The Stepmother

By: Claire Seeber

Narrated by: Karina Fernandez

Length: 9 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's Summary

The perfect wife. A fairytale family. Don't believe your eyes.

Jeanie and Matthew are a happily married couple who both have teenage children from previous relationships.

No one said it would be easy to raise a blended family under one roof but Jeanie and Matthew are strong. They will make it work.

And whilst Jeanie's step-daughter Scarlett rejects her, Jeanie will just have to try harder to win her over.

But Jeanie has a past. A terrible secret she thought she'd buried a long time ago. And now, it's coming to the surface, threatening to destroy her new marriage.

Someone is playing a terrifying game on Jeanie and she must put a stop to it once and for all.

After all, a fairytale needs a happy ending, doesn't it?

©2016 Claire Seeber (P)2016 Bookouture

Impressive, worthy thriller!

I would really recommend this audiobook. It was suspenseful, interesting and got me hooked right from the start. I liked the main character, because she was realistically flawed, sentimental and real, but also smart.
The plot contains plenty of elements of suspense and even some supernatural creepiness. I loved the big, secret-filled country house that was home to the family. Our protagonist is a newlywed, having found her dream husband mid-life; along with wedded bliss comes a not-so-awesome stepfamily, with teenage kids and a meddling, snotty ex-wife. The characters were fairly well-drawn out, and I liked the realistic aspects of life in a blended family. When things start getting more and more strange, expect to be shocked and on the edge of your seat while our protagonist works out what is really going on- or does she? This was a fun, suspenseful thriller that kept me guessing, with plenty of characters to keep you engaged. Recommended!

Twisted thriller took me on a ride

If you could sum up The Stepmother in three words, what would they be?

Twisted, Fast-Paced, & Disturbing

This was great! I loved this book so much!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I thought Marlena was a great character. She directed so much of this story.

Which character – as performed by Karina Fernandez – was your favorite?

Gosh.... I was impressed with Karina's ability to do this book justice! I'm not sure I can pick just one!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I would just say... don't read this before bed. It might creep you out a bit too much to sleep.

Any additional comments?

I was so surprised by this book! I wish I hadn't waited so long to read/listen to it. It was just so darn great!! If you like books that mess with your head... listen to this!!

The Stepmother

This was an interesting story that keeps the reader guessing. When you think you've figured it out, think again!

Narrator very good, whats with the nastiness?

Not sure why the hate for her...just hateful people i suppose. She does a very good job. Not too dramatic but but plays the part of the neurotic second wife perfectly. I wouldn't have bothered reviewing but for the mean natured negatives.
Im halfway through the story, and its very interesting and suspenseful. Im enjoying it thoroughly.
Again, she is a 42 year old British woman...she sounds exactly as she should sound. I think some people have old devices.

Psychological Thriller?

I kept waiting for the moment of suspense, although it never came. I continued listening because of the reviews...Unless I missed something, this just didn't have any real depth-There was so much that could have been taken out. A 'psychological thriller' that I didn't mind coming to an end.

Thoroughly Enjoyable

This was a fun read with a couple of surprises along the way. Light and entertaining.

ztidmore

it had a great plot I enjoyed all the way to the ending would read more of her books in the future.

so much build up for nothing

The story started with many questions building up and then it all just fell flat. Questions were great, but not all answered and the ones that were answered were extremely anticlimactic. I can't believe I wasted so many hours.

Narrator was great

Rebecca, meet Snow White

I loved this one! So twisty! The Stepmother is a mystery/thriller retelling of Snow White, complete with a dysfunctional family, a stepmother with a shady past, and pets that just keep dying off for some reason. Lots of tonal and overt references to Rebecca and Jane Eyre. Gothic, referential, and sharply written, this book hit all of my buttons! I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a great marriage thriller.

Just ok

I took me a long time to finish this one. I read three others books in between The Stepmother. It really seemed
to drag on and I kept finding myself wishing I was done it with already. I even read a spoiler hoping to end my curiosity enough to finally just put the book away. But, I am stubborn. I have to finish what I start so I decided to stick with it.

It is a story about Jeannie. The meek mouse who marries her mate after only 6 months of meeting. They try to merge their families while juggling a jealous ex wife and lame drama ensues.
It finally picks up a little toward the end and for that I was grateful. I found the story to be "ok" but I wouldn't call this a psychological thriller.

The narration took me a while to get used to. The main character drove me bananas with her spineless behavior and hand wringing.
I'll rate it 2.5. Not bad. Not great.

Wow! Seriously unputdownable!

Which character – as performed by Karina Fernandez – was your favourite?

The narration was first class.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I don't often get emotional at books, but this one did bring tears to my eyes at one point. I feel sure this must be because the characters are so well drawn that I was thoroughly engaged with them.

Any additional comments?

This is a great book. Well written, excellent, well drawn characters and interestingly story that certainly kept me gripped. I couldn't put it down.

Fast paced, thriller, dark, eerie & addictive!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would happily recommend this based on the intensity of the story. Begin with a basic fairy tale 'Snow White' and sink rapidly into unhappiness, lack of trust, so many secrets, jealousy, fear and confusion. When all Jeanie wanted was to live happily ever after with her beau, she didn't realise how difficult it would be to blend the families with so many external influences. Step-Mother's tend to get a bad name but sometimes it's not as simple as that. There were so many twists and turns to endure, it felt like a dead-end and then would ramp into another moment of tension. There were a few 'sick' incidents so if you have a *trigger* for animal harm beware.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I would like to think Jeanie would be my favourite but at times she was just too nice or weak, her character came across as downtrodden and wishy washy, maybe she was simply worn out with all the events. In which case her sister Marlena probably grabbed my attention the most. She was harsher, abrupt, not an overly likeable person but she does show a softer more dependant side and actually has a pretty big secret of her own! On that basis she added some fire to the story. Scarlett came a lose second, the spoiled little 'princess' daughter. Again a slight *trigger* for self-harming.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Karina Fernandez?

Personally the answer to that would be no. Her voice grated on my nerves when she was reading Jeanie's character. I think I might have perceived Jeanie slightly differently had I 'read' the book instead of listened. The majority of the audio was ok but the narration certainly knocked the overall score of the book down for me which is rather unfair to the author because she did a fabulous job with the story.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It didn't cause a laugh or cry reaction but it was certainly very tense in places. I found myself saying just one more chapter and so it would go on, I never quite got to a point where I wanted to take a break because I was desperate to find out what would be revealed next. So a level of high enjoyment was definitely achieved.

Any additional comments?

As with any story there are always a few niggles .. my major gripe with this one is Jeanie managed to marry Matthew without disclosing her BIG secret. Has she not heard of social media and the story getting out! Also as a mother it didn't ring too true with me when Jeanie's son Frankie was accused of something by Matthew and she didn't stand up for him. Nevertheless it was a brilliantly written story and I enjoyed Claire's easy style. Put aside a few hours and savour this one.
Many thanks to Kim at Bookouture for the audio version in exchange for my honest opinion.

Excellent characterisation.

It is so telling (in a good way) that the name of the main character has already slipped from my memory. What I actually enjoyed about this novel was not so much the storyline but the way it was crafted. In short: I like the way the author writes. Her characters are authentic. The narration was excellent, especially the portrayal of Marlene. I thoroughly recommend this audio book.

unexpected enemies

Would you listen to The Stepmother again? Why?

Yes. It was gripping and well read. I was kept guessing to the end.

What other book might you compare The Stepmother to, and why?

Not sure

What does Karina Fernandez bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I liked her voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No I like to listen over time.

Any additional comments?

No

Good read from stepmother view

Written as story of the new stepmother not a bad but messed up girl who found her dream marriage not a fairy tale
Sad after her dreadful childhood
Recommended as good read

Promised so much, but..

A real slow burner this book. Took forever to get anywhere. Almost gave up, but I did persevere. Found myself a little bored sadly. All the details in the last chapters. By which time I didn’t really care.
Performance on audible it’s only saving grace. Don’t waste a credit!

Had to stop listening mid-walk

Not sure where the fault lies: the narrator with a 'little laugh in her voice' about every fourth sentence, trying to put too much feeling into it. Or maybe it's the author's fault I couldn't get beyond an hour or two of this - the annoying references to fairytales, or the ridiculous plot and the idea that someone who gets married quickly takes no time to find out anything about their partner - they got married a few months after meeting, not a few minutes.

Had hoped for better based on other reviews.

Where is this Killer Twist?

I enjoyed the Narration. Some good characters and it was slightly spooky which made me look forward to the ending but when we got there I was sadly disappointed.

Not a favourate of mine

For the first time i didnt like the narraor which made it very hard for me to carry on with the book. I think it was more the acsent she gave the charactors. I also got alittle bored as i thaught there wasnt much going on to keep me listening. I thaught the ending was strange how an x boyfriend was just sudenly thrown in. Didnt really make much sence.

Great listen really enjoyed it

This is narrated well and the characters are believable. A great listen that is full of surprises