About the Book
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
Political dramas are an emerging genre for me that I’m becoming more and more interested in. I have been a fan of Kaira Rouda for years, and knowing that her husband was a Congressman made it more intriguing to say yes to this review. We get a behind the scenes look at the politics that go on in … politics, from how people are hired/fired, how people decide on votes and how they are placed, and the settings were all so well written I could really imagine being there. Following Jody Asher, wife of Congressman Martin who has served for fifteen years, we see the cracks begin to show – not just in their marriage, but in Martin’s time on the Hill. Jody is determined not to let Martin’s affair with a young staffer ruin his – and their – reputation, but when he dies suddenly, everything changes. Now, Jody looks to take his place … but she’s been hiding a secret or two as well. Can the Asher legacy continue with her – or come crumbling down?
Jody is quite the cold-hearted character to read about. She is highly driven by reputation and control, and doesn’t seem to have much for feelings – when it comes to her husband or even her daughter, who is about to get married. Yet still, I found myself always curious of her next move. There is some dark humor, a touching moment or two between Jody and Martin that was nice to see, and I really enjoyed the scenes with their daughter marrying into another political family and what that looks like. It was interesting to go behind the curtain of politics, yet also terrifying to think a lot of what is written in the book probably does indeed happen. It makes you question who is really in charge and making decisions on the country’s best interest – or if something larger is at play. The ending didn’t do much for me, it felt more slowed down than the first portion of the book, but I did raise my eyebrows at the big plot twist that comes out – I do love when I don’t see something coming. A solid political thriller and one that isn’t predictable.
4 stars
