Madelyne marries George (a restaurant owner) after divorcing Damon because he kept leaving the family to serve in the military. Madelyne and Damon’s sixteen-year-old daughter (Connie) feels there is something wrong with George and she doesn’t trust him. Connie turns to her father (Damon) with her concerns. Eventually Connie witnesses something that puts her in danger.

This book started off a bit slow, but it picked up as it went and it got more interesting. I liked Connie, she was quite bold and gutsy at times. Damon was alright, trying to make up for his mistakes of the past. My main problem with this book was Madelyne. She was unlikable, stupid, and a total idiot. She never listened to her daughters’ concerns over George. She brushed off everything that George did wrong. She stuck up for him when it was obvious he wasn’t the man she thought he was. And she was constantly criticizing and arguing with her ex-husband, Damon. Sometimes it was hard reading the story when it was from Madelyne's annoying point-of-view. Other than that, I ended up enjoying this suspense-thriller that really picked up towards the end. ( )

The Stepfather. Theo Baxter. 2023. Well, I wish I hadn’t wasted my time on this predictable “thriller.” The title explains it all. The stepfather is a cruel, evil criminal. The father is a decent man struggling with PTSD from too many tours of duty. Eventually, the good father and the daughter save the day. Writing is pedestrian. ( )