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A review by shari_russell
The Wife Stalker by Liv Constantine
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Omg!! I feel like I just got off of the crazy train! Not only was I not on the same page as the story, I was in a whole different book. I felt that I knew who the characters were, and who I liked and didn’t like. I was pretty sure I knew where the plot was going but everything that was really going on came out on the very last pages. I’m still saying “What??” That’s what happens with unreliable narrators.
I didn’t read any reviews before I read this book, so I went in blind, so yes, I was shocked at how it all came together. I am having a tough time writing this review because the littlest thing I could say might give you some clues and I want you to experience the same climactic ending that I did. So, instead of rehashing a summary of what the story is about, which is already in the Publisher’s description above, I’m giving you the main points that were important to the characters and the plot/Theme.
It's the age old tale of two women loving the same man.The plot unfolds with alternating narratives between Joanna, the current wife to Leo Drakos, and Piper Reynard, the new chick in town who has her sights set on Leo. Piper arrived to the scenic community of Westport, Connecticut from San Diego and started a successful wellness center. Both women know what they want and it’s a cat and mouse game to the end. It didn’t take long though for Leo to be taken in by Piper’s beauty and seduction. Joanna is very abruptly pushed out of their home and out of the children’s lives.
Evie and Stellie, Joanna and Leo’s children, seem to be caught in the middle of everything and play a big part in the story. Evie starts to warm up to Piper, who thinks that she’s sweet. But then there’s Stellie who is 2 years younger than Evie and he just wants his mommy. He makes it very clear to Piper that he does not want her there. Some of Pipers thoughts and feelings about Stellie make you wonder if she has disturbing plans in store for him. Especially with what Joanna is coming up with.
Joanna is adamant that Leo will come back to her. She makes it her mission to uncover some unseemly facts about Piper. Her amateur sleuthing pays off when she finds some horrifying information about Piper and her past relationships. Now she’s convinced that Piper is going to harm her family.
The characters were complex and well-developed even though they weren’t all likeable. Though I did have my mind made up on who I liked, felt sorry for, or disliked until those last few pages when everything that I thought I knew made a drastic turn.
I did have some issues that made my rating 3 stars at first. There were some plot holes and unanswered questions that were not resolved. It also seemed to slow down in parts where the day to day minutiae started to become unbelievable and would not happen in real life. I was entertained throughout though and read it in practically one sitting. The shocking conclusion and finally understanding what was really going on made me look at the story differently. I ended up giving it 4 stars.
I am a big fan of Liv Constantine and have rated everything I’ve read from them a 4 or 5. They are definitely on my must-read authors list. With that said, I recommend this book to domestic thriller fans that are looking for an entertaining read with a shocking twist at the end.
I didn’t read any reviews before I read this book, so I went in blind, so yes, I was shocked at how it all came together. I am having a tough time writing this review because the littlest thing I could say might give you some clues and I want you to experience the same climactic ending that I did. So, instead of rehashing a summary of what the story is about, which is already in the Publisher’s description above, I’m giving you the main points that were important to the characters and the plot/Theme.
It's the age old tale of two women loving the same man.The plot unfolds with alternating narratives between Joanna, the current wife to Leo Drakos, and Piper Reynard, the new chick in town who has her sights set on Leo. Piper arrived to the scenic community of Westport, Connecticut from San Diego and started a successful wellness center. Both women know what they want and it’s a cat and mouse game to the end. It didn’t take long though for Leo to be taken in by Piper’s beauty and seduction. Joanna is very abruptly pushed out of their home and out of the children’s lives.
Evie and Stellie, Joanna and Leo’s children, seem to be caught in the middle of everything and play a big part in the story. Evie starts to warm up to Piper, who thinks that she’s sweet. But then there’s Stellie who is 2 years younger than Evie and he just wants his mommy. He makes it very clear to Piper that he does not want her there. Some of Pipers thoughts and feelings about Stellie make you wonder if she has disturbing plans in store for him. Especially with what Joanna is coming up with.
Joanna is adamant that Leo will come back to her. She makes it her mission to uncover some unseemly facts about Piper. Her amateur sleuthing pays off when she finds some horrifying information about Piper and her past relationships. Now she’s convinced that Piper is going to harm her family.
The characters were complex and well-developed even though they weren’t all likeable. Though I did have my mind made up on who I liked, felt sorry for, or disliked until those last few pages when everything that I thought I knew made a drastic turn.
I did have some issues that made my rating 3 stars at first. There were some plot holes and unanswered questions that were not resolved. It also seemed to slow down in parts where the day to day minutiae started to become unbelievable and would not happen in real life. I was entertained throughout though and read it in practically one sitting. The shocking conclusion and finally understanding what was really going on made me look at the story differently. I ended up giving it 4 stars.
I am a big fan of Liv Constantine and have rated everything I’ve read from them a 4 or 5. They are definitely on my must-read authors list. With that said, I recommend this book to domestic thriller fans that are looking for an entertaining read with a shocking twist at the end.