The Stepmother – ARC Book Review

One guilty secret will tear her life apart…

After a series of heart-breaking miscarriages, Kate’s marriage is hanging by a thread. When her husband Michael tells her he has shocking news, at first, she thinks the worst – he’s been having an affair. It would explain why he’s been so distant. Instead, he reveals that the daughter he abandoned twenty years ago is coming to stay.

Kate is blindsided by the sudden arrival of Imogen mere hours later. Her new stepdaughter is beautiful but troubled and seems wary of her own father. All the same, Kate is pleased to find herself connecting with Imogen, until one day, Imogen reveals a disturbing secret to her stepmother, making her swear never to tell a soul.

With Kate already keeping secrets of her own, she worries her marriage will crumble under the weight of another. But perhaps it’s not Imogen’s intrusion Kate should be worried about. Perhaps it’s Michael’s past she should have been looking at all along…

A completely addictive domestic suspense novel that will keep you guessing into the early hours of the morning. Perfect for fans of The Stepdaughter, Amanda Robson and Adele Parks.

No of pages:- 257 pages

Date published:- 8th April 2021

Publisher:- Canelo

Genre:- Domestic Thriller

The title appealed to me at first so I was excited to read this book. But unfortunately, this book did not live up to my expectations.

Kate is a sculptor and she was having a not so happy married life with a man named Michael, who is a solicitor. So when while she was walking her dog Timba, she meets Steve and asks him to model for her. And what should have been job just turned to a steamy love affair between the two. Then Michael’s daughter Immy comes to stay with them.

This was OK in the beginning but then towards the end, it got a bit boring and I simply finished the book because I have to. Was not fast paced, kind of all direct and and not much unexpected twists and turns you would normally expect from a thriller. The characters are not very likable in my opinion except for the dog.

Overall, it was not a good thriller–I think 2.5 stars would do.

The title appealed to me at first so I was excited to read this book. But unfortunately, this book did not live up to my expectations.

Kate is a sculptor and she was having a not so happy married life with a man named Michael, who is a solicitor. So when while she was walking her dog Timba, she meets Steve and asks him to model for her. And what should have been job just turned to a steamy love affair between the two. Then Michael’s daughter Immy comes to stay with them.

This was OK in the beginning but then towards the end, it got a bit boring and I simply finished the book because I have to. Was not fast paced, kind of all direct and and not much unexpected twists and turns you would normally expect from a thriller. The characters are not very likable in my opinion except for the dog.

Overall, it was not a good thriller–I think 2.5 stars would do.

The title appealed to me at first so I was excited to read this book. But unfortunately, this book did not live up to my expectations.

Kate is a sculptor and she was having a not so happy married life with a man named Michael, who is a solicitor. So when while she was walking her dog Timba, she meets Steve and asks him to model for her. And what should have been job just turned to a steamy love affair between the two. Then Michael’s daughter Immy comes to stay with them.

This was OK in the beginning but then towards the end, it got a bit boring and I simply finished the book because I have to. Was not fast paced, kind of all direct and and not much unexpected twists and turns you would normally expect from a thriller. The characters are not very likable in my opinion except for the dog.

Overall, it was not a good thriller–I think 2.5 stars would do.

Ros Carne was born in London. After working as a journalist for several years she retrained as a barrister, specialising in family law. She has also taught on the Bar Vocational Course at City University. Her first novel, The Pupil, was published by Canelo Books in August 2020. Her second novel, The Stepmother, will be published in April 2021. Ros has two adult sons and lives in Oxford where she now writes full time.