Triangle

American author Danielle Steel released her novel Triangle in 2023. Steel is best known for her prolific output in romance and drama. Set in France’s romantic and picturesque backdrop, the novel intertwines the lives of its central characters—Amanda and Olivier—as they confront personal revelations and outside threats. Like much of Steel’s work, Triangle delves into the challenges of love and identity, authenticity, resilience, and the courage it takes to redefine one’s life. It explores themes of The Link Between Love and Marriage, Appearances, Perceptions, and Reality, and Embracing Vulnerability in Interpersonal and Romantic Relationships. 

This guide references the 2024 Delacorte Press e-book edition.

Content Warning: The source material depicts sexual assault, attempted rape, and stalking.

Plot Summary

Amanda Delanoe, a 39-year-old French American and successful contemporary art gallery owner, struggles with romantic relationships despite her professional success. Her parents’ tumultuous divorce and a damaging affair with a married man leave her emotionally guarded. At nearly 40, Amanda decides she is content with her familial relationship with her business partner, Pascal Leblanc, and her maternal feelings toward her miniature poodle, Lulu. Amanda meets Olivier Saint Alban, a 44-year-old publisher, at a dinner party. Olivier’s charm intrigues her, but he fails to follow up on his promise to visit her gallery, leaving Amanda slightly heartbroken.

Amanda and Olivier meet again at an art exposition. Olivier pursues her more actively, and they begin dating. Amanda remains cautious but grows increasingly drawn to him. Meanwhile, Tom Quinlan, Amanda’s ex-boyfriend from college, resurfaces in Paris. Tom, now a lawyer on sabbatical and writing a novel, tries to rekindle their relationship, but Amanda feels no connection and rejects his advances.

Pascal encourages Amanda to ask Olivier about his marital status, but Amanda hesitates. Olivier dates Amanda publicly, which reassures her, but during a trip to London, he admits he is married with two children. He claims his marriage to Stephanie is a marriage of convenience and that they are emotionally distant. Amanda, haunted by memories of her past affair with a married man, ends the relationship.

At the gallery, Pascal has a physical altercation with one of the artists, Johnny Vegas, before ultimately firing him. Later, Olivier takes Amanda out to dinner, and they candidly discuss their relationship. After dinner, as they walk, Amanda senses someone watching her and wonders if it could be Johnny.

Amanda’s life turns darker when she receives anonymous “breather” phone calls. Pascal notices someone dressed all in black watching the gallery. The harassment escalates when she finds a florist’s box containing a gutted, blood-soaked fish. Olivier helps her clean up, and they rekindle their connection, spending the night together. The calls persist, and an unidentified intruder breaks into Amanda’s apartment. The intruder scales the building, breaks a window, and steals her underwear and dirty clothes. The police identify the culprit as an erotomaniac but warn that catching him may take months.

That night, Amanda receives another breather call, with the caller pleasuring himself. The following day, Amanda and Pascal conclude that Johnny is likely not the culprit.

Amanda attends a work event where Stephanie serves as a judge. She meets Stephanie and Stephanie’s best friend, Lizzie, and observes that Stephanie seems kind but deeply unhappy. Amanda becomes convinced that Olivier will never divorce her. They argue when Amanda shares these feelings with Olivier, further straining their romantic relationship.

Olivier decides to confront Stephanie about their marriage, but she travels to England before he can. While there, Stephanie falls off a horse and sustains serious injuries. Olivier informs Amanda before flying to England to assist Stephanie during her recovery. Amanda believes taking care of Stephanie during her convalescence will likely repair their fractured marriage.

In England, Olivier cares for Stephanie with the help of nurses and Stephanie’s close friends—Lizzie, Valerie, and Veronique. While Olivier and Stephanie reestablish their friendship, Olivier realizes their marriage is irreparably broken. He calls Amanda daily, but she begins to ignore his calls, texts, and emails.

Meanwhile, Tom invites Amanda to a movie. Although the evening starts pleasantly, Tom assaults Amanda outside her apartment, leaving bruises on her chest and tearing her shirt. Amanda escapes into her apartment while Tom kicks her door and screams obscenities. She begins to suspect that Tom might be her stalker.

The harassment intensifies. Amanda receives obscene phone calls and discovers her apartment vandalized. The intruder scrawls “bitch” on one of her pictures. Suspicious of Tom, Amanda tells the police, but Tom manipulates the situation to make her accusations seem unfounded. Amanda briefly moves into Pascal’s apartment for safety but returns home after a leak in Pascal’s building forces her to leave.

While Amanda navigates her fears, Olivier faces changes in his marriage. Stephanie confesses that she is a lesbian and has been in a relationship with her best friend Lizzie for nearly 20 years. She asks for a divorce, and Olivier supports her decision. They agree to end their marriage amicably.

Olivier contacts Amanda to share the news, but she ignores his calls. He visits her apartment and spots a man climbing the building. Olivier alerts the police and rushes to Amanda’s aid. Inside, Tom, armed with a knife, confronts Amanda and threatens to kill her after attempting to rape her. Amanda fights back, sustaining a leg injury. Olivier intervenes, and Tom injures him before the police arrive and arrest Tom.

Tom confesses to his crimes, and the police uncover a history of violence, including a prior assault on his ex-wife. Tom’s sentence ensures he will spend at least 20 years in prison. Amanda and Olivier recover from their injuries and reconcile.

Olivier finalizes his divorce, and he and Amanda marry. During their honeymoon, Amanda becomes pregnant. Stephanie and Lizzie also marry, with Olivier walking them down the aisle. Both families move forward, united by love and acceptance, as they embrace their new lives together.