Book Review: Do You Remember? by Freida McFadden

I often find myself drawn to stories that explore the complexity of the human mind—and Do You Remember? Delivers just that. Freida McFadden, once again, crafts a psychological thriller that feels like peeling layers off the human psyche.

The Premise: Tess, the protagonist, wakes up each day with no memory of who she is, except for some fragmented recollections—most notably, of Harry, a man she once loved deeply. Yet now, she finds herself living a life with Graham, a man she doesn’t remember marrying. Every morning begins anew, and every clue she uncovers brings more questions. Who is lying? What is real? And what, if anything, should Tess remember?

As someone who supports children with ADHD and other neurodiverse needs, I found the narrative oddly familiar—the disorientation, the emotional confusion, the desperate need to create continuity when the world doesn’t quite line up. That’s what made Tess’s voice stand out. Her struggle with memory is metaphorical, too—representing how trauma, control, and manipulation can fracture not just recollection but identity itself.

What Worked for Me:

The writing is fast-paced, making it an ideal read for busy moms like me who get 30-minute reading windows during quiet time. I read it in two sittings and felt the pull of each chapter ending.Tess is well written—not overly dramatic, but layered. Her internal struggle felt authentic.The red juice metaphor (and its real significance) was a chilling touch. As someone trained to spot behavioural patterns, I caught on quickly. However, the deeper reason behind it still gave me goosebumps.McFadden’s medical background adds nuance to how brain trauma and post-operative recovery are described. I appreciated the balance between fiction and plausible psychological decline.

What Didn’t Land As Strongly:

The plot felt somewhat repetitive, particularly with the recurring routine of waking up. Perhaps intentionally done to mirror Tess’s mental loop, but I did find myself skimming through some parts.For an avid psychological thriller reader, the twist wasn’t earth-shattering. I had a few guesses early on that turned out to be correct—but that didn’t reduce my enjoyment. It still felt rewarding to see it unfold.

From a therapeutic lens, the book raises important questions:

How much control is too much in a relationship?Can love become a form of manipulation?What does it mean to rebuild your identity when your own mind betrays you?

I couldn’t help but reflect on how identity, memory, and consistency are cornerstones of development. Tess’s story, though fictional, reminded me how much we all rely on emotional anchors—people who truly see us. For Tess, it was Harry. For children, it’s often that one adult who consistently shows up and believes in them.

A gripping, fast-paced read that blends suspense with psychological realism. It’s not McFadden’s twistiest tale, but it might be one of her most layered. And for anyone interested in human behaviour, memory, and emotional manipulation—this one is a solid pick.

Looking forward to diving into more of Freida McFadden’s thrillers! This one kept me up way past bedtime (which, as any mom of a 7-year-old knows, is a big deal ).