0
0
It doesn’t matter how settled or stable your life may seem. One phone call, one moment, can change it forever. And in Trophy Life by author Lea Geller, a pampered wife and mother is shocked to find that her perfect life wasn’t what it seemed.
The story follows California girl Agnes Parsons after her privileged life turns troubled. After spending most of her youth in and out of foster homes, Agnes thought that she’d finally found the stability she’d always longed for when she met handsome, successful, older man Jack. Ten years later, she’s settled into her life of nannies, spa treatments, and yoga classes when Jack suddenly disappears. Some bad investments send him into hiding, forcing Agnes and her infant daughter to New York, where Agnes has to work at a private middle school for troubled boys until Jack fixes the problem.
Trophy Life takes Agnes through all kinds of ups and downs in an unexpected journey to find her new normal. Though Agnes may have had a fabulous life in Santa Monica, she’s surprisingly relatable. She isn’t the typical trophy wife: the model-perfect blonde with her sights set on marrying for money. She was once a preschool teacher, struggling to make ends meet, when she fell in love with Jack, who offered her love as well as his stability and rigid routines. The money was just an added bonus. But now she’s gotten used to a life of pampering and idleness—which makes her sudden move to shabby faculty housing at a boarding school for boys feel pretty jarring. Still, Agnes isn’t just a spoiled rich girl—so she manages to adjust to her new life. And, as she adjusts, she learns a lot about herself, about motherhood, and about sacrifice. She learns to get by, to work hard, and to appreciate processed snacks. And she ends up caring more than she expected for the trouble making boys in her class.
Agnes is definitely a conflicted character. There are times when you’ll love her and times when she’ll frustrate you with her weaknesses and bad choices. And her behavior doesn’t always feel true to her background. But, in the end, you’ll appreciate her journey—the amusing mishaps, the strength she sometimes shows, the lessons she learns, and the person she becomes in the process.
If you’re looking for a light and likable read for your next vacation, Trophy Life is a worthwhile pick. With a little bit of heart and a little bit of humor, this slightly meandering novel tells a charming story about fighting through the challenges and finding yourself on the other side.
Listen to the review on Shelf Discovery:
