Misconception: A Novella

by Liv Constantine

From the best-selling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish and Audible Original The First Shot comes an edge-of-your-seat novella of two women, the shocking betrayal that drove them apart, and a sinister secret that could change everything.  Iris Thomas thought she'd never have to see Sasha Everett again after Sasha seduced her husband and broke up their marriage in a devastating betrayal. But as luck would have it, when Iris' stepdaughter, Molly, and Sasha's daughter, Bailey, wind up in the same second-grade class at an elite private school in Los Angeles, they form an instant bond and force the two women back into each other's lives.  Iris wants to put the past behind her and support Molly, but as time goes on, she suspects that Sasha may be guilty of something even worse than adultery―of a crime so sinister, no one besides Iris thinks it's possible. But Sasha's fooled Iris once before. This time, can she uncover the truth before it's too late? 

Genres: Audiobook, Novella, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Short Stories

Audio CD

First published May 22, 2022

About the author

Liv 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

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this story was somewhat unbelievable, I really enjoyed it. It’s fast paced and extremely entertaining. The main twist was predictable, but didn’t hinder my interest. The narration added a layer of mystery and intrigue. If you’re looking for a quick, soapy and entertaining listen, this is for you. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Tamar...playing hooky for a few hours today · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a disappointment - it was so predictable that it was embarrassing. I dropped down to plus audible only, over a year ago and I still have five book credits that I haven't used. What can I say. I love my libraries and rarely find something on audible that I can't find at the library. Now, I find myself scouring the plus catalog to find a gem and instead find that I've already read most of the ones worth reading. This writing duo is one of my favorites but the novella was just meh.

May 29th - hahahaha - I totally missed the punny title...that might be the cutest thing about this story🤣🤣🤣 the whole story stems (no pun intended) on assisted reproductive technology

[Tania · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I enjoyed this free audible original of just under three hours. I didn't see the twist coming and I really disliked the one character, I can't believe that actual people can be this despicable, but who knows maybe I've just been lucky to never have met anyone like this.

Unfortunately, the narration of the non-evil character bugged me - it felt excessive and distracted from the actual story.

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, what a tangled web we weave,
When we first decide to conceive.
------------------------------

This thriller novella about an unscrupulous female fertility doctor required a huge suspension of disbelief.

Yet, it was pacey, entertaining, and unputdownable.

I listened to the 3-hour audiobook read by Adrienne Patino Dunn and Amanda Dolan.

Both narrators did a superb job with the narration.

This audiobook was an Audible Original freebie from Audible Plus.

I especially loved the book's title.

You'll have to listen to the book to discover why.

4.5 stars

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

After lately having read a few novels that took a long time to get into and which seemed to drag on to fill up time, it's refreshing again to listen to a liv Constantine novel, engaging and well-paced.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a story where the plot was way too easy to guess ahead of time. After all the build-up, I hated the ending. I didn't find it at all believable or feasible. If Iris was that determined to get answers, why would she just walk away from doing anything once she had those answers? The book's plot has been played out in different ways in real life, but was still an interesting enough story. It definitely shows what some people will do to get what they want.

[Perm Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is my personal 5 star rating system because I’m too lazy to write a review for every book.

5 stars -> OMFG. I couldn’t stop listening. I was engaged from beginning to end. The story & narrator was amazing. I 100% recommend this book & author. I was able to clearly follow each and every character.

4 stars -> It was pretty good. I would’ve rated 5 stars, But either the ending was lacking, I struggled to keep up with characters, or the story didn’t keep me fully engaged. The narrator was pretty good as well. I’m on the fence about recommending this book, It could go either way.

3 Stars -> It was boring at times & I missed chunks of the story. I most likely struggled to keep up with character developments. The only way I would recommend this book is if it was part of a series. The narrator was most likely average or just couldn’t fix a mediocre book.

2 Stars -> It was pretty horrible. I used it as background noise because I hadn’t had a chance to search for another book. The book either had a bad narrator, The character development was non existent, or the story was hot garbage. I would not recommend this book.

1 Star -> The absolute only reason I listened to this book was because i had no time to search for another one & I needed background noise. It was 1 step up from listening to the radio. I wouldn’t recommend this book to my worst enemy. Everything about this book was terrible. This is only recommended for people on death row and have absolutely nothing else to read.

[Katrina (rusticpages) · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating: 2.5/5

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short novella that fits right into the category Liv Constantine is best known for - thrillers. So much in such a short period of time, and ooooof what a ride. I don’t want to say too much without giving the story away, but the dual POV lead you right to the conclusion. Def recommend!

[Nurse Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great novella based around an infertile mother whose husband leaves her for her fertility doctor. This twisted tale will keep you wondering what is real and what is illusion!! A great palate cleanser!

[Christina Rothfusz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Iris is forced to deal with her ex-husband and he's new wife Sasha when her step daughter becomes best friends with their daughter. A difficult situation is made worse as Sasha was her fertility doctor and became pregnant while Iris was still in treatment.

But whose child is this little girl who looks so much like Iris really.

An easy enough listen and short but very predictable.

[Vicki Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story with big, juicy drama. Ex wives, adultery and infertility abound in this one. An entertaining read on audio! The narration was excellent.

[Marion Schloemer · Rating 2 out of 5]

UGH. I think this was a freebie in the Audible catalog. Still, I want my money back! Only thing worse than the stilted narration was what I can only loosely describe as a plot. It was so predictable and contrived that I kept imagining a 17-year-old writing this novella as an assignment for their English class. Packed with clichés and tired dialogue, you could see the ending coming from about 20% in. It really did not take long to know exactly what the big surprise was going to be, and how it would turn out. Saccharine sweet, with some severely weird elements that just wouldn’t pass the smell test.

☠️SPOILER ☠️

For example: once it is revealed that Sasha stole the fertilized egg and had it implanted into herself, the child’s BIOLOGICAL father decided that it would be a good idea to give up all parental rights and the biological mother retains FULL custody. Of a seven-year-old. Who has now just lost both her mother and her father. No judge in America would award sole custody to the biological mother in this case. Especially since the father actually loved the child. I can suspend judgment on a lot of things, but that was just total bullshit.

[Sonica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and sweet novella by the dynamic duo - Liv Constantine. A tale of two women who would do anything for love but at what cost? This was an entertaining listen and in true Liv Constantine fashion, there were twists and turns that will keep you on edge. Loved it and highly recommend if you’re looking for something quick to listen to.

[Alyssa Theile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this one for a free read. Short and sweet for an easy listen and juicy and dark!!

[BookWormBecky · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2

**My latest giveaway win! Thanks to @suzyapprovedbookreviews for this novella. **


Betrayal, bond, sinister…

Iris and Sasha have a checkered past. Sasha entrapped Iris’ husband and then married him eight years ago. Iris has remarried. Now Iris’ stepdaughter and Sasha’s daughter, both 7yo, are inseparable at their elite private school in LA. One can imagine why Iris wishes this wasn’t the case!

Sasha has an indifferent attitude toward many. Iris begins to suspect Sasha of some really crazy actions/ideas. Is what she’s thinking even a possibility or just a ludicrous idea?




*Short n sweet - only 116 pages! I read it in a few hours! I remained curious to see what would happen in the storyline.

*Have read 3 other books by these authors & would now like to read The Next Mrs Parrish in June.

* One female character was sure nasty, manipulative, & conniving! A delicious story to read even when she was so unpleasant!

[Gina Torn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a few books by these lovely ladies and I’ve loved them all! I actually won this book from a email list giveaway!

Iris finds her new, young stepdaughter, Molly, becoming best friends with Bailey. She has no problem with the girls friendship, it’s Bailey’s parents she can’t stand. Bailey’s father is Iris’s Hollywood actor ex-husband. Their marriage broke up after years of failed infertility and now he is re-married to a renowned Los Angeles doctor. However, the more time Iris spends with Bailey the more she can’t help but see a resemblance…could it be possible?

This novella was such a fast read and I very much enjoyed it! I read it in 2.5 hours. I will say, as someone struggling with infertility some parts were tough to read but we just need to be positive and keep moving forward!

[Kristin Scearce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad novella, though quite predictable at times. The narrator who does Iris's chapters was over the top in various spots, like someone reading to children and overexaggerating the difference voices and such, which was a bit annoying, but eventually it evened out (or I got used to it, anyway), and I was still able to enjoy the story regardless. I loved Sasha's narrator; I could really feel what the character was dealing with at any given moment, and it made me both love and hate her.

I'm definitely interested in reading more by this author (technically authors), though I might skip the audiobook version(s) depending on the narrator and just read off the page.

3.5 stars

[Gemini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sinister

This read like a ridiculous Lifetime movie. Just like their movies, the foolishness sucks you in because it’s so entertaining. The plot toed the line of being believable, but I couldn’t wait to see how it would unfold. Sasha was a hot mess! I loved when the skeletons in her closet were exposed. The men in the book were so gullible and goofy. It was comical. This was a quick, fun listen. I’m glad I gave it a shot.

[Bethany Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and quick listen but it was a bit predictable and didn’t have that huge twist that usually comes from these authors. With that said, still super entertaining and an easy listen.

[Marcy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope 👎🏽

[Kacy❁ · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a waste of 3 hours. Terrible story, shallow characters, uninteresting, and anyone could guess that damn ending a mile away.

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read and even though I guessed the twist, I still wanted to finish the story and see it played out.

[Jacqueline Mosko · Rating 1 out of 5]

Predictable, repetitive, but mildly entertaining

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I 100% would have rated this higher if the horrible character hadn’t basically gotten away with it in the end!

[Michele Kurtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third book by Liv Constantine, I loved every minute of this book and look forward to reading more of their books 📚

[Rebecca Zenkert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this! I found myself knowing the ending very early in the book, but that didn't change how much I enjoyed seeing the story play out.

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

While some parts were a stretch and outlandish at times, the story did move along.