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About this item
Highlights
- Recruited into the fundamentalist Quiverfull movement as a young wife, Tia Levings learned that being a good Christian meant following a list of additional life principles--a series of secret, special rules to obey.
- About the Author: TIA LEVINGS writes about the realities of Christian fundamentalism, evangelical patriarchy, and religious trauma.
- 304 Pages
- Biography + Autobiography, Women
Description
Book Synopsis
Recruited into the fundamentalist Quiverfull movement as a young wife, Tia Levings learned that being a good Christian meant following a list of additional life principles--a series of secret, special rules to obey. Being a godly and submissive wife in Christian Patriarchy included strict discipline, isolation, and an alternative lifestyle that appeared wholesome to outsiders. Women were to be silent, "keepers of the home."
Tia knew that to their neighbors her family was strange, but she also couldn't risk exposing their secret lifestyle to police, doctors, teachers, or anyone outside of their church. Christians were called in scripture to be "in the world, not of it." So, she hid in plain sight as years of abuse and pain followed. When Tia realized she was the only one who could protect her children from becoming the next generation of patriarchal men and submissive women, she began to resist and question how they lived. But in the patriarchy, a woman with opinions is in danger, and eventually, Tia faced an urgent and extreme choice: stay and face dire consequences, or flee with her children. Told in a beautiful and honest voice, A Well-Trained Wife is an unforgettable and timely memoir about a woman's race to save herself and her family and details the ways that extreme views can manifest in a marriage.About the Author
TIA LEVINGS writes about the realities of Christian fundamentalism, evangelical patriarchy, and religious trauma. She is also a podcaster, speaker, and Content Strategist. Find her on social media @TiaLevingsWriter. Based in Jacksonville, Florida, she is mom to four incredible adults and loves to travel, hike, paint, and daydream. A Well-Trained Wife is her first book.Dimensions (Overall): 8.25 Inches (H) x 5.38 Inches (W) x 1.0 Inches (D)
Weight: 1.0 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 304
Genre: Biography + Autobiography
Sub-Genre: Women
Publisher: St. Martin's Essentials
Format: Paperback
Author: Tia Levings
Language: English
Street Date: February 10, 2026
TCIN: 1003381336
UPC: 9781250898050
Item Number (DPCI): 247-49-1446
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 1 inches length x 5.38 inches width x 8.25 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1 pounds
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5.0 out of 5 stars with 6 reviews
100% would recommend
6 recommendations
A Vital Story with Masterfull Storytelling!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Charlotte - 9 months ago
I was not prepared for how devastating this book would be, nor for how devastatingly beautiful Leving’s writing is. Hers is an important and urgent story that America needs to hear in the age of rising extremist fundamentalism. She shares the very real dangers of religious patriarchy, and details the ways it harms all involved, women and children especially, but also men. She speaks with self-awareness and honesty of her own culpability in the system, but does not hold back from naming each area where abuse and fear were used to twist her mind and keep her bound. The story of her escape left me in awe of her bravery and her humanity. Vital story itself aside, Leving’s storytelling is pure art! She is everything you want in a memoirist. I found myself unable to put the book down, alternating between heart pounding and heart aching, sometimes underlining furiously, sometimes unexpectedly sobbing (and I’m not usually a cryer with books). This is the author’s first book, but I certainly hope there will be many others to come.
A Well Trained Wife
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
TRB - 10 months ago, Verified purchaser
Great book, a must read!
A Page Turner
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Meagan J - 10 months ago
A Well-Trained Wife, My Escape from Christian Patriarchy by Tia Levings is an honest and gripping story about Tia’s experience growing up in a church with fundamental teachings that led to an abusive marriage at a young age. The book walks you through her journey of breaking free and how she bravely sought health and healing.
This memoir is a page-turner that evokes a range of emotions. I felt deeply saddened by the abuse and heartache she endured, but I also felt a sense of joy as she discovered her own thoughts, her own voice, and the freedom to become her true self. One particularly piercing quote, "I wanted a Self. I wanted to heal. To become a non-reactive adult who no longer felt pressured to obey someone’s rules in order to be loved.” I connected with her longing to break free of oppression and reclaim autonomy. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand how patriarchal systems can lead to the abuse of women and how our society, churches included, needs to listen to women and create safe spaces for them to share their experiences without fear of judgment or retribution. Tia’s courage in sharing her story is a beacon of light and hope for countless others who can relate.
One of my favorite books of the year!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Nikki - 10 months ago
Although this is a difficult read (Tia Levings does not pull any punches with the truth), it is well-worth it. It is the story of one woman's struggle to find her voice in the midst of Christian patriarchy, which is telling her she doesn't deserve to have one just because she was born female. You will walk with her as she slowly sees her life dwindling away until there comes the day when it is too much and she has to run (literally for her life). You will be drawn in from the first page and, if you're like me, you won't be able to put it down until the last. Make sure you have Kleenex nearby because you won't walk away without shedding a lot of tears. It is powerful and challenging, particularly in the days of the "tradwives." I will be sharing this book with everyone I know.
Fantastic Story
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Nikkid - 10 months ago
Tia writes with great courage a hard story but is careful not to overwhelm the reader. Be prepared to see yourself in her story and to be amazed at her survival. Every Christian needs to read this book.
Beautifully written, crushing memoir
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Viciusshore - 10 months ago
I’ve been waiting for this book for almost a year! There’s something extra personal and special in getting to hear the author tell their story in their voice. This book is not an easy listen, but it’s fantastic. Tia’s story is devastating. It’s hard to imagine a human being going through so much pain, yet her story is not uncommon, and that’s the truly horrifying part. She didn’t grow up in a tiny weird cult, she was part of a mega church, and when she asked for help and was told she needed to obey more. There are so many heartbreaking stories in this book, but there is also a lot of hope! I cannot wait to read whatever comes next from Tia. In the meantime, following her on social media is a must for anyone trying to understand MAGA culture as well as anyone working on their on deconstruction!