The Replacement
Former Hollywood darling Veronica Van Arden is desperate to escape a string of box-office disasters and vicious tabloid rumors. Her salvation appears to be a starring role in a highly anticipated new film, made even sweeter by the unwavering support of her enthusiastic young costar, Sienna Vale. When fresh scandals threaten Veronica's fragile comeback, Sienna becomes her closest confidante. But as the veteran actress welcomes the newcomer into her inner sanctum, she is about to learn a terrifying lesson: the brightest spotlights always cast the darkest, most dangerous shadows.
- Veronica - Actress
- Chloe - Veronica’s assistant
- Luca - Veronica’s husband, actor
- Dakota - Veronica’s best friend, actress
- Sienna / Melissa - Actress
- Marigold / Sienna - Gloria’s daughter
- Gloria - Marigold’s mother
- Veronica has been sober for 100 days.
- Veronica finds out via the internet that Luca is cheating on her with Dakota.
- Veronica takes a liking to Sienna who is very kind to her.
- Sienna was raised in foster care after her mother died; her aunt took her in during high school but later died in a house fire.
- Sienna is there for Veronica after she learns about Luca cheating, and they become very close very quickly.
- Veronica starts drinking again, telling herself the pills were the real problem.
- Veronica passes out on set one day.
- Chloe says benzos were found in Veronica’s system.
- Veronica says Sienna must have put it in her coffee, but Chloe doesn’t believe her and quits.
- Veronica is fired from the movie.
- Sienna tells Veronica she drugged her coffee because she is Marigold.
- One year later: Sienna is up for an Oscar for the role she took from Veronica.
- Sienna wins the Oscar and, in her acceptance speech, tells everyone that Veronica used to be her nanny when Gloria was an actress. She says Veronica drugged her, blamed it on Gloria, and stole Gloria’s movie role.
- Gloria lost custody of Marigold, as well as her acting career and reputation.
- Marigold changed her name to Sienna to distance herself from her mothers reputation.
- The night Veronica won her Oscar for that role, Gloria killed herself.
- Sienna is not really Marigold; she is Melissa.
- Melissa lived with Sienna and her aunt during high school, but when Sienna got into Yale and Melissa didn’t, Melissa set the house on fire, killing Sienna and her aunt.
- After that, Melissa stole Sienna’s identity. She became the Hollywood star she always wanted to be and avenged her best friend Sienna’s mother’s death in the process.
The Replacement by Liv Constantine is a very enjoyable quick read.
The plot seems straightforward at first, but there are some good twists you won’t see coming, backed up by some good foreshadowing. The short chapters keep the pacing fast, and the character development is surprisingly good for a short story.
Overall, it’s a highly satisfying, straight-up thriller.
- Alcohol
- Drug use
- Infidelity
- Suicide
- Loss of a parent
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
ASIN: B0FZD2BHCP
Publication Date: June 1, 2026
Note: Details are for the original edition. Other formats, editions, and audiobook versions may be available.
