The Boyfriend

5 StarsI just finished The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden, and I need someone to talk to about it immediately. This book was WILD. I tore through it in just five hours because I physically could not stop turning the pages. The suspense, the pacing, the twists—it was like literary quicksand. Once I stepped in, I was not getting out until the very end.From the very beginning, there’s this slow build of tension that never lets up. I kept thinking, “Okay, something’s off here,” but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Every chapter left me second-guessing what I thought I knew, and I loved that feeling. McFadden has this way of writing that makes you feel like you’re one step ahead—and then suddenly you’re a mile behind, your jaw is on the floor, and you’re frantically flipping back pages to see what you missed.And let’s talk about the pacing—short, punchy chapters that make it way too easy to say, “just one more,” until suddenly you’ve read half the book in one sitting. I was glued to the story, completely invested in Amy and her growing discomfort as things in her seemingly perfect life start to unravel.I’d read The Housemaid a while back and really enjoyed it, but this one just reignited my love for McFadden’s writing. Her stories are addictive, full of red herrings, unreliable characters, and jaw-dropping reveals. Now I’m ready to go back and re-read The Housemaid with fresh eyes, and I already have a stack of her other books queued up.If you’re into fast-paced psychological thrillers with sharp writing and twists you will not see coming, this one needs to go straight to the top of your list. It’s the kind of book that takes over your evening—in the best possible way.

I couldn't put this down! This was easily an addictive read for me, and probably one of the top Freida books I've read.Sydney Shaw has had awful luck with dating - each prospect has been worse than the last. One night, after a particularly awful date, Sydney is cornered by her date in question, and rescued by a mystery man - a man who ignites a flame within her, but moments after the encounter he disappears without a word.Shortly after, a brutal murder occurs within Sydneys building, and her ex is leading the investigation. It seems as though this murder may be connected to a recent string of similar murders, and Sydney's ex convinces her to call off dating for a while - until Sydney reunites with Mystery Man. The two hit it off, and everything seems perfect - until the cracks begin to show in Mystery Man's persona. What follows is a story of obsession, of possession, and the darkness that can grow within a person.I thought I knew where this was going but it took me by surprise. I was so invested in the story - seeing the flashbacks of Tom and his life thus far. Sydney, however, was a little infuriating at times - she definitely had the clueless main character in a horror story vibe, and it was so frustrating to read her thoughts when encountering some things.Overall, entertaining (in a thriller type of way), twisty, and I highly recommend!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars (Outstanding)Setting: Modern Day New York CityGenre: Psychological Thriller; Domestic ThrillerThe 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

In true Freda fashion she really through in a twist! This is probably my favorite McFadden book yet. The suspense was there, and I was not expecting who the antagonist was. I really thought Slug was Randy, and him and Tom ended up being a pack of psychopaths, but was I seriously wrong!I really enjoyed the jumping back in time to see the lives they lived as teenagers. That gave the story some needed depth.Not gory, but suspenseful and thrilling. I think this would be a good book to read if you are wanting to set your toes in this genre.Sydney character aired on the side of me wanting to slap her in the face…. But overall a great read!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Good, easy read. Entertaining and well paced from start to finish. The setting was nice. The story had a lot going on with city living, blind dates, second chance love, a codependent mother, and creepy stalkers..The Housemaid is still taking the lead over this one in my opinion. I felt that this story was quite predictable ( how it took Sydney that long to draw the obvious connection between Bonnie and tom was beyond me. Tom being a pathologist, non comital, socially awkward, carrying a burner phone… hence the 4/5 star review) But, the twists at the end were great. I enjoyed this book !

I read this one in a day - as I wanted to see how it all came together. It didn’t disappoint! I like that you get to know the characters - and the twists and turns that her stories take.