A Book Review: ‘The Boyfriend’ by Freida McFadden

Sydney Shaw is a single woman in her 30s. She wants love, marriage, and possibly kids. Her mom wants that as well. The only problem is that Sydney cannot find the right guy. There are many options from which one can choose in New York, but that special someone is absolutely necessary for marriage. 

All hope appears lost until Sydney meets a Mystery Man. He is a doctor by trade and the epitome of perfection in the looks department. There is, however, something off about this man. All of the women he dates turn up dead. Can Sydney figure him out before it’s too late? 

Freida McFadden gives us twists, turns, and a shocking end in The Boyfriend.

The Character of Sydney Shaw

There is nothing special about Sydney. She is your average 30-something single woman in New York who hopes to find love. Sydney’s mother calls to remind her that even 40 years old isn’t too late to have kids, which is typical of moms who deeply desire to be grandmas someday. 

Sydney’s basic life and career as an account are what Freida McFadden uses to shock readers with a wild story about love and obsession. We are not shocked to read about Ms. Shaw’s Mystery Man not being on the up-and-up. We are shocked to learn who the murderer is and how close they are to Sydney. All of this surprise is made possible by Sydney’s normal, uninspiring life. 

The Others

In many ways, The Boyfriend is more driven by the characters than the actual storyline. It is the secrecy of Mystery Man that makes us want to know what he may be hiding. It is the awkwardness of Sydney’s first date that causes us to question whether or not he is stalking her with wicked intentions. This story would fall flat without the characters McFadden brings in to drive the plot forward. And yes, they are all necessary. 

For Those Who Enjoy Thrillers

The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden is not for those who do not like a good thriller. The twists and turns in this story are too wild for readers who prefer plots with seemingly clear directions. This book is a great pick for those looking to break into the psychothriller genre.