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anearchou's review against another edition
4.0
Finished so quickly. Had me hooked from the start, some great twists. Although ending was slightly disappointing - SPOILER - there’s no way Nina would have gone to jail for Millie, so this should have been different. Really enjoyed every other part of it!
djfrancois's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
oh. my. god.
when i tell u that my jaw is on the floor...
i couldn't put this down. this is an amazing psychological thriller that was sooooo dark and twisted. and then just when i thought i had figured it out, THE TWIST!!!! like????? omfg i can't believe what happened...
i couldn't put this down. this is an amazing psychological thriller that was sooooo dark and twisted. and then just when i thought i had figured it out, THE TWIST!!!! like????? omfg i can't believe what happened...
from that moment onwards, my excitement level broke the boundaries and i simply couldn't keep myself calm because the amount of twists and turns THIS has was so adrenaline-inducing and i had soo much fun reading this! i haven't felt this gagged by a suspense novel since the plot twist in Verity by Colleen Hoover (the only book of hers that gets a pass). Thank you Freida McFadden for getting me out of my reading slump cause omfg and THAT ENDING
i'm already omw to start the next book in the series
augustika13's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 ⭐
This is literally the target version of verity but it's written really well and i love that they were short chapters that kept me hooked. And damn the plot twist had me on chokehold. Especially the one during the funeral had me gasping for air. At first i hated nina and then it all made sense when i read part 2. Im reducing .5 stars because of the infidelity
This is literally the target version of verity but it's written really well and i love that they were short chapters that kept me hooked. And damn the plot twist had me on chokehold. Especially the one during the funeral had me gasping for air. At first i hated nina and then it all made sense when i read part 2. Im reducing .5 stars because of the infidelity
kkeyes's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emmamaterna's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ellahorwood1's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
elaine_fdes's review against another edition
4.0
1. Introduction
[b:The Housemaid|60556912|The Housemaid (The Housemaid, #1)|Freida McFadden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1646534743l/60556912._SY75_.jpg|95443525] by [a:Freida McFadden|7244758|Freida McFadden|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1701487498p2/7244758.jpg] is a psychological thriller that takes readers on a dark, twisted journey into the lives of a seemingly perfect family and their new housemaid. With plenty of suspense and unpredictable twists, the novel has quickly become a popular choice for thriller lovers, but it comes with both high points and a few frustrating drawbacks.
2. Quick Synopsis (Spoiler-Free)
The story follows Millie, a down-on-her-luck woman who gets a job as a live-in housemaid for the rich and seemingly flawless Winchester family. What starts as an opportunity to turn her life around quickly becomes a nightmare as she discovers that the family has dark secrets, and she begins to feel that the house itself holds sinister intentions. As the story unfolds, Millie is drawn deeper into a web of lies, manipulation, and danger.
3. Characters Involved
Millie: The protagonist and the new housemaid, Millie is complex and relatable, with a murky past that makes her desperate to succeed at this job despite the increasingly strange events around her.
Nina Winchester: The lady of the house, Nina is portrayed as cold, controlling, and unpredictable. Her erratic behavior adds much of the tension to the story.
Andrew Winchester: Nina’s husband, seemingly kind and composed, but there’s an underlying tension in his character that keeps readers suspicious.
Cecilia: The Winchesters' young daughter, who adds an extra layer of unease with her eerie presence and peculiar behavior.
4. Pacing, Tense, and Language
The book is written in first-person, giving the reader a deep connection to Millie's thoughts and emotions. It’s a fast-paced thriller, with short, engaging chapters that make it an easy and quick read. McFadden uses straightforward and accessible language, which helps keep the suspense going but might feel a bit simplistic for readers seeking more literary depth.
5. What I Liked About the Book
Strong Premise: The idea of a housemaid unraveling dark secrets in a seemingly perfect household is intriguing and keeps you hooked.
Millie’s Character Arc: Millie’s internal struggles and motivations are well-developed, making her a sympathetic and compelling character.
The Atmosphere: McFadden creates an eerie, unsettling atmosphere throughout the book, with the house itself almost becoming a character.
Plot Twists: There are a couple of twists that genuinely took me by surprise, adding an enjoyable layer of unpredictability.
Suspenseful Build-Up: The tension builds nicely in the first half, with enough small revelations to keep the reader turning the pages.
6. What I Did Not Like About the Book
Predictable Elements: While some twists are surprising, others feel telegraphed from early on, reducing the overall shock value.
Over-the-Top Plot Points: Certain parts of the story feel unnecessarily exaggerated or drawn out, especially some twists that are too far-fetched to be believable.
Simplistic Writing: While the language is accessible, it sometimes lacks the complexity needed to elevate the tension, making some scenes fall flat.
Drawn-Out Middle: The pacing lags slightly in the middle of the book, where the suspense feels repetitive rather than escalating.
Millie’s Choices: There are moments where Millie takes the long and difficult road, even when easier solutions are apparent. This feels forced and makes the plot seem convoluted at times.
7. Final Thoughts and Conclusion
The Housemaid is an entertaining psychological thriller that keeps readers engaged with its eerie atmosphere, quick pacing, and a few solid twists. However, its reliance on familiar tropes, some predictable plot points, and exaggerated twists prevent it from being a standout in the genre. For fans of fast-paced domestic thrillers, this book offers a quick, suspenseful read, but it may leave others wanting more depth and tighter plotting.
Overall, it’s a solid 3.5-star read, enjoyable but with room for improvement.
[b:The Housemaid|60556912|The Housemaid (The Housemaid, #1)|Freida McFadden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1646534743l/60556912._SY75_.jpg|95443525] by [a:Freida McFadden|7244758|Freida McFadden|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1701487498p2/7244758.jpg] is a psychological thriller that takes readers on a dark, twisted journey into the lives of a seemingly perfect family and their new housemaid. With plenty of suspense and unpredictable twists, the novel has quickly become a popular choice for thriller lovers, but it comes with both high points and a few frustrating drawbacks.
2. Quick Synopsis (Spoiler-Free)
The story follows Millie, a down-on-her-luck woman who gets a job as a live-in housemaid for the rich and seemingly flawless Winchester family. What starts as an opportunity to turn her life around quickly becomes a nightmare as she discovers that the family has dark secrets, and she begins to feel that the house itself holds sinister intentions. As the story unfolds, Millie is drawn deeper into a web of lies, manipulation, and danger.
3. Characters Involved
Millie: The protagonist and the new housemaid, Millie is complex and relatable, with a murky past that makes her desperate to succeed at this job despite the increasingly strange events around her.
Nina Winchester: The lady of the house, Nina is portrayed as cold, controlling, and unpredictable. Her erratic behavior adds much of the tension to the story.
Andrew Winchester: Nina’s husband, seemingly kind and composed, but there’s an underlying tension in his character that keeps readers suspicious.
Cecilia: The Winchesters' young daughter, who adds an extra layer of unease with her eerie presence and peculiar behavior.
4. Pacing, Tense, and Language
The book is written in first-person, giving the reader a deep connection to Millie's thoughts and emotions. It’s a fast-paced thriller, with short, engaging chapters that make it an easy and quick read. McFadden uses straightforward and accessible language, which helps keep the suspense going but might feel a bit simplistic for readers seeking more literary depth.
5. What I Liked About the Book
Strong Premise: The idea of a housemaid unraveling dark secrets in a seemingly perfect household is intriguing and keeps you hooked.
Millie’s Character Arc: Millie’s internal struggles and motivations are well-developed, making her a sympathetic and compelling character.
The Atmosphere: McFadden creates an eerie, unsettling atmosphere throughout the book, with the house itself almost becoming a character.
Plot Twists: There are a couple of twists that genuinely took me by surprise, adding an enjoyable layer of unpredictability.
Suspenseful Build-Up: The tension builds nicely in the first half, with enough small revelations to keep the reader turning the pages.
6. What I Did Not Like About the Book
Predictable Elements: While some twists are surprising, others feel telegraphed from early on, reducing the overall shock value.
Over-the-Top Plot Points: Certain parts of the story feel unnecessarily exaggerated or drawn out, especially some twists that are too far-fetched to be believable.
Simplistic Writing: While the language is accessible, it sometimes lacks the complexity needed to elevate the tension, making some scenes fall flat.
Drawn-Out Middle: The pacing lags slightly in the middle of the book, where the suspense feels repetitive rather than escalating.
Millie’s Choices: There are moments where Millie takes the long and difficult road, even when easier solutions are apparent. This feels forced and makes the plot seem convoluted at times.
7. Final Thoughts and Conclusion
The Housemaid is an entertaining psychological thriller that keeps readers engaged with its eerie atmosphere, quick pacing, and a few solid twists. However, its reliance on familiar tropes, some predictable plot points, and exaggerated twists prevent it from being a standout in the genre. For fans of fast-paced domestic thrillers, this book offers a quick, suspenseful read, but it may leave others wanting more depth and tighter plotting.
Overall, it’s a solid 3.5-star read, enjoyable but with room for improvement.
cloverlovescats17's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5