First time author for me as I saw some positive feedback on Goodreads. For me, the book was good for psychological suspense but the plot just wasn't for me. The characters helped drive the story but their imperfections were a little too imperfect. I am 50/50 with liking the title and the cover was just ok.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

An enjoyable read that was crammed full of action, murder, revenge and a whole heap of twists that kept me guessing and I still didn't figure it out

THERE’S SOMETHING NOT RIGHT WITH ELLEN BROOKS . She’s always angry, bitter, and resentful of anyone who appears to be enjoying life. At thirty-nine years old, she seldom leaves the house, doesn’t have a friend in the world, and drinks too much... way too much. In the dead of winter, she makes the unusual decision to visit her sister, Carrie, and her family for the weekend. An ill-fated event prolongs her stay, during which time she discovers the flaws and cracks within this “perfect” family — opening the door to getting the unwarranted revenge she’s been seeking for decades. An engrossing story driven by emotion, psychological games, and suspense, “The Final Step” brings you on a journey that, in the end, will make you lean back and ask the question, “What just happened?”

Oh my gawd, this was an amazing read. Characters are easy to relate to, plot was easy to follow. If you love thrillers that have a psychological edge to them, then this book is for you.

Very interesting story of a supposedly damaged, manipulative, highly intelligent woman, playing on her family’s sense of obligation. Kind of a surprise ending.

This is a slow burn psychological suspense book centered on a dysfunctional family and the secrets they keep from each other.

I personally would not consider it a thriller, it reads more like domestic suspense. It takes until the very end of the book for the crime to happen. If you like books with flawed characters and family secrets, this could be a good choice for you.

This was the first book I have read by Rob Kaufman and it won't be the last. This was a twisted thriller! You will be at the edge of you seat in some of the chapters. This is a great story with well-developed characters and an edgy, terrific twist. I also loved it because I DIDN’T know what I was going to get with that twist! I highly recommend this psychological thriller!

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

Families sometimes have a relative that can pose a problem and Carrie’s family is no exception. Carrie’s sister, Ellen, still lives with their mother, she suffers from depression, has an addictive personality, and is jealous of her sister. The relationship between the two sisters has been strained for years and it’s even worse between Ellen and her brother-in-law.

The Final Step is a slow-paced book about a woman who is unhappy and seeks revenge. Both Carrie and her mother are sympathetic characters who find it increasingly difficult to deal with Ellen as they try to understand what made her this way. This theme runs throughout the story and Carrie, in particular, rehashes her relationship with her sister and the past events that have led up to the present, more than once. Seriously, some of the issues seemed pretty obvious and I felt like the whole family should have been in therapy from the beginning.

The ending was unexpected and it just made me even more sad for this family. I have enjoyed other books by Mr Kaufman, but this one wasn’t one of my favorites. NetGalley provided an advance copy.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview The final step. Welcome into a family drama filled with lies and secrets. Two sisters. Very different now in their 30s struggling with their very real past trauma and aware of the impact it had on their lives today. Two sisters. One with a family and some happiness and the other an alcoholic with a real mean steak. Their mother tries to bring the sisters together for a weekend. But it turns out to be a disaster and all the lies and past converge at once. Can this family survive? Or is the pain so deep they will go to any end to stop the this nightmare. Excellent book. 4 stars. Recommend!!!

This story was quite slow in parts. The main character, Ellen slowly got on my nerves. There was some tension.

Ellen decides to visit her sister Carrie. Carrie has a husband and a teenage son. Ellen appears to be jealous of her sister’s life. Soon, Ellen discovers the family is not as perfect as they seem.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Now available October 6th, 2023

This is not really a thriller or mystery, and some of the story is really slow, so I was going to stop reading. But then it got a little interesting, and even very amusing, so it's an entertaining story with a wrong label.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rob Kaufman is one of my favourite authors who never disappoints. This book was no exception, a fabulous read. I can't wait for the next one.

All my sympathy went to Ellen’s mother and her sister and I felt an odd dislike for Ellen who was after all the one with the problems. So all in all I’m left with an unsatisfactory feeling that I may have missed something here.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Wow what a shocking read!
Two sisters, one beautiful and successful married with a son, the other angry, bitter, not working, living with her mother. She seeks revenge by visiting her sister and trying to ruin her perfect life.— but at what cost!
And— the shocking ending!

Fast paced and really easy to read. Lots of different plots running alongside each other with an air of mystery underneath.
Enjoyed it.

"The Final Step" is an emotionally charged and suspenseful exploration of one woman's descent into bitterness and her quest for revenge. The protagonist, a deeply troubled and isolated individual, embarks on a journey to her sister's seemingly perfect family, setting the stage for a gripping and psychological narrative.

As the story unfolds, the author skillfully unravels the layers of the characters, exposing their flaws and vulnerabilities. The characters come to life in a way that allows readers to connect with their complex emotions and motivations. This emotional depth adds to the tension of the narrative, making the reader both a spectator and an empathetic participant in the unfolding drama.

The novel's winter setting and the ill-fated event create a chilling backdrop for the story, enhancing the suspense and drama. The author's portrayal of the protagonist's inner turmoil and her slow descent into darkness is both haunting and compelling.

"The Final Step" keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning pages to discover what happens next. The quest for revenge is a powerful motivator, and the story explores the lengths to which a person will go to seek justice for perceived wrongs.

In the end, "The Final Step" leaves readers with a sense of awe and introspection, as the shocking conclusion prompts a reevaluation of the events that have transpired. It's a thought-provoking and emotionally charged journey that will linger in your thoughts long after you've turned the final page.

This book tried very hard to portray mental illness but ended up being a caricature of itself. There was no subtlety and no nuance to any of the portrayals.

Ellen suffers from depression and there are demons in her past. However, they are not revealed in much needed detail. She comes off as insecure and jealous. She has been in therapy all her life with little to show for it. Ellen's motivations seem very off, and it is very hard to sympathize with her actions. The author fails to distinguish between mental illness and pure evil.

In my opinion, the only saving grace of the book is the sharp dialog and a fast pace. I truly sympathize with Ellen's mother and her sister. They probably saved this book, however, to a limited extent.

In the end, the book leaves much to be desired. A good plot line hunkered down by its shoddy execution.

A huge thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, Action, intrigue, mystery, murder, revenge, a great who done it, great plot twist, and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!