The Trophy Wives Club: A Novel of Fakes, Faith, and a Love That Lasts Forever

by Kristin Billerbeck

Book Overview

Haley Cutler is the consummate trophy wife. Perhaps was is the more accurate term. Haley married Prince Charming when she was only twenty--back in the day when highlights came from an afternoon at the beach, not three hours in the salon.

Unfortunately, after seven years as Jay Cutler's wife, a role that provided significance and what she thought was love, Jay walks out, and Haley finds herself with few life skills that translate to the real...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061375462
• ISBN13: 9780061375460
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Not a Typical Trophy Wive

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

A Charmingly Funny and Romantic Read

"I have a tendency to walk into walls," begins the prologue to Kristin Billerbeck's latest novel, The Trophy Wives Club, and all at once readers know they aren't reading about a typical trophy wife. Haley Cutler is not good at being someone's trophy, no matter how many hours she has spent shopping and maintaining her looks for her soon to be ex-husband who left her for an actress. Haley's failure at playing the right part is magnified even more by the drop-dead gorgeous, but contemptuous Hamilton Lowe, her husband's very own lawyer. When Hamilton recommends Haley attend a church support group called The Trophy Wives Club, she is incensed, but when she begrudgingly takes his advice she discovers there might be another choice besides exacting revenge. Of course, just because Haley discovers there is another way, it doesn't mean she will take that route. Somehow exacting revenge on her ex and his new girlfriend seems like a faster and more enticing way. Yet, the more time she spends with her new friends, the more Haley starts to see she really might be capable of more than being someone else's trophy. Haley Cutler might be living in a world that most women will only ever read about, but her journey to self-discovery, coming to terms with faith, and difficulties in the romance department are relevant to everyday women. In fact, Haley used to be one of those everyday women. Billerbeck's ability to weave a story about the friendships between women and still pepper the story with bigger than life romance is as charming as always. Her knack for creating funny and flawed, yet savvy female characters learning to stand on their own is delightful. Through it all, Billerbeck expertly gets to the heart of a woman going through a divorce and does so with grace and sensitivity.

My favorite Billerbeck novel to date!

This story is incredible and deep, yet entertaining at the same time. In fact, I don't believe I've ever read a Christian fiction novel before that did such a fabulous job capturing the emotion a divorced woman feels and the self-condemnation that goes along with the whole situation. Billerbeck brings out some important truths through dialogue and relationships that is emotionally moving. I wish there were more books likes this in CBA. It's so real! In addition to the above, this is one of the most romantic novels I've ever read and definitely Billerbeck's best novel in the genre. I love Women's Fiction and this story reads like Women's fiction with a touch of romance. Only this story will leave you breathless because the tension is so well done. The character arc is also one of the best I've read to date with the spiritual portion being subtle, yet powerful at the same time. Nothing is watered down, but it's all in there. And the ending is dynamite. I loved it!

Great chick lit fun with terrific message about divorce

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.

Used wife up for sale

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.