You know when you finish a book and you just can’t stop thinking about it? That was me after reading The Housemaid by Freida McFadden. I was obsessed. So obviously, I had to read the second book…The Housemaid’s Secret, and to be honest, I didn’t think it would live up to the first one, but it 100% held its own.
I feel like it’s so rare for a follow on movie to be just as good, if not better…so I kind of assumed that would also be the case for books. Usually the sequel dips a bit or feels like it’s dragging…but I was hooked again.
I’m not going to give too much away because I don’t want to spoil it if you haven’t read it yet, but what I loved is how it took me straight back into that same unsettling, edge-of-my-seat energy from the first book. That feeling when you can’t stop reading because you need to know what happens next. I was literally reading it at night in bed like, “okay, just one more chapter,” and then I’m already 5 chapters deep (granted the chapters are pretty short).
I think what I love about it is that it makes you feel like you're part of the story, watching everything unfold and thinking you’ve figured it all out…until you’re completely thrown. It’s an easy read and simple to understand. It kind of plays out like a movie in your head when you’re reading it. Also, I genuinely think the characters in this one were even more layered and interesting. You learn more, but it surprisingly never feels repetitive.
I read a lot of non-fiction, and I love books that are educational or self-help style, but this…this reminded me how much I love getting lost in a really good story - usually movies, but it’s so refreshing to get lost in a story that doesn’t require a tv. I think I needed this kind of escapism…I’m so glad I started this ‘one book a month’ challenge! And now I’m fully invested because there’s another book in the series and obviously I’ve already bought it.
If you’ve read it, please tell me your thoughts…I want to know if you loved it as much as I did or if there were parts that threw you off. And if you haven’t read either book yet…what are you doing? Start with The Housemaid and then move onto this one. Just trust me. You’ll thank me later.
Is Self Care Making You Burn Out?
Somewhere along the way, self care turned into another thing on my to-do list. Like if I’m not waking up at 6am, writing in my journal, doing my full 7 step skincare routine, drinking warm lemon water, and squeezing in a Pilates class before I start my work day,
If you want to read about anything specific, feel free to leave a comment - I’d love a bit of inspo from you!
I love books like these. The thing is I get so hooked I read them in a week or less. Nothing is priority anymore and I probably forget to eat too. But I will pick this up soon.
Oh I’m glad to hear this as I’ve just downloaded the first book on my kindle. 🙋🏼♀️