"The Trophy Wives Club" - Kristin Billerbeck

Haley Cutler is the consummate trophy wife. Perhaps "was" is the more accurate term. Haley married Prince Charming when she was only twenty years old – back in the day when highlights came from an afternoon at the beach, not three hours in the salon. When Jay first turned his eye to Haley, she was putty in his slender, graceful hands. No one ever treated her like she was important, and on the arm of Jay Cutler, she became someone people listened to and admired. Unfortunately, after seven years of marriage, her Prince Charming seems to belong to the Henry the XIII line of royalty. When Haley loses Jay, she not only loses her husband, she loses her identity. With her first independent decision, Haley leaves LA and moves home to Northern California. Feeling freedom just within her grasp, Haley learns that her settlement payments must go through one of Jay's financial advisors, Hamilton Lowe. Haley believes he's nothing more than a spy. And the feelings of distrust are mutual. Yet somehow, Hamilton finds himself handing over the monthly checks in person, and Haley can't deny that there's a kind of tenderness and protectiveness in Hamilton that she's never experienced in a man before. But before Haley can even consider another relationship, she must learn to accept her inherent worth, and what it is to be loved for who she is, not what's on the outside.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kristin Billerbeck was born in Redwood City, California. She went to San Jose State University and majored in Advertising, then worked at the Fairmont Hotel in PR, a small ad agency as an account exec, and then, she was thrust into the exciting world of shopping mall marketing. She got married, had four kids, and started writing romance novels until she found her passion: Chick Lit. She is a CBA bestselling author and two-time winner of the ACFW Book of the Year. Featured in the New York Times and USA Today, Kristin has appeared on the Today Show for her pioneering role in Christian chick lit. Her last three books were: Split Ends: Sometimes the End is Really the Beginning (April 17, 2007) She's Out of Control (Ashley Stockingdale Series #1) (Nov 13, 2007) Calm, Cool & Adjusted (Spa Girls Series #3) (Oct 1, 2006)

My personal take on the novel:

This is definitely another fun read from Kristin (I'm a big fan of hers!) but with this book, Kristin managed to somehow take a real-life, depressing situation in which sadly, many women can relate, and hash those issues out in a very light-hearted, humorous way. This book shows the utmost respect for the divorced and the way that sometimes, life just isn't what it promised. I enjoyed reading this book and getting a feel for "the other side" of marriage. In a culture where divorces are actually more common than life-long marriages, this book offered a good, fresh perspective for those unable to understand the concept of divorce and those who ::gasp:: tend to judge before finding out the truth and details first. (hey, we've all been there!)

You will not be disappointed by this book, and you just might find yourself recommending it to others going through a similar situation.

Here's the link to purchase "The Trophy Wives Club" - one read you do NOT want to miss!