“The President’s Wife” is a historical fiction novel that tells the story of Woodrow Wilson and Edith Bolling Galt’s courtship, marriage and her place in U.S. history. Although there were some slow spots, I thought the novel was both enjoyable and educational. I read both the ebook and listened to the audiobook. The narrator was very good and she really brought the story to life. *3.5 stars*

This read shed light to an incredibly unknown story about a fascinating woman behind the Presidency of Woodrow Wilson. It was clear the author had done extension research yet brought Edith to life in her prose. I enjoyed learning more about their romance, Wilson's failing heath, and both the internal and external threats Edith had to navigate behind the scenes with Wilson's ideals at the front of her efforts. Lovers of Presidential history, WWI history, and historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy this release. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebook publishing for my complimentary ARC in exchange for my review.

I was captivated by this novel from the very first sentence. This elegantly written novel about Edith Wilson captures the atmosphere of the times, and delves into the idealistic and romantic side of her nature. It is not too political, however - the politics are simply explained.

When we meet Edith,, she is an extremely independent widow who rescued her husband’s jewellery business from bankruptcy, lives in her own townhouse and drives an electric car. She leads Woodrow Wilson a merry dance before agreeing to become his wife! Woodrow is rather dependent on her, and she doesn’t like that. Part of the problem is that he has high blood pressure, which can make him a bit unreasonable.

Edith becomes a true helpmate to the President, giving him advice, and creating her own projects to help the war effort. She unfortunately struggles to deal with some incredibly devious characters, who are also well-drawn. She and the President are lovely characters.

Any lover of historical novels will enjoy this novel, which made me want to read more about Edith and Woodrow Wilson.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9781728257846
PRICE $27.99 (USD)
PAGES 352

* Thank You to Netgalley and publisher for ARC, in exchange for an honest review*

I love historical fiction, and as many of you are aware; it is my favorite genre to read. When I came across The President’s Wife, I couldn’t help but be curious about the book; the title capturing my attention. I learned so much more by reading the book and found myself doing research once I finished the book. What Edith and President Woodrow Wilson had was true love, and I enjoyed reading how the two of them met, how they fell in love. I did feel that the two of them fell in love too fast. It would have been better if Woodrow and Edith got to know each other more. When he proposed, I wondered if she would say yes, if she loved him as much as he did. However, everything that Edith did for Woodrow when he fell ill, I had no doubt in my mind about how much she loved him.

In my opinion, Edith was one of the most developed characters in the book. Through reading the book, you can tell how much she changed by becoming the president’s wife. However, you have adapted to change once you become the first lady. I always wondered how it feels to be the First Lady. Once I read The President’s Wife, I had a much better understanding of that role. There was so much information in that book, and being a history fan, I loved reading and learning more about that part of history. However, there were a few parts that were a little hard to read, and I felt like it was dragging on, but it didn’t last for long. Edith is a strong woman; for what she had done for the president. I can’t assume it’s easy to make such important decisions that she had to make, during his absence.

I would recommend this book to any historical fiction fans.

The President's Wife, by Tracey Enerson Wood, is the story of President Wilson's second wife, Edith, who he met and married during his first term as President. Although I did not see a list of sources, it appeared that the author engaged in meticulous research. She does her best to portray Edith as independent and spirited. To some extent she succeeds, but Edith is mired in the early 2oth century, well-to-do and very conservative. Against women's suffrage and enthralled with the pomp and circumstance of royal Europe, she is somewhat problematic as a modern heroine. Nonetheless, her love for her husband and her willingness to protect him at all costs is admirable and timeless. Yet, it caused her to unwittingly usurp power and undermine the League of Nations. Although the author raises important issues regarding power and transparency, I wish she had given greater time and space to the period following Wilson's stroke than she did.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read a digital ARC. While I had some issues, I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about Edith and President Wilson.

I am a great fan of historical fiction. I find it intriguing to look into the lives of people who lived before us. Ms. Wood previously wrote a novel where she told readers about the woman who was responsible for the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge. Now, she has turned her attention to Edith Bolling Galt Wilson. The story is a fascinating and involving one that gives readers insight into the United States and President Wilson. Nowadays, Wilson has been called to task for some of his views. Here readers get to meet him, being introduced to him when he was a fifty-something year old widower and the head of the nation. All this, as WWI was looming.

As the novel opens, time has moved forward. Edith is revisiting the hotel where she spent her honeymoon. It is now the 1940s. She wonders if she could have done more, been more influential and altered history in a better way. Readers will watch as she made her decisions.

SPOILER (though many know this): Edith is well known for having been very influential in Wilson’s presidency, especially when he became ill. She took over decision making in many ways at that point.

I became very involved with the time and people in this novel. I started looking up photos, Wilson and Edith’s wedding coverage and more. Clearly, the author was able to intrigue me.

Recommended for fans of historical fiction. Anyone who read The First Ladies will most likely enjoy this one as well.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this title. All opinions are my own.

This was an interesting historical fiction book. I was intrigued about a few events I didn't have much knowledge about. For me, the middle of the book did drag on a bit, became a little slow. Overall an enjoyable read.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoy historical fiction - and consider myself a student of history - but unfortunately this book wasn't for me. I really struggled to get into The President's Wife from the beginning. And unfortunately, I decided to step away around chapter 5 or 6. I struggled to connect with Edith and quickly lost interest in her story. I had to reread the first chapter to understand what was going on. I wouldn't say that I've 100% given up on the story because I am interested in Edith and her story. I might pick this back up at a different time and see if my thoughts are different.

Edith Bolling is in no rush to find a new husband; as a wealthy widow with a thriving business she is loving life by traveling and spending time with her friends. Soon she is being courted by the romantic President Woodrow Wilson and is married while he is in office during his first term. Edith proves to be an asset to him as his health fails during WWI and the peace negotiations that follow.
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I thought this book was very interesting! Even as a history student I didn’t know much information about Edith and her role in the Wilson administration. We’ve all heard of Wilson’s work with WWI, specifically the Fourteen Points and his desire for a League of Nations; however Edith was supporting him behind the scenes and after his stroke in 1919. Edith was as close as being president as could be by prescreening all the concerns and taking meetings while Wilson was recuperating.
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Although this is fiction the book explores her thoughts and ideas of her actions after the war and with peace negotiations and if they helped contribute to WWII; the deadliest war in modern history. Edith does feel some guilt of how handled affairs considering all the moving pieces and her own ideals to what a new world would look like in her eyes and her husband’s eyes. If she acted differently would the peace be have been stronger and prevented such a horrible war?
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I loved the romance in the story - who knew that Wilson was such a romantic! I love that the book had excerpts of love letters they wrote to each other.

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for a free digital copy on exchange for an honest review. This book will be published 15 AUGUST 2023.

I'm torn on this; it was interesting to read about Woodrow Wilson, but if parts of this book are true, what a shitshow. This book really illustrates why we need age limits in the reverse: get the old people out of government.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

This book shines through incredible writing in my opinion. The love story and relationship of Edith and Woodrow not only comes through in the plot but also through the writing. Their falling in love almost reads like a huge love letter in the best ways, not cheesy, but amazingly written. The continuation of their relationship, especially during the WWI years is reflected through a significantly more serious tone shining through. I enjoyed this book especially due to that. If you like historical fiction this would be one to consider reading. Very well written.

The characters are well built and not knowing much about Edith and Woodrow as historical figures I would say they are quite relatable and likeable. Edith in particular is the voice of the book and she is intelligent, warm hearted and loves Woodrow. He is a very likeable president in this book. I am not sure if he was always well respected in history, but in this book he is a very kind and loving character.

All in all this is a great book that I would read again and can recommend to other readers.

(A review of this book will be posted on Aug 18th on my instagram account @anns.book.chronicles as well as Goodreads.)

Told from the viewpoint of Edith Bolling Galt, who became the second wife of US President Woodrow Wilson. I realized how little I knew about Wilson (and clearly his family) while reading this narrative. I found Edith to be slightly whiney as a character, constantly overthinking her every word and action (I assume that was overdramatized by the author). Still, I found this to be a worthwhile historical fiction novel since I remained invested in the characters and the timeframe throughout the book.

The President's Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood tells the story of Edith Bolling-Wilson, first lady and second wife to President Woodrow Wilson. I love to learn some history in my historical fiction, and I learned a lot about the Great War and the politics of the time period surrounding it through this novel.

Edith and Woodrow Wilson married during his presidency, which took me by surprise. I was vaguely aware that Wilson had suffered a stroke near the end of his term and that his wife helped him carry out his duties, but the novel shows how intimately she was involved with his views and his duties even before the stroke. Although she didn't always agree with him, she was careful to keep her views out of the spotlight and she made decisions based on what she felt he would have done. I have great respect for the balancing act she pulled off until he was able to assume more of duties.

Tracey Enerson Wood writes with a compelling writing style, and she clearly did her research in telling this story.

I will recommend this to readers who like historical fiction from World War 1.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The President's Wife is the story of Edith Bolling who meets and marries President Woodrow Wilson at a tea.

The President is recently widowed and falls in love with Edith fairly quickly. Edith has been keeping busy since her late husband passed away. She has managed to save husband’s jewelry business around and enjoys her independence. Edith is friends with the Helen Bones, the President's cousin. Helen introduces them to one another, and a friendship and courtship is born.

After a few short months Woodrow Wilson proposes to Edith. Surprised and cautious, she thinks it’s too soon. The President and Edith have quite a few things in common, and he woos her with romantic letters during their courtship. Eventually Edith agrees to marry him, and they must wait to marry until after the election to reelect him believing he will not be reelected. People are gossiping about the couple. Edith wants to stop the gossip and agrees to marry sooner but wants to wait until after his one year of mourning is complete. Edith does not want a state ceremony at the White House, and they marry in a small family ceremony at her house on the 18th of December 1915, where she becomes the First Lady.

Being somewhat intimidated of the former First Lady, Edith wants to be her best self by working on things that are important to her.

The President tries to hold out from entering The Great War hoping to keep America neutral. Unfortunately, he is unable to do that. The President has definite ideas but often uses Edith as a sounding board. Edith often agrees with him, but she offers insight from a different perspective, which he values.

Edith becomes aware of the food shortage in Europe, she encourages Americans to start planting fruit and vegetable gardens. She also sees sheep being used to maintain yards and lawns and incorporates this at the White House.

The war takes its toll on the President. Edith notices and tries to ease his burden. Edith is the first, 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 with the hopes of preventing another world war in the future. But there are people secretly working behind the scenes to prevent the President from being able to accomplish anything important.

The President is always monitored for his health, but apparently, he has had several small strokes prior to Edith marrying him. He finally has a major stroke that prevents him from being able to do his job fully. Edith tries to keep this quiet and creates an inner circle of just three people to continue on. He recovers slightly enough to be able to respond in few words on matters of importance that Edith brings to him which are then funneled to the right people to make it look as if he is still acting as president.

This was a fascinating story since I did not know very much about this part of US History. Obviously, all the conversations are not word for word, but there is a wonderful story here about the love Edith had for the President and the man who was her husband, and her efforts to try and keep his legacy a great one.

Tracey Enerson Wood has skillfully painted a more complete picture of the Woodrow Wilson White House through the eyes of his wife Edith. When Edith married Woodrow Wilson, she assumed the "helpmate" role to a degree that the public could never know. Her efforts to ensure the country's interests were met would not be appreciated until long after her death. During the timeframe just before, during and after WW1, conventions did not allow for a woman to make such weighted decisions. Her contributions to American History, through Ms Wood's efforts, make a very good book that I wish many more people, especially today's young politicians would read.

I have always been more interested in presidential spouses than the presidents themselves. I read nonfiction and also historical fiction based on First Ladies.
I’ve known for many years that Edith actually acted as President and made decisions in Wilson’s stead and now, finally, the rest of the world is writing about it to spread the knowledge.
I didn’t realize how involved she was prior to Wilson’s stroke as Wood depicts. However, I’m not sure Edith was quite as progressive as Wood paints her in the novel and I suspect modern ideology is more prevalent than necessary.
Ultimately, it’s a good story.

Really enjoyed reading this fascinating look at Edith and Woodrow Wilson.This is a well written interesting look at their lives their history and getting to know their unusual roles in presidential history.#netgalley #soucebookslandmark.

Wow!! I didn't really know the backgrounds of either President Wilson nor Edith, after reading this book I was definitely impressed by her spirit.

Edith is a widower who is extremely independent. She had a passion-less marriage, when her husband died, she took over their finances and got their jewelry store back from bankruptcy. Edith travels when she deems to, never answering to anyone. Love isn't something she was looking for.

When she makes friends with Woodrow Wilson's cousin, Helen, she realizes that she has made a friend for life. When Helen invites her to have tea at the White House, she accidentally meets the President. He becomes enamored with her, but his wife had just died 8 months ago; so Edith doesn't know what kind of relationship they have. When he proposes a few months later, she's surprised, but realizes that she's in love with him as well. You get to read their love letters to one another right throughout their courtship.

Woodrow values Edith's insight and trusts her with confidential information. Once they are married, she sits in on meetings with his cabinet, and the men get used to her opinions and advice.

When Germany attacks, the President has no choice but to join his allies. Only he has plans to end this war and any others that may start with creating the League of Nations. But he has a stroke when it goes to Congress and Edith and two advisors hide his medical condition while they continue to run the Oval Office. Leaving others to rally against his treaty.

Was this the right thing to do? Because 25 years later, Germany fought back much harder and killed millions more. If only things were different.

A must read!

The President’s Wife is “serious” but enjoyable historical fiction. The subject is fascinating yet little known (at least to me), and although the story moved slowly, I never lost interest.

Edith Galt Wilson was President Woodrow Wilson’s second wife. Married during Wilson’s first term as president, Edith became known as the “first female president” when she tried to protect her husband after a stroke. She assumed many of his duties as she tried to preserve his presidency and protect his health and legacy.

Most of my criticisms are of her life choices and not necessarily of the story. Their courtship was somewhat creepy, at least on the part of the President. And Edith’s actions after his stroke were misguided at best. But the novel led me to understand the motivations behind these actions, and I was intrigued enough to read through to the end. Although I didn’t always agree with Edith, I liked her and felt I understood why she acted as she did.

I would highly recommend this novel for anyone looking for thoughtful, well-written biographical fiction. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel to read and review.

What a fascinating story! I hadn't really read much about the Wilsons, and was truly fascinated by this book. It was well written, moved at a nice pace and had great character development. I'm so thankful to have read this and learned more about Edith and Woodrow Wilson!

This was a great mix of story and history, I'd love to read more by this author!

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy to review.