Short Story Sunday: The Housemaid’s Wedding by Freida McFadden
The Housemaid’s Wedding
Series: The Housemaid #2.5
Author: Freida McFadden
Published: November 22, 2024
Paperback: 63 pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: November 26, 2024
Jessica’s Rating: 3.5 stars
Short Story Description:
The Housemaid’s Wedding is a winter-themed short story meant to fill in the long gap between Book 2 and Book 3 of The Housemaid series . It can be read either between Book 2 and Book 3, or after Book 3.
Today is supposed to be the happiest day of my life.
I’m engaged to the man of my dreams, and in a few short hours, I’m going to stand before a judge, who will declare us husband and wife, till death does us part. Despite some bumps in the road, this day is everything I dreamed it would be.
There’s only one problem:
Someone out there doesn’t want me to live long enough to say my vows.
And if I’m not careful, they may very well get their wish.
Jessica’s Review:
The Housemaid’s Wedding is a short story and just 63 pages. It is meant as a quick filler between books two and three of the Housemaid series. It’s not to be taken seriously; and is a fun and very quick read for the fans who wanted to read about Millie and Enzo’s wedding.
I didn’t have to read about their wedding, but when McFadden mentioned it and I was able to buy a paperback copy for the inexpensive price of $2.79 I jumped at the chance! McFadden wrote this for the fans and is not making any money off this short story being written. I enjoyed it and I listened to the entire Housemaid series on audiobook, I heard the narrator Lauryn Allman’s voice as Millie again as I read this one! Allman is perfect as Millie for me with the audiobooks. I can’t wait to see how the movie will be.
Read it or not, that is up to you as the reader. If you have enjoyed The Housemaid series then I say go for it. Just remember, it’s a very short and quick read!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Audiobook Review: The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden
The Boyfriend
Author: Freida McFadden
Narrators:
Victoria Connolly
Adam Blanford
Published: October 1, 2024
Audiobook: 9 hours 20 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Listened To: October 11-16, 2024
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
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…
Jessica’s Review:
**Please note that I listened to this book with the original male narrator Adam Blanford, so my review will be based off of his narration.
I enjoy Freida McFadden, but not obsessed with her like some of her fans are. Her newest book is The Boyfriend and I most likely see it with a different perspective now than I would have a year ago Hello dating.. I’m not sure when I will be ready for that; then books like this make you want to think twice about dating and any internet dating/apps!
We have two POVS with two different narrators: Single girl Sydney taking place in present day and 16-year-old Tom taking place in the past. We experience a super bad date Sydney has, and then later she has a boyfriend that she feels is perfect. But is he? While Sydney’s relationship is going on the police are investigating a series of murders believed to have been committed with the connection of online/app dating.
As usual with McFadden, we have short chapters! And she can just pull the reader in where they don’t want to stop reading or listening and keep going at all hours! (Not me, as I value the sleep I am able to get!) And most likely who you think the villain is… you are wrong! I had convinced myself that so-and-so was the killer, and I told myself that I am wrong, but as I continued the book, I still thought it was that person…. And I was 1000% wrong!
The narrators: Adam Blanford was the original male narrator. Two days after I finished the audiobook, it was announced that he was replaced, and Ms. McFadden is very happy with the new narrator. I had no problems with Mr. Blanford and listened to the audio at 1.2 speed. Others who had issues with him listened at ‘normal’ speed, while others just did not like his narration. I’m not going to listen to the audio again so soon, but if you listen to the audiobook now or in the future it is now the ‘new’ narrator. Victoria Connolly is our female narrator and I also had no issues with her.
I enjoy McFadden and will keep reading her backlist and her future novels.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
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Novella Review: The Widow’s Husband’s Secret Lie by Freida McFadden
The Widow’s Husband’s Secret Lie
Author: Freida McFadden
Published: August 12, 2024
Paperback: 123 pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: October 5-8, 2024
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Novella Description:
My husband is dead.
I attended his funeral. I watched his casket be lowered six feet into the ground. (Actually, it may have been only five feet, but that still seems like more than enough.) And then we ate an array of finger sandwiches and deviled eggs and miniature beef wellingtons that cost more than my first car.
My point is, Grant is gone. And so are all his many, many deep, dark secrets which I never really ever bothered to ask him about. He is never coming back.
So why do I still see his face everywhere I go?
Jessica’s Review:
This was a fun and refreshing read. I had been in a bit of a ‘book funk’ with the physical book I was reading, and after at least two weeks of not picking that one up at all I decided to DNF it and pick up The Widow’s Husband’s Secret Lie hoping that Ms. McFadden could pull me out of my funk… And she did: For that I say ‘Thank You’!
It seems that people who have been critical have not noticed what is on the cover: A Satirical Novella. If you Google ‘satire’, this is what comes up: The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.
And this novella does that! I really enjoyed it from the beginning! I laughed and also had my mouth drop at a couple of the twists. I did actually call the major final twist relatively early on, and when it got there I said, “I knew it!” I was proud I figured out a McFadden Final Twist!
McFadden pokes fun at herself and the thriller genre in general, so if you are a fan of hers or thrillers then you should enjoy this. There are ‘easter eggs’ throughout the novella in regards to her other novels, and you may pick up on them or not depending on how many or how often you read her books.
After it’s over there is a seven page ‘short’ titled BAD DATE SOS!!! That gears you up for her newest novel The Boyfriend which I am currently listening to. (I will probably have it finished by the time this review posts.
The Widow’s Husband’s Secret Lie is a quick and fun read that I definitely recommend for the McFadden fans and Thriller readers.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK