Book Review: "Back to Life" by Kristin Billerbeck

Lindsay realized when she married Ron, a man seventeen years her senior, that the odds were he'd see heaven before her, but she never expected to be a widow at thirty-five. She knows there's too much of life remaining for her to just sit around in mourning, but she can't seem to kick-start the rest of her life. Then unexpected help arrives...when Ron's first wife, Jane, shows up at Lindsay's front door.

The executor of their late husband's estate, Jane is everything Lindsay's not: strong, stubborn, independent...and a lot older. There are other surprises as well, including Ron Jr. (whom Jane insists is not "really" Ron's son). But against all odds, a most unlikely friendship begins to develop—as each woman discovers how to own up to her past mistakes and to reevaluate what is really important. Told in the alternating voices of Jane and Lindsay, and featuring the return of many of the unforgettable characters introduced in The Trophy Wives Club, Back to Life is a lighthearted, relatable read about where to turn when life goes in a direction you never planned.

As I said after reading the first book in this series, I never would have thought to see a Christian fiction book about Trophy Wives. This is because this subject is practically taboo to most Christians and also because a lot of these wives suddenly find themselves divorced.

Why did I really like this story? It's because the characters are flawed and realistic. I am one of those readers who gets really tired of reading about cookie cutter Christians who do all the right things and are practically perfect in every way. While some of those people may exist, it is not real life. The characters in this story have been hurt and are confused about how they should react to that pain. It would be have been very unrealistic for them to immediately turn everything over to God and become happy and forget about their past. It's a little bit odd at first that Jane and Lindsay get along with each other. I'm not sure if I was either woman if I would have wanted to be near the "other woman" in my husband's life. Granted they didn't like each other in the beginning and both were wary and suspicious of each other. Eventually they learn to trust each other and, while not being the best of friends, have been able to become able accept and confide in one another. While this book is not overtly preachy, it is because of faith that these two are able to do this. Otherwise, this story would have taken the path out of a plot from a Desperate Housewives episode.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The cover looks like it's fluffy chick lit but I don't think it fits that genre since the subject matter is more serious. It's not for everyone. Those who think that Christians shouldn't be flawed or that marriages will always have happy endings won't like this book. However if you want a realistic work of fiction that looks deeper at issues that aren't normally talked about in Christian fiction but with a light touch, this book will be perfect for you.

Back to Life by Kristin Billerbeck is published by Avon Inspire (2008)

This review copy was provided by the publisher