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The Senator's Wife
A D.C. philanthropist suspects that her seemingly perfect employee is secretly plotting to steal her husband, her reputation—even her life—in this seductive novel of psychological suspense from the internationally bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish.
In this town, anyone is replaceable. . . .
After a tragic chain of events led to the deaths of their spouses two years ago, D.C. philanthropist Sloane Chase and Senator Whit Montgomery are finally starting to move on. The horrifying ordeal drew them together, and now they're ready to settle down again—with each other.
As Sloane returns to the world of White House dinners and political small talk, this time with her new husband, she's also preparing for an upcoming hip replacement—the latest reminder of the lupus diagnosis she's managed since her twenties. With both of their hectic schedules, they decide that hiring a home health aide will give Sloane the support and independence she needs post-surgery. And they find the perfect fit in Athena Karras.
Seemingly a godsend, Athena tends to Sloane, and even helps her run her charitable foundation. But Sloane slowly begins to deteriorate—a complication, Athena explains, of Sloane's lupus. As weeks go by, Sloane becomes sicker, and her uncertainty quickly turns to paranoia as she begins to suspect the worst. Why is Athena asking her so many probing questions about her foundation—about her past? And could Sloane be imagining the sultry looks between Athena and her new husband?
Riveting, fast-paced, and full of unbelievable twists, The Senator's Wife is a psychological thriller that upends the private homes of those who walk the halls of power. Because when you have it all, you have everything to lose.
In this town, anyone is replaceable. . . .
After a tragic chain of events led to the deaths of their spouses two years ago, D.C. philanthropist Sloane Chase and Senator Whit Montgomery are finally starting to move on. The horrifying ordeal drew them together, and now they're ready to settle down again—with each other.
As Sloane returns to the world of White House dinners and political small talk, this time with her new husband, she's also preparing for an upcoming hip replacement—the latest reminder of the lupus diagnosis she's managed since her twenties. With both of their hectic schedules, they decide that hiring a home health aide will give Sloane the support and independence she needs post-surgery. And they find the perfect fit in Athena Karras.
Seemingly a godsend, Athena tends to Sloane, and even helps her run her charitable foundation. But Sloane slowly begins to deteriorate—a complication, Athena explains, of Sloane's lupus. As weeks go by, Sloane becomes sicker, and her uncertainty quickly turns to paranoia as she begins to suspect the worst. Why is Athena asking her so many probing questions about her foundation—about her past? And could Sloane be imagining the sultry looks between Athena and her new husband?
Riveting, fast-paced, and full of unbelievable twists, The Senator's Wife is a psychological thriller that upends the private homes of those who walk the halls of power. Because when you have it all, you have everything to lose.
336 pages, Paperback
First published May 23, 2023
2531 people are currently reading
104015 people want to read
About the author
Liv Constantine
21 books10.9k followersLiv Constantine is the pen name of sisters Lynne Constantine and Valerie Constantine. Lynne and Valerie are New York Times and international bestselling authors with millions of copies sold worldwide. Winners of the 2025 Silver Falchion awards for Best Book and Best Suspense, their books have been translated into 29 languages, are available in 34 countries, and are in development for both television and film. Their books have been praised by The Washington Post, USA Today, The Sunday Times, People Magazine, and Good Morning America, among many others. Their debut novel, THE LAST MRS. PARRISH, is a Reese Witherspoon Book Club selection. Visit Liv at www.livconstantine.com
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 5,335 reviews
February 28, 2023
Soapy Drama
“Love stories always ended badly.”
The Senator’s Wife is an aptly titled psychological thriller about a philanthropist married to a senator. When she falls ill, she begins to question all she knows. Is she seriously ill, or is more happening than meets the eye?
The plot is a like soap opera storyline.After Sloane's husband Robert, who was a senator, dies in a freak accident, she marries yet another senator, who happened to be her first husband’s cousin's widow, Whit. It's a little convoluted to say the least.
While recovering from surgery, Sloane is under the care of Athena, a mysterious woman hiding some secrets. When Sloane’s recovery takes a turn for the worse, she begins to suspect she is losing her mind, leading to one crazy showdown.
Chapters are divided between Sloane, Whit, and Athena. Sloane is not the sharpest tool, but it might seem that way since the reader is clued into more of what’s going on than she has knowledge of. Whit is slimy, and Athena’s character has the potential to be interesting, but sadly she is bland. There are also a few chapters narrated by Rosemary that were pointless in the end.
There are actually some decent twists and turns. At the same time, the plot is over-the-top, and one will have to suspend disbelief to buy in.
What got me was the writing. This is my first book by Liv Constantine, and while the narration involves too much telling instead of showing for my personal taste, the dialogue is what took me out of being able to enjoy this book. It is stilted, awkward, and overly dramatic. The characters talk at each other instead of to each other--their conversations lack connection and emotion.
Once again, I am an outlier. I can't recommend this one, but most readers have loved it. On the plus side, it is fast-paced and very easy to read, and the big reveal had me laughing in a good way.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.
“Love stories always ended badly.”
The Senator’s Wife is an aptly titled psychological thriller about a philanthropist married to a senator. When she falls ill, she begins to question all she knows. Is she seriously ill, or is more happening than meets the eye?
The plot is a like soap opera storyline.After Sloane's husband Robert, who was a senator, dies in a freak accident, she marries yet another senator, who happened to be her first husband’s cousin's widow, Whit. It's a little convoluted to say the least.
While recovering from surgery, Sloane is under the care of Athena, a mysterious woman hiding some secrets. When Sloane’s recovery takes a turn for the worse, she begins to suspect she is losing her mind, leading to one crazy showdown.
Chapters are divided between Sloane, Whit, and Athena. Sloane is not the sharpest tool, but it might seem that way since the reader is clued into more of what’s going on than she has knowledge of. Whit is slimy, and Athena’s character has the potential to be interesting, but sadly she is bland. There are also a few chapters narrated by Rosemary that were pointless in the end.
There are actually some decent twists and turns. At the same time, the plot is over-the-top, and one will have to suspend disbelief to buy in.
What got me was the writing. This is my first book by Liv Constantine, and while the narration involves too much telling instead of showing for my personal taste, the dialogue is what took me out of being able to enjoy this book. It is stilted, awkward, and overly dramatic. The characters talk at each other instead of to each other--their conversations lack connection and emotion.
Once again, I am an outlier. I can't recommend this one, but most readers have loved it. On the plus side, it is fast-paced and very easy to read, and the big reveal had me laughing in a good way.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2023
This slow-burn, chilling, and intelligent political/domestic thriller draws parallels to the likes of Scandal and Rebecca. The pressure, intrigue, mind games, and unexpected twists woven throughout the narrative keep you engaged and on edge.
While the beginning of the book made a strong impact, I hesitated initially due to my lack of affinity for the characters. However, the meticulously crafted mystery that unfolds gradually and the final twist proved to be a pleasant surprise that compelled me to reassess my initial reservations.
In a pivotal and traumatic chapter, the lives of the main characters are irrevocably altered. Peg, a troubled and intoxicated wife consumed by suspicions of her husband's infidelity, tragically ends up killing her cousin Robert during a confrontation. Fast forward to the present, and we discover that Whit, Peg's husband, has remarried Sloane, Robert's widow who grapples with the challenges of lupus.
While I sympathized with Sloane's plight, I struggled to connect with her decision to marry a man who was implicated in his previous wife's death, especially given the circumstances surrounding the incident. Whit's manipulative nature may have convinced her of his innocence, but it still left a disconcerting impression. Additionally, Athena, the enigmatic healthcare worker with ulterior motives, and Rosemary, despite her intelligence, failed to resonate with me.
The most relatable characters were Emmy, Sloane and Whit's daughter, and Camille, Rosemary's daughter. However, it was disappointing that they weren't given the opportunity to narrate the story. Madeline, on the other hand, seemed to embody the stereotypical femme fatale archetype.
This book falls into the category of a slow-burn thriller. The first half may appear uneventful, but the pace picks up significantly in the final third, delivering delicious twists and clever resolutions that will leave you exclaiming, "Holy hell!" Sloane's declining health, her hallucinations, suspicions surrounding Athena, and the secret political meetings add layers of intrigue to the narrative. Everything is adeptly wrapped up with logical explanations, satisfying the reader's need for closure.
Reflecting on my reading experience, I feel the urge to celebrate with a meze platter and a bottle of ouzo!
Although my initial disappointment was undeniable, this dynamic thriller duo has once again delivered a smart and brilliantly concluded story. For its compelling political intrigue and strong representation of girl power, I confidently award this book four stars.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Bantam for sharing this highly anticipated digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions
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While the beginning of the book made a strong impact, I hesitated initially due to my lack of affinity for the characters. However, the meticulously crafted mystery that unfolds gradually and the final twist proved to be a pleasant surprise that compelled me to reassess my initial reservations.
In a pivotal and traumatic chapter, the lives of the main characters are irrevocably altered. Peg, a troubled and intoxicated wife consumed by suspicions of her husband's infidelity, tragically ends up killing her cousin Robert during a confrontation. Fast forward to the present, and we discover that Whit, Peg's husband, has remarried Sloane, Robert's widow who grapples with the challenges of lupus.
While I sympathized with Sloane's plight, I struggled to connect with her decision to marry a man who was implicated in his previous wife's death, especially given the circumstances surrounding the incident. Whit's manipulative nature may have convinced her of his innocence, but it still left a disconcerting impression. Additionally, Athena, the enigmatic healthcare worker with ulterior motives, and Rosemary, despite her intelligence, failed to resonate with me.
The most relatable characters were Emmy, Sloane and Whit's daughter, and Camille, Rosemary's daughter. However, it was disappointing that they weren't given the opportunity to narrate the story. Madeline, on the other hand, seemed to embody the stereotypical femme fatale archetype.
This book falls into the category of a slow-burn thriller. The first half may appear uneventful, but the pace picks up significantly in the final third, delivering delicious twists and clever resolutions that will leave you exclaiming, "Holy hell!" Sloane's declining health, her hallucinations, suspicions surrounding Athena, and the secret political meetings add layers of intrigue to the narrative. Everything is adeptly wrapped up with logical explanations, satisfying the reader's need for closure.
Reflecting on my reading experience, I feel the urge to celebrate with a meze platter and a bottle of ouzo!
Although my initial disappointment was undeniable, this dynamic thriller duo has once again delivered a smart and brilliantly concluded story. For its compelling political intrigue and strong representation of girl power, I confidently award this book four stars.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Bantam for sharing this highly anticipated digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions
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May 27, 2023
A juicy, escapist beach read!
Grab your red wine 🍷and popcorn🍿
I listened to this one (almost non-stop) and was hooked from the beginning. Yes, you will need to suspend belief to enjoy.
It has a political backdrop, but free from politics.
The plot brings nothing new, but there are plenty of gaspy twists, some amusing moments , and a fast paced narration that had some edge to it. This made it easy to listen and get some tasks done!
I will say it is overly dramatic, some things were predictable, and the ending wasn't an absolute wow. The journey was fun though and this was my favorite from these authors so far!
Some aspects reminded me a little of The Housekeeper by Joy Fielding with some revenge mixed in (but was more entertaining) IMHO
Libby listen / fabulously narrated by Kirsten Potter/ 9 hours, 7 min
Available Now
Grab your red wine 🍷and popcorn🍿
I listened to this one (almost non-stop) and was hooked from the beginning. Yes, you will need to suspend belief to enjoy.
It has a political backdrop, but free from politics.
The plot brings nothing new, but there are plenty of gaspy twists, some amusing moments , and a fast paced narration that had some edge to it. This made it easy to listen and get some tasks done!
I will say it is overly dramatic, some things were predictable, and the ending wasn't an absolute wow. The journey was fun though and this was my favorite from these authors so far!
Some aspects reminded me a little of The Housekeeper by Joy Fielding with some revenge mixed in (but was more entertaining) IMHO
Libby listen / fabulously narrated by Kirsten Potter/ 9 hours, 7 min
Available Now
July 31, 2023
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House - Ballantine, and Liv Constantine for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 5.23!**
"I know you can be OVERwhelmed, and you can be UNDERwhelmed...but can you ever just be 'whelmed'?" - 10 Things I Hate About You
This iconic quote from the equally iconic film retelling of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew kept popping into my head while reading The Senator's Wife...but rather than making me laugh as it normally does, I kept wishing I was as blissfully ignorant as the character in that film.
Our tale begins with a shocking murder that no doubt would make Politico's headlines: Senator Whit Montgomery loses his wife Peg and famous DC philanthropist Sloane loses HER spouse Robert, after a deadly tussle. After a few years pass, Whit and Sloane find comfort in an unusual place: each others' arms. The two end up married, and Sloane hopes that her life is finally looking up. She loves her work and the DC scene but her failing health is slowly intruding on life as she knows it. Sloane has lupus, and although she has managed the disease well for many years, an upcoming hip surgery has her panicking and Whit installs a home health care worker, Athena, to help mitigate the damage and manage her pain.
When Athena seems a bit TOO fascinated by the inner workings of Sloane's life, however, her trusted ally begins to look a bit more glamorous than Sloane first thought...and then the paranoia sets in. She notices glances between Whit and Athena she previously dismissed. Sloane begins to lose time, and strange happenings leave her fearful of what tomorrow might bring. But are her fears nothing more than lupus induced paranoia and delusions? Or is Athena simply setting the stage to become the Senator's NEXT wife?
If I've learned anything about this duo, it's this: their books either REALLY work, or leave me feeling the same sort of 'meh' you get after a drinking a grainy protein shake. You'll get SOME of what you 'need' but nothing that you WANT.
The Sisters Constantine love their Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous scenarios, and this time they chose to throw DC politics into the mix. Unfortunately, I don't think this book had much to do with DC at all in terms of plot, other than the philandering and philanthropy involved (strange that two words that are SO similar are certainly quite opposite in meaning! 😳) I think the majority of this plot could have involved ANY wealthy and important people, no matter what industry or profession they were in, so missed opportunity for intrigue on that front for sure. I also usually find the oohing and aahing their characters partake in (no matter what the novel, I think I've read some version of it in all of them I've read thus far) to be a bit OTT and unimportant. Yes, it's an Hermes handbag. We get it. Again, not overly impressed.
Our MC has Lupus...and if you don't want to hear about it - A LOT - I'd strongly suggest giving this one a pass. For a while, it was almost bordering on medical speak to the point where my eyes were glazing over, but I guess the authors felt they needed to include as much of their research in the text as possible. Again, fine...but unnecessary. We get the disease is progressing and that there can be many side effects. But for someone who has had lupus as long as she has, in some ways, Sloane is VERY uninformed. There's also plenty of stilted and cheesy dialogue, so if Movie of the Week sort of rubs you the wrong way, trust me, these characters (and the plot overall) will too.
And then there's The Big Twist. It hits pretty late in the plot and certainly ties things up...but at the same time, the authors spent SO much time throwing heavy handed clues that Things Are Not As They Seem at the reader along the way that it lost most of its impact. The twist itself is nothing new, and almost seemed like a foregone conclusion in some respects. Although I didn't fully guess it, if you've read enough thrillers, you probably won't be too surprised. And though this didn't veer into the utterly bonkers territory of the Wife Stalker, suspension of disbelief is encouraged...okay, NECESSARY!
When I picked up this duo's debut, it blew me away (after two previous misses) which I guess puts this book into 'third strike' territory for me. But as much as I feared I would hate it, this is the sort of read that won't leave an indelible bad impression on me. And much like my last dreaded workout (with a TASTY protein shake! 😉) I was CERTAIN I'd feel better, and I did....when it was over.
3 stars
"I know you can be OVERwhelmed, and you can be UNDERwhelmed...but can you ever just be 'whelmed'?" - 10 Things I Hate About You
This iconic quote from the equally iconic film retelling of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew kept popping into my head while reading The Senator's Wife...but rather than making me laugh as it normally does, I kept wishing I was as blissfully ignorant as the character in that film.
Our tale begins with a shocking murder that no doubt would make Politico's headlines: Senator Whit Montgomery loses his wife Peg and famous DC philanthropist Sloane loses HER spouse Robert, after a deadly tussle. After a few years pass, Whit and Sloane find comfort in an unusual place: each others' arms. The two end up married, and Sloane hopes that her life is finally looking up. She loves her work and the DC scene but her failing health is slowly intruding on life as she knows it. Sloane has lupus, and although she has managed the disease well for many years, an upcoming hip surgery has her panicking and Whit installs a home health care worker, Athena, to help mitigate the damage and manage her pain.
When Athena seems a bit TOO fascinated by the inner workings of Sloane's life, however, her trusted ally begins to look a bit more glamorous than Sloane first thought...and then the paranoia sets in. She notices glances between Whit and Athena she previously dismissed. Sloane begins to lose time, and strange happenings leave her fearful of what tomorrow might bring. But are her fears nothing more than lupus induced paranoia and delusions? Or is Athena simply setting the stage to become the Senator's NEXT wife?
If I've learned anything about this duo, it's this: their books either REALLY work, or leave me feeling the same sort of 'meh' you get after a drinking a grainy protein shake. You'll get SOME of what you 'need' but nothing that you WANT.
The Sisters Constantine love their Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous scenarios, and this time they chose to throw DC politics into the mix. Unfortunately, I don't think this book had much to do with DC at all in terms of plot, other than the philandering and philanthropy involved (strange that two words that are SO similar are certainly quite opposite in meaning! 😳) I think the majority of this plot could have involved ANY wealthy and important people, no matter what industry or profession they were in, so missed opportunity for intrigue on that front for sure. I also usually find the oohing and aahing their characters partake in (no matter what the novel, I think I've read some version of it in all of them I've read thus far) to be a bit OTT and unimportant. Yes, it's an Hermes handbag. We get it. Again, not overly impressed.
Our MC has Lupus...and if you don't want to hear about it - A LOT - I'd strongly suggest giving this one a pass. For a while, it was almost bordering on medical speak to the point where my eyes were glazing over, but I guess the authors felt they needed to include as much of their research in the text as possible. Again, fine...but unnecessary. We get the disease is progressing and that there can be many side effects. But for someone who has had lupus as long as she has, in some ways, Sloane is VERY uninformed. There's also plenty of stilted and cheesy dialogue, so if Movie of the Week sort of rubs you the wrong way, trust me, these characters (and the plot overall) will too.
And then there's The Big Twist. It hits pretty late in the plot and certainly ties things up...but at the same time, the authors spent SO much time throwing heavy handed clues that Things Are Not As They Seem at the reader along the way that it lost most of its impact. The twist itself is nothing new, and almost seemed like a foregone conclusion in some respects. Although I didn't fully guess it, if you've read enough thrillers, you probably won't be too surprised. And though this didn't veer into the utterly bonkers territory of the Wife Stalker, suspension of disbelief is encouraged...okay, NECESSARY!
When I picked up this duo's debut, it blew me away (after two previous misses) which I guess puts this book into 'third strike' territory for me. But as much as I feared I would hate it, this is the sort of read that won't leave an indelible bad impression on me. And much like my last dreaded workout (with a TASTY protein shake! 😉) I was CERTAIN I'd feel better, and I did....when it was over.
3 stars
September 10, 2023
Sloane and Whit both lost their spouses on the same day. One of which was happy to see their spouse’s demise. (Ouch!)
It was only natural they would turn to each other for comfort. Eventually their relationship blossomed into a new love and marriage. But when Sloan’s health starts to take a turn with her Lupus, Whit offers to hire an aide named Athena to assist with her care.
Mysteriously instead of Sloane recovering, her health takes a major downward spiral.
So…what exactly is Athena up to? And equally important, why is Whit spending more time with Athena than he does with Sloane?
One thing I must say is this story had the most unlikeable, despicable characters ever! And I mean all of them. But hey, it worked! Even though I had no one to root for, I still enjoyed how they all seemed to be in a competition for nastiest character of 2023!
If you’ve avoided this book thinking that this would be a heavily based political thriller, no worries. It truly barely touched on the topic of politics. (How refreshing!) Instead, it actually read more like a medical thriller dealing with lupus.
Another fabulous, thrilling read from the collaborative efforts of Lynne and Valerie Constantine.
I listened to the audio and enjoyed the narration provided by Kristen Potter.🎧
It was only natural they would turn to each other for comfort. Eventually their relationship blossomed into a new love and marriage. But when Sloan’s health starts to take a turn with her Lupus, Whit offers to hire an aide named Athena to assist with her care.
Mysteriously instead of Sloane recovering, her health takes a major downward spiral.
So…what exactly is Athena up to? And equally important, why is Whit spending more time with Athena than he does with Sloane?
One thing I must say is this story had the most unlikeable, despicable characters ever! And I mean all of them. But hey, it worked! Even though I had no one to root for, I still enjoyed how they all seemed to be in a competition for nastiest character of 2023!
If you’ve avoided this book thinking that this would be a heavily based political thriller, no worries. It truly barely touched on the topic of politics. (How refreshing!) Instead, it actually read more like a medical thriller dealing with lupus.
Another fabulous, thrilling read from the collaborative efforts of Lynne and Valerie Constantine.
I listened to the audio and enjoyed the narration provided by Kristen Potter.🎧
June 22, 2024
My siblings like to describe my style as “senator's wife.” Jokes aside, I had to read this, domestic thrillers be damned. Reader, I did not have to read this.
Sloane marries not one, but two senators, in quick succession. Did new hubby murder old hubby? Do we trust him? Do we trust the home help? Do we trust ourselves? The twist isn't twisty.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam
Sloane marries not one, but two senators, in quick succession. Did new hubby murder old hubby? Do we trust him? Do we trust the home help? Do we trust ourselves? The twist isn't twisty.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam
July 6, 2023
One might think, given the title, that this is a political story, but it is not (thank goodness).
After the shocking death of their respective spouses, Sloan, a wealthy philanthropist, and Whit, a politician, find a second chance at love and marry.
Sloan is in need of a hip replacement, and since she also suffers from lupus they decide to hire a caregiver to assist her during her recuperation.
Athena is hired and not only helps Sloane with her physical needs but helps her in her many philanthropic endeavors.
But why is Sloane getting sicker and sicker? Why is she experiencing hallucinations? Has the lupus affected her brain or is something more nefarious going on? Is Whit to be trusted? What about Athena? Can she be trusted? Sloane becomes increasingly convinced that someone is plotting to kill her, and that someone is living under her roof. Is Sloan’s paranoia justified or is it her disease?
I admit I find this particular domestic drama premise compelling, and this was no exception. As someone who has an autoimmune disease, I also appreciated the inclusion as a side plot. I found this a fun quick read, and the resolution was surprising as well as satisfying.
A buddy read with Marialyce, this was another winner for both of us!
After the shocking death of their respective spouses, Sloan, a wealthy philanthropist, and Whit, a politician, find a second chance at love and marry.
Sloan is in need of a hip replacement, and since she also suffers from lupus they decide to hire a caregiver to assist her during her recuperation.
Athena is hired and not only helps Sloane with her physical needs but helps her in her many philanthropic endeavors.
But why is Sloane getting sicker and sicker? Why is she experiencing hallucinations? Has the lupus affected her brain or is something more nefarious going on? Is Whit to be trusted? What about Athena? Can she be trusted? Sloane becomes increasingly convinced that someone is plotting to kill her, and that someone is living under her roof. Is Sloan’s paranoia justified or is it her disease?
I admit I find this particular domestic drama premise compelling, and this was no exception. As someone who has an autoimmune disease, I also appreciated the inclusion as a side plot. I found this a fun quick read, and the resolution was surprising as well as satisfying.
A buddy read with Marialyce, this was another winner for both of us!
July 27, 2023
Scandalous and suspenseful psych drama!
The story is set in DC and has more social life focus, not politics.
Sloane Chase is a senator's wife, she's a strong woman, a philanthropist with her own foundation. Following her hip replacement surgery, Sloane needs a home health aid and enters Athena Karras. Dun dun dunnnn!
Since the arrival of Athena, Sloane feels worse, not better. Athena is also nosy about Sloane's business affairs. 🤔
This was so much fun and suspenseful. It kept me guessing and although I had the right idea, the authors managed to surprise me. I enjoyed the audiobook and it was hard to put down, Kirsten Potter is a terrific narrator. The Senator's Wife is my first full-length novel by the authors and would definitely need more.
The story is set in DC and has more social life focus, not politics.
Sloane Chase is a senator's wife, she's a strong woman, a philanthropist with her own foundation. Following her hip replacement surgery, Sloane needs a home health aid and enters Athena Karras. Dun dun dunnnn!
Since the arrival of Athena, Sloane feels worse, not better. Athena is also nosy about Sloane's business affairs. 🤔
This was so much fun and suspenseful. It kept me guessing and although I had the right idea, the authors managed to surprise me. I enjoyed the audiobook and it was hard to put down, Kirsten Potter is a terrific narrator. The Senator's Wife is my first full-length novel by the authors and would definitely need more.
July 26, 2023
I’m happy to say that my favorite sister duo is back with another fantastic suspense with The Senators Wife! I was hesitant to read this book due to the title, as I certainly didn’t want to read about politics- but this book is anything but politics. This was a fast-paced storyline (with short chapters), that I enjoyed.
In this story, we have Sloane, who recently weds Senator Whitaker (Whit) Montgomery. They grew close together as they were both recently widowed. However, Sloane needs a hip replacement surgery due to her lupus. Because Sloane will need help after her surgery, her husband Whit hires a live-in caretaker.
Enter Athena… Athena is the caretaker in charge of taking care of Sloane post surgery. She makes sure Sloane takes all her medications on time, and is getting the proper rest. Athena has also grown close to Whit, as she knows how debilitating Sloane’s lupus has become after her surgery.
All I can say is that these authors have done their homework, because they were spot on with how it feels to be in pain after a surgery (and with a debilitating disease). They were also spot on with how controlling and manipulative an evil narcissist can be. This book unfortunately brought on way too many triggers for me, as I had flashbacks of my recent surgeries and being bedridden (I unfortunately won’t get into that right now- although I should).
Anyways, this was another winner by Liv Constantine that I definitely recommend! A close runner-up to my favorite The Last Mrs. Parrish by them.
In this story, we have Sloane, who recently weds Senator Whitaker (Whit) Montgomery. They grew close together as they were both recently widowed. However, Sloane needs a hip replacement surgery due to her lupus. Because Sloane will need help after her surgery, her husband Whit hires a live-in caretaker.
Enter Athena… Athena is the caretaker in charge of taking care of Sloane post surgery. She makes sure Sloane takes all her medications on time, and is getting the proper rest. Athena has also grown close to Whit, as she knows how debilitating Sloane’s lupus has become after her surgery.
All I can say is that these authors have done their homework, because they were spot on with how it feels to be in pain after a surgery (and with a debilitating disease). They were also spot on with how controlling and manipulative an evil narcissist can be. This book unfortunately brought on way too many triggers for me, as I had flashbacks of my recent surgeries and being bedridden (I unfortunately won’t get into that right now- although I should).
Anyways, this was another winner by Liv Constantine that I definitely recommend! A close runner-up to my favorite The Last Mrs. Parrish by them.
December 16, 2024
Two years ago, in a horrific turn of events, both Senator Whit Montgomery and D.C. philanthropist Sloane Chase lost both of their spouses in a single night. Good friends before their shared loss, their grief only brought them closer together. Now, perhaps sooner than many may think appropriate, they’ve found love yet again, but this time in each other’s arms.
Despite the small talk that their recent remarriage has caused, Sloane is happy to finally be back in the world of the political elite. Attending White House dinners and high flying galas, she revels in the company of the powerful few. Unfortunately, Sloane is also coming to grips with the new reality that her lupus has foisted upon her—a badly needed, but nevertheless dreaded, hip replacement.
Due to the couples’ busy lives, Whit and Sloane have agreed that the smart move is to hire a live-in home health aide for her recovery. For someone who is stubborn and notoriously independent, the idea is the best they can come up with in the hopes of getting Sloane back to tip-top shape as quickly as possible. So when they find Athena Karras, she seems like just what the doctor ordered—a caring individual who will get Sloane back on her feet.
Following surgery, finding Athena seems to be a true stroke of luck. Not only helping Sloane get back into physical shape, she is also quite adept at lending a hand with Sloane’s charitable foundation. But just as Sloane seems to be turning the corner, her health begins to deteriorate in an apparent lupus flare. Not wholly unexpected considering the stress of surgery, Athena agrees to stay on until she is once again well.
As the weeks pass, however, Sloane seems to only be getting worse, not better. Afraid that her lupus has reached a terrifying new low, her once upbeat, optimistic outlook turns to paranoia and fear. Why is Athena asking her so many questions? What are those looks she keeps catching between Athena and Whit? Is the woman she’s invited into her house the innocent helper Sloane thought she’d hired? Or is there something decidedly more deceitful going on behind her own regal front doors?
For the most part, The Senator’s Wife was equal parts horrifying and riveting. From the unreliable narrator premise that hit all the right chords to the truly top-notch twists and turns, it had all the hallmarks of a Liv Constantine novel. I mean, even the details of chronic illness and the evils of manipulation were perfectly done. Bravo to the duo of sisters behind this work, as this one certainly hit the nail on the head.
As I’ve already mentioned, the plot behind this premise was pure perfection. Starting off with a slow burn start as we watched Sloane’s health circle the drain, it eventually exploded into a rip-roaring climax that was truly a sight to behold. The only thing, in fact, that could have outdone it was the altogether soul-satisfying conclusion. Even better, in the authors’ typical style, the utterly jaw-dropping twist was right up there with the shocking turn of events found in their debut novel, The Last Mrs. Parrish.
Unfortunately for me, however, that was where this one took a slight misstep away from perfection. After all, early on in the book, I made a guess at what the big twist was going to reveal. While I revel in trying on my sleuthing hat with each mystery and thriller that I read, I always hold out hope that the author will keep me guessing. So when I got to that stellar climax, I was rather dismayed to find I’d been right all along. Did my predictions ruin the book for me? Not in the slightest, but I was still filled with disappointment nevertheless.
What else did I love? Well, it was the leading lady that had me hooked from the start. Initially a strong, empathetic, intelligent woman, it was heart-wrenching to watch as she grew helpless to her disease. In fact, it was described in such a powerfully vivid way that anyone who suffers from chronic illness (specifically lupus) might just want to rethink reading this book as it was rather hard to stomach at times. All the same, I connected with Sloane in a way I don’t often do in my much loved thrillers, which made for a thoroughly gut-churning read.
Both thrilling and chilling, this book most certainly kept me on the edge of my seat. As the suspense ratcheted higher and the nerve-shredding dread doubled down, I found myself alternating between believing in the authenticity of Sloane’s illness and wondering what evil villain was behind it all. The entire situation was so thoroughly genuine and real, in fact, that I could put myself in her position and practically taste her fear.
All said and done, despite my unfortunate peek behind the curtain, I had an absolute blast racing through the pages of The Senator’s Wife. Utterly bingeable and thoroughly unputdownable, I dare you to take more than a day to read this one from cover to cover. Ultimately, however, no matter how long you take, you’re in for the ride of your life. Rating of 4 stars.
Trigger warning: alcoholism, fatal shooting, chronic illness (lupus), infidelity, assault, brain bleed, hallucinations, gaslighting, fraud, mention of: spousal abuse, fatal fire
Despite the small talk that their recent remarriage has caused, Sloane is happy to finally be back in the world of the political elite. Attending White House dinners and high flying galas, she revels in the company of the powerful few. Unfortunately, Sloane is also coming to grips with the new reality that her lupus has foisted upon her—a badly needed, but nevertheless dreaded, hip replacement.
Due to the couples’ busy lives, Whit and Sloane have agreed that the smart move is to hire a live-in home health aide for her recovery. For someone who is stubborn and notoriously independent, the idea is the best they can come up with in the hopes of getting Sloane back to tip-top shape as quickly as possible. So when they find Athena Karras, she seems like just what the doctor ordered—a caring individual who will get Sloane back on her feet.
Following surgery, finding Athena seems to be a true stroke of luck. Not only helping Sloane get back into physical shape, she is also quite adept at lending a hand with Sloane’s charitable foundation. But just as Sloane seems to be turning the corner, her health begins to deteriorate in an apparent lupus flare. Not wholly unexpected considering the stress of surgery, Athena agrees to stay on until she is once again well.
As the weeks pass, however, Sloane seems to only be getting worse, not better. Afraid that her lupus has reached a terrifying new low, her once upbeat, optimistic outlook turns to paranoia and fear. Why is Athena asking her so many questions? What are those looks she keeps catching between Athena and Whit? Is the woman she’s invited into her house the innocent helper Sloane thought she’d hired? Or is there something decidedly more deceitful going on behind her own regal front doors?
For the most part, The Senator’s Wife was equal parts horrifying and riveting. From the unreliable narrator premise that hit all the right chords to the truly top-notch twists and turns, it had all the hallmarks of a Liv Constantine novel. I mean, even the details of chronic illness and the evils of manipulation were perfectly done. Bravo to the duo of sisters behind this work, as this one certainly hit the nail on the head.
As I’ve already mentioned, the plot behind this premise was pure perfection. Starting off with a slow burn start as we watched Sloane’s health circle the drain, it eventually exploded into a rip-roaring climax that was truly a sight to behold. The only thing, in fact, that could have outdone it was the altogether soul-satisfying conclusion. Even better, in the authors’ typical style, the utterly jaw-dropping twist was right up there with the shocking turn of events found in their debut novel, The Last Mrs. Parrish.
Unfortunately for me, however, that was where this one took a slight misstep away from perfection. After all, early on in the book, I made a guess at what the big twist was going to reveal. While I revel in trying on my sleuthing hat with each mystery and thriller that I read, I always hold out hope that the author will keep me guessing. So when I got to that stellar climax, I was rather dismayed to find I’d been right all along. Did my predictions ruin the book for me? Not in the slightest, but I was still filled with disappointment nevertheless.
What else did I love? Well, it was the leading lady that had me hooked from the start. Initially a strong, empathetic, intelligent woman, it was heart-wrenching to watch as she grew helpless to her disease. In fact, it was described in such a powerfully vivid way that anyone who suffers from chronic illness (specifically lupus) might just want to rethink reading this book as it was rather hard to stomach at times. All the same, I connected with Sloane in a way I don’t often do in my much loved thrillers, which made for a thoroughly gut-churning read.
Both thrilling and chilling, this book most certainly kept me on the edge of my seat. As the suspense ratcheted higher and the nerve-shredding dread doubled down, I found myself alternating between believing in the authenticity of Sloane’s illness and wondering what evil villain was behind it all. The entire situation was so thoroughly genuine and real, in fact, that I could put myself in her position and practically taste her fear.
All said and done, despite my unfortunate peek behind the curtain, I had an absolute blast racing through the pages of The Senator’s Wife. Utterly bingeable and thoroughly unputdownable, I dare you to take more than a day to read this one from cover to cover. Ultimately, however, no matter how long you take, you’re in for the ride of your life. Rating of 4 stars.
Trigger warning: alcoholism, fatal shooting, chronic illness (lupus), infidelity, assault, brain bleed, hallucinations, gaslighting, fraud, mention of: spousal abuse, fatal fire
June 14, 2023
3.5⭐
Genre ~ domestic thriller
Publication date ~ May 23, 2023
Page Count ~ 305
Audio length ~ 9 hours 7 minutes
Narrator ~ Kirsten Potter
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ power, corruption, gaslighting, drugs, infidelity
Starts off with a bang, slow going for a while, but picks up towards the end as thrillers do.
We follow the POV's of:
Sloane & Whit who get married soon after their spouses early demise.
Athena is hired to be Sloane's caretaker after a surgery.
Rosemary is Sloane's former mother~in~law.
At first I was mad that we had Athena's POV because I thought it would give too much away for her ulterior motive but in the end I was happy with how it all played out. Was I surprised? Yes and no, but I don't want to say too much about that and give anything away.
Overall, there are quite a few unlikable characters (Madelyn was gross), some predictability and some shockers, too. The plot is not unique by any means, but engaging enough.
I've read all of this duo's books, and although I did not write a review for them all my usual rating is a 3, so it seems this one lives up to my expectations for their writing style.
I was able to listen to an audio copy as well
Narration notes ~ fine, but by now we know I like multiple narrators with multiple POV's, especially if there are main male and female characters. She did adjust her tones for each character, so that made me happy.
*Thanks to the author, Random House and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Genre ~ domestic thriller
Publication date ~ May 23, 2023
Page Count ~ 305
Audio length ~ 9 hours 7 minutes
Narrator ~ Kirsten Potter
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ power, corruption, gaslighting, drugs, infidelity
Starts off with a bang, slow going for a while, but picks up towards the end as thrillers do.
We follow the POV's of:
Sloane & Whit who get married soon after their spouses early demise.
Athena is hired to be Sloane's caretaker after a surgery.
Rosemary is Sloane's former mother~in~law.
At first I was mad that we had Athena's POV because I thought it would give too much away for her ulterior motive but in the end I was happy with how it all played out. Was I surprised? Yes and no, but I don't want to say too much about that and give anything away.
Overall, there are quite a few unlikable characters (Madelyn was gross), some predictability and some shockers, too. The plot is not unique by any means, but engaging enough.
I've read all of this duo's books, and although I did not write a review for them all my usual rating is a 3, so it seems this one lives up to my expectations for their writing style.
I was able to listen to an audio copy as well
Narration notes ~ fine, but by now we know I like multiple narrators with multiple POV's, especially if there are main male and female characters. She did adjust her tones for each character, so that made me happy.
*Thanks to the author, Random House and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
May 26, 2023
Twists and turns 🤯
June 14, 2023
Sketchy politicians, a cheating husband, and sociopaths, with a dose of paranoia combine to create a psychological thriller that left me speechless. Full of unexpected twists and turns, this was a slow burn that gripped me from the beginning. The conclusion had me shaken! The plot is perfectly executed with suspicion, high intensity, and shocking revelations that had me reeling. It's highly entertaining and extremely satisfying. Thank you, NetGalley and Bantam for my copy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
March 26, 2023
The dynamic sister duo writing under the pen name Liv Constantine pen another winner in THE SENATOR'S WIFE, a twisty and engaging drama set in the snakepit world of Washington DC. A senator's new wife finds herself sidelined by illness and wondering if her mysterious new aide is taking aim at her charity foundation, her husband, her life, or all three . . . or is it just paranoia? A twist I did not see coming and a rocketing pace kept me flying through the very last page.
December 21, 2022
Two years after the death of her husband, Robert, and Whit's wife, Peg, Sloane and Senator Whit Montgomery get married. Sloane has Lupus and needs hip replacement surgery soon after they are married and she needs someone to help her with her recovery. They both agree on hiring a girl named Athena. She seems more than qualified on paper, but as soon as Sloane gets home from the hospital and is under Athena's care, she starts to take a downward spiral and becomes more sick than ever. Could Athena be the one responsible for Sloane's declining health? Or is it someone else?
WOW!! These sisters did it again!! This book had me on the edge of my seat and I could not put it down. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the final twist got me! THE SENATOR'S WIFE is going to be a big hit! I will be recommending it to everyone I know. Make sure to add this one to your TBR now, you will not be disappointed!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted on my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
WOW!! These sisters did it again!! This book had me on the edge of my seat and I could not put it down. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the final twist got me! THE SENATOR'S WIFE is going to be a big hit! I will be recommending it to everyone I know. Make sure to add this one to your TBR now, you will not be disappointed!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted on my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
June 15, 2023
A senator and the wife of another senator find themselves grieving the loss of their spouses after an accident. In time, the two survivors, Sloane and Whit, fall in love and start rebuilding their life together. While Whit stays busy in DC politics, Sloane stays busy with philanthropy and her foundation.
Sloane has major surgery and Whit hires a temporary live-in caregiver to help her while they attempt to maintain their routines. Initially, Sloane is resistant to the idea but reluctantly agrees she needs the assistance. As Athena cares for Sloane, Sloane begins to feel more sick, not better. Why is Athena always around and asking so many questions? When did she become so close to Whit? As Sloane questions what’s going on, her skepticism and paranoia increase.
Told in multiple third-person POVs, The Senator’s Wife is a fast-paced thriller about domestic life and DC politics. I predicted one element of the story correctly but there were some surprises too. This was a quick read with short chapters, and the second book I’ve enjoyed from the Constantine sisters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam Books for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Sloane has major surgery and Whit hires a temporary live-in caregiver to help her while they attempt to maintain their routines. Initially, Sloane is resistant to the idea but reluctantly agrees she needs the assistance. As Athena cares for Sloane, Sloane begins to feel more sick, not better. Why is Athena always around and asking so many questions? When did she become so close to Whit? As Sloane questions what’s going on, her skepticism and paranoia increase.
Told in multiple third-person POVs, The Senator’s Wife is a fast-paced thriller about domestic life and DC politics. I predicted one element of the story correctly but there were some surprises too. This was a quick read with short chapters, and the second book I’ve enjoyed from the Constantine sisters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam Books for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2023
2.5 stars rounded up stars - This one was a quick & fairly entertaining read, but I honestly felt it was very derivative (“Yellow Wallpaper” meets “Misery” vibes) and I guessed the whole “twist” long, long before it’s reveal. The author’s have certainly done better work and hope they do again
August 22, 2023
You will absolutely enjoy a peak at the goings on in this DC elitist group, not that any of it will surprise you. We are very use to the scandals, or what use to be scandals, the backstabbing, the illegal practices and so that is part and parcel of the DC panorama.
So when we meet the very elite, very wealthy, very beautiful Sloane Chase and the gorgeously handsome Whit Montgomery, a popular Senator, both coming off of the loss of their spouses, is it any wonder the two would come together and eventually marry?
Poor Sloane is about to undergo hip surgery so her husband hires the lovely Athena, to lend a hand. Soon, Sloane is worried that Athena is getting ready to move on Whit, and because of her debilitating disease of Lupus, she is further incapacitated.
When strange happenings begin and Sloane starts to further deteriorate, of course she suspects Athena, who asks too many questions and seems to be snooping around. Not only that, Athena's eye seems to be laser focused on Whit and he seems to be responding in kind.
Twisty and a fun breezy read, this story had all the makings of a "who dun it" before the "who dun it part" was carried out. Jan and I enjoyed the story. It was one that so typifies the world of DC, elites, and politicians, and now cocaine surrounding the White House and this den of scoundrels.
So when we meet the very elite, very wealthy, very beautiful Sloane Chase and the gorgeously handsome Whit Montgomery, a popular Senator, both coming off of the loss of their spouses, is it any wonder the two would come together and eventually marry?
Poor Sloane is about to undergo hip surgery so her husband hires the lovely Athena, to lend a hand. Soon, Sloane is worried that Athena is getting ready to move on Whit, and because of her debilitating disease of Lupus, she is further incapacitated.
When strange happenings begin and Sloane starts to further deteriorate, of course she suspects Athena, who asks too many questions and seems to be snooping around. Not only that, Athena's eye seems to be laser focused on Whit and he seems to be responding in kind.
Twisty and a fun breezy read, this story had all the makings of a "who dun it" before the "who dun it part" was carried out. Jan and I enjoyed the story. It was one that so typifies the world of DC, elites, and politicians, and now cocaine surrounding the White House and this den of scoundrels.
April 7, 2023
After coming to terms with a horrifying event that ended the lives of their former spouses, philanthropist Sloane Chase and Senator Whit Montgomery just married. Sloane is having to undergo a hip replacement surgery so the couple decides to hire caretaker to help Sloane recover at home.
The couple soon meets and hires Athena Karras who seems to be the perfect fit. After the surgery, instead of recovering Sloane’s health seems to decline and she becomes paranoid of Athena’s motives. Not only has Athena crossed a line by asking Sloane some very personal questions but Sloane has also noticed Athena giving her husband some sultry looks.
When the sisters/author duo behind Liv Constantine drop a new book, I immediately drop everything I’m doing and begin reading.
The beginning of the book slowly introduces us to the characters and their backstory but halfway through the pace begins to speed up and I was officially hooked! I absolutely could not stop reading until I discovered how the story ends, and the ending on this one completely blew me away!
The Senator’s Wife was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it exceeded all of my expectations. This is my fifth read by the Liv Constantine sisters and I can’t wait to see what the publish in the future. I highly recommend not only The Senator’s Wife but their entire backlist as well.
The Senator’s Wife by Liv Constantine will be available on May 23. A massive thanks to Bantam Books and Netgalley for the gifted copy!
The couple soon meets and hires Athena Karras who seems to be the perfect fit. After the surgery, instead of recovering Sloane’s health seems to decline and she becomes paranoid of Athena’s motives. Not only has Athena crossed a line by asking Sloane some very personal questions but Sloane has also noticed Athena giving her husband some sultry looks.
When the sisters/author duo behind Liv Constantine drop a new book, I immediately drop everything I’m doing and begin reading.
The beginning of the book slowly introduces us to the characters and their backstory but halfway through the pace begins to speed up and I was officially hooked! I absolutely could not stop reading until I discovered how the story ends, and the ending on this one completely blew me away!
The Senator’s Wife was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it exceeded all of my expectations. This is my fifth read by the Liv Constantine sisters and I can’t wait to see what the publish in the future. I highly recommend not only The Senator’s Wife but their entire backlist as well.
The Senator’s Wife by Liv Constantine will be available on May 23. A massive thanks to Bantam Books and Netgalley for the gifted copy!
March 5, 2023
This is so hard to review. I love this author(s) books and was so happy to get an advanced copy.
BUT……I felt all the people and dialogue were one dimensional, I couldn’t have cared less about Sloane or Rosemary or Madelyn or anyone really.I wanted to, but they just all seemed to be “characters”. When the twist happened it really could have been perfect but at that point I didn’t care what happened as I had no feelings for any one at all. I did like Athena and the different POVs.
I struggled thru it, chapters were quick and it had potential but IMO was no substance 😞
Thank you so much to Netgalley, publisher and author for my advanced copy. While this was not for me I can’t wait to read more from this duo and encourage others to try.
BUT……I felt all the people and dialogue were one dimensional, I couldn’t have cared less about Sloane or Rosemary or Madelyn or anyone really.I wanted to, but they just all seemed to be “characters”. When the twist happened it really could have been perfect but at that point I didn’t care what happened as I had no feelings for any one at all. I did like Athena and the different POVs.
I struggled thru it, chapters were quick and it had potential but IMO was no substance 😞
Thank you so much to Netgalley, publisher and author for my advanced copy. While this was not for me I can’t wait to read more from this duo and encourage others to try.
May 7, 2025
The Senator's Wife by Live Constantine was a 2023 release I found on NetGalley earlier this year. Written by two sisters, this is the first of their books that I've read, tho I've heard tons of great things about The Last Mrs. Parrish. Set in DC, a tragic accident brings two powerful politicians/movers-n-shakers together, but there are many people who want to pull them apart. Sloane and Whit seem like the perfect couple, but his ex-mistress and her auto-immune disease sometimes drive a wedge between them. Once Sloane agrees to go through with a hip replacement, Whit brings in a nurse to help them with recovery, not only the medical side but to help Sloane run her philanthropic organization, as he's busy with being a US Senator. Someone in this trio is lying, and readers aren't sure who it is until far too late in the game. Toss in Sloane's daughter, former mother-in-law, and sister-in-law, and it's unclear who will come out the victor.
Sloane was my favorite character, as she's intelligent, determined, and direct. Whit ran a close second in some cases, but his former mistress showed a side of him that wasn't very kind. As characters, they were all independently strong and memorable. From a plot perspective, it's delicious... someone's messing with Sloane's medicine. It seems like her new nurse who clearly has another agenda based on her chapter POVs. All the makings were here, but somewhere in the last third, it fell apart in a very disappointing way. In some ways, unreliable narrators play a role here, even tho the book is written in 3rd person. Information is left out, which makes readers frustrated because we had no chance of truly understanding what was going on. I won't spoil it, but basically one character sounds very kind and turns bad by the end. Similarly, Whit's mistress is an integral part up until 2/3 into the book and then she basically disappears. On top of that, so much is cryptic to be vague and confuse readers that it felt extremely overdone... to the point where I thought... do the authors know why the killer/attacker is doing these things? Other people die to protect their secret, but we never learn who actually killed them or if it was just a red herring.
All that said, as much as the ending went completely south, the build-up was amazing. I loved how Sloane learned what was going on in just enough time and readers got quite a shock when things change for her circumstances, so to speak. Again, I don't want to spoil it. For all those reasons this was a 4+ star book but the multiple loose ends and randomness with a few characters heavily weighed this one down for me. I ended with 3 stars but am committed to reading more from the author because there was a ton of good in the book that makes me curious to see what else the writers could do in different situations.
Sloane was my favorite character, as she's intelligent, determined, and direct. Whit ran a close second in some cases, but his former mistress showed a side of him that wasn't very kind. As characters, they were all independently strong and memorable. From a plot perspective, it's delicious... someone's messing with Sloane's medicine. It seems like her new nurse who clearly has another agenda based on her chapter POVs. All the makings were here, but somewhere in the last third, it fell apart in a very disappointing way. In some ways, unreliable narrators play a role here, even tho the book is written in 3rd person. Information is left out, which makes readers frustrated because we had no chance of truly understanding what was going on. I won't spoil it, but basically one character sounds very kind and turns bad by the end. Similarly, Whit's mistress is an integral part up until 2/3 into the book and then she basically disappears. On top of that, so much is cryptic to be vague and confuse readers that it felt extremely overdone... to the point where I thought... do the authors know why the killer/attacker is doing these things? Other people die to protect their secret, but we never learn who actually killed them or if it was just a red herring.
All that said, as much as the ending went completely south, the build-up was amazing. I loved how Sloane learned what was going on in just enough time and readers got quite a shock when things change for her circumstances, so to speak. Again, I don't want to spoil it. For all those reasons this was a 4+ star book but the multiple loose ends and randomness with a few characters heavily weighed this one down for me. I ended with 3 stars but am committed to reading more from the author because there was a ton of good in the book that makes me curious to see what else the writers could do in different situations.
May 28, 2023
Politics, with a twist?
A bit a of slow start but it was interesting and well-crafted, exploring difficult relationships, power and the consequences of everyone's actions.
I love Liv's writing, it's engaging and the characters are always interesting.
A bit a of slow start but it was interesting and well-crafted, exploring difficult relationships, power and the consequences of everyone's actions.
I love Liv's writing, it's engaging and the characters are always interesting.
August 14, 2023
What a fun and entertaining book this was! Constantine sisters did it again. If you are looking to read a book which does not take itself too seriously yet has all the elements of political corruption, jealousy, intrigue, lies, mystery with many twists and turns, then this is the book for you.
I really enjoyed it from beginning until the end. There were some twists I didn’t see coming which was a fun surprise.
A perfect summer read by the pool! Can’t wait for the duo to come up with their next novel.
Enjoy! 🍷😎
I really enjoyed it from beginning until the end. There were some twists I didn’t see coming which was a fun surprise.
A perfect summer read by the pool! Can’t wait for the duo to come up with their next novel.
Enjoy! 🍷😎
July 8, 2023
Upfront if you don't care about politics, you might wanna skip this one.
I have such different taste than other people. Everyone loved Liv Constantine's book The Last Mrs. Parrish but it did nothing for me. While on the other hand I've read several reviews for this book that were negative.
The Senator's Wife is just my type of breezy political thriller. It reminded me of those 90's Thriller movies that Ashley Judd was always in. I loved those movies as a kid...Double Jeopardy was my shit. This book is just a fun cheesy Thriller. It read like a Soap Opera at times. I will say that this book is a slow build and I pretty much figured everything out 10 pages in but I still had fun watching the plot unravel.
No recommendation because these authors don't need any help selling books and because I don't think this is a book most of my Goodreads friends would enjoy....but I liked it and if you didn't like the pairs biggest novel maybe try this one.
I have such different taste than other people. Everyone loved Liv Constantine's book The Last Mrs. Parrish but it did nothing for me. While on the other hand I've read several reviews for this book that were negative.
The Senator's Wife is just my type of breezy political thriller. It reminded me of those 90's Thriller movies that Ashley Judd was always in. I loved those movies as a kid...Double Jeopardy was my shit. This book is just a fun cheesy Thriller. It read like a Soap Opera at times. I will say that this book is a slow build and I pretty much figured everything out 10 pages in but I still had fun watching the plot unravel.
No recommendation because these authors don't need any help selling books and because I don't think this is a book most of my Goodreads friends would enjoy....but I liked it and if you didn't like the pairs biggest novel maybe try this one.
December 23, 2022
Shocking and Scandalous! This book has it all, family drama, secrets, lies, politics and MURDER! Absolutely loved each and every surprise. Highly recommend! I thank Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read this great book.
May 23, 2023
Happily married, running a foundation, but suffering with Lupus is where we meet Sloane Chase.
Sloane and Robert were a power couple...she rich from birth and he a Senator.
Both were wonderful people, but tragedy struck and Robert and Robert's cousin, Peg, were killed in a horrible accident.
That left Sloane and Whit - they had been friends, but it turned into love.
Sloane and Whit had married and seemed happy until her Lupus flared up and she needed hip surgery.
In comes Athena the caregiver with an agenda of her own.
With her care Sloane becomes more ill, and Sloane become suspicious.
Athena had a plan before she even started, but we don't know what the plan is at first.
We follow all the characters as more tragic things happen, and it all seems to center around the arrival of Athena.
THE SENATOR'S WIFE was a bit slow at first, but as the tension and suspicions mount, you won’t be able to put the book down.
Another great read with twists you won’t see coming and that will have you asking yourself - who can you trust? 5/5
THE SENATOR'S WIFE was a bit slow at first, but as the tension and suspicions mount, you won’t be able to put the book down.
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
Sloane and Robert were a power couple...she rich from birth and he a Senator.
Both were wonderful people, but tragedy struck and Robert and Robert's cousin, Peg, were killed in a horrible accident.
That left Sloane and Whit - they had been friends, but it turned into love.
Sloane and Whit had married and seemed happy until her Lupus flared up and she needed hip surgery.
In comes Athena the caregiver with an agenda of her own.
With her care Sloane becomes more ill, and Sloane become suspicious.
Athena had a plan before she even started, but we don't know what the plan is at first.
We follow all the characters as more tragic things happen, and it all seems to center around the arrival of Athena.
THE SENATOR'S WIFE was a bit slow at first, but as the tension and suspicions mount, you won’t be able to put the book down.
Another great read with twists you won’t see coming and that will have you asking yourself - who can you trust? 5/5
THE SENATOR'S WIFE was a bit slow at first, but as the tension and suspicions mount, you won’t be able to put the book down.
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
July 20, 2023
I started listening to this on audio from Borrowbox and finished it a minute ago.
The narrator was very good (in that some grate on my nerves with over dramatics) so I was tuned in almost right away.
It’s not an unusual plot. You know……someone invited into your home and suspected of something sinister.
This had a twist though that I wasn’t expecting and I also had my suspicions on something else which I was right about. It was interesting finding out I was right though and why!
This author writes some good books. I think there’s one I’ve not got to yet (too many books!) I will get to it though as I love her style of writing.
I’m having a good time with my chosen books so far this month.
The narrator was very good (in that some grate on my nerves with over dramatics) so I was tuned in almost right away.
It’s not an unusual plot. You know……someone invited into your home and suspected of something sinister.
This had a twist though that I wasn’t expecting and I also had my suspicions on something else which I was right about. It was interesting finding out I was right though and why!
This author writes some good books. I think there’s one I’ve not got to yet (too many books!) I will get to it though as I love her style of writing.
I’m having a good time with my chosen books so far this month.
June 7, 2023
Corruption, Greed, and Untrustworthy Characters!
💊💊💊💊
This writing duo has been one of my favorites since I read “The Last Mrs. Parish”. Which is still one of my all-time favorite books! It’s one of the books that I will always remember.
When I saw “The Senator’s Wife” I knew I had to read it and didn’t bother checking out the blurb. The cover was so gorgeous and well…it was written by these excellent authors!
Huge thanks to Bantam Books and Penguin Random House for providing this complimentary ARC through a Goodreads Giveaway! All opinions are my own.
The setting is Washington DC. Sloane is marrying Senator Whit Montgomery a short time after both of their spouses were killed in a shooting. Her first husband—Robert—was a Senator as well and Whit’s best friend.
In a political world of corruption and greed, Sloane is a breath of fresh air. She’s devoted her life to helping victims of violence and is very generous and too trustworthy. I adored her!
Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with Lupus at a young age and needs a hip replacement. Athena is a very capable home health aide that has been hired to help Sloane during her recovery by monitoring her medications, progress, etc. But Sloane gets worse under her care.
The perspectives of different characters are interesting and draw our suspicion to Whit and Athena, who become very cozy as Sloane worsens.
The ending was incredibly satisfying as it delivered well-deserved poetic justice!
#TheSenatorsWife #LivConstantine #psychologicalthriller #politicalthriller #Lupus #Greed #wealth #Goodreadsgiveaway #BantamBooks #justfinished #newrelease #honestreview #thrillerfriendsunite #mysteryandthrills #thrillersofinstagram #bookstagrammer #igbookreels #thriller #suspense #bookreviewersofinstagram #lovetoreadbooks #howluckyamI #PenguinRandomHouse
💊💊💊💊
This writing duo has been one of my favorites since I read “The Last Mrs. Parish”. Which is still one of my all-time favorite books! It’s one of the books that I will always remember.
When I saw “The Senator’s Wife” I knew I had to read it and didn’t bother checking out the blurb. The cover was so gorgeous and well…it was written by these excellent authors!
Huge thanks to Bantam Books and Penguin Random House for providing this complimentary ARC through a Goodreads Giveaway! All opinions are my own.
The setting is Washington DC. Sloane is marrying Senator Whit Montgomery a short time after both of their spouses were killed in a shooting. Her first husband—Robert—was a Senator as well and Whit’s best friend.
In a political world of corruption and greed, Sloane is a breath of fresh air. She’s devoted her life to helping victims of violence and is very generous and too trustworthy. I adored her!
Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with Lupus at a young age and needs a hip replacement. Athena is a very capable home health aide that has been hired to help Sloane during her recovery by monitoring her medications, progress, etc. But Sloane gets worse under her care.
The perspectives of different characters are interesting and draw our suspicion to Whit and Athena, who become very cozy as Sloane worsens.
The ending was incredibly satisfying as it delivered well-deserved poetic justice!
#TheSenatorsWife #LivConstantine #psychologicalthriller #politicalthriller #Lupus #Greed #wealth #Goodreadsgiveaway #BantamBooks #justfinished #newrelease #honestreview #thrillerfriendsunite #mysteryandthrills #thrillersofinstagram #bookstagrammer #igbookreels #thriller #suspense #bookreviewersofinstagram #lovetoreadbooks #howluckyamI #PenguinRandomHouse
April 16, 2023
Sloane and Whit marry each other after both found themselves widows after a tragedy that brought them closer. A senator, the marriage served to further Whit’s upward progression as Sloane was the widow of a beloved senator and also the head of an amazing philanthropic foundation. When Sloane has hip surgery due to complications from lupus, they hire a home health aide, Athena, to assist with recovery and administrative tasks at the foundation. But as Sloane struggles to recover and her symptoms worsen, reality becomes distorted.
I struggled with the writing a lot on this one. The beginning scenes, while I imagine are to be shocking and harrowing, I found to be written in an almost throw away scene type way, underdeveloped and rushed in order to progress the story quickly. I stuck with it, although paranoia ran rampant with the characters and many were unlikeable. This is told from multiple points-of-view (Sloane, Whit. Athena, and Sloane’s ex-mother-in-law, Rosemary), which I’m not sure if it enhanced or detracted from the story. For the most part, I was able to guess the small twists and truths about each character.
Going into the ending, this was a 2-star read for me, but with about 10% left, a twist I definitely didn’t see coming happened and I had that montage moment in movies where the past flashes back at you in a different light. Suddenly, things I thought were obtuse became fleshed out with this reveal and it made me appreciate the vagueness I struggled with before.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I struggled with the writing a lot on this one. The beginning scenes, while I imagine are to be shocking and harrowing, I found to be written in an almost throw away scene type way, underdeveloped and rushed in order to progress the story quickly. I stuck with it, although paranoia ran rampant with the characters and many were unlikeable. This is told from multiple points-of-view (Sloane, Whit. Athena, and Sloane’s ex-mother-in-law, Rosemary), which I’m not sure if it enhanced or detracted from the story. For the most part, I was able to guess the small twists and truths about each character.
Going into the ending, this was a 2-star read for me, but with about 10% left, a twist I definitely didn’t see coming happened and I had that montage moment in movies where the past flashes back at you in a different light. Suddenly, things I thought were obtuse became fleshed out with this reveal and it made me appreciate the vagueness I struggled with before.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
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