The bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish—a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick—returns with a psychological thriller, filled with chilling serpentine twists, about a woman fighting to hold onto the only family she’s ever loved—and how far she’ll go to preserve it.Named one of the most anticipated thrillers of the year by Goodreads, Bustle, SheReads, and Library Journal; A LibraryReads pick of … Bustle, SheReads, and Library Journal; A LibraryReads pick of the month
Breezing into the upscale seaside paradise of Westport, Connecticut, gorgeous thirtysomething Piper Reynard sets down roots, opening a rehab and wellness space and joining a local yacht club. When she meets Leo Drakos, a handsome, successful lawyer, the wedding ring on his finger is the only thing she doesn’t like about him. Yet as Piper well knows, no marriage is permanent.
Meanwhile, Joanna has been waiting patiently for Leo, the charismatic man she fell in love with all those years ago, to re-emerge from the severe depression that has engulfed him. Though she’s thankful when Leo returns to his charming, energetic self, paying attention again to Evie and Stelli, the children they both love beyond measure, Joanna is shocked to discover that it’s not her loving support that’s sparked his renewed happiness—it’s something else.
Piper. Leo has fallen head over heels for the flaky, New Age-y newcomer, and unrepentant and resolute, he’s more than willing to leave Joanna behind, along with everything they’ve built. Of course, he assures her, she can still see the children.
Joanna is devastated—and determined to find something, anything, to use against this woman who has stolen her life and her true love. As she digs deeper into Piper’s past, Joanna begins to unearth disturbing secrets . . . but when she confides to her therapist that she fears for the lives of her ex-husband and children, her concerns are dismissed as paranoia. Can she find the proof she needs in time to save them?
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Addictive. Compulsive. Shocking. All of those are words I love to attribute to a thriller. The Wife Stalker delivers.
Thank you to Suzy Approved Book Tours, Harper Collins, and Liv Constantine for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
(from Goodreads) Breezing into the tony seaside paradise of Westport, Connecticut, gorgeous thirtysomething Piper Reynard sets down roots, opening a rehab and wellness space and joining a local yacht club. When she meets Leo Drakos, a handsome, successful lawyer, the wedding ring on his finger is the only thing she doesn’t like about him. Yet as Piper well knows, no marriage is permanent. Meanwhile, Joanna has been waiting patiently for Leo, the charismatic man she fell in love with all those years ago, to re-emerge from the severe depression that has engulfed him. Though she’s thankful when Leo returns to his charming, energetic self, paying attention again to Evie and Stelli, the children they both love beyond measure, Joanna is shocked to discover that it’s not her loving support that’s sparked his renewed happiness—it’s something else. Piper. Leo has fallen head over heels for the flaky, New Age-y newcomer, and unrepentant and resolute, he’s more than willing to leave Joanna behind, along with everything they’ve built. Of course, he assures her, she can still see the children. Joanna is devastated—and determined to find something, anything, to use against this woman who has stolen her life and her true love. As she digs deeper into Piper’s past, Joanna begins to unearth disturbing secrets . . . but when she confides to her therapist that she fears for the lives of her ex-husband and children, her concerns are dismissed as paranoia. Can she find the proof she needs in time to save them?
To be honest, I was not initially sold on what was happening in the story. I did not care about any of the characters and questioned their moral compasses, but then that is what kept me turning the pages. This story is told in dual perspectives: one of the old wife and one of the new wife. Both voices were strong and developed with little gems of information that was so artfully included in the story. I did not realize I was reading Easter eggs until the shocking ending, which made this novel one I would highly recommend. While the backstory of the characters and intense mystery behind Piper’s motives as a wife and stepmom were interesting, the ending shook me the most. The payoff through it all was well worth it. For the first time in a while, I enjoyed a thriller’s ending and felt like it was unique to the genre. The last 20 pages or so had me on the edge of my seat. The Wife Stalker was a well-rounded and great effort from this author duo.
The Wife Stalker is a solid 4-star thriller that I would recommend to fans looking for a quick and surprising vacation/road trip read.
I’ve been so excited for this book since I saw it. It’s just got such a graphic cover mixed with such an intriguing synopsis and I immediately said: I want to read this. This is the perfect thriller for the upcoming summer months. It’s just the perfect setting for that summer climate.
I’ve been reading a lot of thrillers this year and I’ve got to say that I’m really enjoying the genre. There’s something about getting into the psychological aspect of what motivates and drives people to do some crazy things. One thing I find from reading books like The Wife Stalker is that you don’t always like the main characters, and that’s ok! Did I love each and every one of these characters? No. Did it almost make the whole story seem more realistic and intense? Yes. We get to delve deep into the lives of Joanna and Piper and really see what motivates them to make the decisions they have. And that’s all I’m going to say on that, because it’s a thriller and the less you know the better the read!
All in all this was an exciting thrill (see what I did there?) of a read. The story takes you down many roads and the ending spits you out in a place you never saw coming. It’s like riding the newest roller coaster! I also have to say that this will be the perfect book for you to pick up now and read as the weather starts warming up. I don’t know, there’s just something about it that makes me think of summer (and maybe it’s honestly just that gorgeous coral in the cover).
This was a big disappointment for me. I have loved Constantine’s other books but really just never connected with this one. I never really liked either of the two main characters. I was into it at first but then it just seemed to drag and drag and I was skimming over it. The whole thing felt so incredibly unbelievable. When I finally got to the twists that didn’t come until the last few chapters, and there are a couple big ones, I was too uninvested for it to make up for the rest of the book. Maybe I’ve just read too many of these pyschological thrillers lately but this one really didn’t satisfy.
I was very excited for this book after reading the premise, but unfortunately, I was one of the rare ones who wasn’t wowed. I would have appreciated a little more depth to the characters and a bit more of a thrill. I felt like most of the book was interesting and the end had a good twist, but for me it was missing that something special.
What I did like: This one definitely kept my attention. I kept turning the pages, wanting to know what happened. It was a fast read and I actually finished it in just a few hours, so it would be the perfect vacation read.
Bottom line: If you’re looking for a fast paced thriller to read in an afternoon, check this one out.
I received an advanced copy in exchange for my review.
I read an average of three books a week & this story is by far my favorite so far this year. There are signs along the way where this story is going but if you are not careful you might miss them. Every main character has their own emotional stressor which makes it so much more unpredictable. Believe me you will read this book in one setting.
THE WIFE STALKER
By Liv Constantine
Wow! Wow! That’s about all I can seem to get out after reading this riveting psychological thriller from the amazing Liv Constantine. The brains to have come up with the storylines and twists were telltale characteristic of Lynne & Valerie Constantine; the sisters behind the pen name of Liv Constantine. This was an addictive and engrossing read that had you emerged into the lives Leo, Joanne and Piper. This was richly detailed and told from two main POV’s, the protagonist Joanne and the Antagonist, Piper.
Leo just coming out a severe bout with depression, takes the advice of his wife and seeks some therapy at a nearby holistic healing arts center. Dealing with the stressors demanded of being a powerful Attorney, Husband and Father to two children, he isn’t looking for anything when he meets the Center’s Owner & Instructor, Piper. But when they meet and form a friendship, it seems harmless and innocent.
Piper, having recently changed her name and setting up her business after running from her past which includes two deceased ex-husbands, is setting her eyes on the prize when she meets Leo. And what Piper sees she usually gets.
Joanne, notices something has gone awry ever since she suggested Leo go seek treatment at the healing arts center. And it has to do with this Piper woman who is now at her house for their Annual Memorial Day party. Although something is amiss and her gut tells her that there may be something more than an innocent relationship at play between Leo & Piper.
When Joanne begins to do some investigating of her own, what she reveals is shocking. Leo does feel a longing for a deeper connection with Piper and his depression has since disappeared since her met her. But it’s questionable the role that Piper plays in this whole story and leaves you questioning every fact you know and makes you second guess yourself with every twist and turn.
Liv Constantine’s latest psychological suspense is infuriatingly tense in the best of ways! I highly recommend the audiobook. Stellar performances by Julia Whelan and Meghan Wolf.
Who doesn’t want another Liv Constantine thriller just in time for summer? These ladies know how to write the effortless thriller with a zinger of a twist, and I’m happy to have gotten an early copy of this one, because it’s sure to be a hit.
There is Piper, the beautiful new woman in town who appears to not have any documented past, who swoops down on attractive yet married Leo, a prominent and attractive attorney, recently depressed and struggling. But Leo’s current wife Joanna is having absolutely none of it, and although Piper seems to be succeeding in stealing her husband, Joanna just knows there is something more to Piper that she is secretly hiding. As Joanna continues her search into Pipers hidden past, putting together the pieces of her life, Constantine hits us with one unexpected ending that none of us saw coming at all.
This thriller is told in short chapters alternating between Piper and Joanna’s views, it’s a fairly quick read and easy to get through. Piper is easily a villainous character and you are quick to despise her, which is right where the author wants you to go. I enjoyed the alternating perspective, but nowadays you can’t even trust your narrators anymore when you read a book, they can be so unreliable, so watch out where you are going with your gut. Thats the beauty of a Liv Constantine novel, they get you every time, and this one is no different. This has one smooth story line with an ending that was never expected. You may even find yourself going back through the book a few times (like me) trying to figure out where you had it all wrong. Always expect the unexpected when it comes to the Constantine duo, another great thriller to add to their repertoire, and to yours as well. Definitely recommend this one, 4.5 stars from me.
I just would like to thank Liv Constantine , Suzanne Leopold of Suzy Approved Book Tours and Harper Publishing for the copy of this book for my unbiased and honest opinion for review.
Liv Constantine has done it again. The Wife Stalker is a masterclass of domestic suspense that keeps you up all night, turning the page, desperate to find out what happens next. Can’t recommend this book enough! Fun, thrilling, and an ending you simply won’t see coming!
Liv Constantine has done it again! This dynamic duo has written another show stopper! I enjoyed The Last Mrs. Parrish, so I was really looking forward to this one. This is not the typical cliche of the husband leaving the older child bearing wife for a younger, more flexible woman. Oh no! It’s so much more than that. This book would make a great movie!
The chapters alternate between Joanna and Piper. I love this for so many reasons. At different points I thought both women were crazy, but it turns out one has a little more crazy than the other. I did feel for Joanna for a hot second. She stuck by Leo’s side when he went through depression, but even after all her support he chooses Piper. When Joanna discovers Piper’s previous two marriages ended in death, the last one including the husband and the child, I went into SAVE EVERYONE mode! Get Evie and Stelli away from Piper. Piper doesn’t even like Stelli! Then there was a point at the end when I felt maybe I had judged too harshly on one of the women, but then I read the last few sentences of the book. Nope, I was judging correctly.
Things started becoming suspicious to me when Joanna’s therapist didn’t believe Piper was as dangerous as Joanna thought she was even after all the evidence. On top of that Piper and Leo were telling the kids that Joanna was watching from heaven. What??!! The authors waited until the very end to do twist after twist after twist. It was like fireworks exploding in the last chapters. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor as I thought to myself..they did it again! I was completely on edge as everything I thought I knew was proven wrong. Bravo ladies! Bravo!
Grab this one today!
Domestic Thriller | Suspense
When I first started reading this book (and quite frankly, through MOST of the story) I thought it was the most unrealistic and flabbergasting novels I have read in a long time. There were parts of the book that were just unbelievably wrong, and my frustration almost made me stop reading it. THEN I got to the 90 percent mark (I always try to finish a book that I start) and the big twist emerged… OMG THIS TWIST SAVED THE ENTIRE STORY. What an ORIGINAL twist!!! My mouth was gaping open and I was GIGGLING because of how much I LOVED IT. I felt gleeful! I felt SHOCKED. And I felt rejuvenated! I know that’s weird to say, but it changed my perspective and made me LOVE this book. If Liv’s novels are all like this, you can count me in as being a lifetime reader. The ONLY reason I gave this one 4 out of 5 stars is because of how aggravated I was at some parts. Other than that, this is a solid read and I highly recommend that readers push through even if they are feeling frustrated. It is SO WORTH IT!
I’m going to keep this review short because this is one of those books you need to read and experience without others laying out the entire plot for you. The blurb is GOOD ENOUGH and doesn’t give anything away so go with that instead of reading reviews that detail the story. It’s so much better to experience yourself! Highly recommended!
All is good except for the wedding ring on his hand.
Piper moved to Connecticut from California to start a new life and to hide.
Joanna is waiting for her husband to come out of his depression. When he finally turns around and is happy again, it’s not because of therapy. It is because of Piper.
The Wife Stalker is not a romance, but a tense suspense.
We follow Joanna and Piper in alternating chapters as their lives unfold and one life shatters and one life blooms with Leo being the cause.
Does one of their lives continue to bloom? Maybe not when Joanna overhears a conversation Piper has with a random man on the street.
After that the suspense definitely ramps up. Joanna needed to find out just who Piper really was and what her story was.
But then Piper has plans of her own. As Piper’s plans accelerate, Joanna’s life begins to really shatter in more ways than one.
THE WIFE STALKER started out slowly, but then became so engaging and tense that it was difficult to put down.
Those readers who enjoy suspense, surprises, and an ending that will have your jaw dropping, you won’t want to miss THE WIFE STALKER.
This book was given to me by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
WOW! Liv Constantine (Lynne and Valerie Constantine) author/authors of “The Wife Stalker” has set the stage for a chilling thriller with suspense, intense, intriguing, captivating story. The genres for this novel are Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Fiction. The timeline for this story is in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. The author/s describe the colorful and dramatic characters as manipulative, complex, complicated, dysfunctional, vindictive, and suspect of certain actions or possible crimes. The story goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The story takes place in the beautiful town of Westport Connecticut.
The author/s vividly describe the characters, events, and setting, that seems just perfect. I finished this book in one sitting, and I felt like my head was spinning. There are twists and turns, betrayals, secrets, and a razor-sharp edginess that had me sitting at the edge of my seat. As the plot continues, everything seems to change.
Piper Reynard comes with her dark deep secrets to Westport Connecticut to have a new start in life. She meets an attractive attorney Leo and decides that he will be hers. As she weaves her web, she is annoyed that he wears a wedding band. Joanna and his two young children are very much a part of his life., Joanna wants to see Leo get out of a depression but certainly didn’t expect Piper to be the answer to solving the problem.
Joanna has to leave for a short time when her mother gets hurt. The next thing she knows is that Leo is in love with Piper, and wants Joanna out of his life. There is no room for the children at Joanna’s mother’s home. Joanna starts investigating the mysterious Piper and is frightened for her children. What is Joanna going to do?? How will the children and Leo be safe?
I highly recommend this riveting and page-turning thriller!!
I love the writing team of Liv Constantine.
The Wife Stalker is a well written , perfectly paced psychological thriller.
The story is multi-layered with twists at every turn.
The Wife Stalker tells story of a wife that is completely obsessed with having the absolutely perfect family, whether it’s her family or not.
The plot is compelling with well rounded complex characters.
This is a highly addicting book that I read in one setting.
Highly recommend !
When Piper moves to Connecticut she meets Leo. Too bad Leo is already married! That doesn’t stop Piper from going after Leo. Leo falls in love with Piper and plans to divorce his wife Joanna. Joanna knows something isn’t quite right with Piper. As Joanna digs into Piper’s past and finds about her, she will do everything in her power to save her family! This is one twisty ride and I read the book in a day as I couldn’t put it down! I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.
One of the best I’ve read this year! Unputdownable!!!