Customer Reviews

The Trophy Wives Club (The Trophy Wives Club, Book 1)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Ok now this is a topic I never dreamed would make it in the Christian fiction world. Women actually admitting they married their husband not for love but for status? Talk about edgy subjects. Which is why I wanted to read this book. I love Kristin's books so this was another book I really enjoyed. Haley is a character that grows throughout the novel. She starts off being spoiled and slightly angry to wanting to learn more about faith. It's a great transformation. The writing is hip and fresh, sprinkled with pop culture yet not too much that the references will be outdated by next year. This is chick lit so I enjoyed reading about the name brand clothes and famous shoes and purses even though I will never own one in my life. I felt that the scene with Haley confronting Hamilton to be very crucial in this day and age. Why does the wife get blamed if the husband decides to leave her? And then why will society and the church shun her? I applaud this book for showing that just because someone has had a divorce does not mean they have completed the unforgivable sin. This is a book that will get your thinking juices flowing. If you only like reading stories where estranged marriages always end up having a happy ending....I'd look elsewhere. But if you are a chick lit fan who loves edgy material that normally isn't found in Christian fiction, this book is definately for you. This is why when you think Christian chick lit you think Kristin Billerbeck.

The Trophy Wives' Club y Kristin Billerbeck is the story of Haley Cutler's self-discovery. Haley married Jay, a Hollywood producer, when she was only 20 and gave him all that she had for their almost eight years of marriage. Despite troubles between them, she was in it for eternity, just like her marriage vows said. But Jay has other ideas, and just before their eighth anniversary would give her more alimony, he changes the locks, cuts off her credit cards, and kicks her to the curb for a younger actress. Haley flounders trying to figure out what to do next. She gave up all of her dreams for Jay, and due to his constant insults, she questions whether she's capable of accomplishing anything other than being his wife. Jay's lawyer Hamilton introduces her to an ex-wives Bible study group at his church, and soon she starts feeling the Lord moving in her life. Haley makes friends, finds a home, and gets a great job, but most of all she learns to let go of Jay and her anger. I loved this book! Haley's anger toward herself and Jay is so realistic, it's easy to love her, despite her Gwyneth Paltrow looks and size 4 body. Her friends each have their own story of struggle with life after marriage. One of the reasons I loved this book was because of how Billerbeck treated divorce. As a divorcee myself, sometimes the black and white attitude toward divorce and marriage in Christian fiction makes me squirm in my seat. She addresses it as something God doesn't want, but it's not up to anyone else to judge, and sometimes it is the right thing to do. Thank you Kristin for that! Hamilton & Haley's relationship seemed a bit forced and hurried to me. Ideally, this would be a trilogy: part one finds Haley finding herself, part two allows her and Hamilton to fall in love, part three finds them planning the wedding and getting rid of baggage before their new life together. My one true gripe with the book has nothing to do with the writer: it was poorly edited. In one spot, Haley asks a question of Penny which obviously should have been asked of Lily. There are other spots with misspelled words and characters referred to as the wrong name. I do hope that there will be more books featuring these characters; they are too good to let go of.

I am a huge Kristin Billerbeck fan! She is my favorite author and I love how she can create characters who are realistic Christians. This book, however, was disappointing to me. I was actually surprised to see so many good reviews on Amazon after I finished it yesterday! The characters in The Trophy Wives Club just didn't seem to be as well-developed as I'm used to with Billerbeck's writing and I found it hard to sympathize with the main character, Haley. In addition, I found numerous typos, including 2 times where the wrong name is used altogether! That bugs me. I still love Kristin and I will continue to read her work, but this book was not up to par, in my opinion.

In this inspirational chick lit, Haley Cutler's role as wife is cancelled when her producer husband decides, after almost eight years of marriage, that he wants out. And thanks to an unfortunate pre-nup that Haley signed when she was in love and had stars in her eyes, she is left with nothing, except her clothes that were thrown out on the front porch-and a car. Her ex-husband, Jay, even kept her cat.

With nowhere to go except to her parents, Haley returns to her childhood home. But instead of the carefree girl she was when she left, now Haley is bitter, and determined to get Jay where it hurts. After all, he's moving on with a young starlet, and not only is he keeping his fortune, he's gaining someone else's.

Haley attends a meeting at a church that her husband's lawyer mentioned - a club for `Trophy Wives.' But these women seem too wrapped up in Bible study when what Haley needs is revenge--and someone to talk her through applying for a credit card, and other necessities. Will she find what she needs, and so much more?

The Trophy Wives Club is the first book in Kristin Billerbeck's newest series through Avon Inspire. Haley is understandably bitter after everything that happens to her, and she has some snappy lines, but it took me a long time to really care what happens to her. I find it hard to relate to a woman so far removed from Midwestern standards, and used to getting pedicures for fun, and wearing designer footwear.

But in typical Kristin Billerbeck style, the character did begin to grow on me, and I sympathized with her, eventually. The story is very well written, and did hold my interest to the end. And the faith message is a bit more obvious than in some of Billerbeck's other books, but it still isn't preachy (a feat that must have been hard to accomplish, since the club for Trophy Wives is actually a Bible Study group. Discussion questions are included at the end.

Armchair Interviews says: First in a new series by Billerbeck.

I love Kristin Billerbeck and would give my eyeteeth to be able to write like she does. This book, however, wasn't my favorite of all her books I've read. It is more serious than some and delves into areas not seen in most Christian fiction and for that I applaud her. I will say that once I started this book I couldn't put it down and was caught up in Haley's life and her travel to find TRUE love.

A small comment about Haley's mother going to a church where they "talk to rocks - well, cement statues of saints, but still" bothered me as a Catholic as did the incorrect use of the phrase Immaculate Conception. As with most Protestants, the phrase is used to mean Virgin Birth, which is completely wrong. It is the doctrine that Mary was saved from stain of Original Sin at the moment of her conception. It doesn't refer to Jesus's conception at all.

All in all, though, I enjoyed the book, but look forward to more humor in her other books.

Kristin Billerbeck does chick-lit like no other, as a matter of fact, she is called a Christian chick-lit pioneer in some circles.

It seems a shame to label someone as perky, fun, complex and multi-faceted as Kristin, as a pioneer. I just don't picture her covered in dust and ready for a monument or memorial plaque. But, that said, she does know Christian chick-lit.

The Trophy Wives Club, My fourth Billerbeck read, is the most satisfying on several different levels. The men take a backseat in this drama involving a pampered princess whose prince has moved on down the road, leaving her literally out on her well-clad backside. Without money flow, career and even friends, Haley finds her fairy tale life was far more fragile than she had even entertained within nightmares. This leaves Haley an opportunity to grow without being shaped by people who expect things from her. Instead she's left to find out who she is when new friends step in and offer her help getting back on her Donald Pliner clad feet.

Though chick-lit tends to be irreverent and not-so-deep, the Trophy Wives Club carries some grown up themes that end up puncturing an attitude or two if the reader is open to having attitudes tweaked. It's rare to find a line like this in just your ordinary chick-lit..."Marriage is like calculus. Complicated and inexplicably remote. People think it's about loving one another and riding off into the sunset, but no one tells you the horse is lame or that it's an eclipse, and there won't be a sunset that day." Of course, Haley goes on to qualify that statement with classic ticked-off princess flair. "Loving someone more than yourself takes more than effort -- especially when they want something different from you. Especially when the something different is a sleazy actress. The truth of what goes on inside any marriage is really only for those involved to know. "

The spiritual aspects are realistic. I would consider the subject matter pretty edgy for the Christian fiction crowd, especially those who prefer their reading to be uplifting all the time. Haley doesn't end up with a contrite husband ready to throw diamonds at her. His character proves to be beyond shallow. Yet Haley comes out with a whole lot more love than she ever thought possible.

This is a sweet escapist read. One for those who know Happily Ever After doesn't exactly look like the fairy tales. And those who are glad for that because those Grimm brothers told some freaky stories. Those who can't tolerate divorce or a story about it may not want to pick it up. If you like Billerbeck, you should like this slightly familiar, very different novel.

Billerbeck tackles a hard subject with humor and a tremendous amount of insight. Haley doesn't trust the church. And if Hamilton's attitude is any indication, why should she? Haley's excursion into the Trophy Wives Club wasn't at all what I expected. Haley doesn't roll over and play little Christian. She's tough and I liked her. For chick lit, this little book packs a punch.

Billerbeck doesn't deliver a soapbox sermon but weaves the spiritual thread in so subtly, it rings with authenticity. The Trophy Wives Club will make you laugh, do a little introspection, and laugh some more. Great characters, a surprising plot, and definitely a great read.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com

This is my third experience reading Kristin Billerbeck's books, and I can always count on her books to give me a good laugh. And while there's a good dose of humor in this book, The Trophy Wives Club deals with a very difficult topic: divorce. I cannot imagine being blindsided with a divorce after being married to a man I thought loved me, but apparently, never did. This is exactly what Haley Cutler experiences, and this book follows her journey of self-discovery.

Personally, I know I would've immediately reached for the tub of chocolate frosting as well as had a TV marathon with Maury and Judge Judy just like Haley did. But I also know that after a few days of doing that, I would realize that it's time to try to turn my life around. The good news for Haley is that she has a wonderful new group of friends from a local church--The Trophy Wives Club--who have experienced everything that she is just now getting a taste of. Through these great friends, Haley turns her life around dramatically, and has a few things handed to her that I thought weren't very realistic. Honestly, how many people do you know that have million-dollar condos that they don't live in, and will let you live there rent free? Not to mention, friends that have connections in the film industry, and just happen to have a job waiting for you?

Overall, I liked the premise of the story, and I definitely had a good laugh (blondes walking into walls is a hilarious mental image). But as I kept reading, this book slowly kept going downhill. In addition to the things I just mentioned, I have to admit that the ending ruined the book for me. I already knew how it would end, but I was so hoping for something different from everything else out there.

Kristin Billerbeck is one of my favorite authors. I loved her Ashley Stockingdale and Spa Girls series. And Split Ends was wonderful.

I just received this book as a gift. And while the ideas in the book are great and the story interesting, I was very, very disappointed in the execution of this story.

It seemed disjointed to me. As if a lot of vital information was left out. Kristin usually gives more insight into her heroine and how she gets from point A to point B.

Anyone else feel the same way about this book?

I really liked this book. It was very entertaining even though I have never been in her situation. I am the product of divorce. That said I have often thought about what it would be like to be the one divorced. The stats say 1 in 2 marriages will end in divorce or at least that is what I heard. I love how Haley is not the typical trophy wife and how her relationship with Hamilton evolves throughout the story. I highly recommend this book!

For more of my reviews visit me at http://www.abookloverforever.blogspot.com