Customer Reviews

Nice Wives Finish First

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

 

 

OK, here's the plot; Ashley has been married twenty five years to Marcus; She thinks life is good, but he doesn't, and one day she unexpectedly comes home to find him packing his bags to a new life(and woman, ain't it always someone in the wings?) then she ends up in the hospital for that overdue hysterectomy; comes out, broods on her life, while losing some pounds due to her loss and illness, and comes out a new Ashley!! Pow, she resigns from her job, and starts designing clothes for a living, which becomes a success; along the way, she gains and loses things and people, as well as a whole new outlook on life; As a first wife who hit the road herself, I found it great refreshing, enjoyable and empowering; If you are that phase of life and need a pick me up, this is it; I have also read Ms Phillips "Something in Common" which came out a few years back, and some of the characters in that novel are back to join us; Enjoy!

This book went above and beyond the expected. I enjoyed watching Ashley bloom, she basically went from a daffodil to a full fledged beautiful rose! This woman lived for everybody else for so long, and her husband of 20+ years took it and spit in her face. Like Donnie McClurkin sings, "We Fall Down..." and Ashley did indeed "Stand." She found her inner strength and not only did she lose her security blanket called marriage, life had additional hills, valleys, and cliffs for her to travel. But the journey was well worth it in the end. Family drama is in full effect, and how she overcomes all obstacles and is finally rewarded in the end, it's inspirational. Ms. Phillips writes a very intricate tale that keeps you entranced with the challenges Ashley faces daily and at a time when she's weakest, but she triumphs over all adversity. This book fills a failing spirit with hope that 'joy does come in the morning.'

This book offered a glimmer of hope in a situation that could of been hopeless. I felt myself crossing my fingers that everything would be okay for her but in the end it was BETTER than okay. I liked this book because the characters were life like and you could find a small piece of yourself in at least one of them. Breaking up is hard to do and it can affect everyone around you but this book concentrates on staying focused at the big picture and going for your dreams.

I love it and would recommend it anytime!

Ashley Lake is a modern day Cinderella in NICE WIVES FINISH FIRST. She is

a forty-five year old multitasking wife and mother married for twenty-five

years to the love of her life. She works a full time corporate job and goes

home to put in overtime as the picture perfect suburban wife. Having accepted

the diminishing passion in her marriage as part of becoming comfortable with

one another, Ashley is happy without all of the glitz. She no longer expects

the romance and wanderlust of her youth and she embraces the less than perfect

image of herself as well. Despite the routine of her life she is content and

she is sure her husband, Marcus, is happy as well until one day when she walks

in on Marcus packing his clothes. Ashley's foundation is rocked like it was

hit by a horrific earthquake. She's left to ponder what happens next and to

decide if she has a life worth salvaging.

NICE WIVES FINISH FIRST is the best kind of love story. Phillips has crafted

a story where the characters are looking for more than feel good, physical

love. Her characters are searching for hope and self-worth and they discover

inner love and strength at the most trying times. A myriad of issues are

explored in the story from infidelity to family secrets. But what shines

brightest in this tale is the display of strong friendship and familial love

that carries Ashley through some of the most difficult times of her life.

NICE WIVES FINISH FIRST is an enjoyable read which will take the reader on a

journey of emotional experiences. The ending is like a delectable dessert -

sweet yet satisfying.

Reviewed by Diane Marbury

of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

I really enjoyed this book. I really identified with Ashley in her "starting over" phase in the book. Her character showed a lot of determination despite her surroundings. Ashley discovered that with age the dream is still there and attainable. I found myself cheering for her through out the book!!

The perfect marriage, fact or fiction? In author Patricia Anne Phillips' latest novel Ashley Lake has no reason to believe that after 25 years her marriage will come to a screeching end, nor does it make sense to her the excuse that hubby Marcus uses to leave. She has always done what a good wife does, and have been known to go to reasonable lengths to do what any wife would do in a comfortable and seemingly balanced marriage. Fade to Marcus and he would adamantly tell you that he is fed up and wants some added spice to this life, moreover, he wants the wife that he first married...you know, less trimming, more pizzazz and certainly more sex.

It's a fact that in any marriage time is the barometer to measure substance that will be in place to stick and stay, but when the things that got you to where you are today has suddenly gone south, is it time to look for greener pastures on the other side of the fence? NICE WIVES FINISH FIRST is the kind of love story that would pique interest and have you turning each page for redeeming value, coming full circle with just the right amount of heart to give your wife more of what got you there in the first place. Waiting for the ending result to see how they handle this real dilemma is icing on the cake. It's pure fiction (telling a good story!) when you can find a writer who can craft a different type of story where the characters are looking for more than feel good, or physical love devoid of premise for rhyme or reason.

Marcus learns as time progresses why going deeper can be the thing needed to keep her. It's about doing what's necessary for both of their behavior patterns dealing with time-honored sensibilities to come full circle. My compliments to Ms Phillips for writing something that can have others searching for hope and self-worth and they discover inner love and strength at the most trying times. A plethora of issues are examined within the context of the story from infidelity to family secrets, to misplaced integrity. I loved But what shines brightest in this tale is the display of strong friendship and familial love that carries Ashley through some of the most difficult times of her life. NICE WIVES FINISH FIRST is an enjoyable read which will take the reader on a journey of emotional experiences. The ending is like a delectable dessert - sweet yet satisfying.

I enjoyed reading this book though it was a lot of reading to get to Ashley coming into herself and dealing with Marcus. Though I was sure of what the ending would be, I was glad things worked out for Ashely and Elliott. The author had so much telling information until I noticed that Ashley informed Elliott about her childhood and her brother while he was at her house as if she had not already told him the same story earlier in his office.

In Patricia Anne Phillips' latest novel, Nice Wives Finish Last, Ashley Lake thought she had the perfect marriage, but her husband Marcus Lake thought otherwise. Just days after his 50th birthday party, he tells Ashley he is not happy and wants a divorce. Ashley was the type of wife who did everything for her husband, and nothing for herself, so she was quite surprised to find out Marcus was not happy. Ashley's biggest concern was how would she be able to continue her life at age 45 and after 25 years of marriage. After coming to terms with the demise of her marriage, Ashley takes on a new persona. She decides to open her own dress making business, lose weight, get a fresh new hairstyle and new clothes. She becomes a new woman with a new attitude.

Attorney Elliot Douglas is stuck in a loveless marriage. His wife Janet has threatened to take him for everything he has if he divorces her. Elliot drowns himself in his work to forget about what he is not getting at home. When he meets Ashley, he instantly becomes smitten with her. She is on his mind constantly. Finally, Elliot finds a reason to end his misery.

Phillips had a good premise for an interesting story. However, there was too much telling versus showing and this technique made the characters appear cold and without emotions. I could not connect with any of the characters and found myself not liking any of them. Ashley's obsession with becoming a size 8 and being 45 years old was tiresome. Aunt Cora and her wig, I am sure was meant to be comic relief, but it was hard to find the humor. I also found the behavior of the characters inconsistent and unreal. The only thing that really moved me throughout the whole book was the death of Ashley's father, Daniel Lake. For those who read Something In Common, Ms Phillips first novel, Helen Graham and Robert Wilbertson make appearances in this book as well. I have read other books of women changing their lives for the better and really enjoyed them, unfortunately for me, this one fell a little short.

Jeanette

APOOO BookClub