I have just returned from the twisted corridors of Freida McFadden’s brain. It is unsettling in there.
Let’s start with this: I literally cancelled plans to finish it. Not “I’ll be late.” Not “Maybe next week.” Cancelled. Once this story grabbed me, it did not politely release me back into society.
The premise feels almost playful at first. Advice columnist vibes, reader letters, sharp responses. And then it tilts. Subtly, like a gentle wave rocking a boat on a sunny day... Then dramatically, overturned in hurricane force winds straight from the gates of Hades. And you realize you’re in delightfully unhinged territory.
The Dear Debbie responses were spectacularly psychotic in the most creative way possible. I found myself laughing and then immediately whispering, “Oh no. No no no.” (And then thinking, "Well...maybe...") The app ideas were excellent. The Punish Your Husband app alone was bold, absurd, a little diabolical, and just plausible enough to make you side-eye the App Store.
Classic Freida. I did not see the twists coming, even though I should have known better after reading The Teacher. I was emotionally mugged and left blinking at the wall with my mouth open like I’d just been personally betrayed.
Five stars. No hesitation. Ms. McFadden, I am both very impressed and mildly concerned. Please keep writing.
