The title and cover design makes one expect a light easy read. However, this book is about how Agnes finds herself again and matures during this process. Starting out as a trophy wife with a trophy life Angie’s fate apruptly takes a downward spiral where she has to fight for herself and her baby daughter. She struggles in her new life situation but manages to see gradually more and more positive. Her husband is a shady, unlikable figure but her friends are funny and supportive. I found it an interesting read and finished it in one go as I wanted to know the outcome. I recommend this novel.

Thank you, NetGalley for an advance copy for an honest review.
Trophy Wife by Lea Geller a solid 4.5
Description:
For the last ten years, Agnes Parsons’s biggest challenge has been juggling yoga classes and lunch dates. Her Santa Monica house staff takes care of everything, leaving Agnes to focus on her trophy-wife responsibilities: look perfect, adore her older husband, and wear terribly expensive (if uncomfortable) underwear.

When her husband disappears, leaving Agnes and their infant daughter with no money, no home, and no staff, she is forced to move across the country, where she lands a job teaching at an all-boys boarding school in the Bronx. So long, organic quinoa bowls and sunshine-filled California life. Hello, processed food, pest-infested house, and twelve-year-old-boy humor—all day, every day.

But it’s in this place of second chances (and giant bugs), where Agnes is unexpectedly forced to take care of herself and her daughter, where she finds out the kind of woman she can be. Ultimately, she has to decide if she prefers the woman and mother she has become…or the trophy life she left behind.

In the first chapter, I honestly thought it would be one of those over the top chic lit novels. It was not at all a chic lit. It had engaging true grit. Anges learned what is important and cares for the twelve-year-old boys. With so many not kind or likable people, you wanted her to keep moving forward! She won me over and I cheered.

Agnes is fortunate to have the dream life that most women desire. Her loving husband, Jack, is successful and generously provides for her and their infant daughter, Grace. She lives on the beach in Santa Monica and spends her days practicing yoga. She also has full-time help to run her home and care for her daughter. She has lots of flexibility to spend time with her friends and family.

This happy life comes to an abrupt halt when Jack doesn't arrive for their usual couples massage. Agnes is informed by Jack’s best friend that he has business troubles and will be away for an undetermined amount of time. She also learns that her house and cars are being repossessed and there is no money to pay the staff. While their finances are in flux, a job has been secured for Agnes in New York City. She will teach at an all-boys middle school and will receive a modest housing allowance. Confused and angry about her husband’s dishonesty, she is forced to move forward and make some important decisions about her life.

This is a debut novel by Lea Geller. ”Trophy Life” is an enjoyable story covering motherhood, friendship, and self-discovery. While reading this book, you can’t help getting pulled into Agnes’ world and all the obstacles she must overcome.

I really liked this book so much, rooting for the main character all the way through. When it started, I thought, "Oh no, here we go...another book about rich women." But, when it all falls apart, Agnes finds out that sometimes, having it all might not be what you need. I hated some of these characters, particularly her husband, and I especially loved her best friend. Some of the plot points were a tiny bit far fetched, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of this book one single bit. I really enjoyed this book so much. Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union (who never seems to let me down in book choices) for an opportunity for an advance of this title in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and it definitely went in a direction that I was not expecting . I found myself cheering for Agnes to succeed in her new situation and imaging what it would be like to have your life change that drastically! Overall a great, fun read that I will recommend to friends!

This book had a great start. I was so captivated by the main character and all of the fabulous details of her life. When the story took a sharp turn, and Agnes found her life as she'd known it crumbling around her, I was completely zoned in. As the story goes on, I felt it drug out a little farther than necessary. The middle of the book is a bit over detailed. The writing style was very easy to read, but just felt overkill. Overall, a good story about perseverance and how quickly life can change. Personally, it just was not my most favorite.

I wholeheartedly recommend Trophy Life, the warm-hearted, engaging and relatable story of a young trophy wife, Agnes (Aggie to her few close friends) who suddenly and unexpectedly finds herself tossed out of her trophy life. It is both lighthearted yet deeply tragic considering how spoiled she has been and how ill-equipped and inexperienced she is at making it on her own with little money, a dumpy townhouse and a jungle of out-of-control middle school boys.


As Aggie's newly relocated life unfolds, writer Lea Geller, does a beautiful job of revealing the potential wonderfulness of such qualities as humility, resourcefulness and even yes . . raw desperation. It pokes holes in the often held belief that money solves everything. And deftly illustrates how through the great leveling of circumstances our inner strengths can be revealed.


Aggie's experience of being thrown into teaching middle school boys is far from prim and proper. And it could be said that she learned as much from the boy's anarchy as they learned from her . . probably far more.

A compelling read with just as much depth as humor. Kept me reading straight through and really missed it at the end!

It’s not a plot that’s new, but the telling is interesting...combines elements of self discovery, middle school, marriage and friendship with a little bit of mystery stirred in.. It was an easy and enjoyable read.

I love a feel good story about having it all - and losing it all, and this book didn’t disappoint. The main character is very “grounded” to begin with so the loss of lifestyle didn’t seem to hit as hard as the loss of relationship. Although she tries to cling to it and believes the myriad of deception before her, she does eventually see the light. Along the way she discovers herself, through new relationships with the “young men” in her life. Wrapped up in a happy ending! A fun read!

You know there's no where but down for Aggie, the main character, who's ensconced in a California coast world of privilege and beautiful things. I did enjoy this book, but found myself wanting to grab Aggie firmly by the shoulders and shake her into reality. She's done wrong by her man, forced into a job and lifestyle she's unprepared for, and along the way she grows into the woman she was meant to be. But the pining for her old life just felt wrong, and I was very glad when she finally moved on.

I have customers who will love this book, so I'll be sure to recommend it as an option to consider.

This was a fantastic read with much heart and more depth than I expected. It will be relatable for any woman who has ever had to "go it alone" and forge a new path when life doesn't turn out as she'd expected. We might think that the story of a "trophy wife" would be vacuous, but the character of Agnes learned much about herself and others as she reinvents herself within a life she didn't ask for and makes tough choices about love and rightness. Highly recommended!

Agnes is a spoiled trophy wife of an older husband. She wants for nothing and does whatever she wants. When her husband and his money goes missing, Agnes finds herself out of sorts. No money, no job, and she has to take care of her daughter. Agnes moves to the Bronx and gets a teaching job at an all boys school. Her life is a complete turnaround from what she is used to. You never know how strong you until that is the only choice you have. This was a fun quirky read as Agnes tries to figure out her new normal. I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing. All opinions are my own.

Loved this book! It was a book filled with great characters and a wonderful storyline! Agnes was a wonderful main character and it reminded me of what it would be like if a kardashian awoke from their life and tried to make it in the real world! Fabulous read!

I so enjoyed Trophy Life! It was laugh out loud fun and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it!

Agnes is young and beautiful. She has been happily married to Jack for a decade. He’s wealthy and powerful. He’s driven and always gets his way. Agnes didn’t grow up with a loving family and she appreciates how Jack takes care of her and their daughter, Grace. Agnes doesn’t work anymore but she keeps busy with yoga, exercise, massages and leisurely lunches. Agnes has plenty of time to keep her body in shape and plan sexy evenings with her hubby. Life in Santa Monica could not be brighter.

And then Jack goes missing. And the bills stop getting paid. And the staff must be let go. Jack’s jerk of a lawyer and accountant, Don highly suggests that Agnes sell what hasn’t been repossessed and move all the way to the Bronx to teach at St. Norbert’s school to help Jack. Something doesn’t add up, but Agnes chooses to trust that Jack, wherever he is, will take care of things.

On the bright side, Agnes’ childhood bestie, Beeks lives in New York. She’s a sarcastic and honest, overwhelmed mother who always found Jack to be swarmy. But she’s determined to be there for Agnes, attempting to keep her opinions to herself.

There is something weird going on at St. Norbert’s. Agnes can’t quite figure out how being there can benefit her husband. She is immediately disliked and ridiculed by coworkers and the kids are leerly that a teacher could possible care about them. Agnes shows strength and resilience learning that she is more than a trophy.

I received an advance copy of the novel from great thoughts, great readers. All opinions are my own.

A wonderful read full of lifes truths laughs friendship. Agnes has it all fancy home yoga clothes jewelry,life’s luxurious gifts,.and lose it all .When her husband disappears so does her fabulous lifestyle. .The change in her life reveals new life full of surprises. #netgalley #lakeunionpublishing.

I enjoyed reading this book about a woman who fell from having it all materially but realized that it was friendships and belief in herself that actually mattered more.

I love coming of age stories where you get to watch the main character discover the power within themselves and take steps out on their own. This is one of the first books where I've felt those same themes with an adult character.

Agnes was not a character I enjoyed at first, but by about halfway through I was rooting for her on every page. I loved seeing her realize that she was capable: of cooking, of being a mom to Grace, and of being her own individual person. Having the story told in first person made this even stronger. While I did feel like some of her growth and some situations were wrapped up a little too quickly, the overall story arc was engrossing.

I feel like I should have known what was going on with the Jack side of the story, but I was so wrapped up in Agnes's changing life that I found myself uninterested in him. From about two-thirds into the story, I was never really hoping they would find their way back to each other because I didn't want all of the growth Agnes made to be for nothing. I so preferred East Coast Agnes to West Coast Agnes of the story's beginning.

While I don't think this is a life-changing story, it was such an engaging and enjoyable read, and one that I will be thinking about for a while.

*I was given a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.* I just finished reading (devouring) this book! It grabbed my attention from the start, which can sometimes be difficult. I found the characters relatable, for the most part. Agnes was likable enough for me to root for her, but I also wanted to throttle her at times! The students were goofy, lovable, and my favorite parts of the novel. All in all, this was an entertaining, yet somewhat predictable, read. 3/5⭐️’s

Trophy Life is the touching gritty and funny story of a young Trophy Wife who unexpectedly is forced to hide out and put her nose down to the grind stone at a boys private school as a middle school teacher. As she unexpectedly finds joy in her situation she has to make some decisions about who the Trophy Spouse really is and whether she is truly happy in that role.

I received an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book was an enjoyable light hearted book that also had an emotional depth to it that I was not expecting. At first, I was annoyed by Agnus and her apparent shallowness and lifestyle. By the end of the book, I was cheering for her and her choices in life. I love how she championed the boys of the school when it appeared that no one else would.

This is an easy book to read if you are wanting more of a light read that still has some substance.

I will definitely be looking for future books from Lea Geller.