Will a tub of chocolate frosting ever take on the same meaning? I don't think so. Kristin Billerbeck did an awesome job of endearing the reader to Haley Cutler's character from the start. Kristin is incredibly gifted in writing dialogues and communicating Haley's self-talk.

There were plenty of good laughs as well as serious reflections throughout the book. This was a unique and rewarding book to read. I look forward to the sequel.

Loved this book...it was soo great!!! Travelling into the life of Haley Cutler can be somewhat confusing at times, but also fun and adventurous....this novel was GREAT!!! More than I expected from this novel...

Though I don't believe in fairy tails I like meeting the women characters in this book. They are hilariously faulty and so genuine. It's a good read and I am happy to see another Christian Chick Lit author. I hope this genre grows.Drawing Marissa

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.

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.

This book was just as good, possibly better than all of Billerbeck's other books. I've read the Spa Girls series, as well as the Ashley Wilkes Stockingdale series and Split Ends. I recommend all of those as well.

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

"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.

She Plants a Vineyard
[...]

I love everything that Kristin Billerbeck writes. The Trophy Wives Club is much different than her previous novels, but just as good. This book may even appeal to a broader range of readers.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Haley was a character I could relate to even though I've never been a trophy wife or been divorced. She's something of a klutz, and even though she's lived through a horrible circumstance, she's a fighter. She's also a fundamentally nice person, who wants to figure out how to move on. Because of her new divorce, she's lost all of her friends. Because of her marriage, she's not very connected to her family. But when she follows up on a flier give to her by her husband's attorney, she finds a group of women who will help her through her transition whether she thinks she needs it or not.

The book has some of the standards you'd expect in chick lit. There's the talk about shoes that I'll never own, brand names I've never heard of, and lifestyles I can't quite imagine but enjoy peeking into. But the fundamental questions, I can relate to all too well. What do we do when life disappoints? How do we handle rejection? How do we foster the dreams that have been dormant for years? And how do we reach out and trust again after being horribly hurt?

If you are looking for a fun chick lit read, with underlying layers of richness, pick this book up. You won't be disappointed.

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

Seven years ago Haley married Jay Cutler in what she naively thought was a love match to her Prince Charming. However, seven years later he no longer needs or wants her as his Trophy Wife; Jay walks out on Haley.

After she overcomes the initial shock of his rejection, Haley begins to think who she is beyond being Jay's wife; to her chagrin, she comes up with nothing. She ponders what she can do, but has no marketable skills even for volunteer work as no one seems to need a smiling pretty woman that has no experiences beyond being a wife. Jay will not meet with Haley so she visits his lawyer, Hamilton Lowe, whose self-righteous holier than thou attitude upsets her. However, she heeds his only practical advice that she joins "The Trophy Wives Club", a Bible study group of women traded in by their husbands for newer models.

Although the relationship between Hamilton and Haley seems unnecessary, readers will appreciate this fine tale of a woman learning to crawl by doing things for the first time that most people take for granted. Haley makes the tale as she learns life is a T in which a person must know when to choose their side path and when to heed others' advice, but never allow people to use love as blackmail to make the selection. THE TROPHY WIVES CLUB is a strong character driven inspirational tale that focuses on a woman learning how to live now that she is no longer on a mantle.

Harriet Klausner