The Secret Desires of a Soccer Mom: A Novel (Paige Atwell) [Kindle Edition]

Robyn Harding (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Like an episode of Desperate Housewives, this suburban murder mystery from Harding (follow-up to her well-received debut, The Journal of Mortifying Moments) is predictable to a fault. Inspired by her friend Karen's hot affair with a Latin man, Colorado stay-at-home mom Paige Atwell attempts to "re-sexualize" her own passion-deficient 12-year-old marriage. But before she can step up her efforts, Karen is found dead in her garage. Suspecting Karen's death was no accident, Paige and her friends—a divorcée, a mistress-made-wife and a prude—turn their sights on Karen's husband, Doug. Weighed down by featherweight characters—Karen's paramour, Javier, of course, gets the full Latin lover treatment—Paige's narration leads the plot deep into camp territory: "Karen couldn't be dead, she just couldn't. She was too young, too pretty, too full of life.... And she lived in Aberdeen Mists, for Christ's sake. People did not just up and die in Aberdeen Mists!" (On sale July 25)
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Review

Praise for Robyn Harding’s debut novel,
The Journal of Mortifying Moments

“Painfully funny . . . Harding is a skilled writer who is able to transcend and even exploit cliché. . . . The Journal of Mortifying Moments is light fiction executed by a writer who knows her craft.”
–The Boston Globe

“Journal scores with Kerry’s laugh-out-loud tales of shame.”
–Entertainment Weekly

“Kerry’s cringe-worthy worst memories are laugh-out-loud funny, and fans will applaud her honest efforts to break bad behavior patterns.”
–Publishers Weekly

“This is a big, big winner [that] should securely launch Harding on a long and happy career.”
–Kingston Observer


From the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 287 KB
• Print Length: 304 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (July 25, 2006)
• Sold by: Random House Digital, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000JMKND8
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #393,678 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Soccer Mom Cliche for title nothing else soccer related..., August 2, 2008

By 

Denise (KC, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secret Desires of a Soccer Mom: A Novel (Hardcover)

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.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed this, August 19, 2006

By 

Bearette24 (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Secret Desires of a Soccer Mom: A Novel (Hardcover)

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.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars amusing contemporary tale, August 2, 2006

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Secret Desires of a Soccer Mom: A Novel (Hardcover)

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