TRIGGER WARNING: suicide
Libby Curtis is a paramedic and is shocked to be called out to a teenager who may have been drugged and held against her will. She is upset and confused to discover a link with her stepson who seems to have the vicitim's false fingernail in his car. Could he be a monster and will she protect him?
The Stepmother is a psychological thriller set in the UK.
Libby fell in love with Nathan and, although never wanting children herself, has been a dedicated mum to his children Sam and Sienna. Now they are teens and rebelling against their parents. Libby attends a patient she recognises and is devastated when she finds a clue that links to her stepson. She battles with her conscience as she hides evidence that incriminates Sam but can't reconcile the criminal activity with her knowledge of the boy she raised. She is determined to protect him at all costs as she couldn't save her brother who killed himself.
Meanwhile Gemma is obsessed with a crime from the past. A paedophile was convicted of one crime but there are a string of families with no answers about their missing loved ones. She wants to find the truth and bring peace to the families who are still grieving. Her investigation leads her to the Curtis family...
The book is written in the third person to show Libby and Gemma's journey of discovery. I did like the little detail about Gemma's guinea pigs being a guinea mum myself! Both women have to balance their families against the truth, the personal feelings versus what is right. I enjoyed the 'what if' element as it made me think carefully about what lengths I would go to to protect my own family whilst also considering the victims, law and truth.
The Stepmother is a tense and thought provoking book about the choices we make to protect our loved ones.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I loved this book! The story started a bit slow and then took off like a rocket. I couldn't put it down and kept me wanting more. Thrilling and suspenseful!! Grab a copy it will not disappoint!

This one starts off slowly, but then all of a sudden there is twists and turn every which way. This book was unpredictable which is a winner in my eyes.

When Libby met Nathan, he was a widower with two small children and now, years later, Libby is the only mother that Sam and Sienna have known. Libby is a paramedic and never knows what each call will bring, but when a call comes in about a teenager that has been found, she takes a minute to check that her own children are safe.

Upon arrival at the scene, Libby realizes she knows the teenager. She can’t imagine what it would be like had it been one of her children; however, is it possible that one of her children were involved? She’s always known she would protect her family no matter the cost—what lengths will she go to to ensure that her family stays as it is?

In true Sally Rigby and Amanda Ashby fashion, the twists take place right up until the end. I always think I have it somewhat figured out, but then I read the next paragraph and I realize I was wrong.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel. #NetGalley #TheStepmother

Even though this is written by two authors the story is woven seamlessly and whilst a slow start, the plot thickens quite quickly!! A great read that I devoured in a day.

This book has me gasping at times and feeling speechless. Twists and turns all throughout! This was my first book by this author and can’t wait to read through some more !

The Stepmother by Sally Rigby and Amanda Ashby was another excellent book especially as it was written by two authors. It started off slowly.........then Bang it all started to come together with lots of twists and turns it was hard to keep up! I thought I had worked it out!!!
Nope there was another twist that kicked me sideways again.

This was a great page turner and I loved it.

I highly recommend The Stepmother it will not disappoint!

Big Thank you, to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the copy of The Stepmother.

A great read! Well written and full of twists and turns. My only criticism would be the pace of the story as it did feel a little slow at times.

I feel that the truth about her family is a concept that has been done before, especially with some movies and tv shows, but it was how Ashby and Rigby did it that made it different. It wasn’t thrown in our faces, we read it, but we don’t fully understand the weight of what is happening until Libby comes to her own realization. 

We all know I love to guess the end of the book, and while I got some of it right, wow did I get a big chunk of it wrong. I was mentally urging her to do one specific action and at the end I realized just how wrong I was, and that if I was in Libby’s situation and gone off of my suggestions I would not have made it! 

I do love the comparison between Gemma and Libby both losing a brother, and how that impacts every decision they made throughout the book. They understand each other and that really leads to the following outcome of both what Libby did, and what Gemma chooses to ignore. 

This book has many layers in the fact that you want to cheer for Libby and cheer for Gemma, but that would mean the downfall of one of them. It also shows the complex ideas of being a stepmother to teenage twins that want nothing to do with you, but you still have to protect them anyways. We see Libby fighting against what the kids want in order to protect them, but also trying to do it in a way so that the kids don’t shut her out even more. 

One thing that really threw me off the first time it happened was the point of view change. We start with only seeing it through Libby’s point of view for a few chapters and then it randomly switches to Gemma. There was no preparation for that, so it took me a paragraph or two to get really confused and have to go back. Once I was used to the two perspectives it became very easy to see the difference between the two, but that first time threw me for a loop! 

I really enjoyed this book, especially during the fall under some blankets. I did not guess the ending at all, which is all I want in a thriller! I dare everyone to read it and to see if they figure it out before the end.

I loved this read, it was so fast paced and exactly what I needed to get me out of my book slump.I will definitely be recommending this to everyone!

Reading Between the Wines book review #130/115(met goal in Sept!) for 2023:
Rating: 4 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷
Book: The Stepmother
Author: Sally Rigby & Amanda Ashby
Available Now!!

Sipping thoughts: The love of a mother is usually unrelenting, but you don’t always hear that about a stepmother’s love. However, Libby, stepmother to Sam and Sienna, and wife to Nathan, loves them like her own family. She has stepped in as a mother and wife. Does that mean she would do anything to protect them when there is an attack on someone close to them and another crime that hits close to home? Or does it mean she will do anything, herself, to protect her family at all costs? I missed the small clues and fell for the red herrings and loved the reveal and the mystery behind it.

Cheers and thank you to @BoldwoodBooks and @Netgalley for an advanced copy of @TheStepmother.

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This story centres around Libby, a paramedic, who responds to a call where a teenage girl has been found on the side of a road, unconscious. When the girl , Hayley, comes to, she explains that she was kidnapped and escaped from a locked room. Libby quickly realizes that Hayley is one of her daughter's friends. Libby soon comes across some information that which lead her to believe that her stepchildren may be involved in Hayley's disappearance. How far will Libby go to protect her family?

I thought this book was super predictable, but I was proved wrong! This author duo does a tremendous job at building up suspense and weaving in many twists and turns. Not only is this a great thriller, but the authors really dive into human relationships. They examine different family types and relationships. I was super invested in the character development and the various journeys each family member took.

I was hooked from start to finish, There are a few points where it gets a bit slow, which is the main reason I deducted a start. Nonetheless, it is a great and entertaining thriller. The ending really packs a punch. Again, I thought I had everything figured out, but I was sure wrong!

Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Stepmother grabbed me immediately and just did not let go. It was really twisty and kept me guessing right to the end. I loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

Disclaimer: I fell ill whilst reading this so it was shelved for some 10 days while I recovered. So apologies for the delay in posting my review for the blog tour.

This dynamic writing duo have done it again with another compelling psychological thriller with an addictive plot that is engaging from start to finish. It centres on Libby, a paramedic, who responds to a call with her partner on shift, Jonathan, where a teenage girl has been found unconcious. Upon arrival, Libby can see that she is clearly under the influence of drugs. But had she taken them willingly? Or had she been drugged? The girl, Hayley, was distraught as well as disoriented stating she had escaped from a locked room where she had been locked up. But this is all too close to home for Libby who recognised Hayley as being one of her stepdaughter Sienna's friends. But then she comes across some troubling pieces of information which lead Libby to thinking that her children may have been involved in Hayley's abduction.

We also meet Gemma, a woman who hosts a small blog devoted to serial killer Colin Wallace who was said to be responsible for the abduction of many missing boys in the eighties. But then Wallace was sent down for the boy he was caught with though he denied responsibility of any others, even after having made a full confession to them prior to going on record. Wallace then died in prison taking his secrets to the grave. But now Gemma has arrived in Bournemouth after hearing about Hayley's abduction online based on its similarities to Wallace's crimes. She begins to dig further and tries confronting Libby with her information but to no avail.

Then just as she was closing in, the predator becomes the prey. Is it too late to save Gemma? What really happened all those years ago? And how can she protect her family at all costs?

This was a compelling read that I devoured just as soon as I was a little better. I did guess the villain and thensome but that never ruins my enjoyment of a well told story. I did find Libby's constant second guessing everything a little tiresome but I found the teenage angst of Sam and Sienna even moreso.

Still, there are plenty of twists along the way to keep you entertained as well as guessing as little by little the secrets and lies all start to unravel. Overall, an enjoyable read.

I would like to thank #SallyRigby, #AmandaAshby, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheStepmother in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

Wow....just wow. The Stepmother by Sally is a bone-chilling read that had me guessing until the very end. Five stars!

I was enthralled by this book instantly and found it impossible to put down. This story is so intriguing and twisty that the reader is left doubting everything they are told. I love the way they use dual timeline to slowly reveal the truth and that ending was unforgettable. These authors are a fantastic partnership and I need to read more.

I always read Amanda’s books and this one was great as well, I liked the storyline and how it was written, they make a good team and I hope they write another one in the future

Libby had never wanted children till she met handsome widower Nathan with adorable twins. She devoted her life to making a happy family for them. As the twins grew up they became a bit more difficult but she thought they were a tight unit that could weather these years. When a missing teenage girl is found by the roadside her first thoughts are for Sam & Sienna- are they safe? When she finds an item in Sam's car she is shocked but she refuses to believe he is involved. She will do anything to keep her family together.

I am a huge fan of Sally Rigby but this is the first time I have read one with Amanda Ashby. It was a good read although I have to admit that I did find Libby's blinkered approach somewhat irritating! Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book

Rigby and Ashby are my favourite female writing duo. Both brilliant authors in their own right, but unstoppable when together.

It's a slow starter, but that doesn't bother me, it allows me to savour the story more and you know good things are on their way.

The plot is brilliant, the characters are credible and it certainly makes you question just how far you'd go for your family - I'd do anything I possibly could, wouldn't you?

It's suspenseful, the tension is palpable and the plot is so absorbing. I couldn't get the pages turned fast enough - on a kindle like mine that's pretty slow.

Highly entertaining, enjoyable and definitely a writing duo to recommend.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Stepmother' by Sally Rigby and Amanda Ashby

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Sally Rigby, Amanda Ashby, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random resources Tours.

Publication date 30th October 2023

This is the second book I have read by either of these authors. I have previously read 'The Ex Wife' which I would also highly recommend.

This novel consists of a prologue, 36 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

WHAT did I just read!!!! WOW!!! I mean seriously Wow!! I was NOT expecting that lot fair play!!! This has GOT to start with a MASSIVE WELL DONE SALLY AND AMANDA!!!! Ooopps sorry, yes, needed a minute to get over that but I've just left you hanging there... Sorry.... Let me tell you more...

Firstly let's start off with the writing style, etc!! This book is an extremely well written book by these amazing authors which had me hook line and sinker!!! It is so smoothly and fantastically written with vivid and evocative descriptions I completely forgot I was even reading a book a few times. The blurb, title and cover really fit the storyline. Sally and Amanda work perfectly together to create an absolutely explosive and addictive storyline that had me hooked from the gripping first chapter to the absolutely shocking ending!!!

As you can tell I LOVED the storyline. I found it to be realistic, very fast paced and I read it in just several hours!!! I loved the setting, characters, atmosphere and just well... Everything!!! Twists after shocks after turns!!! Arggghhh... Its so hard to NOT say anything about them as it will give too much away and spoil it for future readers but it definitely left me speechless over and over!!! I have read hundreds of psychological books and it gets harder and harder to keep my interest and to shock me but these fantastic authors managed it hook, line and sinker Just brilliant fair play and all links in and wraps up perfectly!!! During the book Sally and Amanda build the tension and suspense perfectly and leading the readers up to some extremely explosive twists that I would never have seen coming. I cannot remember the last time I flew through a book so quickly. Each and every time I went to put it down to do something my fingers were itching to pick it back up as I just HAD to know what happened next!! Amanda and Sally's evocative writing skills ensure you are sucked deep into the storyline seeing everything that is happening and feeling the tension, stress and suspense that each of the main characters are going through. My heart was in my throat throughout reading this fast paced, gripping and gritty psychological thriller! I just cannot wait to get stuck into more books by these absolutely epic authors and I have added all their previous books to my wish list already and look forward to what they come out with next!! It is ram packed with family, lies, twists, drama ,heartbreak, twists, tension, stress, suspense and everything you could ask for in a psychological thriller. I can't say more than that as I don't want to spoil it for future readers so if you want to know you'll have to grab yourself a copy!! You won't regret it!!

Just like with the storyline the characters come to life with Sally and Amanda's fantastic writing skills. They are well rounded, realistic and strong making them all the more believable. They were also all complex and the further I got into the book and the more I got to know them it felt like I was discovering more layers the more I read. I have twins myself so any books that inckjde twin characters always intrigue me that but more and Sam and Sienna are definitely intriguing!! I was completely invested in Libby and her family and just had to know who was hiding what. I won't go into more details as I don't want to risk giving anything away but Amanda and Sally really have done an amazing job constructing an addictive and explosive psychological thriller with fantastic and varied characters that you just won't be able to put down!!

Congratulations Sally and Amanda on an yet another explosive success!!! This is the exact reason that you are both in my favourite author club!! Here's to many more successes 🥂!!!

Clear your schedules before picking this up as you will not be able to put it down!!! "

Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the first chapter of Sally and Amanda's 'The Ex Wife' which I have actually read already and I would highly recommend it!!!

Overall an absolutely page turning, addictive, gripping and explosive must read that will keep you addicted from the very start to the fantastic ending!!!

306 pages.

This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon, free with kindle unlimited and £9.99 in paperback at time of review which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews

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