When life feels perfect, that’s precisely when everything threatens to unravel. Liv Constantine’s latest psychological thriller, Don’t Open Your Eyes, masterfully explores this terrifying truth through Annabelle Reynolds, a woman whose seemingly ideal existence becomes a waking nightmare when her dreams begin predicting a devastating future.
The Premise: When Dreams Become Reality
Constantine crafts a compelling narrative around Annabelle, a successful marketing executive who appears to have everything she’s ever wanted: a devoted husband James, two wonderful daughters (Scarlett and Olivia), and a thriving career. This facade of perfection shatters when Annabelle begins experiencing vivid, disturbing dreams that feel more like glimpses into an inevitable future than mere nighttime fantasies.
These aren’t ordinary dreams. Annabelle’s nocturnal visions show her despising her husband and her daughters facing mortal danger. When specific details from these dreams begin materializing in her waking life, she realizes she’s not experiencing anxiety-induced nightmares but genuine premonitions. The terror escalates when she dreams of Scarlett in immediate peril, with someone actively seeking to harm her daughter.
Character Development: Complex Protagonists in a Web of Deception
Constantine demonstrates her expertise in character development by creating protagonists who feel authentically flawed and relatable. Annabelle emerges as a compelling heroine struggling with the burden of foresight while questioning her own sanity. Her internal conflict between maternal protection and self-doubt creates genuine tension that keeps readers invested in her journey.
The supporting characters prove equally well-crafted. James initially appears as the perfect husband, but Constantine gradually peels back layers to reveal a more complex, morally ambiguous figure. Scarlett and Olivia aren’t mere plot devices but fully realized teenagers dealing with their own challenges, from social media pressures to family dynamics.
The introduction of Chase Sommers, an investigative journalist who becomes both client and confidant, adds another dimension to the story. His presence in Annabelle’s life—and her dreams—creates complications that extend far beyond professional boundaries.
Plot Structure: Multiple Perspectives and Timeline Manipulation
Constantine employs a multi-perspective narrative structure that enhances the psychological complexity of the story. The alternating viewpoints between “Annabelle,” “Scarlett,” “Before,” and “The Wife” create a layered reading experience that gradually reveals the full scope of the conspiracy.
Strengths of the narrative structure:
Each perspective offers unique insights into the unfolding mystery
The “Before” chapters provide crucial backstory without feeling forced
Timeline manipulation keeps readers guessing about causation versus correlation
Multiple viewpoints prevent any single character from dominating the narrative
The pacing proves particularly effective during the middle sections, where Constantine balances Annabelle’s growing awareness of her prophetic abilities with the mounting tension surrounding Scarlett’s safety. However, some transitions between timelines occasionally feel jarring, potentially disrupting reader immersion.
The Supernatural Element: Premonitions vs. Paranoia
One of the novel’s most intriguing aspects is Constantine’s treatment of Annabelle’s prophetic dreams. Rather than fully embracing supernatural explanations, the author maintains ambiguity about whether these visions represent genuine psychic abilities or manifestations of anxiety and intuition.
This uncertainty mirrors real-life experiences where gut feelings and subconscious observations might seem like supernatural phenomena. Constantine skillfully explores how trauma, stress, and maternal instincts can heighten perception, making Annabelle’s situation feel psychologically plausible even when seemingly impossible.
The dreams themselves are described with vivid, unsettling detail that effectively conveys their impact on Annabelle’s psyche. Constantine captures the disorienting nature of prophetic visions while maintaining narrative clarity.
Themes: Motherhood, Marriage, and Moral Ambiguity
Don’t Open Your Eyes tackles several weighty themes with notable sophistication:
Maternal Protection: Annabelle’s fierce desire to protect her daughters drives much of the plot, exploring how far a mother will go when sensing danger to her children. Constantine examines both the power and potential destructiveness of maternal instincts.
Marriage and Trust: The relationship between Annabelle and James serves as a study in how well we truly know our closest companions. The revelation of long-buried secrets forces readers to question the foundation of seemingly solid relationships.
Destiny vs. Choice: The central philosophical question revolves around whether we can change predetermined outcomes or if knowledge of the future merely creates the circumstances that ensure its fulfillment.
Truth and Consequences: Multiple characters grapple with whether revealing painful truths serves a greater good or causes unnecessary suffering.
The Twist: A Masterclass in Misdirection
Without revealing specifics, Constantine delivers a series of revelations that recontextualize everything readers think they understand about the story. The twist involving baby switching, false identities, and deliberate manipulation proves both shocking and logically consistent with earlier clues.
The revelation about Tara’s true nature transforms her from sympathetic supporting character to chilling antagonist. Constantine’s portrayal of sociopathic behavior feels authentic and disturbing, particularly in how Tara manipulates situations to serve her agenda while maintaining a facade of victimhood.
Writing Style: Accessible Yet Sophisticated
Constantine’s prose strikes an effective balance between accessibility and sophistication. Her writing feels natural and unforced, with dialogue that captures authentic family dynamics and individual character voices. The author demonstrates particular skill in conveying internal tension and building atmospheric dread.
The descriptive passages, particularly those involving Annabelle’s dreams, showcase Constantine’s ability to create vivid, unsettling imagery without becoming overly elaborate. Her restraint in exposition allows the mystery to unfold organically rather than through heavy-handed revelation.
Critical Assessment: Strengths and Weaknesses
What works exceptionally well:
Complex, morally ambiguous characters that defy simple categorization
Effective use of multiple perspectives to build suspense
Realistic portrayal of family dynamics under stress
Satisfying resolution that ties together seemingly disparate plot threads
Areas that could be stronger:
Some timeline transitions feel abrupt and potentially confusing
Certain supporting characters remain underdeveloped
The supernatural elements might feel unsatisfying to readers seeking definitive explanations
Pacing occasionally slows during exposition-heavy sections
Comparison to Constantine’s Previous Work
Readers familiar with Constantine’s earlier novels, particularly The Next Mrs. Parrish and The Wife Stalker, will recognize her signature style of domestic suspense combined with unreliable narrators. Don’t Open Your Eyes represents an evolution in her storytelling, incorporating supernatural elements while maintaining the psychological complexity that defines her work.
The novel shares thematic DNA with The Stranger in the Mirror in its exploration of identity and memory, but distinguishes itself through its unique take on prophetic dreams and maternal intuition.
Final Verdict: A Compelling Addition to the Psychological Thriller Genre
Don’t Open Your Eyes succeeds as both an engaging page-turner and a thoughtful exploration of complex themes. Constantine demonstrates why she’s become a reliable voice in psychological suspense, crafting a story that operates effectively on multiple levels.
While the novel may not revolutionize the genre, it offers enough fresh elements—particularly its treatment of premonitions and the gradual revelation of past traumas—to distinguish itself in a crowded field. Readers who appreciate domestic suspense with supernatural undertones will find much to enjoy.
The book works best for those who enjoy morally complex characters, unreliable narrators, and plots that challenge assumptions about family, marriage, and the nature of truth itself. Constantine has created another absorbing thriller that confirms her position as a master of psychological suspense.
Recommendations for Similar Reads
Readers who enjoyed Don’t Open Your Eyes might appreciate:
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides – for psychological complexity and unreliable narration
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris – for domestic suspense and hidden marriages
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn – for unreliable narrators questioning their own perceptions
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn – for complex family dynamics and dark secrets
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab – for supernatural elements affecting everyday life