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The Trophy Wife
Houston heiress Elizabeth Stanton lost nearly everything when a stunning betrayal by her ex-husband left her with only a fraction of the fortune her genteel Southern family had worked so hard for. Even now Mimosa Landing, Elizabeth's beloved home, could be stripped away unless she comes up with a serious infusion of cash.
When brilliant self-made millionaire Maxwell Reardon approaches her with an audacious solution to her financial woes, Elizabeth is speechless. His proposal will certainly solve her problems, but it will set Houston society on its ear.
Now it's up to Elizabeth to decide if this is a deal with the devil, or the best decision of her life.
When brilliant self-made millionaire Maxwell Reardon approaches her with an audacious solution to her financial woes, Elizabeth is speechless. His proposal will certainly solve her problems, but it will set Houston society on its ear.
Now it's up to Elizabeth to decide if this is a deal with the devil, or the best decision of her life.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2006
17 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Ginna Gray
89 books46 followersGinna sold her first novel in 1983, after winning the Golden Heart Award, given by Romance Writers of America for the best unpublished novel in a category. She has been working as a full-time writer ever since. When she finishes her current contracts, Ginna will have written 33 books. She has also given many lectures and writing workshops, and judged in writing contests.
A native Texan, Ginna lived in Houston all her life — until 1993, when she and her husband Brad built their "dream home" and moved to the mountains of Colorado. Ginna also enjoys other creative activities such as oil painting, sewing, sketching, knitting, and needlepoint. "But my first love will always be writing. It is simply part of who I am."
A native Texan, Ginna lived in Houston all her life — until 1993, when she and her husband Brad built their "dream home" and moved to the mountains of Colorado. Ginna also enjoys other creative activities such as oil painting, sewing, sketching, knitting, and needlepoint. "But my first love will always be writing. It is simply part of who I am."
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 19, 2017
I can quite understand why this book got such extreme reviews.
It has a moc story served just the way I love it. A super hot uber-alpha H who has crawled his way up to his millions by sheer grit, and a cool classy southern heiress who has lost her millions but not her mettle. So with this moc he helps her out financially and she helps him get into the super tight snooty Houston society.
The chemistry and sex is super sizzling hot- thanks mostly to the H. The ‘hello wife’ consummation sex in the shower has sent my toes into a perma-curl. I simply adored them as a couple. His rough blunt manners complement her composed genteel serenity beautifully. Their personal moments and the society outing were swoon worthy.
I even loved the secondary characters- The memorable Mimi as the support system/bff was superlative. Everyone should have a Mimi in their lives. The great aunt, mother-in-law and even the elderly doting staff paraphernalia et al.
So where is the problem?
As someone said the hitman/who-wants-her-killed angle was overkill or rather I feel it goes into overkill. And the other om angle stretching into that excessive assault was preposterous too. The ‘suspense’ thing not only distracted but also boringly prolonged the story. Even it was a part of the plot, it took too much of space especially towards the end.
It seemed as if the author, having established the h/H’s developing relationship and sex life, gets more involved with the murder plot and the family saga, which contrarily unravels more as we go on. So as the story progresses we get less n less of the h/H interplay, and more on the murder attempts and the family/friend/pet/farm life amalgam. *big yawn*
Who needs to go 180 from happily swooning n drooling over the h/H’s pov, to the completely farcical world of the slimeball assassin’s pov? Ewww!
My biggest grouch? What is the fun of having a super alpha H if he is not allowed to play hero at all. Even his bashing of the om had one nose-breaking punch, while I would have liked him to beat the loser to pulp. He is mostly absent/busy in the second half and never present when she is attacked again and again - by various villain kinds.
Also this has to be the most battered and bruised h ever. I think she has 3-4 hospital visits for patch-up jobs.
And to top it all, so many issues were left untalked and unhashed even in this seemingly over long book. Not the h/H kinds but other things. Mimi so deserved a 'stud' of her own. And you need your bad ppl i’s dotted and t’s crossed, apologies/explanations gotten over with before you ride into the epilogue.
So do I rec this book? - a 100% for the h/H.
But for aforementioned peeves, it's definitely a 5 stars book. It's so going onto my favorites shelf!
It has a moc story served just the way I love it. A super hot uber-alpha H who has crawled his way up to his millions by sheer grit, and a cool classy southern heiress who has lost her millions but not her mettle. So with this moc he helps her out financially and she helps him get into the super tight snooty Houston society.
The chemistry and sex is super sizzling hot- thanks mostly to the H. The ‘hello wife’ consummation sex in the shower has sent my toes into a perma-curl. I simply adored them as a couple. His rough blunt manners complement her composed genteel serenity beautifully. Their personal moments and the society outing were swoon worthy.
I even loved the secondary characters- The memorable Mimi as the support system/bff was superlative. Everyone should have a Mimi in their lives. The great aunt, mother-in-law and even the elderly doting staff paraphernalia et al.
So where is the problem?
As someone said the hitman/who-wants-her-killed angle was overkill or rather I feel it goes into overkill. And the other om angle stretching into that excessive assault was preposterous too. The ‘suspense’ thing not only distracted but also boringly prolonged the story. Even it was a part of the plot, it took too much of space especially towards the end.
It seemed as if the author, having established the h/H’s developing relationship and sex life, gets more involved with the murder plot and the family saga, which contrarily unravels more as we go on. So as the story progresses we get less n less of the h/H interplay, and more on the murder attempts and the family/friend/pet/farm life amalgam. *big yawn*
Who needs to go 180 from happily swooning n drooling over the h/H’s pov, to the completely farcical world of the slimeball assassin’s pov? Ewww!
My biggest grouch? What is the fun of having a super alpha H if he is not allowed to play hero at all. Even his bashing of the om had one nose-breaking punch, while I would have liked him to beat the loser to pulp. He is mostly absent/busy in the second half and never present when she is attacked again and again - by various villain kinds.
Also this has to be the most battered and bruised h ever. I think she has 3-4 hospital visits for patch-up jobs.
And to top it all, so many issues were left untalked and unhashed even in this seemingly over long book. Not the h/H kinds but other things. Mimi so deserved a 'stud' of her own. And you need your bad ppl i’s dotted and t’s crossed, apologies/explanations gotten over with before you ride into the epilogue.
So do I rec this book? - a 100% for the h/H.
But for aforementioned peeves, it's definitely a 5 stars book. It's so going onto my favorites shelf!
July 21, 2016
The Trophy Wife reminded me of some of Jayne Krentz's older contemporary romances. The alpha male with all his possessiveness: gruff one moment and sweetly endearing the next. The strong female who was slightly clueless but only when necessary to the storyline. And some hot, hot moments. The words, "Hello, wife", come to mind. Lastly, there was a decent amount of suspense.
I would have given the romance a higher rating except that Ms. Gray had Maxwell conveniently and candidly disappear when Elizabeth was in peril. His business took him away. IMHO, it was very noticeable each time.
I would have given the romance a higher rating except that Ms. Gray had Maxwell conveniently and candidly disappear when Elizabeth was in peril. His business took him away. IMHO, it was very noticeable each time.
July 26, 2017
Really enjoyed this on. A broke heiress, a nameless millionaire and hilarious extended family plus a kitten and a sassy best friend.
July 7, 2008
The story's premise was fine. Convenient marriage, rich man looking for entree to high society. The phrasing reminded me of the regencies I used to read as a schoolgirl and it was as if Ms Gray was, indeed, writing a historical romance but forgot to change the dates.
I agree with the Amazon reviewers who gave this book 2 stars. I would have given it that at least if not for that hit-man. After finishing the book (I must have been in a good mood) I am puzzled as to why Ms Gray would create a character who turns her romance into a farce. Even romantic comedies are spared these clowns! If not for the sex, the book reads like it was written by thirteen year-old. The parts involving the hit-man are so trite and implausible, it made me even ask how on earth Ms Gray's editor allowed them.
As for Elizabeth, the heroine, I wanted to smack her. She knew this was a marriage of convenience yet throughout the book she is disappointed each time she hears Max say he did what he did because it was his responsibility - like rushing to have her family diamonds bought back, buying new farm equipment for her family property, giving her his credit card for a spending spree, putting her jealous rival in her place, giving her the hottest sex she's never had, gosh, the list goes on.
The man makes no bones about the fact that he drools every time he sees her in her underwear; he works like a dog yet rushes to her side when she needs him. Hey, she married him for his money, he's hot and perfect (did I mention the hot sex?) yet nothing he does gets through to this dumb heroine that he loves her. No, none of that id enough. Elizabeth is one of those women who has to hear those three little words even after her man's told her in every other way. She gets those three little words, of course, to end this perfect little story. And, oh don't forget the perfect little bundle of joy to add her to Ms Elizabeth's perfect little life.
I also thought there would be more to Troy, Max's assistant, as well. He figured in much of the pages and I was led to believe there was more to his part because of the buildup. Yet all of a sudden, he just fizzles out. There is no resolution to Troy's animosity towards Elizabeth even though the author takes the trouble to tell you Troy's background. It turns out Troy was himself from one of the privileged crowd before his family lost their standing in society etc. I thought he would end up falling for Mimi or at the very least resolve his baggage where Elizabeth and Max is concerned but no, though he follows Max around like his shadow to the end, that's all he does. At three hundred eighty-plus pages, there was plenty of room for meaningful development. Instead, it was full of nothing but stereo-types of the eye-rolling kind.
I liked the convenient marriage plot device and the sexy hero, beautiful heroine. Unfortunately, that was all it had and everything else went downhill from there, despite it being fast-paced. It simply ended as fast-paced silliness and an insult to a reader's intelligence.
PS (2007):If you enjoy convenient marriage romances, try Susan Donovan's The Kept Woman.
I agree with the Amazon reviewers who gave this book 2 stars. I would have given it that at least if not for that hit-man. After finishing the book (I must have been in a good mood) I am puzzled as to why Ms Gray would create a character who turns her romance into a farce. Even romantic comedies are spared these clowns! If not for the sex, the book reads like it was written by thirteen year-old. The parts involving the hit-man are so trite and implausible, it made me even ask how on earth Ms Gray's editor allowed them.
As for Elizabeth, the heroine, I wanted to smack her. She knew this was a marriage of convenience yet throughout the book she is disappointed each time she hears Max say he did what he did because it was his responsibility - like rushing to have her family diamonds bought back, buying new farm equipment for her family property, giving her his credit card for a spending spree, putting her jealous rival in her place, giving her the hottest sex she's never had, gosh, the list goes on.
The man makes no bones about the fact that he drools every time he sees her in her underwear; he works like a dog yet rushes to her side when she needs him. Hey, she married him for his money, he's hot and perfect (did I mention the hot sex?) yet nothing he does gets through to this dumb heroine that he loves her. No, none of that id enough. Elizabeth is one of those women who has to hear those three little words even after her man's told her in every other way. She gets those three little words, of course, to end this perfect little story. And, oh don't forget the perfect little bundle of joy to add her to Ms Elizabeth's perfect little life.
I also thought there would be more to Troy, Max's assistant, as well. He figured in much of the pages and I was led to believe there was more to his part because of the buildup. Yet all of a sudden, he just fizzles out. There is no resolution to Troy's animosity towards Elizabeth even though the author takes the trouble to tell you Troy's background. It turns out Troy was himself from one of the privileged crowd before his family lost their standing in society etc. I thought he would end up falling for Mimi or at the very least resolve his baggage where Elizabeth and Max is concerned but no, though he follows Max around like his shadow to the end, that's all he does. At three hundred eighty-plus pages, there was plenty of room for meaningful development. Instead, it was full of nothing but stereo-types of the eye-rolling kind.
I liked the convenient marriage plot device and the sexy hero, beautiful heroine. Unfortunately, that was all it had and everything else went downhill from there, despite it being fast-paced. It simply ended as fast-paced silliness and an insult to a reader's intelligence.
PS (2007):If you enjoy convenient marriage romances, try Susan Donovan's The Kept Woman.
January 30, 2025
I truly enjoy this book; this is one of my 'comfort reads' that I come back to time and time again. Over the years, I've read it more than a dozen times and I still enjoy it every time. Elizabeth is the titular "trophy wife" but she is such a fun character--sweet and kind and a little naive but also strong and principled and smart. When Max first proposes marriage as a solution to financial woes, she is shocked and abhorred. But the more she thinks about it, the more she realizes it's a logical solution. After her first husband betrayed her so deeply, she doesn't believe she'll ever love or trust someone again. But neither Max nor Elizabeth could foretell how much being married would change either of them as they both start to care and respect the other more and more. But someone is out to destroy Elizabeth just as she realizes she might have the perfect life after all. Max, for his part, is so gruff and abrupt, it's almost comical but Elizabeth soothes him in ways he didn't even know were possible. It's just pure fun watching these two come together. Even though I've read it so many times, I still laugh out loud and cry a little every time I read it!
July 8, 2011
Absolutely riveting!
I can't begin to count the number of times I've read this book. I love Elizabeth's quiet dignity, sturdy backbone, and unwavering loyalty to those she cares about. Her relationship with Mimi is an absolute hoot and shows from where some of her characteristics developed. The way she responds to and eventually accept's Max's proposition, as well as how she deals with the man, is absolute entertainment.
When Max makes the marriage proposition, he has no idea the chain of events he sets in motion. Originally he looks at this as just another business deal, where both of them get something out of it, and he's honest and upfront about that. The feelings of possessiveness, his desire to keep her safe, and yes even love, come as a shock to Max. He struggles how to react not only to everything he learns about Elizabeth, but with the feelings she instigates in him.
Toss in steamy love scenes, multiple murder attempts, disapproving friends, and sweet old ladies with canes and crutches, and you're in for one sensual, fun, and fast-paced ride!
I can't begin to count the number of times I've read this book. I love Elizabeth's quiet dignity, sturdy backbone, and unwavering loyalty to those she cares about. Her relationship with Mimi is an absolute hoot and shows from where some of her characteristics developed. The way she responds to and eventually accept's Max's proposition, as well as how she deals with the man, is absolute entertainment.
When Max makes the marriage proposition, he has no idea the chain of events he sets in motion. Originally he looks at this as just another business deal, where both of them get something out of it, and he's honest and upfront about that. The feelings of possessiveness, his desire to keep her safe, and yes even love, come as a shock to Max. He struggles how to react not only to everything he learns about Elizabeth, but with the feelings she instigates in him.
Toss in steamy love scenes, multiple murder attempts, disapproving friends, and sweet old ladies with canes and crutches, and you're in for one sensual, fun, and fast-paced ride!
September 21, 2016
Great book
I read this story many years ago. Came across my paperback copy yesterday which led me to see if I could get it on my eReader. Glad to find it in this format. Storyis just as good upon rereading. I highly recommend it.
I read this story many years ago. Came across my paperback copy yesterday which led me to see if I could get it on my eReader. Glad to find it in this format. Storyis just as good upon rereading. I highly recommend it.
September 14, 2008
Fantastic! It is a book I take off my shelf to read again and again.
November 22, 2012
I ABSOLUTELY ADORED THIS. Just sayin'.
June 16, 2019
Houston heiress
Elizabeth Stanton lost
nearly everything when a
stunning betrayal by her
ex-husband left her with only a
fraction of the fortune her genteel
Southern family had worked so hard for.
Even now Mimosa Landing, Elizabeth's beloved
home, could be stripped away unless she comes up with a
serious infusion of cash.
When brilliant self-made millionaire Maxwell Reardon
approaches her with an audacious solution to her financial
woes, Elizabeth is speechless. His proposal will certainly
solve her problems, but it will set Houston society on
its ear.
Now it's up to Elizabeth to decide if this is a deal with the
devil, or the best decision of her life.
**
Elizabeth Stanton is an heiress charged with making sure the holdings that have been in her family for generations not only survive but prosper. However, her ex-husband has drained Elizabeth's assets down to the last penny and run off with his girlfriend. All Elizabeth has left is her Houston mansion and the family farm. When Max Riordan comes to call, Elizabeth is uneasy as she always is when confronted with his take-charge demeanor and blunt speech. Max is a self-made millionaire, but has yet to dent the steel walls of Houston society. He proposes a deal: if Elizabeth marries him, he'll see that she's financially solvent again. In return, Elizabeth will use her social standing to gain him entree into society. Elizabeth sees no way out and agrees. Both Max and Elizabeth are unprepared for the true attraction that develops between them, and it's a real pleasure to watch how cleverly Gray brings these wonderfully well-drawn characters together in this pleasurable read. Maria Hatton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
". . . is resplendent with larger-than-life characters and situations." -- Romantic Times BOOKclub on Pale Moon Rising
"No mean feat!" -- Romantic Times on Fatal Flaw
July 7, 2024
Just finished this unknown to me author's book and am hooked! MC's are engaging and the story line starts out as a simple old style Harlequin type but morphed into a Julie Garwood or Mary Higgins Clark type. In the 1st third of book I was totally getting Rebecca/Daphne du Maurier vibes, so good.
The correct well bred southern lady is left penniless when her husband runs off with all the family fortune. She is offered marriage by a rough new money self made man who is not accepted in the old social circles but professes to pay off her debts and allow her to keep her home and farm.
This book is riveting. Love the MC's are real with each other and side characters are wonderful additions to the plot. The new husband Max is honorable, rich and wants a real wife and home. He eventually falls for her. Only problem is someone keeps trying to kill her. As a thriller we don't know if it is Max, his assistant, her ex or any of her family or social circle. They attempts on her life escalate and provide suspense till the end. Also there is a great epilogue.
The correct well bred southern lady is left penniless when her husband runs off with all the family fortune. She is offered marriage by a rough new money self made man who is not accepted in the old social circles but professes to pay off her debts and allow her to keep her home and farm.
This book is riveting. Love the MC's are real with each other and side characters are wonderful additions to the plot. The new husband Max is honorable, rich and wants a real wife and home. He eventually falls for her. Only problem is someone keeps trying to kill her. As a thriller we don't know if it is Max, his assistant, her ex or any of her family or social circle. They attempts on her life escalate and provide suspense till the end. Also there is a great epilogue.
April 16, 2025
This is a an older novel. It is a marriage of convenience trope. Elizabeth Stanton heiress of her family's valuable property is in dire straits because her ex-husband has siphoned off most of her family's fortune. When self-made millionaire Max Riordan proposes a marriage of convenience in which he gives her financial security and she gives him entrance to the elite society where he wants to expand his business. The question is can this marriage become more than a bargain.
June 5, 2025
At first I didn’t think I would like this book. It was pretty cliche. And the mmc was so impersonal and unaware. But it really grew on me once the action started. Of her being targeted by a hitman. The romance is hot, the love is there and the cast of characters is long but utterly divine! The kitten, bff, aunt, mil, and everyone else are fabulous! This would have made a great series and tv show!
February 22, 2021
This book was one that I couldn't put down. I really enjoyed it, although I don't usually read books that have a mystery to be solved in them. It vacillates between Mimosa Landing and Houston Texas, and setting is very important to this book. It also involves a self-made millionare, Max Reardon and a genteel Houston heiress.
April 30, 2021
Even though this book was somewhat predictable I still like it a lot! I figured out who the bad guy but still enjoyed the journey until the end! I wish there had been some payback to the horrible ex-husband.
April 30, 2018
A fluffy, little easy read where everyone is rich and gorgeous, and the good guys win. What’s not to like?
August 19, 2018
Loved it. Obsessed with it 😂
May 6, 2021
First book by author/ really enjoyed
May 22, 2023
3,5 ⭐️
October 17, 2020
I really enjoyed this modern day, marriage of convenience story. The hero & heroine were great characters with nice chemistry. My only complaint was the campy suspense, especially with the heroine's best friend. It didn't fit with the storyline, I wish the author would have presented the mystery in a more serious manner.
With all that said, this was a good read for me. I'd definitely recommend for MOC fans.
3.75 Stars
With all that said, this was a good read for me. I'd definitely recommend for MOC fans.
3.75 Stars
August 5, 2016
Ok certain romances are like candy to me. This one is a like bite of dark chocolate. I have probably read it 3 times over the years. I've read other books by Gray but they do not give me the same feeling. I'm not sure what it is but I love this book which is really just a romance with a tiny bit of mystery. I love the hero and heroine and their romance. It's the perfect rainy day romance.
September 8, 2020
Buying a Wife
Can a man looking for a wife to buy, find a hidden treasure? Can a woman seeking a miracle, find it just in time to save her?
Trophy Wife is a wonderful story of two people who find hidden treasure and a miracle!
Can a man looking for a wife to buy, find a hidden treasure? Can a woman seeking a miracle, find it just in time to save her?
Trophy Wife is a wonderful story of two people who find hidden treasure and a miracle!
October 12, 2012
Enjoyed it,good story
September 12, 2013
Okay Southern Belle romance; modern day marriage of convenience story.
March 15, 2015
die letzten zehn seiten waren zwar besser aber das konnte die seifenoper davor nicht wieder gut machen :/
November 21, 2008
Good. Finished it very fast.
June 21, 2013
Loved this book... A light and enjoyable read
November 17, 2013
I love this book
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews