The First Lady Next Door: A Memoir of Iceland, Identity, and Unexpected Adventure

by Eliza Reid

A witty, behind-the-scenes memoir of life as Iceland's First Lady, national bestselling author Eliza Reid’s story reveals how resilience, humor, and boldness can turn unexpected challenges into extraordinary opportunities.
What if finding your voice matters most when you feel out of place?
In early 2016, Eliza Reid’s biggest daily goals were modest but showering without one of her four kids bursting into the bathroom, juggling clients without dropping a deadline, and growing the writers’ retreat she was building from scratch. What wasn’t on her bingo card? That her husband—a bookish, cardigan-wearing history professor — would run for president of Iceland … and seven weeks later, actually win.
Suddenly, Canadian-born Eliza was catapulted into a new life as First Lady of her adopted country, with the eyes of a nation watching her every move—as someone’s wife. Absent an instruction manual (she Googled how to curtsey before meeting the Queen of Denmark), she decided to do what she’d always figure it out on her own terms.
Part fish out-of-water story and part fairy tale, The First Lady Next Door takes readers from rural Ontario to Timbuktu, and from the White House to Buckingham Palace. Eliza shows how embracing authenticity in all its messiness can become our greatest strength, even when the world expects polished perfection. After all, our everyday moments are what create the roadmap for making the unexpected count.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography, Audiobook, Politics

Audible Audio

Published May 5, 2026

About the author

Eliza Reid is a bestselling writer, public speaker, gender equality advocate, cofounder of the acclaimed Iceland Writers Retreat and former first lady of Iceland. She was born and raised in Canada but has lived in Iceland for over twenty years. Eliza’s first book, Secrets of the Sprakkar: Iceland’s Extraordinary Women and How They Are Changing the World, was an instant bestseller in Canada and Iceland, a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Pick, and translated into numerous languages. Her first novel, an Iceland-set mystery called Death of a Diplomat (Death on the Island in North America.), will be published in spring 2025 and has been optioned for television.

From 2016 to 2024, Eliza served in the unofficial role of First Lady while her husband was President of Iceland, during which time she served as patron of numerous organizations and was named a United Nations Special Ambassador for Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals. A memoir of her time in the role is set for publication in 2026.

Eliza has degrees from the University of Toronto (Trinity College) and Oxford University (St. Antony’s College). She lives in the outskirts of Reykjavík with her husband and four children.

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew of Eliza Reid and was fascinated to learn more about her life as a wife to Iceland's top politician. This was a great audiobook memoir about her life as a politician's wife, balancing motherhood with her duties as a public servant while also still wanting to pursue her own paid work opportunities, including writing fiction and nonfiction. Great on audio read by the author and highly recommended for anyone who enjoys reading memoirs by women in public service or politics! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!!

[herbookcorner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first chapters truly help the reader enter the story. The author allows us to follow the journey of her life in a very engaging way. Unlike some autobiographies where childhood is described in extremely detailed ways that can slow down the reading, here the author goes straight to what matters. She gives us enough context to understand where she comes from and how she developed over time, without losing the reader’s attention.

Eliza Reid seems to be incredibly socially skilled to meet and build so many friendships throughout her travels. It takes a lot of courage and openness to trust people you don’t know, especially when you are in places that are completely unfamiliar. Her ability to connect with others really stood out to me.

I also appreciated her honesty and authenticity. She openly admits that she didn’t really know what the role of First Lady involved when she first stepped into it. She didn’t fully understand the expectations, the influence she had, or even the customs surrounding certain events. It was refreshing to read, because it reminds us that no one can be perfect from the very first day in a new role or responsibility.

One thing that truly surprised me was learning that the wives of presidents or prime ministers are not paid for the work they do. Hosting dinners, attending events, giving speeches, representing the country... This all requires an enormous amount of time and commitment. I find it quite shocking that such an active and demanding role is unpaid. The First Lady is expected to be present at almost every event to show a united front with the president. But if she has to leave her job or significantly reduce her work hours, how is she supposed to maintain her own financial independence? Even if the president’s salary is meant to support the family, what happens if the couple separates during those years? It feels like an unfair and outdated expectation.

Overall, I appreciated the author’s honesty, vulnerability, and the way she invites readers into both the personal and public aspects of her life. The book not only tells the story of her journey, but also raises interesting reflections about social roles, expectations, and the realities behind positions that often seem glamorous from the outside. It was an insightful and engaging read that left me thinking about the invisible responsibilities carried by people in such public roles.

[KDub · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this memoir. The title is very apt; Eliza really is relatable and down-to-earth in a girl-next-door kind of way. Now, her childhood does sound a little…odd (or did you also enjoy ironing your handkerchief collection as a kid?) But it’s presented humorously and doesn’t take up too much of the book.

Eliza starts with her childhood, then moves to meeting her husband in college, moving from Canada to Iceland, and finally to his running for/winning office and her role as First Lady of Iceland. I enjoyed her fairly straightforward storytelling. I also loved that she was enacting progressive changes in Iceland while recognizing her privilege in doing so.

I did have to look up Icelandic politics at various points, since they have a prime minister AND a president, and I just wanted clarity on how that worked. Spoiler alert: it works much better than the US government does. Granted, they have about 1/100th the population we do (doesn’t that sound grand?)

While reading this story, I did a wiki search on Eliza Reid and found out that she is the sister of one of my favorite authors, Iain Reid (of I’m Thinking of Ending Things fame). This is not mentioned in the book (just mentions of brothers), not even when she talks about having written a fiction novel as well. I thought this was interesting. Maybe they aren’t close, or maybe she just didn’t want to name-drop. Either way, what a badass family.

Recommended for fans of memoirs. Don’t let the “political” side of things scare you; that’s not what this is.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Sourcebooks Audio for the ALC, and to Sourcebooks Nonfiction for the #gifted physical copy.

[Anne Patkau · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eliza starts on her 40th birthday, when her husband Gunði replaces her expected Paris trip with a public surprise: he will run for Iceland president. A photo of his 5 children is followed by text with her 3 children then his step child. Despite my break, weirdness worsened.

Elliza re-starts with her birth. She meanders to Oxford Masters program where she meets & marries Gunði. Often, she omits dates; a daily record leads up to the election, his birthday "surprise" was no surprise.

Eliza thanks Gunði in the acknowledgments, unusually not the dedication. For Eliza's first babies, her mom flies from Canada. All I recall of the in-laws is Gunði has a brother.

I don't know if the vibes that confuse me are Eliza's self style, or Iceland influences. Or that this edition was pre-pub prize from Simon & Schuster. Too high hopes? I know not whether to read more by Eliza.

[Steve Boyko · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE FIRST LADY NEXT DOOR tells the remarkable story of a Canadian woman, married to an Icelandic man (Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson) who became Iceland’s sixth President. Eliza Reid became the first lady of Iceland, for eight years, and the majority of the book is about that experience.

I learned a lot about Iceland and its politics. Their president is roughly equivalent to Canada’s governor-general, and is the replacement for the King. It is a mostly ceremonial position, where the president formally appoints governments and ministers.

She wrote about the pressures of raising a family while your spouse is the president, the blend of public and private life, and how she approached being the first lady. There is no formal “First Lady” / “First Man” position in Iceland, so the author found that she had to define the role herself and make her own agenda. She had to fight to get recognition in the media, as she was often left off of photo captions or referred to as “his spouse”.

I really enjoyed THE FIRST LADY NEXT DOOR. Ms. Reid writes very well. She was a writer well before becoming the first lady, writing for numerous publications and cofounding the Iceland Writers Retreat. The book was an easy read, full of interesting stories, and I found it very inspirational. She was thrust into a vaguely defined role, and she found ways to make it her own and thrive in it.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for the advanced reader copy of this book.

[Liz Mannegren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always intrigued by the adventures of fellow Canadians. I first discovered Eliza through her previous work, Secrets of the Sprakkar, and was fascinated to learn that this (now former) First Lady of Iceland was born in Ontario. I tucked away this Canadian trivia as a fun fact but when I saw she had a memoir hitting the shelves this year, it flew to the top of my non-fiction TBR pile. A Canadian First Lady of Iceland? Champion of women's rights? This was all I knew about her, and all I needed to know. I was immediately intrigued by her story.

Eliza writes with humility, humour, and honesty. This combination makes for a heartfelt read that explores the highs and lows of life in and out of the spotlight. She writes about finding self and purpose, about motherhood, and uncovering and chiselling out her role as a wife to a President.

This was a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the role of a First Lady (particularly for a small country like Iceland) and how Eliza defined and shaped it during her term. In her memoir, she doesn't shy away from the struggles she encountered or the various uncertainties she wrestled with. I loved seeing how intentional she was about grabbing opportunities and setting her own terms for her time as First Lady.

While some elements of the book's second half felt a little dry, I appreciated Eliza's wit and humour throughout. She writes in a very personal way that draws readers in and allows us to connect with her. I very much look forward to seeing what Eliza tackles next!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A memoir from the former First Lady of Iceland who is an immigrant (originally from Canada), independent, passionate, and just six months younger than me. I enjoyed the candor of her frustrations and finding her voice in a world where First Spouse has ridiculous expectations with no authority, little acknowledgement (unless it’s something bad), and no pay.

“There was a young doctor and activist from Afghanistan (name provided) whose citizenship had been fast-tracked after she had to flee from the Taliban's new takeover in August 2021. Unlike many Icelanders of Afghan origin who had recently arrived, she had no previous connection to the country. When I asked her why she escaped to Iceland of all places, she answered simply, ‘I googled “safest country in the world for women” and this is what came up.’”

What an amazing legacy for Iceland and for Eliza Reid who continued the conversation on gender equality during her tenure as Iceland's First Lady and since. I love her tenacity and spirit.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Audioworks for access to the audiobook.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting read by a Canadian -watching a fellow Canadian become Firs Lady in Iceland. I love Iceland, for its landscape, its people, its architecture, wonderful agriculture, ie best hot house tomatoes I have ever eaten and of course their unusual fantastic Icelandic horses. I spent an hour and a half riding about on one of those. Iceland is a global leader in gender equality.
Eliza a little concerned about how to behave as a First Lady and still remain true to herself. She says "It was a balancing act: Fitting into an external image of a first lady while being true to my own identity" (163)
Favourite lines: "I had developed the fortitude to be more laid-back when problems or surprises led to unanticipated developments" (52) - working on that now; "a happy relationship was but one component of a well-rounded life" (59) "we do not know what the future will bring. But therein lies the beauty in life's uncertainty" (104); "If you feel good, you look good" (159) "Change doesn't come without challenge. I choose to challenge" (261); "At the same time that we demand improvements, changes, the return of liberties, ceasefires, peace, let us also remember basic human kindnesses and dignities to each other" (275)

[Riley Reed]

Read ahead of my conversation with Eliza at Godmothers. A book I may not have picked up otherwise, and very glad I did.

[MKAC · Rating 4 out of 5]

One can only wish to be like Eliza, in the way she scoops up opportunities and turns them into outcomes with impact.

A lot of Eliza’s early story resonates with me. A Canadian girl who also tried to set her own books up as a lending library, though mine had no clients. 🤣 That connection helped the first half of the book fly by with interest.

The second half was a little more reflective. Do you snap up all opportunities? I know I don’t, not in this manner.

Eliza’s opportunity as First Lady of Iceland gave her a bigger platform, but she really made it her own. She has become known for her fight for gender equality (read Secrets of the Sprakkar, if you haven’t), has written three books (one more known, on the way) and you can only imagine what might come next.

I’m rooting for my fellow Canadian, I know she’s not at the end of her story and I hope that her words inspire more people to scoop and run with the opportunities in front of them.

[Heidi Tiedemann Darroch · Rating 4 out of 5]

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Eliza Reid grew up in a Canadian family that emphasized manners, education, and togetherness. She learned to use stories as a way to cope with the world and celebrate her own resilience: "by making us the heroes--or sometimes the antiheroes--of our own adventures, my mother taught my brothers and me that we had a place in the world, that our actions mattered, that we belonged." This spirit encapsulates Reid's memoir of life as the "first lady" (which isn't an official position) of Iceland after her academic husband decides to pursue the presidency while they were raising their young children.

Reid, who has also written a murder mystery and has another one forthcoming, has a lively voice in this memoir, and while she touches on difficulties and challenges, this is largely a sunny account by a resourceful optimist. She encounters her first sense of cultural ostracism when she's ten and her family moves to a rural area, where she doesn't fit in either in her new community or with the middle schoolers in the Ottawa suburb that she's bussed to, so reading becomes a retreat and solace, as well as a pleasure. A high school gifted program, flair for typing, and passion for politics also offer comforts as she grows older, and as a university student in Toronto, she thrives on intellectual challenges and becomes a school leader and, upon graduation, an Oxford student. It's here that she meets a young Icelandic man, several years older than she is, but but who shares her passion for politics. By the time she's 24 and he's 32, they're living together in England, and the author notes she has to cast off her more provincial sexual mores to adapt to Icelandic social norms. When he completes his doctorate, she returns to Iceland with him, to be near his young daughter from a previous relationship. She proposes just before she embarks on a long and adventurous solo trip.

For me, Reid's memoir is most vivid in its early chapters, while the lengthy section focused on how she shaped the role of President's wife into one as a meaningful social and cultural emissary tends to bog down in details. This is likely the more significant section for many readers, who will find it interesting to learn how Reid navigated linguistic, cultural, and social differences while juggling the roles of mother, partner, and public person.

An engaging glimpse into an unusual experience.

[Shree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for making this book (audio format) available for me. I loved "Becoming" by Michelle Obama and when I saw this memoir by another first lady, I knew I was definitely checking this out.
The narration (by the author herself) was really good (I listened at 1.5x speed).
Eliza Reid clearly did an amazing job at embracing a role she didn't really prepare for and making it her own. It's always a pleasure to meet a woman who doesn't let herself be intimidated by the constantly changing and societal standards/expectations. I wanted to whistle when she said, "If you feel good, you look good." The most important take-away for any woman (or just anyone) looking for inspiration would be to not wait around to be understood, respected, or taken seriously. Often, all these are available for those who have the courage to ask for it.

What would have made this a 5-star read for me?

I felt the second half had less of the heart and vulnerability we got to see in the initial chapter. These chapters were interesting enough, but I found my attention wandering as it felt a little less personal and began to seem more like a list of the events she attended as first lady.

I suppose this book was probably written with the intention of telling us exactly what it does and nothing more—about Eliza Reid, the former first lady of Iceland, rather than Eliza Reid, the person. However, I would have loved to see more of the personal and vulnerable side of this strong, intelligent, and competent woman, especially because she clearly wanted to be more than just the President's wife. She shared her opinions on social media to become and remain an influential person with strong views on gender equality. How did she make sure that these values were part of her household as well? Did she insist on a healthy work-life balance or did she have to compromise on all that to be successful? It is not easy being a mother of four young children even without trying to build a career and donning the role of first lady. Given all the big changes in her life, she must have had to adjust and then readjust her parenting style as well the way she connected with her husband. Who or what helped her through all those changes? How was life at home? What were the biggest joys and challenges of readjusting to a new life after her husband's tenure as the President of Iceland? If she could do it all again, what would she do differently?

[Apothecary of Stories · Rating 2 out of 5]

[I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author. This review reflects my honest and unbiased opinion]

THE WHAT
The First Lady Next Door is a memoir by Eliza Reid, chronicling her experience of becoming First Lady of Iceland after her husband decided to run for presidency. The book explores her journey navigating this unexpected role, sharing insights into her life, adventures, and challenges while carving out her own voice in the public eye.

THE VIBE
Memoir, family dynamics, First Lady, motherhood, managing change, finding your voice, leaving a legacy.

THE HOW
The memoir is written from Eliza’s perspective, often citing her own speeches, public appearances, and the many events she participated in. The structure blends personal anecdotes with detailed accounts of her official duties.

THE HIT
The first half of the book drew me in. I enjoyed learning about her personal adventures, her travels around the world, and candid moments like her story about skinny-dipping which felt surprisingly vulnerable and human for someone in her position. These glimpses into her life made the memoir engaging and relatable.

THE MISS
The second half didn’t land as strongly for me. The emphasis on speeches, events, and formal obligations slowed the pace and made it harder to stay connected. I found myself wishing for more introspection and the same vulnerability that made the beginning feel so genuine. I felt that the book’s theme of feminism and breaking the glass ceiling got a bit lost along the way. At times, the tone came across as whiny and a little entitled, which gave the narrative a bit of a “pick me” energy. I also noticed that her husband’s role and support were rarely acknowledged, which made the message of partnership and balance feel incomplete. She didn’t discuss her children much either which I didn’t love.

THE REC:
As an avid memoir reader, if I may say so myself, I was excited to jump into this one however it didn’t work for me.

If you enjoy reading memoirs, politics, and even less emotional reads, this one may be for you!

THE OVERALL: Overall, I would rate this book as follows:

⭐️Overall Rating: 2/5

[Jane Mulkewich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iceland is a country that holds endless fascination for me - the landscapes, the literary traditions, the efforts in gender equality - and I have also long been a fan of Eliza Reid, who was raised in the Ottawa valley in Ontario, met her future husband at Oxford, founded the Iceland Writers Retreat, and later became First Lady of Iceland when her husband was elected President; he was in that position from 2016 to 2024. I had the privilege of first meeting Eliza in both 2016 and 2017 when she was in Ontario promoting Iceland, and then in 2023 I attended the Iceland Writers Retreat with my sister, and reading this book emphasizes for me what a truly remarkable experience that was, to be able to attend the Retreat organized by Eliza when she was still/also in the role of First Lady. We attended a reception at the President's Residence at that time as well! I have read and enjoyed Eliza's first two books (one on women in leadership roles in Iceland, and a murder mystery set in Iceland), and this third book is recommended for anyone who is interested in a well-written memoir about a woman balancing her various roles as mother of four children, her own work and career, and carving out a role for herself as First Lady when it is a rather undefined and unpaid role, and insisting on a voice for herself even though she is only in that position supporting her husband, and how not to be overlooked or ignored in that role. A great read.

[MJ Beauchamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, Eliza Reid’s beautiful memoir is out today for all to enjoy!

The story of a Canadian girl who grew up in the Ottawa Valley, fell in love with an Icelandic guy, and became First Lady!

When Eliza Reid met her husband, they were both students in college. They later settled in his native Iceland and built a family. Academia and business expertise led to opportunities of influence, and an offer they couldn’t refuse; running for the country’s highest office.

What do you do when, all of a sudden, your life changes completely? When, out of the blue, you find yourself representing an entire country? No choice but to roll with it. Insecurities and all, you power through and give it your best.

“Uncomfortable though it was to realize that as first lady, I was steering a ship without a compass, using an appliance without reading the directions, I knew from the outset that I needed to be the one who would decide how I would be defined. I needed to be my biggest champion, and I needed to make my own rules to follow”.

Not without a few littles bumps in the road, Reid embraced her new role and received the public’s support. She put her platform to good use; speaking up for equality and justice, feminism, pride and authenticity. She inspired a nation, and continues to do so here.

“This book is for everyone who has ever found themselves in a situation they never anticipated, whether or not you are married to a head of state. It’s a book for everyone who wants to believe in fairy tales but lacks the requisite fashion sense. It will inspire you to harness the discomfort of a rule-free environment to push your own limits.”

Special thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy.

[Courtney|the.bookcourt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review. All opinions that follow are my own!

This is a completely new genre for me, I typically gravitate towards all things fiction but reading the blurb for this story had me intrigued!
Canadian born Eliza met her Icelandic husband while at school and together they built a beautiful life with 4 children and varying jobs. Then one day Eliza’s husband declares he’s running for president of Iceland. And then wins. Thrusting Eliza into a whirlwind of meetings and public events while maintaining her authentic self.
This was so fascinating to read. I’ve always admired Iceland form what I’ve heard and seen about it so this was a great read in terms of learning more about the culture and customs and how I as a Canadian might end up faring there. And Eliza’s positivity throughout all of the messiness as she calls it was so refreshing. Her realization that there didn’t have to be perfection, simply showing up and attempting is what mattered most and I really loved that.
The book did get a little dry for me around the halfway mark, I feel like there was just a lot of politics happening and not enough intrigue but overall I found this memoir to be well written (at least for my first ever one) and definitely recommend it for those wanting a truly authentic reflection on what it’s like to be a First Lady.

[Beth (covergirlbooks)]

Thank you kindly to Sourcebooks Audio for access to this title as part of the Sourcebooks Audio Influencer program.

When her husband was elected president of Iceland, Eliza entered a strange world where her identity as a writer, event planner, world traveler, and mother of four was secondary, and instead she was being honored for the position of her spouse.

While the schedule, social, and fashion demands of a First Lady all have potential ramifications, Eliza realized she had a platform with no instructions, and the unexpected opportunity to speak up for other women.

“In any case, I was First Lady, and that probably wasn’t allowed.
…Or was it? I reminded myself that owning no rulebook meant I couldn’t break any rules. And if I didn’t ask permission from people at the President’s office, or even tell them about it, no one could dissuade me from the idea.”

As she points out the contradictions of a First Lady’s role, like the expectation of accompanying her husband to an event without a formal invitation, “I am not my husband’s handbag,” and her unpaid labor in a role that would demand just as much correspondence, travel, media engagements, and public speaking as her husband’s.

Even Eliza’s narration of the audiobook is even and persuasive, like a speaker at a podium.

[Pam Masters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eliza Reid has become an instant-read author for me ever since I read her first book, Secrets of the Sprakkar. In her first book, she discusses Iceland’s work towards gender equality. In this book, she shares how she took it upon herself to be a sprakki (Icelandic for an extraordinary woman).

Reid takes readers on a brief journey through her childhood and her decision to study in England. I enjoyed that she let readers see she was always a bit outside the norm. I mean, how many 8-year-olds play bridge? She also shares the solo journeys that she took before marrying her husband.

When Reid became the First Lady of Iceland, she found herself unsure of what she could and should do, as there was no instruction manual for the position. One thing she knew was that she would not be more than her husband’s companion. She didn’t know how to go about doing that. So, Reid did what felt was right to her.

Though I’m older than Reid, I want to be like her when I grow up! And I’m not just talking about her actions as first lady, but the way she fights for what she feels is right.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most down-to-earth, relatable memoir that I’ve read in a long time. The story is so inviting in its humor and candidness that it is easy to let yourself live vicariously in what you could imagine is the alternate timeline of your own life. Eliza’s honesty throughout, especially about growing in her confidence in the role and the continual decision-making behind using her platform as a voice for women and other causes, provides so much wisdom and inspiration to carry into my own life, not to mention how many other sources of wisdom she introduces readers to through quotes and vignettes of world leaders and luminaries.

[Sydney Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is good! I had no idea why it appealed to me, other than she looked feisty, appeared to be a feminist, and wasn’t afraid to speak up for women. Plus, armchair travel. And I happen to like politics (at least I used to). Oh, and she’s a writer. Sign me up!

It did not disappoint. It’s nice to see women with can-do attitudes successfully push back on status quo. Plus, hearing how others in the world live really inspires me. Imagine a country known for being one of the best (maybe the best?) places for women to live? How wonderful.

Also, Eliza reads the audiobook and is amazing at that as well!

[Jacquie Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this audiobook, author Eliza Reid narrates her unexpected journey from Canadian expat to Iceland’s First Lady during her husband Guðni Th. Jóhannesson’s presidency from 2016–2024.

I enjoyed the blend of personal stories, Icelandic culture, and the behind-the-scenes glimpses of public life. Warm, funny, and thoughtful, it’s less about politics and more about identity, belonging, family, and embracing unexpected opportunities. Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Eliza Reid and Sourcebooks Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[kickthenarrative]

Thank you, Simon & Schuster for the ARC.

Eliza seems like an amazing, smart & ambitious woman & Iceland a great country. The election process is a fascinating one in this country. The role of the spouse of a world leader is a hard one to describe, gain respect for & discover your path in. Eliza does her very best to bring all of her skillset & motivation to it. She strives to be recognized as a separate entity to her husband, with her own issues to advocate for.

I did find myself a little bored at times but that’s probably a me problem.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when memoirs are narrated by the authors themselves and Eliza Reid’s memoir was an absolute delight!

Her life, travels, work, advocacy and of course experience as Icelands First Lady were entertaining, interesting and easy to listen to. I particularly loved that she is a fellow Canadian and I found her down-to-earth no-nonsense authenticity really inspiring!

Thanks to Sourcebook Audio for the audiobook to listen and enjoy 💕.

[Bonni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This will be a valuable record for some people, maybe especially the author's family, but also other first ladies. It's carefully written and provides interesting insights and details. I connected most with the author's younger years and the roots of her interests and accomplishments. I found myself skimming through accounts of speeches and state visits.

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook. Narration was ok but I found it to be lacking emotion. Unfortunately I found this story very boring. Maybe it was the way it was told but my thoughts kept drifting off to other things while listening simply because nothing she said kept my interest.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d say 4+ stars. Entertaining read. I’m an IWR fan as well as an Eliza fan so this kinda filled in some background. Thanks!

[Jzm Dearsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

So interesting reading about Eliza Reid's work! Her passion is super evident through her writing.

[Enid Wray]

DNF

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

[Travel Books and Movies · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Eliza Reid’s Icelandic thriller last year, so I was excited to read this memoir and learn more about her experience as Iceland’s First Lady. Reid is clearly intelligent, thoughtful, and deeply aware of the unusual position she found herself in, and I appreciated the honesty and candor she brought to the book.

As someone who has worked in government-adjacent environments and occasionally served as a “spouse contact” myself, I found some of her observations about the role of spouses particularly interesting and insightful. At times, she did come across as a little entitled to me, but I also understood many of the pressures and expectations she described.

I especially enjoyed learning more about Iceland’s government, culture, and political landscape, which added a unique layer to the memoir.

Genre: Memoir / Political Memoir
Setting: Iceland
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.