Customer Reviews

The Secret Desires of a Soccer Mom: A Novel

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I enjoyed this book. It was funny. Chuckle funny not LOL funny. Nothing remotely soccer related except for one of the kids goes to a practice. If you like soccer or being a soccer mom then you'll be disappointed.

There was an interesting and rather anti-climatic twist for the end. I would recommend the book but it's not one you'll skip dinner, ignore the kids, or keep your lover waiting in bed for.

This book was smart and funny, and I didn't predict "whodunit". It's a murder mystery, set in the suburbs where some of the wives have too much time on their hands and get themselves into trouble...hence the title. The protagonist, Paige Atwell, belongs to a tight-knit circle of friends in a fictitious Denver suburb, Aberdeen Mists. When one of the friends dies mysteriously in her garage, Paige knows something isn't right. Shortly before her death, the friend confided to Paige that she was having an affair. Paige is instantly suspicious of her friend's lover, Javier.

Paige sets out to meet Javier, a smouldering Latino barista who has a number of expensive accoutrements - an Audi, leather jacket, etc. Paige shares her findings with the police department, acting as an amateur detective. However, it isn't long before Paige lands herself in hot water.

I liked this book a lot. I thought it was a perfect balance of chick lit and murder mystery. The plot created suspense and I liked the characters. All in all, it was a great summer read.

In Aberdeen Mists, Colorado, Paige Atwell knows she is bored with her marriage of twelve years to faithful Paul and staying at home to raise their two elementary school age children, Chloe and Spencer. However, how much ennui has set in over the dozen years comes to a head (no pun intended) when her married neighbor Karen confesses that she has been in a hot affair with a compassionate Latin lover Javier. Paige agrees sex should be spontaneous and euphoric not scheduled and mechanic. She decides it is up to her to recharge her relationship by "re-sexualize" the passion.

However before she can generate her sex campaign, her neighbor Karen is found dead in her garage in what looks like an accident. Paige and three other coffee moms think otherwise as they believe Karen's spouse Doug learned of Javier and perhaps she was leaving him so he killed her making it look like an accident. Believing they are experts after watching TV police shows, the coffee mamas begin their brand of investigation.

This cross between Desperate Housewives, Stella gets Her Groove, and CSI is an amusing contemporary tale especially when Paige's planned spontaneous sexual escapades lead to mortifying moments. The lighthearted story line is fun especially the family interludes, but goes over the edge during the amateur sleuth inquiry. Still fans will enjoy Paige's attack on her spouse and uncovering the identity of a killer while changing peed on sheets.

Harriet Klausner

I've only watched the show "Desperate Housewives," a handful of times in the couple of years its been on tv. As I read this book, I found my mind comparing what I was reading to what I had seen on those few times I did chose to tune into that particular tv show. The story sort of has that feel to it.

The story is about Paige Atwell, our soccer mom. Paige lives in a suburb of Denver, with her husband and her two kids. Paige is content with things in her world, until one day, her friend Karen confides that she is having a passionate affair with a Spanish model from her art class. This news sends Paige's mind reeling, as she comes to the conclusion that her life is too plain and simple.

Paige begins to obsess over this reveleation, wondering if maybe she needs to commit adultery to spice up her own life and happiness level. Soon after, Karen is found dead in her garage, suffering from a head wound suffered during and apparent accidental fall.

Paige doesn't buy the fell down and conked her head theory, knowing the secrets about Karen's life that she knows. What ensues is Paige's desperate attempt to solve the murder of her friend, get her own life back on track, and keep her sanity.

The story is cute..several times I actually laughed out loud as I was reading. It reads very quickly and keeps the reader pretty engaged throughout. This would be an excellent book to take on vacation with you, or just to curl up on the couch with one snowy afternoon. You'll laugh and you'll shake your head just like I did at Paige's antics.
Overall, a decent read.

Inspired by her friend Karen's new-found passion for living when she begins having an affair, suburban housewife Paige Atwell decides it's time to make over her own boring life. But when the newly pregnant Karen is found dead in her garage, Paige ditches her revamped fitness routine and becomes obsessed with solving her friend's murder.

The Secret Desires of a Soccer Mom, while entertaining, is often ridiculous to the point of making the reader cringe. The previously aimless mother of two shamelessly harasses the grieving widower, dons a padded bra and hooker boots to do her investigative work, and manages to beguile her friend's lover and a police detective, both of whom end up falling in love with her.

The plot and characters of Robyn Harding's second novel are suspiciously reminiscent of ABC's Desperate Housewives and the style is overly dramatic, but the story does manage to hold its own, is never dull, and keeps the reader guessing until the very end.

Armchair Interviews says: An easy summer read.