Surprise Me by Sophia Kinsella

 

Synopsis :

After being together for ten years, Sylvie and Dan have all the trimmings of a happy life and marriage; they have a comfortable home, fulfilling jobs, beautiful twin girls, and communicate so seamlessly, they finish each other’s sentences. However, a trip to the doctor reveals they could live another 68 years together… and panic sets in. They never expected ‘until death do us part’ to mean seven decades.

In the name of marriage survival, they quickly concoct a plan to keep their relationship fresh and exciting: they will create little surprises for each other so that their (extended) years together will never become boring.

But in their pursuit to execute Project Surprise Me, mishaps arise and secrets are uncovered that start to threaten the very foundation of their unshakeable bond. When a scandal from the past is revealed that questions some important untold truths, they begin to wonder if they ever really knew each other after all…

This is what I say :

Surprise Me was read in between many of Freida McFadden titles.  

I am always a fan of Sophia Kinsella.  Her titles especially some favourites never fails to put a smile on my face.

However, Surprise Me doesn't really it like a typical Sophia Kinsella's title.  It is still a good read but something is different and maybe Sophia's life at the point of writing is different which somehow translate into her writing.

I didn't like Sylvie much.  I am also not really a fan of Dan.  As such, these characters do not 'speak' to me.  While I still enjoy the book, it would not be high on my recommended list if you have other titles to read.

The Widow's Husband's Secret Lie (Novellas and Short Stories 2) by Freida McFadden

 

Synopsis :

My husband is dead.

I attended his funeral. I watched his casket be lowered six feet into the ground. (Actually, it may have been only five feet, but that still seems like more than enough.) And then we ate an array of finger sandwiches and deviled eggs and miniature beef wellingtons that cost more than my first car.

My point is, Grant is gone. And so are all his many, many deep, dark secrets which I never really ever bothered to ask him about. He is never coming back.

So why do I still see his face everywhere I go?

This is what I say :

What can I say about the author? Except she is extremely creative to come up with something like this.

The Widow's Husband's Secret Lie is just about 28 Chapters which is about 100 pages only. Yet, Freida can twist a story out of it and kept readers entertaied for 100 pages.

This would be the last story by Freida McFadden that I am reviewing unless I decided to read her other minor stories.

What is the twist here - well, I can't really share as I would be giving out the storyline but it was good for just a 20 mins read.

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden

 

Synopsis :

Sometimes, enough is enough…

Debbie Mullen is losing it. For years, she has compiled all of her best advice into her column, Dear Debbie, where the wives of New England come for sympathy and neighborly advice. Through her work, Debbie has heard from countless women who are ignored, belittled, or even abused by their husbands. And Debbie does her best to guide them in the right direction.

Or at least, she did.

These days, Debbie’s life seems to be spiraling out of control. She just lost her job. Something strange is happening with her teenage daughters. And her husband is keeping secrets, according to the tracking app she installed on his phone. Now, Debbie’s done being the bigger person. She’s done being reasonable and practical. It’s time to take her own advice.

And now it’s time for payback against all the people in her life who deserve it the most.

This is what I say :

Dear Debbie is the latest title by Freida McFadden. It's is also one of the last few books I read.

If you’ve read Freida McFadden before, you know the golden rule: expect the unexpected. Her latest release, Dear Debbie, leans hard into that charm and delivers exactly what fans crave.

The standout of this story is undoubtedly Debbie. Forget the "everyday mum" stereotypes you see in domestic thrillers; Debbie is a total badass. She’s sharp, unconventional, and carries the kind of edge that keeps you glued to the page.

The plot is a masterclass in misdirection. Just when you think you’ve figured out the trajectory, McFadden pulls the rug out from under you with those trademark unpredictable twists. It’s a fast-paced, gritty reminder of why she’s a queen of the genre. If you want a protagonist who breaks the mold and a story that refuses to play it safe, Dear Debbie is a must-read.

Note : The above was written with the help of AI. 

Ward D by Freida McFadden

 

Synopsis :

Medical student Amy Brenner is spending the night on a locked psychiatric ward.

Amy has been dreading her evening working on Ward D, the hospital’s inpatient mental health unit. There are very specific reasons why she never wanted to do this required overnight rotation. Reasons nobody can ever find out.

And as the hours tick by, Amy grows increasingly convinced something terrible is happening within these tightly secured walls. When patients and staff start to vanish without a trace, it becomes clear that everyone on the unit is in grave danger.

Amy’s worst nightmare was spending the night on Ward D.

And now she might never escape.

This is what I say :

I have nothing much to say about this title.

Girl is rather fickle minded and had trust issue and made wrong decisions.

She really should not be there in the first place but then again she cant control what she cant control and if some one is out to put her there, all she can really do is to survive.

I wish I can share more but that would be spilling the bean.  If you are a fan of Freida's book, you will sure want to read it. If not, I suggest you can give this a miss so as not to stress yourself out.

p.s. We are almost coming to an end of all the titles by Freida McFadden so stay with me.

Want to know a Secret by Freida McFadden

 

Synopsis :

YouTube baking sensation April Masterson knows the secret to the perfect gooey brownies. Or how to make key lime squares that will melt in your mouth. But if you keep watching her offline, you may find out some other secrets about April. Secrets she’d rather you didn’t know.

Like where did her son go when he snuck out of the house? What was she doing with the local soccer coach behind fogged windows? And what’s buried in her backyard?

Everyone has secrets. Some are worse than others. April’s secrets are enough to destroy her.

I’ll make sure of that.

This is what I say :

Freida is being rather mean here as she based the books' POV firstly from thge perspective of April. This sets the expectation that April is the main character here and that someone is out to get her.  It is true that someone is out to get her but she is far from being nice it seems.  Let's just say that perspective matters.

Subsequently, more about April is being revealed and readers like me felt a bit damaged especially if in reading, you are emotionally supporting April but then realised that she doesn't really deserve the support.

Again, lots of twisting plots that makes the book interesting.

My hints : I have already gave the hint. April is not as nice as you think.

The Locked Door by Freida McFadden

 

Synopsis :

Some doors are locked for a reason…

While eleven-year-old Nora Davis was up in her bedroom doing homework, she had no idea her father was killing women in the basement.

Until the day the police arrived at their front door.

Decades later, Nora’s father is spending his life behind bars, and Nora is a successful surgeon with a quiet, solitary existence. Nobody knows her father was a notorious serial killer. And she intends to keep it that way.

Then Nora discovers one of her young female patients has been murdered. In the same unique and horrific manner that her father used to kill his victims.

Somebody knows who Nora is. Somebody wants her to take the fall for this unthinkable crime. But she’s not a killer like her father. The police can’t pin anything on her.

As long as they don’t look in her basement.

This is what I say :

The Locked Door to me is pretty straightforward. Is Nora the murderer like her father was? Did she inherited his murderous gene and murder her young female patients.

If not, who is? Someone she just met like the potential boyfriend from her past? or is it her work partner?

Freida will give out clues as to it can be Nora or it can be someone else.  However, I have my eyes on one person and I was right. However, I didn't guess the reason as to why is it this person. I thought it was a revenge from her father's victims but it was not and that is the hint I have for you for this title.

Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden

 

Synopsis :

Quinn Alexander has committed an unthinkable crime.

To avoid spending her life in prison, Quinn makes a run for it. She leaves behind her home, her job, and her family. She grabs her passport and heads for the northern border before the police can discover what she’s done.

But when an unexpected snowstorm forces her off the road, Quinn must take refuge at the broken-down, isolated Baxter Motel. The handsome and kindly owner, Nick Baxter, is only too happy to offer her a cheap room for the night.

Unfortunately, the Baxter Motel isn’t the quiet, safe haven it seemed to be. The motel has a dark and disturbing past. And in the dilapidated house across the way, the silhouette of Nick's ailing wife is always at the window. Always watching.

In the morning, Quinn must leave the motel. She'll pack up her belongings and get back on the road to freedom.

But first, she must survive the night.

This is what I say :

I believe I am slowing down in my quest to complete all of Freida's novels. I still have about 5 more titles to go but over the weekend when I first started reading her novels, I can probably complete 1 or 2 novels over the weekend but for last weekend, I can't even complete one.

Do Not Disturb is slightly different than the other titles. The focus isn't just on Quinn but also on 2 other female characters and the story flow follows these characters POV.

Like always, dont always believe what you read as what you read is not necessary the actual scenario and it's from a characters POV.

Hint : The wedding ring matters.