered the art of finding unknown, unsung women in history and bringing their stories to the light of day.

This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I would definitely read more from this author!

Reallt interesting and informative historical fiction about Woodrow and Edith WIlson. Loved it. I so enjoy making people from the past seem more human and relevant. I didn't know a thing about either character and not much about their time in history. I highly recommend this story.

The President's Wife provided an interesting glimpse into the lives of Edith Bowling Wilson and Woodrow Wilson. I was not familiar with much of their stories and learned so much about Mr. Wilson's presidency as well as their courtship and lives together.

This was the first novel I had read by this author and it should strike a chord with fans of Marie Benedict as it sheds light on a woman in history whose impact may not have been truly explored.

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A well written story that portrays a very interesting couple in our history. I was pleased to learn more about Edith and her role as First Lady. Rich in historical detail.
Many thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A unique and gripping experience. I love the lush and lyrical vibes. The settings are Devine and the characters refined.

I enjoyed this one. Very interesting and I found out things that I really didn't know. A very historical story. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

After several attempts, I finally finished this book. Although Edith Wilson is to be commended and admired for her role as wife and First Lady, I just could not connect with this book. I will not review this on Goodreads as I do not wish to say anything publicly.

This historical fiction was about Edith Boling Galt, who married President Woodrow Wilson after his first wife died, soon after the end of World War I.
The book begins with their courtship and the relationship they developed. It was interesting to read about the etiquette of the early 20th century and the multiple letters that the couple wrote. Wilson was enamored of Edith and quite eloquently expressed it in his letters. In spite of his choice, the public and the media were not quite as open to this idea of a new First Lady.
The book detailed Wilson's thoughts and dreams for the US post WWI and his efforts to form the League of Nations. Edith was privy to his plan and that legacy of his term. She completely supported him in this plan in spite of the several politicians and government appointee who worked with him Throughout their time in the White House, Edith showed herself to be a dedicated, determined woman who took the reins when the president suffered a stroke which incapacitated him. She received considerable criticism for many decisions that she made as she took on the role of the president. I thought that the book highlighted how her decisions (acting unofficially as president) contributed to World War II.
The book was well researched although very slow paced. I felt that the author introduced too many issues - railroad strikes, prohibition, enfranchisement of women, maintenance of world peace post war.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. I rate it 3.5*

“The President’s Wife” by Tracey Enerson Wood is a historical fiction novel that delves into the life of Edith Bolling Galt, who becomes the First Lady of the United States when she marries President Woodrow Wilson. The book explores their relationship, the challenges of Edith’s newfound role, and the historical events that shaped their time in the White House. The story paints a vivid portrait of Edith, a fiercely independent woman who had enjoyed her freedom and independence as a widow before her marriage to President Wilson. Their courtship is portrayed as a whirlwind romance, with Woodrow Wilson’s charm and romantic letters winning Edith over. The author highlights their shared interests and connection, making their relationship believable and endearing to readers.

The novel also delves into the political and historical context of their time, with a focus on World War I and the League of Nations. Edith’s role as the First Lady during these turbulent times is explored, showing her dedication to her husband and her country. Her involvement in raising money for the war effort and her support for the League of Nations are notable aspects of her character. One of the strengths of the book is the portrayal of Edith as a complex and determined woman who, despite facing criticism and challenges, stands by her husband and takes on a significant role in his presidency. The story raises questions about the extent of her influence and the decisions she made in her husband’s stead, especially following his stroke.

The historical accuracy of the novel is commendable, as it captures the events and political climate of the era. The author’s research shines through, providing readers with a compelling glimpse into the lives of Edith and Woodrow Wilson. Overall, “The President’s Wife” is a well-written historical fiction novel that offers an intriguing portrayal of Edith Bolling Galt Wilson and her impact on her husband’s presidency. It successfully combines elements of romance, politics, and history to create a compelling narrative that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and those interested in the lives of First Ladies.

Very good and interesting book about the wife of Woodrow Wilson, a previously unknown to me woman. Made more important due to her large role in running the country during Wilson's disability due to a stroke.

Edith is a widow who turned her deceased husband’s jewelry business around and enjoys her hard gotten independence. Edith is friends with President Woodrow Wilson’s first cousin Helen and one night she is introduced to the President. President Wilson had recently lost his wife Ellen, he has three grown up daughters, Margaret, Jessie and Eleanor. Despite this, President Wilson immediately falls in love with Edith and pursuit her feverishly.

Woodrow Wilson proposes to Edith very early on in their relationship, she thinks it’s too soon and decides they must wait till his term is over. She is quite afraid it will affect his voters loyalty. The president and Edith have quite a few things in common, both were born in Virginia and Woodrow woos her with romantic letters during their courtship. Edith and Woodrow marry on the 18th of December 1915, in a small ceremony at her house and Edith becomes the First Lady of the United States.

Despite the President wanting America to remain neutral, they become involved in The Great War and Edith wants to help raise money for the war. Edith is aware of the food shortage in Europe, she encourages Americans to start planting fruit and vegetable gardens.

The war years take their toll on America's 28th President and Edith does what she can to lessen his burden but it still ages him. Edith is the initial First Lady to travel overseas with her husband to Europe for the peace talks, the treaty of Versailles is being drawn up, the possibility of creating a League of Nations and to prevent another world war in the future.

Despite President Wilson’s health being careful monitored, his body starts to fail and Edith becomes his Stewart, with her help and guidance he manages to finish his term of office.

This history is not one that I've read a lot about. I thoroughly enjoyed all the history that I got to reflect on. However, I would have enjoyed reading more about Edith's time 'directing' the government after Woodrow's stroke and more of their life, adjusting after government - particularly how she reacclimated.