As an avid reader and fan of psychological thrillers, I’ve developed an instinct for picking up novels that will grip me from start to finish. Among the many books I’ve reviewed, each one leaves a unique imprint on me. This time, The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden caught my attention. I love this genre, and McFadden has become a standout name in the psychological thriller space. This novel follows the same vein as some of the best suspenseful reads I’ve come across—think Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train—but McFadden’s signature approach ensures a uniquely chilling experience. The story combines romance, suspicion, and a dark serial killer subplot, making it one of my most thrilling reads of the year.
In this review, I’ll dive into the complex plot of The Boyfriend, give you some spoiler-filled insights, analyze the ending, and explore the rich themes McFadden presents. Buckle up, as this is not your average boy-meets-girl love story.
Book Summary: The Boyfriend’s Premise
At the heart of The Boyfriend is Sydney Shaw, a woman worn down by a string of disastrous relationships. Living in New York City, she’s been through the mill when it comes to dating. But, as the saying goes, hope springs eternal, and when she meets Tom, a handsome and seemingly perfect doctor, it feels like her luck might finally be turning around. Tom is charming, thoughtful, and everything Sydney could hope for in a partner. But as any seasoned thriller reader knows, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
As Sydney falls deeper into her relationship with Tom, small red flags begin to appear—his reluctance to meet her friends, the burner phone she finds in his things, and a few odd inconsistencies in his stories. Despite these warning signs, Sydney continues to trust Tom, convinced that she’s just being paranoid after so many bad dating experiences.
Meanwhile, a series of brutal murders are occurring across the city. A serial killer is on the loose, targeting young women and leaving behind a trail of fear and confusion. The killer has been dubbed “Slug” by the media, and the authorities have very little to go on. The connection between the killer and Tom becomes a central tension in the novel, leaving readers to wonder if Sydney’s perfect boyfriend is harboring a dark, murderous secret.
Spoilers of the Plot: Unveiling the Darkness
Now, let’s get into the juicy details. The Boyfriend uses a dual narrative structure that flips between Sydney’s present-day relationship with Tom and flashbacks to Tom’s high school years. The flashbacks slowly reveal that Tom had a high school sweetheart named Daisy, who played a significant role in shaping his past. This relationship ended in tragedy, leaving Tom emotionally scarred. Throughout the book, readers are led to question whether Tom has fully moved on from his past or if it still haunts him in ways Sydney doesn’t understand.
In the present, Sydney grows increasingly suspicious of Tom. She begins to notice peculiarities that she can no longer ignore. One of the major turning points in the story comes when Sydney finds a black scrunchie in Tom’s apartment—a scrunchie that matches the one worn by Bonnie, a recent victim of the Slug killer. This discovery is a chilling moment for both Sydney and the reader. Could Tom really be the killer? All the signs seem to point in that direction.
McFadden excels at building tension, and as Sydney digs deeper into Tom’s life, she uncovers more troubling details. She learns that Tom was questioned by the police but never charged in relation to Bonnie’s murder. The presence of a burner phone, Tom’s strange reactions to Sydney’s apartment, and his refusal to let her meet his friends all build a sense of dread. At one point, Sydney even considers breaking up with Tom, but her emotional attachment and fear of being alone keep her locked in the relationship.
The real twist comes when Sydney’s ex-boyfriend Jake, now a detective, enters the picture. Jake is investigating the Slug murders and is suspicious of Tom from the beginning. Sydney, unsure of who to trust, finds herself torn between her lingering feelings for Jake and her desire to believe in Tom’s innocence. This emotional conflict only adds to the book’s complexity. Jake’s role in the investigation leads to further revelations that will leave readers breathless.
The Serial Killer Connection: The Real Danger Lurks
Throughout the book, the looming presence of the serial killer adds an additional layer of suspense. The Slug killer is a brutal and efficient predator, and his attacks are chillingly described in McFadden’s sharp, unflinching prose. The victims are all young women, similar to Sydney in age and appearance, which ramps up the fear factor. The dual narrative between Sydney’s budding romance with Tom and the ongoing investigation into the killings works perfectly to maintain a high level of tension.
The novel introduces several red herrings along the way, each designed to keep readers guessing. Sydney’s creepy building superintendent, Randy, for example, comes across as an obvious suspect. His inappropriate comments and invasive behavior make him an unnerving presence in the story. At one point, Sydney even suspects Randy of spying on her, adding a layer of paranoia to her already fragile state of mind.
However, the true revelation is far more personal and devastating than Sydney could have anticipated. In a brilliant twist, McFadden reveals that Tom’s past girlfriend Daisy—believed to have disappeared years ago—didn’t disappear at all. In fact, Daisy has been living under a new identity as Gretchen, Sydney’s best friend. Gretchen’s character, which initially comes across as supportive and understanding, takes a dark turn as her true motivations are revealed. She has been stalking and killing women who get close to Tom, unable to let go of her obsession with him.
Explaining the Ending: When Everything Unravels
The final chapters of The Boyfriend are a whirlwind of revelations and high-stakes confrontations. Once Sydney uncovers Gretchen’s true identity, the danger she’s in becomes all too real. Gretchen’s obsession with Tom is pathological, and she’s willing to kill anyone who stands in her way—including Sydney. In a climactic showdown, Sydney faces off against Gretchen, and what follows is a tense and deadly encounter.
Tom, caught between his fear of Gretchen and his desire to protect Sydney, tries to reason with her. However, Gretchen’s obsession runs too deep, and her actions are driven by a twisted sense of love and loyalty. The final confrontation results in Gretchen killing Randy, who had been lurking as a potential threat throughout the book. The brutal murder forces Tom and Sydney to confront the depth of Gretchen’s madness.
In a final act of desperation, Tom tries to negotiate with Gretchen, promising her that they can run away together if she spares Sydney’s life. Gretchen agrees, but it’s clear to both Tom and Sydney that there’s no escaping her grasp. In a shocking twist, Tom disappears with Gretchen, leaving Sydney traumatized and uncertain of what the future holds. The book ends on an ambiguous note, with Sydney trying to piece her life back together, but the possibility that Gretchen—or even Tom—could return looms large.
Character Analysis: Layers of Deception
One of the strengths of The Boyfriend is its complex characters. Freida McFadden has crafted a cast that is both relatable and deeply flawed, making them feel all the more real. Sydney, the protagonist, is a woman driven by hope and vulnerability. Her desperation to find love leads her into a dangerous relationship, and her tendency to ignore red flags makes her a sympathetic but frustrating character. However, Sydney’s growth over the course of the novel is evident. By the end, she is no longer the naive woman who ignored her instincts—she becomes a survivor.
Tom, on the other hand, is a much more ambiguous figure. His past trauma with Daisy/Gretchen adds depth to his character, and the reader is constantly left wondering if he is complicit in the killings or merely a pawn in Gretchen’s deadly game. Tom’s relationship with Gretchen is one of the most fascinating aspects of the novel, as it highlights the power dynamics at play in toxic relationships. His attempts to distance himself from Gretchen ultimately fail, and he is dragged back into her world, unable to escape her influence.
Gretchen, or Daisy as she was once known, is the real villain of the story. Her transformation from a supportive best friend to a psychopathic killer is handled with precision. McFadden delves into the psychology of obsession, showing how Gretchen’s inability to let go of her past with Tom leads her down a dark and destructive path. Gretchen is a chilling reminder of how love, when twisted and corrupted, can lead to horrific consequences.
Thematic Exploration: Trust, Love, and Obsession
At its core, The Boyfriend is a story about trust and the dangers of ignoring our instincts. Sydney’s trust in Tom is what keeps her in a relationship that is clearly toxic, and her trust in Gretchen blinds her to the true danger she is in. The novel also explores the idea of romantic obsession, both in Tom’s past with Daisy and in Gretchen’s obsessive need to reclaim him. McFadden shows how love can become a weapon when it is based on control and possession rather than mutual respect.
The novel also delves into the theme of identity. Both Tom and Gretchen struggle with their pasts and the identities they have built to cope with their trauma. Tom’s reluctance to let go of his relationship with Daisy, and Gretchen’s complete transformation into someone else, of someone else, reflect on how deeply trauma and past relationships can shape one’s future actions and decisions. These transformations are not simply superficial but are deeply rooted in unresolved emotions, leading to disastrous consequences.
Gretchen’s obsession with reclaiming her identity as Daisy and rekindling her relationship with Tom serves as a clear example of how one’s inability to let go of the past can manifest into dangerous actions. Her fixation turns deadly, highlighting how psychological damage, when left unchecked, can grow into an insidious force capable of ruining lives. This also reflects on Tom’s role in the chaos. He might not be an outright villain like Gretchen, but his reluctance to confront his past or cut ties with Gretchen sooner creates a tangled web of deception that ultimately places Sydney in harm’s way. His character presents an interesting perspective on how passivity in the face of toxic relationships can have fatal repercussions.
The Role of Paranoia and Suspicion in Relationships
One of the more subtle yet powerful themes in The Boyfriend is how paranoia seeps into Sydney’s thoughts as the story progresses. Sydney’s growing suspicion of Tom parallels a broader commentary on modern relationships and the mistrust that can develop when the truth is withheld. In an age of dating apps, burner phones, and secret identities, it’s easy to see how trust can erode when transparency is lacking. Freida McFadden does an excellent job of playing on these modern fears, layering in the psychological horror of not knowing whether you truly know the person you’re dating.
As Sydney’s paranoia mounts, McFadden offers an insightful look at how easily doubt can consume someone when they’ve been burned by previous relationships. This element of the novel hits close to home for anyone who has felt anxious or insecure in a relationship. The fear that someone is hiding something — especially something as sinister as Tom’s potential involvement in serial killings — taps into a primal worry that many readers can relate to.
McFadden also explores how easily trust can be manipulated. Sydney places her trust in Gretchen, not knowing that her best friend is leading a double life as Daisy, the psychotic ex who is targeting her for murder. This betrayal of trust, combined with the calculated manipulation by Gretchen, turns Sydney’s life upside down and leaves her questioning everything and everyone around her. The masterful use of deception in the plot further underscores how fragile trust can be when individuals are not as they appear.
The Psychological Horror of Toxic Friendship
Beyond romantic relationships, The Boyfriend delves into the dynamics of toxic friendships. Sydney’s friendship with Gretchen is at the center of the novel’s most horrifying revelations. Gretchen, under the guise of being a supportive and trustworthy friend, slowly weaves her way into Sydney’s life while harboring sinister intentions all along. The novel shows how friendships can be just as dangerous as romantic relationships when they are built on lies and ulterior motives.
What makes Gretchen particularly terrifying is how well she hides her true nature. For most of the novel, she appears to be Sydney’s biggest ally, offering advice and support as Sydney navigates her tumultuous relationship with Tom. Yet, it is this very proximity that makes Gretchen so dangerous. Her ability to infiltrate Sydney’s life without raising suspicion speaks to the idea that sometimes, the greatest threats come from those closest to us.
This aspect of the novel serves as a reminder that not all toxic relationships are romantic. Friendships, especially those built on envy or hidden resentment, can be just as damaging. Gretchen’s obsession with Tom and her determination to remove any woman who gets close to him mirrors the dynamics of emotional manipulation often found in unhealthy friendships. McFadden does a superb job of capturing this slow-burn tension, leading to a climax that reveals Gretchen’s true colors in the most shocking way possible.
Sydney’s Evolution: From Naïveté to Survival
Sydney’s character arc is one of the most compelling aspects of The Boyfriend. At the beginning of the novel, Sydney is presented as somewhat naïve, particularly when it comes to matters of the heart. She wants to believe the best in people, even when faced with evidence that something is terribly wrong. Her desire for a relationship, after a series of failed attempts, leads her to ignore some of the more glaring red flags about Tom.
However, as the story progresses, Sydney’s transformation from a vulnerable woman seeking love to a hardened survivor becomes evident. By the end of the novel, she has shed her illusions about both love and friendship, emerging as someone who has faced the darkest aspects of both. The psychological journey she undergoes is intense and painful, but it’s also necessary for her survival. The Sydney who confronts Gretchen at the end of the novel is not the same woman who fell head over heels for Tom at the beginning. She has been shaped by the horrors she has faced, and while she may not emerge unscathed, she is certainly stronger.
McFadden does an excellent job of charting this growth without rushing it. Sydney’s slow realization that both Tom and Gretchen are not who they appear to be is frustrating at times, but it’s also realistic. People often cling to their beliefs about those they love, even when faced with contradictory evidence. This makes Sydney’s eventual transformation all the more powerful.
Ambiguity in the Conclusion: A Perfect Thriller Ending
The ending of The Boyfriend is deliberately ambiguous, leaving readers with more questions than answers. After the intense confrontation between Sydney, Gretchen, and Tom, the novel ends on a chilling note with Sydney receiving a mysterious package. The contents of the package—a lock of hair from one of Sydney’s stalker ex-dates, Kevin, and a note suggesting that he “won’t be bothering her anymore”—suggest that Gretchen (or perhaps even Tom) is still watching her, and that the danger is far from over.
This final twist is classic McFadden, leaving readers with a sense of unease that lingers long after the last page. It also plays into the broader themes of paranoia and mistrust that run throughout the novel. Even though Sydney has survived her ordeal with Gretchen, the ending implies that she may never truly escape the danger that Gretchen represents. The fact that Tom’s whereabouts remain unknown only adds to the uncertainty.
McFadden’s decision to leave the ending open-ended works perfectly in the context of the novel. Rather than wrapping things up neatly, the ambiguous conclusion reflects the messy, unpredictable nature of the psychological thriller genre. It also mirrors real-life experiences of trauma and recovery—just because the immediate danger has passed doesn’t mean that all is well. The scars of what Sydney has been through, both physical and emotional, will take time to heal, and the lingering question of whether Gretchen (or Tom) will return keeps readers on edge.
Conclusion: Why The Boyfriend is a Must-Read for Thriller Fans
Freida McFadden’s The Boyfriend is a psychological thriller that plays with readers’ expectations at every turn. Its intricate plot, filled with twists and red herrings, keeps readers guessing from start to finish. But beyond the plot, McFadden’s exploration of trust, obsession, and betrayal gives the novel a depth that sets it apart from more conventional thrillers.
The way McFadden tackles the darker sides of love and friendship adds layers to what could have been a straightforward suspense story. The nuanced character development, particularly Sydney’s evolution, and the shocking revelations about Gretchen’s true nature, elevate The Boyfriend into a compelling psychological study of what happens when trust is betrayed in the most devastating way.
For readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with a strong sense of character development, moral ambiguity, and plenty of surprises, The Boyfriend is an unmissable read. McFadden’s careful weaving of suspense and emotional intensity makes this a standout novel in the genre, leaving readers both satisfied and deeply unsettled. Just be prepared for the next time you meet someone new—you may never look at them the same way again.