The Senator's Wife

Liv Constantine is always good for a psychological thriller. I was excited to get to read this one early!
Sloane is married to Senator Robert Chase, and they life is happy. Extreme wealth, lots of properties, with a foundation they run. Their friends, Senator Whit and Peg Montgomery have a contentious marriage, with Peg accusing Whit of infidelity. When both Robert and Peg are killed, Whit and Sloane find comfort in each other. However, Sloane has lupus and must have hip replacement surgery, so they hire beautiful Athena as a health care aid. As Sloane becomes increasingly sicker and isolated, you wonder what secret Athena is keeping.
This was a good premise, and I wasn't surprised at all by the reveal at the end, but I absolutely show more didn't believe the Whit/Athena relationship. There is no way someone like Whit would confide in Athena the way he did.
Otherwise, I enjoyed this juicy thriller. show less

This was my first Liv Constantine thriller, and it definitely won’t be my last! The Senator’s Wife kept me engaged the entire time, as I wondered what would happen next and hoped someone would save Sloane in the end. I found the storyline fascinating, especially since I love reading about the drama among the wealthy; the fact that the characters were politicians made it even more intriguing. I was shocked by the twists and turns at the end that I did not see coming at all. Granted, I don't read many thrillers, so it might not have been revolutionary to someone who does, but it truly caught me off guard. I can’t wait to read more novels by the Constantine sisters and highly recommend The Senator's Wife to anyone who loves show more thrillers.

4.75 Stars show less

Sloane’s husband has been shot and killed by his own cousin. She struggles to overcome this tragedy. She eventually falls in love and marries her husband’s best friend, Senator Whit Montgomery. All is well until Sloane has to have hip surgery. Sloane starts to deteriorate or is there something else at play?!?!

Sloane is in a mess. She is hallucinating…or is she? This surgery has flared up her lupus, or has it? These are all the questions floating through the reader’s mind. Talk about twisting and turning!

This is a rock solid thriller/suspense read. However, I did figure it all out but it was still a wild ride! This story moves like lightning! And I loved Sloane. She does not go down easy and she takes no prisoners!

Need a good show more twisted tale of power and greed…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. show less

I may have been generous with my rating. I do love this writing duo, but I found this book disappointing, and I hope they change direction and bring a fresh, original, and more sophisticated plot to their next endeavor.

If you are fond of Gaslight (George Cukor 1944), this book might be for you. There is nothing subtle about the gaslighting in the story, and even the victim (an allegedly strong and capable character) is aware of what is going on and yet, allows herself to be manipulated - to the bitter end. The plot is so predictable and the motive crystal clear, even if the authors do not expressly state the motive until the last pages of the novel.

Senator One and his Wife, Sloane, are on a holiday with Senator Two, Whit, and his wife show more (Senator One's cousin) - the latter two are in the throes of a turbulent marital conflict. Senator One intervenes in an attempt to help and reason with the warring couple. Senator Two describes the circumstances of a tragic "accident" whereby both Senator One and his cousin meet their maker.

Sloane and Whit marry less than one year after the deaths of their respective spouses. Soon thereafter, Sloane's health begins to deteriorate at an alarming pace. Whit is no Charles Boyer and Sloane no Ingrid Bergman - and the gaslighting was far less sinister than the film. The slow poisoning added nothing but a curious conundrum to the plot. Just how long will law enforcement tarry when a person's life is on the line? I think I would have enjoyed the novel more without the deus ex machina ending.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review. I am sorry that this book disappointed and I look forward to this Writing Duo's return with a future great novel. show less

The Senator's Wife by Liv Constantine is a highly recommended psychological thriller. Set disbelief aside and this one is a rollicking good time.

After their spouses are killed two tears earlier, D.C. philanthropist Sloane Chase and Senator Whit Montgomery are marrying and moving on. The only drawback is that Sloane's Lupus has had a flare up and she need to have a hip replacement. They hire a home health aide, Athena Karras, to assist Sloane in recovery and running her foundation. The only question that clearly arises is whether Athena is helping Sloane or harming her.

Chapters are told through the point-of-view of Sloane, Whit, and Athena. It needs to be said again that you need to set disbelief aside. Just roll with the plot and the show more actions of the characters in order to enjoy the narrative. Both Whit and Athena will clearly be suspect in Sloane's delayed recovery. The plot is a slow-burner, and full of outlandish developments, but it still moves quickly in the same way that a soap opera moves along, holding your attention. There is nothing hidden to uncover or carefully pay attention to here, but there is a whole lot of scheming and subterfuge going on. Careful readers will know exactly where this one is going, but those looking for escapism and thrills will enjoy it. The final twist is epic and fans will be elated.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Random House via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2023/05/the-senators-wife.html show less

Cleverly written, this fast-paced political thriller in DC is bound to turn pages.

Two couples socialize together: Senator Robert and Sloane Chase, and Senator Whit and Peg Montgomery. Peg drinks more than she should as she accuses her “pig and a bastard” husband, Whit, of having an affair while they are together at the Chase vacation house. When she wakes up angry the next morning, she pulls a gun on him but misses. She instead kills Robert and then she pulls the trigger on herself.

Two years later, it’s no surprise that Sloane and Whit are in love and get married. Sloane has incredible wealth and this should mean great comfort for the couple and in politics. But when there’s money, there are also complications. She has lupus show more and needs hip surgery. The couple hires the pretty Athena who seems perfect to help out. But can she be trusted when anything can happen?

I started reading this late in the evening which wasn’t the best idea as it was hard to stop at 3:00 in the morning when I was only halfway. The chapters are relatively short and has the readers on the edge. Each one alters with five character’s points of view which works. There’s no stopping with the suspense.

There’s an incredible buildup to a surprising ending. I thought I knew what was going to come about but it was one of those blown-away moments. It would be an interesting book club review with the influence of big money, a major medical diagnosis and relationships.

My thanks to Bantam Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of May 23, 2023. show less

Sloane Chase is happily married to Robert, but unfortunately, she suffers from an autoimmune disease called lupus. However, her condition, much like rheumatoid arthritis, can be managed with medication and a healthy lifestyle. Sloane's life takes a tragic turn when Robert and his cousin, Peg, are shot and killed in a confrontation with Peg's husband, Whit, who survives.

Fast forward two years: Sloane marries Whit. This part of the story troubled me. How could a widow who was so in love with her first husband remarry after just a few years, and choose someone connected to her husband's accidental death? In Sloane's defense, Whit is very attractive and also a senator, which helps him quickly win over his new wife.

I can't say much more show more without revealing spoilers, but the plot is more complex than it initially appears. As the story unfolds, the author introduces numerous surprises. I found this book to be an engaging political thriller with a well-crafted ending. show less