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The Housemaid #2
The Housemaid's Secret
Goodreads Choice Award
Winner for Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller (2023)As he continues showing me their incredible penthouse apartment, I have a terrible feeling about the woman behind closed doors. But I can't risk losing this job – not if I want to keep my darkest secret safe . . .
It's hard to find an employer who doesn't ask too many questions about my past. So I thank my lucky stars that the Garricks miraculously give me a job, cleaning their stunning penthouse with views across the city and preparing fancy meals in their shiny kitchen. I can work here for a while, stay quiet until I get what I want. It's almost perfect. But I still haven't met Mrs Garrick, or seen inside the guest bedroom. I'm sure I hear her crying. I notice spots of blood around the neck of her white nightgowns when I'm doing laundry. And one day I can't help but knock on the door. When it gently swings open, what I see inside changes everything...
That's when I make a promise. After all, I've done this before. I can protect Mrs. Garrick while keeping my own secrets locked up safe. Douglas Garrick has done wrong. He is going to pay. It's simply a question of how far I'm willing to go...
It's hard to find an employer who doesn't ask too many questions about my past. So I thank my lucky stars that the Garricks miraculously give me a job, cleaning their stunning penthouse with views across the city and preparing fancy meals in their shiny kitchen. I can work here for a while, stay quiet until I get what I want. It's almost perfect. But I still haven't met Mrs Garrick, or seen inside the guest bedroom. I'm sure I hear her crying. I notice spots of blood around the neck of her white nightgowns when I'm doing laundry. And one day I can't help but knock on the door. When it gently swings open, what I see inside changes everything...
That's when I make a promise. After all, I've done this before. I can protect Mrs. Garrick while keeping my own secrets locked up safe. Douglas Garrick has done wrong. He is going to pay. It's simply a question of how far I'm willing to go...
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2023
118099 people are currently reading
653476 people want to read
About the author
Freida McFadden
68 books210k followers#1 New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Publisher's Weekly, and Amazon Charts bestselling author Freida McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain injury who has penned multiple Kindle bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. She lives with her family and possessed cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean, with staircases that creak and moan with each step, and nobody could hear you if you scream. Unless you scream really loudly, maybe.
Note that I am maxed out on friends, so I apologize in advance that I can't friend anyone back!
Note that I am maxed out on friends, so I apologize in advance that I can't friend anyone back!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92,595 reviews
February 28, 2023
I enjoyed The Housemaid and generally think McFadden’s books are fun popcorn reads, but this sequel was godawful. Clunky, repetitive writing. Cringey dialogue. Predictable plot with a “twisty” part 2 retelling the same boring story from another perspective. Skip this.
(( SPOILERS BELOW ))
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(( LAST CALL - SPOILERS ARE COMING ))
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(( HERE ARE THE SPOILERS ))
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After the events of The Housemaid, our girl Millie has earned a reputation among rich white ladies as someone who can take care of business (ie help them get away from their shitty husbands AND clean their houses and babysit - she’s the full package). Despite all of her Good Samaritan-ism to the uber-wealthy (because who needs help more than the 1%?), Millie is still super poor and struggling. So poor that she is forced to live in the South Bronx! THE SOUTH BRONX!
Millie’s hot Italian groundskeeper boyfriend and Samaritanizing associate Enzo has a-gone-a back-a to-a Sicily to a-take-a care of his a-dying mama so Millie is living alone in her SOUTH BRONX apartment. But she has inexplicably scored herself a super hot and rich and nice lawyer boyfriend named Brock (which, side note: omfg don’t name a character BROCK, unless he’s, you know, a rapist swimmer douchebag), who loves her soooooo much and wants her to move into his swanky apartment OVERLOOKING CENTRAL PARK because he’s ready to settle down because of his heart condition (?) even though they’ve only been dating for six months and Millie stands him up constantly and doesn’t seem to even remotely like him as anything other than an abstract concept. She also hasn’t told him about her past, but really, really means to, eventually. But until then, she’ll just act shady AF and keep skipping their dates. Sounds like a solid plan.
Millie gets a new job cleaning for another super-rich couple, Douglas & Wendy Garrick, who live in a fancy PENTHOUSE APARTMENT on the UPPER WEST SIDE, JUST WEST OF CENTRAL PARK which is super different from her poor person neighborhood (the SOUTH BRONX in case you’ve forgotten). Douglas seems vaguely hot-ish in a rich guy way, but Wendy stays hidden away in a guest room. Uh-oh.
Then Millie thinks she’s being followed and she gets attacked by her skeezy neighbor dude (in the stairwell of her apartment in the SOUTH BRONX) and she stands up Brock a few more times and buys some weird rich people groceries for the Garricks. Then she sees Wendy with a busted up face and at some point Millie gets Wendy out of the PENTHOUSE APARTMENT ON THE UPPER WEST SIDE and to a cheap motel that is even worse than the SOUTH BRONX, but Douglas finds her and brings her back to the PENTHOUSE APARTMENT and continues to escalate the abuse.
Then it turns out the person following Millie is none other than-a Enzo! He’s-a back-a from-a Italy and his mom is dead so he thought stalking Millie was the best plan to restart their relationship. He calls Brock “Broccoli” 197 times, and it was funny-ish the first time, but it got old real quick, and his accent a-comes and a-gos and he speaks grammatically perfectly for a few sentences and then-a goes-a back-a to not understanding English. It’s a real-a rollercoaster.
Anyway, the two of them hatch a plan to save Wendy. Blah blah some stuff happens and Millie shoots Douglas and he’s dead.
But.
Then.
The twist.
The dude Millie shot is not Douglas! The real Douglas is a schlubby goober and not the handsome-ish man Millie killed. Oh dear.
So then we have part 2, told from Wendy’s perspective. Turns out, Wendy is a gold-digging skank who only married schlubby Real Douglas for his money. She has an affair with Fake Douglas, who is married to Real Douglas’s secretary, Marybeth. Wendy and Fake Douglas make a plan to kill Real Douglas for his money… and to frame Millie for his murder, which really seems like a lot of trouble to go through.
Jesus H. Ok. So, the gun Millie shot was full of blanks. Fake Douglas was fake dead, so then Wendy killed Real Douglas and made him real dead. Millie hides from the police because they are after her. Wendy and Fake Douglas go to his wife Marybeth’s remote cabin to hide out and do some hot-tubbing, but then a very angry Marybeth shows up and Fake Douglas gets his throat slit (!!) and Wendy gets killed with digoxin heart pills and is forced to write a suicide note explaining everything, so now Millie is off the hook. Yay.
Then we jump ahead a few months, and Enzo is muscularly moving into Millie’s SOUTH BRONX apartment, and then Broccoli shows up to to pick up a box of his shit, and I guess it’s another twist that Millie gave Broccoli’s heart pills to Marybeth and that’s what killed Wendy.
So, now Enzo and Millie live together in the SOUTH BRONX, and I guess she’ll find another cleaning job? Sigh.
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(( HERE ARE THE SPOILERS ))
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After the events of The Housemaid, our girl Millie has earned a reputation among rich white ladies as someone who can take care of business (ie help them get away from their shitty husbands AND clean their houses and babysit - she’s the full package). Despite all of her Good Samaritan-ism to the uber-wealthy (because who needs help more than the 1%?), Millie is still super poor and struggling. So poor that she is forced to live in the South Bronx! THE SOUTH BRONX!
Millie’s hot Italian groundskeeper boyfriend and Samaritanizing associate Enzo has a-gone-a back-a to-a Sicily to a-take-a care of his a-dying mama so Millie is living alone in her SOUTH BRONX apartment. But she has inexplicably scored herself a super hot and rich and nice lawyer boyfriend named Brock (which, side note: omfg don’t name a character BROCK, unless he’s, you know, a rapist swimmer douchebag), who loves her soooooo much and wants her to move into his swanky apartment OVERLOOKING CENTRAL PARK because he’s ready to settle down because of his heart condition (?) even though they’ve only been dating for six months and Millie stands him up constantly and doesn’t seem to even remotely like him as anything other than an abstract concept. She also hasn’t told him about her past, but really, really means to, eventually. But until then, she’ll just act shady AF and keep skipping their dates. Sounds like a solid plan.
Millie gets a new job cleaning for another super-rich couple, Douglas & Wendy Garrick, who live in a fancy PENTHOUSE APARTMENT on the UPPER WEST SIDE, JUST WEST OF CENTRAL PARK which is super different from her poor person neighborhood (the SOUTH BRONX in case you’ve forgotten). Douglas seems vaguely hot-ish in a rich guy way, but Wendy stays hidden away in a guest room. Uh-oh.
Then Millie thinks she’s being followed and she gets attacked by her skeezy neighbor dude (in the stairwell of her apartment in the SOUTH BRONX) and she stands up Brock a few more times and buys some weird rich people groceries for the Garricks. Then she sees Wendy with a busted up face and at some point Millie gets Wendy out of the PENTHOUSE APARTMENT ON THE UPPER WEST SIDE and to a cheap motel that is even worse than the SOUTH BRONX, but Douglas finds her and brings her back to the PENTHOUSE APARTMENT and continues to escalate the abuse.
Then it turns out the person following Millie is none other than-a Enzo! He’s-a back-a from-a Italy and his mom is dead so he thought stalking Millie was the best plan to restart their relationship. He calls Brock “Broccoli” 197 times, and it was funny-ish the first time, but it got old real quick, and his accent a-comes and a-gos and he speaks grammatically perfectly for a few sentences and then-a goes-a back-a to not understanding English. It’s a real-a rollercoaster.
Anyway, the two of them hatch a plan to save Wendy. Blah blah some stuff happens and Millie shoots Douglas and he’s dead.
But.
Then.
The twist.
The dude Millie shot is not Douglas! The real Douglas is a schlubby goober and not the handsome-ish man Millie killed. Oh dear.
So then we have part 2, told from Wendy’s perspective. Turns out, Wendy is a gold-digging skank who only married schlubby Real Douglas for his money. She has an affair with Fake Douglas, who is married to Real Douglas’s secretary, Marybeth. Wendy and Fake Douglas make a plan to kill Real Douglas for his money… and to frame Millie for his murder, which really seems like a lot of trouble to go through.
Jesus H. Ok. So, the gun Millie shot was full of blanks. Fake Douglas was fake dead, so then Wendy killed Real Douglas and made him real dead. Millie hides from the police because they are after her. Wendy and Fake Douglas go to his wife Marybeth’s remote cabin to hide out and do some hot-tubbing, but then a very angry Marybeth shows up and Fake Douglas gets his throat slit (!!) and Wendy gets killed with digoxin heart pills and is forced to write a suicide note explaining everything, so now Millie is off the hook. Yay.
Then we jump ahead a few months, and Enzo is muscularly moving into Millie’s SOUTH BRONX apartment, and then Broccoli shows up to to pick up a box of his shit, and I guess it’s another twist that Millie gave Broccoli’s heart pills to Marybeth and that’s what killed Wendy.
So, now Enzo and Millie live together in the SOUTH BRONX, and I guess she’ll find another cleaning job? Sigh.
March 23, 2023
In a Nutshell: The good news is that this is just like ‘The Housemaid.’ The bad news is that this is just like ‘The Housemaid.’ A fun thriller, as long as you don’t overanalyse it. Better if you read the series in order.
Story Synopsis:
This sequel doesn't exactly continue from the end of the first novel, but provides enough of context to help us bridge to the events of this book. Though this can work as a standalone, I recommend you read the series in order, because Millie’s personality is much better explored in the first book.
Since I complain about Bookouture blurbs quite often (Sorry, Bookouture! I still love you though!), I think I should also give them credit when they nail the task. The blurb of this book is spot on, revealing just as much as needed and creating enough interest without spoiling the fun or misleading. Good job!
On the pro side, the story has every positive element that was present in the earlier book:
👉 Quick-paced writing.
👉 A storyline that keeps you invested even when you know what’s to come (or so you think.)
👉 An intriguing prologue.
👉 Characters who say one thing and do something else.
👉 Twists – some foreseeable, some out of the blue.
👉 Some funny moments, courtesy Millie’s snide remarks in her first person pov.
👉 An ending that works well for the story.
On the flip side,
⚠ The pattern of the book is exactly the same as the first book. (And many other thrillers.) So the minute the prologue began, I knew it was not narrated by whom we would assume it to be. The appearance of the second character’s pov created a huge déjà vu moment, as I knew it would contradict everything Millie had told us so far. I was still interested in the proceedings; it is just that instead of enjoying the story as a fresh tale, I found myself playing detective and figuring out the twists based on the similarity to the first book.
⚠ Millie didn’t endear herself to me this time around. Her attitude towards Brock was quite irksome, and her thoughts very repetitive. While she shows her true spirit by the end, I wish it had been more evident throughout.
⚠ The writing is also somewhat basic, though, to be honest, I don’t read a thriller for its prose. But the overdose of foreshadowing and the back-and-forth rambling by Millie were somewhat disappointing.
All in all, this is still gripping enough to provide an entertaining ride. I liked the first book much better as it had plenty of dark undertones. This one offers standard fare in comparison.
I finally have the chance to use a phrase so many of my reviewer-friends do: it’s a popcorn thriller! Treat it as such than as a literary classic. As long as you read it with your logical side kept aside, you can have fun with it.
3.5 stars, rounding up as it allowed me to complete it within a day.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Housemaid's Secret”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The book is also available to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
Millie is back, still working as a maid, and still struggling for finances. She is in a steady relationship with Brock, a lawyer who doesn’t know anything about her past. Not that she loves Brock, but as Enzo isn’t around, he will do.
After Millie loses her current job, she gets a call from Douglas Garrick, a wealthy tech specialist. He wants Millie to clean and cook, but on one condition|: she is NOT to interact with his wife Wendy, who is ill. As Millie is desperate for a job, she agrees. However, things are, but obviously, not as declared, and Millie finds herself in a quandary; risk her job by helping Wendy, or go against her values by ignoring what’s happening?
The book comes to us in the first person perspective of two of the characters, one being Millie.
This sequel doesn't exactly continue from the end of the first novel, but provides enough of context to help us bridge to the events of this book. Though this can work as a standalone, I recommend you read the series in order, because Millie’s personality is much better explored in the first book.
Since I complain about Bookouture blurbs quite often (Sorry, Bookouture! I still love you though!), I think I should also give them credit when they nail the task. The blurb of this book is spot on, revealing just as much as needed and creating enough interest without spoiling the fun or misleading. Good job!
On the pro side, the story has every positive element that was present in the earlier book:
👉 Quick-paced writing.
👉 A storyline that keeps you invested even when you know what’s to come (or so you think.)
👉 An intriguing prologue.
👉 Characters who say one thing and do something else.
👉 Twists – some foreseeable, some out of the blue.
👉 Some funny moments, courtesy Millie’s snide remarks in her first person pov.
👉 An ending that works well for the story.
On the flip side,
⚠ The pattern of the book is exactly the same as the first book. (And many other thrillers.) So the minute the prologue began, I knew it was not narrated by whom we would assume it to be. The appearance of the second character’s pov created a huge déjà vu moment, as I knew it would contradict everything Millie had told us so far. I was still interested in the proceedings; it is just that instead of enjoying the story as a fresh tale, I found myself playing detective and figuring out the twists based on the similarity to the first book.
⚠ Millie didn’t endear herself to me this time around. Her attitude towards Brock was quite irksome, and her thoughts very repetitive. While she shows her true spirit by the end, I wish it had been more evident throughout.
⚠ The writing is also somewhat basic, though, to be honest, I don’t read a thriller for its prose. But the overdose of foreshadowing and the back-and-forth rambling by Millie were somewhat disappointing.
All in all, this is still gripping enough to provide an entertaining ride. I liked the first book much better as it had plenty of dark undertones. This one offers standard fare in comparison.
I finally have the chance to use a phrase so many of my reviewer-friends do: it’s a popcorn thriller! Treat it as such than as a literary classic. As long as you read it with your logical side kept aside, you can have fun with it.
3.5 stars, rounding up as it allowed me to complete it within a day.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Housemaid's Secret”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The book is also available to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
March 13, 2023
So ridiculous but I devoured it 🤣
April 18, 2023
I think I might have enjoyed this one slightly more than the first??
January 26, 2024
freida writes some of the goofiest unbelievable shit and i will gobble it up. i sure will.
July 5, 2023
2.5 stars
That was... interesting.
Not as good as the first book, that's for sure.
It started off slow with not much happening in the first 30% of the book. It seems very similar to the first book in the beginning. Things started picking up around 50% of the book with the thriller genre coming in to play massively and since then, couldn't help but binge. The twists and turns up till part 2 are really interesting and then it went downhill for me.
After part 2 the issues I had were all because of the two female characters. Am sorry as good as Millie was in the first one, she is SO ANNOYING in this one. The fact she keeps on using Brock??? Like girl just stop please. I feel so bad for him throughout the book. If you don't want someone or don't love someone, just let them go!! Her inner monologues are so repetitive.
Then comes Wendy, I HATED her so much. She is such a narcissist, all I wanted was Douglas to just tell her her reality and find a life of his own. I wouldn't even mind if her pathetic little gold digging arse got killed off in a brutal manner. What she got was so mild compared to what she deserved. *insert multiple swear words here*
The ending was underwhelming. The men in this book deserved better!! All four of them!!
I for sure recommend book 1. Book 2? Not so much.
That was... interesting.
Not as good as the first book, that's for sure.
It started off slow with not much happening in the first 30% of the book. It seems very similar to the first book in the beginning. Things started picking up around 50% of the book with the thriller genre coming in to play massively and since then, couldn't help but binge. The twists and turns up till part 2 are really interesting and then it went downhill for me.
After part 2 the issues I had were all because of the two female characters. Am sorry as good as Millie was in the first one, she is SO ANNOYING in this one. The fact she keeps on using Brock??? Like girl just stop please. I feel so bad for him throughout the book. If you don't want someone or don't love someone, just let them go!! Her inner monologues are so repetitive.
Then comes Wendy, I HATED her so much. She is such a narcissist, all I wanted was Douglas to just tell her her reality and find a life of his own. I wouldn't even mind if her pathetic little gold digging arse got killed off in a brutal manner. What she got was so mild compared to what she deserved. *insert multiple swear words here*
The ending was underwhelming. The men in this book deserved better!! All four of them!!
I for sure recommend book 1. Book 2? Not so much.
December 3, 2023
❥12/02/23
4/5 ★’s
⁀➷ ❝she underestimated an extremely
dangerous person. me.❞
freida, bae…what have you done to me😭it’s because of this woman that i’m having these weird/creepy dreams. i wanted to go on a whole freida binge and read all her books back to back, but my mind can’t handle that right now. to me, she’s definitely the queen of mind fucks!! i don’t think i’d survive one day in that woman’s mind😩my review will be a bit short simply because i want it to be spoiler free🫶🏼
❥ 𝓂𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓈:
even though i read this book in less than 6 hours…it was a bit slower than the first one and that’s one of the very few reasons why i gave it 4 stars. freida knows exactly what to do to get you hooked from the very first sentence of the book.
⁀➷ ❝tonight, i will be murdered.❞
i was like: 👁️👄👁️
well if you start your book with a cute little sentence like that then i’m bound to read it quite fast😀if you are in a reading slump, then i 10/10 recommend freida’s books! i know i’ve only read two by her, but i haven’t read books that fast in a long, long time😩
❥ 𝓅𝓁𝑜𝓉:
this is definitely another reason why i gave the book 4 stars. i found myself being able to predict most of what happened. i didn’t hate that i predicted things because it was fun to make my own theories to see if they were right, but i just prefer that wow effect when i read a mystery/thriller! i’m thinking maybe it was easier to predict some things because freida taught me not to trust anyone. there was one specific plot twist that gave me chills everywhere. i sent my baby shei a picture of the goosebumps on my arm😭i had made a theory, but had forgotten about it because i really assumed i was wrong and when it happened i was freaking out as if i didn’t know it was going to happen…freida drives me crazy…a good crazy.
❥ 𝓌𝓇𝒾𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔:
the way freida writes absolutely amazes me. her stories can get confusing, but for the most part they’re very easy reads! very fast paced and i love it so much. it’s addicting! you might find yourself having a bunch of questions, but they all eventually get answered. reading her books is like playing connect the dots. it looks like a mess, but when it’s finished🤩okay maybe you won’t have that exact reaction when you finish freida’s books, but y’all get what i’m trying to say…i hope🤭
❥ 𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓁𝒾𝑒 𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑜𝓌𝒶𝓎:
surprise!!! she’s the main character in this one too and i LOVED it because i love my girl millie so much. a millie moment. i should definitely be afraid of this woman though👀now i’m wondering if millie will be the fmc in the third book!?! i honestly would not mind that at all! i thought this book was going to have all new characters so i was pleasantly surprised🤭i can’t say much about her without saying spoilers, but just know she’s a badass and that i love women💋
❥ 𝒹𝑜𝓊𝑔𝓁𝒶𝓈 𝑔𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒾𝒸𝓀:
this man kept me on my toes the entire book. i had so many questions. after reading my first freida book…I leaned very quickly that i should not romanticize any mmc in her books…i definitely do it anyways. i’d love to say more about him, but you just have to read it hehe🤭
❥ 𝓌𝑒𝓃𝒹𝓎 𝑔𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒾𝒸𝓀:
this girl. i have so much to say so that should give you an idea about how interesting it was to read about her. i just wanna say the way millie was with her🥹ugh i love millie sm!
❥ 𝑒𝓃𝓏𝑜:
pick me. choose me. lovefuck me. on my knees🫦🫦getting butterflies just thinking about him🦋
❥ 𝓆𝓊𝑜𝓉𝑒𝓈:
➸ my favorite thing about him—the smile that makes me feel like he thinks i’m the most amazing person he’s ever met.
➸ i had a guardian angel and i didn’t even know it
➸ ❝you need me, you call. i will be there.❞
➸ nobody can kiss like that man. let me find out🫦
➸ ❝he does nothing. nothing. he does not care that the man who attacked his girlfriend is still out there. no punishment! he has gotten away with it! but i-i care. so i make sure that he gets what he deserves, that he will never bother you again.❞
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
❥11/28/23
𝓅𝓇𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌:
can you hear me screaming?😀
i’m totally not going insane.i did not send a seven minute audio message to shei completely freaking out.
i will admit that book one was WAY better, but freida just knows how to make you feel like you’re going crazy…is it concerning that i love it?😅
i feel like freida’s little fishy!! always taking her bait, getting hooked, and reeled all the way in! then she releases me back into the water and repeats the process!!!😄
me and freida! —>🧍🏻♀️🎣
rtc soon!! i need a day or two to process the mind of freida😀i absolutely devoured this book in less six hours too, i need to go breathe some fresh air😮💨🤚🏼
❥11/24/23
freida, i love it when you play mind games with me🫦🤌🏼
my newest obsession🤭freida! pls don’t betray me like you did in the first book🤡trust??? what’s that👁️👄👁️
4/5 ★’s
⁀➷ ❝she underestimated an extremely
dangerous person. me.❞
freida, bae…what have you done to me😭it’s because of this woman that i’m having these weird/creepy dreams. i wanted to go on a whole freida binge and read all her books back to back, but my mind can’t handle that right now. to me, she’s definitely the queen of mind fucks!! i don’t think i’d survive one day in that woman’s mind😩my review will be a bit short simply because i want it to be spoiler free🫶🏼
❥ 𝓂𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓈:
even though i read this book in less than 6 hours…it was a bit slower than the first one and that’s one of the very few reasons why i gave it 4 stars. freida knows exactly what to do to get you hooked from the very first sentence of the book.
⁀➷ ❝tonight, i will be murdered.❞
i was like: 👁️👄👁️
well if you start your book with a cute little sentence like that then i’m bound to read it quite fast😀if you are in a reading slump, then i 10/10 recommend freida’s books! i know i’ve only read two by her, but i haven’t read books that fast in a long, long time😩
❥ 𝓅𝓁𝑜𝓉:
this is definitely another reason why i gave the book 4 stars. i found myself being able to predict most of what happened. i didn’t hate that i predicted things because it was fun to make my own theories to see if they were right, but i just prefer that wow effect when i read a mystery/thriller! i’m thinking maybe it was easier to predict some things because freida taught me not to trust anyone. there was one specific plot twist that gave me chills everywhere. i sent my baby shei a picture of the goosebumps on my arm😭i had made a theory, but had forgotten about it because i really assumed i was wrong and when it happened i was freaking out as if i didn’t know it was going to happen…freida drives me crazy…a good crazy.
❥ 𝓌𝓇𝒾𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔:
the way freida writes absolutely amazes me. her stories can get confusing, but for the most part they’re very easy reads! very fast paced and i love it so much. it’s addicting! you might find yourself having a bunch of questions, but they all eventually get answered. reading her books is like playing connect the dots. it looks like a mess, but when it’s finished🤩
❥ 𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓁𝒾𝑒 𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑜𝓌𝒶𝓎:
surprise!!! she’s the main character in this one too and i LOVED it because i love my girl millie so much. a millie moment. i should definitely be afraid of this woman though👀now i’m wondering if millie will be the fmc in the third book!?! i honestly would not mind that at all! i thought this book was going to have all new characters so i was pleasantly surprised🤭i can’t say much about her without saying spoilers, but just know she’s a badass and that i love women💋
❥ 𝒹𝑜𝓊𝑔𝓁𝒶𝓈 𝑔𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒾𝒸𝓀:
this man kept me on my toes the entire book. i had so many questions. after reading my first freida book…I leaned very quickly that i should not romanticize any mmc in her books…
❥ 𝓌𝑒𝓃𝒹𝓎 𝑔𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒾𝒸𝓀:
this girl. i have so much to say so that should give you an idea about how interesting it was to read about her. i just wanna say the way millie was with her🥹ugh i love millie sm!
❥ 𝑒𝓃𝓏𝑜:
pick me. choose me. love
❥ 𝓆𝓊𝑜𝓉𝑒𝓈:
➸ my favorite thing about him—the smile that makes me feel like he thinks i’m the most amazing person he’s ever met.
➸ i had a guardian angel and i didn’t even know it
➸ ❝you need me, you call. i will be there.❞
➸ nobody can kiss like that man. let me find out🫦
➸ ❝he does nothing. nothing. he does not care that the man who attacked his girlfriend is still out there. no punishment! he has gotten away with it! but i-i care. so i make sure that he gets what he deserves, that he will never bother you again.❞
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
❥11/28/23
𝓅𝓇𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌:
can you hear me screaming?😀
i’m totally not going insane.
i will admit that book one was WAY better, but freida just knows how to make you feel like you’re going crazy…
i feel like freida’s little fishy!! always taking her bait, getting hooked, and reeled all the way in! then she releases me back into the water and repeats the process!!!😄
me and freida! —>🧍🏻♀️🎣
rtc soon!! i need a day or two to process the mind of freida😀i absolutely devoured this book in less six hours too, i need to go breathe some fresh air😮💨🤚🏼
❥11/24/23
freida, i love it when you play mind games with me🫦🤌🏼
my newest obsession🤭
January 24, 2024
4.5 ❤️🍾
Tylko dlatego nie pięć gwiazdek, że pierwszy tom mnie wziął z totalnego zaskoczenia, a teraz już wiem, jak świetnie Freida McFadden konstruuje swoje książki, więc nie przeżyłam już takiego szoku jak przy „Pomocy domowej” ❤️ Co nie zmienia faktu, że to są absolutnie wybitne kryminały.
Tylko dlatego nie pięć gwiazdek, że pierwszy tom mnie wziął z totalnego zaskoczenia, a teraz już wiem, jak świetnie Freida McFadden konstruuje swoje książki, więc nie przeżyłam już takiego szoku jak przy „Pomocy domowej” ❤️ Co nie zmienia faktu, że to są absolutnie wybitne kryminały.
May 11, 2023
3.0 stars. After loving everything but the ending of “The Housemaid”I dove right into the sequel “The Housemaid’s Secret.” Although I always enjoy Ms. McFadden’s fast paced writing style, I didn’t enjoy “Secret” near as much as its predecessor. The primary distinction between the two books, in my opinion, was the tone of the book. “Secret” seemed to be written in a tounge-in-cheek style that began to grate on my nerves the more I read. For instance, at the very beginning of the book Millie gets fired from her job because the baby she was the caretaker for called her mommy in front of the baby’s real mother. It was written so over the top I couldn’t believe the author wanted me to believe this was a real scene in the book. Many other scenes (even ones depicting violent acts) were written so unrealistically, I never became invested in any of the characters. Because of the tone I would rate the book as just average even if I was able to fly through it. At times it felt like I was reading an early rough draft of the novel as the scenes were described in a bare bones style that were over before they could build any suspense. I never felt this way about “The Housemaid.” As you could probably tell from my very disjointed review, I had the hardest time explaining what I didn’t like about the book. The whimsical writing style on what could have been a great sequel to a great book left me unimpressed. I will definitely read Ms. McFadden again because admittedly her books are never boring and I’ve never had an issue with the tone of her books as it relates to the story before. Please be kind in your comments when you tell me how delusional I am in not liking the sequel as well as “ The Housemaid.”
June 28, 2024
3.95!
A RANT AT THE END‼️
This book was so intense!! Like UFFF I was in the edge of my seat and I would be lying If I said that I didn't enjoy it because I did. It kept me hooked throughout, so I have to praise freida for that atleast and the plot for this one was really well thought. I liked how everything was set up and how everything wrapped up. However, there were some plotlines that were weak but I would say I liked how strong part 1&2 were even part 3 till it's middle but from there onwards it started to go spiraling down.
Millie was very annoying here. Too nosy for her own good and treated her bf like shit who was nothing but good to hear and had the audacity at the end to say that he left her when she needed her the most while she wasn't even present for most of their relationship, this part of Millie's actions was so infuriating but her being nosy and extra curious while working for Douglas was actually very smart from Freida's part because it completely took my attention from one thing and i broke my one rule 😭 but anyways, I enjoyed reading abiut Millie and by the end I didnt mind her being annoyingly curious or nosy because it served a purpose but the way she treated broc 🙄🙄 bffr Millie, bffr.
As for the plot, I think Freida did a really good job at some parts especially the twist because I was not expecting that and I did enjoy it a lot but I found the start to be a little slow and part 4 to be very underwhelming and there was one thing that I'll discuss below that made no sense to me but other than that I liked the whole story.
SPOILERS‼️
So my one rule about reading thrillers is the first suspect is never the culprit and I broke it here 😭😭 by suspecting Douglas and hey I have to blame Millie's annoying nature because iw as so annoyed at her being nosy and all and with how Wendy (what a bitch tbh) and her constant gaslighting that I thought it was really Douglas 😭😭💀 until part two 💀 where my jaw was literally hanging on the floor. Wendy was one twisted woman like she was so insecure and tried to justify so many of her actions and pls the way she murdered Douglas at the end like 😭 my man just wanted to live a happy life but no you were too greedy and were trying to be so posh 🙄 like stfu bitch anyways, Wendy got what she deserved but hats off to her for orchestrating everything also her audacity to cheat and destroy another marriage?? 😭 Wow. Loved Douglasbecuase he had two balls and one brain to actually exclude Wendy entirely from the will. Now see this part one and two which was amazing but then comes part three where everything was not that much drawn out and then we get to the resolution and??? How??? Why??? Myrcabeth? Was that her name? It made no sense how a secretary managed to slit her husband's throat and also kill Wendy because 😭 like ik they both were having an affair but still it was so out of the blue and I didn't like it that much, it didn't feel satisfying. I also DO NOT understand like this made ZERO SENSE to me how when myrcabeth (wtv her name is) was making Wendy write a letter where she confessed to framing Millie and where she accused her of killing her husband and also herself, I didn't understand why she didn't say no because that way Wendy may have had a chance to escape or take down both millie and myrcabeth like why would she write that she was attempting to kill herself knowing that myrcabeth would kill her 😭😭😭 where she could bribe her way out or take them with her. It baffled me and that's what made lower my rating to a three.
SPOILERS END‼️
Overall, I had sm fun with it but the last part sucked.
___
Let's see where Millie ventures off to here...👀
A RANT AT THE END‼️
This book was so intense!! Like UFFF I was in the edge of my seat and I would be lying If I said that I didn't enjoy it because I did. It kept me hooked throughout, so I have to praise freida for that atleast and the plot for this one was really well thought. I liked how everything was set up and how everything wrapped up. However, there were some plotlines that were weak but I would say I liked how strong part 1&2 were even part 3 till it's middle but from there onwards it started to go spiraling down.
Millie was very annoying here. Too nosy for her own good and treated her bf like shit who was nothing but good to hear and had the audacity at the end to say that he left her when she needed her the most while she wasn't even present for most of their relationship, this part of Millie's actions was so infuriating but her being nosy and extra curious while working for Douglas was actually very smart from Freida's part because it completely took my attention from one thing and i broke my one rule 😭 but anyways, I enjoyed reading abiut Millie and by the end I didnt mind her being annoyingly curious or nosy because it served a purpose but the way she treated broc 🙄🙄 bffr Millie, bffr.
As for the plot, I think Freida did a really good job at some parts especially the twist because I was not expecting that and I did enjoy it a lot but I found the start to be a little slow and part 4 to be very underwhelming and there was one thing that I'll discuss below that made no sense to me but other than that I liked the whole story.
SPOILERS‼️
So my one rule about reading thrillers is the first suspect is never the culprit and I broke it here 😭😭 by suspecting Douglas and hey I have to blame Millie's annoying nature because iw as so annoyed at her being nosy and all and with how Wendy (what a bitch tbh) and her constant gaslighting that I thought it was really Douglas 😭😭💀 until part two 💀 where my jaw was literally hanging on the floor. Wendy was one twisted woman like she was so insecure and tried to justify so many of her actions and pls the way she murdered Douglas at the end like 😭 my man just wanted to live a happy life but no you were too greedy and were trying to be so posh 🙄 like stfu bitch anyways, Wendy got what she deserved but hats off to her for orchestrating everything also her audacity to cheat and destroy another marriage?? 😭 Wow. Loved Douglasbecuase he had two balls and one brain to actually exclude Wendy entirely from the will. Now see this part one and two which was amazing but then comes part three where everything was not that much drawn out and then we get to the resolution and??? How??? Why??? Myrcabeth? Was that her name? It made no sense how a secretary managed to slit her husband's throat and also kill Wendy because 😭 like ik they both were having an affair but still it was so out of the blue and I didn't like it that much, it didn't feel satisfying. I also DO NOT understand like this made ZERO SENSE to me how when myrcabeth (wtv her name is) was making Wendy write a letter where she confessed to framing Millie and where she accused her of killing her husband and also herself, I didn't understand why she didn't say no because that way Wendy may have had a chance to escape or take down both millie and myrcabeth like why would she write that she was attempting to kill herself knowing that myrcabeth would kill her 😭😭😭 where she could bribe her way out or take them with her. It baffled me and that's what made lower my rating to a three.
SPOILERS END‼️
Overall, I had sm fun with it but the last part sucked.
___
Let's see where Millie ventures off to here...👀
February 26, 2023
“The Housemaid's Secret” by Freida McFadden is another classic psychological thriller that will have everyone talking about it in 2023. A little backstory, “The Housemaid” was the first novel I read by her and I was instantly hooked. She is an exceptional author as I’ve read some of her other books as well but I was anxiously waiting for the sequel to “The Housemaid” because it was one of the best novels I read in 2022.
Now, before I jump into my review, I want to let you all know about two trigger warnings in case they could affect you while reading. McFadden does a phenomenal job not describing anything in any kind of detail which is great but there are insinuations of violence against women and self-harm. Again, nothing is too detailed or graphic, just insinuated so I wanted to give everyone a heads-up about that. McFadden gets major props from me for not going into any specifics in both potential trigger warnings.
I was very happy to get right back into what is going on with the main protagonist Millie since the ending to “The Housemaid” was pretty wild. Millie is awesome and I truly loved all the New York vibes in this novel. Being born and raised in Queens, NY, I loved all the references, especially to the NY Mets. It just felt so authentic and added another layer of immersion to this novel for me being a New Yorker and all.
Besides that, all the little references to the first book in this series were also brilliantly done. I’d recommend reading the first one and then jumping right into this one to see what I mean. McFadden is a great storyteller that delivers some incredible suspense, mystery, tension, and my goodness, her plot twists are on a whole other level. She’s fantastic when it comes to them and they will literally have your jaw on the floor with how crazy they are once revealed. That’s exactly what happened to me and I still can’t believe them.
This sequel delivers in ways only McFadden can conjure as it’s another incredible psychological thriller of a read. I love how all of her books are so fast-paced and addictive, you simply can’t put them down even if you tried. Her writing is so seamless that this novel was a genuine page-turner, especially when you get to the second half towards a crazy ending I never saw coming. Seriously, I’m still completely blown away by the ending.
I give “The Housemaid's Secret” by Freida McFadden a perfect 5/5 as it’s another amazing novel by her that I’d highly recommend to anyone that wants a wild psychological thriller with crazy plot twists, mystery, and an incredible reading experience. McFadden is truly making a name for herself and I look forward to reading every single thing she’s written and all her future novels. She’s that magnificent and is an author I look forward to reading for many years to come.
Now, before I jump into my review, I want to let you all know about two trigger warnings in case they could affect you while reading. McFadden does a phenomenal job not describing anything in any kind of detail which is great but there are insinuations of violence against women and self-harm. Again, nothing is too detailed or graphic, just insinuated so I wanted to give everyone a heads-up about that. McFadden gets major props from me for not going into any specifics in both potential trigger warnings.
I was very happy to get right back into what is going on with the main protagonist Millie since the ending to “The Housemaid” was pretty wild. Millie is awesome and I truly loved all the New York vibes in this novel. Being born and raised in Queens, NY, I loved all the references, especially to the NY Mets. It just felt so authentic and added another layer of immersion to this novel for me being a New Yorker and all.
Besides that, all the little references to the first book in this series were also brilliantly done. I’d recommend reading the first one and then jumping right into this one to see what I mean. McFadden is a great storyteller that delivers some incredible suspense, mystery, tension, and my goodness, her plot twists are on a whole other level. She’s fantastic when it comes to them and they will literally have your jaw on the floor with how crazy they are once revealed. That’s exactly what happened to me and I still can’t believe them.
This sequel delivers in ways only McFadden can conjure as it’s another incredible psychological thriller of a read. I love how all of her books are so fast-paced and addictive, you simply can’t put them down even if you tried. Her writing is so seamless that this novel was a genuine page-turner, especially when you get to the second half towards a crazy ending I never saw coming. Seriously, I’m still completely blown away by the ending.
I give “The Housemaid's Secret” by Freida McFadden a perfect 5/5 as it’s another amazing novel by her that I’d highly recommend to anyone that wants a wild psychological thriller with crazy plot twists, mystery, and an incredible reading experience. McFadden is truly making a name for herself and I look forward to reading every single thing she’s written and all her future novels. She’s that magnificent and is an author I look forward to reading for many years to come.
April 20, 2025
After thoroughly enjoying the first installment, I eagerly dove into this book, hungry for another whirlwind adventure in the world of Millie the maid. I can't help but keep my hopes high for the next installment, perhaps one where we follow Millie the social worker, assisting individuals caught in tumultuous relationships and dealing with dangerous spouses who mistreat their significant others. Personally, I'd love to see the narrative shift to focus on a husband's perspective in the second half of the book.
I've come across several comments stating that the second book doesn't quite match the excellence of the first. However, I don't entirely agree with this sentiment. There are still incredible twists in this book that caught me off guard—not just one, but three brilliantly executed twists that took me by surprise. The first twist, while slightly more apparent, is not due to the author giving it away but rather because the book's concept encourages readers to think outside the box, fostering doubts about everyone's motives and leading us to suspect every move made by the other characters, all in an attempt to deceive us (or perhaps not-so-poor Millie, who retains her big heart to help others).
In this new book, we find ourselves nearly five years ahead, witnessing the developments in Millie's life.
At the end of the first book, she embarks on a journey to work in special homes, thanks to the highly-regarded references from Nina. Her mission is to aid housewives who have endured abuse at the hands of their husbands.
Yet, within a few years, it appears that Millie has distanced herself from this perilous business. She particularly feels the void left by her partner in crime and her lover, Enzo, who had provided crucial resources to help abused women. Enzo's abrupt departure to Sicily to care for his ailing mother, coupled with his reluctance to specify when he'll return, leads to an amicable parting of ways. Millie begins dating Brock, a kind and caring lawyer with a critical heart condition who is eager to tie the knot soon. She also juggles cleaning and nannying jobs that come her way through word-of-mouth recommendations. Furthermore, she embarks on a journey to become a more effective social worker by enrolling in social psychology classes at a community college to better assist those in need.
However, her latest gig ends abruptly when a misunderstanding with a child results in Millie being mistaken for the child's mother. The child's self-centered biological mother takes offense, leading to Millie's dismissal. Faced with no other options and fortunately without the need to move in with Brock (not broccoli), Millie manages to secure a promising job at the last minute. Douglas Garrick, a wealthy and influential business magnate, hires her to maintain his sprawling duplex penthouse, which he shares with his wife. Unfortunately, his wife's severe health condition confines her to her room for the majority of the day. The penthouse is largely spotless, with minimal chores for Millie—dusting, laundry, and preparing meals from recipes featuring obscure ingredients she's never encountered before. However, the pay and conditions are too tempting to refuse, and as the saying goes, beggars can't be choosers.
Millie's plan is simple: follow her employers' instructions and avoid getting entangled in any family drama. But when she stumbles upon bloodstains in the bathroom and uncovers the reason for Wendy Garrick's seclusion—a battered and bruised face—her anger ignites. Despite the faint warning voice urging her to stay away from the family's issues, Millie can't resist intervening. Wendy Garrick, trapped with a monstrous husband, desperately needs saving, and Millie is determined to do everything in her power to rescue her. However, this time, the villain she confronts may prove to be more formidable than she ever imagined. To make matters worse, a relentless stalker is watching her every move. Is this threat connected to the Garrick family, or is something even more sinister lurking in the shadows, poised to threaten her life?
Anticipating the big twist due to the first book's concept, I found the execution of these twists to be incredibly clever, with certain aspects even surpassing those in the first book. Upon finishing the book in a single sitting, I was so close to screaming and demanding another installment! I'm keeping my fingers tightly crossed that Freida McFadden won't keep us waiting too long for the next dance—or perhaps many more dances—in Millie's thrilling adventures. These books have become my new addiction, and I wholeheartedly recommend them to any reader in search of riveting, exhilarating, and breathtaking page-turners.
I'm upgrading my rating from 4.5 stars to a solid 5, thanks to the clever twists, and eagerly looking forward to delving into more of the author's twisted tales sooner rather than later.
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I've come across several comments stating that the second book doesn't quite match the excellence of the first. However, I don't entirely agree with this sentiment. There are still incredible twists in this book that caught me off guard—not just one, but three brilliantly executed twists that took me by surprise. The first twist, while slightly more apparent, is not due to the author giving it away but rather because the book's concept encourages readers to think outside the box, fostering doubts about everyone's motives and leading us to suspect every move made by the other characters, all in an attempt to deceive us (or perhaps not-so-poor Millie, who retains her big heart to help others).
In this new book, we find ourselves nearly five years ahead, witnessing the developments in Millie's life.
At the end of the first book, she embarks on a journey to work in special homes, thanks to the highly-regarded references from Nina. Her mission is to aid housewives who have endured abuse at the hands of their husbands.
Yet, within a few years, it appears that Millie has distanced herself from this perilous business. She particularly feels the void left by her partner in crime and her lover, Enzo, who had provided crucial resources to help abused women. Enzo's abrupt departure to Sicily to care for his ailing mother, coupled with his reluctance to specify when he'll return, leads to an amicable parting of ways. Millie begins dating Brock, a kind and caring lawyer with a critical heart condition who is eager to tie the knot soon. She also juggles cleaning and nannying jobs that come her way through word-of-mouth recommendations. Furthermore, she embarks on a journey to become a more effective social worker by enrolling in social psychology classes at a community college to better assist those in need.
However, her latest gig ends abruptly when a misunderstanding with a child results in Millie being mistaken for the child's mother. The child's self-centered biological mother takes offense, leading to Millie's dismissal. Faced with no other options and fortunately without the need to move in with Brock (not broccoli), Millie manages to secure a promising job at the last minute. Douglas Garrick, a wealthy and influential business magnate, hires her to maintain his sprawling duplex penthouse, which he shares with his wife. Unfortunately, his wife's severe health condition confines her to her room for the majority of the day. The penthouse is largely spotless, with minimal chores for Millie—dusting, laundry, and preparing meals from recipes featuring obscure ingredients she's never encountered before. However, the pay and conditions are too tempting to refuse, and as the saying goes, beggars can't be choosers.
Millie's plan is simple: follow her employers' instructions and avoid getting entangled in any family drama. But when she stumbles upon bloodstains in the bathroom and uncovers the reason for Wendy Garrick's seclusion—a battered and bruised face—her anger ignites. Despite the faint warning voice urging her to stay away from the family's issues, Millie can't resist intervening. Wendy Garrick, trapped with a monstrous husband, desperately needs saving, and Millie is determined to do everything in her power to rescue her. However, this time, the villain she confronts may prove to be more formidable than she ever imagined. To make matters worse, a relentless stalker is watching her every move. Is this threat connected to the Garrick family, or is something even more sinister lurking in the shadows, poised to threaten her life?
Anticipating the big twist due to the first book's concept, I found the execution of these twists to be incredibly clever, with certain aspects even surpassing those in the first book. Upon finishing the book in a single sitting, I was so close to screaming and demanding another installment! I'm keeping my fingers tightly crossed that Freida McFadden won't keep us waiting too long for the next dance—or perhaps many more dances—in Millie's thrilling adventures. These books have become my new addiction, and I wholeheartedly recommend them to any reader in search of riveting, exhilarating, and breathtaking page-turners.
I'm upgrading my rating from 4.5 stars to a solid 5, thanks to the clever twists, and eagerly looking forward to delving into more of the author's twisted tales sooner rather than later.
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December 31, 2022
Book Two
3.5 🍿STARS
Millie is back and cleaning for a new wealthy couple,the Garricks. They live in a super swanky neighborhood in Manhattan, the Penthouse no less!
It appears to be perfect, not a speck of dust in sight. There is one room that she won't be cleaning though. Wendy Garrick is behind closed doors, recovering from an illness.
Millie discovers more than she was prepared for and makes a swift decision regarding Wendy.
This was an entertaining popcorn read. Seasoned thriller readers may want less "telling of the plot" and more discovering of the reveal (at least i did), but we still get some major twists, a nail in the coffin moment and a lifetime movie end. Thunder and lightening included!! ⛈️⚡
If you enjoyed book one or are a fan of the author, I think you'll enjoy this one too. I like the characters Millie and Enzo and would read more featuring them.
Thanks to Netgalley for my arc. OUT February 2023
3.5 🍿STARS
Millie is back and cleaning for a new wealthy couple,the Garricks. They live in a super swanky neighborhood in Manhattan, the Penthouse no less!
It appears to be perfect, not a speck of dust in sight. There is one room that she won't be cleaning though. Wendy Garrick is behind closed doors, recovering from an illness.
Millie discovers more than she was prepared for and makes a swift decision regarding Wendy.
This was an entertaining popcorn read. Seasoned thriller readers may want less "telling of the plot" and more discovering of the reveal (at least i did), but we still get some major twists, a nail in the coffin moment and a lifetime movie end. Thunder and lightening included!! ⛈️⚡
If you enjoyed book one or are a fan of the author, I think you'll enjoy this one too. I like the characters Millie and Enzo and would read more featuring them.
Thanks to Netgalley for my arc. OUT February 2023
July 19, 2023
Dare I say that I liked this book more than The Housemaid?! Once again, McFadden delivered with some mindless entertainment (if you’re looking for a literary masterpiece, this isn’t the book). I was kept turning the pages, and not seeing all the different twists coming (like I did in the previous book).
A brief summary… Our favorite housemaid, Millie returns to work for the very wealthy Garrick household. Douglas Garrick seems to be a nice man, but his wife Wendy does not leave the guest room. This seems very odd to Millie, and some strange occurrences start to take place.
Once again, is Millie imagining things? Is Millie overstepping her boundaries once again? And why does she feel that someone has been following her? Don’t worry- all will be revealed with some surprising twists!
Yes, there were a few discrepancies that I caught while reading this (but who’s counting, 😉), so I’m going with 4.5 stars rounded up. I will say that I do hope we see Millie again in a third book 🤞. I will also be cutting this review short as I plan on doing some cleaning up of my own 🧹🧽🪣
I also recommend both The Housemaid and The Housemaid’s Secret as they are fun, entertaining, thrilling reads! Happy Reading my friends!
A brief summary… Our favorite housemaid, Millie returns to work for the very wealthy Garrick household. Douglas Garrick seems to be a nice man, but his wife Wendy does not leave the guest room. This seems very odd to Millie, and some strange occurrences start to take place.
Once again, is Millie imagining things? Is Millie overstepping her boundaries once again? And why does she feel that someone has been following her? Don’t worry- all will be revealed with some surprising twists!
Yes, there were a few discrepancies that I caught while reading this (but who’s counting, 😉), so I’m going with 4.5 stars rounded up. I will say that I do hope we see Millie again in a third book 🤞. I will also be cutting this review short as I plan on doing some cleaning up of my own 🧹🧽🪣
I also recommend both The Housemaid and The Housemaid’s Secret as they are fun, entertaining, thrilling reads! Happy Reading my friends!
March 6, 2023
another one, thank u
March 8, 2024
Przyznaję, że przewracałam oczami na niektóre „zwroty akcji”, ale i tak bawiłam się wyśmienicie.
March 19, 2024
★ 3.75 stars
"It all started with a simple cleaning job. And now it might end with my blood being mopped off the cabin floor".
I devoured this book in about 5 hours and if there's one author that can keep my attention like that, it's Freida McFadden. I disliked nearly every character in this book and that's how you know she can write wicked and complex characters.
Millie is still naive and I wasn't expecting the story to go the path it did following the first book. I was expecting more of a "vigilante style" storyline than victim. In that sense, it did follow a similar formula to the first book.
I prefer the first book which I gave 4 stars, but this still has Frieda's trademark plot twists and enthralling writing style. I did see some of the betrayals coming but it didn't take away from the story as I couldn't have anticipated how it would unfold.
I loved Enzo but I'm curious about the direction this story will take in the next book!! This is definitely a captivating, wild ride and a gripping thriller 🫣
"It all started with a simple cleaning job. And now it might end with my blood being mopped off the cabin floor".
I devoured this book in about 5 hours and if there's one author that can keep my attention like that, it's Freida McFadden. I disliked nearly every character in this book and that's how you know she can write wicked and complex characters.
Millie is still naive and I wasn't expecting the story to go the path it did following the first book. I was expecting more of a "vigilante style" storyline than victim. In that sense, it did follow a similar formula to the first book.
I prefer the first book which I gave 4 stars, but this still has Frieda's trademark plot twists and enthralling writing style. I did see some of the betrayals coming but it didn't take away from the story as I couldn't have anticipated how it would unfold.
I loved Enzo but I'm curious about the direction this story will take in the next book!! This is definitely a captivating, wild ride and a gripping thriller 🫣
March 23, 2023
Here's "the dirt" on "The Housemaid's Secret":
1) Overall, this was a very disappointing and underwhelming sequel to "The Housemaid".
2) In "The Housemaid", characterizations were strong and the story never dragged.
In "The Housemaid's Secret" characterizations were shallow, the plotline was convoluted, and the story dragged.
3) Although the book featured Freida McFadden's classic twists, these twists failed to "sweep me away" and, instead, left my eyes rolling.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was good but not great.
It's no secret that I am a "Freida Fan" but, IMHO, this sequel was not one of her better books.
2 stars rounded up.
1) Overall, this was a very disappointing and underwhelming sequel to "The Housemaid".
2) In "The Housemaid", characterizations were strong and the story never dragged.
In "The Housemaid's Secret" characterizations were shallow, the plotline was convoluted, and the story dragged.
3) Although the book featured Freida McFadden's classic twists, these twists failed to "sweep me away" and, instead, left my eyes rolling.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was good but not great.
It's no secret that I am a "Freida Fan" but, IMHO, this sequel was not one of her better books.
2 stars rounded up.
March 21, 2023
Not a fan.. the original was MUCH better. This storyline was too far fetched and the writing almost seemed immature to me? Idk, not my favorite Freida book
October 16, 2022
I don’t know how to say this any better, so here it is: I have read all of Freida McFadden’s books. I am a junkie for her writing. Now that they are finished, for now, no doubt, I may get more sleep and be more productive. Maybe cook a nicer dinner now and then.
The books are all wonderful, very realistic, believable characters you want to be friends with. You should try some…but be careful, you too might have to read them all!
The books are all wonderful, very realistic, believable characters you want to be friends with. You should try some…but be careful, you too might have to read them all!
October 13, 2024
4.5 stars ⭐️
⤷ spoilers ahead!! ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
i finished this book in 2 sittings. it was well-paced, and kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time.
if you’ve read the first book in the series, you’d know there's always more than meets the eye. because of that, i was suspicious of wendy from the beginning, but i didn’t expect so many plot twists (the plot twists were twistinggg 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻) i was also suspicious of brock at first, but now that i know he wasn’t involved, i feel he deserved so much better. millie was a terrible girlfriend to him 🤦🏻♀️ i felt bad for millie too, since she was exploited by another woman. she really needs to start putting herself first 😭
pre-read🩸:
lowkey in a mini slump rn so i’m switching genres ~ it’s finally time to continue this series!!
⤷ spoilers ahead!! ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
i finished this book in 2 sittings. it was well-paced, and kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time.
if you’ve read the first book in the series, you’d know there's always more than meets the eye. because of that, i was suspicious of wendy from the beginning, but i didn’t expect so many plot twists (the plot twists were twistinggg 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻) i was also suspicious of brock at first, but now that i know he wasn’t involved, i feel he deserved so much better. millie was a terrible girlfriend to him 🤦🏻♀️ i felt bad for millie too, since she was exploited by another woman. she really needs to start putting herself first 😭
pre-read🩸:
lowkey in a mini slump rn so i’m switching genres ~ it’s finally time to continue this series!!
April 13, 2023
DNF. I couldn’t do it. If I had to read one more time about her not wanting/wanting to tell Brock about her past, one more time about not moving in together, one more time about Enzo, one more time about the prickling sensation or Xavier…..Millie’s character development from the first book did a complete 180. All she does in this book is whine. I think this should’ve ended with the first book.
March 23, 2024
I struggled with this sequel throughout as I felt that I didn't really understand the first book; and it was only on writing this review that I realised I had bought and read the wrong sequel; the book I read was The Maid and not 'The Housemaid'! D'oh!
What I will say, is that the main character in this book seems like a twin to the The Maid, including some of her life story. That asides, this mystery centred around a caring pro-woman housemaid who helps woman escape toxic relationships as a side-hustle, was OK, although I found it chock full of plot-holes so I would say that this has to be read with a huge pinch of salt. 7 out of 12, Three Star jam.
2024 read
What I will say, is that the main character in this book seems like a twin to the The Maid, including some of her life story. That asides, this mystery centred around a caring pro-woman housemaid who helps woman escape toxic relationships as a side-hustle, was OK, although I found it chock full of plot-holes so I would say that this has to be read with a huge pinch of salt. 7 out of 12, Three Star jam.
2024 read
May 23, 2024
BRUTAAAAL. Y diría que hasta más entretenido que el primero.
El Secreto de la Asistenta es la segunda parte de La Asistenta. En esta novela, Millie regresa con un nuevo trabajo en un ostentoso penthouse de Nueva York de una pareja formada por un marido ejemplar y una mujer cuyo extraño estado de salud no le permite salir de su pieza.
Pero Millie ya sabe que no todo es lo que parece en familias como esta...
Qué manera de superar TODAS mis expectativas. No suelo ser fan de las segundas partes y empecé este libro... con miedo. El primero me había sorprendido muchísimo y no sabía por dónde la autora sería capaz de innovar. Pero, a mi gusto, lo logró 100%.
En esta segunda parte, Freida mantiene su estilo característico: capítulos cortos con finales enganchantes, narrativa fácil y una sensación de suspenso constante que te tiene con el alma colgando en un hilo... PERO a eso le sumó, mayor misterio (mucho más que en el primer libro), más terror (por suerte no leí las últimas 30 páginas en la noche) y le agrega más frialdad al personaje de Millie en una combinación que me pareció mega acertada (De verdad es un personaje al que "amodio" por sus rarezas/torpeza y su buen corazón).
Probablemente, este no sea el thriller más complejo y completo que leerás en tu vida. Pero me encaaaaanta como entretiene y que la autora sea capaz de mantenerme con ganas de seguir leyendo TODO el tiempo. Les prometo que si necesitan concentrarse en cualquier otra cosa (trabajo, examen, estudios...) es mejor que no lean esta novela al mismo tiempo jajajaja no la van a querer dejar.
5 estrellas por la cantidad de emociones que me produjo, sobre todo al final!!!!
El Secreto de la Asistenta es la segunda parte de La Asistenta. En esta novela, Millie regresa con un nuevo trabajo en un ostentoso penthouse de Nueva York de una pareja formada por un marido ejemplar y una mujer cuyo extraño estado de salud no le permite salir de su pieza.
Pero Millie ya sabe que no todo es lo que parece en familias como esta...
Qué manera de superar TODAS mis expectativas. No suelo ser fan de las segundas partes y empecé este libro... con miedo. El primero me había sorprendido muchísimo y no sabía por dónde la autora sería capaz de innovar. Pero, a mi gusto, lo logró 100%.
En esta segunda parte, Freida mantiene su estilo característico: capítulos cortos con finales enganchantes, narrativa fácil y una sensación de suspenso constante que te tiene con el alma colgando en un hilo... PERO a eso le sumó, mayor misterio (mucho más que en el primer libro), más terror (por suerte no leí las últimas 30 páginas en la noche) y le agrega más frialdad al personaje de Millie en una combinación que me pareció mega acertada (De verdad es un personaje al que "amodio" por sus rarezas/torpeza y su buen corazón).
Probablemente, este no sea el thriller más complejo y completo que leerás en tu vida. Pero me encaaaaanta como entretiene y que la autora sea capaz de mantenerme con ganas de seguir leyendo TODO el tiempo. Les prometo que si necesitan concentrarse en cualquier otra cosa (trabajo, examen, estudios...) es mejor que no lean esta novela al mismo tiempo jajajaja no la van a querer dejar.
5 estrellas por la cantidad de emociones que me produjo, sobre todo al final!!!!
February 25, 2023
I enjoyed The Housemaid with its brilliant twists and turns and couldn't wait for its sequel, which I received from Kindle Unlimited. Freida McFadden has shown she can engage readers with suspenseful and surprising plots. The author followed the same formula here, but I didn't find it as compelling as the first book. The characters were mainly unlikeable, except for Brock (Brocolli). I found myself feeling sorry for the way Millie treated him. She needed someone more exciting and considered him boring and too predictable.
Millie has a great deal of sympathy for abused women and will do anything to ensure they escape from harmful situations and by using any means necessary. Unfortunately, she often goes too far, further complicating the situation. She felt greater entitlement this time, and I found her more annoying.
She is working in a fabulous penthouse apartment owned by a wealthy man. The home is immaculate, with little cleaning necessary, only cooking, laundry, and shopping for groceries. Her wages are generous. The man of the house has warned her never to enter his wife's room as she is ill. Of course, Millie's curiosity and contrary behaviour causes her to open that door. She encounters a badly beaten and injured wife, who she is anxious to help.
The twists are surprising, and soon Millie will find herself in trouble with the police. Instead of an explosive, shocking reveal near the end, I found the conclusion to be drawn out and tedious.
I consider this a light, cozy thriller (with some killings), and I will certainly read more books by Freida McFadden as I have learned to expect the unexpected. 2.5 stars
Millie has a great deal of sympathy for abused women and will do anything to ensure they escape from harmful situations and by using any means necessary. Unfortunately, she often goes too far, further complicating the situation. She felt greater entitlement this time, and I found her more annoying.
She is working in a fabulous penthouse apartment owned by a wealthy man. The home is immaculate, with little cleaning necessary, only cooking, laundry, and shopping for groceries. Her wages are generous. The man of the house has warned her never to enter his wife's room as she is ill. Of course, Millie's curiosity and contrary behaviour causes her to open that door. She encounters a badly beaten and injured wife, who she is anxious to help.
The twists are surprising, and soon Millie will find herself in trouble with the police. Instead of an explosive, shocking reveal near the end, I found the conclusion to be drawn out and tedious.
I consider this a light, cozy thriller (with some killings), and I will certainly read more books by Freida McFadden as I have learned to expect the unexpected. 2.5 stars
May 15, 2024
I thought i might like this one less since the pace was a little slower at first, and some things in the story felt a bit repetitive, BUTTTT I actually enjoyed it so much!
4 stars 🌟
I don't know what's about Frieda's book, but once you pick up the book, there's no way you can put it down until you're done with it! They are all so engaging, and short chapters make you fly through the pages😂🤌
I highly recommend this one if you have already read the first book!
_______________
pre-read
I haven't had much luck in the last 2 books I tried to read, so hopefully, this one would be better~
4 stars 🌟
I don't know what's about Frieda's book, but once you pick up the book, there's no way you can put it down until you're done with it! They are all so engaging, and short chapters make you fly through the pages😂🤌
I highly recommend this one if you have already read the first book!
_______________
pre-read
I haven't had much luck in the last 2 books I tried to read, so hopefully, this one would be better~
March 6, 2023
Once again Freida McFadden releases an outstanding psychological thriller! This is sure to be a hit for those who loved the first one The Housemaid! The audio was condensed enough to finish in one day.
Millie tells it from her POV and reminds us of her prison term she served. She doesn't share with her boyfriend, Brock, about her past because he is a successful attorney and afraid he will dump her.
Millie is hired by the very wealthy and handsome Mr. Douglas Garrick. He is a demanding arrogant man that has specific rules she must follow. One rule is to not bother his wife Wendy who is ailing and does not come out of her bedroom. When she hears her crying one day, she opens the door to find her bruised and bleeding. She vows to help her escape from this abusive man.
The second one references many highlights from book one, and better if it was read in sequence. It carries the same sarcastic humor and she displays the same confusion and controversial problems.
I was turned down for the ARC by NetGalley and was so excited to get my hands on this highly anticipated book. Freida McFadden did not disappoint!
Millie tells it from her POV and reminds us of her prison term she served. She doesn't share with her boyfriend, Brock, about her past because he is a successful attorney and afraid he will dump her.
Millie is hired by the very wealthy and handsome Mr. Douglas Garrick. He is a demanding arrogant man that has specific rules she must follow. One rule is to not bother his wife Wendy who is ailing and does not come out of her bedroom. When she hears her crying one day, she opens the door to find her bruised and bleeding. She vows to help her escape from this abusive man.
The second one references many highlights from book one, and better if it was read in sequence. It carries the same sarcastic humor and she displays the same confusion and controversial problems.
I was turned down for the ARC by NetGalley and was so excited to get my hands on this highly anticipated book. Freida McFadden did not disappoint!
February 21, 2023
Gripping, shocking and hard to put down, The Housemaid's Secret kept me turning the tables and left me sitting with my mouth open at one of the reveals in the book. This is the second book in the Housemaid series and it wowed me as much as the first book, The Housemaid did!
Millie (the Housemaid) is back and looking for a job after being fired when the toddler she was watching called her Mama in the opening of the book. She goes on several interviews but then is contacted by Douglas Garrick, a wealthy tech genius to clean and cook for him and his wife. The only rule is to not go into the guest bedroom or bother his wife.
She can hear Mrs. Garrick crying the guest room and soon convinces Mrs. Garrick to open the door to her. The simple opening of a door changes everything......
Woohoo!
This riveting book kept me on my toes and turning the pages. Just when I thought I had things figured out, McFadden shocked me with brilliant twists and turns. This book was a well written fast paced thriller which I devoured.
If you have not read, The Housemaid, I highly recommend it. This book does work nicely as a standalone but reading the first book gives you more insight into Millie and her need to help others. Millie is an interesting and fully fleshed out character. She has a prison record and takes whatever jobs she can to make ends meat. She it tough and vulnerable at the same time. She also tends to get into some interesting and tense situations.
I found this book to be captivating, well thought out, perfectly paced and tense. I was on the edge of my seat, flipping through this impressive page turner. If you have not read a book by Freida McFadden before, I highly recommend picking up one of her books.
Shocking, tense, hard to put down and captivating!
#TheHousemaidsSecret #NetGalley #Bookouture #FreidaMcFadden
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Millie (the Housemaid) is back and looking for a job after being fired when the toddler she was watching called her Mama in the opening of the book. She goes on several interviews but then is contacted by Douglas Garrick, a wealthy tech genius to clean and cook for him and his wife. The only rule is to not go into the guest bedroom or bother his wife.
She can hear Mrs. Garrick crying the guest room and soon convinces Mrs. Garrick to open the door to her. The simple opening of a door changes everything......
Woohoo!
This riveting book kept me on my toes and turning the pages. Just when I thought I had things figured out, McFadden shocked me with brilliant twists and turns. This book was a well written fast paced thriller which I devoured.
If you have not read, The Housemaid, I highly recommend it. This book does work nicely as a standalone but reading the first book gives you more insight into Millie and her need to help others. Millie is an interesting and fully fleshed out character. She has a prison record and takes whatever jobs she can to make ends meat. She it tough and vulnerable at the same time. She also tends to get into some interesting and tense situations.
I found this book to be captivating, well thought out, perfectly paced and tense. I was on the edge of my seat, flipping through this impressive page turner. If you have not read a book by Freida McFadden before, I highly recommend picking up one of her books.
Shocking, tense, hard to put down and captivating!
#TheHousemaidsSecret #NetGalley #Bookouture #FreidaMcFadden
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
March 4, 2025
[4.8⭐] 𝙀𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙚 𝙡𝙖 𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖 es la secuela de La asistenta, escrita por Freida McFadden en el año 2023. En esta nueva historia, Millie, la protagonista, consigue un trabajo con los Garrick, una familia de Manhattan con secretos oscuros. Mientras trabaja en el lujoso hogar, no puede evitar descubrir extraños sucesos relacionados con la señora Garrick y la habitación prohibida de la casa.
Este libro realmente me sorprendió. Me lo devoré en menos de un día, algo que no me sucede muy seguido y es que la autora ha logrado mejorar muchísimo su narrativa en esta segunda entrega. Esta novela es todo lo que esperaba y más, sobrepasando todas mis expectativas.
A diferencia del primero, que a pesar de ser bastante entretenido, me permitió intuir rápidamente hacia dónde iba la trama, esta vez Freida McFadden me mantuvo atenta. No tenía ni idea de lo que iba a suceder ni cómo se iba a resolver el conflicto, eso fue lo que más me impresionó. La autora ha demostrado que se ha adentrado más en el mundo de los thrillers, ideando giros que jamás vi venir. Ya no es la misma narrativa predecible de antes, es claro que McFadden ha aprendido a manejar mejor los plot twists para que la historia no se quede en lo básico.
Desde el principio, la obra te atrapa con esa estructura tan característica de la autora: capítulos cortos, pero cargados de tensión. Si bien la trama empieza un poco más lenta que en el primer libro, en cuanto avanzas un par de capítulos, es imposible soltarlo. La protagonista sigue siendo fascinante, con su mezcla de torpeza y buen corazón, pero esta vez la autora le añade una dosis de misterio que hace que todo se vuelva más intrigante.
Este thriller tiene todo lo que me gusta: suspenso constante, giros bien pensados y una historia que, aunque no es la más compleja de todas, te mantiene pegada al libro. Es una novela sencilla, pero muy efectiva en su propósito de entretener. No es una obra profunda ni tiene una trama demasiado rebuscada, pero sí es capaz de dejarte con la boca abierta en algún momento dado (en especial al final).
Finalmente, puedo decir que 𝙀𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙚 𝙡𝙖 𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖 supera al primero, algo que no siempre sucede, pero en este caso es completamente cierto. Si no has leído la saga aún, te recomiendo que lo hagas sin dudar. Yo ya estoy ansiosa por leer la tercera parte, aunque no esté tan bien calificada como las otras dos.
Este libro realmente me sorprendió. Me lo devoré en menos de un día, algo que no me sucede muy seguido y es que la autora ha logrado mejorar muchísimo su narrativa en esta segunda entrega. Esta novela es todo lo que esperaba y más, sobrepasando todas mis expectativas.
A diferencia del primero, que a pesar de ser bastante entretenido, me permitió intuir rápidamente hacia dónde iba la trama, esta vez Freida McFadden me mantuvo atenta. No tenía ni idea de lo que iba a suceder ni cómo se iba a resolver el conflicto, eso fue lo que más me impresionó. La autora ha demostrado que se ha adentrado más en el mundo de los thrillers, ideando giros que jamás vi venir. Ya no es la misma narrativa predecible de antes, es claro que McFadden ha aprendido a manejar mejor los plot twists para que la historia no se quede en lo básico.
Desde el principio, la obra te atrapa con esa estructura tan característica de la autora: capítulos cortos, pero cargados de tensión. Si bien la trama empieza un poco más lenta que en el primer libro, en cuanto avanzas un par de capítulos, es imposible soltarlo. La protagonista sigue siendo fascinante, con su mezcla de torpeza y buen corazón, pero esta vez la autora le añade una dosis de misterio que hace que todo se vuelva más intrigante.
Este thriller tiene todo lo que me gusta: suspenso constante, giros bien pensados y una historia que, aunque no es la más compleja de todas, te mantiene pegada al libro. Es una novela sencilla, pero muy efectiva en su propósito de entretener. No es una obra profunda ni tiene una trama demasiado rebuscada, pero sí es capaz de dejarte con la boca abierta en algún momento dado (en especial al final).
Finalmente, puedo decir que 𝙀𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙚 𝙡𝙖 𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖 supera al primero, algo que no siempre sucede, pero en este caso es completamente cierto. Si no has leído la saga aún, te recomiendo que lo hagas sin dudar. Yo ya estoy ansiosa por leer la tercera parte, aunque no esté tan bien calificada como las otras dos.
May 7, 2024
Holy shit- This book was so much different than the first one and I LOVED it! Had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The plot twist honestly had me screaming!! 4 stars
***
When the first line of the book says - "Tonight, I will be murdered." 👀👀
This won the poll and I trust you guys<3
***
When the first line of the book says - "Tonight, I will be murdered." 👀👀
This won the poll and I trust you guys<3
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