Robyn Harding Secret Desires of a Soccer Mom

Secret Desires of a Soccer Mom

Robyn Harding

Ballantine, Aug 2006, $21.95

ISBN: 0345476301

In Aberdeen Mists, Colorado, Paige Atwell knows she is bored with her marriage of twelve years to faithful Paul and staying at home to raise their two elementary school age children, Chloe and Spencer. However, how much ennui has set in over the dozen years comes to a head (no pun intended) when her married neighbor Karen confesses that she has been in a hot affair with a compassionate Latin lover Javier. Paige agrees ex should be spontaneous and euphoric not scheduled and mechanic. She decides it is up to her to recharge her relationship by "re-sexualize" the passion.

However before she can generate her sex campaign, her neighbor Karen is found dead in her garage in what looks like an accident. Paige and other three coffee moms think otherwise as they believe Karen's spouse Doug learned of Javier and perhaps she was leaving him so he killed her making it look like an accident. Believing they are experts after watching TV police shows, the coffee mamas begin their brand of investigation.

This cross between Desperate Housewives, Stella gets Her Groove, and CSI is an amusing contemporary tale especially when Paige's planned spontaneous sexual escapades lead to mortifying moments. The lighthearted story line is fun especially the family interludes, but goes over the edge during the amateur sleuth inquiry. Still fans will enjoy Paige's attack on her spouse and uncovering the identity of a killer while changing peed on sheets.

Harriet Klausner