The Boyfriend: A Twisty Psychological Thriller from the Author of The Housemaid

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars (Outstanding) Setting: Modern Day New York City Genre: Psychological Thriller; Domestic Thriller The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden is psychological suspense at its finest—smart, sharp, and so full of twists, you’ll be flipping pages late into the night. McFadden once again proves her mastery of the domestic thriller with a story that is equal parts witty, creepy, and utterly unputdownable. Sydney Shaw is a relatable heroine for anyone who’s ever been burned by modern dating. Her string of awful experiences makes you instantly root for her—and when she finally meets the perfect guy, it feels like a fairytale. That is, until the fairytale starts to unravel in the most chilling way. With a serial killer on the loose, and all signs pointing uncomfortably close to home, the suspense kicks into high gear. McFadden does a brilliant job building tension with short, punchy chapters and a plot that keeps the reader guessing until the very last page. Just when you think you’ve figured it out—boom! Another twist. And another. It’s the kind of thriller that messes with your head in the best possible way. With a perfect blend of dark humor, relatable dating drama, and spine-tingling suspense, The Boyfriend is a must-read for fans of Gillian Flynn, Lisa Jewell, or anyone who loves a thriller with a wicked sense of fun. A 5-star thrill ride from start to finish. #theboyfriend #booked_this_weekend

I thought I had it this time. I SWEAR I HAD IT THIS TIME. But, also, in the deep corner of my mind, I knew it wouldn't be this easy. Frieda wouldn't make it this easy. This is a trap. "It's a trap!" I will admit the story was dull. It wasn't bland enough to put down, but I still genuinely enjoyed it. However, it could have been better. I wish there had been more character development, but I enjoyed how unorthodox the writing style was. Sydney's inner monologue was similar to my own (it's goofy and dumb, and I can relate to it in my own way, regardless of the readers who think Sydney is stupid). The writing was very relaxed and set in what I believe is a modern thought process. I liked the dual POV because Tom's past and Sydney's present moved toward each other until they met in the middle, and everything started to make sense (sort of). 3.75 stars for the writing style (that I related to personally), plot twist, and dual POV (past and present meeting in the middle). It would have been an actual four-star rating if there had been more character development. ****SPOILERS**** ** ** ** ** ** I CAN NOT believe Tom went back with Daisy in the end. I was really hoping for some character development on his part, but I also understand the Bonnie and Clyde vibe going on between them. The only character development I saw was with Jake because he realized how he prioritized work over his relationship with Sydney. I don't know how I feel about them being back together, but I am glad he grew in that department, whether with her or someone else. I really wasn't expecting Daisy to still be alive. I truly believed Randy was Slug because we were never given Slug's real name (from what I can remember), and he had bought that ant farm (when Slug was obsessed with bugs), but of course, Frieda wouldn't make it that easy for us. She wrote Daisy and Slug from a perspective where we believed them to be a certain way when they turned out to be the opposite (Daisy being sweet and innocent when she turned out to be a total psychopath and Slug being a perv but NOT a psychopath). Also, Kevin was a completely pointless character. I understand him being an example of the bad dates she had been on, but other than that, his following her around and stalking her was pointless. Nothing came of it except for Tom killing him for her at the end of the book. Overall, I enjoyed the book. It took a little bit to get into, but the dual POV definitely helped in that department (his past was more interesting than her blabbing about bad dates).

Sydney is a single woman living in New York. She had been having a hard time dating. She meets Tim when her current date attacks her and he intervenes. He seems perfect. Then a woman gets murdered and there are some things about Tom that are suspicious. This was a great thriller with a great twist! I did not see that coming! Loved it!

⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5 stars) This was my first book by Freida McFadden, and overall it was just okay. I gave it 3.5 stars mainly because it kept me entertained for about 10 hours on audio. It’s the kind of book you can have playing in the background while doing errands without needing full focus. I actually became interested in this author after watching The Housemaid, which I thought had a very well done and creative plot. That experience led me to explore books from this widely acclaimed author. I had heard this was one of her best thrillers, but for me the writing felt a bit weak and the plot wasn’t especially compelling. It often felt like I was reading an easy, YA-style book. This is not a masterpiece thriller that challenges you or keeps you deeply thinking. The story feels somewhat rushed, as if it was written to get something out rather than to fully develop a complex narrative. That said, I’m still interested in exploring more of her work to understand the hype. If you’re looking for a deeply crafted, edge-of-your-seat thriller with powerful writing, this may not be the book for you. But if you want something easy and entertaining that keeps you engaged, it does the job.

Enjoyed the book, an easy read and enough twists to keep your attention. I do think that Sydney was a problem for not telling Jake all of the details.

Loved the twist and turns! Never expected the ending. She never fails to keep the suspense to the very end.

5 stars again. The suspense and the twist so good a must read!! And this one takes you all the way to the end and what a ending

This book was so good! My jaw dropped on the floor a few times! It had me hooked! . I thought the ending could have been better. But over all, it was a really good book.

Plot twists and just when you thought you knew who was the killer…plot twist!!! Must read, read it in less than 3 days

Unpredictable

The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden is a fast, addictive psychological thriller that hooks you in early and refuses to let go until the very last page. It has all the classic McFadden ingredients — short punchy chapters, rising paranoia, constant twists, and that unsettling feeling that nothing is quite what it seems. At the centre of the story is Sydney Shaw, a woman with a history of bad dating experiences who finally thinks she has met someone perfect. Sydney is very relatable — she’s cautious but hopeful, someone who just wants things to work out romantically but keeps ending up in situations that feel slightly off. When she meets Tom, she is drawn in quickly, and as a reader you can feel both her excitement and the creeping sense that something isn’t right. The man she falls for is Tom Brewer (Tom Brown) — a doctor who appears perfect on the surface. He is charming, controlled, and described with an almost unsettling intensity, especially his coal-black eyes and commanding presence. He is one of those characters who feels ideal at first but gradually becomes more and more suspicious the longer you sit with him. McFadden does a great job of making him both magnetic and uncomfortable at the same time. We also see glimpses into Tom’s past, including Daisy Driscoll, his high school girlfriend, whose storyline helps slowly build a darker picture of who Tom really is. These “Before” sections add depth and unease, hinting that his present-day perfection may be built on something far more disturbing. On Sydney’s side, we have Gretchen, her close friend, whose role becomes increasingly important as the twists unfold. Without giving too much away, Gretchen is not quite who she initially seems, and her connection to events plays a key part in the way the story completely unravels. She adds another layer of mistrust, making Sydney’s world feel even less stable. Another important figure is Jake Sousa, a detective investigating the murders and also Sydney’s ex-boyfriend. Jake brings a more grounded investigative thread into the chaos, but his personal connection to Sydney adds tension and emotional complexity. He is both trying to solve the case and still emotionally entangled in Sydney’s life, which complicates everything further. Then there is Randy (Slug), Tom’s childhood best friend, who is one of the more unusual and memorable side characters. His strange personality and obsession with eating bugs make him stand out, and while he may seem almost comedic at times, he contributes to the unsettling backstory surrounding Tom’s youth. A major emotional turning point in the story involves Bonnie, Sydney’s close friend. Her death becomes a significant moment in the narrative, shifting the tone of the book and raising the stakes dramatically. It deepens Sydney’s emotional journey and pushes the story into darker territory. As everything builds, the tension becomes almost unbearable. McFadden constantly shifts suspicion between characters, making you question everyone’s motives. Sydney’s increasing isolation and confusion are written in a way that makes you feel just as unsettled as she does. And then… the ending. Omg. That ending. It genuinely lands like a shockwave. Everything you thought you understood about Tom, Sydney, and everyone around them gets flipped completely. It’s the kind of twist that makes you sit back and rethink the entire book from the beginning. I honestly did not see it coming, and that’s what makes it so satisfying. There’s also a strong underlying message about dating, trust, and how dangerous it can be to let your guard down too quickly. It definitely reinforces the idea that not everyone is who they say they are — and yes, as a slightly tongue-in-cheek takeaway… there are some serious creeps out there, so maybe don’t let someone know where you live on the first date. Or better yet, just be careful who you trust entirely. Overall, The Boyfriend is a gripping, twist-filled thriller that is easy to read, hard to put down, and packed with suspense right up to its shocking final reveal. Sydney Shaw’s journey, Tom Brewer’s unsettling duality, Gretchen’s hidden role, Jake Sousa’s investigation, Randy’s bizarre personality, Daisy Driscoll’s past connection, and Bonnie’s emotional impact all combine into a tightly woven psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end. It’s tense, addictive, and delivers exactly what a thriller should — a story you can’t stop reading and an ending you definitely don’t see coming.

One of the most gripping and exciting books I've read in a long time!

Goodd readdd