Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

The Stepfamily by Bonnie Traymore is a psychological page-turner set in Silicon Valley. After twelve years of marriage, Laura still feels like a visitor in the family because it is not hers. Laura married Peter after his wife’s death and helped raise his children. Something is bothering Peter, but he does not discuss it with her. Laura’s career is thriving, and she has just recently been promoted. On leaving for work one day, Laura notices liquid under the vehicle. This is the first of a few freak accidents, and Laura feels someone wants to harm her. She starts digging into Peter’s past. Laura must find out who wants to get her out of the way before it is too late.

If you want a psychological thriller with drama, secrets, suspense, and more, then The Stepfamily is a must-read. The plot is complex, intriguing, and thrilling, and I could not put the book down until I found out who wanted to harm Laura. I was drawn into this world Bonnie Traymore creates, and the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters are brilliantly developed and authentic with each contributing to the story's success. My favorite character was Laura. She is robust and does not jump to conclusions. She makes an effort to find the truth and then acts. The story is excellently written and had my attention throughout. The major twist was a big surprise; I did not see it coming.