October 20, 2008 | Published in * Feature Columns, 5 Minutes for Books, Books, Giveaways

5 Minutes for Books — The Professors’ Wives’ Club

A book set in New York City featuring academic types (at the fictional “Manhattan U”)? About a group of women friends? Do I need anything more in a novel?

The Professors’ Wives’ Club by Joanne Rendell features four women of different ages and from different backgrounds who come together to fight for a common cause, and in the process help each other to grow. I think that their differences work for them — allowing them to accept the others at face value, instead of who they are “supposed” to be.

All of the women live together in the same campus apartment building. They each use the beautiful walled garden as a kind of retreat, and they come together rallying to protect it when it’s threatened to be destroyed.

Mary is the oldest in the group. She’s a professor herself, and married to the dean who is planning to destroy the green space. She’s been trying to find the courage to escape from her abusive husband, but something keeps holding her back.

Hannah is a former model who is dissatisfied with her marriage and disappointed with a choice she made in an effort to find love. She is trying to break away from the model image and break into the art world, but without her husband’s support, she is finding it difficult.

Sofia has a supportive husband, but she still feels as if she’s lost herself in the whirlwind of motherhood with two young children. She serves as the heartbeat of the group as she taps into her natural skills and proclivities.

Ashleigh is the youngest of the group — an attorney on the way up the career ladder, but still living in the shadow of her successful and overbearing father. As she seeks to break free, she wonders how she can be true to herself without disappointing him.

It sounds like typical chick lit, but the story definitely has some surprising moments. I found myself analyzing the women and rooting for them (even as I sometimes wondered what the “right” choice for them really was). Sometimes heavy topics are written without bogging the reader down, and within context of a good old fashioned caper as the four women bind together to defeat the evil giant.

We have five copies to give away! If you’d like to win one, please leave a comment. We’ll announce the winners in next week’s column.

The winners of What Happy Parents Do are
#2 Moriah@Please Pass the Salt
#58 K. Cleaver
#113 Corrie C.

Email Author | Website About Jennifer Donovan

Jennifer Donovan has been a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom team since 2007. She writes product reviews, covers events, and manages the 5 Minutes for Books weekly column and website. She lives in Houston and blogs at Snapshot about life with her family.

View all articles by Jennifer Donovan

{ 200 comments }

1 Michele October 20, 2008 at 12:19 am: Sounds like a fun read!
2 Stacy October 20, 2008 at 12:35 am: Sounds interesting! Enter me please!
3 HeresTheDiehl October 20, 2008 at 12:36 am: sounds great!
4 Carrie October 20, 2008 at 1:21 am: a good book to escape into is always welcomed!
5 Carrie K. October 20, 2008 at 1:53 am: I’ve had this on my wishlist for a while – I’ve read so many good review. I’d love to win a copy!
6 christy October 20, 2008 at 2:07 am: This sounds like a wonderful read. Thanks for this opportunity.
7 thefarmerfiles October 20, 2008 at 2:45 am: I love chic lit! Pick me!
8 Jackie October 20, 2008 at 4:07 am: Chick lit – perfect for a night in by myself. Thanks!
9 zukppr October 20, 2008 at 5:43 am: Sounds like a fun book to read
10 Jamie October 20, 2008 at 7:18 am: I would love to win a copy!
11 Gaye McGill October 20, 2008 at 7:22 am: I’ve heard this is a good book and would love to win a copy. Thanks.
12 Marilyn October 20, 2008 at 7:28 am: I would like to see this – thank you for the contest!
13 Katherine Frazier October 20, 2008 at 7:35 am: Looks like a great read.
14 Sandy October 20, 2008 at 7:44 am: sounds fun
15 randi oaklief October 20, 2008 at 8:12 am: I’ve had this book on my to read list for a while. I’d love to win it! Thanks
16 Courtney October 20, 2008 at 8:18 am: I want it…i want it…pick me..pick me…lol!it sounds like a very good read!!!
17 Heather G October 20, 2008 at 8:45 am: Sounds like a great read!
18 Chrysa October 20, 2008 at 9:01 am: This sounds like a good book. I like chick lit that has a little extra!
19 Ellie October 20, 2008 at 9:13 am: Sounds like a fun book to ready
20 Sarah at themommylogues October 20, 2008 at 9:34 am: I just finished a series and need a new book!
21 Deborah Wellenstein October 20, 2008 at 10:05 am: I would love to read this-thank you!
22 Jenn S. October 20, 2008 at 10:36 am: Would love to read this, looks fun. Thanks for the chance.
23 Lindsey October 20, 2008 at 10:39 am: I would love to read this – thanks so much for the review and giveaway!

Lindsey
24 Rebecca Doherty October 20, 2008 at 10:39 am: This sounds great – Thank you!
25 Janet F October 20, 2008 at 10:42 am: I would like to read this.
26 Mama Zen October 20, 2008 at 10:49 am: This sounds really good!
27 Linda October 20, 2008 at 10:52 am: I would love to win this prize.
28 Suzila October 20, 2008 at 10:55 am: This sounds like my kind of book. Thanks for offering this contest!
29 Rhonda Struthers October 20, 2008 at 10:55 am: I love to read and would like to read this
30 Piseco October 20, 2008 at 11:37 am: Sounds like a fun read. Thanks!
31 Buttercup October 20, 2008 at 11:49 am: I am always looking for good books to read. This one looks interesting.
32 Linda White October 20, 2008 at 12:04 pm: sounds good to me!
33 Tina October 20, 2008 at 12:08 pm: I would love to win a copy. Great review!!!
34 Linda Peters October 20, 2008 at 12:26 pm: would love to read this
35 Angela C. October 20, 2008 at 12:39 pm: I’m always looking for new things to win. I’d love to win a copy!
36 Angela C. October 20, 2008 at 12:39 pm: Sorry I meant to say I’m always looking for new things to read.
37 The Gang's All Here! October 20, 2008 at 12:44 pm: Ooooh, the colder days are just begging for a good book like this to dive into while the Li’l Empress naps!
38 Amanda October 20, 2008 at 1:01 pm: Sounds like a great book, I would love to win one!
39 Rita M October 20, 2008 at 1:03 pm: Sounds like a very diverse group of women, I would love to check ‘em out. Thanks for the giveaway!
40 Jeanne S. October 20, 2008 at 1:14 pm: I love a good chick lit book! count me in!
41 Ann Fantom October 20, 2008 at 1:18 pm: I would love to win this! Please enter me
42 Leona P October 20, 2008 at 1:20 pm: sounds good
43 Elizabeth M. October 20, 2008 at 1:22 pm: This sounds right up my alley! Thanks for the chance to win!
44 Sara October 20, 2008 at 1:58 pm: Sadly, I don’t make much time to read. This book sounds pretty good. Kind of book that I used to read.
45 c. clemens October 20, 2008 at 2:13 pm: great website!
46 Jessica October 20, 2008 at 2:26 pm: This looks like a great book. I’d love to read it. Count me in.
47 Tiffany October 20, 2008 at 2:41 pm: sounds like a really good book to read….. thanks for the contest….
48 nicole October 20, 2008 at 2:46 pm: You won’t catch me passing up a free book!
49 MaryBeth October 20, 2008 at 3:01 pm: sounds like an interesting read… thanks for the chance to win a copy.
50 Dan Smith October 20, 2008 at 3:50 pm: Sounds like a great book
51 Adrienne Gordon October 20, 2008 at 4:00 pm: love to read
52 TopazTook October 20, 2008 at 4:03 pm: Sounds like a great read! I would love to win this!
53 David Bertolo October 20, 2008 at 4:07 pm: Looks like an interesting read. Please sign me up for your contest.
54 amandasue October 20, 2008 at 4:26 pm: This is sorta like a desperate housewives in a book form lol, or atleast it reminds me of it with all the different women and they each have different problems. Sounds like a good book to read thanks for entering me.!
55 Susan Smith October 20, 2008 at 4:27 pm: Please enter me
56 Rachel Langston October 20, 2008 at 4:40 pm: Sounds like a great read. Add my name to the drawing!

Rachel Langston
57 Anne October 20, 2008 at 4:42 pm: Can’t have too many books. I’d love to win, thanks!
58 susan varney October 20, 2008 at 4:56 pm: i love to read everything
59 Kirby McCauley October 20, 2008 at 5:00 pm: This sounds right up my alley!
60 Thomas Gibson October 20, 2008 at 5:01 pm: Thank you
61 Joy F October 20, 2008 at 5:29 pm: Sounds good — I love to read, and my husband is hoping to teach in several years once his PhD is done…thus making ME a professor’s wife.
62 ky2here October 20, 2008 at 5:57 pm: We’d love to have this.
63 Tonya Froemel October 20, 2008 at 6:43 pm: count me in please
64 Julie Donahue October 20, 2008 at 6:48 pm: Looks like a fun read.
65 Hil'Lesha October 20, 2008 at 7:01 pm: Sounds very interesting.
66 Miche October 20, 2008 at 7:05 pm: That sounds like a great read!
67 Chrissi Doane October 20, 2008 at 7:28 pm: Looks like a fun interesting read. Thaks for the contest!
68 Kendra October 20, 2008 at 7:38 pm: looks like a great read ! thanks for the opp!
69 Mary Helen October 20, 2008 at 7:51 pm: I would love to win the book. Sounds very interesting.
70 Linda October 20, 2008 at 8:08 pm: Good Luck to all
71 Katie October 20, 2008 at 8:23 pm: Sounds like a really fun read! My mom and I would love it!
72 christopher h October 20, 2008 at 8:34 pm: looks like a good read
73 emily October 20, 2008 at 8:35 pm: I almost picked this up at the bookstore last week. I’m glad that you gave it a good review!
74 Peggy Doty October 20, 2008 at 9:25 pm: I want to read it please enter me.
75 Cheryl October 20, 2008 at 9:34 pm: Sounds like a great book. Please enter me! Thanks
76 Julie October 20, 2008 at 9:43 pm: Sounds like a good read, would love a try at winning this!!
77 Mel October 20, 2008 at 10:19 pm: This sounds like a book right up my alley. Please enter me in the giveaway! Thanks for giving away such a fun book.
78 Anne Pichette October 20, 2008 at 10:53 pm: This sounds like a great book. Thank you for having this giveaway.
79 K. Cleaver October 20, 2008 at 11:13 pm: I love to read and would be interested in reading this one. Thanks for the review.
80 Catherine October 20, 2008 at 11:19 pm: Thanx for the contest
81 Paige October 20, 2008 at 11:33 pm: I need a new book; I’m almost done with the latest stack.
82 Lenora Garrett October 21, 2008 at 2:14 am: Sounds great, I would love to read it.
83 geekbearinggifts October 21, 2008 at 2:42 am: I love to read, and this book sounds like it’s right up my alley–thanks for the offer!
84 Terra Heck October 21, 2008 at 4:59 am: I’d like to read this book.
85 Robert Doscher October 21, 2008 at 5:54 am: I would like to read this book.

Cheers!
86 Susan October 21, 2008 at 8:03 am: This is SO my kind of book!
87 david basile October 21, 2008 at 8:11 am: sounds great
88 Nicole C. October 21, 2008 at 8:32 am: Sounds really good! Please enter me!
89 Kasey P October 21, 2008 at 8:58 am: This sounds like a great book. Thanks for a chance to win.
90 nancy October 21, 2008 at 9:00 am: would love to read her first novel!
91 Michael Capp October 21, 2008 at 9:02 am: I’d love to win!
92 Susan C October 21, 2008 at 9:37 am: I love stories about the friendship of women!
93 Teal October 21, 2008 at 9:55 am: I would love to win this book! From your review, it sounds as if it’ll suck you in!
94 Vicky Boackle October 21, 2008 at 10:23 am: sounds like a great book.
95 Zoly October 21, 2008 at 10:24 am: Sounds very interesting.
96 Angela October 21, 2008 at 10:33 am: This sounds good. Thanks for the contest.
97 valerie mabrey October 21, 2008 at 10:38 am: I would love this
98 Heather October 21, 2008 at 10:50 am: I’d love the chance to read this…
99 Marie October 21, 2008 at 11:20 am: Sounds like a great read!
100 veronica sandberg October 21, 2008 at 11:35 am: want to win this
101 charline s October 21, 2008 at 11:42 am: This sounds liek a great book for all us ladies.
102 Rachael October 21, 2008 at 11:51 am: Sounds fun! I’d love to win !
103 Angela J October 21, 2008 at 1:23 pm: I’d like this
104 Alana October 21, 2008 at 1:26 pm: Sounds like a great book.
105 Linda Pinto October 21, 2008 at 2:08 pm: I love books about women who overcome.
106 Debi October 21, 2008 at 2:41 pm: I love to read books and especially with a story lone like this.
Great Contest !
107 Clifton Wade October 21, 2008 at 2:46 pm: My wonderful but disabled wife of more than 38 years just LOVES to read – one of the pleasures she still enjoys! Thank you for this great contest and prize!
108 Erin Walsh October 21, 2008 at 3:20 pm: I’d love a chance to win this, I can always read a good book. Thanks!
109 Katie October 21, 2008 at 3:21 pm: I love to read! I would love to read this book! Thanks for telling us about it!!
110 Eloise Carlson October 21, 2008 at 3:39 pm: This sounds like a really great book and one that I would love to read. Thanks so much for such a wonderful opportunity!

furygirl3132[at]comcast[dot]net
111 Mike Weisberg October 21, 2008 at 4:57 pm: I want to win
112 Andria October 21, 2008 at 7:50 pm: Always up for a good book!!
113 lace October 21, 2008 at 8:03 pm: I’m always up for a new book/author.
114 Anita Yancey October 21, 2008 at 8:34 pm: Sounds like a good book. Would love to read it.
ayancey@dishmail.net
115 Michele October 21, 2008 at 8:36 pm: Oooh, fresh reading material! Sign me up!
116 Candie L October 21, 2008 at 10:11 pm: The story line caught me more than the actual title. I think it would definately be an interesting read
117 Jessie W October 21, 2008 at 11:13 pm: Thanks for the review, I may not have given the title a second look. Sounds like a great read.
118 Christina October 21, 2008 at 11:23 pm: Nice!
119 judy brittle October 22, 2008 at 12:01 am: This book sounds great. Would love to read it. Thank you!
120 FPresley October 22, 2008 at 1:19 pm: This would be a good break from my usual historical romance.
121 Megret October 22, 2008 at 2:01 pm: Sounds delicious! I just finished a book — I need a new one to get lost in! Thanks!
Megret
musesofmegret (at) gmail (dot) com
122 Patricia Wagner October 22, 2008 at 2:08 pm: sounds like a good book
123 Natalie October 22, 2008 at 5:39 pm: Fun! Count me in, I’ve been on a reading kick lately.
124 Don October 22, 2008 at 7:33 pm: Would love to win as a gift for my mother.
125 Jill Miller October 22, 2008 at 7:40 pm: Since my husband really IS a professor, I’d say I would probably enjoy this book a lot!! Hope I win!!
126 Keeling October 22, 2008 at 8:47 pm: I’d love a chance to win! Thank you!
127 Gary Osborn October 22, 2008 at 8:50 pm: Wooo Hooo Make me a winner!
128 Heather October 22, 2008 at 8:56 pm: Someday I’ll have time to read again. I’m sure of it!
129 Molly Capel October 23, 2008 at 1:01 am: Sounds like an awesome book!
130 Carol G October 23, 2008 at 9:08 am: Not that I really need to add to my TBR pile, but this one sounds like it should be there!
131 Sarah October 23, 2008 at 9:30 am: enter me!
132 Sara A October 23, 2008 at 10:48 am: I am a chick lit addict! Id love to read this
133 Shannon B. October 23, 2008 at 1:16 pm: This sounds like a great book! I’d love to win!
134 Linda Moeller October 23, 2008 at 1:31 pm: Looks like a fun read.
135 Carol E October 23, 2008 at 3:53 pm: Looks good.
136 Sheila Pepe October 23, 2008 at 6:10 pm: I like to read! Sounds like an interesting book!
137 Jennifer hedden October 23, 2008 at 6:10 pm: Enter me
138 claudette flanigan October 23, 2008 at 7:16 pm: this sounds really, REALLY interesting! Please enter me!
139 Kayce C October 23, 2008 at 7:58 pm: Sounds like a fun book.
140 Heather B October 24, 2008 at 7:56 am: sounds like a good read!
141 Cheryl Free October 24, 2008 at 8:41 am: I’d love to read this *Thanks* for the giveaway!
142 Kathy Conley October 24, 2008 at 10:11 am: I have been wanting to read this one!
143 Annie G October 24, 2008 at 12:01 pm: Thanks for the chance to win another great book!
144 Zoey Smith October 24, 2008 at 1:51 pm: Thanks for this great giveaway – I would love to win this book.
145 Paulie October 24, 2008 at 1:52 pm: I am always traveling for work – this would be a super read for my next trip.
146 Joyce Jacobs October 24, 2008 at 5:36 pm: Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance to win it. Happy Halloween!
147 Adrian Lamont October 24, 2008 at 8:40 pm: Sounds good, count me in.
148 Becca October 25, 2008 at 12:40 am: I love reading all kinds of books, thanks!
149 Chrysa October 25, 2008 at 1:19 am: I heard about this book. IT sounds great!
150 Kelly F October 25, 2008 at 5:05 am: I am such a book maniac! This giveaway is awesome
151 Evelyn Murray October 25, 2008 at 8:20 am: I love to read, and would love to win
152 mindy October 25, 2008 at 9:00 am: good read thanks
153 Lydia Wilson October 25, 2008 at 10:00 am: Thanks for the giveaway!
154 Stephanie October 25, 2008 at 10:19 am: Thanks for the opportunity!
155 Paula S October 25, 2008 at 10:33 am: Great Giveaway!I would love to win this!
156 Erma Hurtt October 25, 2008 at 10:47 am: Would love to read this, looks fun.
157 Zoe Lee October 25, 2008 at 12:05 pm: I would love to read this! Thanks for the contest.
158 Mihaela Day October 25, 2008 at 12:14 pm: Sounds like a fun read!
159 alison October 25, 2008 at 12:23 pm: I’m always looking for a new book or author!
160 Holly October 25, 2008 at 12:33 pm: I’ve wanted to read this. I blogged the giveaway here: http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com/2008/10/giveaways_22.html
161 shawna f October 25, 2008 at 1:33 pm: Sounds good!
162 Marion B October 25, 2008 at 1:52 pm: Looks like a good book to read!!
163 Kathryn Gutierrez October 25, 2008 at 6:15 pm: I love to read
164 Vicki Wurgler October 25, 2008 at 6:19 pm: sounds like a good read
165 Gina Stratos October 25, 2008 at 6:24 pm: Fantastic
gkstratos@yahoo.com
166 Felicia Shapiro October 25, 2008 at 7:15 pm: Great giveaway!
167 Betty C October 25, 2008 at 7:39 pm: I’ve definitely added this to my “must read” list. It sounds like a great story line.
168 Brenda S. October 25, 2008 at 9:00 pm: Sounds interesting! Enter me please!
169 Jen R October 25, 2008 at 9:34 pm: Sounds great! I’m in!
Jen
170 Angelia McDonald October 25, 2008 at 10:43 pm: Count me in, Please
171 Erica G October 25, 2008 at 11:04 pm: I’d like to win.
172 Jennifer Schroeder October 25, 2008 at 11:25 pm: Sounds like a great read! Thank you so much for the contest!
173 Brenda Howard October 25, 2008 at 11:34 pm: I would love to read this, thanks for the giveaway
174 Renee October 26, 2008 at 12:13 am: I’d love to read this.
175 Carla Pullum October 26, 2008 at 12:20 am: This book sounds fun!!!!! I would love to read it!!!
176 Bonnie October 26, 2008 at 12:55 am: Hope I win and that it comes on a cold day when I have time to just curl up with it and a mug of hot cocoa.
177 Lara Aleff October 26, 2008 at 1:45 am: I’d love to read about the wives!
178 Bobv October 26, 2008 at 2:24 am: Great prize, enter me please.
179 Brenda Park October 26, 2008 at 2:54 am: Looks great, please enter me! Thanks!
180 Heather C October 26, 2008 at 3:02 am: I always like to read good books about women. Count me in!
181 Veronica Garrett October 26, 2008 at 3:18 am: Sounds like a fun read. Hope I win.
182 Timothy Sternberg October 26, 2008 at 3:55 am: Sounds like a fun read!
183 Jeanine P October 26, 2008 at 6:07 am: Nice prize! I would love to win! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
184 Tammy October 26, 2008 at 8:28 am: great prize, thank you for the chance to win
185 kathy pease October 26, 2008 at 9:18 am: PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY
186 Linda October 26, 2008 at 9:57 am: Please enter me. Thanks!
187 Yvonne North October 26, 2008 at 10:26 am: This sounds good
188 John Deal October 26, 2008 at 10:30 am: It sounds interesting enough to give it a try.
189 Denise October 26, 2008 at 10:58 am: This is nice!
190 Tammy Hankins October 26, 2008 at 11:34 am: cool
191 Tricia Andrews October 26, 2008 at 1:38 pm: This sounds like a fun read that I am going to share with my book club! We love books with fun, strong women in them!
192 Amy October 26, 2008 at 2:07 pm: I wanna win!!
193 Kris October 26, 2008 at 5:21 pm: Sounds like a good book! Thanks for the entry!!
194 C. Gibbs October 26, 2008 at 5:27 pm: Sounds good, count me in!
195 Lori Griffith October 26, 2008 at 6:24 pm: I need a good book to read, sounds like it’s for me!
196 Pamela White October 26, 2008 at 6:30 pm: I love the idea of women getting together to defeat the unjust or uncovering the truth. It is inspiring.
197 Sarita Berry October 26, 2008 at 7:10 pm: I would love to win – I think the book would be enjoyable and fun to read
198 Aimee C October 26, 2008 at 7:52 pm: I’ve heard about this book and would LOVE to read it!
199 Angie P October 26, 2008 at 8:15 pm: It sounds like an interesting read~thanks for the giveaway.
200 Dani October 26, 2008 at 8:52 pm: Sounds like a fun read.