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The Professional Wife: A novel

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Some say marriage is a job, and for Candy, it’s the truth.

Candy Miller Robertson has it all. Money. Lavish vacations. Invitations to the most exclusive parties. She’s come a long way.

What’s her secret?

Candy is a professional wife. Taking on the most successful bachelors in Los Angeles, she commands a high fee to be the picture-perfect wife for her husband-clients.

But after two lucrative marriages, Candy finds herself single, 40, and wanting more. She agrees to take on another client – Nigerian Hollywood director and all-around bad boy Xavier Oshun – for a one-year marriage contract and a big payday.

Xavier spoils Candy rotten and makes her feel special, and together they become one of Hollywood’s most notable Black power couples. Much to her surprise, Candy finds herself falling for her husband. But is Xavier everything he appears? How much of his bad-boy antics is Candy supposed to take?

And when an old flame reenters her life, will Candy cling to the security of the life she knows or risk it all to pursue true love?

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2022

29 people are currently reading
18 people want to read

About the author

Maryann Reid

16 books42 followers
Award-winning author and tv/radio social commentator Maryann Reid has been featured by countless media outlets including USA Today, Essence, Glamour, The CBS Early Show, and The Wendy Williams Experience. She is an expert wordsmith and has a plethora of connections with women all over the world from her travels to Europe and The Caribbean, and is a popular guest lecturer at colleges, where she has taught her writing and business skills to groups who want to lead their ideal life on their own terms.

Maryann has been profiled in The New Yorker, Newsweek, Oprah.com, and NBC Nightly News for her innovative approach to life and solving its complex issues, including creating the uber-landmark event Marry Your Baby Daddy Day. This event originated from her third book, Marry Your Baby Daddy (St Martins Press, 2005) that was optioned by Hollywood actress Holly Robinson-Peete and Dolores Robinson.

As an author and professional speaker, Maryann has gathered a diverse roster of credentials and affiliations:

–Author of several books and short stories by St Martins Press and Penguin Putnam
–Published her first book, Sex and the Single Sister (St Martins Press) at 25 years old in two weeks
–Lecturer at various universities including St John’s University and Fordham University in NYC in Creative Writing and Business Communications
– Philanthropist, referred to as the “Oprah of Brooklyn”, for her work arranging all-expenses paid weddings for loving moms and dads, via her event Marry Your Baby Daddy Day
– Expert and social commentator on top-rated nationally syndicated radio shows like NPR’s Fresh Air, The Michael Baisden Show, Fox News Radio, CBS Radio, The Gayle King Show on Oprah Radio, etc
– Invited by USATODAY to write a novella, Single Black Female, for the acclaimed Open Book section of their website

Since her debut book Sex and the Single Sister, Maryann has been invited to speak to some of the most innovative groups all over the country and has received over 20 million media impressions worldwide via major news outlets like ABC News 20/20, NBC Nightly News and CNN.

Maryann received her BA in Journalism from Fordham and developed her writing and love for news at Random House and CNN. She later received her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Miami. She currently lives in Brooklyn, NY and steadily working on new products for women. Maryann welcomes ideas and collaboration.

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5 stars
25 (64%)
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7 (17%)
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Yolanda Knight- Palmer .
1,077 reviews41 followers
February 15, 2023
Awesome

This book was everything and more, I enjoyed reading it, the professional wife grab me on page 1, it was well written! This book was recommended to me by my friend! Thank You

Candy had her life mapped out but Who would have known it would be a Wife!!

Elena (Candy) So called friend is a trip( Karma)

Highly recommend
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,962 reviews13 followers
December 13, 2022
Very good read!

This book was very well written and it amazed me how Candy thought she could change these men by being a hired wife. She just helped to create a facade for them, A leopard usually does not change its stripes. Elena wasn't her friend! She wanted to be her! I was so glad her mother came around. Xavier was a whole trip but in the end she did get her HEA! Great read!
Profile Image for 'The Book Queen'.
6,027 reviews115 followers
December 12, 2022
Okay

The professional wife had some, not your usual, stuff in a love story. Something about Xavier sounded shady. And I don't need friends if they were like Candy's crew. Candy's mom was a total trip, and poor Lettie... Yeah.
My favorite person was Cleveland because he always had Candy covered at all times.
132 reviews3 followers
December 10, 2022
Amazing!

This is an amazing, must-read for any romance fans out there! It has some really explosive scenes that will make you not want to tear your eyes off the page. I was eagerly looking forward to cracking this book open the first chance I got, curious to find out what type of wife a 'professional' one would turn out to be. The prologue was a nice welcoming surprise, it practically took my hand and told me to buckle up! But man, the suspense and flow of the story really do not leave any room for wasted time or wasted pages. The secondhand embarrassment jumped straight to mortification, then shock on Candy's behalf in the span of a single page alone. To be honest, every time they sat down to eat everything sounded so good that I wished I was her so I could eat some of it too. A little detail, but one I enjoyed seeing throughout. Books that focus on everyday aspects and habits just as much as they do the bigger drama and storyline stand out. There is a lot of depth and character development mixed in this whirlwind of Candy's lifestyle- messy just the way I like it. The best part was just tuning out my surroundings and letting the story absorb my attention. Time flies when you're having fun, I was sad that it came to an end but so satisfied with how it closed things off! No doubt that I will be adding this to my favorites and I'm already planning to reread this many times in the future as well.
34 reviews1 follower
December 20, 2022
This is a very original story and an absolutely fascinating look into a world that I had no idea even existed! The Professional Wife is a story of a woman named Candy, who is a wife, basically for hire, who marries men of power and influence on a contractual basis, as a business arrangement to fulfill a specific role. But what happens when you develop real feelings for someone?



This book tells an intriguing story of a professional wife who is tough and determined, a beautiful woman of elegance and charm, sophistication, and street sense. An intriguing and suspenseful story emerges with multiple subplots. It poses an interesting philosophical dilemma; one married for money and position, the other, for love. Brilliant story!
1,475 reviews21 followers
December 30, 2022
Among the ultra-rich of Los Angeles, anything can be acquired for the right price, including a professional wife.

Candy Robertson is a picture-perfect wife for her client/husbands. After two lucrative marriages, and at age 40, she starts to wonder if that’s all there is to life. She starts to fall for her next client, Xavier, a Nigerian movie director. Is it time for her to settle down with him?

Complicating things is the return of an old flame. Should Candy stick to the life she knows, or explore this thing called “true love?”

Romance fans will love this book. There is plenty of money and sex and everything needed to make this an entertaining read.
161 reviews1 follower
December 22, 2022
Something Different

The premise reeled me in and Candy kept me riveted to the page. Candy’s job as a professional wife was different than being a trophy wife. Candy is strong, smart and extremely capable. Her biggest downfall is her big heart. I didn’t like Elena from the beginning. She didn’t get her just desserts in my opinion. If you’re looking for something different. I recommend this book.
605 reviews
December 22, 2022
Page Turner!

This was a fun read until it wasn’t. This is the best book to read for people who don’t allow a lot of people in their lives and how to always trust your gut. This may have been a work of fiction but it could have been a movie.

It was my read from this author but I hopefully I can find more. ❤️
148 reviews
December 11, 2022
it was ok

I’m slightly disappointed with this book, it had such great potential and it just fell flat and delivered nothing. The book went in a total direction from what the abstract said, I don’t know, I felt robbed of a good book.
Profile Image for Sachi Ito.
549 reviews14 followers
December 12, 2022
Great book

I really enjoyed this story. Definitely check this book out if you are looking for a different type of romance story.
247 reviews1 follower
April 20, 2023
A contract is only as strong as the values of the people signing it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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