The Perfect Mistress

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

The daughter of an adulterous father deals with the long-rippling effects of his actions in her own love life in this emotionally powerful novel by award-winning and national bestselling author ReShonda Tate Billingsley.Lauren Robinson knows exactly what it takes to be the perfect mistress. She had a front-row seat when she tagged along with her father on all of his extramarital trysts. She loved “keeping Daddy’s special secrets,” but many family members, especially her mother, consider her an accomplice in breaking up their family. Years later, Lauren’s mother, Joyce, whose health is failing, cannot let go of the bitterness caused by her husband’s philandering. She continues to blame Lauren, as does Lauren’s brother. Joyce can’t see past her anger and betrayal and has withheld her maternal affection from Lauren for most of her life. But this emotional distance has only made matters worse for Lauren’s love life—she only dates married men. That is until Dr. Matthew King enters the scene. Now poised to become a college president, Matthew is a former beau before she switched to married men, but he ultimately left Lauren brokenhearted. He tries to show Lauren that he’s a changed man since their college days. The two truly connect and their relationship quickly escalates. When Matthew proposes marriage, Lauren happily accepts, but as their very public engagement makes the news, someone is intent on sabotaging their relationship. Someone who watched her own marriage destroyed by Lauren and won’t be happy until she gives Lauren a taste of her own medicine. Can Lauren stop the cycle of destruction in time to salvage the only love she’s ever known?

Genres: Audiobook, Romance, Fiction, African American, Family Drama

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 5, 2016

About the author

ReShonda Tate Billingsley is a general assignment reporter for KRIV-TV, the Fox affiliate in Houston, Texas. She is the author of the nonfiction book Help! I've Turned Into My Mother! and three previous adult novels: My Brother's Keeper, for which she received the prestigious Gold Pen Award for Best New Author from the Black Writer's Alliance and the Nova Lee Nation Award from the Greater Dallas Writing Association; the national bestseller Let the Church Say Amen, chosen for Library Journal's Best of 2004 list for Christian fiction; and I Know I've Been Changed, a Main Selection of the Black Expressions Book Club.
Her previous Christian teen novels are Nothing But Drama and Blessings in Disguise, both available from Pocket Books.
She is also a contributor to the story anthology Have a Little Faith.

Reviews

[Michelle Lindo-Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished in hours. As parents, the lives we live really affect our children and the choices they make.

[Sophie Sealy · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCEPTIONAL
The sins of the father.

Do not let the title fool you. This book has so many different dimensions, extremely relatable and debatable. If you are in a committed relationship with or without infidelity, or if you are the other woman/mistress, or lived in a household of either then this book is going to interest you. I was sucked in from the first page. It follows the lives of The Robinson's and portrays how the sins of the father effects his family for years. A story of trust, of pain, or moving on and most importantly forgiveness. The story flows at the right pace and not one dull moment is captured. With every book written the writer takes it to another level, her best work yet. Read it now and see it on the screen sometime in the future.

[Cheryl James · Rating 4 out of 5]

ReShonda has done it again. I love the way she takes real life stories and puts her own spin into what becomes an epic read. The characters are so relatable. We all know someone who's having marital issues, someone who has committed suicide/murder, someone who has shot and killed a cheating boyfriend/husband. This story could be about the family next door. The highlight to this story is, the apples don't fall far from the tree!! Parents be aware that children mimick what they see their parents do and say.

[WTF Are You Reading? · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Mistress is, in a word...perfect.
A perfect storm.
Told in an expressive and highly fluid style which works brilliantly at showcasing both the authoress's unmatched flair for drama and compulsively readable, if not always likable characters. This book is one that will both repell readers with its honest portrayal of infidelity, while attracting them with its exquisite scene setting, character interaction, and plot execution.

For her part. It seems that the only real crime that leading lady, Lauren Robinson has ever committed is that of having parents who choose, with disastrous results, to make their daughter a scapegoat for their failings.

Lauren has no idea that a simple game of peekaboo at age seven, will land her in the middle of one of her father's seemingly never ending clandestine trysts. Starting her on a path of 'lying for Daddy'. Which leaves her racked with guilt, unable to trust, and works to drive a wedge so great between Lauren and her mother, that she is left essentially parentless for the majority of the read.

As with most cases of a cheating spouse. All of the supposed secrecy on the part of Lauren's father is truly for naught. Lauren's mother may be a fully entrenched ostrich of a woman. But unaware, she is not.

Presiding as 'La Grande Dame' over the affluence and propriety that her husband's flourishing law career provides. While begrudgingly doing her best 'Stand By Your Man' a la Tammy Wynette impression, definitely makes for tough times in the life of Joyce Robinson. Which is why the ease with which she lays both her and her husband's guilt for all that happens, and the tragedy that results, at the feet of her child is utterly appalling.

Is it any wonder that Lauren's father's behaviors follow her into adulthood. Right along with her mother's distain and blame. Surprisingly enough, there is one person who seems to make it through life at the Robinson's virtually unscathed and blameless. Lauren's older brother, Julian. Who manages to manages to accomplish the impossible through a concerted effort of invisibility and leaving home as quickly as possible.

Leaving Lauren, in all of her extramarital glory, holding yet another bag. This one being her now dying, elderly mother.
This is about the time when the cursing starts on the part of readers. There have been no lessons learned on either side, and the plot starts to suffer from a rather irritating case of 'Groundhog Day' syndrome. (As in the movie where everything repeats.) With the exception of a rather bittersweet happily... for Lauren.

This book is that winning combination of truth and fiction that keeps readers coming back. Those tales that shed light on those hidden facets of human existence. That serve to build us, destroy us, shape, and deconstruct us. Making us both who we are, and for better or worse, who we will become.

[Lesa Divine · Rating 3 out of 5]

So its more like once a cheater always a cheater.
Lauren grew up keeping her dad's secret of being a cheater to herself. Daddy's little girl. But her mom knew he wasn't no good but she stayed anyways.

Once Lauren mom found out that Lauren wasn't telling her she's blamed her every since.

Finding out that her mom hates her she ends up growing up only to be that other woman the mistress and vow she won't never do what her dad's mistresses done.
But life is hecky and she finds her past coming to bite her in the behind.

[Desiree Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauryn's mother has never been able to forgive her for keeping the secrets of her father when she was with him and knew he was cheating on her mother.

Lauryn has grown up and thinks that it is okay to be a mistress. It almost costs her the love of her life. Read September 2016

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this on audio and the story was great but because of issues I’ve had with my mom accepting me the story was very triggering because of Loren and her moms relationship. There’s also infidelity all throughout so be warned.

I really enjoyed listening to this one though!

[Elise Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. I agree that parents help shape children into adulthood by their own actions or lack there of. Didn't see that ending coming

[Marilyn Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good, juicy and suspenseful. See even though some of us have fathers in our lives the legacy they leave behind has lasting consequences. Lauren saw first hand how to become the Perfect Mistress because her father taught her so. However, Lauren's other relatives held on to long bitter and negative feelings. What goes around... that old saying has never lied. Stay tuned for suspense, excitement, revenge, bitterness and sadness. Lauren rekindled a former love's relationship and was on too her "Happy ever-after." As women, this story is a life long lesson. Great story-line, and wonderful plot.

[BernieMck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. We take a look at a Mistresses life and how adults are effected by the negative experiences they encounter when they are young. Lauren and Julian are bought up in a less than perfect home and when they are grown the problems don't go away. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was great.

[Dr. Joy C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. Makes you think.

[Deeva22 · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I really and truly enjoy this author's work and for the most part, this book was an excellent read. I could hardly put the book down. I took away 1 star because the ending could have been better. I did not like the way this story ended at all. It seemed rushed and I would have loved knowing a little more about Vivian's issues, and what eventually happened with Matthew's job. Too much information was left out. It would have also been great to see Lauren grow and do some more healing from the mess of a life she had been living, thanks to Vernon. Nevertheless, I'm glad that she got back together with Matthew.

Excellent story line and plot. Lord knows I felt for Joyce because it reminded me so much of my own mother's tears and broken heart behind this same kind of foolishness with my own daddy. Granted, Joyce did sleep with him in the beginning, knowing he was engaged to someone else, and Lord knows she could have gotten out, but like my momma told me many years ago when I asked her why did she stay that sorry azz daddy of mine, she asked me 'where was I gonna go with 5 head of children, no high school diploma, and no full time job?' That tore me up because I had no answer. I think Vernon felt that same way too, which is why he encouraged her to drop out of school from the giddy up.

This novel is a stark reminder that children do what they see their parents do and that we should all be mindful of the seeds that are planted, because just as sure as you're born, you will reap them in the harvest. People don't realize the damage that is done to children in these dysfunctional and unhealthy relationships. Especially when the parties are selfish. Even though this was a good read, I am truly bothered by the way Vernon manipulated his daughter to serve his selfish behind and the resulting broken relationship that existed between Lauren and her mom. And sadly, this kind of dysfunction is real and is very present in many homes right now today.

Good job, ReShonda ~ hopefully, you are working on a follow-up to this book.

[KayBee's Bookshelf · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the author did a good job of showing the ripple effects of adultery(the father). Also, the damage of not holding yourself accountable for the choices you make(mother/daughter).

Pros-
Sufficient backstory
Primary characters decently developed
Steady pace
No considerable “action”, but still entertaining enough to keep me interested.
Narrator did a good job

Cons:
The 1 characters who found “redemption” was rushed & not well received
Random observations:
None of the characters, other than Matthew, were particularly likeable. I cared for Joyce & Lauren the least. Joyce, a mistress turned wife, seemed to regress from a college student to an immature child throwing tantrums. I didn’t understand what kept the father bound to her, because she was not portrayed in a light that was at all appealing.
By chapter 40 I realized that Lauren is 34 and Joyce, the mother is 63. That information changes my perception of these two. Both characters were definitely portrayed much younger and immature. I thought that maybe there was some type of time jump that I missed because these 2 were portrayed in a juvenile manner. And finally, Lauren learned no lessons. This was evident in the final scene when she’s in the standoff with her “friend” and says “can’t you let me go I’m about to get married?” This was laughable and sad.
Obvious things that were clear early on:
It’s clear Julian is his father’s son & really a nonfactor in the story.
Vivian is one of Lauren’s past “victims.” It was extremely obvious.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parents need to be careful of the lives they lead in front of their children. This does not mean a child has a free pass to walk in their parents path. Lauren was truly her father's child. She played the mistress role well but at a price. She learned from being placed in a poor situation of watching her father cheat repeatedly and made to keep his secrets. Her mother stayed angry with her because she was not strong enough to leave Lauren's father for being dog. She felt Lauren portrayed her by not disclosing her father acts. Lauren should have never been placed in this position as a child but she only did what any child would do. Lauren grew up to be a home wrecker until Matthew came along and stole her heart. This was a good read.

[His Wife7474 · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK. Where to start. I'll make three important points about this book. (1) Even though I rated it 3 out of 5, I still think it was worth the read. There was one moment that had made me stop and say "f***!" (see profile lol). (2) Reshonda Tate Billingsly has a style of writing that just flows, and this book is no different. (3) The story is believable and the characters- perhaps not all of the storylines- are well developed. I would recommend this book but I would likely not re-read it in the future.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good.

Lauren’s father was the king of Adulterous, so she learned from the best.
Lauren has followed in her father’s footsteps but will it come back to haunt and ruin her?

The storyline is great. The characters are great.
This book will make people think about their actions before they do them
If you are looking for a great book to read , this book is it, You won’t be disappointed.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was AWESOME! Mrs. Billingsley you did it again! Even though the title will keep some people from reading this book that's their problem LOL! This book was like a roller coaster ride. So many ups and downs and twists and turns! I knew that Vivian was NOT Lauren's friend from the beginning! I loved your little clues, I figured them out QUICKLY! LOL :)

[Rosetta Mandisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the story line and characters. I think the characters were very real to life and the story displayed exactly what I was thinking as I read...parents do not understand the impact their choices have on children and the generations that will come later.

[Honey Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's no such thing as a perfect person

This story was a page turner filled with twists and turns. It shows how our words effect those around us to a point of shaping some one's life knowingly and unknowningly.

[Christopher Markland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, a good read. Story dragged on at times and was some themes were repeated almost to the point of becoming annoying.

[Maya B · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was an ok read. some parts were slow and the story line was not as intense as her other books.

[Sympa Ladii · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story line, once things shifted to Lauryn it felt rushed but kept on Pace. Wish there was a second part too see what karma sneaks up on Lauryn🤷🏽

[Jerrica (Mrsmar10Reads) Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook 4.25⭐️
Wow...this was a journey into how bad our families can screw us up. Lauren was put into a position as a child she never should have been put into. In turn, she learned how to be, "The Perfect Mistress." Her need to have the love of a parent led her into adopted the ways of one, and the resentment of the other. Her mother became a bitter woman because "love" made her stay and accept her unfaithful husband. This completely dysfunctional family managed to turn into people they didn't want to be and still find forgiveness in the end. I will say, Lauren made me want to throttle her sometimes, but you do what you know right? Her dad taught her that. Then there's Julian, the perfect son who turned out to be - not so perfect. Matthew, that man was a saint. I guess he realized that people have a past, go or bad and he didn't hold it against Lauren. This book tackles a lot of what people my age have seen throughout generations in our families, he's a good man/she's a good woman, they take care of home and that's what matters. Complete BS. Let me stop before I start preaching. Anyway, this was an excellent book about forgiveness, karma, acceptance, and realizing things come to light when you least expect it. Happy Reading/Listening Y'all!💋

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are three rules I live by:

1. I don't sleep with other women's husbands.
2. I don't date people at my job.
3. I do not take a** whoopings on my job.

I decided to listen to The Perfect Mistress on Hoopla by Reshonda Tate Billingsley. I thought she wrote more Christian fiction. It doesn't matter. I still enjoy her writing. This book is so not Christ-like. Lauren Robinson's father, Vernon Robinson is a low down cheating dog and she worships him. If she was a real person I would beat her a**! Who keeps their daddy's secret about his cheating and hangs out with the side chick?

Fast forward to Lauren as an adult she and is proud of being a side piece. In my opinion, she has NO redeeming qualities. Her dysfunctional upbringing seriously warped her thinking on relationships. She grew up believing that all men cheat and I was amazed at her distorted way of thinking Her mother Joyce HATED her and blamed her for the demise of her relationship with her father. There were a few bombshells in this book and sadly I figured out the ending before the end of the book. I hate when that happens.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Mistress delivers a fast-paced mix of romance, betrayal, and self-discovery. Lauren came across as someone who had affairs but grew up in a home riddled with affairs. Billingsley’s writing is engaging, with snappy dialogue and relatable characters, especially Robin, who is both sympathetic and frustrating. While the plot is entertaining, it occasionally feels predictable, heavily relying on familiar tropes. However, I did enjoy the emotional depth and lessons about self-respect and personal growth, which heavily make up for for the plot. The ending is satisfying, even if not surprising. Overall, I do see this book as a fun, drama-filled read. I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys romance and relational tension. Definitely enjoyable.

[Techlady · Rating 4 out of 5]

****Spoilers****
ReShonda Tate Billinglsey has another good one here. Don't judge this book by the title...its that an a whole lot more! I listened to the audio version. Janina Edwards did a great job narrating it.

Wow....the sins of the father are truly shown upon his children in this book! As a young child, Lauren accidentally finds out about her father's current infidelities...and is made to keep it a secret by her father. UGH!! Father of the year material right there!

Would've loved to have heard more of Julian's (her brother) side of things.

I did suspect that someone was not as they portrayed themselves to be though....but the ending caught me by surprise!

[Pat Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real Life

The examples of parents, whether by word or action can deeply affect their children and play a major role in how they function as adults. So was the case in this book, where a philandering father and an accepting mother showcased their marital issues in front of their kids. The kids, then adults, could repeat learned behaviors or go in the opposite direction. The way it played out in this book was truly a wake up call. This book dealt with real life drama and repercussions. Great writing, leaving one with a lot to consider.

[Shasta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn’t go as I expected…in a good way!

Lots of twist and turns. Everyone wants a happily ever after, but what does that look like?
Unforgiveness is a sin that causes bitterness in our life. The Bible warns about bitterness: “Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled” (Hebrews 12:15).
Unforgiveness is like a daily dose of poison that eats away at your heart and this book tells the testament of that.

[Andrea Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title The Perfect Mistress is an oxymoron! My mind wondered who she would B & was a little surprised when I found out! I was equally surprised @ the brother!! The family was dysfunctional & that made for good reading. Too bad the Mother acted the way she did for too many years. The father was brain dead with his actions! Matthew showed true unconditional love. The story line did twist in a manner that I did not see. Overall this was a good read. Think 3 times folks!!

[Jocelyn Boffman green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This is my second book by this author. I really enjoyed the storyline. The characters were realistic in my eyes. Although I figured out who let the cat outta the bag, I’m glad the story ended happily. This book is full of lessons, and will definitely make you think about the seeds that we plant in your life. Another lesson learned was love the one you’re with. The grass is not always greener.