The Secret Sex Life of a Single Mom

When she finds out her successful husband has had an affair, bored 36-year-old housewife and mother Ashley Jones (as Delaine Morris) responds by getting the needle from her handsome acupuncturist. After a few sexy sessions, Ms. Jones decides to divorce husband Scott Gibson (as Robert Morris). Alas, she finds out doctor lover Jeff Roop (as Graham) is more fruitful than faithful. Jones is obviously a slow study. With her affair and marriage on the rocks, Jones contemplates what her friends call "sloppy sex." They advise her to avoid looking for "Mr. Right" and go for "Mr. Tonight!" Jones winds up seeking out Seattle sex solicitor Alex Carter (as Shane aka "The Duke") for a "dominant/submissive" relationship. Before making her submit to him, the older Mr. Carter demands Jones have "slutty sex" with muscular 24-year-old Wesley Morgan (as Payton)...

This TV movie plays like porn with the naughty parts cut out. Underneath it all is an actual point – a woman matures by agreeing to be submissive instead of just being submissive. Not buying that thesis at all – but Jones is a pretty woman to watch. She looks spectacular getting in and out of black dresses. However, her progression through various sex partners is uninteresting. Best undressed scenes are when she disrobes in from of a window for her neighbors and when "The Duke" instructs her to try on a new dress. He forbids her wearing panties. You see nothing, but the word "panties" always arouses TV ratings. While the story is based on a presumably revelatory memoir, the teleplay is merely a few sexual fantasies strung together for distaff TV viewers. Known for her daytime serial roles, Jones is well cast. She and her lovers are attractive.

**** The Secret Sex Life of a Single Mom (5/31/14) John L'Ecuyer ~ Ashley Jones, Scott Gibson, Alex Carter, Wesley Morgan

"Delaine" (Ashley Jones) is a young mother of two who has a husband who not only verbally abuses her but has also carried on an affair behind her back. Yet even though she is devastated to learn this news she continues to try to be the best wife and mother that she can even though her husband continues to treat her badly. Then one day she meets a man named "Graham" (Jeff Roop) who offers her support and seems to genuinely care about her as a person to the point that she eventually files for divorce from her husband. Unfortunately, not long afterward she discovers that Graham is also having an affair with another women and this totally demolishes all of her hopes and plans. Yet even then she continues to do the best that she can until one day she comes across a man on a dating website which stirs her passions and leads her into a world of sexual submissiveness which she has never experienced. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a film that was clearly ill-suited for a made-for-television format largely because of the subject matter at hand. It wasn't erotic and it wasn't that romantic either. Additionally, the script was much too tame as well. In any case, I didn't especially care for this film and for that reason I have rated it accordingly. Below average.

The other reviewers are missing the point. It is not a porno. It is more if you take the time to really feel what the movie is showing. Taking a doormat person and teaching how they are in power. Showing that each person can be a strong person with some training and development. Listen to the message being given not looking for the sex. This movie is a teaching of a doormat, allowing men to control and make them feel lowly, and showing there is more. It is not about sex but becoming sexual. Opening the mind to see other options are available to those willing to open their minds to see the power available. it is a good movie for women and men looking for more in their lives. With other books out there about this lifestyle this movie has a good message if you hear the message given.

So this is supposed to be empowering women by them becoming a slave to a demanding master male, supposedly teaching her about her empowerment of being able to have sex with whomever she wants??? Laughable, she is never to wear panties in his presence, demands complete obedience by the woman and she must always obey him no matter what and never question him???? Unbelievable, she sold out her dignity and her womanhood!!! She got used!!!

Lifetime's "The Secret Life of a Single Mom", focuses on the wife in a broken family of four and plays out like a watered down version of "50 Shades of Grey". The husband is secondary and treated like a jerk even though he's the one paying all the bills before and after the divorce. The wife is treated like something of a put-upon heroine as she goes from one bed to another on hubby's dime, until she finds redemption and a paying job in the arms of a great guy/pervert who demeans her in ways her husband never would. Given that this is a Lifetime movie, it's target audience is women, but I think every guy contemplating marriage should watch it as a cautionary tale. Lest they too fall prey to a passive aggressive mooch who gives her best self to everyone but you