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
- audiobook reading was amazing!

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 🫶


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6570623954

Thank you to the author, publisher, narrator and Net Galley for providing a free e-audio version of this title in exchange for my review.

I believe this was my first book by the author, but the summary sounded interesting, and I decided to give it a try. I don't always enjoy these newer domestic phycological thriller/suspense novels. Many times there's just an unbelievable amount of drama in them and I just end up shouting that the book "Just talk to each other for crying out loud!"

Fortunately, this one didn't create that feeling in me. The characters seemed fairly well developed and the story was engaging enough. There were some slow points that felt very repetitive and in need of a good editor. But overall the story was enjoyable and the narration was pleasant to listen to.

3 stars for "I liked it"

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

This was a crazy thriller and DEFINITELY not predictable (Which is a good thing!) Seriously, I couldn't predict the ending even though I thought I knew what was going to happen. I was SHOCKED. This book was so crazy and twisted. I finished it in just under 24 hours. If you enjoy Shari Lapena and Liv Constantine, I can almost guarantee you will like this book. However, the characters aren't necessarily likeable. This bok is narrated by Lauryn Allman and Amelia Sciandra. I am pretty sure I have listened to one other book narrated by Lauryn, but I was not familiar with Amelia. Both narrators did a great job. If you are looking for an audiobook to keep you up all night, I totally recommend this book! Please check your trigger warnings though!

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Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

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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.

There were several twist that I didn’t expect and it was a good listen. The story was written well. It was easy to follow along and flowed well.

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.

Audiobook Title: The Wife in the Window
Author: Cara Reinard
Genre: Psychological/Thriller
Format: 🎧
Narrators: Laura Allman and Amelia Sciandra
Publisher: Bookouture Audio
Pub Date: June 17, 2024
Star Rating: 3.4 Stars
Pages: 331

Emerson Wylie is being released from a mental health hospital after the tragic death of her infant daughter Thea. She says it was an accident; she had the baby in her arms as she was fleeing from a man who has been haunting her; she fell down the stairs to get away and the fall killed her baby. No one believes her and they are sure the man is only in her head. She is found guilt and sent for mental health treatment.

She is now being released after therapy and treatment, but has to continue therapy for one more month before she can have visitation with to her four year-old son, Leo.

Talia and ex-husband Shep have been dating for a year as well as raising Leo.
Talia comes across as a horrible person I could not figuring out what Shep saw in her – only that sex is powerful!
Talia sees her life with Shep as a happy family.

As Emerson tries to get visitation with her son, Talia producing evidence in court against her. Then Emerson loses her apartment and job after anonymous tips.
-Hmmm sure seems like something Talia would do.!

As we read on we discover that Emerson has had a difficult past, the night terrors started after a fire at a sleepover when Emerson was twelve. One of the girls has serious facial burns.

I was curious about this. It definitely was a puzzle only we readers weren’t given ALL the pieces. The come together at the end.
I continued to feel sorry for Emerson and her bad choices.
Never did find anything redeeming with Talia.

The narrators Lauryn Allman and Amelia Sciandra were great in their performance of the characters which added to the drama.

This story is a tough one for me to rate as I did not enjoy it. There are some disturbing things going on - a dark element of people who are seeking revenge.
It kept me curious and I guess all’s well that ends well.

Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for granting me this early audio.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 17, 2024.

Thank you for approving me to listen to this audio book.

I very much enjoyed it...amazing read/listen!

I have reviewed it on Goodreads

The Wife at the Window by Cara Reinard. I thoroughly enjoyed this suspenseful drama.

The story is told from two women’s viewpoints. One is Emerson, who has just been released from a mental health hospital after a year. She was put in the hospital because she killed her daughter. She told everyone that someone pushed her down the stairs and killed her young daughter but no-one will believe her. Her husband, Shep, divorced her while she was in the hospital and believed she would never get out. Now she just wants to see her 4-year-old little boy, Leo.

The second viewpoint is told by Talia. Talia is Shep’s girlfriend. She has taken over Emerson’s life and loves Leo as her own. She has always just wanted the perfect family and now she has it all. She will not let Emerson back into Leo’s life at any cost – or Shep’s.

A well told story with a very unexpected twist at the end.

I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator as well and she makes enough distinction between the voices so you can always follow who is who.
Thank you to NetGalley for my audio ARC. This book releases 17 June 2024.

Cant share link to Goodreads but I have posted my review there as well and on my bookstagram account.

Overall, I think this book was okay, but not really for me. I didn't like either of the POV characters, which was at times excruciating, but the writing and plot were engaging enough that I'd probably give another book by the same author a go and hope that there was at least someone in the book who wasn't insufferable. I found the ending a little hard to follow, but that might be partly because I was struggling to pay attention because I just didn't care any more (because of the characters). I imagine it would have made more sense if I'd been reading an ebook rather than listening to an audio, because it's a lot easier to flip back and refresh your memory with text!

This one started off strong if a little drawn out. I was intrigued to see where the storyline went. I found the only character I really liked was Emerson, the others were only ok but Thalia I really disliked her and would happily punch her in the face. It felt like I completely missed the middle of the storyline and thrown into the last 1/4. It felt a little like it all went a little mad at this point and the outcome and how it all came together was a little disjointed and the author through everything at it. It was a little like starting with one book but the ending belonged to another. It was an ok listen but wouldn’t be a favourite.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review #TheWifeAtTheWindow

I was fortunate to be granted the audible advance copy of this from NetGalley.

I thought the narration was really good and the story itself kept my attention and intrigue for the first three quarters.

However, I didn’t feel any great connection to any of the characters and so when the story unfolded it felt unbelievable and not deep enough for how engaged I’d been with the story so far.

Disappointing end but kept me gripped

I felt like it dragged at times but overall not a bad read. It did keep me intrigued and I liked the twists at the end. So glad Emerson didn’t go back with her ex husband.

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.

Cara Reinard's "The Wife at the Window" is a riveting psychological thriller that masterfully intertwines grief, obsession, and the quest for truth. From the very first page, readers are thrust into the harrowing world of the protagonist, a woman shattered by the loss of her baby girl and the subsequent disintegration of her once-perfect family.

The novel opens with a haunting scene: a mother peering through a window, tears streaming down her face, as she watches another woman embrace her son. This visceral imagery sets the tone for the book, encapsulating the protagonist's profound sense of loss and longing. Reinard's talent for creating emotionally charged moments is evident throughout, making it impossible for readers not to empathize with the protagonist's plight.

At the heart of the story is a compelling mystery: the night the protagonist's baby girl died. Despite her insistence that she would never harm her child, she finds herself shunned and disbelieved, leading to her hospitalization. Now, freshly released and determined to reclaim her life, she faces the daunting task of unraveling the truth while confronting her own demons. Reinard expertly builds suspense, dropping subtle clues and red herrings that keep readers guessing until the very end.

The characters in "The Wife at the Window" are richly drawn and complex. The protagonist, in particular, is a fascinating study in resilience and desperation. Her pain is palpable, her actions often unpredictable, and her determination to reveal the truth is both inspiring and alarming. Shep, her estranged husband, and his new girlfriend add further layers to the story, each playing crucial roles in the unfolding drama.

Reinard's prose is crisp and engaging, making for a fast-paced read that is difficult to put down. Her ability to delve into the psychological aspects of her characters adds depth to the narrative, elevating it beyond a simple thriller. Themes of mental health, maternal love, and the quest for redemption are explored with sensitivity and insight, making the story resonate on multiple levels.

One of the standout aspects of the book is its twist ending, which is both shocking and satisfying. Reinard skillfully weaves together the various plot threads, leading to a conclusion that is both unexpected and poignant. It is a testament to her storytelling prowess that she manages to maintain suspense and deliver a payoff that feels earned and impactful.

Fans of psychological thrillers will find much to admire in "The Wife at the Window." It is a gripping tale that delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche while offering a glimmer of hope and redemption. Comparisons to works like "The Girl on the Train" are well-deserved, as Reinard demonstrates a keen understanding of what makes this genre so compelling.

In summary, "The Wife at the Window" is an absolutely gripping read that will keep you up all night. Cara Reinard has crafted a thriller that is both emotionally resonant and unputdownable, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

Book review

The wife at the window
By Cara Reinard
4⭐️

A dramatic story told by two women, full of suspense with plenty of twists throughout. The former wife Emerson is released from a mental health facility, all she wants is to see her son Leo. The current girlfriend Talia doesn’t want anyone coming between her and Shepp and doesn’t think the former wife is capable of looking after Leo and goes all out to ensure she doesn’t get visitation. Talia is manipulative and vindictive, I absolutely despised Talia. This book had me gripped, full of secrets, lies and deception. I loved the ending 🥰

"The Wife at the Window" is a psychological thriller brimming with twists and turns. Shep was once Emerson's husband, but now he's with Talia. To complicate matters, Emerson and Shep share a son, Leo, and Talia is stepping into the role of Leo's mother. Emerson has just been released from a mental hospital after the tragic death of their daughter a year ago. Talia is determined to keep Shep and Leo in her life and will stop at nothing to ensure they stay with her, which makes her a not very likable character.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This was a pretty good domestic thriller with some unexpected surprises. Author did a great job of making you dislike the girlfriend who seemed to want to take over everything.
Got a little boring in the middle but the end I thought was pretty good. Narration was ok but not great.
I enjoyed the book overall.

This started off really strong especially the opening but unfortunately it went down hill from the middle for me but then had a shock ending where it regained itself! I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good thriller with a plot that will keep them guessing. I would rate this 3.5 but rounded it up to 4. Thanks to the publisher & netgalley for the audio arc

This was such a good book. I was so infuriated with the other woman the whole time and I was constantly hoping for her to have and unfortunate fortunate accident. 😂 So many good twists I didn’t see coming and an amazing ending !