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Trophy Wife
From the New York Times bestselling author of Fooling Around comes a steamy novel about a pampered princess who’s starting over—and the hot guy next door who knows exactly how to melt that tiara right off.
Alison Davies used to just be a trophy wife. Now she’s just flat broke. Thanks to an ironclad prenup, she’s worse off than she was before the day she rushed down the aisle with a wealthy jerk eight years ago. After her steep fall from riches to rags, Alison refuses to shackle herself to any man who treats her like a possession—no matter how good he looks in a pair of well-worn jeans, or how his muscles ripple while he’s carrying her couch.
Underneath his rugged exterior, Rob West is a gentleman. So when he sees his beautiful new neighbor moving in, he’s going to help her out no matter how loudly she protests. In fact, Alison’s determination to go it alone just strengthens his resolve—and his desire to find out what makes her tick. But after one spur-of-the-moment tumble in the sheets, it’s clear that their connection goes way deeper. And that Rob won’t be happy until Alison surrenders to the passion they share.
Alison Davies used to just be a trophy wife. Now she’s just flat broke. Thanks to an ironclad prenup, she’s worse off than she was before the day she rushed down the aisle with a wealthy jerk eight years ago. After her steep fall from riches to rags, Alison refuses to shackle herself to any man who treats her like a possession—no matter how good he looks in a pair of well-worn jeans, or how his muscles ripple while he’s carrying her couch.
Underneath his rugged exterior, Rob West is a gentleman. So when he sees his beautiful new neighbor moving in, he’s going to help her out no matter how loudly she protests. In fact, Alison’s determination to go it alone just strengthens his resolve—and his desire to find out what makes her tick. But after one spur-of-the-moment tumble in the sheets, it’s clear that their connection goes way deeper. And that Rob won’t be happy until Alison surrenders to the passion they share.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2016
66 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
Noelle Adams
140 books2,684 followersNoelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
December 6, 2016
2 stars
Review at Of Pens and Pages
I've only read two Noelle Adams stories, but I've fairly enjoyed both. I tried my best to like this book, but there were a lot of things that hindered me from enjoying it.
Alison leaves her husband of eight years when she realized she didn't want to be a trophy wife anymore. The divorce leaves her with little funds, and she moves to her grandmother's place that was bequeathed to her by her late parents in a small town away from the city. Still, she sees this as an opportunity to prove to herself that she can stand on her own and live a life without leaning on anyone.
She meets her ruggedly handsome neighbor, Rob West, when he comes over to try to help her. They start off on the wrong foot, but Alison soon opens up to him when she realizes he's only genuinely trying to help her. Attraction builds between the two, but since they both came from bad marriages, they agreed to take things slow.
I didn't know what either of the characters are, since they seem to be acting this way while trying to be another. They lacked chemistry and there wasn't enough build up and foundation to root for them. The secondary characters were usually added as an afterthought, placed in certain scenes as a plot device.
Some of the dialogue was awkward and lacked emotion. I found myself skipping a few parts because it was getting repetitive.
I wanted to see more growth for both characters, and although there was a hint of it, it kind of got lost in the romance and was just thrown around somewhere near the end. Again, like an afterthought.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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Review at Of Pens and Pages
I've only read two Noelle Adams stories, but I've fairly enjoyed both. I tried my best to like this book, but there were a lot of things that hindered me from enjoying it.
Alison leaves her husband of eight years when she realized she didn't want to be a trophy wife anymore. The divorce leaves her with little funds, and she moves to her grandmother's place that was bequeathed to her by her late parents in a small town away from the city. Still, she sees this as an opportunity to prove to herself that she can stand on her own and live a life without leaning on anyone.
She meets her ruggedly handsome neighbor, Rob West, when he comes over to try to help her. They start off on the wrong foot, but Alison soon opens up to him when she realizes he's only genuinely trying to help her. Attraction builds between the two, but since they both came from bad marriages, they agreed to take things slow.
I didn't know what either of the characters are, since they seem to be acting this way while trying to be another. They lacked chemistry and there wasn't enough build up and foundation to root for them. The secondary characters were usually added as an afterthought, placed in certain scenes as a plot device.
Some of the dialogue was awkward and lacked emotion. I found myself skipping a few parts because it was getting repetitive.
I wanted to see more growth for both characters, and although there was a hint of it, it kind of got lost in the romance and was just thrown around somewhere near the end. Again, like an afterthought.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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August 19, 2023
Both protags were extremely unappealing for a romance. Dude has two ex-wives... yeah you read that correctly... TWO! One of them is still prominently in his life as is her teenage daughter whose life seems to be just as out of control as her mother.
The heroine chose to be a trophy wife to a cold narcissist old man 27 years older than her. She whines about her lot for a long time then finally gets the wherewithal to leave him... only to jump into another relationship with this man with two ex-wives.
The book concludes with a very public, very cringey marriage proposal. I don't see this marriage as lasting very long. I am almost certain there will be another divorce (3rd for him, 2nd for her).
It’s not necessarily all the past divorces that made this "romance" problematic, it’s that their relationship happened way too soon for me not to spell R-E-B-O-U-N-D. The author did not convince me these two people were mature enough to handle their own emotional, social and financial issues let alone be there and support each other in the long run. It really felt like two immature college age kids struggling with playing house like the grown-ups do 🤷🏻♀️
The heroine chose to be a trophy wife to a cold narcissist old man 27 years older than her. She whines about her lot for a long time then finally gets the wherewithal to leave him... only to jump into another relationship with this man with two ex-wives.
The book concludes with a very public, very cringey marriage proposal. I don't see this marriage as lasting very long. I am almost certain there will be another divorce (3rd for him, 2nd for her).
It’s not necessarily all the past divorces that made this "romance" problematic, it’s that their relationship happened way too soon for me not to spell R-E-B-O-U-N-D. The author did not convince me these two people were mature enough to handle their own emotional, social and financial issues let alone be there and support each other in the long run. It really felt like two immature college age kids struggling with playing house like the grown-ups do 🤷🏻♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2016
At the age of eighteen, Alison found herself penniless and without many options for a bright future. She decides to pursue a forty-five year old colleague of her father's who had expressed interest in her. They date for three months and marry. Every decision is taken care of for her and all she has to do is look pretty, dress pretty and make her husband happy.
Eight years later, Alison has had enough. Her husband was never mean or abusive, but she wants to experience life, and go to school, and make her own choices. She packs up and divorces her husband. Due to a tight pre-nup agreement, she is left with nothing. She moves into her late grandmother's house in a small town and decides to start living life.
Her neighbor across the street is named Rob. Divorced twice with an ex who won't leave him alone, Rob offers Alison help around her house - help she tries to refuse and grudgingly accepts. Rob owns the local hardware store and when Alison discovers jobs aren't easy to come by in this town, especially since she has zero work experience, Rob puts in a good word for her at the diner, and Alison becomes a waitress.
Rob is smitten with her and even bets his friend that he can date her within three months. Alison is guarded and wants to prove to herself that she can make it on her own, so she pushes Rob away time and time again.
This story fell very flat for me. Alison had no emotions or passion or anything. She wasn't funny or angry or bitchy. She was just - there. Rob had a little more charm to him, but I needed something more in this story to keep me engaged. I found my eyes wandering all over the room landing everywhere but my kindle. There wasn't a lot that happened - just Rob pursuing Alison who isn't sure what she wants. Alison does like making jewelry so that plays a part in the book - but not enough to keep me interested.
I was excited to see this premise from this author, as I have liked her previous work, but it didn't work.
Grade: D
Eight years later, Alison has had enough. Her husband was never mean or abusive, but she wants to experience life, and go to school, and make her own choices. She packs up and divorces her husband. Due to a tight pre-nup agreement, she is left with nothing. She moves into her late grandmother's house in a small town and decides to start living life.
Her neighbor across the street is named Rob. Divorced twice with an ex who won't leave him alone, Rob offers Alison help around her house - help she tries to refuse and grudgingly accepts. Rob owns the local hardware store and when Alison discovers jobs aren't easy to come by in this town, especially since she has zero work experience, Rob puts in a good word for her at the diner, and Alison becomes a waitress.
Rob is smitten with her and even bets his friend that he can date her within three months. Alison is guarded and wants to prove to herself that she can make it on her own, so she pushes Rob away time and time again.
This story fell very flat for me. Alison had no emotions or passion or anything. She wasn't funny or angry or bitchy. She was just - there. Rob had a little more charm to him, but I needed something more in this story to keep me engaged. I found my eyes wandering all over the room landing everywhere but my kindle. There wasn't a lot that happened - just Rob pursuing Alison who isn't sure what she wants. Alison does like making jewelry so that plays a part in the book - but not enough to keep me interested.
I was excited to see this premise from this author, as I have liked her previous work, but it didn't work.
Grade: D
August 29, 2021
Allison just came out of marriage where her husband kept her as a show piece and battered any self worth she tried to express. Starting over in a small town, she repeatedly refuses any help from her neighbor. She was pretty prickly about life in general but as she began to experience the innate goodness that was Rob, she started to loosen up.
Rob gave of himself to everyone around him. He fixed things, helped people and solved problems. He also had a history of being humiliated by the women in his life. What he had with Allison was something he wanted to keep but struggled to let go of his own issues to do so. But holy heck, he had a romantic heart.
This was very well written with characters that were fully developed and a plotline that fit them perfectly. Nothing contrived here and never a moment where this hero and heroine responded in an immature fashion. The angst level was relatively low yet the threat of something happening to put everything this couple had at risk hoovered on the edges through much of the story, keeping me on edge as to when the other shoe would drop.
I enjoyed everything about this book with its moments of humor, fun side characters, interesting revelations and to top it all, the fire that lit up my kindle each time Rob and Allison came together. This is one hot read with plenty of fun and emotion.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Rob gave of himself to everyone around him. He fixed things, helped people and solved problems. He also had a history of being humiliated by the women in his life. What he had with Allison was something he wanted to keep but struggled to let go of his own issues to do so. But holy heck, he had a romantic heart.
This was very well written with characters that were fully developed and a plotline that fit them perfectly. Nothing contrived here and never a moment where this hero and heroine responded in an immature fashion. The angst level was relatively low yet the threat of something happening to put everything this couple had at risk hoovered on the edges through much of the story, keeping me on edge as to when the other shoe would drop.
I enjoyed everything about this book with its moments of humor, fun side characters, interesting revelations and to top it all, the fire that lit up my kindle each time Rob and Allison came together. This is one hot read with plenty of fun and emotion.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Read
July 16, 2025Read for content pull!
This is getting an updated cover and release!
This is getting an updated cover and release!
February 17, 2017
Alison married at a young age strictly for the security the relationship would offer, but after 8 years of being a trophy wife to an older man she’s had enough. Trapped in a marriage that gives her no opportunity to expand her horizons beyond how to be a proper hostess, she files for divorce, knowing that she’ll get nothing from her ex-husband (who stipulated a 10 year marriage in their prenuptial agreement if she was to lay claim to any of his money). Going even further, she moves away from the city into her parent’s house in a small town where she knows no-one and she can start fresh. But other than a jewelry making class she’s taken, she has no marketable skills, as evidenced by her hopes for a receptionist job going up in smoke.
Her saving grace turns out to be her new neighbour Rob. The kind of guy who doesn’t like seeing people struggling, his offer to help her move her stuff in when she first arrives is one she rebuffs, having just come from one controlling relationship and having no desire to be seen as a weak woman. But when she comes across him again at a local hardware store, a little conversation turns into a second chance for her to accept help from him, with a suggestion to ask his friend who runs a local diner for a waitressing gig. She does, and gets the job, to her relief. She plans to do whatever she can to make enough money to go to school, get a business diploma and open her own jewelry shop. Big plans, but ones she’ll work on one day at a time. Eventually she and Rob become friendly neighbours, and then lovers. Rob’s penchant for helping damsels in distress is at odds with Alison’s desire for independence. Can they find a compromise that will lead them to a relationship they weren’t looking for but seem to have found, complete with a happy ending?
What makes a Noelle Adams book shine is the way she creates characters that are flawed but believable. Alison had her reasons for marrying young, but as she got older, she realized that those reasons weren’t enough for her anymore and that the only way to extract herself from the situation she’s in (a loveless marriage for show) is to do something about it herself. She has the courage to leave her husband and start over again in a place she’s never lived, doing a menial job but appreciating that everything she’s doing now is what she wants. Her personal satisfaction at accomplishing small things on her own gives her the confidence to know that she’s made the right decision. The trouble is that she’s so keen to do things on her own that she forgets for a while that it’s okay to get help from others, and that it doesn’t make her needy or weak to do so. Her relationship with Rob starts out on a touchy note but gradually becomes warmer, and indeed pretty hot when they start sleeping together though she makes it clear that she is not at all ready for anything serious.
Rob is content living in a small town. Despite having been through two divorces, a cheating ex for wife number one and an alcoholic for wife number two, he still finds himself thinking of settling down and having a family with the right woman. He’s the proud owner of his hardware store, a hardworking, generous and good person. His first instinct to help his new neighbor might have been rebuffed but he’s quick to realize her circumstances might require a gentler touch. When he finds himself attracted to Alison and they start a sexual relationship, he falls hard and fast but knows that telling Alison this will scare her off completely. His problem though is wanting to be needed, without realizing that it’s a two-way street. His failed marriages are a source of embarrassment for him, and he doesn’t like to share his feelings but Alison won’t be happy if she can’t share his burdens too. They go through a few rough patches but eventually find their way, and we get a lovely happy ending for them, with a sweet epilogue. It’s a feel good romance with believable characters, and another keeper for my shelf.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
This review appears as a blog post at : https://straightshootinbookreviews.co...
Her saving grace turns out to be her new neighbour Rob. The kind of guy who doesn’t like seeing people struggling, his offer to help her move her stuff in when she first arrives is one she rebuffs, having just come from one controlling relationship and having no desire to be seen as a weak woman. But when she comes across him again at a local hardware store, a little conversation turns into a second chance for her to accept help from him, with a suggestion to ask his friend who runs a local diner for a waitressing gig. She does, and gets the job, to her relief. She plans to do whatever she can to make enough money to go to school, get a business diploma and open her own jewelry shop. Big plans, but ones she’ll work on one day at a time. Eventually she and Rob become friendly neighbours, and then lovers. Rob’s penchant for helping damsels in distress is at odds with Alison’s desire for independence. Can they find a compromise that will lead them to a relationship they weren’t looking for but seem to have found, complete with a happy ending?
What makes a Noelle Adams book shine is the way she creates characters that are flawed but believable. Alison had her reasons for marrying young, but as she got older, she realized that those reasons weren’t enough for her anymore and that the only way to extract herself from the situation she’s in (a loveless marriage for show) is to do something about it herself. She has the courage to leave her husband and start over again in a place she’s never lived, doing a menial job but appreciating that everything she’s doing now is what she wants. Her personal satisfaction at accomplishing small things on her own gives her the confidence to know that she’s made the right decision. The trouble is that she’s so keen to do things on her own that she forgets for a while that it’s okay to get help from others, and that it doesn’t make her needy or weak to do so. Her relationship with Rob starts out on a touchy note but gradually becomes warmer, and indeed pretty hot when they start sleeping together though she makes it clear that she is not at all ready for anything serious.
Rob is content living in a small town. Despite having been through two divorces, a cheating ex for wife number one and an alcoholic for wife number two, he still finds himself thinking of settling down and having a family with the right woman. He’s the proud owner of his hardware store, a hardworking, generous and good person. His first instinct to help his new neighbor might have been rebuffed but he’s quick to realize her circumstances might require a gentler touch. When he finds himself attracted to Alison and they start a sexual relationship, he falls hard and fast but knows that telling Alison this will scare her off completely. His problem though is wanting to be needed, without realizing that it’s a two-way street. His failed marriages are a source of embarrassment for him, and he doesn’t like to share his feelings but Alison won’t be happy if she can’t share his burdens too. They go through a few rough patches but eventually find their way, and we get a lovely happy ending for them, with a sweet epilogue. It’s a feel good romance with believable characters, and another keeper for my shelf.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
This review appears as a blog post at : https://straightshootinbookreviews.co...
September 16, 2016
2.5
Decent overall but there was a lack of chemistry and cohesive in the storyline. The dialogue was stilted at times and repetitive. The romance was undeveloped emotionally and the cast of secondary characters were used more as filler than individualised entities. I found myself growing bored repeatedly and skipping through to find more interesting scenes.
Decent overall but there was a lack of chemistry and cohesive in the storyline. The dialogue was stilted at times and repetitive. The romance was undeveloped emotionally and the cast of secondary characters were used more as filler than individualised entities. I found myself growing bored repeatedly and skipping through to find more interesting scenes.
November 25, 2025
I always devour this author’s work. This couple was very different, but sadly a bit boring. H had two ex-wives and h was a former trophy wife. I was sort of hoping her older ex would show up and cause some drama, but he didn’t. I didn’t really like her ice queen act in the beginning.
I did find Rob endearing. He wore his heart on his sleeve, but seemed to have bad taste in women. Allison was still trying to figure out who she was as she had been married since she was 18.
I did find Rob endearing. He wore his heart on his sleeve, but seemed to have bad taste in women. Allison was still trying to figure out who she was as she had been married since she was 18.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2016
Allison, a recently divorced trophy wife is trying to make it on her own in a small town. Her ex-husband made sure she was always dependent on him and was an all around nasty man. He took advantage of an 18 year old whose family just lost their fortune. He promised to take care of her but really just suppressed her in their 8 years of marriage. Allison finally breaks free from his hold and moves into her grandmas house in a small town where she meets her neighbor Rob.
These two were cute together but started off on all the wrong reasons. By the time they both started feeling more, both their insecurities got in the way. The story was about personal growth and what people would do when faced with a choice of opening up to possible hurt to reach for love. It was an adorable story. Rob was cute with the way he wanted to take care of Allison. She just feared the trophy wife label too much that it kept getting in the way of their relationship. Rob only wanted people to see him strong and capable which got in the way of Allison seeing him need her like she needed him. overall, cute story! ARC provided by NetGalley.
These two were cute together but started off on all the wrong reasons. By the time they both started feeling more, both their insecurities got in the way. The story was about personal growth and what people would do when faced with a choice of opening up to possible hurt to reach for love. It was an adorable story. Rob was cute with the way he wanted to take care of Allison. She just feared the trophy wife label too much that it kept getting in the way of their relationship. Rob only wanted people to see him strong and capable which got in the way of Allison seeing him need her like she needed him. overall, cute story! ARC provided by NetGalley.
November 24, 2016
3.5 stars
I love a good small town feel to a story and this book delivered completely on that concept. The characters were well developed. Alison a hurt, city girl recovering from a divorce. Alison had a resilience and need to prove her self-sufficiency as a person but also as a woman. Rob was a generally nice guy and I took to him quickly but I cannot deny some irritation in the latter part of the book.
This was a gentle undulating story, not overly angst-driven but with ups and downs. The story line was relatable and it was particularly strong in the first 70%, perhaps losing some traction slightly in the later portion. I felt there was a little unanswered issue over Arthur. There were some nice side characters, some of whom I would have liked to know a bit more.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
I love a good small town feel to a story and this book delivered completely on that concept. The characters were well developed. Alison a hurt, city girl recovering from a divorce. Alison had a resilience and need to prove her self-sufficiency as a person but also as a woman. Rob was a generally nice guy and I took to him quickly but I cannot deny some irritation in the latter part of the book.
This was a gentle undulating story, not overly angst-driven but with ups and downs. The story line was relatable and it was particularly strong in the first 70%, perhaps losing some traction slightly in the later portion. I felt there was a little unanswered issue over Arthur. There were some nice side characters, some of whom I would have liked to know a bit more.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
May 23, 2017
ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley
I liked it.
I can't say that I loved it, because I had really hard time connecting to the characters.
The story was somewhat predictable, but either way I read it in one sitting and it kept me fairly entertained.
I liked it.
I can't say that I loved it, because I had really hard time connecting to the characters.
The story was somewhat predictable, but either way I read it in one sitting and it kept me fairly entertained.
March 2, 2017
Trophy Wife by Noelle Adams
Alison Davies just got away from a man who treated her like a possession. She was married to a man who took advantage of an eighteen year old girl and he made her sign a prenuptial agreement. Now she has no means of supporting herself. However she is free of being shackled to a nasty character. Now she has a chance with a new man but is afraid of getting treated badly and like a trophy wife. This keeps her from moving on and having a healthy relationship with somebody who is nice this time.
This falls into the category of women's fiction. The writing flowed easily and the characters were interesting. I enjoyed this story and would read more from this author.
Thank you to Net Galley, Noelle Adams and the Publisher for providing me with my copy for a fair and honest review. (I have read this a while ago and my review disappeared)
Alison Davies just got away from a man who treated her like a possession. She was married to a man who took advantage of an eighteen year old girl and he made her sign a prenuptial agreement. Now she has no means of supporting herself. However she is free of being shackled to a nasty character. Now she has a chance with a new man but is afraid of getting treated badly and like a trophy wife. This keeps her from moving on and having a healthy relationship with somebody who is nice this time.
This falls into the category of women's fiction. The writing flowed easily and the characters were interesting. I enjoyed this story and would read more from this author.
Thank you to Net Galley, Noelle Adams and the Publisher for providing me with my copy for a fair and honest review. (I have read this a while ago and my review disappeared)
December 1, 2016
**3.5 stars**
I enjoyed Trophy Wife a lot more than I thought I would.
Neither the title nor the cover inspired much confidence that this would be up my alley but I like heroines who take charge of their lives and work for what they want. And that was Alison to a T. The description makes her sound brash but she’s really very brave. She divorces her husband, leaving the luxury she’s known all her life because she wants to find herself and stop being the kind of woman who depends on her husband for everything.
Thankfully, she’s not completely destitute. Her parents left her a house in a small town and when she moves there, she meets Mr. Helpful, a.k.a. Rob, her next door neighbor. He wants to carry her packages, help her fix the toilet, he wants to help, help, help. Understandably, Alison wants to do everything herself. After depending so much on her first husband, she doesn’t want to start depending on the first man she comes across but Rob is having none of it. At first she finds him annoying but then understands that he’s just being neighborly. Rob, of course, has other plans.
I’m really torn about Rob. When I read a romance, I feel I have to be attracted to the hero and I wasn’t in this case. Maybe it was the two divorces (yikes!) or how insecure he was at times. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a really nice guy, hard worker, loves his parents, good in bed, in good shape but I felt the author didn’t do a good enough job wowing me with him. At the same time, both of his marriages contributed greatly to his baggage and made the conflict more nuanced. His previous wives had used him and humiliated him and he was very self-conscious about what people would think. He definitely didn’t want to be the town’s laughingstock/object of pity again, which contributed to a lot to his issues with Alison.
Alison for her part, recognizes that she has a tendency to defer to strong men even when she disagrees. I got the impression she believed the issues in her marriage were all her husband’s fault but when she starts behaving in the same way with Rob, she realizes that part of the problem is her. If she wants to have a different type of relationship, she has to start changing herself. What a revelation! You rarely see main characters in romance acknowledging that they shoulder some of the blame when a past relationship doesn’t work.
I also liked how everything wasn’t perfectly solved at the end. She had to get a crappy job to make ends meet and still had it by the end of the book. She didn’t end up madly in love with the small town and vowing to live there forever. But she was working towards the future she wanted and Rob was willing to make changes in order to make it happen.
The book has its weaknesses. The writing was stilted and the author mentioned the phrase “trophy wife” like a million times. It also took until around half the book for the story to get going.
Overall though, the characterization was really good and the conflict was well thought out. I would definitely read another book by this author.
First posted at Badass Book Reviews. Thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept and Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book.
I enjoyed Trophy Wife a lot more than I thought I would.
Neither the title nor the cover inspired much confidence that this would be up my alley but I like heroines who take charge of their lives and work for what they want. And that was Alison to a T. The description makes her sound brash but she’s really very brave. She divorces her husband, leaving the luxury she’s known all her life because she wants to find herself and stop being the kind of woman who depends on her husband for everything.
Thankfully, she’s not completely destitute. Her parents left her a house in a small town and when she moves there, she meets Mr. Helpful, a.k.a. Rob, her next door neighbor. He wants to carry her packages, help her fix the toilet, he wants to help, help, help. Understandably, Alison wants to do everything herself. After depending so much on her first husband, she doesn’t want to start depending on the first man she comes across but Rob is having none of it. At first she finds him annoying but then understands that he’s just being neighborly. Rob, of course, has other plans.
I’m really torn about Rob. When I read a romance, I feel I have to be attracted to the hero and I wasn’t in this case. Maybe it was the two divorces (yikes!) or how insecure he was at times. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a really nice guy, hard worker, loves his parents, good in bed, in good shape but I felt the author didn’t do a good enough job wowing me with him. At the same time, both of his marriages contributed greatly to his baggage and made the conflict more nuanced. His previous wives had used him and humiliated him and he was very self-conscious about what people would think. He definitely didn’t want to be the town’s laughingstock/object of pity again, which contributed to a lot to his issues with Alison.
Alison for her part, recognizes that she has a tendency to defer to strong men even when she disagrees. I got the impression she believed the issues in her marriage were all her husband’s fault but when she starts behaving in the same way with Rob, she realizes that part of the problem is her. If she wants to have a different type of relationship, she has to start changing herself. What a revelation! You rarely see main characters in romance acknowledging that they shoulder some of the blame when a past relationship doesn’t work.
I also liked how everything wasn’t perfectly solved at the end. She had to get a crappy job to make ends meet and still had it by the end of the book. She didn’t end up madly in love with the small town and vowing to live there forever. But she was working towards the future she wanted and Rob was willing to make changes in order to make it happen.
The book has its weaknesses. The writing was stilted and the author mentioned the phrase “trophy wife” like a million times. It also took until around half the book for the story to get going.
Overall though, the characterization was really good and the conflict was well thought out. I would definitely read another book by this author.
First posted at Badass Book Reviews. Thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept and Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book.
November 24, 2016
Favorite Quotes:
He'd never invited her into his house. She had no idea why - unless he had a wife hidden away in the attic or he didn't want to put away an embarrassing porn collection.
It was a bad marriage. And honestly, at the end of it I didn't want to feel like I was bought and paid for.
Makes total sense. A girl's got to know her own worth - and that ain't money.
My Review:
Initially, it appeared a bit difficult to empathize with Alison as she had lived a life of luxury, didn't have to work, and was pampered with services and materials possessions, although it quickly became apparent that she was also a possession herself. She had lived a life of limited choices and no freedom to grow, improve, or make up her own mind. She was merely arm candy and completely dependent upon her perfectionist husband. Some women would be thrilled with all that and she had lasted for eight years - I doubt I could do it for a day. She had married young and had never lived on her own, attended college, or even had a job, but luckily she had a place to live as she inherited a small home in a small town. She also had a major case of insecurity, a lack of personal identity, and no marketable skills. Soon into her journey of self-exploration and discovery, she finds herself attracted to Rob - her kind and ridiculously handsome neighbor, who was super sweet and nurturing to everyone in town and was also extremely patient, thoughtful, and careful with Alison. I adored him. Trophy Wife presented a different wrinkle in that stepping away from the allure of wealth was not a step-down, but a major step-up with pleasant surprises and improvements experienced in every room. Rob was a multitalented hunk... swoon.
He'd never invited her into his house. She had no idea why - unless he had a wife hidden away in the attic or he didn't want to put away an embarrassing porn collection.
It was a bad marriage. And honestly, at the end of it I didn't want to feel like I was bought and paid for.
Makes total sense. A girl's got to know her own worth - and that ain't money.
My Review:
Initially, it appeared a bit difficult to empathize with Alison as she had lived a life of luxury, didn't have to work, and was pampered with services and materials possessions, although it quickly became apparent that she was also a possession herself. She had lived a life of limited choices and no freedom to grow, improve, or make up her own mind. She was merely arm candy and completely dependent upon her perfectionist husband. Some women would be thrilled with all that and she had lasted for eight years - I doubt I could do it for a day. She had married young and had never lived on her own, attended college, or even had a job, but luckily she had a place to live as she inherited a small home in a small town. She also had a major case of insecurity, a lack of personal identity, and no marketable skills. Soon into her journey of self-exploration and discovery, she finds herself attracted to Rob - her kind and ridiculously handsome neighbor, who was super sweet and nurturing to everyone in town and was also extremely patient, thoughtful, and careful with Alison. I adored him. Trophy Wife presented a different wrinkle in that stepping away from the allure of wealth was not a step-down, but a major step-up with pleasant surprises and improvements experienced in every room. Rob was a multitalented hunk... swoon.
December 12, 2016
Ok so, despite the H being slightly annoying, I really enjoyed this book! It was sweet and had just the right pace to keep me interested!!
December 12, 2016
Allison Davies has spent the last 8 years of her life with a husband she didn’t love. After her parents lost their entire fortune, she married for money at 18. But her marriage was doomed from the beginning. Recently divorced, she is exhilarated by her new found freedom. She wants a new start and has so many dreams to fulfil. She has decided to trade her city life for small town living in Fielding, North Carolina, where she has inherited her grandmother’s house. But she doubts she’ll ever fit in this rural town.
Her new neighbor, Rob West, is friendly and helps her find a temporary job of waitress. She is learning to be independent and is definitely not looking for a relationship.
Rob is a good-hearted man who married twice… and divorced twice. Although Rob and Allison spend more and more time together, she still has doubts about him. He has issues and refuses to open up to her. This time around, Allison wants to be herself, not the person her partner wants her to be. She is not going to settle for less than an equal relationship based on trust.
Overall, this book was a light and easy read, but I have to admit that I expected more, in terms of story and character development. But this will not deter me from reading this author’s next books!
An advance copy of this book was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley
Her new neighbor, Rob West, is friendly and helps her find a temporary job of waitress. She is learning to be independent and is definitely not looking for a relationship.
Rob is a good-hearted man who married twice… and divorced twice. Although Rob and Allison spend more and more time together, she still has doubts about him. He has issues and refuses to open up to her. This time around, Allison wants to be herself, not the person her partner wants her to be. She is not going to settle for less than an equal relationship based on trust.
Overall, this book was a light and easy read, but I have to admit that I expected more, in terms of story and character development. But this will not deter me from reading this author’s next books!
An advance copy of this book was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley
August 24, 2016
After 8 years of marriage, Alison realizes how much her husband is controlling her and how unhappy she's been for years. She divorces Arthur and moves to small town.
She’s a mess, always doubting her self and than she worked hard at being independent that is when She met her divorced neighbor Rob West…
Rob is the sexy strong neighbor who has experienced bad divorce twice in his life so he knows how she feels. He shows her not all men are the same. He helps her find herself and whats she wants out of her life.
I absolutely loved Rob and Alison together. There were so many sweet and tender moments. Their chemistry starts off strong, then lulls, then comes back full force.
I can't express how much I loved this book! It had all the elements of a wonderful story without the plot being riddled with useless filler. That is the benchmark of a fabulous writer. LOVED IT!!
**I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review**
She’s a mess, always doubting her self and than she worked hard at being independent that is when She met her divorced neighbor Rob West…
Rob is the sexy strong neighbor who has experienced bad divorce twice in his life so he knows how she feels. He shows her not all men are the same. He helps her find herself and whats she wants out of her life.
I absolutely loved Rob and Alison together. There were so many sweet and tender moments. Their chemistry starts off strong, then lulls, then comes back full force.
I can't express how much I loved this book! It had all the elements of a wonderful story without the plot being riddled with useless filler. That is the benchmark of a fabulous writer. LOVED IT!!
**I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review**
August 19, 2016
This review is based on an ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
I didn't bond with the characters.
I didn't bond with the characters.
July 20, 2023
I fully expected to love this neighbors to lovers romance but it wasn’t as enjoyable as this author’s stuff usually is. The characterization was more wooden and there was a repetition of elements from her other books, right down the FMC making bead jewelry. If the character arcs had been more solid, it wouldn’t have felt so derivative of her other work.
As it was, the emotional arcs felt incredibly flimsy, likely because the characters didn’t ever feel real to me. Allison is worried she’s a trophy wife but I couldn’t understand the why of it all. She was only 18 when she married Arthur. Her parents didn’t appear to have pressured her into it—nor did they talk her out of it, so no points there—and I wasn’t clear on what her lifestyle had been like up to that point that she would rather marry a much older man than adjust to poorer circumstances. If she was going to be a trophy wife, I wanted her to have really gone for it! It just didn’t ever add up and so her fears never made any sense. And then it just grated, as “trophy wife” is used 15 times. Like we get it!
Rob, on the other hand, is a pretty classic codependent type who needs to be needed. He doesn’t want Allison to see him as weak or lesser so he puts up a front of everything being fine and just focusing on her needs. That only goes so far, of course. But as with Allison, I wasn’t clear on why he was that way. He’s had two failed marriages and doesn’t seem to have done any work to figure out his part in that or why he picked such duds.
Speaking of Rob’s ex-wives, Dee was the Evil Ex trope and a caricature at that. I have no idea what Rob ever saw in her and it made me think less of him as a result. He also enables her drinking and no one ever seems to ever do anything about it. I don’t know if she’s just an occasional binge drinker or if she’s an alcoholic but either way, it’s not great and has a real impact on her daughter. It was frustrating for the book to end without any boundaries in place with Dee or with her seeking treatment. Allison’s ex-husband Arthur isn’t quite an Evil Ex but he isn’t great either. There was a contrived choice for him to show up at her house unannounced. If he indeed married her because he thought she was young and malleable, then he’s not going to waste any time driving out to a rural town when they’re already divorced. It made no sense, nor was it necessary.
The worst part was the resolution of the third act breakup. Allison finally stands up for herself and breaks things off after Rob still won’t open up to her. (She really could have stood to try having one more conversation instead of going straight to breaking up but whatevs.) They have two days apart. I was starting to think maybe Rob would wise up and just go open up to her but that’s not what happens. Instead, he calls her over for help because his former stepdaughter was beaten up by her boyfriend. A secondary character’s trauma should not be the reason characters get back together! It felt exploitative, for one. For another, this doesn’t show that Rob has really changed. Allison can take it as a step in the right direction, sure. But she’s basically all in, ready to say “I love you” and officially get back together before they’ve talked through any of their issues. I didn’t buy any of it.
So yeah. This was a letdown, especially compared to how much I usually enjoy this author. There were some cute moments though. Rob leaves notes on napkins for her every time he gets breakfast from the diner. He helps her weed her garden and gives her mulch for her birthday and it’s pretty much the best gift she’s ever received.
Characters: Allison is a 26 year old white waitress and jewelry maker. Rob is a white hardware store owner. This is set in Fielding and Charlotte, NC.
Content notes: intimate partner violence (teen secondary character), codependency, secondary character with active drinking problem (mentions of driving drunk), Evil Ex trope, divorce (recent for FMC; MMC has been divorced twice), past infidelity (MMC’s first ex-wife), past sexual coercion by FMC’s ex-husband, past death of FMC’s parents (including heart attack) and grandparents, classism, FMC’s ex was fatphobic, food commentary by FMC and MMC’s mother, diet culture, alcohol, cigarettes (secondary character), gendered pejorative, ableist language
As it was, the emotional arcs felt incredibly flimsy, likely because the characters didn’t ever feel real to me. Allison is worried she’s a trophy wife but I couldn’t understand the why of it all. She was only 18 when she married Arthur. Her parents didn’t appear to have pressured her into it—nor did they talk her out of it, so no points there—and I wasn’t clear on what her lifestyle had been like up to that point that she would rather marry a much older man than adjust to poorer circumstances. If she was going to be a trophy wife, I wanted her to have really gone for it! It just didn’t ever add up and so her fears never made any sense. And then it just grated, as “trophy wife” is used 15 times. Like we get it!
Rob, on the other hand, is a pretty classic codependent type who needs to be needed. He doesn’t want Allison to see him as weak or lesser so he puts up a front of everything being fine and just focusing on her needs. That only goes so far, of course. But as with Allison, I wasn’t clear on why he was that way. He’s had two failed marriages and doesn’t seem to have done any work to figure out his part in that or why he picked such duds.
Speaking of Rob’s ex-wives, Dee was the Evil Ex trope and a caricature at that. I have no idea what Rob ever saw in her and it made me think less of him as a result. He also enables her drinking and no one ever seems to ever do anything about it. I don’t know if she’s just an occasional binge drinker or if she’s an alcoholic but either way, it’s not great and has a real impact on her daughter. It was frustrating for the book to end without any boundaries in place with Dee or with her seeking treatment. Allison’s ex-husband Arthur isn’t quite an Evil Ex but he isn’t great either. There was a contrived choice for him to show up at her house unannounced. If he indeed married her because he thought she was young and malleable, then he’s not going to waste any time driving out to a rural town when they’re already divorced. It made no sense, nor was it necessary.
The worst part was the resolution of the third act breakup. Allison finally stands up for herself and breaks things off after Rob still won’t open up to her. (She really could have stood to try having one more conversation instead of going straight to breaking up but whatevs.) They have two days apart. I was starting to think maybe Rob would wise up and just go open up to her but that’s not what happens. Instead, he calls her over for help because his former stepdaughter was beaten up by her boyfriend. A secondary character’s trauma should not be the reason characters get back together! It felt exploitative, for one. For another, this doesn’t show that Rob has really changed. Allison can take it as a step in the right direction, sure. But she’s basically all in, ready to say “I love you” and officially get back together before they’ve talked through any of their issues. I didn’t buy any of it.
So yeah. This was a letdown, especially compared to how much I usually enjoy this author. There were some cute moments though. Rob leaves notes on napkins for her every time he gets breakfast from the diner. He helps her weed her garden and gives her mulch for her birthday and it’s pretty much the best gift she’s ever received.
Characters: Allison is a 26 year old white waitress and jewelry maker. Rob is a white hardware store owner. This is set in Fielding and Charlotte, NC.
Content notes: intimate partner violence (teen secondary character), codependency, secondary character with active drinking problem (mentions of driving drunk), Evil Ex trope, divorce (recent for FMC; MMC has been divorced twice), past infidelity (MMC’s first ex-wife), past sexual coercion by FMC’s ex-husband, past death of FMC’s parents (including heart attack) and grandparents, classism, FMC’s ex was fatphobic, food commentary by FMC and MMC’s mother, diet culture, alcohol, cigarettes (secondary character), gendered pejorative, ableist language
December 6, 2016
3.5 stars
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 6, 2016
Allison Davies used to just be a trophy wife. Now she’s just flat broke. Thanks to an ironclad prenup, she’s worse off than she was before the day she rushed down the aisle with a wealthy jerk eight years ago. After her steep fall from riches to rags, Alison refuses to shackle herself to any man who treats her like a possession—no matter how good he looks in a pair of well-worn jeans, or how his muscles ripple while he’s carrying her couch.
Underneath his rugged exterior, Rob West is a gentleman. So when he sees his beautiful new neighbor moving in, he’s going to help her out no matter how loudly she protests. In fact, Alison’s determination to go it alone just strengthens his resolve—and his desire to find out what makes her tick. But after one spur-of-the-moment tumble in the sheets, it’s clear that their connection goes way deeper. And that Rob won’t be happy until Alison surrenders to the passion they share.
••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.5 stars-- TROPHY WIFE by Noelle Adams is a stand alone, romantic storyline focusing on two people whose prior relationships have ended badly. This is small businessman Rob West, and Allison Davies’s story line.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Rob and Allison) TROPHY WIFE focuses on a second start for our story line heroine. At eighteen years of age, Allison became the trophy wife to a much older man but her fantasy about living the life of a pampered housewife soon came crashing down when she found herself going through the motions-one day at a time. Fast forward eight years and Allison Davies Collins walks out on her loveless marriage and embarks on a new path in life in Fielding, North Carolina-her grandmother’s hometown. Enter Rob West, a twice-divorced, small businessman whose attraction to Allison is met with resistance and a ferocious streak of independence by the story line heroine. What ensues is the building relationship between Rob and Allison, and Allison’s attempts to make it on her own.
TROPHY WIFE focuses on Allison as she struggles with life as an independent and newly single woman. With no education or job-related experience Allison is forced to work as a waitress at the local Fielding diner. Allison’s need to be independent of everyone and everything finds our heroine battling between her attraction to Rob West, and Rob’s need to help everyone in need. Rob West is twice divorced but isn’t gun shy about pursuing his new neighbor, a neighbor who wants to keep their relationship a secret from the local townspeople. Although a successful businessman and jack of all trades, Rob’s insecurities will push Allison in the opposite direction.
The relationship between Allison and Rob begins acrimoniously. Allison’s desire and need to be independent finds our heroine’s attitude abrasive and rude on a number of occasions believing that Rob’s need to help is akin to her ex-husband’s need to control his trophy wife. Rob and Allison’s love affair begins slowly but becomes their ‘dirty little secret’ as Allison refuses to go public with their romance and their relationship. The $ex scenes are intimate without the use of over the top graphic sexual language and text.
We are introduced to a number of townspeople including Rob’s ex-wife Dee, and her daughter Cali. Dee’s constant presence in Rob’s life is troubling for Allison as Rob is quick to jump when Dee calls for help.
The world building focuses on Allison’s fight to remain independent; her stubborn need to be free of the past finds our heroine refusing help when she needs it the most.
TROPHY WIFE is a slow building story line of second chances. There is some redundancy, and the use of ‘trophy wife’ is repetitive and unnecessary as though the reader needs constant reinforcement regarding the heroine’s previous relationship status. It is the ‘trophy wife’ syndrome that Allison fears once again. The low angst, story line conflict comes from within Allison and Rob’s relationship but more so Allison’s need to be independent and free. The premise is realistic-Allison and Rob’s insecurities and worries are believable; their relationship is not perfect nor are the couple in question. The romance is intimate but I struggled with the lack of palpable energy although Rob’s daily notes of affirmation are sweet and romantic.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 6, 2016
Allison Davies used to just be a trophy wife. Now she’s just flat broke. Thanks to an ironclad prenup, she’s worse off than she was before the day she rushed down the aisle with a wealthy jerk eight years ago. After her steep fall from riches to rags, Alison refuses to shackle herself to any man who treats her like a possession—no matter how good he looks in a pair of well-worn jeans, or how his muscles ripple while he’s carrying her couch.
Underneath his rugged exterior, Rob West is a gentleman. So when he sees his beautiful new neighbor moving in, he’s going to help her out no matter how loudly she protests. In fact, Alison’s determination to go it alone just strengthens his resolve—and his desire to find out what makes her tick. But after one spur-of-the-moment tumble in the sheets, it’s clear that their connection goes way deeper. And that Rob won’t be happy until Alison surrenders to the passion they share.
••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.5 stars-- TROPHY WIFE by Noelle Adams is a stand alone, romantic storyline focusing on two people whose prior relationships have ended badly. This is small businessman Rob West, and Allison Davies’s story line.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Rob and Allison) TROPHY WIFE focuses on a second start for our story line heroine. At eighteen years of age, Allison became the trophy wife to a much older man but her fantasy about living the life of a pampered housewife soon came crashing down when she found herself going through the motions-one day at a time. Fast forward eight years and Allison Davies Collins walks out on her loveless marriage and embarks on a new path in life in Fielding, North Carolina-her grandmother’s hometown. Enter Rob West, a twice-divorced, small businessman whose attraction to Allison is met with resistance and a ferocious streak of independence by the story line heroine. What ensues is the building relationship between Rob and Allison, and Allison’s attempts to make it on her own.
TROPHY WIFE focuses on Allison as she struggles with life as an independent and newly single woman. With no education or job-related experience Allison is forced to work as a waitress at the local Fielding diner. Allison’s need to be independent of everyone and everything finds our heroine battling between her attraction to Rob West, and Rob’s need to help everyone in need. Rob West is twice divorced but isn’t gun shy about pursuing his new neighbor, a neighbor who wants to keep their relationship a secret from the local townspeople. Although a successful businessman and jack of all trades, Rob’s insecurities will push Allison in the opposite direction.
The relationship between Allison and Rob begins acrimoniously. Allison’s desire and need to be independent finds our heroine’s attitude abrasive and rude on a number of occasions believing that Rob’s need to help is akin to her ex-husband’s need to control his trophy wife. Rob and Allison’s love affair begins slowly but becomes their ‘dirty little secret’ as Allison refuses to go public with their romance and their relationship. The $ex scenes are intimate without the use of over the top graphic sexual language and text.
We are introduced to a number of townspeople including Rob’s ex-wife Dee, and her daughter Cali. Dee’s constant presence in Rob’s life is troubling for Allison as Rob is quick to jump when Dee calls for help.
The world building focuses on Allison’s fight to remain independent; her stubborn need to be free of the past finds our heroine refusing help when she needs it the most.
TROPHY WIFE is a slow building story line of second chances. There is some redundancy, and the use of ‘trophy wife’ is repetitive and unnecessary as though the reader needs constant reinforcement regarding the heroine’s previous relationship status. It is the ‘trophy wife’ syndrome that Allison fears once again. The low angst, story line conflict comes from within Allison and Rob’s relationship but more so Allison’s need to be independent and free. The premise is realistic-Allison and Rob’s insecurities and worries are believable; their relationship is not perfect nor are the couple in question. The romance is intimate but I struggled with the lack of palpable energy although Rob’s daily notes of affirmation are sweet and romantic.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
October 11, 2016
Trophy Wife is a small town romance about former trophy wife and city girl who ends up finding more than just herself and happiness again in a small town. As a fan of Noelle Adams’ previous books, this one was intriguing to read from the perspective it was a lot longer than a lot of her other books but like them, it held my interest as it moved at a steady to fast pace. The book has some drama but is mostly fairly light as the two main characters, Rob and Allison, find themselves growing closer and unable to resist their mutual attraction
Told from dual perspectives, Allison and Rob are both wounded by their failed marriages but for Allison it is a fairly new situation and she is ready to find herself again. There is an obvious attraction between the pair when these neighbours first meet but I loved the balance Noelle Adams got with Allison’s stubbornness as a result of her new developing self-control, and the real emotion you can feel coming from her as she seeks to start again. It was always relevant rather than just being used to drag things out or cause unnecessary issues. Rob, in contrast to Allison, is a rather laid back style character who has a need to have people like him and to help out. It takes a little time before things get steamy between the characters but it worked well in terms of pacing when considering the plot. As the book progresses, it is clear both their pasts still impact on their lives today, showing some very real and raw emotions for both characters. The closer Allison and Rob grow in their relationship, the more they evolve with the story and grow as characters.
Trophy Wife is well written and has a good plot that will keep you intrigued to see how all elements play out. The plot felt very realistic in a lot of it’s elements that it was easy to see it playing out in front of you. One thing I personally found though with the plot is that it felt fairly steady with no necessarily ‘big’ moments, just ticking over. Not a bad thing but not necessarily the most exciting either. The secondary characters in the book added some extra dimensions to the book, especially for Rob. Trophy Wife can be read as a standalone with a HEA and epilogue.
Overall, this is a good read and those who enjoy a small town romance should definitely consider checking this out.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
Told from dual perspectives, Allison and Rob are both wounded by their failed marriages but for Allison it is a fairly new situation and she is ready to find herself again. There is an obvious attraction between the pair when these neighbours first meet but I loved the balance Noelle Adams got with Allison’s stubbornness as a result of her new developing self-control, and the real emotion you can feel coming from her as she seeks to start again. It was always relevant rather than just being used to drag things out or cause unnecessary issues. Rob, in contrast to Allison, is a rather laid back style character who has a need to have people like him and to help out. It takes a little time before things get steamy between the characters but it worked well in terms of pacing when considering the plot. As the book progresses, it is clear both their pasts still impact on their lives today, showing some very real and raw emotions for both characters. The closer Allison and Rob grow in their relationship, the more they evolve with the story and grow as characters.
Trophy Wife is well written and has a good plot that will keep you intrigued to see how all elements play out. The plot felt very realistic in a lot of it’s elements that it was easy to see it playing out in front of you. One thing I personally found though with the plot is that it felt fairly steady with no necessarily ‘big’ moments, just ticking over. Not a bad thing but not necessarily the most exciting either. The secondary characters in the book added some extra dimensions to the book, especially for Rob. Trophy Wife can be read as a standalone with a HEA and epilogue.
Overall, this is a good read and those who enjoy a small town romance should definitely consider checking this out.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
January 1, 2017
If you've read a Noelle Adams novel before you will know what to expect. A sweet heroine who exudes virginity (regardless of whether she is married, divorced, a mother of five) and resilience and a steady dependable hero - we get them both in this novel.
Allison Davies was a trophy wife at 18 to a friend of her parents, Arthur Collins. But at the age of 26 she realises that he views her as "young, gorgeous, vulnerable, and completely dependent." and will never support her or her dreams. He even monitors her weight and appearance.
After divorcing Allison moves into her grandparents' home in Fielding, North Carolina that she inherited after their deaths. Trying to make a start on her own and assert her independence she is constantly thwarted by the well-meaning assistance of her neighbour Rob West.
I like Noelle Adams' novels, I like the low angst and the kindness of the characters. The novels aren't earth-shattering, they don't make me cry, but they do make me happy.
I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release
Allison Davies was a trophy wife at 18 to a friend of her parents, Arthur Collins. But at the age of 26 she realises that he views her as "young, gorgeous, vulnerable, and completely dependent." and will never support her or her dreams. He even monitors her weight and appearance.
After divorcing Allison moves into her grandparents' home in Fielding, North Carolina that she inherited after their deaths. Trying to make a start on her own and assert her independence she is constantly thwarted by the well-meaning assistance of her neighbour Rob West.
I like Noelle Adams' novels, I like the low angst and the kindness of the characters. The novels aren't earth-shattering, they don't make me cry, but they do make me happy.
I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release
September 21, 2016
Let me just say that normally I enjoy books by Noelle Adams. However, in this story I had trouble connecting with the characters. The story pulled me in immediately but then it sort of fell flat. Allison wanted to take control of her life which was great but her relationship with Rob just didn't seem consistent with that idea. So while Allison had doubts about getting involved with her new neighbor, I was totally agreeing that it was a mistake. But since the book needed a HEA, of course, she went back to Rob. Sigh.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
December 25, 2016
This one lacked all the good feels that I usually get from Noelle Adams' books. I just felt kind of meh about the 2 characters. Heroine's constant whingeing about not wanting to be a trophy wife anymore got old and annoying after a while.
June 3, 2020
Small town romance, heroine "finding herself"
August 10, 2021
Alison married at young age in hopes of having a good life for herself. She never envisioned that her life would turn out how it did. Eight years in and she was beginning to feel like a version of herself that she did not like. Her husband controlled her every move. Alison decided it was time to stand on her own two feet so she divorced him and moved away to live in her grandmothers house which is located in a small town. There she meets her neighbor Rob. Her and Rob are both so much a like but they are also so different. Rob is such a sweet heart who would do anything for anyone. Inside he is a mess. He never wants to give himself fully to anyone ever again because that would mean he might get hurt again. Neither of these two were looking for anything at all but in they end what they ended up with was something that neither one of them realized that they needed. Amazing read from start to finish.
December 28, 2016
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
3 stars -- this book had a lot of potential but to me, it failed to follow thru. Allison married a rich man at the age of 18 as her parents were filing bankruptcy so that she could maintain the lifestyle she had known. At the age of 24 she decides after hearing a conversation between her husband and another man that he likes his women young, vulnerable and dependent. Finally realizing her self esteem is worth more than what money can buy she leaves. However, she does it on a whim, with no real planning, only taking the jewelry making supplies she loves.
In the old home her parents left her, she starts over. Her next door neighbor is nice and helpful, but she's determined to do everything by herself. Her attitude towards anyone who tries to help is to push them away, determined to prove to herself that is not dependent on anyone.
Rob West, her neighbor across the street, does his best to befriend Allison, but the constant rebuff makes him wary of attempting to do anything for her. But Rob has his own problems. He's trying to figure out what he's doing wrong. He's been divorced twice, both to women he only wanted to love and support.
As the ice melts around Allison, she gets to know the real Rob, the one that he hides from everyone, and decides that she likes what she sees. She just wants to see more of it.
Both Allison and Rob have self-esteem issues which become overwhelming to me, as the reader, during the last quarter of the book.
~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
3 stars -- this book had a lot of potential but to me, it failed to follow thru. Allison married a rich man at the age of 18 as her parents were filing bankruptcy so that she could maintain the lifestyle she had known. At the age of 24 she decides after hearing a conversation between her husband and another man that he likes his women young, vulnerable and dependent. Finally realizing her self esteem is worth more than what money can buy she leaves. However, she does it on a whim, with no real planning, only taking the jewelry making supplies she loves.
In the old home her parents left her, she starts over. Her next door neighbor is nice and helpful, but she's determined to do everything by herself. Her attitude towards anyone who tries to help is to push them away, determined to prove to herself that is not dependent on anyone.
Rob West, her neighbor across the street, does his best to befriend Allison, but the constant rebuff makes him wary of attempting to do anything for her. But Rob has his own problems. He's trying to figure out what he's doing wrong. He's been divorced twice, both to women he only wanted to love and support.
As the ice melts around Allison, she gets to know the real Rob, the one that he hides from everyone, and decides that she likes what she sees. She just wants to see more of it.
Both Allison and Rob have self-esteem issues which become overwhelming to me, as the reader, during the last quarter of the book.
~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
December 13, 2016
Allison has been the wife to a man who thought of her as a trophy. And as such he expected her to act, look, and behave in ways he found acceptable. She wasn’t allowed to think or do things that weren’t consistent with his expectations. After 8 years, she decided she’d had enough, filed for divorce and left. Unfortunately, since she married young and a solid pre-nup, she is left without skills or money to support herself. She also has a limited support system outside of her friend Vicki. What she does have is a house that had belonged to her grandmother, then her parents and now, after their death, it’s hers.
Rob is Allison’s new neighbor across the street in this small town Allison is trying to make home. Rob is used to helping people, which doesn’t float with Allison’s idea of try to become independent. There’s some friction between these two as Rob learns her boundaries and Allison figures out that not all help is about controlling her. Neither of them can deny the attraction and soon enough Rob has convinced Allison that a no strings attached relationship is an acceptable arrangements.
Even though Rob has done wonders to break down Allison’s defenses. Rob has his own issues that just about drive Allison away. Can he let her in or has she gained enough strength within herself to walk away again?
This was a fun book, I don’t know that it was my favorite Noelle Adams book but it’s definitively not one to skip. Take a chance to see two everyday people in their natural brokenness find each other to help put themselves back together.
Rob is Allison’s new neighbor across the street in this small town Allison is trying to make home. Rob is used to helping people, which doesn’t float with Allison’s idea of try to become independent. There’s some friction between these two as Rob learns her boundaries and Allison figures out that not all help is about controlling her. Neither of them can deny the attraction and soon enough Rob has convinced Allison that a no strings attached relationship is an acceptable arrangements.
Even though Rob has done wonders to break down Allison’s defenses. Rob has his own issues that just about drive Allison away. Can he let her in or has she gained enough strength within herself to walk away again?
This was a fun book, I don’t know that it was my favorite Noelle Adams book but it’s definitively not one to skip. Take a chance to see two everyday people in their natural brokenness find each other to help put themselves back together.
December 6, 2016
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
I like the basis for this story, and the town where it is set - near enough to Allison's past that she is not totally disconnected, but far enough away that it is another world. I had a few issues with their insecurities holding them both to ransom for so long into their relationship, because it felt too drawn out and repetitive. But I did enjoy how Allison's life built up into something more meaningful for her, and that she worked her way through her issues. It may have been a gilded prison, but she clearly felt trapped in her marriage and had the strength to take action to improve her life. Rob was almost more damaged by his past than she was, which seemed slightly strange, but certainly came through in his thoughts.
An interesting read about an unusual topic, without unnecessary drama, but plenty to think about.
I like the basis for this story, and the town where it is set - near enough to Allison's past that she is not totally disconnected, but far enough away that it is another world. I had a few issues with their insecurities holding them both to ransom for so long into their relationship, because it felt too drawn out and repetitive. But I did enjoy how Allison's life built up into something more meaningful for her, and that she worked her way through her issues. It may have been a gilded prison, but she clearly felt trapped in her marriage and had the strength to take action to improve her life. Rob was almost more damaged by his past than she was, which seemed slightly strange, but certainly came through in his thoughts.
An interesting read about an unusual topic, without unnecessary drama, but plenty to think about.
August 14, 2016
I received an ARC, free the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
2.5 stars. Between an 'it was ok' to 'I liked it'. I think with a little more work om this project it could have been a great romance read.
Allison Davies Collins leaves her older domineering, in a bad way, hubby, Arthur. She grew tired of her 8 yr marriage of being eye candy, nothing more than a trophy wife. Forced to move to a house she owns, inherited from her parents. She meets Rob West.
Rob West is a twice-divorced business owner who is smitten with Allison almost immediately, So much so he makes a bet with his friend he can get a date from her, with his friend.
The plot if these two lost souls finding each other. My issues with the story are, I didn't feel a connection between the two and the secondary characters seemed like useless chapter fillers. I think with more work and the addition of depth to the storylines this could have been a highly rating book. Instead, I have, to be honest, and give it a 2.5.
2.5 stars. Between an 'it was ok' to 'I liked it'. I think with a little more work om this project it could have been a great romance read.
Allison Davies Collins leaves her older domineering, in a bad way, hubby, Arthur. She grew tired of her 8 yr marriage of being eye candy, nothing more than a trophy wife. Forced to move to a house she owns, inherited from her parents. She meets Rob West.
Rob West is a twice-divorced business owner who is smitten with Allison almost immediately, So much so he makes a bet with his friend he can get a date from her, with his friend.
The plot if these two lost souls finding each other. My issues with the story are, I didn't feel a connection between the two and the secondary characters seemed like useless chapter fillers. I think with more work and the addition of depth to the storylines this could have been a highly rating book. Instead, I have, to be honest, and give it a 2.5.
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