She's looking for the perfect man. He's looking for the perfect victim.
Sydney Shaw, like every single woman in New York, has terrible luck with dating. She’s seen it men who lie in their dating profile, men who stick her with the dinner bill, and worst of all, men who can't shut up about their mothers. But finally, she hits the jackpot.
Her new boyfriend is utterly perfect. He's charming, handsome, and works as a doctor at a local hospital. Sydney is swept off her feet.
Then the brutal murder of a young woman―the latest in a string of deaths across the coast―confounds police. The primary suspect? A mystery man who dates his victims before he kills them.
Sydney should feel safe. After all, she is dating the guy of her dreams. But she can’t shake her own suspicions that the perfect man may not be as perfect as he seems. Because someone is watching her every move, and if she doesn’t get to the truth, she’ll be the killer’s next victim...
A dark story about obsession and the things we’ll do for love, #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden proves that crimes of passion are often the bloodiest…
#1 New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Publisher's Weekly, and Amazon Charts bestselling author Freida McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain injury who has penned multiple Kindle bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. She lives with her family and possessed cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean, with staircases that creak and moan with each step, and nobody could hear you if you scream. Unless you scream really loudly, maybe.
Note that I am maxed out on friends, so I apologize in advance that I can't friend anyone back!
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press/ Sourcebooks for a physical ARC of this highly anticipated release in exchange for my honest thoughts. As someone who has read all of her books, I’d say I have a pretty good grasp of her writing style and this one truly felt like one of her best. I read this in one sitting and absolutely loved it.
Content warnings include but are not limited to: Stalking, an emotionally and physically abusive father/husband, inappropriate remarks about underage girls, graphic murder, gaslighting, manipulation, domestic abuse, murder of high school aged kids, murder of adults
THE BOYFRIEND is my favorite Freida McFadden to date. I said what I said. I've really been enjoying thrillers that infuse dating/romance/dark f'd up partners lately (I wonder why) and THE BOYFRIEND fits the bill! The story is centered around Sydney Shaw, a mid-30s year old woman living in New York trying to navigate online dating. When a date goes awry, Sydney ends up meeting someone who ends up being everything she'd want in a relationship. He is charming, handsome, confident, and a physician. As the two begin to date, Sydney starts suspecting that her new relationship isn't as stable as she thought it was, especially when a string of deaths start popping up. These murders involve women around her age demographic.
I almost gave this book 5 stars because it was so much fun, but I immediately clocked what was going to happen (for the most part) early on. That didn't take away from my enjoyment, but I wish the secrets were held a bit better. This book is juicy and fun in all the best ways, and I did get tricked with one of the twists, so I was pleasantly surprised at some of the developments. This is an easy read for sure and won't be anything you haven't seen before in thrillers, but the way the story is told really is a fun journey. I definitely would recommend any Freida fans to pick this one up because it really is a fun, mindless, escape. I definitely needed this read to take my mind of ~life~ lately. This book will be perfect for a vacation read or a rainy day read because you will get lost in the story. I have mixed opinions about this author, but I definitely do not with THE BOYFRIEND.
Also not to insert Taylor in everything but at the beginning I saw the red tie and I thought it was a scarf and I was like: I LEFT MY SCARF IN YOUR SISTERS HOUSE AND YOU STILL GOT IT
ANOTHER BOOK IN 2024!! Honestly I don’t mind, I would literally read her grocery list 💅🏻
The prologue may be just a page and a half, but it will DEMAND your full attention and make you fully aware that once again, you're in for a wild ride.
Freida has created a most relatable protagonist in Sydney Shaw, a thirty-four-year-old single woman living in New York. Her mother is always subtly reminding her that she 'has plenty of time' to start having babies, and while Sydney wants to get married and have a family, she bemoans the fact that in a city of millions, there aren't many suitable partners. After a dating app spawns yet another horrible encounter, she abruptly ends the date, but her would-be suitor won't take no for an answer. To Sydney's shock and awe, a dark-haired stranger appears and sends her date scurrying away to the safety of his mother's basement.
She is smitten, and pretty soon, she and her dark-haired beau, who turns out to be a doctor, are exclusive. But when a string of unsolved murders are thought to have been committed by a man who dates the victims before he kills them, Sydney begins to have her doubts about her Mr. Perfect. She's caught him in a few inconsistencies, sure, but they were all easily explained, right?
Told in dual timelines with alternating points of view, THE BOYFRIEND is an enthralling, all-consuming read about the power of seduction, the nature of obsession, and the charismatic mask that so many human monsters hide behind. Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for my early copy. THE BOYFRIEND will publish October 1, 2024.
I basically read this cover to cover in one sitting and could not put it down - I loved every page. Everything I suspected and guessed was, of course, wrong and that’s one of the things I love most about Freida’s books - you always think you’ve figured it out and then you’re completely wrong!
Thank you to Sourcebooks for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Freida has done it again. This is a fast paced, gripping thriller that will keep you guessing until the last page.
Sydney is a bit naive and definitely ignores red flags while on dates, but we have all been guilty of that before. Her new boyfriend is perfect, but how perfect is too perfect before she starts questioning his actions.
The audiobook narrators Victoria Connolly and Adam Blanford do a wonderful job of narrating and gave the characters personality.
This was a super fun, thrilling, psychological thriller which is what I typically expect from Freida.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select | Hollywood Upstairs Press for access to the ALC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Pub Date: Oct 01 2024
Have you ever finished a book and felt an overwhelming need for both a hug and quiet reflection? That’s exactly how I felt after reading this one. Freida has a remarkable way of drawing readers in, making us empathize with the characters while simultaneously revealing their deep flaws. Yet, despite this connection, I found myself not entirely loving them—perhaps because their struggles left me genuinely concerned.
Freida is undoubtedly a masterful storyteller. Her writing captivates, inviting readers to delve into a world where the characters are complex and their imperfections drive the narrative forward. I listened to the audiobook (my second of hers), which offered a dynamic experience through multiple perspectives. Each viewpoint guided me seamlessly through their lives, experiences, and pivotal moments.
Set in New York City, the story introduces us to Sydney and her friends. Sydney, in her mid-thirties, is eager to find a meaningful relationship, and her mother’s pressure to settle down looms large. The brilliance of this novel lies in the tension between what you believe is happening and the unexpected twists that unfold, especially toward the end, where things become even more intricate.
By the conclusion, I was left savoring the story and pondering whether I could truly like any of these characters as real people. But that, in itself, is part of the book's charm. I highly recommend it. When I say I didn’t "like" the characters, I mean I couldn’t connect with them in the usual sense—yet I thoroughly enjoyed reading about them, perhaps because their lives were so distant from my own. Pick up this book; you won’t be disappointed.
"And I’m terrified that the moment I get her alone, I will wrap my fingers around her pretty, white neck and squeeze the life out of her."
This may come as a shock to everyone but I've only ever read two books by McFadden (This being my second one) The first one was 'The Teacher' and I was let down by that one because I figured it all out within the first twenty pages or so. They don't call me the Queen of Mystery for nothing! (Okay, no one calls me that but it does sound cool) I am one of those weirdos who piece all the hidden clues together to figure out the shocking endings. Not a lot gets past me. That is until I read this book.
I thought I had this all figured out. Smug old me with a grin on my face and then everything started to unravel. I was oh so wrong. I even discussed this with my coworker after both of us read it. She had very similar thoughts as me. Well, both of us were way off and totally wrong. I love it!
Dating apps, a dreamy Doctor, and bloody murder! What else could a reader ask for?
I love a good murder mystery and that is exactly what was delivered. A shocking mystery that'll give you whiplash. One that'll make you hesitate before you connect with someone on a dating app. I think this is why I have such trust issues. It was a damn good story and one I'll never forget.
The mystery was shocking and one you'll never see coming. You'll love the way it unfolds and it'll make your eyes go wide. The characters were all so likable. Ugh! Except for that one guy. You know who you are and what you did. You can rot, Mr. Ponytail! It all combined made one delectable tale of love and horror.
The Boyfriend was a fantastic thriller that'll have you feeling as if you're about to go down a steep roller coaster. What a ride! Just remember to close your curtains and delete that dating app!
alright, freida. time to see if you live up to the hype. not gonna lie to you, my expectations are low...
because an author who publishes 2-3 books per year is:
a. cranking out poor quality/cookie cutter content and lots of it b. has ghost writer(s) (ew) c. is genuinely such a good author that their full time job is writing d. is a wizard
girl you just released a book and you already have two more lined up😭like I really wanna read all of them keep em coming.. But you do sleep and do other things right??? Where do all these fantastic plots come from? 😭🥰 anyhow can't wait to read this one😊💗
I was able to read an arc of this through my local library. This was my second Freida book. The Boyfriend is better than the first one I read (The Wife Upstairs).
The Boyfriend was still somewhat predictable character wise, but I didn’t anticipate the final twist for one of the characters. She did a good job keeping me going back and forth on what I thought the end would be. I’ve come to believe I’m not *supposed* to like all the characters in her books. I kept looking for redeeming qualities in each of them, and to be frank, they just suck as people.
The beginning 15ish chapters had me close to not finishing the book at all; however, I did read this in less than 24 hours if that says anything. I laughed quite a bit during this book, but I don’t know if that was her intention.
It’s a typical Frieda book where there is a crazy twist that is supposed to blow you out of the water. Part of the twist I found predictable which was why I rated it a three. I feel like I’ve read too many Frieda books to where I’ve learned to trust no one. Thanks for the ARC!
The Boyfriend is the perfect thriller that will keep you on your toes and second guessing everyone including yourself the whole way through!
Sydney Shaw is a single accountant in New York spending her nights drinking wine and swiping on her dating app. That is until she gets swept off her feet by a charming and handsome doctor at the local hospital. Then a brutal murder of a young woman sets off a series of events leading to suspicion to arise in what seems like a perfect match. The ultimate question is… does the perfect guy actually exist?
I always love how Freida can make you think you know what’s going on then you can turn the page and you are just shown how much you actually HAVE NO CLUE as to what is actually happening!
This book is pure thriller perfection! There really is not much I can say without spoilers but once the book is published October 1 and you read it since I know you’ve already preordered it 😉, message me and we can discuss it more in depth because I’m itching to talk to someone about it! 5⭐️ book that everyone HAS to read!
Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Freida McFadden for this ARC copy!
Frieda McFadden has wowed me with her latest thriller, THE BOYFRIEND. I couldn't listen to this one fast enough! She really kept me guessing here until the very end, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I liked the dual timelines and the humor that was thrown in as well. I'll be anxiously awaiting her next book which releases in January.
Many thanks to Freida McFadden and NetGalley for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the future.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and Freida for the awesome opportunity to receive this ARC for an honest review. The Boyfriend took me a bit to get into it because of the switching POVs/Timelines but then I was HOOKED! I tried so hard to think outside of the box and guess what was going on but of course you just simply can’t. Freida McFadden never misses with her twists! Can’t wait to receive my physical copy once it releases October 1st!
ARC REVIEW: I really enjoyed the two time periods this book is told in, the early years and the current. The parallels made guessing who did it all the more challenging. Just when I thought I had it figured out, something changed. I did find the MC gullibility to be a little unrealistic at points though, even so this may be one of my favorite Freida McFadden books!
This was my third read by this very prolific author. My feelings about this book are that it was very easy to read and I completed it in about a week. It was my third title by McFadden and I was intrigued by the premise of this novel.
The story kicks with Sydney Shaw's blind date with a clearly inappropriate match. She is shaken by some of his behaviors, which I think is an important plot point that the synopsis I've read doesn't share. She then meets someone else who seems like the perfect guy. Meanwhile, women around her are being killed after a date with an unknown man. She's particularly worried because someone she knows well was killed and her ex boyfriend is trying to solve the murder. He's also still interested in protecting her and maybe wants more...
What I liked about this book is that it gave you plenty of suspects to consider as you are trying to solve the mystery. It had a fast pace and was easy to read. What I didn't like was that it was really TOO easy to read. The simplistic, sophomoric way it was written didn't work for me. The dialogue was predictable and, at times, a bit overdone. I wanted more from the writing and from the conclusion.
I recommend this book for fans of McFadden and for those who are looking for a quick read or a palate cleanser after a heavy read.
Just call her Freida McFabulous! This book was Unbecredifabulous!! She has a way with making you second guess yourself to the very end. Well played, Freida, well played.