Round down to 4.5. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC Advance Reader Copy audiobook of The English Wife by Anna Stuart. I really enjoy historical fiction and this novel about the wife of Winston Churchill didn’t disappoint. The English Wife is a powerful, historical fiction novel about Clementine Churchill, the remarkable wife of Winston Churchill. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the novel explores Clementine’s strength, intelligence, and her support for her husband as he leads Britain through WWII. The story portrays Clementine’s personal struggles and triumphs and show us how she navigates the pressures of being married to Churchill while still finding a way to carve out her own influence in British society. The author brings Clementine to life and shows her to be a woman of strength and determination. The novel is rich in historical detail and immerses readers in the atmosphere of the great war. The novel also includes the fictional characters of Ned and Jenny Miller who are based on Ed and Janet Morrow, broadcasters from America. Ned and Jenny’s lives are intertwined with the lives of the Churchills. The narration by Jane McDowell was engaging and entertaining with clear articulation. The characters in this novel were likeable, approachable, and real. I found The English Wife inspiring, enlightening and very entertaining. Stuart’s storytelling is engaging and makes this book a must-read for those interested in the Churchill’s contribution to WWII history.

The English Wife is a historical fiction book based on the life of Clementine Churchill and how she supported her husband during WW2. The story is told through Clementine and Jenny Miller, a journalist working for CBS with her husband Ned. Jenny and Ned become friends of the Churchills, and she is also Clementine's confidante. Jenny and Clementine become involved in women's issues helping the women and families in England and eventually in Russia when they become England's allies. Winston has health issues and Clementine nurses him as well as tries to keep him home to heal and not go into battle. Jenny and Ned have personal issues and all this plays out while the war is raging.

I enjoyed this book, as I really didn't know much about Clementine Churchill. I will be looking for more books about this strong, fascinating woman. I was immediately pulled into her story and enjoyed seeing how she not only supported her husband, but the English women and families as well. Some of the things she did included visiting hospitals and working hard to coordinate relief efforts. She was able to change bomb shelters for better latrines and bathroom facilities and well as get them to be made cleaner with items to help with making them more comfortable considering how long people would be in them. She is strong and capable, and was able to get Winston to listen to her and follow some of her advice about his health and safety. They were soulmates, and I loved how their relationship was portrayed. They became friends with the Roosevelts and visited the US both during and after the war. Clementine and Eleanor were still friends after Franklin's death. Ned and Jenny are loosely based on Edward J Murrow and his wife, Janet Huntington Brewster. I liked how the American couple and English couple looked at things. They were different yet also the same in many things. It was a good contrast, and having the women narrate was a perfect way to show this. The English Wife was an excellent story, introducing me to a wonderful woman who I wish I knew more about. This was an emotional story with humor, suspense, tragedy and more. It is historical fiction, but with a lot of research, events are accurate and much is factual. A book I definitely recommend to those who enjoy historical fiction, especially about strong women. I was able to do a read/listen with the audiobook narrated by Jane McDowell. She did a wonderful job with the voices and storytelling. I recommend this book in whichever format you prefer.

The English Wife by Anna Stuart is a historical romance that ha potential but fell short. The novel takes place in Regency England, which is typically a setting ripe for rich detail and atmospheric tension. Unfortunately, the execution here falls flat, leaving much to be desired.

The plot, while intriguing on paper—a tale of love, betrayal, and mystery—feels like a series of overly familiar tropes that lack depth. The premise of a forbidden romance and a complicated family secret could have made for a compelling narrative, but the execution is painfully predictable. The twists are not as shocking as the author seems to think, and the mystery feels contrived rather than naturally unfolding.

The writing style is a sore point. While it tries to evoke the elegance of the period, it often feels stilted and overly formal, which detracts from the story. Dialogue can be clunky, and the pacing is inconsistent, with the story dragging in places where it should be building tension.

Overall, The English Wife doesn't live up to its potential. It’s a forgettable read that fails to capture the allure and complexity of the Regency period or the excitement of a good romantic mystery.

We have all heard of Winston Churchill, but not a lot has been written about his wife. This is a story based on her activities during World War 2. How she supported her husband, but also took on the responsibilities of other vital tasks, such as improving the bomb shelters in London, raising money to help build Russian hospitals and many other causes that really made a difference to the ordinary people's lives. It touches on her relationship with Eleanor Roosevelt, and alludes to her friendship with an American journalist, written here in a way to highlight how women's roles and achievements were sometimes overlooked or downgraded, simply because they were women and mostly seen as just supporting the men. This story portrays Clementine as a warm and caring person wanting to make a difference in very difficult and changing times.

The English Wife by Anna Stuart is a historical fiction novel inspired by the life of Clementine Churchill, the wife of Winston Churchill. Set in 1940 during World War II, the story explores Clementine's role as a steadfast partner to Winston while he leads Britain through one of its darkest periods.
The novel delves into Clementine's personal struggles, her resilience, and her contributions to the war effort, showcasing her as more than just the Prime Minister's wife. It highlights her visits to hospitals and air raid shelters, her interactions with ordinary citizens, and her determination to support Winston both politically and emotionally. The narrative is rich with historical detail, capturing the intensity of wartime London and the challenges faced by the Churchills.
Anna Stuart's writing is praised for its emotional depth and vivid portrayal of historical events. The book is a tribute to the power of love, courage, and partnership in the face of adversity. If you're interested in stories that blend history with personal drama, this novel might be a compelling read.
Have you read other historical fiction novels set during World War II?

The English Wife shines a light on a strong, courageous and inspirational woman for whom it seems little is remembered or known of.

This book was truly educational. I learned how Clementine Churchill, wife of Prime Minister Winston, was a role model for and an advocate for women - for all that they are, all that they contribute and can achieve, for present and future generations.

Clementine was Winston’s biggest supporter, his confidant and his source of strength. She was his partner in every sense. With their shared purpose, they truly stood together.

This book is not a quick read - instead it offers a detailed insight into the Churchill’s in the months leading up to and during the Second World War, both personally and politically. The audio narration by Jane McDowell kept me engaged with the story, with tone, emotions and accents being conveyed very well.

“The world needed Winston to win the war; but Winston needed Clementine.”

Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, for an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Slow-burnt and gripping historical fiction. It’s written by a very rare angle of ww2 story. I enjoyed much of The English Wife. It’s full of enjoyment 11 hour audiobook. The storyplot and the characters were just amazing and impressive.

This story premise started out interesting, but I lost interest. It kind of was what I call a snapshot of someone’s life. But the story didn’t feel like it went anywhere or had much of a plot.

This fabulous women’s historical fiction takes us diving behind the scenes into the life of Clementine Churchill, from the early days of her marriage to becoming a stalwart force behind her husband’s serving as Prime Minister during the height of World War II.
It’s brilliantly, compellingly narrated by Jane McDowell, who draws us immediately into Clementine’s mind, as well as into her intimate circle of family and friends.

Clementine gets revealed as the true stalwart and encouragement behind her husband Winston’s bravery and leadership. Winston stands up for England in 1940 as the only European country fighting off Hitler’s Germany, until finally Russia enters the fray after being attacked by the Nazis and then America comes to the rescue after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He’s plagued by insecurities and doubts, along with profound health issues, and relies on Clementine to stabilize and fortify him. As a result, she curtails her personal ambitions to be readily available by his side while also doing all she can for the war effort.

Clementine brings all her strength and quiet leadership to bear as she stands upon a rooftop as a nighttime Fire Marshall during bombings, drags elected officials into the decrepit underground raid shelters in order to get the funding to rehabilitate them, invites women and children to have tea with her to uplift the country spirits, raises untold funds for suffering Russian women and children during the war, and befriends Eleanor Roosevelt to the benefit of the allies during the war. She fights for Britain by constantly and bravely aiding the everyday citizens, constantly discovering new behind the scenes ways to help.

In addition to Clementine’s point of view, we also hear her story from an American broadcaster Jenny she befriends and takes into her small circle of confidents. Jenny’s based on the real American Janet Murrow who moved to Britain with her husband for both to cover WWII for the BBC and CBS. Jenny too struggles with her accomplishments being overshadowed by her more famous husband, and relies on Clementine for sage advice on infertility, marital infidelity, and how to realize her own potential.

Not only an amazing listen, but a powerful insight that takes Clementine out of the shadows of history and into the spotlight she so deserves!

Thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

This audiobook was beautifully narrated by Jane McDowell, and I often was able to completely lose myself in this gripping, dual POV story. Focusing on Clementine Churchill for this story, was brilliant. She is such a strong woman in history, and her story deserves to be told. Her War efforts are often overshadowed by her husband's accomplishment, and I love that the author, Anna Stuart, seamlessly writes the story of the Churchill's family life and their political careers. It was definitely a new-to-me perspective, and I really enjoyed learning about "Clemmie." This story, once it got going, was remarkable. I couldn't stop listening. Definitely a must for WWII historical fiction fans. On the surface this is a story about a Clementine Churchill, but between the lines is a story about love, dedication, perseverance, and the power of a strong minded woman.

I enjoyed reading about Clementine Churchill. We learn so much about history through the eyes of the prominent men of the time. But there is always a woman behind those important men. We’ve heard very little about Mrs. Churchill. I liked how Ms. Stuart portrayed her. She was in a position where she was forced to be supportive of her husband, but she still had her own pet projects and used her position to help however she possibly could. I liked that Eleanor Roosevelt had a part in this story also. They seem to be very similar women and I love that they’e shown as friends here.

I also liked reading about Jane. Her husband isn’t in a position of power, although he was a big name in the reporting world of the time, but that doesn’t make her any less important. Her speaking engagements and time with both Eleanor and Clementine show that even a ‘common’ woman can make a difference.

I primarily listened to this one. Jane did a great job portraying both Clementine and Jane.

I’m never disappointed in Anna’s books. I can’t wait see what she comes up with next.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copies of this book.

The English Wife is a superb historical fiction read which had me completely captivated from the very first chapter. Whilst it is a work of fiction it’s based on the true story of Clementine Churchill, who as we all know was the wife of the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. I had not read much about Clementine so I loved reading all about her in this book. I found Clementine , or Clemmie as she was affectionately known by her close friends and family, to be a wonderful character and she stood by her husband though thick and thin. She was determined to do all she could to help the people affected by war and she will do this by helping as much as she possibly could. From start to finish I was engrossed in this story of Clementine Churchill and I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to listen to it. The audio narrator Jane McDowell was excellent and she really made the story come alive with her narration.

While Winston co-ordinates battles across Europe, Clementine finds herself in the spotlight for the first time. Her husband’s name may be on the lips of every soldier and politician but she knows as she visits hospitals and campaigns for better conditions in air raid shelters, that the ordinary people speak her name just as much. She realises she has the potential to make a difference–not as Winston’s shadow in the background but as Clementine Churchill…..AND WHAT A DIFFERENCE SHE MADE!

This story is very well researched and I loved Clementine from start to finish. I have read quite a lot about the Churchill family. Clementine has always been in the back ground. Well, this novel brings her front and center. And she was an amazing woman. She is so strong. And her courage and intelligence comes out in every page of this novel. And let me tell you…Winston would have been nowhere without her!

The narrator, Jane McDowell, has such a calming, smooth voice. I really enjoyed her!

Need a story about a great woman…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Thank you Bookouture Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

While I have only recently begun dabbling in historical fiction, this is one of the first novels I have read that focuses on real historical figures rather than fictional characters. Prior to reading “The English Wife”, Clementine Churchill was not a name I had come across to any significant extent, so I went into this story from a neutral perspective. I had no idea what a fascinating, headstrong woman she would be, and I very much enjoyed the chapters written from her own point of view. I especially enjoyed the historical notes at the end of the book that featured some very interesting notes about her and her marriage. The story was heartbreaking at times, enlightening at others, and contained just the right amount of scandal to raise eyebrows. If you enjoy historical fiction, you should definitely check this one out!

3.5 stars

I received The English Wife as an ALC from NetGalley and Bookouture Audio.
My thoughts and opinions are my own on this book.

This is my first Anna Stuart book and I enjoyed the English Wife. I loved that I was able to learn more about Clementine Churchill's story. This book highlights her strength and inspiration during World War 2. There was a lot of politics in this story and it took a minute to get used to it. The narrator was easy to listen to and made the audiobook enjoyable.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Mrs. Churchill and her husband, Winston. This book has an interesting take on the WWII with it being from the Churchill's perspective. I love how the difficult times were shared along with the devoted love they had for each other. It would be difficult to be in the limelight yet that is how Mrs. Churchill had to live. It was comfortable listening to the reader’s pleasant voice and I would recommend this book to others.

⭐️REVIEW⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The English Wife is an incredible story about a tale as old as time: strong wives who uplift and guide their husbands to greatness but remain unrecognized in their own light. Clementine Churchill was an easily likable character from the start; however, the story itself took a few chapters to immerse me and reel me in fully.

As a lover of historical fiction (particularly those that center on the untold stories of strong and passionate women), I thoroughly enjoyed this read. If you are interested in women’s literature, historical fiction, or WWII history, this book could be a great fit for you. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5— While this was a great read that I will recommend to friends, there was something missing that is holding me back from rating it 5 stars.

The English Wife is a deep dive into the contributions of Clementine Churchill during WWII. I have been reading a variety of WWII historical fiction and I learned so much more about what was happening behind the scenes of the British Government during this time in history. Clementine Churchill was much more than just Churchill's wife. I really enjoyed the narration and the story that was told by Anna Stuart. I wish I could go back in time and meet Clementine as she was another women ahead of her time.

Thank you Net Galley, Anna Stuart and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to preview this title. The opinions shared are my own.
The English Wife is now available.

I loved listening to this book! There was nothing not to enjoy about the story. And the narrator did such a great job! Definitely a recommend from me to any historical fiction lover.

I voluntarily reviewed this audiobook provided by NetGalley.

In this fictional novel inspired by the life of Clementine Churchill, she navigates the challenges of being married to Winston Churchill during World War II. As bombs rain down on London, Clementine supports her husband both personally and politically, realizing her own potential to make a difference through her visits to hospitals and air raid shelters. The story explores the power of love, courage, and partnership as Clementine and Winston work together to face unimaginable challenges and fight for freedom.

The English Wife by Anna Stuart is a captivating historical fiction novel that weaves together romance, complicated relationships, and suspense. Set against the backdrop of World War II, Stuart's writing brings both the historical setting and the characters to life, immersing you in the emotional turmoil and tension of the era. The strong, well-developed characters and following Clementine as she finds her own way to serve, kept me engaged throughout. While the pacing at times may feel a bit slow, the book’s rich historical details and the relationships of these strong women make it a worthwhile read. A solid 4-star book for those who enjoy historical dramas with a touch of intrigue.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley & Bookouture Audio for this advanced reader digital copy.

Pub Date: 3/26/25