Secrets of a Shoe Addict

A Novel

By: Beth Harbison

Narrated by: Orlagh Cassidy

Loreen Murphy hadn't meant to hire a male prostitute in Las Vegas. It was all just a big, stupid, expensive misunderstanding. Abbey Walsh never intended anyone to find out about the fact that she's being blackmailed. As a minister's wife, her sordid past was supposed to be a secret. Tiffany Vanderslice Dreyer never dreamed that she'd find herself up to her eyeballs in credit card debt from one mad moment of a shopping spree. She's an upstanding wife and mother with the perfect marriage…right? Secrets of a Shoe Addict is the story of three women who bond together when they find themselves in more than one kind of trouble. It's the story of how sometimes, you hide a secret side that can get you in--and out--of dire straits. It's about romance, friendship, kids, revenge, affairs, and most of all a love of all the well-heeled things in life.

©2008 Beth Harbison; (P)2008 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

<p>“This tale of four housewives who run up unexpected debt and become phone-sex operators to pay it off is a perfect fit for audio. Orlagh Cassidy milks the comedy to the hilt… [Her] timing and delivery are perfect, making this audio even more fun than the print version.” —<i>Publishers Weekly, Starred Review</i><br><br>“Kick off your Keds (unless you're driving) and meet a motley group of D.C. women who bond over designer shoes. It's chick lit with heart <i>and</i> sole.” —<i>People Magazine on Shoe Addicts Anonymous</i><br><br>“I was hooked from the first page and read it in one sitting--I couldn't put it down...Shoe Addicts Anonymous was a pleasure from start to finish.” —Marian Keyes, bestselling author of Anybody Out There? on Shoe Addicts Anonymous</p>

Surprising

This book took a couple of chapters for me to get into, however once I was in, I was hooked. A great listen for anyone into the perils of loving expensive shoes, and having to deal with real life instead of live in a bubble.

A Fun listen

Would you listen to Secrets of a Shoe Addict again? Why?

Secrets of a Shoe Addict is a spin-off from the Shoe Addicts Anonymous, still featuring Sandra, the sex-phone operator. This particular novel starts off in Las Vegas with a new cast including Sandra's sister Tiffany, where each of the women get themselves into financial trouble. So unfolds the plot, in which Sandra recruits all the women to become phone-sex operators. Of course, in coming together to pay off their debts, this group of women become much closer friends and experience life-changing events together.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Secrets of a Shoe Addict?

I love the pace of Harbison's writing, and found myself wishing I was right there with the women at the casinos having a great time and shopping in those many exotic boutiques. I also love how she incorporates pop-culture throughout the novel, making it a fun read regardless if the material is time-sensitive or not. Sandra's blind dates were what really made me laugh out loud. The ventriloquist was a little out there, but the Chuck E Cheese date really got me rolling. And really, who dresses up like a clown to have sex? Some of the phone-sex operator content was pretty dead-on, and I wonder if the author ever did phone sex for a short amount of time or she must have really done great research.

Fun read

If you could sum up Secrets of a Shoe Addict in three words, what would they be?

Breezy fun read

What was one of the most memorable moments of Secrets of a Shoe Addict?

The calls to the housewives are hysterical

What about Orlagh Cassidy’s performance did you like?

She goes at a great speed, uses lots of inflection and is easy to understand

If you could take any character from Secrets of a Shoe Addict out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Sondra, she seems like she would be a blast to hang out with

Any additional comments?

All Beth Harbison's books are great reads, Orlagh Cassidy does all of them and she is wonderful.

Easy listen and good laughs!

Great book when you need to listen to something to brighten up your day.Interesting characters,actually reminded me of the desperate housewives,only that this is more realistic!

Enjoyed it! Would recommenf for a good listen

I really liked this one. Would be encouraged to look up the others in the series. Was good for a laugh too.