Perfect Life - Hardcover

Lavender, Meredith; Shores, Kendall

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0593974409 ISBN 13: 9780593974407

Publisher: Bantam Dell Pub Group, 2026

Synopsis

Following a shocking murder, a young woman must face the secrets from her past—and a husband she thought she knew—in this twisty, sizzling novel from the bestselling authors of Happy Wife.

Este Walker didn’t move to Winter Park, Florida, to make friends. Five years ago, she ghosted her life in California to reinvent herself among the lakefront estates of Florida’s elite. With a cocktail in hand, more money than she could ever spend, and secrets she intends to keep buried, she’s finally content—or, you know, close enough. Who cares if her seclusion and secrets have left her with a small social circle? Her husband Beau and her best friend Nora are the only company she needs.

But Este’s secrets are catching up to her. Last year, when Nora gained national attention as a suspect in her husband's disappearance, Este’s picture was flashed onscreen. Suddenly the past she had hoped to keep buried is closing in on her—and Beau might be keeping secrets of his own. And then a mysterious death turns Winter Park upside down.

Thrust into a high-stakes murder investigation, Este must unravel a web of lies and secrets to answer the question: What exactly happened in California, and has it come back to haunt her? More importantly: How is she going to get herself out of this mess?

About this title

About the Author

Meredith Lavender has spent more than two decades working as a television writer. She served as Showrunner/Executive Producer on Max’s The Flight Attendant as well as an Executive Producer on Nashville (ABC), among other shows. Currently, she’s in development on multiple TV projects and adaptations.

Prior to becoming an author, Kendall Shores spent years leading corporate communications for tech companies and nonprofit organizations, including Mailchimp and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Now, she prefers writing the kinds of stories she used to daydream about between deadlines. 

Kendall and Meredith both live in Atlanta with their respective families.

Edition details

• Publisher: Bantam Dell Pub Group
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0593974409
• ISBN 13: 9780593974407
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320