The President's Wife

by Anna Stuart

December 1941: ‘Pearl Harbor has been bombed.’ My husband, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s, voice shakes as he tells me the devastating news. We both know what this means: America is at war.

Eleanor Roosevelt takes a deep breath. This is her third term as First Lady and she knows what it takes to lead her country alongside charming and charismatic Franklin. She’s dedicated to her role as an activist having spent her life working towards a vision of a better America. But the attack on Pearl Harbor shatters everything. Entering the war that’s been raging across the world will be their greatest challenge yet.

Eleanor and Franklin have been married for over thirty years; supporting each other through all the highs and lows and now they will need to pull together more than ever. But whilst their working relationship has always been strong their marriage has had its troubles. Will a more personal threat tear them apart right when they need each other the most?

With war now at America’s shores, the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been. This is a moment that history will never forget, and all eyes are on them. Will Eleanor succeed in her role as the president’s wife and help to save her beloved country? Or will tragedy strike before the war is won…?

From bestselling author Anna Stuart, comes an incredible and heartbreaking novel of one woman’s bravery, determination and courage. Inspired by the life of Eleanor Roosevelt, this unputdownable WW2 novel is perfect for fans of Marie Benedict, Soraya M. Lane and Kate Quinn.

Genres: Historical Fiction

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 23, 2025

About the author

I wanted to be an author from the moment I could pick up a pen and was writing boarding-school novels by the age of nine. I made the early mistake of thinking I ought to get a ‘proper job’ and went into Factory Planning – a career that gave me some wonderful experiences, amazing friends and even a fantastic husband, but didn’t offer much creative scope. So when I stopped to have children I took the chance to start the ‘improper job’ of writing. During the baby years I wrote in the brief gaps provided by sleeps, playschools and obliging grandparents, publishing short stories and serials in all the women’s magazines.

But my ultimate aim was to write longer fiction and several years ago I published a series of successful historical novels under the pseudonym Joanna Courtney. I will continue to publish under that name but am delighted, as Anna Stuart, to also be able to write contemporary fiction. Bonnie and Stan is a true to life romance set in both the present day and sixties Liverpool and Four Minutes to Save a Life is a domestic drama about how small acts of kindness might just change the world!

Reviews

[linda hole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Anna Stuart 's books. But this one , it just felt like a paralell to her other book , the english wife(if i.am not wrong). So in my head it felt like i had read some.parts of it before. Was it strong main character? Yes of course, it was about Eleanor Roosevelt. And all the good things she did for her country. I felt like she sacrificed a lot. For me the.book was too political heavy. But i am still glad i read the.book.
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful historical fiction!
“Behind every good man is a great woman”. Cliched, yes, but very true in the case of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Married to FDR at a young age, Eleanor was by his side through two World Wars, illnesses that wrecked his body, the loss of their son, and even after Franklin’s infidelity that broke her heart. Eleanor forged onward in spite of every obstacle, (including much male chauvinism!), to become one of the most influential First Ladies in history.

*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a lot of books about Eleanor Roosevelt. I enjoyed Stuarts take on her life with Franklin including their engagement. Eleanor was critical to his presidency and she was a force to be reckoned with.

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, this was a heavily researched novel and it shows as it is rich with historical references. Anna Stuart has a real talent for pulling women from the footnotes of the past and putting the spotlight on their lives. We get to experience their sacrifices, challenges and victories through detailed word artistry. Anna constructs perfectly appropriate settings of the WW2 era allowing us to be transported where we feel, see and experience the highs and lows. To walk alongside those who were vital history makers, helps us understand and appreciate their choices and actions during tumultuous times. In this case we are carried on the wings of words to the life of Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt—with the main focus being on Eleanor before, during and after her position as a President’s wife. She had some impressive accomplishments.

Although we get plenty of information on Franklin, what we learn about Eleanor gives us reason to cheer her as she was a remarkable person. As her husband said, she was a ‘wonderful, driven, caring woman with her eyes on the worries of the world.’ Sadly some of her inner turmoil was attributed to her husband. Through hardships and Franklin’s infidelity, she built an emotional ‘raft’ that kept her from drowning in her hurts. It propelled her into a positive direction, rather than a destructive one. She was a woman with purpose, with her own projects and ideas and even her own set of friends. There are so many brilliant and truthful lines that come from her mouth that I could list many here but suffice it to say, she was a positive force even in her husband’s life and career. Eleanor was passionate about her beliefs and views and this attribute becomes the fire that fuels her outstanding missions. Despite her personal frustrations with her marriage, she handled the topic of rights and war with power and achieved admirable accomplishments.

My mind was fresh with images of the Pearl Harbour bombing mentioned in The President’s Wife as I had just read another novel that also included horrific scenes of the same event. In both accounts, I was moved by how much these women and men endured. To imagine how they handled it with such courage and resilience, brought tears to my eyes. When the American troops broke through enemy (Japanese) lines to free prisoners, there was much cheering. Interestingly, both novels conveyed similar observations by the main characters. One thing that was mentioned in common was chocolate. In The President’s Wife, while flying home with several ferry pilots in the belly of a bomber who are sharing bourbon, biscuits and chocolate, Eleanor remembers a young boy in the London bombings who told her about the Americans arriving with chocolate. The same item was mentioned in the other WW2 novel. It appears that chocolate was a comfort from home. Bringing moments of happiness during chaos. The handing out of these sweet treats, represented something important: it offered freedom from fear and ushered in hope and relief. Besides representing something emotionally vital, chocolate also helped give the troops and prisoners energy.

The President’s Wife addresses many issues. One is the focus on physical disabilities and how it does not reflect a person’s mental capabilities. Franklin certainly proved that. Strength of a leader does not have to be in his / her legs but can come from other resources within a person: their mind and ability to solve dilemmas quickly and efficiently. This certainly is an attribute worthy of admiration.

Eleanor was an incredible force as she offered Franklin support and advice. At times she made him think outside the box. One day she mentions a phrase from the writer Thoreau that ‘Nothing is so much to be feared as fear.’ Franklin is moved by this thought and in turn incorporates this phrase in his inaugural address. His spin on the comment is well remembered: ‘Nothing to fear but fear itself’.

This is an amazing novel packed full of exceptional descriptions and revealing dialogue that make you stop and think. It was not easy for those in difficult positions during the war. Yet President Roosevelt and his wife moved the world with their intriguing ideas and viable solutions. Their responses to the challenges they faced made them defining figures in American history. Another impressive delivery by Anna Stuart. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the review copy.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew the name of Eleanor Roosevelt as she was the wife of US President Franklin D Roosevelt (FDR) during WWII, but the historical fiction novel The President's Wife really opened the doors into just how much Eleanor was the solid foundation behind the man.

The novel is divided into three parts with many flashbacks to various aspects of the history between Eleanor and Franklin including their early years of marriage, WWII of course but further than that, the work Eleanor did after Franklin died - ultimately her work with the United Nations (UN) and the chartering of the Declaration of Human Rights.

In the end, The President's Wife lifted Eleanor onto a pedestal of her own and rightly so!

Thank you to author Anna Stuart for writing Eleanor's story and publisher Bookouture via NetGalley for the advanced ebook.

This novel is out now - release date was September 23, 2025. All opinions are my own.

[Chelsey Pryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to access an e-read ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is my second book by Anna Stuart, and once again, I've really enjoyed it.
This is my first time reading about WWII from the POV of those within The White House and certainly through the eyes of The First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
The book is split into three parts and flicks between the earlier years of her relationship with Franklin and the war years. Having read the authors notes, I'm aware of the extensive research undertaken, and although this is a work of fiction, it is based on factual information available.
Eleanor came across as a really likeable person. She was a hard-working lady who was unafraid to speak up for those who needed it, often despite it going against what is expected of a First Lady. I also enjoyed seeing how her relationship changed with Clementine Churchill, from the awkward pushed together wives of powerful men to a more comfortable friendship.
I learned a lot from reading this and enjoyed seeing a mix of both public and private matters within. Having finished the book, and found a new interest in Eleanor, I have made a note of the further reading as recommended by the author.

[Mckenna Underwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Bookoture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The President’s Wife by Anna Stuart!

This was my first Anna Stuart book and I absolutely loved being fully immersed in the world of Eleanor Rosevelt. I loved watching history unfold through the eyes of one of America’s favorite women. I learned so much about our country’s history and the creation of the United Nations. Learning about how the United Nations came about and getting a glimpse at what some of the behind-the-scenes conversations could have looked like was definitely a highlight of the book for me.

This book took me through the roller coaster of emotions Eleanor endured and was filled with hope and heartbreak.

Some of my favorite quotes:

“Eleanor had traveled as much of America as she could and met a variety of people. Some of them had such different lives to her own that it could feel a little scary, but the moment you got stuck in and talked to them—listened to them—you found out they were fold like any other, with their own sets of hopes and worries.”

“Maybe the most vital work was not, in fact, the “big” stuff, but the everyday, small kindnesses.”

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

wow what an incredible woman Eleanor Roosevelt was .... its just a shame that schools never seem to teach this....

its a compelling read and i think todays society forgets what others went through so that they can live how they want and learning all about her life as the presidents wife and what that entails would send most people running for the hills especially as back then women were only wanted in the kitchen and bedroom but Eleanor helped make those changes for the better

i did feel sorry for her at times but her story lives on and we can all learn from her

i look forward to reading clementines story next being married to churchill....

[Bookish Venturess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

This was an absolutely beautiful story. I never knew so much of this. I can't imagine how Roosevelt would have been able to do what he did without Eleanor. I love these stories that show the women behind powerful men.

[Kathryn Spurgeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

I learned so much about Eleanor Roosevelt. I admired and could see how she may have been difficult at the same time. Well written.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

learnt so much from this book! I can't believe how little I knew about America in ww2 and about what an amazing woman Eleanor Roosevelt was!

[Dee Groocock · Rating 4 out of 5]

When President Franklin D. Roosevelt phones his wife, Eleanor, it quickly becomes clear to her that America is now at war following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

In this story, we read about Eleanor’s life being married to Franklin. She didn’t have an easy marriage, but she used her position as the wife of the president to her advantage to help women’s rights.

This was an interesting and informative story. Although it is historical fiction, there will have been an awful lot of research involved to write this book.

Eleanor Roosevelt was a formidable lady, and certainly got things done.

The story is told from the point of view of The First Lady, and I learned a lot from the book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The President’s Wife by Anna Stuart is what I would call a companion book to her previous novel, The English Wife. Both can be read as standalone books as each give an insight into two incredible women who stood by their men, Roosevelt and Churchill, during the greatest tests of their lives. That being World War Two. The amount of research that must have had to be undertaken in order to write this book, which focuses on Eleanor Roosevelt, must have been very daunting but the rewards for doing so are rich and detailed. The author herself in her end notes states she could have written a second book on this fascinating and gutsy woman but choose to focus on the period of the war. The end notes in fact provide the reader with more information on characters who were on the periphery and those that couldn’t feature because they didn’t fit in with the storyline or time period. At times I did feel there was a lot of detail and it slightly became as if I was reading a history book for school. Don’t get me wrong I love history but the detail sometimes slowed down the flow of the book. Although saying that I did manage to read this in two sittings.

Chapters are told from Eleanor’s viewpoint of the war and how she helped her husband, Franklin, navigate the times when there was resistance to America joining the war. Many viewed it as unnecessary but without the great nations presence it perhaps may not have been won. There are other chapters scattered throughout which give the backstory to how the couple met, the children they had and how Franklin’s long term goal of becoming president of America affected their relationship. I loved these as there was a good flow and a nice storytelling feel to them. There were two significant personal discoveries that meant Eleanor changed her perspective as to how she viewed and interacted with her husband. But she deserves much admiration for standing by a man who was determined to see the war won.

There is great development throughout the book of Eleanor as a character and I kept comparing her to the women that have come after her in how they adapted to the role given to them as the president’s wife. I doubt many achieved as much as she did within the constraints of what she was experiencing. There are overlapping parts with Clementine, the wife of Churchill, and yes it did feel as if I had read these before from the previous book but it didn’t bother me in the slightest because I found it interesting to see things from another woman’s perspective. Eleanor was a woman very much open in her thinking and genuine in her compassion for those in need. She was a woman vastly ahead of her time and could always see the bigger and long term picture and was constantly thinking of ways to achieve her goals. Therefore this made her an ambitious person, full of spirit, courage and determination. She fought for those marginalised in society. In particular, the segregation of black people in America was something she intensely disliked and she would have loved to see things alter drastically in her time as Lady President. Her pursuit of justice and fairness was evident in all her thoughts, words, actions and deeds and I adored how she pushed the boundaries, stepping out of her comfort zone and doing what others shied away from.

There were many injustices in the world and Eleanor was hell bent on righting them. The role of women in the home was deftly explored throughout and with the onset of war women were stepping out of the realm which had bound them for so long. Yes, having and raising a family was an important part of a woman’s life but there was so much more that women could achieve. Clementine, in the previous book demonstrated this from an English perspective so it was brilliant to see Eleanor doing the same here. But what stands out for me is Eleanor’s loyalty and dedication to her family. Yes, she wanted to work towards her own personal goals but she stood by Franklin’s side through thick and thin through times which would push any woman to her limits. She could have turned tail and ran when she made a certain discovery but deep down she truly loved him and knew from the day she met him that he had lofty ambitions which would not be achieved if she did not remain by his side. It must have been very challenging for her and that distance she maintained in terms of a particular aspect of their relationship it suited her at the time but still one wonders would she not have sought comfort somewhere else?

I’ve read lots and lots of historical fiction books centred around World War Two but never one from the American perspective and so rich in detail. It’s always mentioned that America came into the war and from that juncture it was a really turning point. The tides of change began to move and books sometimes make it seem like it was all easy. But there were many challenges and to read of Eleanor’s journey to the Pacific to visit the many men stationed there was brilliant. I often forget that it wasn’t just Europe and North Africa facing the most devastating of loses. Through Eleanor’s eyes we see the suffering and how what she witnessed affected her but it also gave the men the determination to keep going and to win the war for the sake of their country and so many others. This was a prime example of Eleanor pushing herself outside of her comfort zone and venturing where others wouldn’t or couldn’t.

The pacing of the book may have been slow at times but it is definitely worth sticking with it. For an amazing all-round picture is created of a woman who left a lasting legacy as did her husband. Reading of her work after the death of Franklin and the conclusion of the war was fascinating. I had absolutely no idea that she was so heavily involved in the creation and deliberations of wording surrounding the Declaration of Human Rights. Something that we take for granted today. The President’s Wife does make you stop, think and deliberate regarding the men and women who played such vital roles during the war. There was so much going on behind the scenes, details of which may form a mere sentence or paragraph in a history book but at the time extensive negotiations and exploration of tactics and manoeuvres were explored. The writing is exceptional throughout this book as is the detail which I have already mentioned and although not my absolute favourite by this author(I think the Women of War series will always hold that title) I still would highly recommend it for opening my eyes to a female whose name and her actions deserved to be remembered and celebrated for a very long time.

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I never get tired of reading about the Roosevelts, and none more so than Eleanor. The President’s Wife focuses mostly on the World War II years but frequently uses flashbacks to bring up key details into Eleanor and Franklin’s relationship. Their lives were anything but smooth sailing.

Throughout modern history, a lot has been written about Franklin Roosevelt; not as much has been written about Eleanor. That is changing, however, and I appreciate the research author Anna Stuart put into this book. Eleanor led such an interesting and consequential life that few things had to be made up. Certain people who were in the Roosevelt’s orbit were omitted to make the narrative flow better.

Events that happened in real life are either portrayed in the novel or are mentioned during conversations. One such example is when Eleanor went to a speaking engagement, and the audience was segregated–white people on the right, Black people on the left. Eleanor was encouraged to sit on the white side of the auditorium. Instead, she took her folding chair and put in the middle.

Since Franklin became an invalid after being struck down with polio, Eleanor became his legs. This was never more important than when they were in the White House. Eleanor went to U.S. military bases all over the country and overseas as a member of the Red Cross. She looked in every pot that was cooking food, met with soldiers, talked to the higher ups, and then she reported back to Franklin.

In conclusion, The President’s Wife is just the sort of historical fiction that I love. By creating an interesting narrative about an extraordinary real-life figure like Eleanor Roosevelt, Anna Stuart has made her life pop off the page. Hopefully, this will encourage younger readers (in their 20s and 30s) to search out more books on Roosevelt and realize how consequential of a First Lady she was.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had heard, of course, of Eleanor Roosevelt, the indomitable American First Lady, who together with her husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt led the American people during the momentous years of WW2.

This fictional account is told in alternate chapters which link the Roosevelt’s early married life, along with their struggles, as they prepare for one of the greatest roles of their lives. Although born into privilege, Eleanor’s life had been far from easy, orphaned quite young and brought up by an assortment of relatives she thought she had found her anchor in her marriage to Franklin only for this to be left wanting in some areas and yet Eleanor’s steadfastness and stoical nature would see her blossom in America’s darkest hour.

I’ve really enjoyed reading about Eleanor and following on her journey as she stepped up when Franklin’s disability hampered some of his activities. She really was a force to be reckoned with and the author has done a great job of bringing this formidable woman to life. Having read the author’s previous novel, The English Wife, about Clementine Churchill, it was especially interesting to have a sense of continuity when these two influential woman come into contact with each other in war torn London in 1942.

Beautifully written, with historical accuracy and a real a sense of time and place, the history of WW2 comes to life, especially the involvement of America following the attack on Pearl Harbour. It was especially interesting to read of Eleanor Roosevelt’s loyalty not only to her public duty as the President’s Wife but also her utter commitment in helping to bring about a safer world.

[Firetruckmama · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.

“The President’s Wife” is a historical fiction book by Anna Stuart. This book can serve as a companion book to Ms. Stuart’s previous book “The English Wife,” as that covered one of the characters who makes an appearance in this book - Clementine Churchill. “The President’s Wife” covers Eleanor Roosevelt’s life focusing mainly on her time in the White House during WWII, though there are chapters recounting her early life, including her courtship/marriage with Franklin Roosevelt. While others have commented that this book is a bit politically heavy, I’ve the feeling that causes were important to Eleanor Roosevelt - whether it be the government assisting working mothers during WWII (something that again came up during COVID-19 for essential workers in the US) or ending segregation. Reading all that Eleanor Roosevelt did - from her “My Day” columns to radio programs to correspondences with Americans let alone her travels during WWII - was incredible and I grew tired for her. Overall, I thought that this was a pretty good book - I did learn a few more things about Ms. Roosevelt that I didn’t know before - and it was also a pretty fast read. My one comment is that at times the pacing dragged a bit and I felt that it was a bit too long in places, but thinking about the overall book, I’m not sure what I’d cut from it to advance the plot.

[Sue Garland · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE PRESIDENT’S WIFE by ANNA STUART is the well written and flawlwssly researched story of the life of Eleanor Rooseveldt, America’s first lady during the depression and the Second World War, whose love, humanity and political savvy impacted statesman and commoner alike. Her support of her husband, even after his infidelity, is amazing to see. Whilst they did not have a “normal” marriage,they had a strong partnership. The saying that “behind every successful man is a strong woman”, proves to be very true in hee case.
The book is so full of the history of the time, with Eleanor’s travels all over the world in support of the young men giving their lives for their country, her support of the Jews being murdered by Hitler, her compassion for mothers and wives awaiting news of their loved ones, with her own four sons in the armed forces, and her passion, with her husband, to create the United Nations to bring peace to a broken world, are quite remarkable.
I like to see her friendship with Clementine Churchill, admiration for Britain’s down to earth king and queen, and asmiration for Britain’s courage and fortitude under attack.
I cannot recommend this brilliant read strongly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enthralling historical fiction journey into the life of Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady and wife of Franklin D Roosevelt. Vigorously researched this is a work of fiction but strongly based on the available information about this fascinating woman. Told in the first person this is a story of Eleanor’s life, particularly during the years of World War II and after.

Briefly, Eleanor married Franklin despite opposition from his family and supported him through his four terms of office, most notably during WWII. Throughout her life she was a firm believer in the rights of human beings to live a life free of persecution and championed many groups. Detailing her difficult marriage, with affairs on both sides, but it’s her fervent desire to use her unique position to push the rights of women, particularly in wartime, that is laid out clear to all.

Eleanor was a powerhouse, they say behind every successful man there’s a strong woman and in this case I think it might just have been the truth. An incredible woman, born of privilege, and full of determination from helping her husband in his political aspirations and life, to pushing through the UN Declaration of Human Rights. What a story but more importantly what a woman!

[Caroline|Page~Turners · Rating 5 out of 5]

World War II raged across Europe, but when Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941, America entered the conflict. Franklin D. Roosevelt, the President, was accompanied by his First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. Amidst their personal challenges and strained marriage, Eleanor had to put aside her own struggles and lead her country through this trying time.

It broke her heart to witness the women bidding farewell to their fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons, some of whom would never return as they embarked on the perilous journey of war.

“The President’s Wife,” an extraordinary novel by Anna Stuart, captivated me from the very first page. It provided me with a profound understanding of Eleanor Roosevelt’s life and her unwavering compassion for her nation. Despite facing numerous challenges, she consistently prioritized the needs of others over her own.

I was immediately drawn into this captivating story, which was beautifully written and left me deeply emotional. Kleenex was undoubtedly essential for getting through the story. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book, from its wonderful characters to the exceptional writing of its author. I highly recommend this remarkable read.

[Caroline D’cruz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Star rating: 3.5

Anna Stuart has become one of my go to authors for my dose of historical fiction and she is out with her next book The President’s Wife. In this book, the author gives a detailed look into the life behind the doors of the White House. The book is set during the term when Franklin Roosevelt is serving his third term as the President and Eleanor his First Lady. The story is told to us from the POV of Eleanor Roosevelt alternating between her duties as the First Lady and her personal life as a wife, daughter-in-law and mother.

As always, Anna Stuart have done she research very well & presented us with a well written combination of facts and fiction. Though, I enjoyed reading this book but I just felt that the book was a bit slow and a little bit lengthy due to which I found it difficult to get into. The other aspect that fell flat for me was the concept around the letters. But I was a little this disappointed.

Overall, a well written book and I highly recommended it if your want a close look into the lives behind the doors of the White House.

Thanks to netgalley, the publishers and the author for this Arc.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d previously read Anna Stuart’s novel The English Wife, so was keen to follow this up with reading another of her novels. This was equally as good, extremely well researched, a plethora of historical facts and remarkable people who influenced and shaped the world with their actions and commitment.

Eleanor Roosevelt was truly an amazing woman, achieving so much more than any other American woman. Her life had been blighted by Franklin’s affair whilst she was still young, but this did not hamper her career and self worth as a spokesperson for women suffering hardship during the war, giving comfort to injured military personnel and her continual quest for world peace and acceptance of human rights.

I’ll say no more as I wouldn’t want to spoil it for other readers; suffice to say it’s a brilliant piece of writing which touches one’s sensitivities.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Bookculture for the opportunity to review this ARC

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction book, based on Eleanor Roosevelt life with her husband. I am somewhat familiar withthe Rosevelt’s’ story by reading previous books and also by watching the Ken Burns PBS series, but this book was truly Eleanor’s story. The writing was excellent, I liked the semi dual timeline between the early days of their marriage and their years in the White House. The historical aspects were interesting and very informative, there were aspects that happened during the war that I was not aware of, in particular Eleanor’s travels to Europe and the Pacific. I would highly recommend this book, I was impressed with the research the author did in getting the historical elements, and also reading about an interesting and somewhat challenging marriage relationship.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna Stuart is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. Her books are well written and fully researched. The President’s Wife is a historical fiction, and is especially interesting for those who want to know more about Eleanor Roosevelt, the role of First Ladies, and the ways in which influential women have shaped public life behind the scenes. It doesn’t idealize Eleanor, but gives a respectful human portrait: her struggles and her triumphs, her moral convictions, and her personal sacrifices. The novel seeks to bring out both the public achievements and the private struggles of Eleanor, while helping her famous husband President Franklin Roosevelt.

For readers who like emotional characters, well-drawn historical settings, and reflection on public versus private life, this book will likely be for you.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of this book.

[Melissa * bookedwithmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way Anna Stuart tells a story. Comparing her to Marie Benedict, Soraya M. Lane & Kate Quinn in this blurb is perfect. I read the first book in this series, The English Wife, back in March and I knew that I needed to read this one. I’m fascinated by the history of presidents and First Ladies, and Eleanor Roosevelt was such a large part of history.

This book bounces between the war time timeline when FDR was president, and everything that led up to that in their relationship: courtship, children, illnesses, up until he was elected. It was all from Eleanor’s perspective. Eleanor’s personal struggles make her more dedicated to all her causes and helping politically any way a woman is allowed to.

I can’t wait for more books from Anna and to see who she chooses to write about next.

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

[Lisa Roppel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The President's Wife was an inspiring WW2 historical fiction book that chronicles the life of Elenore Roosevelt. I was drawn to this novel as I enjoy Anna Stuart's writing and it did not disappoint. It was very interesting to learn more about the time and the behind the scenes information. I really enjoy stories about strong women before their time and this is definitely checks all the boxes. It is very similar to The English Wife which tells the story of Clementine and Winston Churchill during WW2. Both are excellent reads by Anna Stuart.

Thank you Net Galley, Anna Stuart and Bookouture for the opportunity to preview this title. The opinions shared are my own.
The President's Wife is expected to be released on Sept. 23, 2025.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The President's Wife is a very good and extremely well researched historical fiction book about a lady I knew very little about, the First Lady of America during the second world war years Eleanor Roosevelt. The authors writing is good and engaging and the story flows well. I liked that the plot moved from past to present easily and enjoyed reading about Eleanor and Franklin's life and relationship both before The White House and when living in it during Franklins presidency. It portrays Eleanor as a likeable, determined and very focused lady who championed womens rights selflessly. At times I thought the pacing was just a little too slow and my interest did waver then. If you're a fan of historical fiction, particular if its set in world war 2 then I'd recommend this.

3.5 stars

[Maddie Erskine · Rating 3 out of 5]

historical novel

A book following the life of Eleanor Roosevelt, mainly focusing on her time as president Roosevelt’s wife and her own contribution, which has been well documented in this book. It portrays a very strong woman, and yet shows her vulnerability, which, as many strong women do, is carefully masked.
My one criticism is a very glaring error! Quite early in the story, just prior to the outbreak of war, the reigning monarch of the U.K. at the time, is stated as George V, when it was in fact, George VI😡. This was either a typo, which should have been picked up at proofreading/editorial stage or else a research mistake. I sincerely hope it was the former!

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

The President’s Wife tells the story of the life of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt who was married to former American President Franklin Roosevelt . The author Anna Stuart is one of my favourite writers of this genre and I’ve loved her previous books based on true events . I absolutely loved this book and made for such an interesting and informative read . Mrs Roosevelt was such a strong character and even though life wasn’t always perfect in her marriage she was determined to be there for her husband and the American people and their allies during the Second World War and in the years after it she really showed how determined she was in fighting
for what she believed was right . Although this is historical fiction you can tell the amount of research Ms Stuart has put into the writing of this book

[Christina Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this fantastic book.

This is my first Anna Stuart novel and she really immersed us in the life of Eleanor Roosevelt. Heavily researched really brought this historical fiction novel to life. Really enjoyed reading of her life as it took us back and forth through time. Eleanor was nothing short of an amazing First Lady — her help to her husband was as important as his presidency! The emotions throughout and her willingness to push the status quo really helped to shape aspects of American culture.

[Katie Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up to 4 ⭐️ Eleanor Roosevelt is such a fascinating historical figure. Wow, what a bada**. I enjoyed learning more about her life as The First Lady, and the behind-the-scenes look at the intricacies of her marriage, all wrapped up in a fictional story. This genre of reads is not my main jam, so it drug on and on and on for me. Was tempted to DNF but I thoroughly enjoyed the history lesson - it challenged me to stand up more for what I believe in, and be grateful for the freedoms to be a woman in modern times when there have been periods that that wasn’t as celebrated.