I see my three star rating goes well below the average for this book but then you can’t please all of the people etc etc.
The storyline is ok but I’ve read some others on a fairly similar vein. The characters didn’t ring true to me but I do acknowledges that the bad behaviour revealed in the plot does go on. The twists I saw coming well in the whole I did. So just a three stars I’m afraid.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookature Audio for this advance listener copy in exchange for my honest review.

Dang it Freida, everything you write is gold. I can't devour it quickly enough. Full disclosure, I read the print copy prior to listening to the audio. This book is definitely one that benefits from a second time around. There were some details that I must have missed. This book is fantastic! Twisty, thrilling and cringey. Everything I like about a psychological thriller.

My review here is pretty much regarding the audio as I've already reviewed based on content. The audio was fantastic. Lauren Allman was a fantastic narrator. I actually thought this was narrated by two different people. One for Millie and one for Nina, but it was just Allman, which was fantastic. Her New York accent was phenomenal. Great narrator for a fantastic book. Five stars! Eagerly awaiting Ms. McFadden's next novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to listen to this audio book in return for an honest review.
Synopsis
Welcome to the family,” Nina Winchester says as I shake her elegant, manicured hand. I smile politely, gazing around the marble hallway. Working here is my last chance to start fresh. I can pretend to be whoever I like. But I’ll soon learn that the Winchesters’ secrets are far more dangerous than my own…

Every day I clean the Winchesters’ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor.

I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband Andrew seems more broken every day. But as I look into Andrew’s handsome brown eyes, so full of pain, it’s hard not to imagine what it would be like to live Nina’s life. The walk-in closet, the fancy car, the perfect husband.

I only try on one of Nina’s pristine white dresses once. Just to see what it’s like. But she soon finds out… and by the time I realize my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it’s far too late.

But I reassure myself: the Winchesters don’t know who I really am.

They don’t know what I’m capable of…

An unbelievably twisty read that will have you glued to the pages late into the night. Anyone who loves The Woman in the Window, The Wife Between Us and The Girl on the Train won’t be able to put this down!

This is a cleverly written fast paced domestic thriller that will keep you gripped the whole way through. The narration was brilliantly done, unfortunately I guessed the twist fairly early on but then another little twist popped up right and the end which quite frankly left me baffled. Regards to believability it has to be said it’s a little bit far fetched, but a great read none the less. Not everything needs to be fact in fiction after all does it? Excited to see more from the author.

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily

“Welcome to the family,” Nina Winchester says as I shake her elegant, manicured hand. I smile politely, gazing around the marble hallway. Working here is my last chance to start fresh. I can pretend to be whoever I like. But I’ll soon learn that the Winchesters’ secrets are far more dangerous than my own…

Every day I clean the Winchesters’ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor.

I thought that this was a very enjoyable thriller. I have seen many recommendations about McFadden's books so I was excited to give her new book a listen. I listened to the audiobook on double speed but still found that I was not getting through the story fast enough. I needed to know more as the book is crafted in such a way to keep the reader intrigued.

Every time I thought I knew where the book was headed another curveball was thrown. It is like two different books have combined to make this brilliant thriller - the first half being about the characters and the second half is just so full of suspense. I knew the book was heading for a big ending - but I didn't expect that ending!

Rating 5/5

Thank you for this advanced copy. WHOA!!! This book is separated into two sections. Just when you start to hate one character, you find out they are really the victim. Did not see any of section two coming the way it did. The suspense of this book is amazing. The author draws you right in and leaves you desperate for more. The ending of this book is phenomenal! I have always loved Freida's books and this did not disappoint!

I loved this one!

This is definitely a book that I recommend you should know as little as possible about it going in. Don’t go read a bunch of reviews, so nothing is spoiled.

It’s about Millie, who is down on her luck, desperately needing a job. She lands one, working for Nina in a gorgeous mansion, as the maid…..

That’s all you need to know, trust me!

It is SO good! You do NOT want to miss it!

I alternated reading and audio for this one. I really loved the audio - the narrator is excellent!

Dark, twisted, and totally addictive! This was the first book that I've read by Freida and I really enjoyed it. The storyline was dark and twisted and the characters really pulled me in. The narrator for the Audiobook also did an excellent job! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Freida McFadden for an ALC of The Housemaid in exchange for an honest review! This was a solid psychological thriller that featured multiple POVs and short chapters (love both of these)! The twist made me audibly gasp in part 2 and the story just got better and better after that. The narrator did an excellent job of grabbing my attention from the first page and I felt like I was in Nina's house with everyone else. This was my first book by this author and I cannot wait to read more!

IF you only listen to one book this year this is it! Just so creepy and twisted and an ending that you will remember for a long time after you finish this book. I can't recommend this book enough just run to store and read or listen now. I've done both.

This is the first book I’ve read by Frieda McFadden, and I really enjoyed it. It’s a tense, twisty domestic thriller with dual points of view that ramps up the tension throughout. The characters are not necessarily likeable, but they are well developed and perfect for the story. All fans of domestic thrillers will love this book.

I have been on a Freida McFadden binge! And WOW!! This book is definitely my favourite of the ones I have read.

This is a fast paced, draw your attention early (ie. before chapter 1!), unpredictable psychological thriller. When Millie finds herself jobless and living in a car she's desperate for work, a home and to find a way to make a living but she ends up in a bigger mess than before... becoming a live-in Housemaid at the Winchesters. In her new job, Millie has to navigate a bitch of a boss, the handsome husband, the bratty daughter and a sexy gardener. Between doing the daily chores and conversations with the gossipy mums, you may find yourself asking who really is the crazy one? The real criminal? It could be any of them... the twists just keep coming!

The writing is superb and the POV changes really kept the pace going. Besides how good the story is, it also has very few errors, no interruption of flow and is well written. Bad writing grinds my gears so when a good author also has a good editor, it's a win for me!

I also listened to part of the audiobook, it's my first audiobook experience so I do not have anything to compare it to. However, I liked the way the narrator read, she was good and grabbed my attention. I was worried I'd lose focus but I didn't.

** spoilers below **

A haunting part reading this book is I know of a male who convinced his partner she was crazy for things said or done, when in fact she was not and she was correct about the things she was told she was delusional about.
The ability to manipulate to this level is terrifying and in reality it can certainly happen. Often readers may say "this wouldn't happen", "she can just leave". That's not always the case especially when she's questioning her own recollection of events.

Onto my only gripe with The Housemaid - I don't like underlying themes of someone 'getting what they deserve'. It is my belief that for criminals, the justice system has the only role to play and people shouldn't take it into their own hands. Any suggestion someone deserves to be tortured or the likes, doesn't sit well with me even in a book. I gave The Last Mrs Parish 1* star based on the (likely unintended) message that someone deserved to be raped. However, as it wasn't a main theme in The Housemaid and was really only glossed over, it didn't reduce my rating.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for providing an advance copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review. I'm glad to expand my reading experience to audiobook.

OMG I LOVED THIS BOOK! Seriously, like WOW! It was amazing! So amazing I had to get on her arc team right after reading, and can’t wait to read more from her. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

A creepy story, with unreliability all around! THE HOUSEMAID by Freida McFadden, narrated by Lauryn Allman was a ride. Ms. Allman did a fabulous job with the accents of the two very distinct women! It was very easy to follow along.

Millie is a Brooklyn girl getting out of a 10 year stint in prison when Nina Winchester hires her to be the maid. But then her room is in a creepy attic with some strange details that would have had me running. Nina is a sweet boss at first but then starts to behave very strangely and suddenly Mr. Winchester is getting more and more involved. The first 60% or so of this story is Millie's POV and then it switches between her and Nina's.

I have to try and remember that suspense thrillers must have people who ignore red flags en masse in order to set the stage. This wasn't too far fetched given the situations(maybe?), so I was able to engage in the creepy story and wonder who exactly was the crazy one.

I did really like the end. It was dark and satisfying! A ⭐⭐⭐⭐ for this title that is out today! Thank you to @NetGalley for this Advanced Listening Copy.

“Welcome to the family,” Nina Winchester said as she greeted Millie, her new housekeeper. Millie desperately needs a new job. She doesn't have too many choices and one that provides her with a place to live, sounds like heaven as she has been sleeping in her car.

Every day she cleans the home - it's gleaming and spotless. That is until Nina comes down and makes a mess and makes Millie clean it up again. Millie can't help but wonder why. Then there is the groundskeeper who warns her of danger when she first arrives. But Millie shakes it off. She can deal with one spoiled housewife. Her spoiled daughter is another issue, but Millie tries to win her over. Then there is Andrew - the achingly handsome husband who must put up with a demanding and erratic wife.

Millie tries her best, but will her best be good enough?

I had the luxury of having both the kindle and audiobook versions of the book. I enjoyed the narrator and being able to go back and forth between the book and listening to it in the car. I thought the narrator did a great job!

This was a fast-paced book which grabbed me from page one. I felt as if Nina was inviting me into her home and into her family. It was fun to be a fly on the wall, and watch the drama unfold. The characters in this book are an interesting bunch. Just who do you trust? Who is a reliable narrator? Who has secrets? How juicy and fun this book was! Pure entertainment.

I love trying to figure out what is going to happen, where the plot is going, who is telling the truth, who is reliable, etc. This one kept me on my toes. I found it to be fun, dramatic, surprising, and hard to put down!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Reading Between the Wines book review #31/135 for 2022:
Rating: 5 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷
Book 🎧: The Housemaid
Author: Freida McFadden
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers
RELEASES TODAY, April 26, 2022! Get your copy!

Sipping thoughts: This is only my second book by McFadden and both, The Wife Upstairs and The Housemaid, were 5 stars for me. I absolutely love the way she writes. I feel like she has twists that you can see coming in a way but then there is a bit that you don’t see coming and then a big twist that comes behind that. The twist doesn’t seem overdone but just twisty enough and juicy. I don’t know where McFadden gets her narrators but this one, Lauryn Allman was so good. She was just as good as Angie Kane who read The Wife Upstairs. My advice to you is to get this book and read it as soon as you can before someone ruins it for you but also just because you should not go into the summer without adding this to your read shelf.

Cheers and thank you to @fizzziatrist, @BookoutureAudio for an advanced copy of @TheHousemaid.

#TheHousemaid #FreidaMcFadden #BookoutureAudio #LaurynAllmanNarrator #Netgalley #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

Thank you @netgalley and #bookoutureaudio for sending me this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this straight after reading The Housekeeper by Natalie Barelli, because they sounded similar and I loved Barelli’s book.
This was another brilliant thriller, and although it’s quite a different story than The Housekeeper, I really enjoyed it.
If you love twisty domestic thrillers where nothing is as it seems, don’t miss out on this one!

The story is split into two parts and I can assure you that once you reach the end of the first half your jaw will literally drop!🤯

In the first part we follow Milly, an ex convict, who is in desperate need of a job. When she is hired by Nina and Andrew Winchester as their new housekeeper, she can hardly believe her luck.

Nina seems like a lovely person, but it doesn't take long for Milly to realise that appearances can be deceiving. In the second part of the book, once you’ve recovered from the shock the twist will give you, we get a glimpse of Nina's POV and discover her story right up to the moment she hires Milly.

This was fast paced, with some great characters and a very entertaining story! The ending was a little far fetched but highly satisfying. I will definitely be reading more by this author!

Millie, fresh out of prison and desperate for a job, can’t believe her luck when a wealthy family hire her to be the housemaid. The Winchester’s, Nina and Andrew, live in a huge house with their daughter Cecilla and Millie wonders why they need a housemaid when Nina seems to do nothing all day. On Millie’s first day, the gardener’s only words to her are danger. But what could be so dangerous about this house? 🗝 ✨

I LOVED this thriller! It gripped me in and I could stop reading. There were so many twists in the book and I haven’t read a thriller that has made my head spin in such a while. I loved hearing from Millie and Nina. Just when you think you know what’s coming next, the story goes another way. Highly recommend this chilling read. 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 A massive thank you to @netgalley and @Bookouture for the Audio book in exchange for my honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 !! Wow this book hooked be from the start! It was twisted, disturbing, and as soon as I thought I had it figured out the story took a sharp turn and I was thrown….not only once but twice!

I HIGHLY recommend this domestic thriller. Millie, the new maid, is hired to live with Nina and Andrew in their massive house. Quickly Millie realizes that things are not what they seem from the outside. As Nina starts to gaslight Millie, she takes refuge with Andrew. But that’s only the beginning. As the story unravels so don’t the secrets everyone is harboring.

Psychological thriller is exactly what this one is. I was hooked from the beginning as you are thrown straight into the storyline at a great pace that continues throughout. Told from the point of view of Nina and Mille so you get an insight into both sides of the coin. Well developed characters that are both likeable and unlikeable. I did find I was very suspicious of everyone and everything as appearances can be deceiving and I had my own ideas what might be coming. Great twists and turns along the way that kept you entertained. The narrator was very engaging and really added to the story. My only con would be the ending felt very rushed and lacked substance. I felt it needed more for the reader to feel they got what they needed to shut the door on this listen. But overall a great listen and definitely would recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this ARC that’s out today.

Review: The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The housemaid was a solid 5 star read for me, it was my first Freida McFadden book but will definitely not be my last.

The book is written from two main character perspectives, first from Millie, a young woman recently released from prison, desperate for a job who becomes “The Housemaid” and then Nina the wife, mother and strange personality that Millie works for.

The author has written this so cleverly that the story flips and everything you thought you knew gets turned on it’s head through many twists and turns. The only negative was that the ending felt a little rushed but that still didn’t take away from what a great book this is.

If you like a twisty psychological thriller then you can’t go wrong with this. If you enjoyed Verity by Colleen Hoover I think you will enjoy this.

Thanks NetGalley and Bookoture for the ARC