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The Housemaid (The Housemaid, #1)

Freida McFadden

Start date: January 1, 2024

Finish date: January 31, 2024

Discussion: Mystery/Thriller BOTMs 2024

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Mystery/Thriller BOTMs 2024

* "The Housemaid Is Watching" First Impressions *No Spoilers* (September)
By Nicole · 1 post · 7 views

last updated Sep 06, 2024 09:53AM

* "The Housemaid Is Watching" Full Discussion *Spoilers* (September)
By Nicole · 1 post · 8 views

last updated Sep 06, 2024 09:51AM

What Members Thought

Jan 02, 2024 Nicole rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. About a third of the way in, I had it in my head that this was going to be a 5-star read. The story was so gripping that I just had to know what happened next. Is Nina really crazy? Why is Andrew still with her? Why on earth would Nina hire such a pretty young girl as her housemaid? And then I got to part two, and it all clicked into place, and I was even more hooked! While the twist wasn't as blindsiding as I had anticipated based on some of the reviews I read beforehand (I had a hunch, and my About a third of the way in, I had it in my head that this was going to be a 5-star read. The story was so gripping that I just had to know what happened next. Is Nina really crazy? Why is Andrew still with her? Why on earth would Nina hire such a pretty young girl as her housemaid? And then I got to part two, and it all clicked into place, and I was even more hooked! While the twist wasn't as blindsiding as I had anticipated based on some of the reviews I read beforehand (I had a hunch, and my hunch was accurate), Nina's perspective flipped the book on its head, and I couldn't stop reading.

I took a break about 80% of the way through, around the part where Nina grows a conscience and accepts Enzo's request, and that's probably where I made my mistake because when I came back to the book, it had lost its momentum, and I found the conclusion all too convenient and totally unrealistic. Yes, there was "foreshadowing" about Andrew's former fiancé (if you can really call it foreshadowing), but come on? Without knowing what really happened to his daughter, the cop is going to cover up a murder? Crazy.

Thinking back, the plot was flimsy in spots, and while I didn't notice it at the time, it all fell flat at the ending. Just the chances of Nina finding a girl like Millie who happened to check every single completely outrageous box is borderline unbelievable, but the fact that Andrew let it happen feels even more unrealistic. There were other things too, like if Enzo was so against putting another girl in Nina's position, what's with all the half-assed warnings in a language Millie doesn't understand when he speaks perfect English? And if Nina felt so bad about putting Millie in the position to murder her husband, why is she now going around recommending her for hit jobs?

All in all, I enjoyed reading this book (I mean, I finished it in less than a day, so that has to count for something). While the ending was a bit of a letdown and I found myself questioning certain aspects of the story afterwards, I don't regret reading it, and I'll probably continue with the series. ...more

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Mar 19, 2024 hannah ♥ rated it really liked it

4.5 ★
this was so good omg? my favorite freida book so far!!

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Jan 21, 2024 Ally Entzminger rated it really liked it

The beginning of this book was getting on my nerves and Nina was absolutely driving me insane with the back and forth and constant lies. I pushed through and needless to say I’m glad I did! Such a great book I read most of it in just one day which is RARE for me. I saw the twists coming but it was still good nonetheless

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Feb 27, 2024 Hannah B rated it really liked it

Shelves: ku

Overall an exciting read! I was worried when I guessed the biggest twist, but was still left plenty surprised by the end.

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Dec 22, 2023 Mae rated it liked it

Shelves: i-recommend

The writing style is eh but the plot is just so full of drama i could NOT put that book down. The characters were ok. I honestly felt like Andrew was an character ai bot that started lagging. This whole book felt like a long character ai chat (Iykyk). I liked Nina and The mc (kind of). I have to say Enzo is my favourite character, he’s just so 🤭🤭. The plot twist is very predictable but it was still fun.

Overall, it was messy, but I never felt bored or like the book was too slow. It is definitely ...more

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Jul 20, 2023 Court rated it it was amazing

I really enjoyed the style of this book where it included perspectives from the main two. It helped the story come together more

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Jan 08, 2024 Micaela rated it really liked it

wow! Definitely a great read, I would probably give it between 3.75 and four stars because I was a little confused I have to admit. maybe I’m just slow but I couldn’t figure out who knew what and when for certain things. but overall really good book! I am definitely going to be reading the sequel!

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