"Millie, the heroine, is back, better than ever. Twisty, crafty, and humorous—this is one powerhouse of a series!"

Freida McFadden, the queen of psychological thrillers with a twist, returns following The Housemaid with the highly anticipated followup, THE HOUSEMAID'S SECRET.

Cleverly plotted, complex and multi-layered, Millie discovers that she is not the only one whose life is built on secrets and lies and comes face to face with a master manipulator. Will she be able to turn the tables?

It all started with a simple cleaning job. Now it might end with her blood mopped off the cabin floor. This is how the book begins and then jumps to three months earlier.

Picking up from book #1, Millie finds a new cleaning job but loses it quickly when the woman's child, Olive, starts calling Millie mama.

Millie has an apartment in the South Bronx with some freaky sleazy neighbors. She has accomplished quite a lot since the last book. She and Enzo (love him) have helped women and victims escape abusive relationships. However, he had to return to Italy to take care of his mom, and she had not heard from him. They made a perfect team and she misses him, but clearly, he was not coming back. It has been a year. Enzo knew about her past and she did not have to pretend around him as she did with Brock.

She has also gone back to college to get a social work degree. She will be able to help people and stay within the confines of the law. Enzo encouraged her. For now, she is doing a part-time bartending gig but needs to make more money. That is rather difficult with her prison history.

She has been dating Brock for the last six months, an attorney from a well-to-do family, but he does not know about her past, nor is she planning on telling him. He is perfect, except for a heart pill he takes daily for a condition he developed as a child.

However, he is putting pressure on her to move in with him. That would solve her housing problems, but she just cannot give up control of her life. If she tells him about her past, she will lose him.

Millie finally lands a job that is too good to be true. She meets a man named Douglas Garrick, who lives on the Upper East Side just west of Central Park, on the penthouse floor with a doorman. Like $20Million.

The owner is the CEO of Coinstock and seems friendly but Millie cannot stop thinking about the closed door on the second floor. The wife who could not come out to meet her.

She lands the job, but one stipulation is his wife Wendy is sick with a chronic illness and she stays in her room. Millie is not to disturb her for any reason. Tell someone they can't do something, making them even more curious.

But Millie soon cannot keep from thinking about the woman in the room. She hears her crying one day and then sees blood in the bathroom. She must help her. But the last time she tried to help, it returned to haunt her.

What is behind the locked door?

Clearly, this woman is in an abusive relationship and is afraid of her husband. She must help her. Something sinister is going on. She cannot allow this man to kill his wife.

Then the creepy neighbor comes around her apartment and she must protect herself. If only Enzo were here. Then she senses someone is following her.

What is going on between Wendy and her husband? What happens next is not what Millie expects. Now someone is trying to set her up once again. She cannot go back to prison. Nothing is as it appears.

Is Enzo back? Will Detective Ramirez believe her? Someone is dead. Someone else will wind up dead.

Told from the POV of Millie. Then we hear from Wendy's POV around 60% into the book, which is creepy, and flashbacks of four, three, two, one year, and six, four months before to a few weeks earlier to the night of the murder.

Predator or prey? Cat or mouse?

Wow! McFadden does a masterful job of creating in Millie a complex character, making her both scary, sympathetic, and appealing. A balanced thriller with dark humor that will keep readers surprised, pleased, and shocked as Millie unfolds her revenge comeback plan once again!

Loved the Epilogue - three months later!

Revenge drives this twisty jaw-dropping thriller, and the author keeps the suspense high throughout. As always, there is a twist you do not anticipate. Readers will root for Millie as she tries to even the score. How will she ever trust again?

I loved Enzo, and he is a perfect match for Millie. Every time I read his name, I thought of Enzo (plumber) on the show Younger, also Italian that married Diana and loved him as well. I enjoyed this one even more than the first one and hope we get a #3 and more, Millie! I adore this author; the 12th book I have read by her (have not posted all the reviews yet).

Thank you to #Bookouture and #Netgalley for a gifted e-ARC.

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www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins |#JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: Feb 20, 2023
Jan 2023 Must-Read Books
My Review of The Housemaid 5 Stars

This book is even BETTER than The Housemaid. It starts off a bit slow, building up the suspense and the creepy sense that there is something bad coming. Freida does an excellent job of making the reader feel just as uneasy as Millie feels when she takes a new job for a suspicious millionaire CEO and his “sick” wife.

Even if this plot may sound like something you’ve heard before I promise it is totally unique and there are twists you 100% will not see coming. While I was reading this I really felt unsettled, just as Millie feels trying to make sense of things. This sequel was an excellent way to wrap up Millie’s story while also giving us a wild ride along the way.

Whenever I read a Freida book I make it a point to try to identify possible clues and figure out the big twists but I have yet to be successful. I highly recommend checking this out, ESPECIALLY if you were a fan of The Housemaid.

I flew through these short mysterious chapters! The characters were very well done and I loved the way the ending turned out.

Freida does it again! As in typical Frieda fashion, she provides twists that no one could see coming - yet once revealed you see all the signs YOU missed. Frieda has truly mastered the psychological thriller genre, and has made it impossible to put her books down. This was a quick read that brings us back to characters we rooted for in the past. I can only hope the Housemaid makes another return!

I enjoyed The Housemaid so I was excited to get an ARC of The Housemaid’s Secret. Unfortunately, lightning didn’t strike twice for me. It’s hard not to comment without spoilers. I found this second installment to be on the repetitive side and fairly predictable since it stuck closely to the same format as the first book. I still want to explore some of this author’s back catalogue as I did enjoy two of the three books of hers that I’ve read.
*Thanks to Bookoutre and NetGalley for this advance review copy.

Thank you to Bookouture, Freida McFadden, and Netgalley for an advance digital copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

NO SPOILERS EVER

The Housemaid's Secret, which is set four years after the first book, The Housemaid, sees recently unemployed maid Millie accepting a position with Douglas and Wendy Garrick, even though she gets a strange feeling during the interview. While working for the Garricks, that feeling only intensifies as she begins to worry for Mrs. Garrick's safety. Millie must ask herself how far she is willing to go to find out the truth and what she is willing to risk to help Mrs. Garrick.

The first thought I had upon starting The Housemaid's Secret was how could she possibly top The Housemaid? I didn't need to worry - this was just as good. I got 'Verity' (Colleen Hoover) vibes in the beginning and was instantly pulled in. The Housemaid's Secret grabs on tight and doesn't let go until well after its spectacular finale. It's a bruise book - you'll walk into walls while reading it because you just can't look away.

For those of you who haven't read The Housemaid yet (what are you waiting for??), don't worry. The Housemaid's Secret can be read as a standalone, there's nothing in this book that spoils the first one, but I wouldn't recommend it - it's just too good to miss.

The conclusion I've come to is this: Freida McFadden is a masterful storyteller. She has this rare talent for coming up with unpredictably jaw dropping plot twists. Her novels are intricately plotted down to the smallest detail. When reveals are made (and there are many), it's like facepalm, "I did I not see that coming at all". She is the reigning queen of the plot twist. And she always delivers a stay-up-all-night, breathless read.

5 stars
Highly recommended for fans of:
Thrillers, Suspense, Mysteries, General Fiction, Women's Fiction, Action Adventure

The way the beginning started I wasn't entirely sure about it at first. It seemed to have a bit of a slower start then the first book. However once you get really into it. It has the hook to it that all of her books have. Which is what keeps my attention engaged. It turned out to be so much better then I anticipated it to be. I definitely do hope that there is a third book to eventually come out. The ending left on quite the cliff hanger.

5 Stars! This is the sequel to the Housemaid. Best to go into both blind! This was one of my most anticipated reads of the new year.
Millie is the type of character in a scary movie who hears spooky sounds in the basement, the power just went out, and says “hello, who’s there..”. Yet, she goes in to investigate alone…so many times I was screaming at her during this book but I couldn’t put it down. Girl! The black Mazda, hello! The blood on the nightgown!
The beginning was hard for me to figure out how much time had past since the end of the first book, but once I knew it was roughly five years all was well! Millie & Enzo 🫶🏻 gosh, it was everything I needed! Bonnie & Clyde. Frieda’s writing is so fun. How she turns and twists things through the character’s point of view hooks me every time! Oh, and we love short twisted chapters.

🤝Thank you @netgalley & @bookcouture for the opportunity to read and review in exchange for an honest review. This book will be available on Kindle Unlimited & Amazon on 2/20/23.

I was lucky enough to score an ARC of The Housemaid's Secret and I won't waste your time by giving you the summary that you can find already!

Instead, let me tell you what a treat you're in for. Our favorite criminal turned house cleaner is back and, while she's trying to stay on the straight and narrow, she can't help getting her hands dirty when the wife of her new employer appears to be in peril.

But not everything is as it seems and Millie may have bit off more than she can chew. If you're wondering about our favorite Italian gardener? Well you'll have to pick up a copy to find out what happens!

Wow! This was such a good follow-up to The Housemaid. I honestly couldn't imagine how a sequel to The Housemaid would be written, but this was so much better than expected. Millie is back, but once gain finds herself in an undesirable situation. Told from two perspectives, Millie and Wendy, the wife of family she is working for, the story neatly unfolds with twists and turns. In true McFadden fashion, I was on the edge of my seat and read this book in one sitting. Fans of this author should pre-order now - it will not disappoint!

Thank you to Bookouture, the author, and NetGalley for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

No matter how close I think I can get to guessing the twists and turns in Freida McFaddens books - she always proves me wrong and throws in a few things there’s no way I could have seen coming! The Housemaids Secret (the much anticipated sequel to The Housemaid) is no different!!

The Housemaid was one of my absolute top reads of last year and I was so curious to see where we would pick up with this story. We have a bit of a time jump, however we are catching back up with our same main character Millie in book two!

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Millie, but honestly that’s my favourite type of character for a thriller book! I really enjoyed this one and honestly wouldn’t be mad if we got a third Housemaid book!

For fans of the Housemaid, Millie is back, and this one is just as good! Millie is still cleaning homes, but now has a sort of…reputation of helping wives get out of their marriage. A very fast read with the surprising twist that McFadden is known for. I know everyone raves about the twists, but I love the humor in McFadden’s books, and this one has quite a few moments that made me giggle. Absolutely loved it.

This book is the second after The Housemaid. I loved it. Ms. McFadden shocked me to say the least. I’ll admit at the end I had to go back and read a section which finally clicked. Millie had a new job. She got another job no problem. It was a little off to say the least. Some restrictions, but Millie couldn’t turn away when she saw what she saw.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for letting me read this book before release date.
I will be buying a copy of this book to pass on to friends and family.

The Housemaids secret was a fast paced page turner about a woman with a record who is trying to better her life. She's taking college classes and working as a maid on the side. When she starts a new job cleaning house for Douglas and Wendy things start to concern her, and being the strong personality she is she can't just turn and leave. She gets involved in a dysfunctional marriage trying to help and only finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation, where she's the main suspect. How will she prove her innocence? Read this book and find out!!

Millie the housemaid is back for book 2 in Freida McFadden's housemaid series. After discovering Freida last year after reading The Housemaid, and enjoying it, I was excited to read the sequel. Millie is an ex-con (not her fault), poor, and trying to pay the bills. She puts ads in the paper for what she does best, a full service housemaid with cooking dinners as a bonus! She's cautious about letting her past be known for fear of being fired or not hired because of her unsavory past "crimes".
You will find that you are on Millie's side, and she is on the side for all women who need someone to stand up for them. She's your gal!
Much like the first installment in Millie's story, The Housemaid's Secret features shocking twist after shocking twist - as someone who reads a *ton* of thrillers, I'm always surprised by McFadden's ability to keep me on my toes. Unfortunately for me, the fast-paced, action-packed second half of this book could not make up for how repetitive the first half was.
The plot is highly unbelievable but also... highly entertaining. I didn’t need quite so many twists, but I respect that Freida can keep her readers engaged. Her books are extremely fast paced and I was able to finish this in just a few hours. I have no doubt fan's of The Housemaid will enjoy this one!
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my complimentary epub. I am leaving this review voluntarily and as always, all opinions are my own.

This was a great follow up to The Housemaid, which was one of my favorite reads of last year. This has easily made my list of favorite reads for this year! I felt like I was on a roller coaster the whole time.

Millie is such a dynamic character, with a moral compass I happen to love. I sometimes was frustrated with her actions, but have to admit they made the story so much more.

I love this author’s writing style, and am continuing to read their backlog. This is a very talented writer and I will be on the lookout for anything by this author. I love the way each chapter ends in a way that makes you want to continue. Also big plus for being a thriller with chapters on the shorter side.

I read this book pretty much straight after finishing first in series The Housemaid which I strongly recommend you read before starting this book. I really needed to know what would be next for our intrepid Millie. Especially given the shenanigans that ensued in the series opener!
In this, her second "job" Millie is employed by millionaire Douglas Garrick to assist with some light duties whilst his wife is ill. She isn't very well indeed and Garrick insists she is NOT to be disturbed. But Millie is not a one for rules and is shocked when she sees the state of Mrs Garrick.
Now... if you have read The Housemaid - and you have, haven't you - you'll think you'll know what you're getting... Well... think again! Mind. Blown. The twists and turns the author throws at her readers are beyond sublime. and wholly unpredictable. Well, for me anyway. And I'm usually good at second guessing, even if only a smidge on the right track. Here... nada...! She got me a good 'un!
And I Loved It!
OK so it's a bit, like its predecessor, ott in places. A tad far fetched. But it's so much fun and so easy to read that, meh, forgiven with bells on! Oh and very darkly funny in places too!
Counting the days til book three - but in the mean time - I'll no doubt be adding to my TBR with her back catalogue...!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Millie the housemaid is back for book 2 in Freida McFadden's housemaid series. After discovering Freida McFadden last year after reading The Housemaid, and loving it, I was excited to read the sequel.

Sadly, this book was just ok for me. Freida's books have been hit or miss for me, loving some, and finding some just ok, and this book falls into the second category. I had the bad guy figured out pretty early on and didn't find this book had the twists and turns or the suspense I expect from a thriller. And while I enjoyed Millie's character in book 1, I found her a bit irritating in this one.

That said, the book was still enjoyable and fast paced and did have a couple surprising moments. A solid 3 stars.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my complimentary epub. I am leaving this review voluntarily and as always, all opinions are my own.

The Housemaid's Secret is the sequel to Freida McFadden's viral story The Housemaid. It seems to follow a similar plot to the first installment, with Millie, a housekeeper with a violent past, taking matters into her own hands when she suspects the man she is working for is abusing his wife.

Much like the first installment in Millie's story, The Housemaid's Secret features shocking twist after shocking twist - as someone who reads a *ton* of thrillers, I'm always surprised (pun intended) by McFadden's ability to keep me on my toes. Unfortunately for me, the fast-paced, action-packed second half of this book could not make up for how frustratingly boring and repetitive the first half was. It was also really hard for me to get past the stilted, choppy writing style - even bordering on juvenile in some instances. If you love McFadden's stories and her writing style, and you enjoyed The Housemaid, then I ultimately think you will enjoy The Housemaid's Secret. I would just warn you that you're going to have to put in about 50% before it gets to a point of being entertaining.

Both of these books were five plus plus stars for me! I am excited to read more of her books. When you think entertaining thriller, you’ll think of these books. Once you begin, you cannot put it down. I read both in a day each and wish I had a third to read!

“It all started with a simple cleaning job. And now it might end with my blood being mopped off the cabin floor.”

The Housmaid is available now. The Housemaid’s Secret is available 2/20.