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Former First Lady
The American people--critics and allies alike--like to compare Barry and me to the Obamas. Like the Obamas, we are an African-American couple who ascended to the White House with two young daughters. Both presidents were Ivy League educated lawyers. And Michelle Obama and I, having both been born during the third week of January, occasionally celebrated birthdays on the King Holiday. What people often intentionally overlooked was how different Barry and I were to the Obamas. Barry and I weren't married at the time of our elder daughter's birth--a situation we did not rectify for several years. Having dropped out of college, I am not an Ivy League educated lawyer like Michelle Obama nor do I possess her grace, charisma or charm. And yes, both presidents answered to the nickname "Barry" at some point in their lives, but the names "Barack" and "Barrington" bespeak two very different backgrounds. And, no, despite all the efforts of Barry's PR machine to create the image of a peaceful cohesive family, Barry and I did not enjoy a particularly happy marriage.Barry and I were the anti-Obamas...This is how former First Lady Shelley Diggs characterizes her relationship with her soon-to-be ex-husband, Barrington "Barry" Welles. After Trump resigns under the threat of impeachment, Barry defeats Mike Pence in the election of 2020 to become the 47th President of the United States. Having never wanted to be a "political wife," Shelley has to sacrifice her freedom and privacy for the sake of her husband's political career.Fed up with omnipresent Secret Service agents and desperate to reclaim her freedom, Shelley leaves her husband shortly after he finishes his second term, returns to her native New York, and relinquishes her protection detail. However, Shelley's yearnings for her husband threaten to derail her plans for her future. When a family tragedy strikes, Shelley must choose between her new life and the comfort and safety of her family.
177 pages, Paperback
Published November 3, 2018
About the author
Ebony Edwards-Ellis
2 books2 followersEbony Edwards-Ellis currently lives in New York City. She is the author of "Memoirs of A Royal Consort" and "Former First Lady."
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 9, 2019
This was a different story, quite unexpected in its read. The book was more like a family saga, portraying the life of Barry and Shelley, their journey from dating to marriage to near divorce.
A book by Ebony Edward Ellis, this book left me with mixed feelings. It had too many references of the American politics and presidents and campaigns and secret service for me to really enjoy the book. But barring that, if I take only Shelley's story about she became a First Lady in the White House from a writer living in a poor section of neighborhood, this story was pretty interesting.
Coming together with Barry then breaking off, becoming pregnant, getting married, having a second child and their campaigns to become the president was an uphill journey where nothing came easy. There were lot of sacrifices made especially by Shelley, she single-handedly managed her home and kids and helping to forefront her husband's career along with her own writing. I loved knowing her trials, those minute details that helped them become a power couple, it was quite a rocky journey.
I liked the way the author had shown Shelley, she was her own woman who knew how to fight for her self respect, along with her own needs and aspirations. Their life was quite authentically written by the author which made it an easy, interesting 2 hour read.
A book by Ebony Edward Ellis, this book left me with mixed feelings. It had too many references of the American politics and presidents and campaigns and secret service for me to really enjoy the book. But barring that, if I take only Shelley's story about she became a First Lady in the White House from a writer living in a poor section of neighborhood, this story was pretty interesting.
Coming together with Barry then breaking off, becoming pregnant, getting married, having a second child and their campaigns to become the president was an uphill journey where nothing came easy. There were lot of sacrifices made especially by Shelley, she single-handedly managed her home and kids and helping to forefront her husband's career along with her own writing. I loved knowing her trials, those minute details that helped them become a power couple, it was quite a rocky journey.
I liked the way the author had shown Shelley, she was her own woman who knew how to fight for her self respect, along with her own needs and aspirations. Their life was quite authentically written by the author which made it an easy, interesting 2 hour read.
February 26, 2022
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Former First Lady by Ebony Edwards Ellis is a contemporary romance with a bit of politics thrown in to sweeten the deal. As the title suggests, this book is about a former first lady who in this case is Shelley Diggs. The book begins with Shelley leaving her husband, former POTUS, Barry Welles. This is however, not the beginning of the story. Her story and his starts many years ago.
From the beginning, like in some kind of memoir, Shelley tells us her story until the moment her life changed forever. Her husband, without telling her, decides to run for presidency after the then president, Donald Trump resigns. All over sudden, her life changes and no longer feels like her own. Living in the spotlight will do that to person. Anyway, the husband wins making him the second African American president much to his wife’s dismay. What follows in the next half of the book is what you’d expect, which is the struggle of living in the White House as the first family, while trying to remain an actual family.
I have to admit that Former First Lady was intriguing. I was immediately attracted by the description and since I was reading Becoming by Michelle Obama, I wanted to see how their experiences would match up. This was a book with a good storyline but with better characters. Shelley was obviously my favorite character and the reason why I kept reading.
What I liked the most about this book were the characters, and their conversations. At one point in the book, Shelley and her husband are arguing as they often did, and the conversation was so well written, that I found myself getting worked up and heated. I was also getting angry!!
There was no particular thing that I hated about this book, but then why didn’t I give it 4 or 5 stars? I guess the best answer for that is that there was no connection even after finishing the book. In the end it was just a nice book. However, don’t let me discourage you. If you enjoy contemporary romances then you are likely to enjoy this one too.
The Former First Lady by Ebony Edwards Ellis is a contemporary romance with a bit of politics thrown in to sweeten the deal. As the title suggests, this book is about a former first lady who in this case is Shelley Diggs. The book begins with Shelley leaving her husband, former POTUS, Barry Welles. This is however, not the beginning of the story. Her story and his starts many years ago.
From the beginning, like in some kind of memoir, Shelley tells us her story until the moment her life changed forever. Her husband, without telling her, decides to run for presidency after the then president, Donald Trump resigns. All over sudden, her life changes and no longer feels like her own. Living in the spotlight will do that to person. Anyway, the husband wins making him the second African American president much to his wife’s dismay. What follows in the next half of the book is what you’d expect, which is the struggle of living in the White House as the first family, while trying to remain an actual family.
I have to admit that Former First Lady was intriguing. I was immediately attracted by the description and since I was reading Becoming by Michelle Obama, I wanted to see how their experiences would match up. This was a book with a good storyline but with better characters. Shelley was obviously my favorite character and the reason why I kept reading.
What I liked the most about this book were the characters, and their conversations. At one point in the book, Shelley and her husband are arguing as they often did, and the conversation was so well written, that I found myself getting worked up and heated. I was also getting angry!!
There was no particular thing that I hated about this book, but then why didn’t I give it 4 or 5 stars? I guess the best answer for that is that there was no connection even after finishing the book. In the end it was just a nice book. However, don’t let me discourage you. If you enjoy contemporary romances then you are likely to enjoy this one too.
February 5, 2019
Being in love and being loyal are basically the same thing. Being faithful to a private person who faithfulness is due. What would you do for a person that you are in love with? Are there things that you will do to prove your loyalty? What are you willing to sacrifice for the happiness of the person that you love?
Shelley Jane Diggs is an independent woman. She is a freelance writer, music reviewer, book reviewer and an author. She lives in her modest one bedroom apartment and is pursuing her next novel. Never in Shelley's life did she imagine finding a wallet and returning it to its owner would change her life so drastically. All of a sudden Shelley's day-to-day life became complicated at best, she was no longer this blogger she was now the most important woman in the free world. Is this how Shelley imagined her life? Is this something that Shelley is willing to deal with? Is this something that she ever thought would happen to her in her wildest dreams
Former First Lady is a book about commitment and loyalty. It is about showing how far you are willing to go for love. Shelley is the type of character that we all know. She is a working woman who follows her own mind but gets caught up with following her heart. Her life is like anyone that you meet on the street or in any coffeehouse, she is ordinary. Being ordinary makes her relatable and being relatable makes her us. She could be anyone reading this novel and that is why you continue to read so that you can live through her. Her character is complex but not so much that we don't like her. The characters are you and me and we like reading about ourselves. Ellis writes this novel with hope in her eyes and heart and an eye for hope. I enjoyed reading this novel from Ellis and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
Shelley Jane Diggs is an independent woman. She is a freelance writer, music reviewer, book reviewer and an author. She lives in her modest one bedroom apartment and is pursuing her next novel. Never in Shelley's life did she imagine finding a wallet and returning it to its owner would change her life so drastically. All of a sudden Shelley's day-to-day life became complicated at best, she was no longer this blogger she was now the most important woman in the free world. Is this how Shelley imagined her life? Is this something that Shelley is willing to deal with? Is this something that she ever thought would happen to her in her wildest dreams
Former First Lady is a book about commitment and loyalty. It is about showing how far you are willing to go for love. Shelley is the type of character that we all know. She is a working woman who follows her own mind but gets caught up with following her heart. Her life is like anyone that you meet on the street or in any coffeehouse, she is ordinary. Being ordinary makes her relatable and being relatable makes her us. She could be anyone reading this novel and that is why you continue to read so that you can live through her. Her character is complex but not so much that we don't like her. The characters are you and me and we like reading about ourselves. Ellis writes this novel with hope in her eyes and heart and an eye for hope. I enjoyed reading this novel from Ellis and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
January 2, 2019
Shelley, wanting to be free of the political spotlight, finally decides to file a divorce from the former president. As she would say, they were the "anti-Obamas" as they did not have a happy marriage. And so begins her story of how she came to be a former first lady.
Her story starts off from being raised by a single, promiscuous mother, working as a freelance writer eating Ramen noodles, and finally stumbling upon a wallet that changed her life.
Shelley really didn't think much of Barry. In fact, the two did not click at all in the beginning. She thought he was only into "rich boy stuff," and she was just a poor girl from the projects. Seriously, what did she ever see in Barry? He was an arrogant, egotistical, bossy Mama's Boy.
It was a rocky courtship that leads to a surprise pregnancy, a coerced marriage, and to the White House. Story relays the trials and tribulations of one head-strong feminist. Her story was honest, endearing, and relatable. It feels like you're right there with her.
Story was easy to read, even with all the political views. Ultimately, it centers on Shelley's journey and emotional growth as a mother, political wife, and self-serve woman. She goes on about how her life was split between writing, childcare, housework, and political events. The arguments between Shelley and Barry were so authentic and packed a punch. I thought the writing was pretty smart, even though parts of the story lagged here and there (mostly surrounding the political stuff.) It's still a pretty good story.
Her story starts off from being raised by a single, promiscuous mother, working as a freelance writer eating Ramen noodles, and finally stumbling upon a wallet that changed her life.
Shelley really didn't think much of Barry. In fact, the two did not click at all in the beginning. She thought he was only into "rich boy stuff," and she was just a poor girl from the projects. Seriously, what did she ever see in Barry? He was an arrogant, egotistical, bossy Mama's Boy.
It was a rocky courtship that leads to a surprise pregnancy, a coerced marriage, and to the White House. Story relays the trials and tribulations of one head-strong feminist. Her story was honest, endearing, and relatable. It feels like you're right there with her.
Story was easy to read, even with all the political views. Ultimately, it centers on Shelley's journey and emotional growth as a mother, political wife, and self-serve woman. She goes on about how her life was split between writing, childcare, housework, and political events. The arguments between Shelley and Barry were so authentic and packed a punch. I thought the writing was pretty smart, even though parts of the story lagged here and there (mostly surrounding the political stuff.) It's still a pretty good story.
February 16, 2022
A Great Read!
I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book. The characters are wonderful! I felt like they were old friends of mine by the end of the book. I don't usually say anything that could be a spoiler but I WILL say this, I loved the ending.
Thank you Ms. Ebony Edwards-Ellis for writing this fabulous book!
I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book. The characters are wonderful! I felt like they were old friends of mine by the end of the book. I don't usually say anything that could be a spoiler but I WILL say this, I loved the ending.
Thank you Ms. Ebony Edwards-Ellis for writing this fabulous book!
April 6, 2019
3.5 Stars
Overall an enjoyable read. I found, however, that most of the book takes place before and during her tenure as First Lady.
It was interesting to see the many facets of presidential life. Being a Canadian, I’m ignorant to everything that it entails and that, in and of itself, kept me turning the pages.
Shelley is a strong and capable feminist. She is smart and sassy. When she finds a wallet and returns it to its owner, her life changes completely and unexpectedly.
She starts dating Barry, a law firm associate with aspirations to the State Assembly.
They couldn’t be more different or from completely different backgrounds.
But it seems opposites attract and their tumultuous life story story begins.
The writing keeps your attention but it reads more like a memoir. Because of that, I felt like I was being told a story instead of experiencing it, and that, for me, lowered my enjoyment of the book.
I love feeling engaged and like I’m part of the story. I must say, however, that towards the end, where Shelley is the former First Lady, that I became so very much engaged. My heart broke and I giggled a little bit at Barry’s antics. I believe if the whole story had read like the end, it would have been a solid 4-star read.
For me, this book started off ok and ended on a BANG!
I received free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Overall an enjoyable read. I found, however, that most of the book takes place before and during her tenure as First Lady.
It was interesting to see the many facets of presidential life. Being a Canadian, I’m ignorant to everything that it entails and that, in and of itself, kept me turning the pages.
Shelley is a strong and capable feminist. She is smart and sassy. When she finds a wallet and returns it to its owner, her life changes completely and unexpectedly.
She starts dating Barry, a law firm associate with aspirations to the State Assembly.
They couldn’t be more different or from completely different backgrounds.
But it seems opposites attract and their tumultuous life story story begins.
The writing keeps your attention but it reads more like a memoir. Because of that, I felt like I was being told a story instead of experiencing it, and that, for me, lowered my enjoyment of the book.
I love feeling engaged and like I’m part of the story. I must say, however, that towards the end, where Shelley is the former First Lady, that I became so very much engaged. My heart broke and I giggled a little bit at Barry’s antics. I believe if the whole story had read like the end, it would have been a solid 4-star read.
For me, this book started off ok and ended on a BANG!
I received free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews