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The Trophy Wife
Ashley & Jaquavis introduce the reader to London, a beautiful immigrant from Trinidad. She was given to her husband by her father in order to settle a debt. Standing by her husband's side, making him the envy of his associates is a day in the life, but behind closed doors their relationship becomes cold and the abuse she encounters has her looking for a way out.
When she meets a young thug named Kalil he opens her up to a world she never knew. Afraid of the repercussions of her actions, she avoids Kalil at all costs, but his relentless pursuit made their love inevitable. This story keeps you guessing until the very final page and the outcome will leave you breathless. Enter the world of The Trophy Wife.
When she meets a young thug named Kalil he opens her up to a world she never knew. Afraid of the repercussions of her actions, she avoids Kalil at all costs, but his relentless pursuit made their love inevitable. This story keeps you guessing until the very final page and the outcome will leave you breathless. Enter the world of The Trophy Wife.
300 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2008
176 people are currently reading
5278 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Antoinette
77 books7,565 followersASHLEY ANTOINETTE COLEMAN is one of the most successful female writers of her time. The feminine half of the popular married duo, Ashley and JaQuavis, she has co-written over 40 novels, including the bestselling Cartel series. Several of her titles have hit The New York Times bestsellers list, but she is most widely regarded for her continuing racy saga, The Prada Plan. Born in Flint, MI, she was bred with an innate street sense that she uses as motivation in her crime filled writings.
Picking up a deal with publishing powerhouse St. Martin's Press while simultaneously inking deals at Warner Brothers Studios and NBC/Universal, Ashley shows no signs of slowing down. She is currently hard at work on a new book series and two television pilots.
To keep up with everything Ashley Antoinette follow her...
twitter @novelista
Instagram @ashleyantoinette
Picking up a deal with publishing powerhouse St. Martin's Press while simultaneously inking deals at Warner Brothers Studios and NBC/Universal, Ashley shows no signs of slowing down. She is currently hard at work on a new book series and two television pilots.
To keep up with everything Ashley Antoinette follow her...
twitter @novelista
Instagram @ashleyantoinette
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
March 19, 2009
Wow..as I'm typing this I can barely keep the tears out of my eyes..To say this book was good would be an understatement. I was not expecting this at all. This is the first book I've read by these two and it won't be the last. I felt everything that happened in this book as if I personally knew these characters. Main character Khalil, all he ever wanted to do was take care of his family. Men often say that women are the end of men. In this case, it's true. London, physically and verbally abused by her husband meets Khalil, fresh out of jail with no real money. Once Khalil gets involved in a heated affair with London everything hits the fan. The ending completely breaks my heart. For this book to be so short, it leaves such a lasting impression on me.
November 4, 2025
“You have given me so much. My life wasn’t worth living until I met you. You showed me what love is, what it’s like to be with a real man. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change anything.”
All Khalil wanted to do was provide for his daughter, Jada.
Khalil didn’t think the one woman he fell in love with would be the beginning of his downfall and, ultimately, his death! But you can’t help who you love, right?
Jada and London were the two most important ladies in his life. All he wanted to do was make enough money to provide with them both.
After being tired of being disrespected by the Italians, he quit the only job that would hire him and reverted to the only thing he was good at… HUSTLING
What he thought would be one more flip turned out to be the one thing that caused him to lose everyone he loved.
Having said that:
RIP Quinn, a genuine ride-or-die cousin to the end.
All Khalil wanted to do was provide for his daughter, Jada.
Khalil didn’t think the one woman he fell in love with would be the beginning of his downfall and, ultimately, his death! But you can’t help who you love, right?
Jada and London were the two most important ladies in his life. All he wanted to do was make enough money to provide with them both.
After being tired of being disrespected by the Italians, he quit the only job that would hire him and reverted to the only thing he was good at… HUSTLING
What he thought would be one more flip turned out to be the one thing that caused him to lose everyone he loved.
Having said that:
RIP Quinn, a genuine ride-or-die cousin to the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2025
WOW.
This book was phenomenal. I literally could not put it down. I wish it ended another way, but it was honestly exactly as it needed to be 😭
YOOOOOOOOO this ending?!??!?!?!??!?!
[Also, I didn't care for all of the talk between the authors at the end of the book. After all of this heartbreak, they want us to listen to this mess?]
This book was phenomenal. I literally could not put it down. I wish it ended another way, but it was honestly exactly as it needed to be 😭
YOOOOOOOOO this ending?!??!?!?!??!?!
[Also, I didn't care for all of the talk between the authors at the end of the book. After all of this heartbreak, they want us to listen to this mess?]
July 9, 2017
Let me start by writing: I am not an avid reader of urban fiction. Nothing against this genre, but I can never really get into them.
The Trophy Wife seemed promising, and I was definitely rooting for the authors, as I like to support African American writers. However, the writing style was a testament to why I steer clear of such books.
This story is about a young man, Khalil Kelly, who has been released from jail and is on parole for a drug bust four years ago. Upon his release, he realizes, he lost some precious time from his 7 year old daughter and determines to stay on the straight and narrow so that he can be a part of her life.
However, Khalil learns quickly, it is not easy for a convict to seek employment, let alone good employment, that will pay well. Prior to his conviction, Khalil lived comfortably and was very well regarded in his community. His new status will not put him close to where he was, unless he opts to regain his status in the streets.
Along the way, he meets beautiful London, who is his daughter's dance instructor. London is gorgeous and Khalil believes they should be more than friends. However, London's background is not clean. She is attached to a life that could bring problems for Khalil, especially if his goal is to stay with his daughter.
The storyline is great and truth be told, the story itself, is in fact interesting. BUT...and you knew this was coming...I could not get past the writing style of the authors. I know they pride themselves on telling the point of view of a woman and a man, but any good writer should be able to accomplish this.
Though the characters and their way of life was believable, you could tell where the authors were stretching- really stretching. The street language was straight from the gutter and it was ridiculous how certain phrases were used so much that it became overkill and distracting, such as "fam" and "ma".
I found the unstable point of views annoying. One minute, you could be reading in the third person and then it would switch to a quasi- first person point of view. Narratives were peppered with explicit words. I mean, I will be real- if the curse words are in the dialogue, fine. However, if you want to describe a car as the narrator in third person, you don't need to say, "Khalil went to the F***** car."
The ending also seemed rushed. The authors did a good job setting up the story only for it to climax and then crash and burn. I felt like there was much more that needed to be explained. In the end, I closed this book and wondered, what kind of mess was that?
There were other issues, but I will not put them here, I will reserve them for my blog. On the writing alone, this is 2.5 on the rating system, but I am giving it 3 stars for the action.
I know there is a certain element to urban fiction and that it is not for everybody. I recognize that it is for entertainment purposes. But I maintain, this is why I don't do urban fiction much.
The Trophy Wife seemed promising, and I was definitely rooting for the authors, as I like to support African American writers. However, the writing style was a testament to why I steer clear of such books.
This story is about a young man, Khalil Kelly, who has been released from jail and is on parole for a drug bust four years ago. Upon his release, he realizes, he lost some precious time from his 7 year old daughter and determines to stay on the straight and narrow so that he can be a part of her life.
However, Khalil learns quickly, it is not easy for a convict to seek employment, let alone good employment, that will pay well. Prior to his conviction, Khalil lived comfortably and was very well regarded in his community. His new status will not put him close to where he was, unless he opts to regain his status in the streets.
Along the way, he meets beautiful London, who is his daughter's dance instructor. London is gorgeous and Khalil believes they should be more than friends. However, London's background is not clean. She is attached to a life that could bring problems for Khalil, especially if his goal is to stay with his daughter.
The storyline is great and truth be told, the story itself, is in fact interesting. BUT...and you knew this was coming...I could not get past the writing style of the authors. I know they pride themselves on telling the point of view of a woman and a man, but any good writer should be able to accomplish this.
Though the characters and their way of life was believable, you could tell where the authors were stretching- really stretching. The street language was straight from the gutter and it was ridiculous how certain phrases were used so much that it became overkill and distracting, such as "fam" and "ma".
I found the unstable point of views annoying. One minute, you could be reading in the third person and then it would switch to a quasi- first person point of view. Narratives were peppered with explicit words. I mean, I will be real- if the curse words are in the dialogue, fine. However, if you want to describe a car as the narrator in third person, you don't need to say, "Khalil went to the F***** car."
The ending also seemed rushed. The authors did a good job setting up the story only for it to climax and then crash and burn. I felt like there was much more that needed to be explained. In the end, I closed this book and wondered, what kind of mess was that?
There were other issues, but I will not put them here, I will reserve them for my blog. On the writing alone, this is 2.5 on the rating system, but I am giving it 3 stars for the action.
I know there is a certain element to urban fiction and that it is not for everybody. I recognize that it is for entertainment purposes. But I maintain, this is why I don't do urban fiction much.
September 9, 2009
This book was recommended to me by my aunt. She said that her friend had let her read it one day, and she thought it was so good; she went out and bought it. I’m not a fan of books and I’m very picking about what interests me. If it doesn’t interests me, I’ll stop at any point and leave the book where it is. Somehow, this book seemed to have gripped my attention.
It’s about a drug dealer, Kalil, who’s just gotten out of jail, waiting to come home to his first priorities, his daughter and baby mama. When he gets home, he notices that his daughter wasn’t in the same condition that he’d left her in. She was 3 years older and dressed like a boy. Although these new characteristics should in his daughter, he knew exactly who she was and she knew that the man she loved the most, was home again and never leaving her. Everything was in place with his daughter, but for his baby mama, she had a different story to tell. She’d been cheating for money, letting her 6 year old run in the streets, allowing her to be abused by the drug dealer she was having an affair with, and according to Kalil, she’d changed totally.
Kalil was a major drug pusher, but because of his daughter, he promises to him self, that he’d stay out of the drug game. In order to show his daughter and new girl the perfect way of living, he struggles to avoid the streets and do the right thing to be there for him. Somehow, he slips back into the game, and his married girlfriend, turns out to be his drug boss’s wife. The whole plot flips, and the ending is worth the wait.
I love this book, I didn’t expect the ending to be this way, but because it did, it made me interested in all the other Ashley and Jaquavis books. I’m glad I took my aunt’s word for it and read the book. The Trophy Wife, happens to be my favorite book because, of it's dramatic, unexpecting, exciting twist.
It’s about a drug dealer, Kalil, who’s just gotten out of jail, waiting to come home to his first priorities, his daughter and baby mama. When he gets home, he notices that his daughter wasn’t in the same condition that he’d left her in. She was 3 years older and dressed like a boy. Although these new characteristics should in his daughter, he knew exactly who she was and she knew that the man she loved the most, was home again and never leaving her. Everything was in place with his daughter, but for his baby mama, she had a different story to tell. She’d been cheating for money, letting her 6 year old run in the streets, allowing her to be abused by the drug dealer she was having an affair with, and according to Kalil, she’d changed totally.
Kalil was a major drug pusher, but because of his daughter, he promises to him self, that he’d stay out of the drug game. In order to show his daughter and new girl the perfect way of living, he struggles to avoid the streets and do the right thing to be there for him. Somehow, he slips back into the game, and his married girlfriend, turns out to be his drug boss’s wife. The whole plot flips, and the ending is worth the wait.
I love this book, I didn’t expect the ending to be this way, but because it did, it made me interested in all the other Ashley and Jaquavis books. I’m glad I took my aunt’s word for it and read the book. The Trophy Wife, happens to be my favorite book because, of it's dramatic, unexpecting, exciting twist.
February 13, 2018
I truly truly enjoyed reading this book! Imagine meeting a woman of your dreams falling in love with her then you find out she’s married to the man that you owe over Half $1 million to. And you have absolutely no way to pay him back. And her husband is a straight crazy and deadly drug kingpin. This story had so many twists and turns ups and downs you’ll be able to keep up though. On a personal note I did not like the ending that was me probably will love it 😍
November 9, 2016
The concept was good but the execution was not really to my liking. I finished it a few days ago and already I've forgotten some key elements of the story. The parts where the authors had a disagreement within the story was just odd; or maybe it's just me. Just seemed unnecessary. I don't like it when authors interject themselves into the story.
Kalil wanted his story to be told so he recruits someone to meet the authors at a book fair. Said man offers them money and access to a great story. The story itself isn't bad but there's some things that were doing too much such as what happened with Peanut at the end.
Kalil wanted his story to be told so he recruits someone to meet the authors at a book fair. Said man offers them money and access to a great story. The story itself isn't bad but there's some things that were doing too much such as what happened with Peanut at the end.
January 14, 2025
I’ll save you the trouble; everyone dies.
June 29, 2021
Grear story. Ending was not what I expected. But still a great read by these two fantastic authors! Can't wait to read more of this dynamic duo work.
December 20, 2024
From the authors of the Cartel series Ashley and Ja’Quavis, I expected a lot more from these two.
I found myself underwhelmed when reading the story.
I don’t understand how London and Kalil fell in love.
The man was fresh out of prison, No money, no place to call his own, and no job.
I understand that he provided her with a “safe space” but their story felt rushed. The ending was Wack and I’m not picking up another book by these authors.
I found myself underwhelmed when reading the story.
I don’t understand how London and Kalil fell in love.
The man was fresh out of prison, No money, no place to call his own, and no job.
I understand that he provided her with a “safe space” but their story felt rushed. The ending was Wack and I’m not picking up another book by these authors.
April 12, 2014
From the opening to the epilogue,I just did not care about any part! I loved The Cartel series but this book was so bad,I wanted to laugh. Absolutely no character development,ridiculous plot,and laughable ending.
Trite,boring,rushed and a hot mess!
I don`t know what the purpose of this novel was,it was THAT BAD!
NEXT!
Trite,boring,rushed and a hot mess!
I don`t know what the purpose of this novel was,it was THAT BAD!
NEXT!
March 20, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ this book pulls you into its gripping narrative from the very first page. Her ability to weave complex characters and raw emotions into a story that feels so visceral is truly unmatched. I found myself completely immersed in the twists and turns, unable to put the book down as the tension mounted with every chapter.
The storytelling is bold, intense, and unapologetically real, showcasing Antoinette’s talent for crafting a tale that lingers in your mind long after the last page. The drama, the heartbreak, and the resilience of the protagonist make this book a rollercoaster of emotions.
I’ll admit—I wish it ended differently, but wow, this was definitely a ride! That bittersweet feeling only proves how deeply the story resonated. If you’re looking for a book that’s daring and unforgettable, Trophy Wife is a must-read!
The storytelling is bold, intense, and unapologetically real, showcasing Antoinette’s talent for crafting a tale that lingers in your mind long after the last page. The drama, the heartbreak, and the resilience of the protagonist make this book a rollercoaster of emotions.
I’ll admit—I wish it ended differently, but wow, this was definitely a ride! That bittersweet feeling only proves how deeply the story resonated. If you’re looking for a book that’s daring and unforgettable, Trophy Wife is a must-read!
February 19, 2015
This was my first time reading an Urban Fiction book and I have to admit I actually enjoyed it! The fast-paced and gritty story line kept my attention from beginning to end. I read it for work as we are currently, winter of reading (reading program for adults)and one of the task is to read outside of your comfort zone. I read this book in a week (which never happens) because I'm a slow reader:) Urban fiction has never interests me because I find that the titles and cover pages to be stereotypical, in the past I have rebelled against reading these books because not every African American female is a hood-rat, prostitute, drug dealer etc... Although, I will probably not continue to read a lot of Urban Fiction I'm glad I stepped outside of my comfort zone and read book I would not normally read.
December 26, 2011
This was the first time I ever read a book by these authors and I was not surprised that I enjoyed it, considering the raving reviews they get. However..... I felt like the beginning of the story was wayyy too over the top and the way they spoke to each other was umm, interesting (I'm trying to keep from saying ghetto as f*** lol) anyway.. the plot was your typical hood story but with a little something different. Kahlil and London's love story is something that you just can't forget. Worth a read, warning thought, very tragic ending.
June 1, 2012
This book shows how hard it is for a black to turn his life around. Recently released from prison, Kalil tried so hard to escape the streets. All he wanted was to be a good father which was so touching. As much as he ran in the opposite direction of the streets, he kept getting pulled back in. London was the love of his life and he would have died for her and Jada!!! The ending was so surprising and sad. Kalil was a good man who had everything taken away from him.
March 13, 2021
I figured out a key part of this early on but it didn't spoil anything. Loved the characters and most of the writing; sometime cursing for no good reason got annoying. This book had me crying and laughing and praying and hoping.
April 13, 2023
This was a quick read. The ending wasn’t what I expected and it definitely wasn’t predictable.
I wanted a happy ending. But at least Hova got what he deserved.
Question… who wrote the final chapter? 👀
I wanted a happy ending. But at least Hova got what he deserved.
Question… who wrote the final chapter? 👀
October 1, 2020
5 hours of suspenseful drama, the pursuit of love, the desire for control and sheer will power for revenge.... I’m here for it. This book is movie material.
July 7, 2017
This was a good read I must say! Every women deep down has a thing for a bad boy but do we every think to cross over to their world? This book shows you that the grass maybe greener on the other side. Kalil was that bad boy with so much swagger and was all about his baby girl. Don't you love a man that is a great father! The first time Kalil laid eyes on London he just knew he had to have her by any means. But little did he know he would be playing with fire dealing with Miss London! But baby he would risk his life literally to call her his own. What a crazy love story!
July 2, 2024
Shout out to Libby! Lol because this book was not on KU.
Overall this was a rollercoaster of a book. At one point I was going to DNF when I found out that Hova was not a black man lmaoooooo I’ll just it at that. But it was good.
The endinggggg?!?!?!?!? I was here for it!!!
Overall this was a rollercoaster of a book. At one point I was going to DNF when I found out that Hova was not a black man lmaoooooo I’ll just it at that. But it was good.
The endinggggg?!?!?!?!? I was here for it!!!
December 10, 2020
I remember that this book was a fucking tragedy. I did not remember that Ashley and Jaquavis did the shit I HATE!!!!
I hate when authors insert themselves into their own fictional stories. It annoys me and takes me out of the story that I'm supposed to be immersed in and reminds me that these people aren't real. I'm not a lunatic, I know they aren't real I can't explain why it irks me so bad, but it does. I probably would have cried over Khalil and London's tragic endings. But it didn't hit me as hard once Ashley and Jaquavis suddenly had a role in Khalil's story. If I were to find out that this was based on real shit, then maybe I would feel differently.
The story was still goo though. And sad, but that's obvious with these two.
I hate when authors insert themselves into their own fictional stories. It annoys me and takes me out of the story that I'm supposed to be immersed in and reminds me that these people aren't real. I'm not a lunatic, I know they aren't real I can't explain why it irks me so bad, but it does. I probably would have cried over Khalil and London's tragic endings. But it didn't hit me as hard once Ashley and Jaquavis suddenly had a role in Khalil's story. If I were to find out that this was based on real shit, then maybe I would feel differently.
The story was still goo though. And sad, but that's obvious with these two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2012
This book was so amazing and sad as well because u hav this man who wants to take care of his family and a young woman going through abuse and these two people cross paths and fall in love. Unfortunately they died in the end. One thing about Ashley and Jaquavis they are real and alot of times in there books people die even the ones u dont want to c make it in the end.
November 11, 2024
4.5 This book was good but piss me off in many ways, I don't know who edited this book but how did she put the husband to sleep just to sneak out and he end up at the same location as her without him knowing she was gone!!! Now please this was just one incident! I felt the end was rushed cuz yeahhhhhh aint no way it just abruptly end like that.
December 31, 2019
I heard about this book for a while; it was a quick, sad, typical hood love story. I give this a 3.5 and look forward to reading other books from her.
April 21, 2021
3.5*
TW domestic violence
TW domestic violence
November 14, 2025
“They say if you die with your eyes open, you deserved it.”
This is my first book from Ashley&JaQuavius.
Although this is an older book, a lot of the references from that era brought me so much nostalgia.
From the music, the clothing brands & the slang.
It reminded me of a few classic urban fiction novels that I had no business reading growing up.
It’s a heartbreaking story layered with grief, drugs, violence & pain. I guessed a lot of this story but it wasn’t less enjoyable.
The conclusion was satisfying and the pacing was fast.
I wouldn’t reread this.
But, I’m glad that I can add this to my list of books I’ve read from Ashley Antoinette.
This is my first book from Ashley&JaQuavius.
Although this is an older book, a lot of the references from that era brought me so much nostalgia.
From the music, the clothing brands & the slang.
It reminded me of a few classic urban fiction novels that I had no business reading growing up.
It’s a heartbreaking story layered with grief, drugs, violence & pain. I guessed a lot of this story but it wasn’t less enjoyable.
The conclusion was satisfying and the pacing was fast.
I wouldn’t reread this.
But, I’m glad that I can add this to my list of books I’ve read from Ashley Antoinette.
November 14, 2025
I love Ashley’s writing style! I was on social media and one of my girls said that this book made her cry, so I wanted to dive in. I am a sucker for something that can move me. This book didn’t make me cry, but I still enjoyed it as it kept my interest. It is messy, but it wouldn’t be Ashley’s writing style if it wasn’t. I was also happy to finally read a book by her husband, this is my first.
There are triggers: Domestic Violence and SA of a minor, and violence.
There are triggers: Domestic Violence and SA of a minor, and violence.
September 4, 2021
It took me a minute to get into this one but midway through I was hooked. Hova was a nut and I love a good villian. I love how Ashley & JaQuavis always throw a twist into their stories that take things to another level.
April 29, 2022
Good, quick read. I enjoyed it.
November 9, 2023
Wow is all I can say… I am speechless and this had me crying towards the end. The narration of this book and the storyline was amazing. All I can say Karma is a bitch smh
Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews