For the lovers of Kristin Hannah and all things historical fiction, this is a unique WWII story following the wife of Winston Churchill. There are a lot of things to love about this book, and at the beginning I was completely captivated. However, for my personally, it began to drag in the middle. I absolutely loved how many different women this book looks at. If you are feminist, this is a must read.

Thank you Net Galley for my free ALC in exchange for an honest review! I rated this one 3.25 stars!

This dragged a bit for me. I really expected to LOVE it as I love historical fiction, and especially little known WWII stories, but I had a hard time staying engaged and didn't find myself wanting to pick this up as often as I'd like.

I do think it's definitely worth a shot if you love WWII fiction!

This is an historical fiction novel set in 1940, WW2. The main characters in this book are Winston and Clementine Churchill. I thought this book was highly fascinating. It brought life to them as a couple. It even touched on the Roosevelt's. 5 stars.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Bookuture Audio for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you enjoy Historical Fiction, take a look at this one! I totally enjoyed this, although at times I wanted to bite my nails, yell, throw something at someone…etc, etc…

This one revolves around Clementine Churchill and her husband Winston. It begins when they are courting, and when he finally gets around to asking for her hand in marriage, he makes it very clear that his wish is to be the Prime Minister of England… and is she sure she wants to be with him?

And let me tell you, that this was probably the BEST thing that could’ve ever happened. As everyone depended on him, and his wisdom in order to bring the country to the best position possible…. BUT, Winston depended on Clementine (Clemmy) to guide him in all of his decisions!! And together, they made the world a better place. It seems that Winston had intuition on what was going on, or going to happen, way before anyone else!

We also get some insight into Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor …and the dynamics between all of them!
And let me tell you, women were treated VERY differently back then…

We also have Jenny and Ned Miller…who were American journalists covering all that was going on with the war and Hitler…
Jenny is loosely based on a woman (Janet) that Clementine was very friendly with in real life.

Beautifully written, with terrific descriptions of the interactions of these very powerful couples… their beautiful relationships with each other (their partners), their families, their countries…and all the good that they brought with them through all the horrors of the war.
And, loved how this highlighted the roles these women played, in not only their husbands lives, but in the overall goodness of the world!🌎

#TheEnglishWife by #AnnaStuart and narrated beautifully by #JaneMcDowell.

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #BookoutureAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
*** Release date is March 26, 2025 so look 👀 for it in just about a week !! ***

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I don’t read many historical fiction books like this but this one sounded interesting so I decided to give it a shot.

I liked the story very much. It’s very entertaining .

I liked the narration as well.

This is one I do highly recommend.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to discover this story.

A beautiful representation of women's strenght and power.
The story was lively and made me feel as though I was in the room with the characters.
The story was riveting, but maybe a bit slow at times. It was fascinating and I had a really good time reading this story and learning more about the Churchills' and this time period.

I have to admit, I wasn’t able to finish, and here's why:

I wanted to like The English Wife, especially since it’s based on the fascinating historical figure, Clementine Churchill. The premise of delving into her life as the wife of Winston Churchill during World War II sounded promising, but unfortunately, I couldn't bring myself to finish the book.

While the historical context and the portrayal of Clementine’s personal struggles were intriguing, I found the pacing to be quite slow, and I struggled to connect with the characters. The writing felt somewhat detached, which made it hard to get emotionally invested in Clementine’s journey. Her inner turmoil and relationship with Winston, which should have been compelling, didn’t come across with the depth I had hoped for.

I also found the narrative style a bit dry and difficult to follow at times. There were sections where the book seemed to lose its focus, and I found myself zoning out rather than being drawn into the story. The book had great potential, but ultimately, it didn’t engage me enough to keep going.

Perhaps it’s just not the right fit for me, but I didn’t feel a strong enough pull to push through. For readers deeply interested in Clementine Churchill or the time period, this might still be worth picking up, but for me, I had to set it aside.

While this isn’t my first historical fiction, this is my first Anna Stuart book and I really enjoyed it! I’ve read a few different WWII focused stories but this is the first revolving around the Churchills, while we all know of Winston Churchill, I don’t remember learning anything about his wife, Clementine, so I loved learning about her and what the war was like from her perspective.
Anna shows us how strong and determined Clementine was in her efforts to help with the war whether it was taking care of Winston, her friends, or supporting other women and families affected by the war. While she wasn’t perfect, she loved fiercely and showed that war can be fought in more ways than with just weapons.
Since I listened to the audiobook, I would be remissed not to mention how great Jane McDowell was at narrating and differentiating between the English and the American characters in the story.

Release Date: March 25, 2025

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for proving me with this ALC in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is my first book by Anna Stuart and won't be my last! I was hooked from the beginning and often found myself Googling information as I listened to the story. This is a powerful, well-written novel featuring gutsy, resilient and formidable characters with many historical facts woven throughout. I didn't know much about the Churchills and didn't realise how big a role Clementine played in supporting both her husband and the community during WWII and in the years that followed. I also enjoyed learning more about Eleanor Roosevelt, the rise to power for Winston, his health struggles, and the behind-the-scenes planning for tactical maneuvers etc. Through other characters, readers experience the daily struggles of those trying to survive war and there is a strong message of the importance of friendship and family in times of great hardship and fear. The author's notes at the end were a welcome addition that helped me separate fact from fiction.

The English Wife is one of my favourite books so far this year, and it will stay with me for a long time. The narration by Jane McDowell is excellent, and she portrays each character well, giving each their own voice and personality.

I received a complimentary ARC from NetGalley for review. My review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own and unbiased.

The English Wife is written by Anna Stuart. I was fortunate to listen to the audiobook that is narrated by Jane McDowell. I am going to separate this review into two parts. The actual material and the audio. I have read this author before. She has the gift of being able to transport readers back into time. Her stories bring history to life. I was a little skeptical when I realized this contained Clemmie and Winston Churchill. However, I am ashamed to admit, that I did not know a lot about this couple. The author really brought them to life with her work.

Clemmie and Winnie. They have been through a lot. He needs her more than she knows, and she is able to read him like a book. Her marriage to Winston was inspiring. I really enjoyed seeing England before the war, and how Winston tried to warn everyone. I think my favorite part was how fascinated Clemmie was with the women wearing turbans when she is out touring hostels. She is so fascinated with them so much so she starts to wear them herself.
Jenny Miller is an American. She and her husband are in London broadcasting. She becomes friends with Clemmie - and I loved the unique sisterhood they shared. Jenny wants so bad to be a mother, that month after month when it does not happen - she gets discouraged. I loved how Clemmie was like a big sister to her and soothed her heartache.

Ok, now onto the audio portion. I loved Jane McDowell's voice. Her voice was soft, crisp and kind of reminded me of the narrator for Call the Midwife. I was mesmerized by her narration. I could not get enough.

well done! I am so thankful to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read/listen to a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

This was such a great read for Women’s History Month! I really enjoyed learning more about WW2 from a different perspective, the Churchills, and more specifically Winston’s wife, Clementine. It was really evident that she worked to support her husband and England, even when having to put aside some of her own dreams to support her husband and his endeavors as prime minister.
I

Fascinating look at the life of Clementine Churchill and her work during the war, both with and without her husband, Winston. I learned so much about her and the journalist, Jenny Miller (Janet Murrow), whose story is also told here. The writing draws you into the story, and while it started slowly, once it got going, I was captivated by all these two women had accomplished.

Thank you to NetGalley, Anna Stuart, and Bookouture Audio for this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

In recent years I started getting really into historical fiction. I especially love books written about strong women in the past. Clementine Churchill is a name I had never heard of before. She is the strong pillar that helped keep Winston Churchill going throughout World War II.

I loved listening to the way that Clementine supported her husband, and family, and made strong contributions on the home front, like creating hospitals for pregnant women of soldiers fighting in the war and making bomb shelters safer for the people who had to stay there.

I loved the character of Jenny (loosely based on Janet Murrow) and her American view of the war before America joined. Both the main female characters are strong, passionate, and loved helping other people. They are definitely an inspiration.

Anna Stuart has an extraordinary talent for setting a scene. I really felt like I was on the rooftops with Clementine ready to put out fire from the bomb. Also, I could feel the guilt coursing through Jenny and Clementine's veins when they were relieved the bombs landed somewhere else knowing that someone else was hurt. World War II was a tumultuous time in England and the Churchills went through the ringer.

Jane McDowell did a fantastic job at narrating this book. I felt like she was reading straight from Clementine's and Jenny's diaries.

Thank you @bookouture & @netgalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Stories set during World War II represent one of my favorite sub-genres of historical fiction. Despite my enjoyment of these narratives, I recently realized I have read little about Clementine Churchill, the wife of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Clementine was actively involved during both World Wars; she was a contemporary of notable figures like Eleanor Roosevelt and Queen Elizabeth (wife of King George). As a fascinating historical figure, she was known for her impeccable fashion sense and beautifully decorated homes. Clementine believed her role was to fully support her husband, and she did so by actively participating in the fight to save England.

During World War II, she made significant contributions through her unwavering support for the war effort and her involvement in various charitable organizations, including the Red Cross and the Women’s Voluntary Service. She tirelessly worked to boost morale among the British public by visiting troops and hospitals, uplifting spirits during challenging times. As an advocate for women, she encouraged their participation in the workforce and military roles, highlighting their vital contributions to the war effort. Additionally, she engaged in diplomatic efforts, meeting with dignitaries to promote British interests and strengthen alliances, leaving a lasting impact on both her husband’s leadership and the nation. Readers who enjoy WW2 historical fiction will not want to miss this one!

The English Wife explored WW2 from a new-to-me angle, from the perspective of Clementine Churchill, giving us a look into the humanity of allied leadership during the war. I didn’t known enough about her before reading this, and I am so impressed by her strength and contribution.

There are also chapters from the POV of Jenny Miller, a character based on Janet Murrow, American CBS radio broadcaster and another strong woman who’s husband (based on Ed Murrow) gets much more credit that she does.

I love learning about history through engaging stories like this. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narration was perfect.

Thank you to Bookouture Audio for the ALC.

The English Wife by Anna Stuart.

This is a fictional historical novel about Clementine (Clemmy) Churchill, the wife of Winston Churchill, set during the years leading up to World War II and during the war. The woman behind the most important man in England during the second world war.

The main character is Clementine, who Winston called Cat or Clemmie, and an American broadcast journalist Jenny Miller who was based in London during the war. Jenny’s character is based on Janet Murrow and her husband, Edward Murrow, who had an affair with the Churchills’ daughter in law, the infamous Pamela.

Clementine was a very strong woman who was not scared of getting her hands dirty. She visited many bomb shelters and made sure they were made habitable and sanitary. She even took her turn at doing fire watching shifts. Mrs Churchill was also instrumental in creating maternity hospitals for the wives of officers which in turn allowed them to do their jobs without having to worry about their wives and children back home. She raised many millions of pounds for the war effort through fund raising teas she held.

The author has interesting research notes at the end of the book and confirms what is fiction and what is fact. A very interesting read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

Thank you @annastuartauthor, @netgalley and @bookouture for an advance audiobook copy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
From the author of several World War II historical fiction novels like The War Orphan, The Midwife of Berlin, and The Midwife of Auschwitz, comes The English Wife.

The English Wife is a story primarily of Clementine Churchill but also of stories of Eleanor Roosevelt and an American reporter, Jen Miller, both considered friends during World War II. Their support, ideas and strength led their own projects but also their husbands and families.

I highly recommend this wonderful read!

#theenglishwife #netgalley #bookoutureaudio

What I love most about historical fiction is discovering incredible people from the past that I’ve never heard of before. Clementine Churchill was an extraordinary woman, yet she’s rarely talked about—at least in my experience.

The English Wife is a fictional novel that follows Clementine Churchill as she navigates World War II alongside her husband, Winston Churchill. She was not only a devoted wife but also a remarkable mother, friend, and woman in her own right.

This book had me absolutely hooked! Learning more about her was exactly what my heart needed. It’s a story filled with love, action, joy, and sorrow, and I also enjoyed getting a glimpse into the lives of her children. Such a fantastic book!

The narrator made the audio experience very enjoyable!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

4.5⭐️s rounded up. Well written and a really great look at the little known wife of Winston Churchill. I thought both Clementine and Jenny, who was modeled loosely off of Janet Murrow, were well developed and I felt both women’s ups and downs in the story and was invested in their characters.

I liked how the author compared both women’s lives - and other peripheral women like Eleanor Roosevelt - in viewing independence and purpose in their lives and the war. It was a great look at how some women find fulfillment in having autonomy and independence and being successful in their endeavors working, but it is equally important for other women who invest their purpose in being selfless and supporting their husbands and making them successful instead. It is worth noting that if Churchill didn’t have Clementine putting her own needs second and putting his dreams first, he may not have been successful or won the war. She had just as important a role as more visible women but she was ok with someone else taking the lead and getting the credit. It’s a hard balance that isn’t black or white - I think each woman’s purpose is different and neither should be diminished.

Really enjoyed the book. Love looking at women in history who made a huge impact but were never well known.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook. All opinions are mine.

Unlike Marie Benedict's <i>Lady Clementine</i>, <i>The English Wife</i> hones in on just Lady Clementine Churchill's World War II experiences whereas the former covers the entire Churchill marriage. This small focus allows readers to dive more deeply into Clementine's experiences, including her efforts to assist her husband (both politically and during his health crises), her time as a fire warden, the various charitable acts she oversaw (including aid to Russian civilians and and creating maternity homes for wives of soldiers). What this paints is a picture of more than just a political wife, showing Clementine for whom she really was, including her worries and fears. The novel also aimed to show Clementine's relationships with her husband, children, daughter-in-law Pamela, and with her friend Janet Murrow (broadcast journalist and wife of Ed Murrow), whom is fictionalized in this novel as Jenny Miller.

In some alternating chapter, we gain Jenny/Janet's viewpoint as she also struggles during the war. There is conflict with her husband, both when he strayed and because of their competing careers. Then there is the undercurrent of Jenny's lack of ability to become pregnant despite she and her husband desperately wanting a child. But even these chapters show the strong bond between two women whom became friends over the course of the war, especially as they work together on projects to benefit British civilians, including improving air raid shelters.

As a whole, this novel was both heartwarming and heart wrenching at times as readers see the ups and downs in Clementine and Jenny's lives. At all times, it was deeply emotional, something the narration in the audio version drove home as well. This is well worth the read. And to dive deeper into Clementine, consider also reading Marie Benedict's book and some nonfiction about the Churchills.