Sister Wife

A Memoir of Faith, Family, and Finding Freedom

By: Christine Brown Woolley

Narrated by: Christine Brown Woolley

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From TLC’s Sister Wives star Christine Brown Woolley, a groundbreaking and heartfelt memoir about living in a family like no other and finding the strength to leave polygamy—and the only life she’s known—behind.

Christine Brown Woolley had always dreamed of having a picture-perfect family—beautiful children, an adoring husband, and of course, a sisterhood of wives to share him with. Raised in Utah by practicing polygamists, Christine knew her life was less than normal, but that didn’t stop her from loving the full house of her childhood any less.

Becoming Kody Brown’s third wife in 1994, Christine finally found the big, happy family she had hoped for. When TLC’s hit show Sister Wives premiered in 2010, Christine knew it was her chance to shine a light on the brighter side of polygamy—the helping hands, the lively discussions, and their unmatched devotion to each other. But the cameras also revealed a much darker truth.

Now, in this candid tell-all, Christine shares for the first time the journey that led her away from polygamy and the bold path she is carving to live apart from all she has ever known. Moving, genuine, and insightful, this is a uniquely powerful tour de force of Christine’s journey toward and beyond her time in the spotlight as a sister wife.

Critic reviews

"Christine Brown Woolley, one of the wives in TLC’s “Sister Wives” series, bares her soul in this candid memoir about polygamous life, leaving behind what no longer serves you, and finding yourself in the broken pieces. In 2010, Woolley became a household name through the TV show, which broadcast episodes of the daily lives of an Apostolic United Brethren family, the Browns. While life as Kody Brown’s third wife seemed lively and bright, when the cameras were off, Woolley faced a much darker truth. Woolley’s narration fully expresses her emotions as she describes disproportionate treatment and the pain of feeling unwanted. Unlike the TV series, the audiobook allows listeners to experience Wooley’s humor, heartbreak, and relief without being interrupted by Kody in the process."

I never knew what I didn't know

Not EXACTLY a spoiler alert but... Please be aware... The final chapter is about Garrison. It should've come with a trigger warning. I was absolutely devastated and sobbed. I was in the middle of working (I clean homes) and I sat on the floor and just audibly sobbed. I am the mother of 3. I am also a daughter of a man who died by suicide. I have been in the same spot as the siblings as I too, as a sister, grieved and watched my mother grieve the death of 3 of my siblings. 1 accidental. 1 murdered. 1 by suicide. It took that gutteral grief and it all bubbled up in an instant. It was also too much.

I never knew what I never knew. I was happy when Christine decided to leave Kody. It was obvious she nor her children were getting what they needed for a long time but had no idea how bad it TRULY was. Now that I have read so much of this I can see what I was not able to see before. It has left me crestfallen and even more certain that Kody should be crushed by the weight of his actions or inactions that added to the causes behind Garrison's untimely passing.

I now see why EVERYONE IS BETTER OFF WITHOUT KODY. And Christine being as giddy as a school girl with David is so understandable. She has never felt loved before. She has never felt truly SAFE before. I love her and that whole. dang. family! How awful it must've been to see your family break down in front of the world. I hope we can all be as brave in life as Christine.

very enjoyable!!

This is a simple, straightforward, two thumbs up review! I enjoyed it being read by the author herself. And I appreciate the vulnerability and authenticity with which she opens up her life. I binged this audiobook over 2 days. Time flew by.

Amazing

Wow!! I listened to this book in one day and I wish there were more. I felt like Christine was sitting with me and telling her story. Her story is so powerful and I highly recommend it!

Real & Raw

I’m really glad Christine read this book in her own voice. Even more so, I’m glad Christine wrote the book in her own voice! It didn’t feel over edited, it felt real and raw. I enjoyed hearing her story in her own words. Very inspiring

What a beautiful reality of a woman who found herself after losing herself

I really enjoyed the realism of Christine. She showed a realistic version of herself and her situation that truly resonated with me.