🧠 Book Review: The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden
A twisty, fast-paced psychological thriller that explores obsession, deception, and the dark side of modern dating.
Freida McFadden’s The Boyfriend is a chilling standalone thriller that has captivated readers with its layered plot and jaw-dropping twists. With a strong Goodreads rating of 4.00/5 from thousands of readers, the novel delivers McFadden’s signature blend of suspense, unreliable narration, and morally gray characters.
🧩 Plot Overview
Sydney Shaw is a wedding planner navigating the chaos of New York’s dating scene. After a disastrous date with a catfish named Kevin, she’s rescued by a mysterious stranger—Tom, who seems too good to be true. Their whirlwind romance feels like fate… until Sydney’s friend Bonnie is murdered, and the clues start pointing toward Tom.
As the story unfolds through dual timelines—“Before” and “Present Day”—we learn about Tom’s troubled past and the secrets he’s been hiding. The fictional dating app Cynch plays a central role, highlighting the dangers of digital anonymity and the blurred line between love and manipulation.
🔍 What Makes It Work
- Dual Timelines: The alternating structure adds suspense and depth, gradually revealing how past trauma shapes present behavior.
- Modern Relevance: Themes of online dating, catfishing, and digital vulnerability make the story feel timely and unsettling.
- Atmospheric Setting: Manhattan’s allure and anonymity provide the perfect backdrop for a thriller where trust is scarce.
- Twist Ending: The final reveal—where Gretchen, not Tom, is the true mastermind—subverts expectations and delivers a satisfying punch.
💬 Reader Reactions
- “McFadden keeps you guessing until the very end. Just when you think you’ve figured it out—boom.”
- “Loved the pacing and the eerie vibe. Cynch felt disturbingly real.”
- “Sydney’s choices were frustrating, but the tension never let up.”
Some readers felt the characters lacked psychological depth, especially Sydney and Tom, whose emotional arcs could have been more fully developed. But most agreed the plot’s momentum and surprises made it a compelling read.
🏁 Final Verdict
The Boyfriend is a sharp, unsettling thriller that taps into the fears and fantasies of modern romance. If you enjoy fast-paced mysteries with unreliable narrators, tech-driven suspense, and a twist you won’t see coming, this one’s worth the binge.
