Lola Keeley is becoming one of my favorite authors. I love the way she writes her characters and builds up the relationships.

In this book, we follow Emily (a surgeon) and Constance (the US president). I am a huge fan of books that have celebrity type relationships and this did not disappoint. In addition to the characters, the secondary plotlines are fantastic. There are some trigger warnings around guns, death of family, near death, so keep this in mind before reading.

I highly recommend reading!

I was given an ARC for my honest review.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Presidential is a romance between a president (Constance) and pediatric surgeon (Emily). I enjoyed the banter between their characters despite them having opposing views. Highly recommend if you enjoy powerful stories that include politics and a little angst!

Enjoyable, quick read. I enjoy shows like The West Wing and Madam Secretary, so this went along nicely as far as political intrigue is concerned. The romance didn't grab me; there wasn't enough time to build sexual tension before the two characters became a couple. I would read other books by this author, however, because the writing was solid and the characters were well-thought-out. I would love to see a sequel as well, possibly with more time given to the secondary characters.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

An interesting take on what dating a president would be like. I enjoyed the high-paced life both MC's have in their respective jobs as it is quite different but also sort of the same. It makes it work for me to see this pairing.

Connie is the president and falls for her son's doctor Emily who is also younger than her although this isn't really an issue. Or well I did not see it addressed overly and I liked that it wasn't the main focus of their relationship.

It's about exposure and politics and honesty while trying to navigate a new relationship. An enjoyable read.

I received an ARC in return of an honest review.

Emily Lawrence has just taken a new job in pediatric surgery in Washington D.C., and she doesn’t even get through her first week before treating the president’s son. Constance “Connie” Calvin, in addition to being a single mom is the most powerful woman in America, and her cool and calm demeanor clashes instantly with Emily’s passionate personality. It seems like a good mix, though, and the women form a friendship. As their attraction grows, they’ll have to decide if it’s worth it to pursue a relationship with both of their busy schedules and Connie’s upcoming re-election campaign.

I’m a sucker for an older/younger romance, so there was little doubt I’d enjoy this one. No surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed it and tore through it in just a few days. There was a solid balance of interior and exterior elements to keep the tension building between the two ladies, but also solid pacing on the progress of their relationship and feelings. Throw in Connie’s job, and it raised the stakes . The plot reached a fever pitch that was wild toward the end (no spoilers) and I was here for it. It was the perfect romance for the cozy season. Just made me want to stay home, cuddle up with a blanket, and read the whole thing.

It’s out now wherever you get your books, just in time for Christmas.

A very nice romance between a top cardiac surgeon and the 1st female President of the USA. Emily moved to DC to be close to her sister and also accepted a job as head of cardiac surgery. She then became the doctor for President Connie Calvin's young son. I like how the relationship developed between the 2 main characters. Of course if a sitting president is to embark on a romance, there will be complexities. But a female president who falls for another woman and it's a whole different level. I enjoy reading about how the Secret Service and the presidential staff might need to maneuver such a scenario, There is a little bit of angst in the story, but overall this is a solid enjoyable book.

**Thank you to Ylva Publishing and Netgalley for providing me an ARC for an honest review!**

I really enjoyed reading this book and the characters were fully fleshed out with really banter. The main characters are Constance (aka Connie) and Emily. Connie is the President and Emily is the new head pediatric surgeon.
One of Emily's new patients is Zach, who happens to be Connie's son. During Zach's visits, he and Emily (with his urging) get into a discussion regarding healthcare. It was one of the issues that Connie promised voters and she had yet to act on. At a gala, Connie asks Emily about the discussion and the two immediately hit it off. It is a slow progression of how the two women deal with opposing viewpoints and deal with the feelings between them.
I would recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had read the original version and wasn't a huge fan of the characters. This version was so much better! I loved this version and couldn't put it down.

Presidential by Lola Keeley was a hit for me!

I truly enjoyed the developments of the relationship between renowned surgeon Emily Lawrence and US president Constance Calvin. I felt there was good chemistry and although there was an evolving story surrounding them, it was very much a romance. Both of the characters back story really helped the story moving forward and facilitated change and evolution in both MC, it was really nice to watch their exchanges.

My only complaint is that I wish there was a bit more banter before they got together and a longer epilogue! I would love a back story on Sutton and Rebecca!

A wonderful read, I could not put it down. I highly recommend.

*** ARC generously provided by publisher on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Emily is one of top doctors in her field she accepted a job in Washington DC to be close to her sister. Constance aka Connie is the president of United States and also a mother to 12 year old name Zach who has heart condition where he meets Emily to examine him. Emily and Connie get into a debate about healthcare and what she plans to go about it. They grow closer and feel they can be themselves despite them both being in demand. I enjoy this read both characters are very strong women with great opinions. I like that it’s was low on angst but I do wish we got to see more of Emily Connie and Zach spending more time together then what we got.

This is a nice retelling of the movie The American President. Constance Calvin (50) is President of the United States and a widow. Her 12 year old son Zach is seen by new department head cardiac surgeon Dr. Emily Lawrence (37) to check on his heart condition. Eventually the two meet when Emily gives a speech at a White House health conference. Emily is not political but a strong proponent of changing the health care system something Connie campaigned about.

This are smart, mature, women at the top of the fields and they take the time to think about what dating may look like between them. Emily lets Connie be a real person and not always Madam President. When Connie is given the chance to get meaningful legislation done in one area but it may cost her changing healthcare. Playing the game and comprises are part of politics but that doesn’t mean your new girlfriend is going to like it.

The author does a great job of explaining details of secret service protection during a date. Or why it is hard for Emily to bring a something as simple as a picnic or a bottle of wine. I love seeing Emily in her work at the hospital and with her sister but the second half shifts to focus more on Connie’s world. This is idealistic politics much like in the movie. And the politics over shadows the romance to some degree. I would have liked a little more connection to them as a couple. There is heat but some of their time together is more implied than shown.

Over all a very enjoyable read especially if you are a fan of the 1995 film or political romances. Thank you to NetGalley and Ylva Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyed the story. Tells of the romance between the U.S. President and a cardiac surgeon. How they initially meet and subsequent meetings leading to their romance. Not especially exciting or angsty but shows the conflict of their jobs and how it affects them.

Dr Emily Lawrence’s first day at a new hospital brings her a VIP patience, the kind that comes with Secret Service protection. Zach Calvin is the US President’s son and his new cardiac surgeon doctor is not shy about letting the 12 years old know that she is un-happy with how his mum is delivering on her election promises. Dr. Lawrence and President Calvin meet shortly after and they start a tentative friendship. I would have liked to see little more of Emily’s story as it’s quite centred on Connie but it was a good read. This is a second edition and previous reviews speak about the similarities with a movie butI haven’t seen it so can’t advise. I enjoyed reading this, a standard love story with a happy ending.
Free ARC via NetGalley

Presidential by Lola Keeley is a pretty enjoyable, straight forward romance - it just so happens that the women in this story are the President of the United States and a top pediatric heart surgeon. I love romances - or books in general - that feature women who are great at their jobs. It's a nice change of pace from a lot of romances, and I find it happens often in sapphic books. The author said she wanted to lean into the political alternate universe of The West Wing (generally good people on both sides arguing over some fundamental issues) vs. the current state of our country where there are not always good people on both sides of the arguments we're having. I tend to think we need to be honest about our political reality, however, the world she set up here really worked and allowed the story to exist on its own merits and not really draw much drama from the way many Americans would feel about the first bisexual female president.

We enter the book via Dr. Emily Lawrence, fresh on her first week at a new job and meeting a VIP patient, who happens to be the 12 year old son of the widowed President Connie Calvin. Emily bonds with Zachary while having some conflict with President Calvin's MIL, which is exacerbated when Emily decides to speak honestly to Zachary about how she feels about her mother's failed campaign promise on healthcare.

Emily and President Calvin meet at a summit on healthcare held at the White House, and from there we see their romance unfold. I liked that they both understood the challenges, communicated about them openly, and were on board to try and figure out how to make it work. And as far as romances go, this one didn't disappoint with a happy ending.

My biggest issues with this were that I felt it really shifted into Connie's world once they get together, and I really enjoyed the early moments of seeing Emily at work; I wish we had spent a little more time with her at the hospital. I also found their intimate scenes to be a little clinical? I understand that at 37 and 50, they're likely not being swept up into over the top passion, but I did feel it could have been a little warmer. If you're looking for a lot of spice, this definitely is not the book for you, although there are a few slightly spicy (mild spicy?) scenes.

If you're looking for a nice romance between two more mature women, this is definitely an enjoyable read. But I just wish there was a little more of Emily's world and a little less of the melodrama at the end. 3.5, rounding up because it's Christmas time and why not. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Dr. Emily Lawrence begins her job as head of cardiac surgery at a prestigious hospital in DC and her first official patient is, Zach, President Constance Calvin's 12-year-old son. Despite Zach's grandmother's criticisms, Emily quickly treats Zach. She gets him back to school, not before calling out his mother for not making more headway on her campaign promise of universal healthcare, which Dr. Lawrence feels very strongly about. When word gets back to President Calvin, introduces herself to Dr. Lawrence at a fundraiser where the two begin debating. Connie unknowingly upsets Emily and goes out of her way to make amends.
Connie can't help but be drawn to Emily because Emily challenges her, unafraid to go toe to toe with the President. Their relationship is the easy part, the fact that Connie is the leader of the free world throws wrench after wrench at their fledgling relationship.
I enjoyed every moment of this book including Emily and Connie's debates, Zach, both of their jobs, and the love the two have for one another. Keeley's thoughts, critiques, and criticisms of the American government helped to add a dramatic effect to the overall plot. I also loved the similarities to the 1995 film, The American President, which happens to be one of my all-time faves.
This book has a firm place on my favorites shelf and will be reread often!

Dr. Emily Lawrence can't seem to not criticize President Connie Calvin's progress on healthcare reform, even during an appointment with President Calvin's son. Instead of being offended, President Calvin is intrigued by the Doctor brave enough to speak her opinion.
I will preface this by saying this particular trope is one of my favorites and I love when the MC is President. I really liked the chemistry between Emily and Connie and that they shared so much time together despite both of their busy schedules. I liked the plot and the political intrigue and romance definitely kept me entertained. Connie and Emily are both strong characters and are able to hold their own against each other. I would have liked a bit more interaction with Zach though he was a great addition in the parts he was in and helped move the plot forward. This was a great book that I will absolutely be reading again in the future. Keeley is an author whose books I will read time and again.