Thriller | Adult
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Funny how reading often occurs little bursts – historicals, sci-fi, books set in Scotland, whatever. This time I’ve been reading dual storyline thrillers, one after the other. It doesn’t make for a good night’s sleep, does it? Still, they really are riveting reading, and this new title from physician-turned-writer McFadden (a pseudonym) hits all the marks. Sydney Shaw is tired of the single scene in New York City – her dates have been a series of one dud after another, a situation that puzzles and worries her grandchild-hungry mother. So when her friends Bonnie and Gretchen appear to be finding mates, she’s torn – happy for them, sure, but why can’t she find The One? Until Bonnie is brutally murdered. Sydney is devastated and decides to take a break from dating, until the killer is found Weeks go by, and when Sydney runs into a man who saved her from Kevin, one of her worst dates, she agrees to go out. In no time at all, she’s thrilled that she said yes – Tom is attentive, considerate, good-looking, and a doctor at a nearby hospital. And yet … if he is so perfect, why is he still single? Meanwhile, a backstory narrated by Tom begins to suggest that Sydney’s new love may not be as good a catch as she’s thinking. I was pretty sure I had this figured out a couple of times but nope – the final twist was a complete surprise to me. Domestic thrillers are a hot genre, and this is one that fans will devour. My thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the advance reading copy provided digitally through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
More discussion and reviews of this novel: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/208503280

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press & NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The problem with Freida isn't her plots. Her plots are actually really good! The problem lies in the execution of said plots. This woman just cannot write. I mean, it's workaday prose. The words lead you through the story well enough, but the journey is long and it's drudgery. Imagine what the likes of Lisa Jewell could do with a plot like this!

Anyway, we are. yet again, faced with a FMC who s TSTL. She broke up with her tough-guy, workaholic cop BF (HEAVY FORESHADOWING) recently and has been hitting the apps, but meeting only frogs, no princes. At the end of one of her bad dates, she is almost attacked, but is saved by a {swoon} HANDSOME PRINCE OF A MAN to whom, of course, she feels an immediate attraction. He's just so dang handsome, you see! Could he be the McDreamy that her yoga buddy, recently murdered in her apartment building that FMC also lives in, was dating (and who seems like he's maybe the prime suspect in said murder except for no one knows his name or anything about him other than he is a hot doctor)? Naaaaahhhh I'm sure this is a different hot doctor! But, alas, dear reader, he goes off into the night, leaving FMC alone to encounter him serendipitously another day. Which, of course, she does, after fending off both her cop ex and the shoulda-swiped-left dude several times.

We have the usual red herrings, coached forward through the use of a second POV (sweet relief!) of "Tom," a teenage budding psychopath. He's smart and good looking, and he's in love with the police chief's pretty daughter. But he is covered by several clouds: his abusive dad, his missing female classmate who he was seen kissing prior to her disappearance, and his interest in arterial spray. Oh, and his weird, bug-eating friend, Slug.

Sigh. I don't know why I keep reading these. They seem to be getting worse. WHO ARE y'all who consider this a FIVE STAR book? And can I please make some better recs to your TBR?

This was a cracking read from Freida! This has all the features of a great thriller- the characters, the dark storyline, the gripping plot, and all the twists.
But this one felt different to me. I actually felt really stressed and worried for the characters through the entire book. Both timelines were equally packed with tension so there was no let up for the readers. I couldn't read quick enough.
This is sure to be another bestseller.

The boyfriend is a definte 5 star read and a treat so close to Halloween! Freida keeps us on our toes. I always think I know what is going to happen but I am always wrong and that is one of the reasons I love her books so much! You will be hooked from page one. This book reeled me in from the prolouge and that is how I knew it would be ANOTHER geat read from Freida!

My husband and I read/listened to The Boyfriend on a weekend trip which was a lot of fun to do together. We stopped it several times to discuss who we thought was "the bad guy". This is the type of book he likes so it was the perfect read for us. We had almost finished it when we reached our destination so when we went to bed we both popped in an earbud and finished listening. We love Frieda's twists at the end and did a pretty good job figuring it out! Sydney's story was a great psychological thriller!

If you've enjoyed other books by Freida McFadden you will love this one too!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 1 October 2024

Another amazing thriller by Freida! At 75% in I told myself omg I figured out the twist and boyyy was I wrong. This book had me hooked right from the start and I love the little details she puts into characters to try and throw you off. I absolutely love anything that Freida writes and this one did not disappoint!

This was a super fun thriller. I cringed at some of the main character’s choices but I think they also rang true as women are conditioned to want to be agreeable to men, no matter how terrible. (Let this change, please!) I loved the twist and genuinely did not see it coming. And I won’t give anything away but I also really loved the resolution. The only thing that bumped me was the supposition that multiple characters made that women don’t like horror/hate gore. Women like these things too! 4.25 stars.

When you think you know something, Freida flips the script and turns everything on its ear. As with all her books, this is a must read.

In The Boyfriend, Sydney, a thirty-something navigating the dating scene in New York City, finds her world turned upside down when a shocking death occurs in her apartment building. What starts as a tale of romance quickly spirals into a gripping mystery, filled with suspense and unexpected twists.

As Sydney juggles her love life and friendships, the sudden death of someone in her apartment sends ripples through her seemingly stable world. As rumors swirl and suspicions rise, she begins to question everything—including her charming boyfriend, who may not be who he seems. The narrative leads readers through a labyrinth of intrigue, with each chapter peeling back layers of deception and unexpected revelations.

Sydney is a relatable and multi-dimensional character, whose fears and insecurities resonate with anyone who has experienced the trials of dating. As she delves deeper into the mystery, we see her transformation from a hopeful romantic to a determined investigator, making her journey all the more compelling. The supporting characters are equally well-crafted, each adding to the suspense and raising questions about loyalty and trust.

The author’s sharp prose and keen eye for detail create an immersive atmosphere, perfectly capturing the pulse of New York City. The pacing is expertly handled, with each twist leaving readers breathless and eager to turn the page. Just when you think you have it figured out, the plot takes a sharp turn, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

Overall, The Boyfriend is a masterfully woven tale that grips you from the first page to the last. With its engaging characters, shocking twists, and a thrilling plot, it's a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and mystery. Whether you’re a New Yorker or just love a good whodunit, this book will keep you guessing until the very end. I would recommend this book a thousand lifetimes over!

I've read all Frieda's book's and this one I swore I finally figured out the twist but nope, not at all. One of my favorite books to date, maybe even my favorite! This one was so easy to read and I did not want to put it down! Freida does it again!

“Frieda McFadden delivers another gripping psychological thriller in The Boyfriend. The twists and turns kept me guessing until the very end. With well-drawn characters and a plot that unravels layer by layer, this book kept me hooked from start to finish. If you’re looking for a fast-paced read that will leave you questioning everything, The Boyfriend is a must! Highly recommend!”

In my opinion, this book was great! Freida has a unique skill set to create just the right amount of twists and turns throughout her books. You can try to “expect the unexpected”, but you will never see it coming! 5 stars

Loved this book. Had me hooked on the first chapter and read it in one day. I did not see the twist coming. I would give this book 10 stars if I could.

This book is about a single woman who is successful in her career, but not really in her private life. She is looking for a loving partner on an online dating website. She has met different and sometimes weird men, but finally thinks she has met the right one.
One of her close friends is murdered and the police is searching the murderer . She is also stalked by someone who can be the murderer !
This book is full of suspense and twists! I can only recommend you to read it!.

Thank you Freida McFadden, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for my copy of The Boyfriend. 🤍 I received this book for review, all opinions are my own and given freely.

The Boyfriend is a typical Freida book where you can’t trust anyone. I did guess the “whodunit” which is why I didn’t rate this book higher. I predicted the plot twist and thought maybe there would be more to it so I was a little disappointed. It was still a decent read, I finished it pretty quickly.

Wait, what???

Holly smokes! FREDA, you are amazing! As usual I never saw it coming. You would think by now I would know to expect the unexpected, but I never learn the lesson.
The characters are all fantastic. I loved Sydney and of course who doesn’t love a doctor. Tom is great and I liked how the story would go back to his early days. The book is exciting and mind blowing. Definitely five stars!

Another excellent book by Freida McFadden. I will always recommend her books! These are especially entertaining for college level readers needing something quick and fast-paced. We will definitely be adding this to the library selections! This is definitely another 5 star read and I don’t think Freida can ever disappoint! Keep them coming!!

I loved this one, you never quite know the twist that’s going to happen with Freida’s books. I would definitely recommend 4.5/5 stars

Thank you ‘NetGalley and the publisher for a DRC.

Freida McFadden does it again with The Boyfriend! Despite Sydney being a vapid, insecure, and truly unlikable protagonist, I couldn’t stop devouring this book. Her flaws, while frustrating, only added to the intrigue, making me eager to see how the dual POVs would intertwine. The pacing kept me hooked from start to finish, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, that twist came out of nowhere. McFadden masterfully builds suspense, leaving you guessing and questioning every detail. If you’re a fan of shocking, cleverly woven thrillers, this one is a must-read!

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Press for a gifted copy of McFaddens newest thriller, " The Boyfriend". I think McFadden is the newest James Patterson with popcorn thrillers that keep you guessing up until the end, and her newest did not disappoint! In the present day,Sydney is having the worst luck with dating apps, and after one particular bad date a random stranger rescues her. She feels an instant spark and then is surprised when he doesn't ask for her number. The book is also narrated in the past tense by Tom, who is a young boy who struggles with violent urges that he tries hard to suppress, who happens to have young girls disappearing in his town. The two stories seamlessly work together, and while I did guess the shocking ending ,it was still a book I couldn't put down.