Beyond the Book: Book Review The Widow

 

Blurb:

A husband with secrets. A wife with no limits. A riveting novel of marriage, privilege, and lies by Kaira Rouda, the USA Today bestselling author of The Next Wife.

Jody Asher had a plan. Her charismatic husband, Martin, would be a political icon. She, the charming wife, would fuel his success. For fifteen congressional terms, they were the golden couple on the Hill. Life was good. Until he wasn’t.

Martin’s secret affair with a young staffer doesn’t bother Jody personally. But professionally? It’s a legacy killer. Soon a reporter gets word of this scandal in the making, and Martin’s indiscretions threaten to ruin everything Jody has accomplished.

When Martin suddenly dies, it’s a chance to change the narrative—but the reporter won’t let go of his lead. As the balance of power shifts in the Asher house and on the Hill, it’s time for Jody to take control. And there’s nothing the ruthless widow won’t do to secure the future she’s entitled to. Even if she has a secret of her own.

My Review

As a political novel the characters in this book act the way I imagine most politicians do. They’ll do whatever they need to in order to get reelected. It’s a cutthroat world where you’d better watch your back. That includes people that you think are your friends. They can be the worst of all. You’d better watch the press too. Any reporter would enjoy publishing an expose that would ruin lives and careers. At its best, though, you may live a glamorous life rubbing shoulders with Washington elite, taking fabulous trips, and entertaining to perfection. Some of it is on the government’s dime of course. If you happen to be married to an ambitious wife who wants more than you can give her, they are some steps you can take to supplement your income. Legal steps? Not exactly. 

I wrote my last book review on a book titled The Hike. In that story not one character had any redeeming qualities. Well, none of the characters in this book are likable either. They’re self-serving, immoral, and dishonest. I told my son about the book, and he said he thinks writing books with all bad characters is a thing now. Fine by me, but I don’t like to read a story where no one has any redeeming qualities. I’ll be hunting something different. 

The book is well done, though. If you don’t mind the entire cast of characters being immoral jerks, you’d like the book. 

Authors, would you write such a book? Readers, would you pick it up and enjoy it?