The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden Review: Is This Thriller Worth the Hype?

The Boyfriend

Freida McFadden

Synopsis

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...

A dark story about obsession and the things we’ll do for love, #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden proves that crimes of passion are often the bloodiest…

Review:

Freida McFadden has built a reputation for delivering sharp, twisty thrillers that keep readers on the edge of their seats, so naturally, I had high expectations for The Boyfriend. With a premise centered around the dangers of dating in the modern world—combined with a serial killer on the loose—it seemed like the perfect setup for an intense, edge-of-your-seat experience. Unfortunately, while the concept had plenty of promise, the execution didn’t quite live up to its potential.

The story revolves around Sydney Shaw, a single woman in New York who's had enough of bad dates and relationship flops. Just as she's about to lose faith in ever finding a good man, she meets her seemingly perfect match. He’s charming, attentive, and a doctor—what more could she ask for? But as a string of brutal murders makes headlines, Sydney begins to wonder if her dream man might be hiding something dark. The tension builds as she starts questioning whether she could be dating the very person responsible for these horrific crimes.

It's an exciting premise, but the issue for me was how predictable the story turned out to be. From very early on, the direction of the plot was fairly obvious, which dulled the suspense considerably. While McFadden is known for throwing in last-minute twists that make you rethink everything you thought you knew, The Boyfriend doesn’t quite deliver on that front. The big reveal, when it finally comes, feels more like confirmation than a true shock.

That said, McFadden’s pacing remains as brisk as ever. She has a knack for pulling you through the story at breakneck speed, and The Boyfriend is no exception. The pages turn quickly, and there’s enough intrigue to keep you hooked, even if the outcome is a bit predictable. Sydney is a relatable protagonist, navigating the modern dating landscape with all its frustrations and pitfalls, and her relationship with the too-good-to-be-true boyfriend has enough tension to hold your interest.

However, I couldn’t help but feel that both the characters and the plot lacked the depth needed to elevate this thriller. Sydney, while sympathetic, comes across as somewhat naïve, and her instincts don’t match the growing danger around her. Meanwhile, her boyfriend, the central mystery of the story, feels a bit too obviously suspicious. The charm that initially draws Sydney in quickly gives way to predictable red flags, which lessens the impact of the story’s darker turns.

Another area where The Boyfriend fell short for me was in the integration of the murders themselves. While the crimes set a sinister backdrop, they felt disconnected from the central relationship, almost as if they were happening in a different narrative thread. The police investigation, which should have ramped up the tension, didn’t feel as integrated or developed as it could have been. More connection between the murders and Sydney’s increasing suspicion of her boyfriend would have added much-needed layers to the plot.

In the end, The Boyfriend reads more like a light thriller than a gripping, twist-filled psychological suspense. If you’re in the mood for something quick and entertaining with a few thrills along the way, this book might suit your needs. However, if you’re expecting the kind of jaw-dropping, mind-bending twists that McFadden is known for, this one may leave you disappointed. 

For newcomers to McFadden’s work, this might be a good entry point due to its fast pace and easily digestible plot. But for those who have already experienced the darker, more complex stories in her repertoire, The Boyfriend doesn’t quite reach the same heights.