The General's Wife by Suzanne Dana

ABOUT THE BOOK

Some secrets don’t stay buried, even beneath military honors.

Margaret Stone appears to be the perfect military spouse—supportive, resilient, and respected as the wife of Brigadier General George “Rocky” Stone. But beneath her carefully composed exterior lies a past shadowed by tragedy and one fateful night that could destroy everything she’s built.

When a blackmail letter signed “Swimbuddy1980” arrives, Margaret is forced to confront the truth about what really happened during a late-night swim at Coronado Beach nearly thirty years ago. As the threats escalate and her husband faces a career-defining deployment to Afghanistan, Margaret must navigate the complex loyalties of military life while fighting to protect the life she’s crafted from the ashes of her troubled youth.

From a San Diego tattoo parlor to the formality of Marine Corps ceremonies, Margaret’s journey reveals the resilience of the human spirit and the unique bonds forged through shared sacrifice in the military community.

In this compelling narrative of love, betrayal, and redemption, one woman discovers that while the past shapes us, it need not define us—and that true strength comes from facing the most painful truths of all.

MY REVIEW

This book is a powerful salute to our brave Marines and an intriguing read about the life of a general’s wife, her friends, and a secret that could destroy it all.

Maggie has faced loss, betrayal, and a lingering secret that could come crashing down just when her husband’s career is at stake. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as she wrestles with the haunting memories of a fateful night in June 1980, all while balancing the pressures of being the supportive wife of Brigadier General George “Rocky” Stone.

What I absolutely loved about Maggie is how she embodies everything you could want in a military spouse—strong, calm, and incredibly compassionate. She’s the kind of woman who leads with grace in her husband’s unit and serves as a guiding light to the Marine wives around her. But underneath that polished exterior, she’s human. She’s troubled and worried about what lies ahead, which makes her such a relatable character. The dynamic between her and George is so heartwarming. He’s her rock and her personal hero, and she is his constant source of calm and home.

Ms. Dana has done an amazing job creating a vivid, realistic portrayal of life in the Marines. My own husband was raised in the Air Force on Okinawa, so it is very relatable from the stories he told me. The book highlights an often-overlooked reality of the emotional toll that deployments take not just on the service members but also on the women left waiting back home. The way Maggie organizes events like the Lipstick and Camouflage Deployed Spouses’ Ball to lift spirits is inspiring and showcases the strength these women possess to keep one another afloat during trying times.

While the heart of the story was gripping, I’ll admit that the mystery subplot felt a bit like an add-on and sometimes drew focus away from Maggie’s journey, which was so rich in itself. Plus, some sections felt a little repetitive, and the shifts in timelines took a bit of getting used to.

That being said, I genuinely enjoyed The General’s Wife and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a story that honors the resilience of military families while showcasing the emotional complexities of loving someone in service. If you’re like me and have an appreciation for the unsung heroes—the spouses and families—it’s definitely worth a read!

Thank you to Ms. Dana for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Giveaway to Win 10 x signed copies of The General’s Wife (Open INT)

Win 10 x signed copies of The General’s Wife (Open INT)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Suzanne Dana is both a general’s daughter and a general’s wife. She graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism and a secondary education credential in English. As a general’s wife, she moved nineteen times and supported her husband through eight deployments, including those to Iraq and Afghanistan. She currently sits on the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation board as an Adjunct Director. She enjoys photography, travel, water sports, and volunteering at a local women’s shelter. She resides in Arizona with her husband.