What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
11 days and 01:46:16
25 copies available
U.S. only
Perfect Life
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26Win a free print copy of this book!
11 days and 01:46:16
25 copies available
U.S. only
Following a shocking murder, a woman must face the secrets from her past—and a husband she thought she knew—in this twisty, sizzling novel from the bestselling authors of Happy Wife.
Este Walker didn’t move to Winter Park, Florida, to make friends. Five years ago, she ghosted her life in California to reinvent herself among the lakefront estates of Florida’s elite. With a cocktail in hand, more money than she could ever spend, and secrets she intends to keep buried, she’s finally content—or, you know, close enough. Who cares if her seclusion and secrets have left her with a small social circle? Her husband Beau and her best friend Nora are the only company she needs.
But Este’s secrets are catching up to her. Last year, when Nora gained national attention as a suspect in her husband's disappearance, Este’s picture was flashed onscreen. Suddenly the past she had hoped to keep buried is closing in on her—and Beau might be keeping secrets of his own. And then a mysterious death turns Winter Park upside down.
Thrust into a high-stakes murder investigation, Este must unravel a web of lies and secrets to answer the question: What exactly happened in California, and has it come back to haunt her? More importantly: How is she going to get herself out of this mess?
Este Walker didn’t move to Winter Park, Florida, to make friends. Five years ago, she ghosted her life in California to reinvent herself among the lakefront estates of Florida’s elite. With a cocktail in hand, more money than she could ever spend, and secrets she intends to keep buried, she’s finally content—or, you know, close enough. Who cares if her seclusion and secrets have left her with a small social circle? Her husband Beau and her best friend Nora are the only company she needs.
But Este’s secrets are catching up to her. Last year, when Nora gained national attention as a suspect in her husband's disappearance, Este’s picture was flashed onscreen. Suddenly the past she had hoped to keep buried is closing in on her—and Beau might be keeping secrets of his own. And then a mysterious death turns Winter Park upside down.
Thrust into a high-stakes murder investigation, Este must unravel a web of lies and secrets to answer the question: What exactly happened in California, and has it come back to haunt her? More importantly: How is she going to get herself out of this mess?
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 7, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
April 27, 2026
I really enjoyed this sequel to Happy Life, featuring the neighbors Este and Beau. A fun, twisty mystery with flashbacks that help add to the original story without repeating storylines. Recommend for mystery fans!
I chose Happy Life for my book club earlier this year, and I was so excited to see the next book available as an eARC on NetGalley.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review
I chose Happy Life for my book club earlier this year, and I was so excited to see the next book available as an eARC on NetGalley.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review
Want to Read
June 19, 2026I lost track of this book and just checked to make sure I don't miss the release. I loved the first from this debut author team!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
THIS IS AN ADVANCED READER COPY FROM NETGALLEY OF THE BOOK, “The Perfect Life” written by Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores by Bantom Books:
Este had an amazing corporate job she was incredibly devoted to and extremely successful except she was sleeping with her boss Simon. Her best friend Gemma worked at an exclusive restaurant that all the successful people in the community were always socializing at and had given Este a heads up when the company she and Simon were trying to buy were working on their decisions about which companies to meet with and sell to. When Este meets Beau, whose company is the one her boss wants, she’s overwhelmed by her immediate feelings for him. She sets the meeting at the office and Simon blows the pitch to Beau and the next day leaves her a note on her desk firing her and telling her that it’s over between them. She is devastated because while she didn’t have feelings for Simon such as love she did love her job.
When Beau calls to see if she’d like to get together she explains how her life has imploded and she’s a mess, not someone who’s any fun. Instead he convinced her to try out new things for him to learn because he’s also lost without working anymore. As a new billionaire, he’s never been more flush with money but so confused by what to do and where to settle down and boredom after years of only knowing work around the clock has him feeling adrift. They begin taking painting lessons, learning to ride unicycles, they try all sorts of fun and crazy activities and soon fall in love. They head to Florida to a small elite part called Winter Park and decided to build their home there and have begun making some tentative friends. When Gemma finds Este through her new Instagram account, Este invites her to move from California and come work for Mark, Beaus best friend who has a successful restaurant and who they came to visit when deciding to stay in Winter Park. Este has.been helping Gemma with job applications to get into a career where she can move up the corporate ladder and be successful. The night of the anniversary party for Marks restaurant Gemma comes by to get the clothes she’s borrowing for her interview and Este even bought her a pair of designer shoes to match. Gemma worked at the restaurant that night of the anniversary party but Este after receiving a few calls from a 301 number (California) and then a text message warning her she can’t hide from him forever, Este sees his shadowed outline at the front windows of restaurant and is scared. Has her past and the chaos and bomb that she and Simon left in California cone for her? The year before, someone had murdered her good friend Nora’s husband and were apprehended by the detective work she and Gemma had done finding them. She is worried now that the picture that was in the newspaper is how her old life had found the new one she loves dearly. That night, Beau tells her he’d come home early morning hours having stayed back after she left the restaurant with Tippy, Shep, Autumn snd Mark. Gemma had been a closer and punched out around midnight. The next morning Gemma is found dead in the alley outside the restaurant and everyone at the after party is being questioned by police. Este starts to look at everyone with suspicion and finds that Gemma’s apartment has been cleaned out with no sign of any of the personal items Gemma owned in the apartment. As she is leaving the detective shows up, Este tells him she doesn’t know or understand why the apartment is cleared out. She was looking forward to put roots down and was interviewing for a great company that day. As Este starts looking at all the people around them, Beau is taken to station to be questioned after some damaging video of Gemma and Beau arguing outside in the alley but the footage shows Beau walking away and then just before the footage reaches the last place it can record due to its placement, it shows a a hand grabbing Gemma by covering her mouth and pulling her into the shadows.
Este has a list of suspects and even Beau is one. Then she gets another threatening message and she calls back the number and it’s Simon saying he at the FOUR SEASONS hotel in Florida. She meets him in the bar downstairs from his room and she grills him. She finds out Gemma has been forced to go to Florida to keep tab on Este and Beau as he is convinced that Beau had hacked into Redwood, is firms computers losing alll his clients. Their money being stolen from them as the company dismantled under the hack and all the shares of his company plummeted and were shorted leaving him no choice but to bankrupt company. Gemma had been using the info she would learn from the brokers at her restaurant in Fl and taking that info would go and use it to invest into stocks at Simon’s company. Simon knew she must’ve been using insider trading information to do that because she was using stocks that weren’t in any position to be considered to invest but as soon as Gemma would invest they’d soar into high demand and values. He used this information to force her to go spy and find him proof that Beau was the own who did that hack and cost him all his life’s work in one fell swoop. Este will go on with bits of information trying to find Gemma’s killer and while Simon is setting a trap to finish off she and Beau. But the hurricane the area has finally made landfall and when they wake the next morning they find someone in their pool floating face down and dead. Este calls police and she’s shocked that it’s Simon. Beau gets arrested for the death of Simon but while he’s in being questioned it will be Este who finds the culprit and the guilty party finally having Beau how with her and was spending her gratitude of his being home and their lives together back to where she’d always wanted, they were both keeping things from the other. And they agreed to never allow anyone or anything come in between them again:
I really liked Este, with all her loss from such a young age. She was hard driven and intelligent as equally beautiful. She didn’t have many friends bc her walls she’d built after the death do her parents kept her from letting anyone in to meet the genuine Este but Beau had and that’s why her kove for him was profound, true and the most important relationship in her whole life. He was also madly in love with her as well and they’d reveled in their happiness, the joy they felt everyday and the bond they have js all she needed to navigate the world. Beau felt the exact same.
The story was so lovely regarding Este and Beau. They had such a lovely relationship and while it was the most romantic and equally shared regarding their partnership in marriage and their fire hot passion for one another it wasn’t contrived or unrealistic this was a genuinely committed couple whose love friendship and respect was immense and appreciated by them both.
I personally loved how the lovey adoration and constant love fests Este and Beau had was evened out by the dismal Nora whose husband Will was murder and those of Gemma and Simon. It was a perfect portrayal of the two and was interwoven especially well.
Thank you to the wonderful #Meredith Lavender and #Kendall Shores, #Netgalley ARCs and #BANTOM BOOKS
Este had an amazing corporate job she was incredibly devoted to and extremely successful except she was sleeping with her boss Simon. Her best friend Gemma worked at an exclusive restaurant that all the successful people in the community were always socializing at and had given Este a heads up when the company she and Simon were trying to buy were working on their decisions about which companies to meet with and sell to. When Este meets Beau, whose company is the one her boss wants, she’s overwhelmed by her immediate feelings for him. She sets the meeting at the office and Simon blows the pitch to Beau and the next day leaves her a note on her desk firing her and telling her that it’s over between them. She is devastated because while she didn’t have feelings for Simon such as love she did love her job.
When Beau calls to see if she’d like to get together she explains how her life has imploded and she’s a mess, not someone who’s any fun. Instead he convinced her to try out new things for him to learn because he’s also lost without working anymore. As a new billionaire, he’s never been more flush with money but so confused by what to do and where to settle down and boredom after years of only knowing work around the clock has him feeling adrift. They begin taking painting lessons, learning to ride unicycles, they try all sorts of fun and crazy activities and soon fall in love. They head to Florida to a small elite part called Winter Park and decided to build their home there and have begun making some tentative friends. When Gemma finds Este through her new Instagram account, Este invites her to move from California and come work for Mark, Beaus best friend who has a successful restaurant and who they came to visit when deciding to stay in Winter Park. Este has.been helping Gemma with job applications to get into a career where she can move up the corporate ladder and be successful. The night of the anniversary party for Marks restaurant Gemma comes by to get the clothes she’s borrowing for her interview and Este even bought her a pair of designer shoes to match. Gemma worked at the restaurant that night of the anniversary party but Este after receiving a few calls from a 301 number (California) and then a text message warning her she can’t hide from him forever, Este sees his shadowed outline at the front windows of restaurant and is scared. Has her past and the chaos and bomb that she and Simon left in California cone for her? The year before, someone had murdered her good friend Nora’s husband and were apprehended by the detective work she and Gemma had done finding them. She is worried now that the picture that was in the newspaper is how her old life had found the new one she loves dearly. That night, Beau tells her he’d come home early morning hours having stayed back after she left the restaurant with Tippy, Shep, Autumn snd Mark. Gemma had been a closer and punched out around midnight. The next morning Gemma is found dead in the alley outside the restaurant and everyone at the after party is being questioned by police. Este starts to look at everyone with suspicion and finds that Gemma’s apartment has been cleaned out with no sign of any of the personal items Gemma owned in the apartment. As she is leaving the detective shows up, Este tells him she doesn’t know or understand why the apartment is cleared out. She was looking forward to put roots down and was interviewing for a great company that day. As Este starts looking at all the people around them, Beau is taken to station to be questioned after some damaging video of Gemma and Beau arguing outside in the alley but the footage shows Beau walking away and then just before the footage reaches the last place it can record due to its placement, it shows a a hand grabbing Gemma by covering her mouth and pulling her into the shadows.
Este has a list of suspects and even Beau is one. Then she gets another threatening message and she calls back the number and it’s Simon saying he at the FOUR SEASONS hotel in Florida. She meets him in the bar downstairs from his room and she grills him. She finds out Gemma has been forced to go to Florida to keep tab on Este and Beau as he is convinced that Beau had hacked into Redwood, is firms computers losing alll his clients. Their money being stolen from them as the company dismantled under the hack and all the shares of his company plummeted and were shorted leaving him no choice but to bankrupt company. Gemma had been using the info she would learn from the brokers at her restaurant in Fl and taking that info would go and use it to invest into stocks at Simon’s company. Simon knew she must’ve been using insider trading information to do that because she was using stocks that weren’t in any position to be considered to invest but as soon as Gemma would invest they’d soar into high demand and values. He used this information to force her to go spy and find him proof that Beau was the own who did that hack and cost him all his life’s work in one fell swoop. Este will go on with bits of information trying to find Gemma’s killer and while Simon is setting a trap to finish off she and Beau. But the hurricane the area has finally made landfall and when they wake the next morning they find someone in their pool floating face down and dead. Este calls police and she’s shocked that it’s Simon. Beau gets arrested for the death of Simon but while he’s in being questioned it will be Este who finds the culprit and the guilty party finally having Beau how with her and was spending her gratitude of his being home and their lives together back to where she’d always wanted, they were both keeping things from the other. And they agreed to never allow anyone or anything come in between them again:
I really liked Este, with all her loss from such a young age. She was hard driven and intelligent as equally beautiful. She didn’t have many friends bc her walls she’d built after the death do her parents kept her from letting anyone in to meet the genuine Este but Beau had and that’s why her kove for him was profound, true and the most important relationship in her whole life. He was also madly in love with her as well and they’d reveled in their happiness, the joy they felt everyday and the bond they have js all she needed to navigate the world. Beau felt the exact same.
The story was so lovely regarding Este and Beau. They had such a lovely relationship and while it was the most romantic and equally shared regarding their partnership in marriage and their fire hot passion for one another it wasn’t contrived or unrealistic this was a genuinely committed couple whose love friendship and respect was immense and appreciated by them both.
I personally loved how the lovey adoration and constant love fests Este and Beau had was evened out by the dismal Nora whose husband Will was murder and those of Gemma and Simon. It was a perfect portrayal of the two and was interwoven especially well.
Thank you to the wonderful #Meredith Lavender and #Kendall Shores, #Netgalley ARCs and #BANTOM BOOKS
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2026
Thriller romance title likely for new adults to early 30s with career and other life goals the primary focus for main character Este Todd and her surrounding friends, frenemies, business contacts and social acquaintances ranging from annoying, to self-absorbed and self-promoting with a surprising few being truly likable. And when murder threatens to upend all that Este has meticulous orchestrated and fine-tuned into a so-called perfect life, how far will she go to protect her dream.
Loss of her parents in her early teens did not help academically over-achieving, striving for perfection at all times Estes, especially being transplanted from the world of academia to the very different, free-spirited, culturally unique world of New Orleans with an equally eclectic aunt who has a dominant personality like her parents, but with a very different execution style. Este emerges brilliant, with emotions stuffed down tightly, and a determination to launch herself into the business aspect of the tech world and sees Chief Executive Officer in her near future. Being Chief of Staff to Simon Avery has her on the right path to her perfect life, but when she artfully orchestrates a meeting with tech giant Beau Walker looking to sell and her boss makes a disastrous proposition against her counsel, Este is unceremoniously fired and left adrift. Until Beau Walker picks up her pieces and creates a new perfect life she never knew she wanted. Escaping California and the sting and career busting effect of her termination happens by way of expensive distractions across the world, all guided by the handsome, kind and supportive and now, after a highly lucrative sale of his company, an extremely wealthy Beau. Eventually settling in Winter Park, FL amid the wealthy, those who want to be associated with money and all those who work behind the scenes to be sure the money set never has to do much more than keep up appearances at one of the country clubs, Este and Beau settle into the perfect life they are sure will be their final destination as long as they are together.
But everyone knows there is no such thing as perfection and with a mysterious and anonymous text from California area, Este’s Perfect Life begins to implode one step and several leaps at a time until past mistakes, old lovers, dead bodies and prison become the new normal.
Authors Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores weave a solid thriller that may fit more into the mystery, realistic fiction, social drama genres and certainly has elements of all. Those who love to watch Real Wives reality shows will enjoy the petty bickering, focus on finding the just right outfit to be wearing when manipulating an entrance, as well as the romantic entanglements that pop up. Plenty of mystery around the who did what to who and the duo plants plenty of clues that seem like they identify the perpetrator(s) but then go a completely different direction. The conclusion ties up all the loose ends pretty neatly, but certainly leaves readers knowing that within that environment, The Perfect Life that settles into the usual privileged ease will certainly get shaken up again.
*Profanity: Considering the constant barrage of every possible curse word choice being used in so much YA and Adult works now, the level in The Perfect Life is pretty low. There are some Fbombs and a fair amount of lesser cursing, but it was not over used.
*Violence: Several deaths occur and a few fights between key players but none are excessively described nor bloody.
*Sexual content: It is stated that Este has had several lovers and the beginnings of a few of those physical encounters do generate a bit of passion, but those all “fade to black” so to speak w/only low levels of heat; plenty of references to infidelity but no descriptions of those incidents.
*Representation: Not all the key players are obscenely wealthy with service workers and others striving to move up the economic ladder playing key roles; Race is left fairly ambiguous; One wealthy wife makes no secret of her affairs and one of her dalliances is with another woman but no real emphasis is placed on the same sex aspect.
Thanks for the eARC, Edelweiss and Penguin Random House.
Loss of her parents in her early teens did not help academically over-achieving, striving for perfection at all times Estes, especially being transplanted from the world of academia to the very different, free-spirited, culturally unique world of New Orleans with an equally eclectic aunt who has a dominant personality like her parents, but with a very different execution style. Este emerges brilliant, with emotions stuffed down tightly, and a determination to launch herself into the business aspect of the tech world and sees Chief Executive Officer in her near future. Being Chief of Staff to Simon Avery has her on the right path to her perfect life, but when she artfully orchestrates a meeting with tech giant Beau Walker looking to sell and her boss makes a disastrous proposition against her counsel, Este is unceremoniously fired and left adrift. Until Beau Walker picks up her pieces and creates a new perfect life she never knew she wanted. Escaping California and the sting and career busting effect of her termination happens by way of expensive distractions across the world, all guided by the handsome, kind and supportive and now, after a highly lucrative sale of his company, an extremely wealthy Beau. Eventually settling in Winter Park, FL amid the wealthy, those who want to be associated with money and all those who work behind the scenes to be sure the money set never has to do much more than keep up appearances at one of the country clubs, Este and Beau settle into the perfect life they are sure will be their final destination as long as they are together.
But everyone knows there is no such thing as perfection and with a mysterious and anonymous text from California area, Este’s Perfect Life begins to implode one step and several leaps at a time until past mistakes, old lovers, dead bodies and prison become the new normal.
Authors Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores weave a solid thriller that may fit more into the mystery, realistic fiction, social drama genres and certainly has elements of all. Those who love to watch Real Wives reality shows will enjoy the petty bickering, focus on finding the just right outfit to be wearing when manipulating an entrance, as well as the romantic entanglements that pop up. Plenty of mystery around the who did what to who and the duo plants plenty of clues that seem like they identify the perpetrator(s) but then go a completely different direction. The conclusion ties up all the loose ends pretty neatly, but certainly leaves readers knowing that within that environment, The Perfect Life that settles into the usual privileged ease will certainly get shaken up again.
*Profanity: Considering the constant barrage of every possible curse word choice being used in so much YA and Adult works now, the level in The Perfect Life is pretty low. There are some Fbombs and a fair amount of lesser cursing, but it was not over used.
*Violence: Several deaths occur and a few fights between key players but none are excessively described nor bloody.
*Sexual content: It is stated that Este has had several lovers and the beginnings of a few of those physical encounters do generate a bit of passion, but those all “fade to black” so to speak w/only low levels of heat; plenty of references to infidelity but no descriptions of those incidents.
*Representation: Not all the key players are obscenely wealthy with service workers and others striving to move up the economic ladder playing key roles; Race is left fairly ambiguous; One wealthy wife makes no secret of her affairs and one of her dalliances is with another woman but no real emphasis is placed on the same sex aspect.
Thanks for the eARC, Edelweiss and Penguin Random House.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: July 7, 2026
Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores , authors of “Happy Wife” return with their new co-written twisty novel of suspense, “Perfect Life”.
Este Walker moved to Winter Park, Florida to escape her life in California, a life that had blown up spectacularly. Now, even though her husband, Beau, is a super wealthy tech millionaire, she is still trying to find her place among the upper echelons of Winter Park society. But Este soon gets more attention than she could ask for when bodies start dropping in the quiet community, both with close connections to Este, and fingers start pointing at Beau. Was Este too rash in her desperate attempt to escape California that she didn’t truly know the person she married? What other secrets is Beau keeping?
Lavender and Shores have the co-writing thing down. “Perfect Life” is smooth and flowing and it is impossible to differentiate between the authors or, in fact, that two authors wrote the novel at all as it is so seamless and connected. Este is the protagonist who is immediately the envy of readers, as well as the community of Winter Park, for marrying the handsome and super wealthy Beau, who also happens to be in love with her. But it all comes crashing down when Beau is arrested and the question arises- is Beau really too good to be true?
“Perfect” is single-narrator and dual-timeline, taking place both before, when Este was in California, and after, when her and Beau have settled in Winter Park. The chapters are labeled, delineating what time frame readers are experiencing, so it is easy to keep up. Right at the beginning of the novel, as a prologue, Este is experiencing the aftermath of a hurricane, so each chapter that takes place in Florida is leading up to the hurricane itself.
I didn’t have any experience with the authors prior to this, and I didn’t know a whole lot about the novel before reading it, either, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. “Perfect” is the follow up to “Wife” and that makes sense, as there are incidents in “Perfect” that are discussed (such as the murder of Nora’s husband) which the characters had a sense of familiarity with that had me completely in the dark. That didn’t really take away from my enjoyment of “Perfect”, though, as anything pertinent was touched on, so I got the minor details of the things I had missed by not reading “Wife”.
“Perfect” is sharp and tense, and the authors deliver a pulse-pounding novel that will captivate readers, whether they have read “Wife” or not.
Expected publication date: July 7, 2026
Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores , authors of “Happy Wife” return with their new co-written twisty novel of suspense, “Perfect Life”.
Este Walker moved to Winter Park, Florida to escape her life in California, a life that had blown up spectacularly. Now, even though her husband, Beau, is a super wealthy tech millionaire, she is still trying to find her place among the upper echelons of Winter Park society. But Este soon gets more attention than she could ask for when bodies start dropping in the quiet community, both with close connections to Este, and fingers start pointing at Beau. Was Este too rash in her desperate attempt to escape California that she didn’t truly know the person she married? What other secrets is Beau keeping?
Lavender and Shores have the co-writing thing down. “Perfect Life” is smooth and flowing and it is impossible to differentiate between the authors or, in fact, that two authors wrote the novel at all as it is so seamless and connected. Este is the protagonist who is immediately the envy of readers, as well as the community of Winter Park, for marrying the handsome and super wealthy Beau, who also happens to be in love with her. But it all comes crashing down when Beau is arrested and the question arises- is Beau really too good to be true?
“Perfect” is single-narrator and dual-timeline, taking place both before, when Este was in California, and after, when her and Beau have settled in Winter Park. The chapters are labeled, delineating what time frame readers are experiencing, so it is easy to keep up. Right at the beginning of the novel, as a prologue, Este is experiencing the aftermath of a hurricane, so each chapter that takes place in Florida is leading up to the hurricane itself.
I didn’t have any experience with the authors prior to this, and I didn’t know a whole lot about the novel before reading it, either, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. “Perfect” is the follow up to “Wife” and that makes sense, as there are incidents in “Perfect” that are discussed (such as the murder of Nora’s husband) which the characters had a sense of familiarity with that had me completely in the dark. That didn’t really take away from my enjoyment of “Perfect”, though, as anything pertinent was touched on, so I got the minor details of the things I had missed by not reading “Wife”.
“Perfect” is sharp and tense, and the authors deliver a pulse-pounding novel that will captivate readers, whether they have read “Wife” or not.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book review 📖
📜Perfect Life
✍️Meredith Lavender & Kendall Shores
📠Ballantine/Bantam
📚Mystery/Thriller Fiction
🗓️Pub date: July 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨Thank you @NetGalley and @bantambooks @ballantinebooks for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
From the publisher:
Welcome back to Winter Park, where looks can kill and secrets refuse to stay buried.
Este Walker didn’t move to Florida to make friends. Five years ago, she ghosted her life in California to reinvent herself among the lakefront estates of Florida’s elite. With a cocktail in hand, more money than she could ever spend, and a past she intends to keep hidden, she’s finally content—or, you know, close enough. Her husband, Beau, and her best friend, Nora, are the only company Este needs.
But when someone she’d much rather forget resurfaces, the past begins to close on her. And then a mysterious death turns Winter Park upside down—and Beau, who’s keeping secrets of his own, is implicated,. Thrust into a high-stakes murder investigation, Este must unravel a web of lies and deception to answer the question: What exactly happened in California, and has it come back to haunt her? More important: How is she going to get herself out of this mess?
Thoughts:
I snatched this right up as soon as I saw it, after having loved Happy Wife. I remember loving Este as a kickass friend to Nora, so I was excited to hear her story.
The first part was a little slow for me, but things quickly sped up. I loved the alternating timelines with Gemma and Este, and Este’s courtship with Beau. My head was spinning with all the twists towards the end, and I was eager to figure out who was responsible for the murder.
I’m a huge fan of Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores and can’t wait until their next book releases! This will be a great summer thriller or a fun book to pack in your beach bag ⛱️☀️🌊
#netgalley #advancedreadercopy #perfectlife #bantambooks
📜Perfect Life
✍️Meredith Lavender & Kendall Shores
📠Ballantine/Bantam
📚Mystery/Thriller Fiction
🗓️Pub date: July 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨Thank you @NetGalley and @bantambooks @ballantinebooks for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
From the publisher:
Welcome back to Winter Park, where looks can kill and secrets refuse to stay buried.
Este Walker didn’t move to Florida to make friends. Five years ago, she ghosted her life in California to reinvent herself among the lakefront estates of Florida’s elite. With a cocktail in hand, more money than she could ever spend, and a past she intends to keep hidden, she’s finally content—or, you know, close enough. Her husband, Beau, and her best friend, Nora, are the only company Este needs.
But when someone she’d much rather forget resurfaces, the past begins to close on her. And then a mysterious death turns Winter Park upside down—and Beau, who’s keeping secrets of his own, is implicated,. Thrust into a high-stakes murder investigation, Este must unravel a web of lies and deception to answer the question: What exactly happened in California, and has it come back to haunt her? More important: How is she going to get herself out of this mess?
Thoughts:
I snatched this right up as soon as I saw it, after having loved Happy Wife. I remember loving Este as a kickass friend to Nora, so I was excited to hear her story.
The first part was a little slow for me, but things quickly sped up. I loved the alternating timelines with Gemma and Este, and Este’s courtship with Beau. My head was spinning with all the twists towards the end, and I was eager to figure out who was responsible for the murder.
I’m a huge fan of Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores and can’t wait until their next book releases! This will be a great summer thriller or a fun book to pack in your beach bag ⛱️☀️🌊
#netgalley #advancedreadercopy #perfectlife #bantambooks
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you enjoy domestic thrillers packed with secrets, lies, and jaw-dropping twists, Perfect Life delivers exactly what its title promises—and then completely shatters it.
Este Walker has spent years carefully constructing a new identity in the affluent world of Winter Park, Florida. Surrounded by wealth, protected by her husband Beau, and relying on her closest friend Nora, she's managed to keep her troubled past firmly buried. Or so she thinks. When a shocking death rocks the community and long-hidden secrets begin resurfacing, Este finds herself caught in a dangerous web of deception where no one can be trusted—not even the people closest to her.
The authors excel at creating tension from the very first page. Every chapter seemed to reveal another layer of mystery, and just when I thought I had figured things out, a new twist sent me in a completely different direction. The pacing is fast, addictive, and perfectly suited to a thriller that keeps readers questioning everyone's motives.
Este is a fascinating protagonist—flawed, secretive, and impossible not to root for. Her complicated past and determination to protect the life she's built make her both sympathetic and unpredictable. The supporting cast is equally compelling, particularly as hidden agendas and buried truths begin to surface.
What stood out most was the atmosphere. The polished wealth and picturesque beauty of Winter Park provide the perfect backdrop for a story filled with dark secrets lurking beneath the surface. The contrast between the glamorous setting and the escalating danger creates an irresistible sense of unease throughout the novel.
Filled with suspense, shocking revelations, and plenty of emotional stakes, Perfect Life is an engrossing thriller that kept me turning pages late into the night. Fans of twisty domestic suspense and unreliable characters will not want to miss this one.
Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of Perfect Life by Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Perfect Life” is a very entertaining mystery/thriller set in tony Winter Park, Florida. It’s well- and stylishly-written, fast-paced, and designed to keep readers both reading and guessing.
The book grabbed me from the very first page. Main character and narrator Este Walker is immediately likable and engaging. She’s bright, witty, charming, and kind, but doesn’t suffer fools and refuses to “run with the pack.” She’s married to her soulmate, Beau, a charismatic and sexy software genius with unlimited wealth. They never have to work another day in their lives. They’ve built a beautiful home in one of Florida’s most desirable communities along with some very strong friendships.
But life is not perfect. Something from the past haunts her and Beau. What, or who, is it? How much of a threat is posed? And what connection, if any, does it or they have to the death of a close friend? Was that death an accident or a murder? If a murder, who did it? Is anyone else in danger? Is the perfect life that Este and Beau have built in danger of being destroyed?
These are the questions that kept me turning the pages, along with authors Meredith Lavender’s and Kendall Shores’s brisk, descriptive prose and sparkling dialogue often laced with humor (some of which is directed at the foibles of certain of Este’s and Beau’s neighbors.)
It’s a novel that reminded me a little of that old TV show, “Desperate Housewives.” Fans of that series may well want to give “Perfect Life” a try. Certainly, I enjoyed it enough to give its prequel, “Happy Wife,” a try.
"Perfect Life" is due to be published on July 7, 2026.
My thanks to NetGalley, authors Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores, and publisher Ballantine | Bantam for providing me with a complimentary electronic ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.
The book grabbed me from the very first page. Main character and narrator Este Walker is immediately likable and engaging. She’s bright, witty, charming, and kind, but doesn’t suffer fools and refuses to “run with the pack.” She’s married to her soulmate, Beau, a charismatic and sexy software genius with unlimited wealth. They never have to work another day in their lives. They’ve built a beautiful home in one of Florida’s most desirable communities along with some very strong friendships.
But life is not perfect. Something from the past haunts her and Beau. What, or who, is it? How much of a threat is posed? And what connection, if any, does it or they have to the death of a close friend? Was that death an accident or a murder? If a murder, who did it? Is anyone else in danger? Is the perfect life that Este and Beau have built in danger of being destroyed?
These are the questions that kept me turning the pages, along with authors Meredith Lavender’s and Kendall Shores’s brisk, descriptive prose and sparkling dialogue often laced with humor (some of which is directed at the foibles of certain of Este’s and Beau’s neighbors.)
It’s a novel that reminded me a little of that old TV show, “Desperate Housewives.” Fans of that series may well want to give “Perfect Life” a try. Certainly, I enjoyed it enough to give its prequel, “Happy Wife,” a try.
"Perfect Life" is due to be published on July 7, 2026.
My thanks to NetGalley, authors Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores, and publisher Ballantine | Bantam for providing me with a complimentary electronic ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed Perfect Life and found it to be a strong follow-up to Happy Life. The story shifts the focus to Este and Beau, two neighbors introduced in the earlier book, and quickly builds a tense, twist-filled mystery around them. Even though this is technically a sequel, I think it works well on its own because the authors provide enough context without rehashing the previous plot.
What stood out most to me was the structure. The dual timeline, moving between Este’s past in California and her present in Winter Park, adds layers to the suspense and gradually reveals why she’s so determined to reinvent herself. The chapters are easy to follow, and each new piece of information changes how you view both Este and Beau.
The setting also adds a lot to the atmosphere. Winter Park’s polished, wealthy community feels like the perfect backdrop for a story about appearances, secrets, and the question of whether anyone truly knows the person they married. As the investigation unfolds and suspicion falls on Beau, the tension ramps up in a way that kept me turning pages.
I also have to mention how seamless the co-writing feels. If I hadn’t known two authors wrote this, I never would have guessed. The narrative flows smoothly from start to finish.
My only reason for not giving it five stars is that a few of the twists were somewhat predictable once the clues started lining up. Still, the journey was entertaining, the pacing was strong, and the ending felt satisfying without tying everything up too neatly.
If you enjoy domestic suspense with wealthy neighborhoods, hidden pasts, and escalating secrets, Perfect Life is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What stood out most to me was the structure. The dual timeline, moving between Este’s past in California and her present in Winter Park, adds layers to the suspense and gradually reveals why she’s so determined to reinvent herself. The chapters are easy to follow, and each new piece of information changes how you view both Este and Beau.
The setting also adds a lot to the atmosphere. Winter Park’s polished, wealthy community feels like the perfect backdrop for a story about appearances, secrets, and the question of whether anyone truly knows the person they married. As the investigation unfolds and suspicion falls on Beau, the tension ramps up in a way that kept me turning pages.
I also have to mention how seamless the co-writing feels. If I hadn’t known two authors wrote this, I never would have guessed. The narrative flows smoothly from start to finish.
My only reason for not giving it five stars is that a few of the twists were somewhat predictable once the clues started lining up. Still, the journey was entertaining, the pacing was strong, and the ending felt satisfying without tying everything up too neatly.
If you enjoy domestic suspense with wealthy neighborhoods, hidden pasts, and escalating secrets, Perfect Life is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Perfect Life was my first read by Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores, and I received an advance copy from NetGalley and what a ride this turned out to be for me. From the opening chapters, I was pulled straight into Este Walker’s carefully curated Winter Park existence, where the cocktails are cold, the money flows easily, and the secrets are stacked higher than the lakefront estates she’s hiding among. Este is such an intriguing narrator, self‑contained, guarded, and clearly running from something in California. I loved the tension between her desire to stay invisible and the way trouble keeps circling her anyway, especially after her best friend Nora becomes a national headline. That moment when Este’s picture flashes across the screen is the first real crack in her “perfect life,” and the book only gets twistier from there, so be ready for the time of your life! And yes there is a twist worth mentioning. As the murder investigation heats up, the story starts peeling back layers of Este’s past and Beau’s secrets in ways I didn’t fully see coming. The reveal isn’t just shock for shock’s sake; it reframes Este’s entire reinvention and forces her to confront the truth she’s been outrunning for five years! The ending of the books lands well too, significant without being over‑explained. It ties the California mystery back into the present in a way that feels well earned, and it leaves Este standing in a place that’s very messy, vulnerable, and strangely hopeful. Not a neat bow, but a really satisfying one. I will read more from this author! #netgalley #perfectlife
June 18, 2026
4.5 Stars!
I could not put this book down! I stayed up past my bedtime to finish it because every chapter ended with a twist that kept me begging for more!
Este Walker moved to the posh town of Winter Park, Florida, from California. Her husband, Beau, sold his company for millions, and now they're living their best lives possible, or so it seems. When a former colleague arrives in Winter Park and gets murdered, they need to figure out who is behind it. Beau is named as a suspect, and soon Este isn't sure if the man she married is who he actually said he is, or if he's potentially being framed.
This book had a dual plot line between current day, and Este's past life in California. Her past in California was rocky from a boss who played her, and meeting Beau, who may have had something to do with a hack in her previous company. Her former boss is seeking revenge on the Walkers for what happened with his company, sending another loophole into the murder case.
I love the way the authors portray Winter Park, a real town about 30 minutes from where I live that I'm very familiar with. The dual plotline between the chapters kept me wanting more. What happened in California, and what's going on in Winter Park?! It's a rich people gone bad type story, with chatter amongst the townspeople and multiple suspects. Just when I thought I had an idea who did it, the plot would twist! This is a perfect summer thriller, that will keep you going, and so well written!
Thank you to Meredith Lavender, Kendall Shores, Bantam Books, and NetGalley for my e-arc!
I could not put this book down! I stayed up past my bedtime to finish it because every chapter ended with a twist that kept me begging for more!
Este Walker moved to the posh town of Winter Park, Florida, from California. Her husband, Beau, sold his company for millions, and now they're living their best lives possible, or so it seems. When a former colleague arrives in Winter Park and gets murdered, they need to figure out who is behind it. Beau is named as a suspect, and soon Este isn't sure if the man she married is who he actually said he is, or if he's potentially being framed.
This book had a dual plot line between current day, and Este's past life in California. Her past in California was rocky from a boss who played her, and meeting Beau, who may have had something to do with a hack in her previous company. Her former boss is seeking revenge on the Walkers for what happened with his company, sending another loophole into the murder case.
I love the way the authors portray Winter Park, a real town about 30 minutes from where I live that I'm very familiar with. The dual plotline between the chapters kept me wanting more. What happened in California, and what's going on in Winter Park?! It's a rich people gone bad type story, with chatter amongst the townspeople and multiple suspects. Just when I thought I had an idea who did it, the plot would twist! This is a perfect summer thriller, that will keep you going, and so well written!
Thank you to Meredith Lavender, Kendall Shores, Bantam Books, and NetGalley for my e-arc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The perfect life is often the story people choose to show the world, but the story comes from what lies just beneath that carefully managed image.
Perfect Life begins with a life that appears polished and enviable, the kind of success many people quietly measure themselves against. As the story unfolds, the authors begin to pull back the layers behind that image, revealing how fragile a carefully curated life can be once the details start to shift. The novel moves steadily from admiration to uncertainty as questions begin to surface about identity, ambition, and how much of what we see in someone’s life is real versus carefully presented.
The pacing lets the allow the strain to develop gradually rather than relying on constant twists. Small pieces of information started to change my understanding of the characters, and earlier assumptions started to feel less certain as the story moves forward. That slow shift from confidence to suspicion creates the psychological pull that kept me turning the pages.
By the time the larger picture begins to emerge, the novel has already raised thoughtful questions about the idea of the “perfect life” and how easily that image can be constructed. If you enjoy character driven suspense and stories that examine the gap between appearance and reality will likely find this one engaging, particularly if you appreciate thrillers that rely as much on psychology as they do on plot.
Perfect Life begins with a life that appears polished and enviable, the kind of success many people quietly measure themselves against. As the story unfolds, the authors begin to pull back the layers behind that image, revealing how fragile a carefully curated life can be once the details start to shift. The novel moves steadily from admiration to uncertainty as questions begin to surface about identity, ambition, and how much of what we see in someone’s life is real versus carefully presented.
The pacing lets the allow the strain to develop gradually rather than relying on constant twists. Small pieces of information started to change my understanding of the characters, and earlier assumptions started to feel less certain as the story moves forward. That slow shift from confidence to suspicion creates the psychological pull that kept me turning the pages.
By the time the larger picture begins to emerge, the novel has already raised thoughtful questions about the idea of the “perfect life” and how easily that image can be constructed. If you enjoy character driven suspense and stories that examine the gap between appearance and reality will likely find this one engaging, particularly if you appreciate thrillers that rely as much on psychology as they do on plot.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this one. I loved Happy Wife, so I was excited to return to Winter Park and spend more time with Beau and Este. What I loved most about Perfect Life wasn't necessarily the mystery itself—it was the characters and their relationships. I genuinely cared about what happened to them and found myself constantly wanting to read "just one more chapter."
As someone who lives near Winter Park and visits often, I also loved how accurately the setting was portrayed. The country club atmosphere, the wealthy neighborhoods, the restaurants, and the overall vibe felt very true to life and made the story even more immersive for me.
This isn't a thriller that relies on constant shock-factor twists. Instead, it's the kind of book that pulls you in because you're invested in the characters and all the secrets surrounding them. I loved getting to know Beau and Este better and seeing more of their story unfold.
The mystery kept me turning the pages, but honestly, I was just as interested in the friendships, marriages, and drama happening around them. It felt like checking in with a group of people I'd already gotten to know in Happy Wife.
This was an easy 4-star read for me. I enjoyed it so much that I already plan on buying a physical copy when it releases. And if Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores decide to keep writing books centered around this group of friends, I'll absolutely be reading them. I'm still rooting for a Nora and Marcus story.
As someone who lives near Winter Park and visits often, I also loved how accurately the setting was portrayed. The country club atmosphere, the wealthy neighborhoods, the restaurants, and the overall vibe felt very true to life and made the story even more immersive for me.
This isn't a thriller that relies on constant shock-factor twists. Instead, it's the kind of book that pulls you in because you're invested in the characters and all the secrets surrounding them. I loved getting to know Beau and Este better and seeing more of their story unfold.
The mystery kept me turning the pages, but honestly, I was just as interested in the friendships, marriages, and drama happening around them. It felt like checking in with a group of people I'd already gotten to know in Happy Wife.
This was an easy 4-star read for me. I enjoyed it so much that I already plan on buying a physical copy when it releases. And if Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores decide to keep writing books centered around this group of friends, I'll absolutely be reading them. I'm still rooting for a Nora and Marcus story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This reviewer thoroughly enjoyed reading Perfect Life. The book is well-written and the characters well drawn, with a unique storyline about the lives of the ultra-rich. I especially liked that the characters are relatable, and not the stereotypical shallow rich crowd so often featured in fiction. The characters have money, yes, but their problems are much like everyone else's, which allowed this reviewer to relax and get lost in the story.
Este, the central character, has it all, and what woman wouldn't want that? She's successful, beautiful, and smart and married to the love of her life. Her husband is handsome, mega wealthy, faithful, and adores her. And they live in Florida. Wow. Of course, the novel is a thriller, so a metaphorical bomb thrown into Este's perfect life is a guarantee. Her personal chaos is followed by a murder, and then a hurricane to add deeper destruction to her angst. Florida can be fickle like that. As Este sorts through her problems, the story comes together, with the mystery solved and a satisfying conclusion.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballentine/Bantam for providing an advance copy of the book to read and review. This review will post to Bayside Book Reviews.com at https://baysidebookreviews.com and its Instagram page on release day. Follow us! *NetGalley Top Reviewer*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a fun story!! I have had the previous book, Happy Wife on my TBR list for a while. My bad. I am now going straight back and reading that one! I really enjoyed this! Yes, it could be a standalone, I suppose, but knowing there is a Part 1, I feel I would have enjoyed it even more had I first read that one. But anywho.... this was still totally enjoyable! Este's life in California has crashed and burned. So here she is, starting over among the elite in Winter Park, Florida with her rich new husband, Beau. All is well until a friend from Cali appears, then dies. Whoops! Here come all of the lies and secrets that Este left behind, or so she thought, in California. Oh, and as if that wasn't enough, there's a tropical storm closing in on her neck of the woods! Este has to race and figure out what is going on and who is behind it all! And maybe perfect Beau has some secrets of his own? Great setting and a LOT of rich people behaving VERY badly! The vibe was a little Desperate Housewives-ey and would be a perfect summer read! And as I stated, I am going back and definitely reading the first one! And while we are on the subject, there is still enough material, I feel for a Book 3! Just sayin'!
Thank you to #NetGalley, Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores and Ballantine | Bantam for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to #NetGalley, Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores and Ballantine | Bantam for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The sequel to last year’s “Happy Wife,” this book focuses on Este Walker, the next door neighbor and friend from the first one.
I had to refresh myself a bit but then I was right back into the juicy world of Winter Park, Florida. I liked the chapters from Este’a past best, as we got a great sense of how she became the person she is. Her job and early interactions with her husband were interesting.
The present day chapters took me longer to warm to. Este was immature (which actually makes sense related to her childhood) and her husband was weirdly secretive. Instead of demanding answers she just let him.. not give answers? And would be mad at him but also not do anything? It was weird. The whole murder storyline shook out strangely, though it was satisfying in the end.
What I did respect from this book is that every detail is there for a reason. Lines that seem like an observation or a throwaway all end up having meaning later. Pay attention.
Thank you BantamBooks and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
I had to refresh myself a bit but then I was right back into the juicy world of Winter Park, Florida. I liked the chapters from Este’a past best, as we got a great sense of how she became the person she is. Her job and early interactions with her husband were interesting.
The present day chapters took me longer to warm to. Este was immature (which actually makes sense related to her childhood) and her husband was weirdly secretive. Instead of demanding answers she just let him.. not give answers? And would be mad at him but also not do anything? It was weird. The whole murder storyline shook out strangely, though it was satisfying in the end.
What I did respect from this book is that every detail is there for a reason. Lines that seem like an observation or a throwaway all end up having meaning later. Pay attention.
Thank you BantamBooks and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book had everything I love in a great mystery—murder, romance, heartbreak, friendship, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. The story is told through two different timelines, which kept me completely engaged as the pieces slowly came together. Every chapter revealed just enough to keep me guessing, and the way the past and present intertwined was brilliantly done.
What really made this book stand out were the characters. Their friendships felt authentic, the love stories were heartfelt, and the moments of heartbreak hit hard. Despite the darker murder mystery at the center of the plot, the author sprinkled in witty one-liners and clever humor that provided the perfect balance and had me smiling throughout.
The pacing was excellent, the twists were surprising, and the ending was incredibly satisfying. If you enjoy mysteries with emotional depth, memorable characters, dual timelines, and a healthy dose of humor, this book is definitely worth reading. I couldn't put it down and found myself thinking about the characters long after I finished the last page.
What really made this book stand out were the characters. Their friendships felt authentic, the love stories were heartfelt, and the moments of heartbreak hit hard. Despite the darker murder mystery at the center of the plot, the author sprinkled in witty one-liners and clever humor that provided the perfect balance and had me smiling throughout.
The pacing was excellent, the twists were surprising, and the ending was incredibly satisfying. If you enjoy mysteries with emotional depth, memorable characters, dual timelines, and a healthy dose of humor, this book is definitely worth reading. I couldn't put it down and found myself thinking about the characters long after I finished the last page.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley, Balantine and Meredith Lavender & Kendall Shores for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 rounded up.
This is a sequel to "Happy Wife" and is based in the same wealthy, exclusive community in Florida. Perfect Life focuses on Este and Beau who were main side characters in Happy Wife. We don't learn a lot about them in the previous book except they are very wealthy and not accustom to this lifestyle. It did take me a minute to get back into Winter Park and remember who the characters were and what the storyline of that book was.
It is interesting piecing together Este's past (which I thought was going to be significantly juicier) and present day. There are a lot of small details that come into play as the drama unfolds.
This is a lower level mystery/thriller (my preferred type) that has you guessing and questioning everyone but your heart isn't beating out of your chest with anxiety.
3.5 rounded up.
This is a sequel to "Happy Wife" and is based in the same wealthy, exclusive community in Florida. Perfect Life focuses on Este and Beau who were main side characters in Happy Wife. We don't learn a lot about them in the previous book except they are very wealthy and not accustom to this lifestyle. It did take me a minute to get back into Winter Park and remember who the characters were and what the storyline of that book was.
It is interesting piecing together Este's past (which I thought was going to be significantly juicier) and present day. There are a lot of small details that come into play as the drama unfolds.
This is a lower level mystery/thriller (my preferred type) that has you guessing and questioning everyone but your heart isn't beating out of your chest with anxiety.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was hot and cold with this one. My fault really, as I didn't see that this was a follow-up to the authors' Happy Wife book, not a sequel per se, but in the same universe, and knowledge of the first book would have been very helpful here, as such knowledge was slow to come by.
I just had a hard time connecting to the wealthy lifestyle portrayed, the perfection alluded to in the title. Certainly illusory, but nonetheless extremely privileged.
Thriller? Hmm, not to me. Domestic drama? Closer. Romance? To a degree. This did keep my interest, but by the end I was ready for it to be over. There was a twist I didn't see coming, so kudos to the authors for that.
My biggest issue was the difficulty figuring out what had happened in the previous story -- this was very frustrating.
Would I read more from the authors? Yes, if it was a truly standalone book.
I received a complimentary e-copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.
I just had a hard time connecting to the wealthy lifestyle portrayed, the perfection alluded to in the title. Certainly illusory, but nonetheless extremely privileged.
Thriller? Hmm, not to me. Domestic drama? Closer. Romance? To a degree. This did keep my interest, but by the end I was ready for it to be over. There was a twist I didn't see coming, so kudos to the authors for that.
My biggest issue was the difficulty figuring out what had happened in the previous story -- this was very frustrating.
Would I read more from the authors? Yes, if it was a truly standalone book.
I received a complimentary e-copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I rated Perfect Life by Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores 4 stars.
The very first chapter had me hooked, and the story kept me engaged with plenty of suspense and intrigue. The authors do a great job creating tension and making you want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next.
My biggest issue wasn't with the story itself, but with how it connects to Happy Wife. While Perfect Life is not marketed as a sequel, it takes place in the same universe and repeatedly references events that occurred in Happy Wife. Because of that, I often felt like I was missing important context and found myself wishing I had read Happy Wife first.
That said, I still enjoyed the book overall and thought it was a compelling, fast-paced read. If you're planning to read both books, I would recommend starting with Happy Wife before picking up Perfect Life.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy for my honest review.
The very first chapter had me hooked, and the story kept me engaged with plenty of suspense and intrigue. The authors do a great job creating tension and making you want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next.
My biggest issue wasn't with the story itself, but with how it connects to Happy Wife. While Perfect Life is not marketed as a sequel, it takes place in the same universe and repeatedly references events that occurred in Happy Wife. Because of that, I often felt like I was missing important context and found myself wishing I had read Happy Wife first.
That said, I still enjoyed the book overall and thought it was a compelling, fast-paced read. If you're planning to read both books, I would recommend starting with Happy Wife before picking up Perfect Life.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Perfect Life by Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores. Thanks to bantam for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Este moved to Florida with her husband Beau to reinvent themselves with their money at the lakefront estates. Her secrets are now catching up with her after a high stakes murder investigation begins.
I didn’t realize this was a sequel to Happy Life, which I did not finish. You can read this as a stand alone. I liked the look at the wealthy, but also the past chapters where Este is young, starting her career, and not yet rich. She had the same job I have as well, Chief of Staff, which was fun reading about. There were a lot of twists, and it gets more exciting at the end but a lot of it was a slower burn that takes time to build up.
“Gossip isn’t sharing, and it’s not a game. It’s an arms race. Every secret demands another.”
Read this if you like:
-Corporate thrillers
-Domestic suspense
-Murder mysteries
-Inside look at the wealthy
Perfect Life comes out 7/7.
Este moved to Florida with her husband Beau to reinvent themselves with their money at the lakefront estates. Her secrets are now catching up with her after a high stakes murder investigation begins.
I didn’t realize this was a sequel to Happy Life, which I did not finish. You can read this as a stand alone. I liked the look at the wealthy, but also the past chapters where Este is young, starting her career, and not yet rich. She had the same job I have as well, Chief of Staff, which was fun reading about. There were a lot of twists, and it gets more exciting at the end but a lot of it was a slower burn that takes time to build up.
“Gossip isn’t sharing, and it’s not a game. It’s an arms race. Every secret demands another.”
Read this if you like:
-Corporate thrillers
-Domestic suspense
-Murder mysteries
-Inside look at the wealthy
Perfect Life comes out 7/7.
February 11, 2026
Este and Beau seem to have the perfect life—the perfect marriage… or maybe that’s just what they want everyone to believe. Does she truly know her husband? Can she really trust him? The twists kept coming, and I was guessing right up until the very end. The ending completely shocked me, but I loved it.
Meredith and Kendall truly know how to write a great book. From the very first page, you’re pulled in and don’t want to put it down.
I first discovered their book
Happy Wife while browsing through a bookstore one day, and I don’t think I’ve ever finished a book so quickly. I was thrilled when I learned they were releasing another novel, but even more excited when I was approved to read the eARC of their new book, Perfect Life.
Thank you NetGalley, Meredith, Kendall and Ballantine for the eARC!
Publication Date: July 7,2026
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
#PerfectLife #NetGalley.
Meredith and Kendall truly know how to write a great book. From the very first page, you’re pulled in and don’t want to put it down.
I first discovered their book
Happy Wife while browsing through a bookstore one day, and I don’t think I’ve ever finished a book so quickly. I was thrilled when I learned they were releasing another novel, but even more excited when I was approved to read the eARC of their new book, Perfect Life.
Thank you NetGalley, Meredith, Kendall and Ballantine for the eARC!
Publication Date: July 7,2026
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
#PerfectLife #NetGalley.
March 2, 2026
Perfect Life was a bit slow for me at the beginning, with my engagement low. It picked up though as I learned more about Este and Beau’s lives prior to their picturesque Winter Park Era.
I appreciated the tie in with Nora’s story. It felt like the right amount, not relying too much on an earlier story, but also not completely moving on from what hardships she experienced and is still recovering from.
Withoug giving away spoilers, there were some plot points that I did feel, in hindsight, were convenient and very lucky to have happened in order to make the case get resolved. But that thinking takes the fun out of these stories so I am working to leave them behind.
Ugh mysteries are hard to write reviews for without spoiling it!!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
I appreciated the tie in with Nora’s story. It felt like the right amount, not relying too much on an earlier story, but also not completely moving on from what hardships she experienced and is still recovering from.
Withoug giving away spoilers, there were some plot points that I did feel, in hindsight, were convenient and very lucky to have happened in order to make the case get resolved. But that thinking takes the fun out of these stories so I am working to leave them behind.
Ugh mysteries are hard to write reviews for without spoiling it!!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Este Walker seems to have the perfect marriage and the perfect life, but she’s trying desperately to hide her past and not always doing a great job of it. When tragedy strikes her perfect neighborhood, her carefully curated life begins to crumble.
As clues begin to surface, the reader gets drawn in and you won’t know who or what to trust. The novel moves between timelines - Este’s earlier life and how she transformed herself into this new Este. She isn’t always likable, but that’s why this story is so compelling. The authors do a great job both with characterization and pacing, and I found it very entertaining and enjoyable.
This fast-paced psychological thriller is filled with betrayals, lies and many unexpected twists. The second half is the star of the show, but the whole book is excellent.
As clues begin to surface, the reader gets drawn in and you won’t know who or what to trust. The novel moves between timelines - Este’s earlier life and how she transformed herself into this new Este. She isn’t always likable, but that’s why this story is so compelling. The authors do a great job both with characterization and pacing, and I found it very entertaining and enjoyable.
This fast-paced psychological thriller is filled with betrayals, lies and many unexpected twists. The second half is the star of the show, but the whole book is excellent.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★ ★ ★ ★
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:
I loved Happy Wife so much and when I saw that Perfect Life was coming out, I jumped for joy! I knew this was how I was going to enter my summer reading months. I loved this book, and NO you don't have to read Happy Wife to read this one, but it should be read because WHY NOT of course. I loved how this book has a bunch of twist and turns and we get flashbacks and a bunch of old and new characters. This book will be enjoyed by all mystery/thriller readers alike and the definitely needs to be on your summer book reading list when it comes out in July.
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Mystery, Thriller, Summer Read, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Fast Pace, Twisty
Thank you NetGalley, Ballantine / Bantam, & Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shore for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Releasing on July 07, 2026!
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:
I loved Happy Wife so much and when I saw that Perfect Life was coming out, I jumped for joy! I knew this was how I was going to enter my summer reading months. I loved this book, and NO you don't have to read Happy Wife to read this one, but it should be read because WHY NOT of course. I loved how this book has a bunch of twist and turns and we get flashbacks and a bunch of old and new characters. This book will be enjoyed by all mystery/thriller readers alike and the definitely needs to be on your summer book reading list when it comes out in July.
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Mystery, Thriller, Summer Read, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Fast Pace, Twisty
Thank you NetGalley, Ballantine / Bantam, & Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shore for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Releasing on July 07, 2026!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Once again, Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores return us to the world of wealth and privilege in Winter Park, Florida. And, this will come as no surprise, someone is murdered. Welcome to the life of Este Walker, a woman with secrets on top of secrets. After abandoning her life in California—why would she do that?—Este comes to Florida to reinvent herself. Now married and settled into an existence marked by wealth and comfort, life is good. Until the shocking murder rocks her exclusive community. Her past comes calling, and she no longer knows who to trust, including her own husband.
Wonderful characters, plot twist galore, and a pace that will keep readers on their toes are the hallmarks of PERFECT LIFE, the excellent followup to their popular debut thriller HAPPY WIFE. Don’t miss this one.
Wonderful characters, plot twist galore, and a pace that will keep readers on their toes are the hallmarks of PERFECT LIFE, the excellent followup to their popular debut thriller HAPPY WIFE. Don’t miss this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved Happy Wife, so I couldn't wait to return to the drama filled world of Winter Park, and Perfect Life did not disappoint!
This time, the spotlight shifts to Este and Beau, who were side characters in the first book. I'm so glad they got their own story because they're far more interesting than they first appeared and completely worthy of center stage.
I was hooked from start to finish as more secrets unraveled and the twists kept coming. Packed with murder, deception, and plenty of messy millionaire drama, this was a fast paced thriller that kept me turning the pages late into the night.
Fans of Freida McFadden and Alice Feeney will definitely want to add this one to their TBR. And if the authors decide to revisit Winter Park again, I'll be first in line because I'm convinced there are still plenty more secrets hiding behind those perfect lakefront estates.
This time, the spotlight shifts to Este and Beau, who were side characters in the first book. I'm so glad they got their own story because they're far more interesting than they first appeared and completely worthy of center stage.
I was hooked from start to finish as more secrets unraveled and the twists kept coming. Packed with murder, deception, and plenty of messy millionaire drama, this was a fast paced thriller that kept me turning the pages late into the night.
Fans of Freida McFadden and Alice Feeney will definitely want to add this one to their TBR. And if the authors decide to revisit Winter Park again, I'll be first in line because I'm convinced there are still plenty more secrets hiding behind those perfect lakefront estates.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Beau and Este have the perfect life. Living off of Beau's billionaire payout for selling his tech startup, they have everything they could ever want. But Este's past seems to find her, people end up dead and Beau seems to be hiding something.
This was the perfect summer thriller. The characters are interesting and I love the neighborhood dynamic. I didn't read the first book in this series and for the most part it didn't matter. I was able to enjoy the story without it.
However, there were parts of the book, Happy Wife, that were referred to and I would have made the story even more engaging if I had. Also, if you want to read Happy Wife, make sure you read it first because the twist was revealed in this book.
I overall really enjoyed this book and the writing style. I would just recommend reading the series in order to get the most out of it.
This was the perfect summer thriller. The characters are interesting and I love the neighborhood dynamic. I didn't read the first book in this series and for the most part it didn't matter. I was able to enjoy the story without it.
However, there were parts of the book, Happy Wife, that were referred to and I would have made the story even more engaging if I had. Also, if you want to read Happy Wife, make sure you read it first because the twist was revealed in this book.
I overall really enjoyed this book and the writing style. I would just recommend reading the series in order to get the most out of it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Este Walker thinks she's found the perfect life: a wonderful husband, a beautiful new house, more money that she can spend, and good friends. But then, one of her best friends gets murdered and it starting to look like her husband may have been the murderer and at the same time, someone from her past shows up asking questions she doesn't want to think about. This is a quick read, maybe for the beach with a glass of wine. For me, this book took a while to get going, but I did enjoy it after about the first 10%. I liked the side characters more than the main characters, who just didn't seem like very nice/good people. The flashbacks to Este's life in CA, didn't work for me, they were too drawn out. I wanted to know more about her neighbors and the people in her new hometown. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in return for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“Perfect Life” by Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores focuses on Este who flies to Winter Park, Florida for a fresh start with her husband, Beau, but her California secrets are determined to follow her, especially after she becomes involved in a murder investigation in her new home.
There are plenty of novels about rich people behaving badly, but not many with such a relatable protagonist as Este. I thought the story moved at a lively clip with a few unexpected twists that make the outcome so much more satisfying.
I had not read the previous novel, “Happy Wife,” (which focuses on Nora, Este’s dear friend) but I now want to.
Thanks to the authors, the publisher, and Net Galley for a chance to read and review this novel.
There are plenty of novels about rich people behaving badly, but not many with such a relatable protagonist as Este. I thought the story moved at a lively clip with a few unexpected twists that make the outcome so much more satisfying.
I had not read the previous novel, “Happy Wife,” (which focuses on Nora, Este’s dear friend) but I now want to.
Thanks to the authors, the publisher, and Net Galley for a chance to read and review this novel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews