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The Wife at the Window
The little boy runs into the kitchen in his pajamas. He is swept up into a hug and gorgeous auburn hair falls across his face. I shiver, staring through the glass, my cheeks wet with tears as I gaze at the beautiful woman holding my son. That should be me. It will be me again.
We were the perfect family once. Shep, my handsome husband. My darling little boy… and our tiny baby girl. The night she died I lost everything. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I would never, ever have hurt her. I was trying to save her. But nobody believed me.
So, I can only watch through the rain-streaked window as Shep’s new girlfriend plays mother to my son. Hugs him, holds him. Does he even remember me?
Now I am finally out of the hospital, I will make sure everyone knows what really happened. I will get my son back. The doctors might say my nightmares are dangerous…
But the woman in the window has been planning to take my place for a long time. And she doesn’t know how far I will go to protect my family…
An absolutely gripping psychological thriller with a killer twist that will keep you up all night! Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, A.R. Torre and The Girl on the Train.
We were the perfect family once. Shep, my handsome husband. My darling little boy… and our tiny baby girl. The night she died I lost everything. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I would never, ever have hurt her. I was trying to save her. But nobody believed me.
So, I can only watch through the rain-streaked window as Shep’s new girlfriend plays mother to my son. Hugs him, holds him. Does he even remember me?
Now I am finally out of the hospital, I will make sure everyone knows what really happened. I will get my son back. The doctors might say my nightmares are dangerous…
But the woman in the window has been planning to take my place for a long time. And she doesn’t know how far I will go to protect my family…
An absolutely gripping psychological thriller with a killer twist that will keep you up all night! Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, A.R. Torre and The Girl on the Train.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 17, 2024
512 people are currently reading
406 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
June 3, 2024
I've enjoyed Cara Reinard's books for many years, and when I noticed the new one via NetGalley, I took a chance and was lucky enough to be awarded an early copy. Great news! I am mostly caught up in my TBR this quarter, so I was able to read it this week. A suspenseful drama about two women who tell readers their stories... one is a mother who may have accidentally killed her infant during a (un)real home invasion -- no one believes she was attacked. The other woman, the new woman in the husband's life who is raising the couple's son. The former wife is released from an institution and the ex wants to believe she will be okay around their son, but his new partner won't allow anyone to take her son away. She's a little obsessive... and as the plot unfolds, we learn what really happened almost two years earlier during the infant's death. Wow! Lots going on... enjoyed the premise. I did not like either of the characters. The former wife was childish and oddly distant. I couldn't get close enough to her to root for her to win. I was fairly certain she had been taken advantage of, but she also came across as if she perhaps was so immature, she shouldn't have had children nor been given so much flexibility with her release. I toed the line between the psychological damage done by being attacking, thinking you killed your infant, and being put in an institution vs. pre-event personality when maybe she was different. Then... the new girlfriend, wow... why did the husband see anything in her? It was as if she was intent on hurting the family. As the details unfold, so much more comes out, and the connections were very tightly weaved. So... I loved the plot and the writing, but the characters didn't sit well with me so I couldn't feel as strong a connection as was needed. Still a big Reinard fan!
September 7, 2024
Will you be Team Emerson or Team Talia? Both women are in a battle with love being the reward. Throughout the book, I was torn between who was the victim and who was the villain. The narration masterfully brought the characters to life adding emotion and intensity to this layered and compelling story. The ending had me on the edge of my seat with a conclusion I never predicted. Shocking, heartbreaking, and compelling describe this twisted tale. Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for my audiobook.
June 8, 2024
This high quality audio continues the pov trend focusing on the mother and the acting mother. The narration us spot on and I was able to distinguish characters.
The story itself had me gripped as I fed enough about the characters to care what happen. The very elaborate subplots added to it on a bizarre way. I loved every second of it. My only criticism was I wanted more for the ending as I felt there was lots of loose ending. I would highly recommend this to anyone. It was a binge lusten.
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrator.
The story itself had me gripped as I fed enough about the characters to care what happen. The very elaborate subplots added to it on a bizarre way. I loved every second of it. My only criticism was I wanted more for the ending as I felt there was lots of loose ending. I would highly recommend this to anyone. It was a binge lusten.
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrator.
June 12, 2024
I felt like it dragged at times but overall not a bad read.
May 6, 2024
Someone wants it all and when they have it, they will do anything to keep it at any cost.
There is someone out for revenge and when they feel the time is right, they go for it.
They don't take any prisoners. Those who suffer in the process, are considered collateral damage.
It's you against the world, because nobody believes you. When you need them the most, there is always that one friend who will have your back.
I felt terribly sorry for Emmerson and I disliked Shep very much. He really is one selfish so and so.
The author created a great story I enjoyed reading very much. I was very pleased that, in the end, everybody got what they deserved. 5 stars
Thank you
There is someone out for revenge and when they feel the time is right, they go for it.
They don't take any prisoners. Those who suffer in the process, are considered collateral damage.
It's you against the world, because nobody believes you. When you need them the most, there is always that one friend who will have your back.
I felt terribly sorry for Emmerson and I disliked Shep very much. He really is one selfish so and so.
The author created a great story I enjoyed reading very much. I was very pleased that, in the end, everybody got what they deserved. 5 stars
Thank you
June 12, 2024
This audiobook was made available for me to listen to and review by Cara Reinard, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley.
This is a domestic thriller that had me in a chokehold while listening to. I literally stayed up past my bedtime yawning while I finished this. I was legit bummed I didn't have the book because I read considerably faster than I listen. I needed to know what happened!
This has dual pov characters Emerson who is the ex-wife of Shep, mom of Leo and the late Thea and has recently been released from a mental institution associated with the prison. Emerson was blamed for the death of Thea during what she remembers as a break in but there wasn't evidence and almost no one believes her.
The other pov character is Talia. Talia is Shep's current live in girlfriend and Leo's current mother figure. Talia was after Shep before Emerson was no longer in the picture. The issue here is Talia trying to protect Leo or steal him?
This has a great base plot. It's very tightly written and the reveals are well played. Yet once the action stops and the plot is revealed it feels a bit far fetched and none of the characters, besides Leo, are likeable. I like this author and will definitely read another book by her in the future.
The narrators of this audiobook are Lauryn Allman and Amelia Sciandra. As always I adore when audiobooks have individual narrators for each pov character. Both narrators have voices that convey emotion well.
Thank you to Cara Reinard, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
This is a domestic thriller that had me in a chokehold while listening to. I literally stayed up past my bedtime yawning while I finished this. I was legit bummed I didn't have the book because I read considerably faster than I listen. I needed to know what happened!
This has dual pov characters Emerson who is the ex-wife of Shep, mom of Leo and the late Thea and has recently been released from a mental institution associated with the prison. Emerson was blamed for the death of Thea during what she remembers as a break in but there wasn't evidence and almost no one believes her.
The other pov character is Talia. Talia is Shep's current live in girlfriend and Leo's current mother figure. Talia was after Shep before Emerson was no longer in the picture. The issue here is Talia trying to protect Leo or steal him?
This has a great base plot. It's very tightly written and the reveals are well played. Yet once the action stops and the plot is revealed it feels a bit far fetched and none of the characters, besides Leo, are likeable. I like this author and will definitely read another book by her in the future.
The narrators of this audiobook are Lauryn Allman and Amelia Sciandra. As always I adore when audiobooks have individual narrators for each pov character. Both narrators have voices that convey emotion well.
Thank you to Cara Reinard, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
May 13, 2024
This is an intriguing story about a mother who is released from a mental health hospital after a tragic accident that caused the death of her baby girl. She firmly believes that someone was present on the night of the accident, but no one believes her. The story captures your attention and hooks you in. Emerson is held responsible for the accident and is hospitalized. Later on, she is released, but Shep Emerson's ex-husband's new girlfriend, Talia, is determined to prevent Emerson from seeing her son, Leo, ever again. The main characters are well-developed, and there are also secondary characters who are equally intriguing... Overall, it was a decent read with a surprising twist at the end.
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC.
July 7, 2024
This domestic thriller had lots of drama and suspense, which made it very enjoyable. The story develops through dual POVs - Emerson who is the mom of Leo and his deceased sister Thea as well the ex-wife to Shep, and Talia, Shep's new live-in girlfriend who has taken to Leo like he is her own. Talia has been after Shep since before Emerson was out of the picture. Can Talia be trusted? Can Emerson? Who has Leo's best interests at heart?
Despite a slight lull in the middle, I really enjoyed the plot and thought it was different from the typical domestic thrillers out there. There was great character development. I truly disliked Talia, but I was rooting for Emerson the entire way through the book. This book had a very solid ending, and the twists throughout the book were great. The twist at the end was jaw dropping!
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Despite a slight lull in the middle, I really enjoyed the plot and thought it was different from the typical domestic thrillers out there. There was great character development. I truly disliked Talia, but I was rooting for Emerson the entire way through the book. This book had a very solid ending, and the twists throughout the book were great. The twist at the end was jaw dropping!
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 27, 2024
Emerson will do anything to gain back custody of her son (and possibly her ex-husband too), but his new girlfriend, Talia, will do anything to make sure that doesn’t happen.
I enjoyed this story, we get first person pov from Emerson but third person from Talia. I wish both had been first, I love being inside the character’s mind! The middle part of the book was slightly boring to me, a bunch of work talk about projects they were doing that I had no interest in and zoned out every time it was mentioned. Overall a great story and I did not guess the ending!
Read if you love:
-love triangles
-memory loss trope
-workplace drama
-dual POV
4 ⭐️
Read the trigger warnings for this one! Some heavy subjects are discussed.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC! Pub date 6.17.24
I enjoyed this story, we get first person pov from Emerson but third person from Talia. I wish both had been first, I love being inside the character’s mind! The middle part of the book was slightly boring to me, a bunch of work talk about projects they were doing that I had no interest in and zoned out every time it was mentioned. Overall a great story and I did not guess the ending!
Read if you love:
-love triangles
-memory loss trope
-workplace drama
-dual POV
4 ⭐️
Read the trigger warnings for this one! Some heavy subjects are discussed.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC! Pub date 6.17.24
June 13, 2024
This book is a solid 3.5 stars.
Freshly out of the hospital, Emerson is determined to do everything she can to get her son back. But her ex-husband Shep has a new girlfriend who is determined to do everything in her power to keep that from happening. Just how far is Talia willing to go to make sure she stays as Leo's mother and Emerson is gone forever?
**The following may have spoilers, so proceed with caution.**
Five things I enjoyed about the book:
1. Emerson's struggles with life after the incident was written (mostly) well. It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows; she had good days and bad days. And she didn't always make the best choices, but she owned her flaws. It was refreshing to not have a generically perfect woman as the female main character.
2. Some twists were twisty. I figured out the main twist earlier on, but the journey was satisfying enough.
3. The moment Talia realized she had made the wrong decision was SO satisfying. She thought she was better and she knew best, but really, she's the one who caused all the harm.
4. Emerson telling off Shep in the end. SO SATISFYING. He is a fuckwit, honestly.
5. Brooks and Emerson's friendship. It was a bit odd and he's definitely shifty, but it was nice seeing her have someone who was 100000000% in her corner.
Five things I didn't enjoy about the book:
1. Talia. Do I need to say more? She was a horrendous character from her first page. I don't know what Shep saw in her. Her weird obsession with wanting Shep and Leo to be *hers* was so weird. There should've at least been a reason for it, but she just *wanted* them. BUT WHY? Also, I can't get behind a woman who knowingly goes after a married man.
2. There were a lot of times throughout the book where it was soooo slow. Mainly in Talia's POV, especially in the beginning. The book didn't pick up, from her POV, until at least 70%.
3. The ending felt rushed. The bad person's reasons for everything felt flimsy, especially after all this time. How did they get where they did? Some things didn't add up.
4. The hospital scene at the very end was nothing but an info dump. We got explanations for everything and told everything in a matter of a few pages, but we didn't get to see the resolution of these revelations. The book just... ends. It feels unfinished.
5. We didn't get to see Emerson's HEA. I needed to see her reunited with Leo. That was the entire point of the book, and we didn't even get to see it. I felt cheated.
The narration of the book was great. Lauryn Allman and Amelia Sciandra really brought Emerson and Talia to life.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for an audio ARC of this title.
Freshly out of the hospital, Emerson is determined to do everything she can to get her son back. But her ex-husband Shep has a new girlfriend who is determined to do everything in her power to keep that from happening. Just how far is Talia willing to go to make sure she stays as Leo's mother and Emerson is gone forever?
**The following may have spoilers, so proceed with caution.**
Five things I enjoyed about the book:
1. Emerson's struggles with life after the incident was written (mostly) well. It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows; she had good days and bad days. And she didn't always make the best choices, but she owned her flaws. It was refreshing to not have a generically perfect woman as the female main character.
2. Some twists were twisty. I figured out the main twist earlier on, but the journey was satisfying enough.
3. The moment Talia realized she had made the wrong decision was SO satisfying. She thought she was better and she knew best, but really, she's the one who caused all the harm.
4. Emerson telling off Shep in the end. SO SATISFYING. He is a fuckwit, honestly.
5. Brooks and Emerson's friendship. It was a bit odd and he's definitely shifty, but it was nice seeing her have someone who was 100000000% in her corner.
Five things I didn't enjoy about the book:
1. Talia. Do I need to say more? She was a horrendous character from her first page. I don't know what Shep saw in her. Her weird obsession with wanting Shep and Leo to be *hers* was so weird. There should've at least been a reason for it, but she just *wanted* them. BUT WHY? Also, I can't get behind a woman who knowingly goes after a married man.
2. There were a lot of times throughout the book where it was soooo slow. Mainly in Talia's POV, especially in the beginning. The book didn't pick up, from her POV, until at least 70%.
3. The ending felt rushed. The bad person's reasons for everything felt flimsy, especially after all this time. How did they get where they did? Some things didn't add up.
4. The hospital scene at the very end was nothing but an info dump. We got explanations for everything and told everything in a matter of a few pages, but we didn't get to see the resolution of these revelations. The book just... ends. It feels unfinished.
5. We didn't get to see Emerson's HEA. I needed to see her reunited with Leo. That was the entire point of the book, and we didn't even get to see it. I felt cheated.
The narration of the book was great. Lauryn Allman and Amelia Sciandra really brought Emerson and Talia to life.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for an audio ARC of this title.
June 17, 2024
Happy publication day 🎉🥳
Content warning, and an explanation of a condition 👏👏 We need so much more of this!
Emerson is the wife left behind in a mental hospital, after a night terror caused Emerson to be running down stairs away from the man who haunts her dreams and falling with infant Thea, the fall killed the baby.
Approaching her release, she starts to visit her old home, desperate to catch a glimpse of her son Leo, she spots the new step mom Talia shouting at the child that she loves so dearly, but she dare not approach the house, it’ll jeopardise her access to her son when she’s released.
Talia is a real piece of work, on the surface she loves the child, and she’ll do anything to keep Emerson away from him, quite literally anything, but all she really wants is to keep a firm grip on Shep, Shep is placid and keen Emerson to rekindle the bond with their son. Talia can’t let that happen, and she definitely can’t lose Shep, she pulls some nasty tricks to get in the way. I despised Talia, for every single second of the story.
After Emerson is released she must meet with a therapist and prove that she’s been 30 days episode free before she can have supervised access to her son, when the order goes through Talia ramps up evil bitch mode to a whole new level, and everything takes a sinister turn, it also takes Emerson on a trip back to her childhood summer house where a devastating event started the night terrors.
I don’t love the mental health trope that seems to play out in a lot of psychological thrillers, however as I mentioned at the start, there is a trigger warning, but the author also goes into a great explanation of night terrors,
we learn that it’s normally a childhood disorder, there are links to some mental health issues, but no scientific proof as such, she gives a clear explanation of sleep stages and the points where night terrors normally present. This probably earned the novel an extra star for me.
Some of the content is distressing in the novel, but it’s been carefully crafted in my opinion and I feel it could easily sit somewhere between, thriller/psychological thriller and horror/paranormal.
The dual narration by Lauryn Allman and Amelia Sciandra was really well performed and definitely added to the tension and drama.
I couldn’t find anything not to like, it had me invested so it’s an easy 5 🌟
Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this alc.
All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends
Content warning, and an explanation of a condition 👏👏 We need so much more of this!
Emerson is the wife left behind in a mental hospital, after a night terror caused Emerson to be running down stairs away from the man who haunts her dreams and falling with infant Thea, the fall killed the baby.
Approaching her release, she starts to visit her old home, desperate to catch a glimpse of her son Leo, she spots the new step mom Talia shouting at the child that she loves so dearly, but she dare not approach the house, it’ll jeopardise her access to her son when she’s released.
Talia is a real piece of work, on the surface she loves the child, and she’ll do anything to keep Emerson away from him, quite literally anything, but all she really wants is to keep a firm grip on Shep, Shep is placid and keen Emerson to rekindle the bond with their son. Talia can’t let that happen, and she definitely can’t lose Shep, she pulls some nasty tricks to get in the way. I despised Talia, for every single second of the story.
After Emerson is released she must meet with a therapist and prove that she’s been 30 days episode free before she can have supervised access to her son, when the order goes through Talia ramps up evil bitch mode to a whole new level, and everything takes a sinister turn, it also takes Emerson on a trip back to her childhood summer house where a devastating event started the night terrors.
I don’t love the mental health trope that seems to play out in a lot of psychological thrillers, however as I mentioned at the start, there is a trigger warning, but the author also goes into a great explanation of night terrors,
we learn that it’s normally a childhood disorder, there are links to some mental health issues, but no scientific proof as such, she gives a clear explanation of sleep stages and the points where night terrors normally present. This probably earned the novel an extra star for me.
Some of the content is distressing in the novel, but it’s been carefully crafted in my opinion and I feel it could easily sit somewhere between, thriller/psychological thriller and horror/paranormal.
The dual narration by Lauryn Allman and Amelia Sciandra was really well performed and definitely added to the tension and drama.
I couldn’t find anything not to like, it had me invested so it’s an easy 5 🌟
Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this alc.
All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends
June 10, 2024
Thank you Bookouture for a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Wife At The Window is a satisfying melodrama with hints of a thriller, a plethora of tension and a twisted ending.
A gripping, chaotic and smart story that will keep you flipping the pages way into the night.
Emerson has just been released from hospital.
She has just spent the last ten months recovering from the death of her daughter that she was blamed for.
Now Emerson wants to reunite with her son, Leo.
He is living with Shep, her ex husband and his new girlfriend, the manipulative Talia.
But nothing is ever straight forward and Emerson must battle her own evils as well as fight for the truth until it comes to a dramatic conclusion.
My first reading experience with a Cara psychological drama and was very impressed as I thoroughly enjoyed my reading encounter.
With a tangled plot, a bunch of provocative characters and a dire atmosphere and it will get the mind working overtime.
Fast paced with a few shocking surprises, the hints are all there but can you pick them out among the web of secrets, lies and deception.
I look forward to reading my next Cara book.
The Wife At The Window is a satisfying melodrama with hints of a thriller, a plethora of tension and a twisted ending.
A gripping, chaotic and smart story that will keep you flipping the pages way into the night.
Emerson has just been released from hospital.
She has just spent the last ten months recovering from the death of her daughter that she was blamed for.
Now Emerson wants to reunite with her son, Leo.
He is living with Shep, her ex husband and his new girlfriend, the manipulative Talia.
But nothing is ever straight forward and Emerson must battle her own evils as well as fight for the truth until it comes to a dramatic conclusion.
My first reading experience with a Cara psychological drama and was very impressed as I thoroughly enjoyed my reading encounter.
With a tangled plot, a bunch of provocative characters and a dire atmosphere and it will get the mind working overtime.
Fast paced with a few shocking surprises, the hints are all there but can you pick them out among the web of secrets, lies and deception.
I look forward to reading my next Cara book.
June 16, 2024
4 stars
This was a great little psychological/ domestic thriller.
Shep’s wife killed his baby girl when she fell down the stairs holding the baby. She claims an unidentified man pushed her down, but no one ever believed her. She’s been sitting in a mental institution for this claim and is finally being released. She wants nothing more than to see her son, who has been living with Shep and his new girlfriend.
Shep’s girlfriend wants nothing to do with his ex and will do anything she can to keep playing house with her boyfriend and his son.
Narrators- Both were great for this audio. Everything stayed really engaging.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Bookouture Audio for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great little psychological/ domestic thriller.
Shep’s wife killed his baby girl when she fell down the stairs holding the baby. She claims an unidentified man pushed her down, but no one ever believed her. She’s been sitting in a mental institution for this claim and is finally being released. She wants nothing more than to see her son, who has been living with Shep and his new girlfriend.
Shep’s girlfriend wants nothing to do with his ex and will do anything she can to keep playing house with her boyfriend and his son.
Narrators- Both were great for this audio. Everything stayed really engaging.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Bookouture Audio for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2024
Just when I thought one more thing couldn’t possibly happen in this book Reinhard smacked me with more drama!
This was so much more than two women fighting over a man who frankly wasn’t worth gum on the bottom of a shoe. Emerson was unstable and wanted her family back but didn’t make the best choices while Talia was just a vile creature who had her hooks in a man who could provide a lifestyle for her.
The other characters filtered in and out and I didn’t anticipate what the pinnacle of the plot delivered.
Honestly, I needed to lay down after finishing this book because it was so dramatic!
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the early read.
This was so much more than two women fighting over a man who frankly wasn’t worth gum on the bottom of a shoe. Emerson was unstable and wanted her family back but didn’t make the best choices while Talia was just a vile creature who had her hooks in a man who could provide a lifestyle for her.
The other characters filtered in and out and I didn’t anticipate what the pinnacle of the plot delivered.
Honestly, I needed to lay down after finishing this book because it was so dramatic!
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the early read.
July 12, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This book was full of so many twists and turns. I did not see any of that ending coming! This book was wild and crazy! I enjoyed this thriller as it was a quick and gripping read. This was just so wild.
This book was full of so many twists and turns. I did not see any of that ending coming! This book was wild and crazy! I enjoyed this thriller as it was a quick and gripping read. This was just so wild.
June 18, 2024
3.5* rounded to 4* for Goodreads.
I have such mixed feelings about this book. The audiobook was engaging and Cara’s writing was easy to follow, gripping, and creative. However, unfortunately, the ending felt incomplete and it did not feel like it had the resolution the book built up for, buuut if you don’t mind more of an open-ended last chapter.. then it might not bother you too much.
What I loved ♥️
- The dual female POV of two very different ladies
- Cara’s description, she effectively builds up tension and sets up the atmosphere
- I always love me an unreliable narrator ;)
- the psychological aspect of the book
- hardcore Mom fighting for her son
What I did not love 💔
- The ending :(
- The overall story reminded me a bit too much of ALL THE DANGEROUS THINGS by Stacy Willinghan IYKYK 👀
- Shep 🫠 are you for reaaaaal
With all that said, this book is for fans of THE NIGHT SHE DISSAPPEARED by Lisa Jewell, THE BREAKDOWN by B.A Parris, or THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR.
Thank you NetGalley for my ARC 🫶
I have such mixed feelings about this book. The audiobook was engaging and Cara’s writing was easy to follow, gripping, and creative. However, unfortunately, the ending felt incomplete and it did not feel like it had the resolution the book built up for, buuut if you don’t mind more of an open-ended last chapter.. then it might not bother you too much.
What I loved ♥️
- The dual female POV of two very different ladies
- Cara’s description, she effectively builds up tension and sets up the atmosphere
- I always love me an unreliable narrator ;)
- the psychological aspect of the book
- hardcore Mom fighting for her son
What I did not love 💔
- The ending :(
- The overall story reminded me a bit too much of ALL THE DANGEROUS THINGS by Stacy Willinghan IYKYK 👀
- Shep 🫠 are you for reaaaaal
With all that said, this book is for fans of THE NIGHT SHE DISSAPPEARED by Lisa Jewell, THE BREAKDOWN by B.A Parris, or THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR.
Thank you NetGalley for my ARC 🫶
June 15, 2024
A perfect family torn apart by the death of a baby girl, Emerson spent the next year in a mental health hospital. Now Emerson is out and wants to see her son and she has to complete many things before the judge will allow that.
Her now ex-husband has moved on with another woman who has replaced her in every aspect.
Emerson wants her son back and will fight as hard as she possibly can to get him.
What I thought might be a custody battle story was so much more, it was intense and thrilling. It is told from Emerson's point of view and also Talia who is now with Shep. Both of these ladies have their demons, and their dislike of each other is clear and they both want each other out of the way.
I wanted to scoop Emerson up and help her through it all. She only had one person stand by her through all of this.
Cara Reinard wrote this so well, that I was thoroughly gripped. I have not read anything from her before, but I will be looking out for more now!
Her now ex-husband has moved on with another woman who has replaced her in every aspect.
Emerson wants her son back and will fight as hard as she possibly can to get him.
What I thought might be a custody battle story was so much more, it was intense and thrilling. It is told from Emerson's point of view and also Talia who is now with Shep. Both of these ladies have their demons, and their dislike of each other is clear and they both want each other out of the way.
I wanted to scoop Emerson up and help her through it all. She only had one person stand by her through all of this.
Cara Reinard wrote this so well, that I was thoroughly gripped. I have not read anything from her before, but I will be looking out for more now!
June 18, 2024
Wow! What a fantastic read. I did not have a clue how the book would end. Not even close to figuring it out. Cara Reinard had my head spinning trying to decipher the ending. Without spoilers, the book is about an ex wife and the new girlfriend and their battle for the man and child they both love. Both will do anything to keep them. Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 17, 2024
The Wife at the Window (audio)
3.75⭐️
This grew on me. I wasn’t really feeling it until the 40%-ish mark. I was intrigued by the sleep disorder aspect. I experienced sleep paralysis in my teens and, what I call, “sleep amnesia” in my early 30’s where I would wake up with no recollection of who my husband (of over a decade) was. Creepy. So as the book started I really enjoyed hearing about MC Emerson sleep disorders.
The story is told from alternating POV: Emerson (ex-wife) and Talia (current girlfriend). Talia ranks up there as one of my most disliked characters. Emerson has been receiving inpatient mental health treatment after the death of her daughter for the past year. During that time her husband divorced her and moved on very quickly with Talia, who has her own delusions regarding her status in this little family. The book follows Emerson as she struggles to find her footing following her hospitalization and work towards regaining supervised visits with her son and Talia as she spirals with Emerson’s reappearance in her family’s life.
The ending and twists at the end were great! I liked how everything was wrapped up at the end.
While the characters had unique individual voices, I was not a fan of the narration.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this audio ARC.
Pub Date Jun 17 2024
3.75⭐️
This grew on me. I wasn’t really feeling it until the 40%-ish mark. I was intrigued by the sleep disorder aspect. I experienced sleep paralysis in my teens and, what I call, “sleep amnesia” in my early 30’s where I would wake up with no recollection of who my husband (of over a decade) was. Creepy. So as the book started I really enjoyed hearing about MC Emerson sleep disorders.
The story is told from alternating POV: Emerson (ex-wife) and Talia (current girlfriend). Talia ranks up there as one of my most disliked characters. Emerson has been receiving inpatient mental health treatment after the death of her daughter for the past year. During that time her husband divorced her and moved on very quickly with Talia, who has her own delusions regarding her status in this little family. The book follows Emerson as she struggles to find her footing following her hospitalization and work towards regaining supervised visits with her son and Talia as she spirals with Emerson’s reappearance in her family’s life.
The ending and twists at the end were great! I liked how everything was wrapped up at the end.
While the characters had unique individual voices, I was not a fan of the narration.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this audio ARC.
Pub Date Jun 17 2024
May 20, 2024
After experiencing the loss of their daughter and receiving treatment at a mental health facility due to suspicions about her regarding her daughter's passing, Emerson has been released. However, she must now navigate through legal procedures to demonstrate her mental and physical well-being to regain visitation rights for her son, Leo. As she works towards stability and clarity, she must also confront a hostile woman who has taken over her role in the family. Can Emerson reunite with her son, or will her nightmares and crippling anxieties get in the way?
This is an awesome book! It presents a compelling narrative with alternating perspectives from Emerson and Talia, the two key women in Shep and Leo’s lives. Both women undergo significant personal and transformative growths throughout the journey of the book.
Readers may find themselves rooting for Emerson—I certainly was—who strives to rebuild her life following the tragic loss of her daughter and dissolution of her marriage. With the support of her loyal friends, Emerson navigates through challenging hurdles and circumstances.
One character that may evoke mixed reactions is Shep, who is noticeably self-serving and neglectful towards his family responsibilities in favor of his career. While some may empathize with his motivations, others may struggle to connect with his choices. I was in the latter group.
The final quarter of the book proved to not only be highly engaging, but also full of unexpected, unpredictable twists. I was so captivated by this section of the book that I finished it in one sitting. The story concludes in a manner that leaves room for potential follow-up narratives or spin-off stories. One such idea, perhaps exploring Leo’s perspective in the future?
My overall take: Like the subtitle suggests, this was a highly addicted and gripping book. I found myself rooting for Emerson consistently and dedicated to knowing how the book resolves itself, though I hadn't once thought it would go in the direction it did! I recommend to anyone interested in psychological thrillers.
I would like to express my profound gratitude to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Cara Reinard for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Follow me on Instagram @liv.readsalot
#TheWifeAtTheWindow #CaraReinard #NetGalley #Bookouture #PsychologicalThriller #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #Livreadsalot #Livvaroni
This is an awesome book! It presents a compelling narrative with alternating perspectives from Emerson and Talia, the two key women in Shep and Leo’s lives. Both women undergo significant personal and transformative growths throughout the journey of the book.
Readers may find themselves rooting for Emerson—I certainly was—who strives to rebuild her life following the tragic loss of her daughter and dissolution of her marriage. With the support of her loyal friends, Emerson navigates through challenging hurdles and circumstances.
One character that may evoke mixed reactions is Shep, who is noticeably self-serving and neglectful towards his family responsibilities in favor of his career. While some may empathize with his motivations, others may struggle to connect with his choices. I was in the latter group.
The final quarter of the book proved to not only be highly engaging, but also full of unexpected, unpredictable twists. I was so captivated by this section of the book that I finished it in one sitting. The story concludes in a manner that leaves room for potential follow-up narratives or spin-off stories. One such idea, perhaps exploring Leo’s perspective in the future?
My overall take: Like the subtitle suggests, this was a highly addicted and gripping book. I found myself rooting for Emerson consistently and dedicated to knowing how the book resolves itself, though I hadn't once thought it would go in the direction it did! I recommend to anyone interested in psychological thrillers.
I would like to express my profound gratitude to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Cara Reinard for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Follow me on Instagram @liv.readsalot
#TheWifeAtTheWindow #CaraReinard #NetGalley #Bookouture #PsychologicalThriller #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #Livreadsalot #Livvaroni
June 6, 2024
This was a great psychological thriller until the last 10% which soured the entire novel for me. Then it got worse.
To avoid the possibility of a spoiler stop now and skip down to the summary…
I hate long winded confessionals and this book was littered with them… but what I loathe more are decades long plots of revenge.
SUMMARY: Emerson has been in a mental facility for the past year, after the death of her baby daughter. Emerson maintains the death was an accident, she was trying to run from a home intruder when she fell and injured the child but no one believes her. (Emerson had night terrors as a child, so it is believed she was having hallucinations again.)
After therapy and treatment, Emerson is ready to get her life back, including visitation with her 4yo son.
For the last year, Talia has been dating Emerson’s ex husband and raising 4yo Leo. She isn’t keen on Emerson intruding into their happy family life and sees Leo as hers—NOT Emerson’s.
The bulk of the book is Emerson trying to get visitation with her son and Talia fighting her every step of the way, such as producing evidence in court against Emerson to block visitation. Emerson also runs into other troubles, such as losing her apartment and job after anonymous tips, which makes the reader wonder just how far will Talia go?
Talia also has her own dirty secrets, although they don’t seem to have much of a point in the story. Emerson, meanwhile, has an unsavory childhood best friend who operates on the shadows and makes sure Emerson gets visitation. Emerson also has her own difficult past, not just the night terrors but there was a fire at a sleepover at her house which left a girl injured, for example.
Eventually everything comes to a head and Emerson and Talia both find themselves fighting for their lives and trying to take down the same bad guy who pops up at the end and is connected to them both. There is a lot going on in this book, even more than I’ve mentioned here. I wish we had just stuck to the baseline premise of a mother trying to get her child back and also trying to clear her name / prove what really happened, and the the “step mom” Talia trying to keep her away and locked up so so can replace her.
To avoid the possibility of a spoiler stop now and skip down to the summary…
I hate long winded confessionals and this book was littered with them… but what I loathe more are decades long plots of revenge.
SUMMARY: Emerson has been in a mental facility for the past year, after the death of her baby daughter. Emerson maintains the death was an accident, she was trying to run from a home intruder when she fell and injured the child but no one believes her. (Emerson had night terrors as a child, so it is believed she was having hallucinations again.)
After therapy and treatment, Emerson is ready to get her life back, including visitation with her 4yo son.
For the last year, Talia has been dating Emerson’s ex husband and raising 4yo Leo. She isn’t keen on Emerson intruding into their happy family life and sees Leo as hers—NOT Emerson’s.
The bulk of the book is Emerson trying to get visitation with her son and Talia fighting her every step of the way, such as producing evidence in court against Emerson to block visitation. Emerson also runs into other troubles, such as losing her apartment and job after anonymous tips, which makes the reader wonder just how far will Talia go?
Talia also has her own dirty secrets, although they don’t seem to have much of a point in the story. Emerson, meanwhile, has an unsavory childhood best friend who operates on the shadows and makes sure Emerson gets visitation. Emerson also has her own difficult past, not just the night terrors but there was a fire at a sleepover at her house which left a girl injured, for example.
Eventually everything comes to a head and Emerson and Talia both find themselves fighting for their lives and trying to take down the same bad guy who pops up at the end and is connected to them both. There is a lot going on in this book, even more than I’ve mentioned here. I wish we had just stuck to the baseline premise of a mother trying to get her child back and also trying to clear her name / prove what really happened, and the the “step mom” Talia trying to keep her away and locked up so so can replace her.
June 17, 2024
A very tense thriller with an epic twist that had me floored!
Shep and Talia are very happy, raising Shep's son Leo, who Talia loves as her own. All she wants is for Shep to acknowledge her as Leo's Mum, but then Leo's biological mother is released from her secure mental hospital and Talia's world is shattered. Emerson is granted supervised access to Leo and Talia will go to any lengths to prevent this happening.
As the story unfolds, it appears that Emerson may still be imagining events that aren't actually happening, the same as the night her baby daughter was killed, resulting in her incarceration. Was she released too soon? Is Leo in danger?
I listened to the audiobook which was brilliantly narrated by Lauryn Allman and Amelia Sciandra, who portrayed the two mothers convincingly and built a very tense atmosphere.
4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Cara Reinard and Bookouture, for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Shep and Talia are very happy, raising Shep's son Leo, who Talia loves as her own. All she wants is for Shep to acknowledge her as Leo's Mum, but then Leo's biological mother is released from her secure mental hospital and Talia's world is shattered. Emerson is granted supervised access to Leo and Talia will go to any lengths to prevent this happening.
As the story unfolds, it appears that Emerson may still be imagining events that aren't actually happening, the same as the night her baby daughter was killed, resulting in her incarceration. Was she released too soon? Is Leo in danger?
I listened to the audiobook which was brilliantly narrated by Lauryn Allman and Amelia Sciandra, who portrayed the two mothers convincingly and built a very tense atmosphere.
4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Cara Reinard and Bookouture, for an ARC in return for an honest review.
June 13, 2024
I loved the story of a woman who lost her daughter in an accident and then loses her son when she is admitted to a mental facility. Her husband, Shep has moved on and moved in his new girlfriend to help parent the son, Leo. He now ex-wife is let out of the hospital and is working hard to get the permission to see her son Leo.
The new girlfriend is going to try to keep that from happening. She wants her life and will do anything to keep it. Leo's Mom Emerson is someone that you tend to root for at first and then you wonder if she really is too far gone to be with her son. In the end the story is about some unresolved issues that happened when Emerson was 12 and the damage that was done at that age. Stories of ghosts and missing people keeps you going and the narrator was great.
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC.
The new girlfriend is going to try to keep that from happening. She wants her life and will do anything to keep it. Leo's Mom Emerson is someone that you tend to root for at first and then you wonder if she really is too far gone to be with her son. In the end the story is about some unresolved issues that happened when Emerson was 12 and the damage that was done at that age. Stories of ghosts and missing people keeps you going and the narrator was great.
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC.
June 10, 2024
Ok.. WOW! This book had me hooked from the very first page. I was so sure it was a solid 5+ star read all the way through. The suspense, the twists, the characters – everything was on point. It kept building up the tension and the excitement to this huge event that I was dying to see play out.
But then came the last chapter, and I felt like I hit a brick wall. The ending just fell flat and left me completely unsatisfied. It lacked the finality and conclusion that the story deserved. It's like the author just stopped writing right before the climax.
Don't get me wrong, the journey was amazing, but that destination... it really let me down. If you don't mind an open-ended conclusion, you might still love it. For me, though, it dropped the rating down to 3.5 stars.
June 15, 2024
This book was full of twists and turns and I would highly recommend! I loved the writing style that Cara used - I thought it was the perfect balance of gripping and intense, yet still easy to follow. The way that the chapters were narrated by two different characters with each one switching with them telling the story from their own perspective was a huge positive for me, I felt it made for an excellent read!
The plot was extremely gripping and it pulled me in from the very start and kept me guessing the whole way through, after I got about 30% of the way through I couldn’t put it down. There wasn’t a single point in this book where I wasn’t engaged with the storyline and I felt overall it was a 5* read.
The plot was extremely gripping and it pulled me in from the very start and kept me guessing the whole way through, after I got about 30% of the way through I couldn’t put it down. There wasn’t a single point in this book where I wasn’t engaged with the storyline and I felt overall it was a 5* read.
June 14, 2024
I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
I loved the beginning of this book and I liked the build up in this story. However, a lot of the action was more towards the last 30% of the book.
At first, I didn’t really like Emerson’s character but throughout the story I started to understand where she was coming from. She was resilient and didn’t back down. Talia on the other hand was a horrible human being.
I enjoyed the twist’s and thought it was good. I did not see that coming. The only thing for me was that one of the twists could’ve been taken out because the connection seemed a bit pointless. A nice thriller if you like few twists.
I loved the beginning of this book and I liked the build up in this story. However, a lot of the action was more towards the last 30% of the book.
At first, I didn’t really like Emerson’s character but throughout the story I started to understand where she was coming from. She was resilient and didn’t back down. Talia on the other hand was a horrible human being.
I enjoyed the twist’s and thought it was good. I did not see that coming. The only thing for me was that one of the twists could’ve been taken out because the connection seemed a bit pointless. A nice thriller if you like few twists.
June 7, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It had a slow start for me at first, but once it picked up, I couldn't stop listening to it. It had me guessing and wanting to know what was going to happen with Emerson and Talia. All my guesses were wrong, but wow, it kept me on the edge of my seat, and I didn't see any of the twists coming at all. I will be recommending this book to anyone who wants a good thriller with a plot that will keep them guessing.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture Audio, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture Audio, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 17, 2024
Actually OBSESSED?! I didn't know what the expect going into this one, but I really loved reading the story unfold and I didn't see the end coming at all. The book follows the story of Emmy, who is accused of killing her newborn baby and her fight to get her child back, which means a nice feud with her ex husbands new girl. However, they both are in for a major surprise at the end....and I'll leave it at that. You NEED to read it Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC :)
June 19, 2024
The Wife at the Window is such a gripping story and it immediately caught my attention. The pacing of this book worked really well and I found myself intrigued throughout. I think the twist and turns throughout the story were well placed but I wasn't necessarily blown away by them. Overall, it was a really solid good thriller, perfect to read/listen to in the sun or cuddle up with when it gets to those darker months and therefore, I would say this was 3.5 Stars for me but I have rounded up to 4.
Thank you for the ARC audiobook that was made available for me to listen to and review by NetGalley, Cara Reinard, & Bookouture Audio.
Thank you for the ARC audiobook that was made available for me to listen to and review by NetGalley, Cara Reinard, & Bookouture Audio.
May 9, 2024
Shep and Emerson had a good marriage and two beautiful children, Leo and Thea. When something happens to Thea, Emerson is blamed and hospitalized. Emerson is out, but Shep’s new girlfriend, Talia, is determined Emerson will never see Leo again. What lengths will she go to keep that from happening?
The Wife at the Window had me hooked from the first chapter. The main characters were very well developed, but there were secondary characters that were equally as good. Brooks, Emerson’s lawyer friend, was totally shady. Talia’s work partners seemed to be friendly, but were they? The husband Shep and Talia were both conniving and had multiple secrets. Not a good way for a relationship to grow.
Throw in someone trying to purchase Emerson’s “haunted” house, an ending that will shock you, and it makes for a wonderful psychological thriller that you do not want to miss!
#NetGalley #CaraReinard #Bookouture #TheWifeAtTheWindow
The Wife at the Window had me hooked from the first chapter. The main characters were very well developed, but there were secondary characters that were equally as good. Brooks, Emerson’s lawyer friend, was totally shady. Talia’s work partners seemed to be friendly, but were they? The husband Shep and Talia were both conniving and had multiple secrets. Not a good way for a relationship to grow.
Throw in someone trying to purchase Emerson’s “haunted” house, an ending that will shock you, and it makes for a wonderful psychological thriller that you do not want to miss!
#NetGalley #CaraReinard #Bookouture #TheWifeAtTheWindow
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