Book review 📚🗣️ “The Housemaid”
So, I finally finished this book.
Let’s talk about it! 🙃
It’s a psychological thriller about Millie, who becomes a live-in maid for the rich Winchester family. At first, everything seems fine, but she soon finds out the family has dark secrets. The story is full of surprises and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end. The plot is not one that’s predictable, I love how the story played out, but the ending was not a fav of mine.
My honest opinion, Millie is highly annoying, and acts oblivious sometimes when she should just follow her right mind on what’s right in front of her! The story starts to build close to a 1/3 of the way through the book. I like how Frieda writes the book, but I feel like it could’ve been better. I can’t really explain it, I started another book by CoHo last year, Verity , and of course everybody has different writing styles, but you can definitely tell the difference in how it’s written. I didn’t like the ending. I don’t want to tell it for anyone who hasn’t read it, but the ending just wasn’t my favorite. Everybody got their way, and realistically, that doesn’t always have to be the case. Everybody except Andrew, of course. His role in this story was one thing that caught me off guard, I didn’t see that coming at all. As far as Nina? I have no words. Literally….. All in all, I give it a good 3.7/5, and overall, 6 stars!
I don’t plan on reading the other 2 books because I feel that Millie’s oblivious nature is going to stay consistent. But who knows, I might change my mind. She was oblivious, but she was also a bad a** & not to be messed with!!!
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So, one question I keep seeing pop up about 'The Housemaid' is, 'Is it a dark romance?' Based on my reading, I'd definitively say no, it's not. While there are certainly dark themes and a relationship at its core, the book leans heavily into the psychological thriller genre. It's more about manipulation, secrets, and suspense than a romance with a dark edge. If you're looking for enemies-to-lovers or morally gray love interests, this isn't quite it. It's a domestic thriller through and through, with a focus on uncovering shocking truths rather than romantic development. Speaking of dark, let's talk about the book's aesthetic, especially that iconic cover! My copy, which you can see in the picture, perfectly captures the chilling vibe. That dark blue background with the keyhole and the peeking eye? It's genius. It immediately tells you this isn't a fluffy read. The cover itself, especially the 'dark blue book with a keyhole and eye' as described in my screenshot, is a big part of why it stands out on shelves and online. It really sets the stage for the 'thriller novel cover dark' vibe. For those wondering about 'The Housemaid Freida McFadden book aesthetic,' it's all about that creepy, mysterious atmosphere that hints at hidden dangers. It’s definitely not a light, airy aesthetic; it’s designed to make you feel uneasy, which I think it does brilliantly. And for my fellow audiobook lovers out there, while I read a physical copy, I've heard amazing things about 'The Housemaid audiobook.' Freida McFadden's stories often benefit from strong narration, adding another layer of suspense to the twists and turns. Imagining the suspense building through a narrator's voice, especially during those unpredictable moments with Millie and the Winchesters, sounds like an intense experience. The 'audiobook cover' usually mirrors the physical one, keeping that consistent 'dark thriller novel cover' aesthetic, which is great for brand recognition. Now, about my rating of 3.7/5 (or 3.76/5 as my image overlay shows!). You might wonder why it's not a perfect score, especially with all those twists. As I mentioned, Millie's character often frustrated me with her perceived obliviousness. While the plot was unpredictable, that specific character trait pulled me out of the immersion at times. Comparing it to other psychological thrillers I've read, like 'Verity' by CoHo (which I mentioned), 'The Housemaid' definitely delivers on suspense, but the character development, particularly Millie's, felt less nuanced for me. However, if you love a fast-paced story with gasp-worthy revelations, you'll likely overlook these minor quibbles and rate it higher. It's definitely a book that sparks discussion, and that's usually a good sign for a thriller! Freida McFadden has a distinct way of crafting her thrillers – short chapters, propulsive plotting, and often a 'gotcha' moment. While I noted some differences compared to other authors, her ability to keep you guessing is undeniable. She's a master of the twist, and even if I didn't adore the ending, the journey was certainly captivating. Her books are perfect for a quick, engaging read when you want something to keep you on the edge of your seat without demanding too much emotional investment in every single character. It's a formula that clearly works for many readers, and I can see why her books are so popular in the 'thriller novel' space.

I really enjoyed the series! Do you have any other thrillers you like?