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A review by booksamongstfriends
The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden
4.0
OK, OK, I get the Freida McFadden hype now! This was my first time finishing one of her books, and I have to say, I’m hooked. I’ve started a few of her other works but never got through them—just a mood thing—but now I’m ready to dive into her entire catalog. While I’ve heard that The Boyfriend isn’t considered her “best” by longtime fans, I found it super enjoyable.
McFadden does an excellent job balancing thriller, mystery, messy characters, and dark humor in this book. One thing I appreciate is her commitment to the bit: the entire premise is about throwing the reader off the scent, and she does this with such flair. The description, the pacing, and the chapter setups all lend themselves to a lingering sense of predictability—until she completely pulls the rug out from under you. It’s playful, unpredictable, and consistently entertaining.
The story follows Sydney Shaw, a single woman struggling to find a real connection in the dating world. Enter Tom, a mysterious doctor who seems too good to be true. But Tom has secrets, and when Sydney’s cop ex-boyfriend warns her that a serial killer is on the loose, suspicions begin to mount. Suddenly, it feels like everyone is after Sydney—but not in the way she wanted.
What makes this story fun is how McFadden uses Sydney’s own gullibility to toy with the reader. Sydney literally says, “Well, it can’t be this person, right?” and you’re sitting there thinking, “Sydney, YES, it could totally be them!” It’s hilarious, frustrating, and keeps you glued to the page. Tom, too, is a layered character whose kindness and naivety mask darker truths.
Told through dual timelines and dual perspectives, the story flips between Sydney in the present and Tom’s backstory. Without giving too much away, Tom’s past feels so obvious once the twist comes, but McFadden writes it in a way that’s easy to overlook. He’s portrayed as an outsider with an abusive father, deeply in love with a local girl, Daisy, who happens to be the sheriff’s daughter. As bodies pile up in the past and the present, Tom becomes the thread tying it all together.
One thing I loved about this book was the simplicity of the killer’s motive: pure obsession. There’s no elaborate reasoning or tragic backstory here—just someone fixated on getting what they want, willing to take out anyone in their way. This straightforward motive made it easier for McFadden to cast doubt on multiple characters, keeping readers guessing until it was right in your face.
This was such a fun read, and I’m excited to pick up more of McFadden’s work. If you’re into thrillers with twists, suspense, and a bit of dark humor, this is one to check out!
McFadden does an excellent job balancing thriller, mystery, messy characters, and dark humor in this book. One thing I appreciate is her commitment to the bit: the entire premise is about throwing the reader off the scent, and she does this with such flair. The description, the pacing, and the chapter setups all lend themselves to a lingering sense of predictability—until she completely pulls the rug out from under you. It’s playful, unpredictable, and consistently entertaining.
The story follows Sydney Shaw, a single woman struggling to find a real connection in the dating world. Enter Tom, a mysterious doctor who seems too good to be true. But Tom has secrets, and when Sydney’s cop ex-boyfriend warns her that a serial killer is on the loose, suspicions begin to mount. Suddenly, it feels like everyone is after Sydney—but not in the way she wanted.
What makes this story fun is how McFadden uses Sydney’s own gullibility to toy with the reader. Sydney literally says, “Well, it can’t be this person, right?” and you’re sitting there thinking, “Sydney, YES, it could totally be them!” It’s hilarious, frustrating, and keeps you glued to the page. Tom, too, is a layered character whose kindness and naivety mask darker truths.
Told through dual timelines and dual perspectives, the story flips between Sydney in the present and Tom’s backstory. Without giving too much away, Tom’s past feels so obvious once the twist comes, but McFadden writes it in a way that’s easy to overlook. He’s portrayed as an outsider with an abusive father, deeply in love with a local girl, Daisy, who happens to be the sheriff’s daughter. As bodies pile up in the past and the present, Tom becomes the thread tying it all together.
One thing I loved about this book was the simplicity of the killer’s motive: pure obsession. There’s no elaborate reasoning or tragic backstory here—just someone fixated on getting what they want, willing to take out anyone in their way. This straightforward motive made it easier for McFadden to cast doubt on multiple characters, keeping readers guessing until it was right in your face.
This was such a fun read, and I’m excited to pick up more of McFadden’s work. If you’re into thrillers with twists, suspense, and a bit of dark humor, this is one to check out!