Book Review – Cinderella Has Cellulite: And Other Musings From A Last Wife

One of my most favorite ways to spend a “me-night” where I’m left alone by the husband and daughter is to take a long bubble bath soak in our guest bath, complete with candle light and glass(es) of wine, and read a good “chick-lit” book. Chick-lit is my favorite type of genre fiction which addresses issues of modern womanhood (often humorously and lightheartedly) and although the new hit novel “Cinderella Has Cellulite: And Other Musings from a Last Wife” is nonfiction, I fell in love with the author’s frank opinions, confessions, and advice.

Donna Arp Weitzman is a mother, writer, businesswoman, former Mayor of Colleyville, and wife to Herb Weitzman (Founder of The Weitzman Group, Inc., a number one retail focused Commercial Real Estate firm) who lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband and commonly jokes that she enjoys a good pair of Manolo Blahniks. Cinderella Has Cellulite is Donna’s first book but her writings as a columnist for The News and Times and Tri-Cities owned by The Dallas Morning News have received huge support and a loyal fan following which counters her frequent public speaking engagements. I have yet to personally experience Manolo Blahniks and as a “First & Only” wife myself I haven’t had the same encounters “Second+” wives probably endure when it comes to meeting their partner’s friends and families, but being a woman in general I’ve certainly dealt with similar hostile encounters when meeting new people (especially women which I hate to admit) and found myself easily relating to her.

In the novel she reflects on the times when she found herself as a “Last-wife” having to take on her new husband’s friends, her friends, his ex, and the in-laws when it came to explaining and defending their relationship. The book talk’s marriage, love, and finding that perfect relationship that we as women envision will be “Cinderella” type unions with minimal flaws but life often throws us for loops that we aren’t prepared for. When Sam and I first began our relationship ten years ago we endured MANY ups and downs from outside influences wanting to challenge our connection due to our racial differences. Like Donna with her husband Herb, we too had to pull together even tighter to remain strong in the face of hostility and negativity just to be happy, an entitlement that many have but for whatever reason feel is undeserving for others just because they don’t agree with the couple’s makeup.

The section “A Bad Day for Cinderella” really hit home with me. In this brief section Donna warns women of how “Prince Charming” can easily turn into a toad when it comes to money and their love for you and one will not be blindsided if they heed the warning signs. Growing up my mother and father instilled in us girls never to fully rely on a man, to always be able to support ourselves financially, mentally, and emotionally because nothing in life is owed or guaranteed, including lasting love, and one can always be replaced. These teaching made myself and my sisters’ independent strong women and I absolutely plan to raise Savannah with the same mindset. My husband sees it as a double edged sword as he doesn’t want her to feel like she can’t rely on others completely BUT he totally understands where my parents were coming from. I absolutely love reading work from female writers that reflect my current life standings and experiences as it helps to remind me that I’m not insane or the only one going through hurdles and that there are millions of women just like me. Even the cute & hilarious cartoon depictions within the book of women had me smiling ear to ear.

Yes, not only will the title for the book etch itself in my literature hall of fame, Cinderella Has Cellulite: And Other Musings from a Last Wife’s ability to offer realistic examinations of relationships, love, money, and even body image for us women is what makes this one a must read for First, Middle, and Last Wives & women everywhere! Purchase your copy of at Amazon and connect with Donna through Facebook.