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Campaign Widows
It's an election season gone wild in this "irresistible" (Cosmopolitan) and "whip-smart" (Us Weekly) novel about a delicious cast of characters who forge an unlikely friendship while their significant others are out on the campaign trail.
Cady Davenport is living the American dream...
At least she's supposed to be. She's in a new city, with a new job and even a new fiancé . But when her husband-to-be hits the road for the upcoming presidential election, Cady realizes she's on her own--and that her dream life might not be all she'd imagined.
Until she finds herself thrust straight into the heart of the most influential inner circle in Washington, the campaign widows. As friends, they're an unlikely group--a fabulous Georgetown doyenne, a speechwriter turned mommy blogger, an artsy website editor and a First Lady hopeful who's not convinced she wants the job. But they share one undeniable their spouses are all out on the trail during a hotly contested election season.
Cady is unsure of her place in their illustrious group, but with the pressures of the unprecedented election mounting, the widows' worlds keep turning, faster than ever, as they hold down the fort while running companies, raising babies, racking up page views and even reinventing themselves. And their friendship might be just what Cady needs to find the strength to pursue her own happiness.
Cady Davenport is living the American dream...
At least she's supposed to be. She's in a new city, with a new job and even a new fiancé . But when her husband-to-be hits the road for the upcoming presidential election, Cady realizes she's on her own--and that her dream life might not be all she'd imagined.
Until she finds herself thrust straight into the heart of the most influential inner circle in Washington, the campaign widows. As friends, they're an unlikely group--a fabulous Georgetown doyenne, a speechwriter turned mommy blogger, an artsy website editor and a First Lady hopeful who's not convinced she wants the job. But they share one undeniable their spouses are all out on the trail during a hotly contested election season.
Cady is unsure of her place in their illustrious group, but with the pressures of the unprecedented election mounting, the widows' worlds keep turning, faster than ever, as they hold down the fort while running companies, raising babies, racking up page views and even reinventing themselves. And their friendship might be just what Cady needs to find the strength to pursue her own happiness.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2018
207 people are currently reading
3438 people want to read
About the author
Aimee Agresti
13 books540 followersAimee Agresti is a novelist and entertainment journalist. A former staff writer for Us Weekly, she penned the magazine's coffee-table book Inside Hollywood. Her work has also appeared in People, Premiere, DC magazine, Capitol File, the Washington Post, Washingtonian, the Washington City Paper, Boston magazine, Women’s Health and the New York Observer. Aimee has made countless TV and radio appearances, dishing about celebrities on the likes of Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, E!, The Insider, Extra, VH1, MSNBC, Fox News Channel and HLN. The author of The Gilded Wings trilogy for young adults, she graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in journalism and lives with her husband and two sons in the Washington, DC, area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 300 reviews
June 28, 2018
I received this book for free from the publisher (Harlequin) as part of their bookstagram publicity campaign.
I give this book 3.5 stars which rounds up to 4.
This book and I got off to a rocky start. In the beginning, I had a hard time connecting with the book and the characters. I typically get sucked into chick lit, but I didn’t with this one. To me, it felt a bit like fan fiction in the beginning. It kind of felt like I was reading someone’s fantasy election season. Like the 2016 election was so bad that they just created their own.
Once I hit the halfway mark, things got a whole lot better. The story finally seemed to be picking up and I was able to connect more with the characters. The friendship between the widows also started to blossom at this point and that’s when the book actually started to work for me. However, their friendship never reached its full potential. I would loved to have seen more of them together. A lot of the times two or three of them would be hanging out but not all four of them.
Out of all the widows, I loved Cady and her storyline the most. She had the most development and was really the glue that brought everyone together.
As much as I loved Cady, my favorite character was Parker. I loved his sense of humor and his bar was such a genius idea.
Overall, this was your average chick lit novel, just with an election backdrop.
I give this book 3.5 stars which rounds up to 4.
This book and I got off to a rocky start. In the beginning, I had a hard time connecting with the book and the characters. I typically get sucked into chick lit, but I didn’t with this one. To me, it felt a bit like fan fiction in the beginning. It kind of felt like I was reading someone’s fantasy election season. Like the 2016 election was so bad that they just created their own.
Once I hit the halfway mark, things got a whole lot better. The story finally seemed to be picking up and I was able to connect more with the characters. The friendship between the widows also started to blossom at this point and that’s when the book actually started to work for me. However, their friendship never reached its full potential. I would loved to have seen more of them together. A lot of the times two or three of them would be hanging out but not all four of them.
Out of all the widows, I loved Cady and her storyline the most. She had the most development and was really the glue that brought everyone together.
As much as I loved Cady, my favorite character was Parker. I loved his sense of humor and his bar was such a genius idea.
Overall, this was your average chick lit novel, just with an election backdrop.
July 6, 2018
4.5 American Stars!
Thank you to Wunderland PR for sending me a copy of this book!
I started this book on the 4th of July because it seemed appropriate. I mean, look at that cover, isn't it GORGEOUS?
Cady has just moved for her fiance who is part of a political team for the upcoming presidency. She finds herself in a place where she knows no one but landed a pretty sweet job on a news program: Best Day DC. Through her interviews she starts to meet the ladies (and men) around town who refer to themselves as "campaign widows". No, they're not actual widows but if you know anything about American campaign trails it means that people's lives are devoted to the campaign and nothing else for a good 6-9 months. All these ladies (and Jay) form a bond through being these so called widows and are there for each other when needed. Even if it means doing the dirty work no one else wants to do.
YES! This book was giving me SOOOO many Real housewives vibes. If you know me, you know that I love me some real housewives (any city)! This was Real housewives + a splash or two of political theme. The women weren't really catty within themselves but they definitely looked out for each other and enjoyed watching the drama unfold within the different political campaigns, sometimes even their own husbands.
I loved loved LOVED the character Madison in this book. She was incredible. She portrayed the innocent wife and woman on the outside but was so smart and mischievous on the inside. Girlfriend was not going down without winning and boy did she win. You'll have to read to find out more!
This book has it all: Drama, Political themes, friendships, relationships, marriage, children, etc. So if you're into any of that (or reality TV) I think you would really enjoy this and recommend picking it up!
Thank you to Wunderland PR for sending me a copy of this book!
I started this book on the 4th of July because it seemed appropriate. I mean, look at that cover, isn't it GORGEOUS?
Cady has just moved for her fiance who is part of a political team for the upcoming presidency. She finds herself in a place where she knows no one but landed a pretty sweet job on a news program: Best Day DC. Through her interviews she starts to meet the ladies (and men) around town who refer to themselves as "campaign widows". No, they're not actual widows but if you know anything about American campaign trails it means that people's lives are devoted to the campaign and nothing else for a good 6-9 months. All these ladies (and Jay) form a bond through being these so called widows and are there for each other when needed. Even if it means doing the dirty work no one else wants to do.
YES! This book was giving me SOOOO many Real housewives vibes. If you know me, you know that I love me some real housewives (any city)! This was Real housewives + a splash or two of political theme. The women weren't really catty within themselves but they definitely looked out for each other and enjoyed watching the drama unfold within the different political campaigns, sometimes even their own husbands.
I loved loved LOVED the character Madison in this book. She was incredible. She portrayed the innocent wife and woman on the outside but was so smart and mischievous on the inside. Girlfriend was not going down without winning and boy did she win. You'll have to read to find out more!
This book has it all: Drama, Political themes, friendships, relationships, marriage, children, etc. So if you're into any of that (or reality TV) I think you would really enjoy this and recommend picking it up!
April 19, 2019
I started reading Campaign Widows on 4/15/2019 and finished it on 4/19/2019. I have a bit of a tough time getting into this book. Politics aren’t my cup of tea, though I do like learning about people being affected by the election season. I like learning that the spouse who stays home are called campaign widows while their loved ones is away traveling with the presidential candidates. It’s interesting how many people is involved in the presidential race and how it affects their family. The characters in this book varies from people in a relationship to people with kids and they have to be apart during the campaign season, unless it’s the presidential candidate then the parents are separated from their kids.
This book is told in the third person point of view following Cady, a TV Producer as she makes her way up 26 stories to the Capitol Dome to meet Jackson, her boyfriend and Capitol Hill Staffer. The second point of view is Reagan, Korean, wife to Ted, mom to twin girls, and a sociable person capable of discussing an array of topics. She would read 14 newspapers just to know things. But she quits her big job to write a parenting column for The Queue. The third view is Jay, Editor at The Queue, a fast growing online magazine. He’s Reagan’s best friend and often worry about getting fired because the job is too fast and competitive for him. He’s nervous about proposing to his boyfriend Sky. The fourth view is Birdie, Queen Bee of Georgetown, who threw the best parties and Washington’s most successful political fundraisers. The fifth view is Madison. Her husband, Hank, a billionaire oil man and sports team owner who is running for president. After introducing each character in each chapter at the beginning of the book, all characters’ views are shared in each remaining chapters. This story is focused during election season.
Campaign Widows is an interesting title. I like Parker in this story. He’s funny when he’s nervous and talks too much. I like his romantic life too but just sad for him to have to chase after her so much. Reading this book requires so much focus because there are so many characters’ personal lives to keep up with, and not just the ones with a point of view. There are stories of those candidates running for president too. Also the multiple views within a chapter is a bit of a con for me because it just drags the story longer.
Pro: diversity, election season, friendship
Con: too many characters’ personal lives to keep up with
I rate it 3 stars!
***Disclaimer: I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
This book is told in the third person point of view following Cady, a TV Producer as she makes her way up 26 stories to the Capitol Dome to meet Jackson, her boyfriend and Capitol Hill Staffer. The second point of view is Reagan, Korean, wife to Ted, mom to twin girls, and a sociable person capable of discussing an array of topics. She would read 14 newspapers just to know things. But she quits her big job to write a parenting column for The Queue. The third view is Jay, Editor at The Queue, a fast growing online magazine. He’s Reagan’s best friend and often worry about getting fired because the job is too fast and competitive for him. He’s nervous about proposing to his boyfriend Sky. The fourth view is Birdie, Queen Bee of Georgetown, who threw the best parties and Washington’s most successful political fundraisers. The fifth view is Madison. Her husband, Hank, a billionaire oil man and sports team owner who is running for president. After introducing each character in each chapter at the beginning of the book, all characters’ views are shared in each remaining chapters. This story is focused during election season.
Campaign Widows is an interesting title. I like Parker in this story. He’s funny when he’s nervous and talks too much. I like his romantic life too but just sad for him to have to chase after her so much. Reading this book requires so much focus because there are so many characters’ personal lives to keep up with, and not just the ones with a point of view. There are stories of those candidates running for president too. Also the multiple views within a chapter is a bit of a con for me because it just drags the story longer.
Pro: diversity, election season, friendship
Con: too many characters’ personal lives to keep up with
I rate it 3 stars!
***Disclaimer: I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
June 17, 2018
I’m not one to get too wrapped up with politics and I rarely read books based on the subject, but I knew just from reading the blurb of this one that it would be a fun read and I was right! While politicians and a crazy presidential race is the basis for the plot, this is also a super light and juicy look at the women behind the men in office.
This follows a group of women who are all campaign widows who bond over their relationship and parenting woes. While I enjoyed them all Reagan was my favorite, she’s a former speech writer turned advice columnist/blogger raising twins and I loved her brand of humor. There’s a little something for everyone here, between this eclectic cast of characters you would be hard pressed to not find one to love.
This was a fast and entertaining read with dishy gossip and diverse enough for readers from any political party. Fans of women’s fiction set in a different world from the norm will enjoy this one!
Campaign Widows in three words: Juicy, Light and Breezy.
This follows a group of women who are all campaign widows who bond over their relationship and parenting woes. While I enjoyed them all Reagan was my favorite, she’s a former speech writer turned advice columnist/blogger raising twins and I loved her brand of humor. There’s a little something for everyone here, between this eclectic cast of characters you would be hard pressed to not find one to love.
This was a fast and entertaining read with dishy gossip and diverse enough for readers from any political party. Fans of women’s fiction set in a different world from the norm will enjoy this one!
Campaign Widows in three words: Juicy, Light and Breezy.
May 22, 2018
4.5 Red White & Blue Stars!
I was really impressed with this novel from Aimee Agresti - to write a political themed novel in today's tumultuous climate and write a book focused around election season that appeals to all readers regardless of affiliation and manages to make the key players all likable is quite a feat. Told from various perspectives of women all connected to the presidential election in various ways was fresh and interesting and kept me hooked the entire time. Highly recommend!
Thank you to Harlequin Books/Graydon House for a free advance copy. All opinions are my own.
I was really impressed with this novel from Aimee Agresti - to write a political themed novel in today's tumultuous climate and write a book focused around election season that appeals to all readers regardless of affiliation and manages to make the key players all likable is quite a feat. Told from various perspectives of women all connected to the presidential election in various ways was fresh and interesting and kept me hooked the entire time. Highly recommend!
Thank you to Harlequin Books/Graydon House for a free advance copy. All opinions are my own.
July 13, 2018
3.5 stars
This is the perfect book for a hot summer day while lounging by the pool drinking cool drinks. The political angle keeps it entertaining along with the interesting characters. This is about a group of friends who are bound by their loneliness while their husbands/partners are out working on the presidential campaign. They are campaign widows.
This is an exciting campaign. One candidate's wife is actively working behind the scenes to ensure he loses the election. She does a fire baton routine at a rally and a TV cooking spot by opening refrigerated cookie dough and popping it in the oven. One relocates to DC and a new TV show where her partner flubs his marriage proposal by dropping the ring off a tall building. One has a partner who joins the grassroots campaign of a female rapper. The antics are quite fun.
If you want to read a funny, light-hearted book that has a little bite, this could be the book for you.
Thanks to Carol from Bookreporter.com for a copy of this book and the publisher, too. Bookreporter.com is a great site for book information and contests. Check them out.
This is the perfect book for a hot summer day while lounging by the pool drinking cool drinks. The political angle keeps it entertaining along with the interesting characters. This is about a group of friends who are bound by their loneliness while their husbands/partners are out working on the presidential campaign. They are campaign widows.
This is an exciting campaign. One candidate's wife is actively working behind the scenes to ensure he loses the election. She does a fire baton routine at a rally and a TV cooking spot by opening refrigerated cookie dough and popping it in the oven. One relocates to DC and a new TV show where her partner flubs his marriage proposal by dropping the ring off a tall building. One has a partner who joins the grassroots campaign of a female rapper. The antics are quite fun.
If you want to read a funny, light-hearted book that has a little bite, this could be the book for you.
Thanks to Carol from Bookreporter.com for a copy of this book and the publisher, too. Bookreporter.com is a great site for book information and contests. Check them out.
July 14, 2018
Campaign Widows almost needs two different summaries, since it's basically two different stories shoved together...
The first 100+ pages of the book give a glimpse of a wild election season in Washington, DC---all told in fast-paced Newsroom-style vignettes from the viewpoints of different groups of people.
---Rocky Haze is a wildly popular hiphop singer who's surprised everyone by becoming a frontrunner in the presidential election.
---Hank Goodfellow is a billionaire philanthropist who's decided the presidency is his next ungettable get (and his wife, Madison, isn't too happy about it).
---Birdie Brandywine is a party planner for the DC political elite, but, as fabulous as she is, she really just wants to get over her hotshot husband's affair.
---Reagan is a speech writer turned mommy blogger trying to balance work and parenthood while her husband runs the current Vice President's presidential campaign.
---Jay is an editor at a popular, local entertainment magazine, and is thrust into the middle of election drama when his boyfriend starts covering Rocky Haze's campaign from the campaign trail.
---Finally, Cady Davenport is a young, up-and-coming news reporter who just moved to DC for her boyfriend and is aching to report on something more important than the inconsequential fluff her boss forces her to cover.
Confused yet? Me, too. And those are just the main players, yikes. Honestly, I was 120 pages into Campaign Widows before I even fully knew who every character was---especially since, btw, each of these characters has a boyfriend, wife, lover, child, or sidekick (etc.) to keep track of, too. It's insanity.
The good news is that after those first 150 pages, the book changes and focuses almost exclusively on Cady. Her relationship issues with her new fiance, Jackson, as well as an unexpected love interest, Parker, take center stage. The other characters essentially exist to support her drama, but their romantic relationships are explored, as well. The book takes on a lighter tone at this point and becomes a lot more fun. Even though the switch is a little abrupt, because it makes the story exponentially easier to follow, I didn't mind.
Ultimately, I enjoyed Campaign Widows and would recommend it to readers looking for a light read with just a touch of substance. Just prepare yourself for a slow start and a little character confusion, but know that the last two thirds of the book will make up for it.
Big thanks to Amazon Vine and Graydon House for the ARC!
See more of my reviews at www.bugbugbooks.com!
The first 100+ pages of the book give a glimpse of a wild election season in Washington, DC---all told in fast-paced Newsroom-style vignettes from the viewpoints of different groups of people.
---Rocky Haze is a wildly popular hiphop singer who's surprised everyone by becoming a frontrunner in the presidential election.
---Hank Goodfellow is a billionaire philanthropist who's decided the presidency is his next ungettable get (and his wife, Madison, isn't too happy about it).
---Birdie Brandywine is a party planner for the DC political elite, but, as fabulous as she is, she really just wants to get over her hotshot husband's affair.
---Reagan is a speech writer turned mommy blogger trying to balance work and parenthood while her husband runs the current Vice President's presidential campaign.
---Jay is an editor at a popular, local entertainment magazine, and is thrust into the middle of election drama when his boyfriend starts covering Rocky Haze's campaign from the campaign trail.
---Finally, Cady Davenport is a young, up-and-coming news reporter who just moved to DC for her boyfriend and is aching to report on something more important than the inconsequential fluff her boss forces her to cover.
Confused yet? Me, too. And those are just the main players, yikes. Honestly, I was 120 pages into Campaign Widows before I even fully knew who every character was---especially since, btw, each of these characters has a boyfriend, wife, lover, child, or sidekick (etc.) to keep track of, too. It's insanity.
The good news is that after those first 150 pages, the book changes and focuses almost exclusively on Cady. Her relationship issues with her new fiance, Jackson, as well as an unexpected love interest, Parker, take center stage. The other characters essentially exist to support her drama, but their romantic relationships are explored, as well. The book takes on a lighter tone at this point and becomes a lot more fun. Even though the switch is a little abrupt, because it makes the story exponentially easier to follow, I didn't mind.
Ultimately, I enjoyed Campaign Widows and would recommend it to readers looking for a light read with just a touch of substance. Just prepare yourself for a slow start and a little character confusion, but know that the last two thirds of the book will make up for it.
Big thanks to Amazon Vine and Graydon House for the ARC!
See more of my reviews at www.bugbugbooks.com!
May 22, 2018
Thanks to the publisher for this review copy!
What a dishy political read! I spent the entire book comparing characters to real politicians and celebrities and getting lost in the drama. The group of friends is so diverse, but they fit together perfectly once all of the pieces are revealed, and I truly did not guess what was going to happen throughout the book. Highly recommended for political junkies wanting something a little lighter and for romance and women's fiction fans wanting something a little meatier. All in all, CAMPAIGN WIDOWS is an engrossing look at modern politics and pop culture.
What a dishy political read! I spent the entire book comparing characters to real politicians and celebrities and getting lost in the drama. The group of friends is so diverse, but they fit together perfectly once all of the pieces are revealed, and I truly did not guess what was going to happen throughout the book. Highly recommended for political junkies wanting something a little lighter and for romance and women's fiction fans wanting something a little meatier. All in all, CAMPAIGN WIDOWS is an engrossing look at modern politics and pop culture.
February 21, 2018
I really enjoyed this book, and think the comparison to a cross between Sex and the City and West Wing is accurate. I like that the "campaign widows" become friends, and I enjoyed the variety of careers and roles in the campaign cycle each character had. I also have a deep love for Washington D.C., so I loved the setting of the book and could easily picture the scenes being described.
I first heard this book recommended by Annie B. Jones on either her Instagram stories or the podcast for her bookstore and knew right away that I needed to read this. I was not disappointed!
This fictionalized version of the 2016 election cycle felt endearing and humorous and tame compared to the way that election actually played out. Even the outrageous characterizations and claims made by candidates felt small by comparison! There were however some similarities that made it feel a little too close to how things actually played out.
I loved that some of the characters felt based on real people, and others just felt like friends I've known or acquaintances I have that live and work in the beltway. Cady is endearing and I want to be her friend. Birdie is a force to reckoned with. Reagan felt like so many of my friends and I loved her sharp sense of humor; add to that her role of speechwriter and she had the job I thought I wanted in college! Jay was willing to fight for what he believed in at work and Madison came across as a sincere and true friend, someone who unconventional, would make an amazing first lady, even if she didn't want the job. These characters were one of my favorite ensembles I've read about recently, and I genuinely enjoyed all of them!
If you enjoy books about friendship, complicated relationships, and that read like a great scripted show on HBO or the CW, then this is the book for you. Yes, politics is it's own character, but while it is the backdrop for this book, it isn't divisive or distracting.
I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my review.
I first heard this book recommended by Annie B. Jones on either her Instagram stories or the podcast for her bookstore and knew right away that I needed to read this. I was not disappointed!
This fictionalized version of the 2016 election cycle felt endearing and humorous and tame compared to the way that election actually played out. Even the outrageous characterizations and claims made by candidates felt small by comparison! There were however some similarities that made it feel a little too close to how things actually played out.
I loved that some of the characters felt based on real people, and others just felt like friends I've known or acquaintances I have that live and work in the beltway. Cady is endearing and I want to be her friend. Birdie is a force to reckoned with. Reagan felt like so many of my friends and I loved her sharp sense of humor; add to that her role of speechwriter and she had the job I thought I wanted in college! Jay was willing to fight for what he believed in at work and Madison came across as a sincere and true friend, someone who unconventional, would make an amazing first lady, even if she didn't want the job. These characters were one of my favorite ensembles I've read about recently, and I genuinely enjoyed all of them!
If you enjoy books about friendship, complicated relationships, and that read like a great scripted show on HBO or the CW, then this is the book for you. Yes, politics is it's own character, but while it is the backdrop for this book, it isn't divisive or distracting.
I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my review.
May 22, 2018
Thank you so much Wunderkind PR and Harlequin Books for providing my free copy of CAMPAIGN WIDOWS by Aimee Agresti - all opinions are my own.
I don’t usually go for the light read, but I absolutely loved this “Sex and the City goes to Washington DC” story! It’s fun, smart, sassy, full of characters I adore, and of course, political intrigue!
The primary cast of characters, Cady, Birdie, Jay, Reagan, and Madison, are wonderfully written and I enjoyed all of them. They each have significant others involved in a presidential election and are therefore called the campaign widows. Cady recently moved to DC with her boyfriend so he could work on a campaign; Jay is the editor of an online magazine who’s partner was sent to cover a political candidate; Birdie is a political party planner extraordinaire; Madison is a possible soon-to-be First Lady; and Reagan is a former speech writer turned blogger with a husband also working on a campaign. Reagan, Jay, and Madison are favorites!
Besides the five main characters, there are a ton of other characters to keep track of, but don’t let that deter you. This book made me laugh out loud with witty and sharp dialogue and a realistic portrayal of what it’s like to be in the midst of a political campaign. I love that each character is genuine, has their own unique perspective, and offers insight to the political world that you wouldn’t normally see. CAMPAIGN WIDOWS is about the loved ones left behind (or in the shadows) while their counterparts work the tireless campaign trail. Definitely a must read for anyone looking for a laugh with a new take on politics.
I don’t usually go for the light read, but I absolutely loved this “Sex and the City goes to Washington DC” story! It’s fun, smart, sassy, full of characters I adore, and of course, political intrigue!
The primary cast of characters, Cady, Birdie, Jay, Reagan, and Madison, are wonderfully written and I enjoyed all of them. They each have significant others involved in a presidential election and are therefore called the campaign widows. Cady recently moved to DC with her boyfriend so he could work on a campaign; Jay is the editor of an online magazine who’s partner was sent to cover a political candidate; Birdie is a political party planner extraordinaire; Madison is a possible soon-to-be First Lady; and Reagan is a former speech writer turned blogger with a husband also working on a campaign. Reagan, Jay, and Madison are favorites!
Besides the five main characters, there are a ton of other characters to keep track of, but don’t let that deter you. This book made me laugh out loud with witty and sharp dialogue and a realistic portrayal of what it’s like to be in the midst of a political campaign. I love that each character is genuine, has their own unique perspective, and offers insight to the political world that you wouldn’t normally see. CAMPAIGN WIDOWS is about the loved ones left behind (or in the shadows) while their counterparts work the tireless campaign trail. Definitely a must read for anyone looking for a laugh with a new take on politics.
May 21, 2018
FULL REVIEW: https://shihtzusandbookreviews.com/ca...
This is a story of A Girl Who Judged A Book By It's Cover. I was browsing Netgalley and voting on book covers and saw a beautiful red, white and blue book that caught my eye. Once I read the synopsis, I was sold.
Now, I know absolutely nothing about the campaign process. Politics aren't really my "thing" so I was a little skeptical about that part of the premise BUT the Widows' "undeniable bond" sounded promising. I love love LOVE a book about female friendships and unlikely bonds, so obviously this was an enjoyable read for me! Politics were present, but only adding to the story by impacting the characters. There was never anything supporting or bashing any particular party.
Mainly told from Cady's perspective, the author provides excellent character development of the other 4 widows. The point of view switches between the 5 characters but I didn't find it hard at all to keep up. I liked seeing how the election campaign and life in DC was different for each one of them but they were still able to bond and support each other through their struggles. The characters in this book were so realistic and genuine that I felt like I could hop on a plane and go have drinks with them after work. I could definitely see this book being made into a TV show (AHEM, REESE...AHEM!) so I've picked the actor/actress that I think goes best with each character.
First, Birdie..what a spitfire! I loved this woman and her boss bitch attitude, not to mention her insane fundraising/party planning talents. You WANT Birdie on your side.
Reagan is a stay-at-home-mom who keeps her sanity by writing an advice column for a newspaper. Her husband is usually out of town for work so she has her hands full with young hell-raising twin girls. Reagan has a hilarious attitude towards parenting..instead of complaining about wild kids, she knows they will grow to be strong-minded, independent women.
Madison is a true Southern Belle. She's kind-hearted, sweet and caring, and you just know she'd do anything for her friends. She's got sass, smarts and independence and isn't sure she wants to be the future FLOTUS. She's working on that ;)
Then we have Jay, whose reporter boyfriend has just become the personal reporter for one of the presidential candidates. Jay is easy-going but will also stand up for what and who he believes in.
Cady is the new-comer to this group of unlikely friends. She is new to DC, moving from NYC to be closer to her boyfriend. She has given up a lot for their relationship and it's wonderful to watch her come into her own and grow as a woman.
Overall, I really enjoyed Campaign Widows and would give it 4.5 stars! It was fun and fluffy and made me happy. I looked forward to reading it and would definitely recommend it for a book to read after something heavy! You can pre-order here and it's out on shelves tomorrow!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Graydon House Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is a story of A Girl Who Judged A Book By It's Cover. I was browsing Netgalley and voting on book covers and saw a beautiful red, white and blue book that caught my eye. Once I read the synopsis, I was sold.
Now, I know absolutely nothing about the campaign process. Politics aren't really my "thing" so I was a little skeptical about that part of the premise BUT the Widows' "undeniable bond" sounded promising. I love love LOVE a book about female friendships and unlikely bonds, so obviously this was an enjoyable read for me! Politics were present, but only adding to the story by impacting the characters. There was never anything supporting or bashing any particular party.
Mainly told from Cady's perspective, the author provides excellent character development of the other 4 widows. The point of view switches between the 5 characters but I didn't find it hard at all to keep up. I liked seeing how the election campaign and life in DC was different for each one of them but they were still able to bond and support each other through their struggles. The characters in this book were so realistic and genuine that I felt like I could hop on a plane and go have drinks with them after work. I could definitely see this book being made into a TV show (AHEM, REESE...AHEM!) so I've picked the actor/actress that I think goes best with each character.
First, Birdie..what a spitfire! I loved this woman and her boss bitch attitude, not to mention her insane fundraising/party planning talents. You WANT Birdie on your side.
Reagan is a stay-at-home-mom who keeps her sanity by writing an advice column for a newspaper. Her husband is usually out of town for work so she has her hands full with young hell-raising twin girls. Reagan has a hilarious attitude towards parenting..instead of complaining about wild kids, she knows they will grow to be strong-minded, independent women.
Madison is a true Southern Belle. She's kind-hearted, sweet and caring, and you just know she'd do anything for her friends. She's got sass, smarts and independence and isn't sure she wants to be the future FLOTUS. She's working on that ;)
Then we have Jay, whose reporter boyfriend has just become the personal reporter for one of the presidential candidates. Jay is easy-going but will also stand up for what and who he believes in.
Cady is the new-comer to this group of unlikely friends. She is new to DC, moving from NYC to be closer to her boyfriend. She has given up a lot for their relationship and it's wonderful to watch her come into her own and grow as a woman.
Overall, I really enjoyed Campaign Widows and would give it 4.5 stars! It was fun and fluffy and made me happy. I looked forward to reading it and would definitely recommend it for a book to read after something heavy! You can pre-order here and it's out on shelves tomorrow!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Graydon House Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 7, 2018
I tend to enjoy books set in the political arena so I was intrigued by this one (and the cover is very eye-catching) when I saw it on the shelf. This is mostly a lighter read that takes place in the world of DC and politics with a touch of romance. Some might call it 'women's fiction' although I've been known to argue that all fiction is women's fiction just like all fiction is men's fiction! Moving on ... I quite liked this one. It took me awhile to connect with the characters - partly because there were so many of them. But, once I got the lay of the land, I quite enjoyed the story and how the author brought the various threads together throughout the book. I'd say it was the lighter version of another book in the political world, The Hopefuls. That book had a bit more depth but this one was a bit lighter and an easier read. All in all, I do recommend it especially to those with a particular interest in politics and/or life in D.C. If you're looking for a lighter read that is enjoyable but not particularly deep, this may be a book for you!
June 10, 2018
This book is brilliant and hilarious! It is full of vibrant and relatable characters that will steal your heart and make you laugh out loud. The plot explores heart ache, motherhood, career/life balance, and so much more with the perfect injection of laughter and fun. I can’t recommend it enough!
April 24, 2018
“Sex and the City meets The West Wing” said the blurb....I’m not sure the dialogue is quite as whip-smart as the Aaron Sorkin’s but I definitely had a similarly huge amount of affection for all of this book’s characters as I did with these two shows. This is more accurately “SATC in DC” with sassy, smart and endearing characters, true friendships and lots of fluff, set against a back drop of an all too familiar crazy election cycle. A proper feel good romantic comedy.
July 24, 2018
Washington, DC during a presidential election. A fictional look inside the campaign drama. The women aren't actually widows. Their husbands are just married to their campaign trail. These women form a friendship that I loved. It was like a political housewives. Funny, smart and entertaining.
Dawnny
Novels N Latte
Book Blog
Dawnny
Novels N Latte
Book Blog
July 26, 2018
This story revolves around the wives/significant others who are "widowed" while the 'politicians' go on the road campaigning in a hot presidential race.
These four women bond over their relationship and parenting troubles, giving advice and shoulders to lean on. I enjoyed their interactions and love the humor. Gotta love these feisty women!
A fast and entertaining read. 3.5 stars
I won this from Book-Trib, sent by Harper-Collins Publishing. Thank you!
These four women bond over their relationship and parenting troubles, giving advice and shoulders to lean on. I enjoyed their interactions and love the humor. Gotta love these feisty women!
A fast and entertaining read. 3.5 stars
I won this from Book-Trib, sent by Harper-Collins Publishing. Thank you!
June 18, 2018
I wish this book had been written by someone with experience in politics and presidential campaigns- I think it would have been so much better. Instead it was pure chick lit that avoided any mention of politics despite it being set in a presidential election. I was looking for something smarter. So much of this was not believable.
did-not-finish
June 30, 2018Light-hearted take on election season. I usually like chick lit and I was drawn by the "Sex and the City meets West Wing" tag, but I wasn't getting into it and couldn't tell the characters apart. It's not horrible - I'd probably power through it if I had gotten it for review on my blog, but as it's not: DNF at page 60.
March 5, 2020
This book was ridiculous...and fully enjoyable, especially the second half. There were a few little details I could have done without - generally ways in which the author was attempting to relate this fictional story to the current political landscape. But, Campaign Widows was just plain FUN.
I do take issue with this use of the word "widows" - your partner being on the campaign trail absolutely is not the same thing as your partner being dead. Thankfully, the book wasn't so much about that - it was about a great cast of characters, generally centering around Cady Davenport who's recently moved to DC. There's also "a fabulous Georgetown doyenne, a speechwriter turned mommy blogger, an artsy website editor and a First Lady hopeful who's not convinced she wants the job." These people sort of come together in seemingly convenient ways, but that happens IRL too. (And I would 100% hang with this crew, or at the very least be acquaintances with them!)
This one left me wishing Agresti had written an entire series along these lines. A presidential year means I'm probably leaving the politician bios aside for awhile, but, please, send me all the fun political fiction there is.
I do take issue with this use of the word "widows" - your partner being on the campaign trail absolutely is not the same thing as your partner being dead. Thankfully, the book wasn't so much about that - it was about a great cast of characters, generally centering around Cady Davenport who's recently moved to DC. There's also "a fabulous Georgetown doyenne, a speechwriter turned mommy blogger, an artsy website editor and a First Lady hopeful who's not convinced she wants the job." These people sort of come together in seemingly convenient ways, but that happens IRL too. (And I would 100% hang with this crew, or at the very least be acquaintances with them!)
This one left me wishing Agresti had written an entire series along these lines. A presidential year means I'm probably leaving the politician bios aside for awhile, but, please, send me all the fun political fiction there is.
August 12, 2021
3.5 stars rounded down.
A fun read about a group of friends who are tangentially involved in a fictional 2016 presidential election. Given that their significant others are in one way or another involved in the campaigns, leaving them behind, they are considered “campaign widows”. A fabulous Georgetown doyenne, a speechwriter turned mommy blogger, an artsy website editor, a First Lady hopeful who doesn’t want the job and a television producer. They become fast friends as they navigate the ups and downs of the presidential campaign, Washington DC and their own personal lives.
The “widows” are all fairly well portrayed, and each has an interesting story. One of the candidates seems to be a take off of DJT, except with a lot more personal insight and a nicer, more relatable wife. I will say that I didn’t get the whole Birdie and Buck storyline. It just seemed pointless. And Jay seemed a bit neurotic about his relationship with Sky.
There aren’t a lot of surprises in this book, maybe a couple of twists but nothing major. This is a very light read, sometimes too light, but in the end it was satisfying.
A fun read about a group of friends who are tangentially involved in a fictional 2016 presidential election. Given that their significant others are in one way or another involved in the campaigns, leaving them behind, they are considered “campaign widows”. A fabulous Georgetown doyenne, a speechwriter turned mommy blogger, an artsy website editor, a First Lady hopeful who doesn’t want the job and a television producer. They become fast friends as they navigate the ups and downs of the presidential campaign, Washington DC and their own personal lives.
The “widows” are all fairly well portrayed, and each has an interesting story. One of the candidates seems to be a take off of DJT, except with a lot more personal insight and a nicer, more relatable wife. I will say that I didn’t get the whole Birdie and Buck storyline. It just seemed pointless. And Jay seemed a bit neurotic about his relationship with Sky.
There aren’t a lot of surprises in this book, maybe a couple of twists but nothing major. This is a very light read, sometimes too light, but in the end it was satisfying.
May 2, 2018
Thank you Edelweiss+ for this advanced eGalley of Campaign Widows.
Election season brings forth emotional turmoil among an eclectic group of Washington politicals.
So, there are a ton of characters in this story. For the first couple of chapters, I was confused as to what exactly was happening. The jumps were so drastic, and didn't seem to come with any warning, so it felt like I was reading an episode of The West Wing.
If you're not familiar with the way in that show operated (particularly the highly paced "walk and talk" scenes), then that comparison may be lost on you but, for lack of a better explanation, let's just say I found myself dazed and confused--at first.
After about 50 pages, I was settled enough with the author's direction to understand this was a story about multiple couples, and their respective significant others, place in the election cycle. That said, the sensationalism surrounding the campaign is merely the jumping off point to the story itself.
A story that is supposed to center around the arrival of Cady, whose moved from New York to Washington, to be with her boyfriend, Jackson. Jackson is a staffer for Carter Thompson (one of, at the start, 28 presidential hopefuls).
Upon her initial arrival, Jackson makes a show of proposing, and Cady semi-reluctantly accepts. However, now that she's in town, and the campaign is in full-swing, Jackson has gone ghost, and Cady is forced to find her bearings in a new place, at a new job, without any knowledge of how things work.
Since the fledgling television show she works for is one shake from bankruptcy, Cady is tasked with finding a way to get it back on track. She lucks into an interview with Birdie Brandywine (a well-connected party planner/fundraiser in Washington's political circles), and Birdie takes a liking to her. As such, Birdie invites her to a fundraising event where she meets Reagan and Jay.
Okay, at this point, it's impossible to say much more without introducing the other major players in the story. Starting with Birdie and Buck Brandywine. Both of home are longtime Washingtonians.
Buck is a political analyst, while Birdie, as already mentioned, is a political party planner. As the campaign season begins, Birdie is still harboring old resentments against Buck for his past doings. She decides a lesson is in order. However, when her plan backfires, things between her and Buck spiral into something Birdie didn't expect, and isn't sure she wants, leaving her to wonder if she made the right choice.
Reagan is a former speechwriter turned advice columnist--as well as the stay-at-home-mother of twins. Her husband Ted is one of the most trusted staffers for the current vice president (who is also running for president). As the campaign reaches a fever pitch, Ted is gone a lot more, but Reagan is used to such absences, and takes it all in stride. But, as the campaign trail grows contentious, and Ted's stress level rises, Reagan is hit with a major surprise that could make or break their marriage.
Jay is an editor at one of Washington's entertainment mags, and Sky is his boyfriend, but also one of his staff writers. Sky manages to get into the thick of the election when a musician he covered, and once advised, decides she wants to make a run for the presidential seat. While Sky's insider coverage is great for the magazine, it causes a rift in the relationship between him and Jay.
Finally, there is Madison and Hank Goodfellow. Hank is a southerner, with a ton of cash, who believes he can be successful as president. Madison thinks he's nuts, and hopes he comes to his senses before it's too late. However, once it becomes clear Hank is going through with his plan, Madison has to decide whether she's going to play along with the game, or find a way to disrupt it.
Did I mention there are a boatload of people in this story?
There's also Parker (an unintended love interest), Rocky Haze (one of the presidential hopefuls), whose music is "played" throughout the book, and whose candidacy seems the most unlikely, but somehow makes the most sense; and other random people with recurring roles.
Jay, Reagan, Cady, Madison, and Birdie become aligned via circumstance and serendipity. Each comes to need the other, but also they share a commonality--all are campaign widows.
The 'widows' part has nothing to do with actual death, but rather the glaring absence of their significant others, due to the importance of campaigning for the presidential seat.
It'd be far too convoluted to explain how these stories come together because ...oh my gracious. Let's just say, Washington is a small town, a favor is always needed, and it's good to have friends in high (and low) places.
Madison was the most in-touch character, while Cady grew the most, but it was simply entertaining to watch how each of the women handled their respective business (personal and professional).
Overall, a fun read that (for me at least) was less about an election than what we're willing to give up, versus what's important, and how well we handle the challenge of figuring it all out.
By the end, I did feel it could've ended about 60 pages sooner, because it seemed to drag on too long once most of the conflicts were resolved. Still, a fun read for the most part.
Election season brings forth emotional turmoil among an eclectic group of Washington politicals.
So, there are a ton of characters in this story. For the first couple of chapters, I was confused as to what exactly was happening. The jumps were so drastic, and didn't seem to come with any warning, so it felt like I was reading an episode of The West Wing.
If you're not familiar with the way in that show operated (particularly the highly paced "walk and talk" scenes), then that comparison may be lost on you but, for lack of a better explanation, let's just say I found myself dazed and confused--at first.
After about 50 pages, I was settled enough with the author's direction to understand this was a story about multiple couples, and their respective significant others, place in the election cycle. That said, the sensationalism surrounding the campaign is merely the jumping off point to the story itself.
A story that is supposed to center around the arrival of Cady, whose moved from New York to Washington, to be with her boyfriend, Jackson. Jackson is a staffer for Carter Thompson (one of, at the start, 28 presidential hopefuls).
Upon her initial arrival, Jackson makes a show of proposing, and Cady semi-reluctantly accepts. However, now that she's in town, and the campaign is in full-swing, Jackson has gone ghost, and Cady is forced to find her bearings in a new place, at a new job, without any knowledge of how things work.
Since the fledgling television show she works for is one shake from bankruptcy, Cady is tasked with finding a way to get it back on track. She lucks into an interview with Birdie Brandywine (a well-connected party planner/fundraiser in Washington's political circles), and Birdie takes a liking to her. As such, Birdie invites her to a fundraising event where she meets Reagan and Jay.
Okay, at this point, it's impossible to say much more without introducing the other major players in the story. Starting with Birdie and Buck Brandywine. Both of home are longtime Washingtonians.
Buck is a political analyst, while Birdie, as already mentioned, is a political party planner. As the campaign season begins, Birdie is still harboring old resentments against Buck for his past doings. She decides a lesson is in order. However, when her plan backfires, things between her and Buck spiral into something Birdie didn't expect, and isn't sure she wants, leaving her to wonder if she made the right choice.
Reagan is a former speechwriter turned advice columnist--as well as the stay-at-home-mother of twins. Her husband Ted is one of the most trusted staffers for the current vice president (who is also running for president). As the campaign reaches a fever pitch, Ted is gone a lot more, but Reagan is used to such absences, and takes it all in stride. But, as the campaign trail grows contentious, and Ted's stress level rises, Reagan is hit with a major surprise that could make or break their marriage.
Jay is an editor at one of Washington's entertainment mags, and Sky is his boyfriend, but also one of his staff writers. Sky manages to get into the thick of the election when a musician he covered, and once advised, decides she wants to make a run for the presidential seat. While Sky's insider coverage is great for the magazine, it causes a rift in the relationship between him and Jay.
Finally, there is Madison and Hank Goodfellow. Hank is a southerner, with a ton of cash, who believes he can be successful as president. Madison thinks he's nuts, and hopes he comes to his senses before it's too late. However, once it becomes clear Hank is going through with his plan, Madison has to decide whether she's going to play along with the game, or find a way to disrupt it.
Did I mention there are a boatload of people in this story?
There's also Parker (an unintended love interest), Rocky Haze (one of the presidential hopefuls), whose music is "played" throughout the book, and whose candidacy seems the most unlikely, but somehow makes the most sense; and other random people with recurring roles.
Jay, Reagan, Cady, Madison, and Birdie become aligned via circumstance and serendipity. Each comes to need the other, but also they share a commonality--all are campaign widows.
The 'widows' part has nothing to do with actual death, but rather the glaring absence of their significant others, due to the importance of campaigning for the presidential seat.
It'd be far too convoluted to explain how these stories come together because ...oh my gracious. Let's just say, Washington is a small town, a favor is always needed, and it's good to have friends in high (and low) places.
Madison was the most in-touch character, while Cady grew the most, but it was simply entertaining to watch how each of the women handled their respective business (personal and professional).
Overall, a fun read that (for me at least) was less about an election than what we're willing to give up, versus what's important, and how well we handle the challenge of figuring it all out.
By the end, I did feel it could've ended about 60 pages sooner, because it seemed to drag on too long once most of the conflicts were resolved. Still, a fun read for the most part.
July 11, 2018
If I've learned anything from this book it's that I totally would not fit in with the the DC crowd... although I do have to say I think the characters are definitely on the nicer spectrum of the 'political wives' club - and in all honesty I have a hard time believing people this nice exist in the politician bubble!
It's election season and Cady has just moved to DC. She's excited. It's all coming together for her: the gorgeous fiancé, a new city, and a smart new TV job. But as Jackson embarks on the campaign trail to follow his boss, a presidential nominee hopeful, Cady starts to realize how alone she is: in this new empty home, in a new strange city, with no friends. She finds herself rubbing elbows with the DC elite's wives... the "campaign widows" ...all missing their better halves off on the trail, and all anxious and alone as this crazy, insane election season gets nuttier, and nuttier.
Along with Cady a morning news TV producer, we meet Reagan the ex-speechwriter mommy blogger, Jay an artsy news website writer/editor, Birdie the fundraising socialite election-season-expert, and Madison the ex-NFL cheerleader turned potential nominee wife, who's not so happy about the spotlight and hubbub. I found Cady and some of the other characters a bit dull and uninteresting, but Reagan was a definite favorite for me - she seemed the most real, and the least DC!
Full disclosure, this was my first audiobook. I was worried my mind would wander, because - well, that's what my mind likes to do! But I just went back if I missed anything and got through it ok.. I don't know how much I like women narrarators doing male voices though, cause they all came across as doofy and unlikeable.. so I may have been swayed a bit by that. Although I'm pretty sure most of the guys in the book I wouldn't have liked much anyway! Will try another again soon and see if it's the same for all audiobooks (I'm not looking forward to hearing a man do a woman's voice.. um really? lol)
All that being said - it was quick, and I breezed through it. Not too much heavy substance or plot stuff, and a bit of trouble keeping all the characters straight - but I think it's a great book to read or listen to when you have attention issues like I do! It's an easy light read and doesn't take itself too seriously - a good, silly fun story.
It's election season and Cady has just moved to DC. She's excited. It's all coming together for her: the gorgeous fiancé, a new city, and a smart new TV job. But as Jackson embarks on the campaign trail to follow his boss, a presidential nominee hopeful, Cady starts to realize how alone she is: in this new empty home, in a new strange city, with no friends. She finds herself rubbing elbows with the DC elite's wives... the "campaign widows" ...all missing their better halves off on the trail, and all anxious and alone as this crazy, insane election season gets nuttier, and nuttier.
Along with Cady a morning news TV producer, we meet Reagan the ex-speechwriter mommy blogger, Jay an artsy news website writer/editor, Birdie the fundraising socialite election-season-expert, and Madison the ex-NFL cheerleader turned potential nominee wife, who's not so happy about the spotlight and hubbub. I found Cady and some of the other characters a bit dull and uninteresting, but Reagan was a definite favorite for me - she seemed the most real, and the least DC!
Full disclosure, this was my first audiobook. I was worried my mind would wander, because - well, that's what my mind likes to do! But I just went back if I missed anything and got through it ok.. I don't know how much I like women narrarators doing male voices though, cause they all came across as doofy and unlikeable.. so I may have been swayed a bit by that. Although I'm pretty sure most of the guys in the book I wouldn't have liked much anyway! Will try another again soon and see if it's the same for all audiobooks (I'm not looking forward to hearing a man do a woman's voice.. um really? lol)
All that being said - it was quick, and I breezed through it. Not too much heavy substance or plot stuff, and a bit of trouble keeping all the characters straight - but I think it's a great book to read or listen to when you have attention issues like I do! It's an easy light read and doesn't take itself too seriously - a good, silly fun story.
April 25, 2018
Campaign Widows is an entertaining and occasionally pointed book about a group of friends left alone in D.C. while their significant others are on the presidential campaign trail in one capacity or another. The book is very funny, timely, and includes a fantastic cast of characters. I'll list the key players:
Cady: New to D.C., recently engaged, and works on a struggling fluff TV news show. Her fiancee is a political advisor to a candidate and their relationship seems a bit rocky.
Birdie: Renowned event planner and major player in DC society with a soft spot for scrappy women in difficult situations. Dealing with some marital problems that have been brewing for years.
Reagan: Mom of toddler twins who gave up her dream speech-writing job to become a parent and write an advice column on the side. With a husband working on a campaign, she often feels like a single parent. She's whip smart, but often feels overlooked because of her new role. I loved her and related to her in a lot of ways.
Jay: Lifestyle reporter who helps launch his secret boyfriend into a growing career following a female rapper-turned-presidential candidate on the campaign trail. He wants to propose, but worries that the campaign is pulling them apart.
Madison: Spunky wife of a presidential hopeful who surprisingly, doesn't want him to win! She is hilarious and covers her outrageous antics with a gracious southern smile.
That should give you some insight into what you are in store for, but this is a very fun book about friendship, love, politics, identity, and what it means to have a healthy relationship. I really enjoyed it a lot and loved the strong feminist messages woven throughout.
*****Spoiler Warning*****
I also really appreciated the fact that Reagan and her husband ultimately work things out. It could have gone another way with Reagan having an affair and I'm SO glad that isn't the direction it took because that would have felt cheap. I thought the relationships in general were handled with the respect they deserved, which was great to see. I definitely recommend this book if the premise interests you. I received an e-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Cady: New to D.C., recently engaged, and works on a struggling fluff TV news show. Her fiancee is a political advisor to a candidate and their relationship seems a bit rocky.
Birdie: Renowned event planner and major player in DC society with a soft spot for scrappy women in difficult situations. Dealing with some marital problems that have been brewing for years.
Reagan: Mom of toddler twins who gave up her dream speech-writing job to become a parent and write an advice column on the side. With a husband working on a campaign, she often feels like a single parent. She's whip smart, but often feels overlooked because of her new role. I loved her and related to her in a lot of ways.
Jay: Lifestyle reporter who helps launch his secret boyfriend into a growing career following a female rapper-turned-presidential candidate on the campaign trail. He wants to propose, but worries that the campaign is pulling them apart.
Madison: Spunky wife of a presidential hopeful who surprisingly, doesn't want him to win! She is hilarious and covers her outrageous antics with a gracious southern smile.
That should give you some insight into what you are in store for, but this is a very fun book about friendship, love, politics, identity, and what it means to have a healthy relationship. I really enjoyed it a lot and loved the strong feminist messages woven throughout.
*****Spoiler Warning*****
I also really appreciated the fact that Reagan and her husband ultimately work things out. It could have gone another way with Reagan having an affair and I'm SO glad that isn't the direction it took because that would have felt cheap. I thought the relationships in general were handled with the respect they deserved, which was great to see. I definitely recommend this book if the premise interests you. I received an e-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 15, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley.com for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Political fluff!!! Even though American politics are a joke for either party these days, Campaign Widows is a light, romantic, funny romp through the election process through the eyes and minds of the people the people behind the candidates leave behind. Is it Primary Colors ? Thank heavens – no!
What I loved: Reagan was my favorite character out of the 5 “widows”. Her take on parenting mirrors my own and she seemed to have found a pretty good balance of work and family life. Her twins are hell on wheels and will someday be the strong women Reagan hopes them to be.
What I didn’t love: I was so confused on the different candidates – outside of Jay and Parker I couldn’t really keep the men straight in the book. I was also confused about Birdie’s role – is she a party planner extrodinaire? A fundraising machine? Some behind the scenes political dynamo?
What I learned: I need to go to the butterly exhibit in DC.
Overall Grade: B
www.FluffSmutandMurder.com
April 27, 2018
I really enjoyed this story, although I did struggle at times w/ figuring out which characters significant other was supporting each of the candidates, but that didn't stop me from loving the story. It was fun to get a glimpse behind the scenes of a presidential campaign, even if it is fiction.
I knew from their first meeting that the two main characters were going to end up together - it was just a matter of waiting to see how the author made that come together.
All of the characters were quite likeable, and not "flat". My favorite is the wife who tries to derail her husband's bid to be president. Sometimes your other half knows you even better than you know yourself.
I knew from their first meeting that the two main characters were going to end up together - it was just a matter of waiting to see how the author made that come together.
All of the characters were quite likeable, and not "flat". My favorite is the wife who tries to derail her husband's bid to be president. Sometimes your other half knows you even better than you know yourself.
June 12, 2018
Meh. Fine. I honestly couldn’t keep the characters straight. It was interesting enough... I think I just kept reading bc I liked seeing how many of the restaurants and bars I’d been to. 2.5 Stars.
July 12, 2018
Campaign Widows follows a series of 4 women, and 1 man, each of which have spouses that are completely preoccupied by their roles in campaigning for the upcoming presidential election. The "widows" are struggling with adjusting to changes in their relationships- whether its distance due to the campaign, a new engagement, or an affair, and they find solace and support from each other when they meet at a party one night. Cady and Reagan were my two favourites! Cady has recently moved to Washington D.C to be with her boyfriend who is a political advisor. She is finding that she spends less time with him now that they are in the city than when they were long distance. Reagan, mom of twin girls, is completely overwhelmed and feeling lost since she quit her job to look after things at home while her husband works on his campaign.
If you don't follow politics, that's no problem for this book- it details the lives of spouses during an election, without going into too many details about the actual election! I found it a bit difficult to keep up with who's spouse supported which candidate/were they are a candidate themselves? and to keep track of some secondary characters in the novel. However, I was still able to connect with and truly enjoy each of the Widow's stories and perspectives. I really appreciated the feminist vibes, and the variety of relationships showcased. This book is great light reading for the Summer. It is relatable, hilarious, and has some very cute moments!
Thank you to the Harlequin publicity team for sending me a copy!
If you don't follow politics, that's no problem for this book- it details the lives of spouses during an election, without going into too many details about the actual election! I found it a bit difficult to keep up with who's spouse supported which candidate/were they are a candidate themselves? and to keep track of some secondary characters in the novel. However, I was still able to connect with and truly enjoy each of the Widow's stories and perspectives. I really appreciated the feminist vibes, and the variety of relationships showcased. This book is great light reading for the Summer. It is relatable, hilarious, and has some very cute moments!
Thank you to the Harlequin publicity team for sending me a copy!
June 27, 2018
I LOVED THIS BOOK.
Aimee Agresti has an infinitely readable writing style I can only compare to Liane Moriarty. You get attached to these characters and you come to care about them and their plight really easily. Even their foibles become forgivable before you know it. You root for everyone, you want them to be their best selves and emerge victorious. It was a great reading experience.
As a political junkie and veteran fan of Veep and the West Wing and every politically-oriented shore in the last decade, I would have liked to see more politics addressed in the book, but I recognize this book was only tangentially about those things. It was relatively easy to infer from the personalities of the characters involved what sort of politics each character espoused. It wasn't that much of an issue, more a personal pet peeve.
On the whole I just enjoyed how the ending of the story made me feel. It *felt* like reading Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies, another book that had a profound impact on me. Not because it was necessarily the most brilliant book ever written, but because it made me care and relate and love the characters depicted in its pages.
I would love to see Campaign Widows get a television adaptation a la BLL. It would be a brilliant series. I would kill for a sequel where we see presidential campaign.
Four stars.
Aimee Agresti has an infinitely readable writing style I can only compare to Liane Moriarty. You get attached to these characters and you come to care about them and their plight really easily. Even their foibles become forgivable before you know it. You root for everyone, you want them to be their best selves and emerge victorious. It was a great reading experience.
As a political junkie and veteran fan of Veep and the West Wing and every politically-oriented shore in the last decade, I would have liked to see more politics addressed in the book, but I recognize this book was only tangentially about those things. It was relatively easy to infer from the personalities of the characters involved what sort of politics each character espoused. It wasn't that much of an issue, more a personal pet peeve.
On the whole I just enjoyed how the ending of the story made me feel. It *felt* like reading Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies, another book that had a profound impact on me. Not because it was necessarily the most brilliant book ever written, but because it made me care and relate and love the characters depicted in its pages.
I would love to see Campaign Widows get a television adaptation a la BLL. It would be a brilliant series. I would kill for a sequel where we see presidential campaign.
Four stars.
June 18, 2018
Shallow people both written shallowly and written to be shallow. Plot points contradict themselves in the space of ten pages. Not a redeemable character among them, they're all self centered and insipid and talk like fifteen year olds, but not like real fifteen year olds, like what an out of touch mom thinks teenagers sound like - and shocker, the author is a mom who writes YA usually. It's good she likely doesn't know what she's on about, because if this were the state of our capital, I'd stage a coup.
March 17, 2019
So disappointed this story had so much potential. This book was a mess. Cramming in the angles of all the characters in each chapter gave me a headache. Introducing new characters in the middle of chapters was messy too. I couldn’t wait to finish it. The story was too all over the place to really be invested in it.
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