What do you think?
Rate this book
Shoe Addict #2
Secrets of a Shoe Addict
Every woman has a secret. The question is: How far will she go to make sure it stays secret?
Abbey Walsh never wanted anyone to find out about her shady past. After all, she's the wife of a minister now, living an exemplary life. That is, until someone shows up from her past with blackmail in mind . . .
Tiffany Vanderslice Dreyer never dreamed that she'd find herself up to her new designer sunglasses in credit card debt from one mad moment of a shopping spree. She's an upstanding wife and mother with the perfect marriage . . . right?
Loreen Murphy hadn't meant to hire a male prostitute in Las Vegas. It was all just a big, stupid, and expensive misunderstanding. . . .
Abbey, Tiffany, and Loreen are each in need of thousands of dollars and fast. Tiffany's sister, Sandra, has the perfect idea. It's fast, it's easy, it's legal, and it's the secret that kept her shoe addiction alive. It's the perfect plan. . . .
In this deliciously sassy novel, three very different women bond when they find themselves in more than one kind of trouble. It's the story of how sometimes you have a secret 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 the well-heeled things in life.
340 pages, Hardcover
First published June 10, 2008
61 people are currently reading
7787 people want to read
About the author
Beth Harbison
27Ìýbooks1,682ÌýfollowersBeth Harbison grew up in Potomac, Maryland, in the shadow of Washington, D.C. Apart from the occasional irritation at being held up in traffic by a presidential motorcade, she has remained fairly uninvolved in the politics that define her home town. Her latest book is CONFESSIONS OF THE OTHER SISTER, William Morrow 10/11/22
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 478 reviews
December 2, 2018
A great follow up to Shoe Addicts Anonymous as told by Sandra's sister and her group of friends! I enjoyed this more than the first book though the content did not have much about designer shoe addiction. It contained more adult content than I expected and the title/genre suggested but on a PG rated level. (: It was also a FUNNY read....just what I needed right now.
May 27, 2008
I read this book in order to review it for Library Journal. If I hadn't had a deadline, I would have never finished it. It is a sequel and I'm just thankful I didn't have to read the first one. Fluff, sex, and more fluff. Worse, there was an attempt to be deep that fails miserably.
August 4, 2012
After devouring Beth Harbison's first novel, Shoe Addicts Anonymous, I was excited to find Secrets of a Shoe Addict at the bookstore and quickly purchased it. This novel is good; but it's definitely not as good a read as the initial Shoe Addict book.
Secrets starts off with three PTA friends and their children on a trip to Vegas. Loreen is separated from her husband and lonely, until a handsome stranger notices her at a hotel bar. Abbey, the preacher's wife, runs into an old acquaintance that believes she owes him money and threatens to out her sordid past to her husband and his congregation. Tiffany, the PTA president, happens upon a store whose clothes seem to fit perfectly and make her feel beautiful, but they come at a hefty price.
Unfortunately for the women- sometimes what happens in Vegas leaves them drowning in a sea of debt that needs to be paid off asap. Loreen, Abbey and Tiffany have nowhere to turn until Tiffany asks her sister Sandra to help them find a way to earn a lot of money quickly.
Sandra (from Shoe Addicts Anonymous) is happy to divulge her secret of having been a phone sex operator in the past and how lucrative it can be. This is where the shenanigans begin and the book gets good.
I would recommend this book if you read Shoe Addicts Anonymous. It's a nice 'sequel' and the author neatly ties in characters from her first novel. Otherwise; I would recommend Shoe Addicts Anonymous over picking up Secrets of a Shoe Addict.
Secrets starts off with three PTA friends and their children on a trip to Vegas. Loreen is separated from her husband and lonely, until a handsome stranger notices her at a hotel bar. Abbey, the preacher's wife, runs into an old acquaintance that believes she owes him money and threatens to out her sordid past to her husband and his congregation. Tiffany, the PTA president, happens upon a store whose clothes seem to fit perfectly and make her feel beautiful, but they come at a hefty price.
Unfortunately for the women- sometimes what happens in Vegas leaves them drowning in a sea of debt that needs to be paid off asap. Loreen, Abbey and Tiffany have nowhere to turn until Tiffany asks her sister Sandra to help them find a way to earn a lot of money quickly.
Sandra (from Shoe Addicts Anonymous) is happy to divulge her secret of having been a phone sex operator in the past and how lucrative it can be. This is where the shenanigans begin and the book gets good.
I would recommend this book if you read Shoe Addicts Anonymous. It's a nice 'sequel' and the author neatly ties in characters from her first novel. Otherwise; I would recommend Shoe Addicts Anonymous over picking up Secrets of a Shoe Addict.
August 7, 2008
I found this to be an enjoyable book. I liked it better than the previous one, Shoe Addicts Anonymous. This book featured one of the four main characters from the previous story, Sandra Vanderslice, and introduced three other lead female characters. As in the first book, all of the main characters had severe issues to face, but this book came across as a bit more light-hearted and humorous, which kept it from having the depressing feel of Shoe Addicts Anonymous.
Loreen Murphy, one of the parents in Las Vegas on a school band trip, is flattered when a gorgeous man in her hotel shows interest in her. Her divorce is almost final, and she hasn't focused on herself in so long, that she decides a night with a handsome man could be what she needs. After spending a few passionate hours with the handsome man, Loreen is shocked and humiliated when he demands payment. She had no idea when she agreed to spend the evening with him that she was hiring a male prostitute. Depressed over the situation, as well as the thousand dollars he demanded, Loreen maxes out her credit card trying to recover the money by gambling. Loreen is horrified to discover that she has lost five thousand dollars - and even more so when she realizes that it wasn't even her money. She has no idea how she will come up with $5000, but she must.
Tiffany Vanderslice, sister of Sandra from the first book, feels unappreciated by her bad natured husband and decides that she deserves a shopping treat while on this Las Vegas excursion. She shops to the tune of $5000, figuring that she will go try on all of the clothes in her hotel room, keep maybe a piece or two, and return the rest. The next morning, when she discovers that the store has a no return policy, she frantically wonders how she will pay the credit card bill for all of these clothes. She knows that her husband will be furious, and that he will absolutely not take care of the debt, so she has to find a way to deal with the situation.
Abbey Walsh, preacher's wife, decides to explore Las Vegas a bit on her own. She is stunned when a man from her past recognizes her and demands money to keep her secret past hidden. Abbey loves her husband, son, and the life she leads with them, and she is terrified that all will be lost to her if her past surfaces. The malicious man who was her former lover demands that Abbey pay him $10,000 to keep quiet. Abbey has no idea how a preacher's wife can come up with that kind of money, but she knows that she has no choice.
As the group departs Las Vegas, the three moms realize that they each have a problem. Without sharing much, they all agree that they need to find a way to raise money. Tiffany gets the idea to turn to her sister, Sandra, for help. Sandra's fledgling shoe distribuation company isn't in a position to hire them all, and they couldn't make the money fast enough with a regular job, so Sandra suggests that they try her old lucrative career as a phone sex operator. All three PTA moms are horrified at first, but they each begin to realize that this is their best, maybe only, option. They meet periodically with Sandra as they begin to set up their business.
Sandra Vanderslice is happy with her new career as co-owner of a business that imports and distributes shoes. Her three best friends are her co-owners and she loves working with them, but the demands of the business keep them from spending much time together. Sandra is lonely so she enjoys helping the three PTA moms set up their business. Sandra wants a relationship with a man more than anything, but her dating record is horrible and seems to be just getting worse. She and the three new business owners grow closer as they work together, and they begin to honestly share their problems. They work together to resolve the issues that each faces, and they find happiness and satisfaction along the way.
This book was interesting and fast to read. Each of the main characters had to deal with problems, but there was humor integrated into the story. The characters were all likeable, and I was glad to see that their stories all evolved into pleasant outcomes.
Loreen Murphy, one of the parents in Las Vegas on a school band trip, is flattered when a gorgeous man in her hotel shows interest in her. Her divorce is almost final, and she hasn't focused on herself in so long, that she decides a night with a handsome man could be what she needs. After spending a few passionate hours with the handsome man, Loreen is shocked and humiliated when he demands payment. She had no idea when she agreed to spend the evening with him that she was hiring a male prostitute. Depressed over the situation, as well as the thousand dollars he demanded, Loreen maxes out her credit card trying to recover the money by gambling. Loreen is horrified to discover that she has lost five thousand dollars - and even more so when she realizes that it wasn't even her money. She has no idea how she will come up with $5000, but she must.
Tiffany Vanderslice, sister of Sandra from the first book, feels unappreciated by her bad natured husband and decides that she deserves a shopping treat while on this Las Vegas excursion. She shops to the tune of $5000, figuring that she will go try on all of the clothes in her hotel room, keep maybe a piece or two, and return the rest. The next morning, when she discovers that the store has a no return policy, she frantically wonders how she will pay the credit card bill for all of these clothes. She knows that her husband will be furious, and that he will absolutely not take care of the debt, so she has to find a way to deal with the situation.
Abbey Walsh, preacher's wife, decides to explore Las Vegas a bit on her own. She is stunned when a man from her past recognizes her and demands money to keep her secret past hidden. Abbey loves her husband, son, and the life she leads with them, and she is terrified that all will be lost to her if her past surfaces. The malicious man who was her former lover demands that Abbey pay him $10,000 to keep quiet. Abbey has no idea how a preacher's wife can come up with that kind of money, but she knows that she has no choice.
As the group departs Las Vegas, the three moms realize that they each have a problem. Without sharing much, they all agree that they need to find a way to raise money. Tiffany gets the idea to turn to her sister, Sandra, for help. Sandra's fledgling shoe distribuation company isn't in a position to hire them all, and they couldn't make the money fast enough with a regular job, so Sandra suggests that they try her old lucrative career as a phone sex operator. All three PTA moms are horrified at first, but they each begin to realize that this is their best, maybe only, option. They meet periodically with Sandra as they begin to set up their business.
Sandra Vanderslice is happy with her new career as co-owner of a business that imports and distributes shoes. Her three best friends are her co-owners and she loves working with them, but the demands of the business keep them from spending much time together. Sandra is lonely so she enjoys helping the three PTA moms set up their business. Sandra wants a relationship with a man more than anything, but her dating record is horrible and seems to be just getting worse. She and the three new business owners grow closer as they work together, and they begin to honestly share their problems. They work together to resolve the issues that each faces, and they find happiness and satisfaction along the way.
This book was interesting and fast to read. Each of the main characters had to deal with problems, but there was humor integrated into the story. The characters were all likeable, and I was glad to see that their stories all evolved into pleasant outcomes.
June 24, 2008
Hilarious! Fast paced and fun! It is about a group of Moms who go to Vegas for their school's band tournament and get into financial trouble. They use some unorthadox method to earn money all the while working on their relationships with the men in their lives. I highly recommend it! :)
July 6, 2009
Such a fun read! It really made me want to be a sex phone operator for extra cash. Unfortunately my husband put the kabosh on that :)
May 10, 2021
Ok, this was the kind of fluff that I thought I was reaching for a couple of days ago with the Emily Giffin book.
Mindless, puff piece of chick-lit that I didn't have to laser focus on.
Apparently, this was book 2 of a series but with different characters with brief mentions of the previous cast, except for, I guess, the main gal, Sandra who was a secondary character in this.
I didn't love any of the women and yes, I found their situations to be ridiculous and basically brought on by themselves but that was kinda the point... Over the top, hard to believe dilemmas that made them take up being phone sex operators.
It was funny and had a happy ending. I needed that in my life.
Mindless, puff piece of chick-lit that I didn't have to laser focus on.
Apparently, this was book 2 of a series but with different characters with brief mentions of the previous cast, except for, I guess, the main gal, Sandra who was a secondary character in this.
I didn't love any of the women and yes, I found their situations to be ridiculous and basically brought on by themselves but that was kinda the point... Over the top, hard to believe dilemmas that made them take up being phone sex operators.
It was funny and had a happy ending. I needed that in my life.
February 18, 2024
This was such a sweet book about a group of women coming together, learning to support and lean on one another!
June 13, 2025
Cute easy read, a fun sequel to Shoe Addicts Anonymous! Would give it more like 3.5 stars.
Read
February 28, 2021I thought this was a super fun book! It had me cracking up actually in parts! Some PTA ladies get themselves into financial trouble while away on a band trip to Vegas..... they start doing phone sex to try to make the money back fast! It's entertaining to hear their trials into the phone sex world - lol. Very lighthearted book.
March 21, 2021
Lots of sex talk here, so I wouldn't recommend it to just anyone. However, it was a fun read and I enjoyed how everything played out at the end.
July 22, 2012
I read Harbison's prior Shoe Addict book back in 2008 and enjoyed it. I hadn't seen anything from her since then, until noticing that a friend on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ tagged Harbison's newest novel as "to-read." When I went on my library's website to request it I learned that Harbison had been quite busy between 2008 and now. I decided to start with this book since I'd read its predecessor.
I was rather confused when I started reading because none of the characters were the same as in Shoe Addicts Anonymous. I thought I recognized a character's maiden name, though, and it turned out that I was right; as the plot moved forward, one of the characters of the prior book became a significant part of Secrets.
Although the women in this book lived very different lives in a very different setting from those in Anonymous, they were just as fully developed and the strength of their friendship was just as much an important thread throughout the book. I sympathized with the situations they found themselves in (dare I say I could see myself falling into some of the same traps?) and cheered for them as they grew into themselves and their relationships. I'd love to follow these women further, especially since some of their lives will only get more interesting.
I was rather confused when I started reading because none of the characters were the same as in Shoe Addicts Anonymous. I thought I recognized a character's maiden name, though, and it turned out that I was right; as the plot moved forward, one of the characters of the prior book became a significant part of Secrets.
Although the women in this book lived very different lives in a very different setting from those in Anonymous, they were just as fully developed and the strength of their friendship was just as much an important thread throughout the book. I sympathized with the situations they found themselves in (dare I say I could see myself falling into some of the same traps?) and cheered for them as they grew into themselves and their relationships. I'd love to follow these women further, especially since some of their lives will only get more interesting.
November 7, 2012
Laughed? Check.
Cried? Check.
When you find yourself sitting in a parked car, unable to leave because the CD isn't at a stopping point, you know it's a 5 star read. Secrets of a Shoe Addict was one of the funniest books I've ever read, but as I'm sure you figured out from the summary, it is not a book for all audiences.
The characters were real. They were human, complete with flaws and insecurities and their stories were hilarious. One of the characters went on a series of bad dates that rivaled my "When I Poop" date my freshman year of college. As ridiculous as some of the situations were, I found myself snickering along and wondering what I would do if confronted with the same scenario.
The pace was perfect; I never got bored. There were several times that I sat in the grocery store parking lot, listening to the CD until a chapter break.
You might like this book if...
you liked Single in Suburbia by Wendy Wax.
you enjoy real characters.
you want to laugh until you pee your pants.
You might not like this book if...
you're looking for a young adult novel.
you don't appreciate characters with flaws.
Cried? Check.
When you find yourself sitting in a parked car, unable to leave because the CD isn't at a stopping point, you know it's a 5 star read. Secrets of a Shoe Addict was one of the funniest books I've ever read, but as I'm sure you figured out from the summary, it is not a book for all audiences.
The characters were real. They were human, complete with flaws and insecurities and their stories were hilarious. One of the characters went on a series of bad dates that rivaled my "When I Poop" date my freshman year of college. As ridiculous as some of the situations were, I found myself snickering along and wondering what I would do if confronted with the same scenario.
The pace was perfect; I never got bored. There were several times that I sat in the grocery store parking lot, listening to the CD until a chapter break.
You might like this book if...
you liked Single in Suburbia by Wendy Wax.
you enjoy real characters.
you want to laugh until you pee your pants.
You might not like this book if...
you're looking for a young adult novel.
you don't appreciate characters with flaws.
June 26, 2008
Three friends to to Vegas on a trip with their very young children. The children are in the band. They each run into their own financial demise and come home each owing around $10,000 and are too embarrassed to admit what they have done. One accidentally hired a male prostitute, one purchased some very expensive clothes that could not be returned (as her son stood and peed on the floor in the store) and the third ran into a man from her past who claimed she stole a necklace from him. He was bribing her that he would tell her now preacher husband about her hustling, drinking, drug induced past if she didn't pay up.
The three women start a phone sex business to raise the money required to settle their debts.
Good, quick read.
The three women start a phone sex business to raise the money required to settle their debts.
Good, quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2013
Just finished this "sequel" to Shoe addicts anonymous that I read so long ago I didn't even remember much of it. Anyhow, it didn't matter as this book can stand on its own.
I love Beth Harrison's books. They are totally enjoyable, little bit of fluff but not too much with plenty of laugh out loud moments especially the blind date with Sandra and the puppet. It's the story of three women who get financially in trouble from a Las Vegas school trip and need money really fast. The sister of one has a brilliant and clever idea but maybe a little unorthodox. I love stories of good solid friendships with women. Great beach read.
I love Beth Harrison's books. They are totally enjoyable, little bit of fluff but not too much with plenty of laugh out loud moments especially the blind date with Sandra and the puppet. It's the story of three women who get financially in trouble from a Las Vegas school trip and need money really fast. The sister of one has a brilliant and clever idea but maybe a little unorthodox. I love stories of good solid friendships with women. Great beach read.
May 15, 2009
This was a quick, somewhat entertaining read, but I wouldn't recommend it because of explicit and quite crude language. I saw this on the "recent release" table at the library, read the blurb, and thought it'd be a good read--probably having to something to do with shoes, which I happen to love. I should have just stopped reading 1/3 way through when the ladies start working as phone sex operators. The story line wasn't worth having to read through the explicit/crass material. I was hoping for more talk about shoes.
August 20, 2008
Definitely a fun read. Even more funny because I've been joking with friends lately about becoming a phone sex operator to supplement my income (or lack of) from getting no money from Len! Good book, definitely recommend it!
July 6, 2008
At first I thought this book would be about the shoe club from Harbison's previous book, "Shoe Addicts Anonymous", yet the plot thickened with additional characters and page-turning twists that held my interest until the final page. A sheer delight!
July 30, 2008
The author does a great job building characters and story line, but I just didn't like the graphic descriptions of their jobs. However, I laughed so hard during the date with the ventriloquist and I'm always a sucker for a happy ending.
August 10, 2008
It was a good story about women overcoming some obstacles. However, if anyone else is interested in reading this, I should warn you that it was more graphic than the first one. Overall, not my favorite and not as much talk about shoes as in the last one.
August 14, 2008
This was a great book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. When ever I picked up the book I didn't want to put it down. It is a quick read and you can really dive into the characters and understand how they are feeling.
July 15, 2008
Fabulous! I literally just finished this book and loved it. I think it was even better than the first, with great characters and a great story line! Definitely a summer must!
August 20, 2008
Cute enough. Light, simple, fun. A little dirty at times, as they take jobs as phone sex operators (as told on the inside jacket - not a spoiler, don't worry!). But cute enough
August 10, 2011
Not my favorite, but entertaining anyway.
May 25, 2015
This is a kinda cute book. Character development went well.
August 5, 2012
Hilarious chick lit at its best!
July 19, 2019
In this contemporary romance follow-up to Shoe Addicts Anonymous , Beth Harbison introduces us to Sandra Vanderslice's adopted sister Tiffany and her PTA friends Abbey and Loreen. This installment sees Tiffany and her friends turning to Sandra to bail them out of their money woes and Sandra's solution is to introduce them to the wonders of being phone sex operators.
For me, this installment stretched the boundaries of the supposed glamour three suburban housewives wound find in the freedom they got from their money troubles -- all from taking client phone calls while huddled in their basements doing laundry for their families.
I guess this just wasn't my cup of tea, although I do really like the way Ms. Harbison writes dialogue. So for that reason I am giving this book 2-stars. There is one more novella in this series -- and I will likely read that, but more because of my OCD than a real interest in what happens next. Although, I do hope it will wrap up the series nicely.
For me, this installment stretched the boundaries of the supposed glamour three suburban housewives wound find in the freedom they got from their money troubles -- all from taking client phone calls while huddled in their basements doing laundry for their families.
I guess this just wasn't my cup of tea, although I do really like the way Ms. Harbison writes dialogue. So for that reason I am giving this book 2-stars. There is one more novella in this series -- and I will likely read that, but more because of my OCD than a real interest in what happens next. Although, I do hope it will wrap up the series nicely.
March 31, 2025
Always enjoy this author for a lighthearted read and laughs.
After a PTA mom trip to Las Vegas with the school band, three moms find themselves in financial trouble after the trip, Abbey (the pastor's wife), Tiffany (married to a difficult man) and Loreen (who is getting divorced) team up with Tiffany's sister Sandra (who got out of financial problems because of her shoe addiction) to come up with a plan to cover their debts fast. It is silly and funny, but each woman shines with her unique talents and the women’s bond strengthens and they help each other with other life issues during their shared challenges. Many laugh out loud moments and their money making scheme is similar to the 80's Risky Business.
Worthwhile entertaining read!
After a PTA mom trip to Las Vegas with the school band, three moms find themselves in financial trouble after the trip, Abbey (the pastor's wife), Tiffany (married to a difficult man) and Loreen (who is getting divorced) team up with Tiffany's sister Sandra (who got out of financial problems because of her shoe addiction) to come up with a plan to cover their debts fast. It is silly and funny, but each woman shines with her unique talents and the women’s bond strengthens and they help each other with other life issues during their shared challenges. Many laugh out loud moments and their money making scheme is similar to the 80's Risky Business.
Worthwhile entertaining read!
November 16, 2017
This book was okay. I didn’t read the first Shoe Addict book, but decided to read this one, so I was caught off guard on their “legal scheme� to raise money. I wasn’t too impressed. I just don’t like that type of behavior and how it portrays women as sex objects. I did love the camaraderie and life long friendships the women developed and how each of them found themselves, which is why I gave it a 3. I probable won’t be reading the other two Shoe Addict books, but will try other books from the author because I absolutely loved, When In Doubt, Add Butter.
September 6, 2021
Não é nenhuma história super emocionante e incrÃvel que te prende do inÃcio ao fim, mas é um romance que dá pra passar o tempo. Ainda percebi alguns erros na história, como, por exemplo, o fato de Tiffany estar com um filho de dois anos e pouco (ela estava grávida do menino no primeiro livro) e Sandra pensar que apenas um ano atrás, ela estava fundando a empresa com as outras sapatólatras, logo, o menino deveria ter menos idade do que ele apresenta no livro. Fiquei impressionada que nenhum revisor percebeu os erros que aparecem nos dois livros.
É um livro razoável, sem ser perda de tempo.
É um livro razoável, sem ser perda de tempo.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 478 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.