The Boyfriend – Twisty Thriller Review
This story is told through two POVs: Sydney and Tom’s. Sydney Shaw is a 34-year-old accountant living in NYC who hasn’t had any real luck in the dating pool since her breakup with her detective boyfriend. She gets a lot of her dates off a popular dating app where she’s met her fair share of questionable actors. Sydney is tired of the charades but it seems her luck might be changing when she meets a handsome stranger in the streets. Tom is a teenage boy, and his story is set in the past. He’s a bit of an outcast, has a huge crush on a girl named Daisy (whom he also might want to harm), a best friend named Slug, and hates his abusive father. Tom has some dark instincts and finds himself in the center of an investigation when two young classmates are found murdered. Eventually, Sydney and Tom’s paths cross, leading to devastating consequences.
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I have loved nearly all the Freida books I've read and usually tear through them. The chapters are short and keep me hooked…usually well past my bedtime. They are not literary masterpieces, but they are clever, captivating, and quick reads. I can typically predict the twist, but it's always McFadden’s second twist that gets me!
As suspected, I flew through this one like many of the others I have read from McFadden. Her writing has a way of keeping me hooked from that first murderous page right to the very end. However, the more I read, the more I am starting to dislike some of McFadden’s FMCs. Sydney Shaw was downright unlikable. When faced with several elephant-sized red flags, she blatantly ignores all of them. Sydney’s actions were frequently cringy and I wanted to reach out and shake her! I am not kidding when I say that I literally yelled at her several times when reading this book. Freida, for your next novel, can I have a confident and competent FMC? Please!?
Check out the podcast episode for my full thoughts (and spoilers!)
Read if you like:
-Murder mystery
-Dark passengers
-Psychological thrillers
-Plot twists
-Dual POVs
-Dual timelines
Freida McFadden is well-known for crafting tightly paced psychological thrillers that combine suspense with intricate character development. "The Boyfriend" continues this tradition by weaving two interconnected storylines set in different timelines, creating a layered narrative that keeps readers engaged. Sydney Shaw, a 34-year-old accountant navigating modern dating challenges through apps, represents the struggles of urban single life, where trust is scarce and danger often lurks beneath charming façades. Her interactions reflect contemporary dating dilemmas, adding realism to the thriller genre. On the other hand, Tom's storyline delves into the dark psyche of a troubled teenager facing a toxic family environment and violent impulses. His narrative explores themes of trauma, obsession, and moral ambiguity, all central to engaging psychological thrillers. The novel's dual POV and timelines intensify the suspense, as readers piece together clues from past and present, culminating in unexpected twists, a hallmark of McFadden’s writing. These twists, particularly the “second twist,” elevate the story beyond predictability and immerse readers in a gripping experience. The OCR content highlights the author’s reputation as a bestselling thriller writer and hints at the nightmarish aspects of the story, which are evident in the chilling progression of events and Sydney’s increasingly dangerous encounters. For fans of murder mysteries infused with dark psychological elements and complex character studies, "The Boyfriend" offers a compelling exploration of human nature's darker sides. The novel also appeals to readers who appreciate stories with strong narrative pace, short chapters, and fluctuating sympathy for protagonists who are flawed yet intriguing. Reading this novel alongside related psychological thrillers or dark passenger narratives can deepen understanding of genre conventions and character archetypes. Additionally, engaging with podcasts and discussions about the book’s themes can enhance the reading experience by providing multiple perspectives and spoiler-free hints. Overall, "The Boyfriend" validates Freida McFadden’s standing as a creative and captivating storyteller whose work challenges readers to confront unsettling realities behind seemingly familiar lives.