This book really hits a nerve

As soon as I saw this title, I knew I wanted to read this. As soon as I learned the audiobook was narrated by Abby Craden, I was in heaven.

I am German but yes, the American President is probably the most important role a woman can be. So what a topic!

We get to know the President Elect Emma McMasters just before the inauguration and accompany her from the beginning of her presidency on and during her first national crisis. I really love how Lynn Ames introduces her and lets us jump with her right into politics. Emma is portrayed as a strong leader and emphatic woman. She reminds me a little of Jacinda Ardern. I'm really into these first chapters, and the introduction of General Palmer Estes is done well, too. She is one battered soul and I can't imagine just how lonely she must be. She's pratical and strong yet kinda shy too, it's really a cute combination especially when she's crushing hard on Emma.

The topics bears a strong resemblance to "Madam President" by Blayne Cooper and T. Nolan, one of my favourite lesfics. However, even though the topic (first female President) is the same, both books cannot really be compared in my opinion. Whereas Madam President is super slow-burn, this one is super fast (not to say, the fastest I've ever read).

I truly get why Ames did it the way she did, and it is very believable in this context for me. The way the characters are portrayed, it just fits. They both think very strategic, and because of the circumstances it is clear that they only have one shot at getting this right. I really like that the characters communicate well, especially when they have so little time together. They both take a huge risk in conveying their feelings so early and getting all in, but to me them being on the same page is very believable with their chemistry. After all, in their line of work and in their position, and with their age, how are the odds for them to find a soulmate.

As much as I loved the politics and especially the beginning of the book, I must confess I was struggling getting immersed into the book at first. Firstly, for some reason the name "Emma" didn't seem fitting for the president (don't as me why... to much swanqueen fanfic maybe?). I also initially struggled with Abby Craden's voice for her. She started off with her "aunt" or "best friend" voice, and then later in the book as the romance progresses Emma is the "femme" voice whereas Palmer is the "butch" voice. (But I realize that this is critizising on a super high level. Abby Craden did a hell of a job and she could read the phone register to me and I would still love it. And I do love it!) That said, once the romance progresses, they're truly a really cute couple.
I do have the same issue like others before me with the "I love you's", which came way (!) too fast (and way too often, to the point it was really getting on my nerves and I wanted to scream "YES I GET IT") - especially for the general, who has never had a serious relationship. But as I said, apart from that detail, I really get that they go right into a serious relationship.

Also, in the second half of the book, the focus is very strongly on the romance. I would have liked a little more glimpses into the political world. And then, the time lapses. There are at times months between the MCs encounters. I get that this is probably realistic, but I would have loved to know their feelings while being apart more, and know what they were doing in their jobs. But this happens multiple time, first before Palmer retires and then also after the first year of their relationship. I felt kind of left out and a little detached from the characters because I would have loved to witness the process of them exploring each other.

All in all I will still give this still 5 stars. Lynn Ames wrote a book that really hits a nerve. The story alone is well researched (as far as I can say that) and well though through, it's good in itself but with a few hiccups (4 stars for me). With Abby's narration it's great.

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Anfangs sehr viel versprechend...

ich habe diesen Titel wegen der Sprecherin Abby Craden gewählt. und im ersten Teil klingt alles noch sehr spannend und vielversprechend. danach wird alles nur noch seicht. Bereits nach zwei harmlosen Treffen liebt man sich schon aus tiefstem Herzen und ab da wird man dann von Unmengen an Liebesschwüren und Theatralik überschüttet... schade! Abby Craden hat mal wieder alles gegeben - TOP!!! Aber die Story ist ein einziger Flop!

A President to fall in Love with!

46 written by Lynn Ames and narrated by Abby Craden was a fantastic read, or rather listen in my case.  I’m an European citizen so some of the finer points of American politics and the surrounding media attention escapes me in everyday life. However, the author took great care of making the inner political workings transparent and easy to follow, even for someone who isn’t very knowledgeable about US politics. 
This book portrays the story of Emma McMasters the newly minted US president who tries to pick up the pieces the previous administration left behind. Since her wife died in an accident, she focuses every waking hour on serving her country and its people. An unfortunate incident in Emma’s first week of office has her interact with Palmer Estes, an advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Palmer Estes is career Army, in her over three decades spanning career she is one of only two four-star female generals in the history of the Army. She is pretty much married to her career and views the Army as her family. That slowly changes when the intriguing Emma McMasters takes office.
I quite enjoyed how the characters developed and the way they dealt with the conflict of interest that their personal attraction posed on their careers. Some may say, that the words “I love you” between the characters was spoken too soon, or that there wasn’t enough build up. But I have to disagree. There has been a mutual admiration and respect for each other and how they perform their respective jobs from the very beginning. It’s easy to believe that those feelings grow into something more in the few personal moments they share together. Especially since Emma and Palmer are in their fifties and have a different view on love and life than someone much younger.
Although a purely fictional outlook on America's next President it lets the reader dream and hope that one day a story like that may be really possible.
In the Audiobook, Abby Craden brings her unique talents to the table in bringing Emma and Palmer to life. Her vocal abilities make it easy to visualise two characters in their fifties with their individuality and emotional maturity shining through in the narration. Abby’s talent to bring out unique attributes in every individual character through her narration never stops to amaze me. I think she was an excellent choice for the audiobook version of 46.
This is definitely a book worth reading and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.