linzii338 's review for:

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
2.0
This was an easy and enjoyable read, mostly because of how light and accessible it was. The writing is simple and flows well, which makes it ideal for people who aren’t fully fluent in English or for those who want something to read without needing total concentration. It’s the kind of book you can pick up in noisy spaces or during busy days, and still stay engaged.

The plot twist caught me off guard, not because it was brilliantly set up, but because there was no real build-up to it. It comes out of nowhere, and once it happens, you start realizing how many things don’t quite make sense. There are too many unanswered questions, and the story begins to feel inconsistent once you try to connect all the dots.

The characters remain flat, relationships underdeveloped, pacing is okay, but there’s almost no emotional or psychological depth. And yet, I didn’t hate it. It’s readable, it’s light, and sometimes, that’s all you want from a thriller. Just don’t expect it to hold together under serious scrutiny.

I wanted more connection between characters, more realism, more stakes. Instead, we’re left with shallow motivations and unresolved threads. But despite that, I didn’t mind reading it. It’s quick and easy. Just don’t expect much beyond that.

Spoiler Millie’s character didn’t land for me. She opens with strong "Pick Me" energy, obsessing over how attractive her boss is and putting down his wife’s looks. That rift in her mindset feels forced, and the sudden switch to a more sisterly, supportive angle doesn’t ring true. I also really wish we had more background on the main antagonist’s childhood abuse. It’s hinted at, but never fully explored. The author teases deep themes like childhood abuse, emotional trauma and manipulation, but they were only lightly touched on. I would’ve appreciated a deeper exploration of these issues. That lack of follow-through kind of sums up the whole book, actually. I also struggled with the lack of realism in her background. Millie is supposed to have spent ten years in prison after being incarcerated at the age of 17, and yet there’s almost no trace of that in how she behaves. No social awkwardness, no signs of trauma or difficulty reintegrating. That’s not how it works, and it took away from the character’s credibility.