The Book Goddess Reads

Why the chaos, twists and total unhingedness made this the most addictive holiday read.

one scroll, total obsession

You know that dangerous swipe late at night, where one video turns into a rabbit hole and suddenly I’ve hit Buy Now on my Kindle and two days later, I’m blinking at the bright screen like I’ve forgotten how the sun works. This is what digital page-turning feels like when a book refuses to let you go.

introduction – The book that hijacked my holiday

Picture this: you download a thriller, thinking you’ll “read a bit” and boom – it’s Christmas Eve and you’ve devoured the whole thing with the only the glow of your e-reader for company. That’s the unhinged joy of Frieda McFadden’s The Housemaid. Like an elevator (for the American views) dropping and breakneck speed, this psychological ride zips through tests, whispering just one more chapter every time you try to pause. Trust me… the chaos inside this book is so deliciously unhinged, you’ll thank the algorithm for ruining your life.

In this review, I’ll walk through you what made this Kindle read utterly unputdownable – drop jaw dropping lines to my own cheeky Marginalia Moments scribbled in digital notes.

Welcome to the Winchester Mansion… Brace yourself

From the start, Millie – a quirky protagonist with a past – gets hired as a live in housemaid for a wealthy couple. Sounds normal enough right? But right away have that “too good to be true” vibe hits you in the face. What starts as a promising job quickly turns into a psychological jaw dropping tango between secrets, lies and intense power plays. This is one of those books that pulls you forward chapter by chapter. Tip: Don’t read before bed unless you want no sleep.

“As I shut the door, I notice marks in the wood.”

Marginalia moment: At this juncture I will be handing in my notice.

Unhinged character moments that make you LOL and Gasp

The best part is that none of this is a quiet simmer – it’s full throttle drama. Whether it’s Nina’s bizarre behaviour to Millie’s snap reactions, the characters behave in ways you don’t see coming but absolutely drink up. It’s like watching reality TV unfold in your mind. And oh boy – it never lets up. Cultural momentum backs it up too: the book spent over 80 weeks on the bestselling charts and moved millions of copies, largely thanks to TikTok word of mouth.

Let’s meet our cast of characters:

We’ve got Millie, our main protagonist. Recently released from prison and living on a diet that mostly consists of Bologna (is that the right spelling?) sandwiches. She’s a woman at the end of her tether, she wants something else to eat!

“Then I make myself a bologna sandwich. With lots of mayonnaise and white bread.”

Marginalia moment: The way trauma hunger hits different.

Now onto Nina the woman who presented herself as the absolute dream of a boss. She hires Millie as the Housemaid to do chores and cooking around the house, and watch her daughter when she needs her too. She gives Millie a new phone, a place to live and a job, they share a laugh and a joke during the interview. And Millie is shocked when she actually gives Millie a chance! But all that is about the change, the second Millie moves in the once pristine house is now about bomb site and Millie must clean up.

“You can clean up this disgusting mess you left in my kitchen while I fix this problem.”

Marginalia moment: WTF?!

Andrew is the kind of character who steps into a room and immediately shifts the atmosphere. Charming, successful, and every inch the “perfect husband,” he wears his confidence like a tailored suit. But as the story unfolds, you’ll start to wonder if that shine hides a few dents. He’s the character who makes you raise one eyebrow and keep reading just to see what he’ll say next.

“He’s almost perfect. And I hate his guts.”

Marginalia moment: I know exactly what you mean. Some people are just too perfect you want to punch them in the face.

Enzo doesn’t say much at first — and that silence? Oh, it speaks volumes. He’s a background presence who gradually begins to intrigue you more with every chapter. There’s something steady, maybe even vulnerable about him, like someone who’s learned to stay invisible for a reason. You’ll find yourself wanting to know more… even if you’re not sure you should.

“Pericolo. Whatever that means.”

Marginalia moment: Pericolo – Danger

Every time I thought I had it figured out, the story pulled the rug — usually while laughing in my face. Whether it’s secret motives or sudden reveals, McFadden keeps the pace lightning fast. Every few chapters, something reveals itself that makes your brain go Wait… what?? If you love twisty games of psychological cat‑and‑mouse, The Housemaid delivers hard.

Sequels That Double Down (Yes, I Binged Them Too)

After finishing book one in two days, I wasn’t done. The Housemaid’s Secret and The Housemaid Is Watching pulled me right back in — three more days of pure e‑reader devotion. The sequels keep up the pace and expand on the chaos in all the best ways, introducing new threats and more psychological twists. You’re not just finishing a series — you’re falling into the rabbit hole. These continuations keep muddying loyalties, stacking secrets, and deepening the chaos in all the best ways.

If reading it wasn’t enough, The Housemaid leapt from Kindle pages to a full film adaptation, starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried — proof that this twisted thriller has serious staying power.  I actually saw the trailer for the movie before picking up the book and I think that helped me visualise the characters but Amanda Seyfried I didn’t picture as Nina Winchester.

Personal Reading Log: My Housemaid Binge Breakdown

Because sometimes, the reading journey is half the story…

📅 Dec 21:

Saw The Housemaid for the 18th time on TikTok. Gave in. Bought the Kindle edition while standing in the kitchen. Started reading that night. Thought: “I’ll just do a chapter.” Ended up 30% in.

📅 Dec 22:

Cancelled errands. Made tea. Forgot about the tea. Read non-stop until the last page. Audible gasp at that twist. Screamed internally. Highlighted 14 lines. Kindle battery died. I did not.

📅 Dec 23:

Downloaded The Housemaid’s Secret. My holiday movie marathon became a reading marathon instead. Barely blinked. Wrote “WHAT IS HAPPENING” in the margins twice.

📅 Dec 24:

Merry Christmas Eve — The Housemaid Is Watching became my final gift. Ignored social obligations. Lived inside the book. Whispered “Oh no no no” at least six times.

Total Days: 5
Books Read: 3
Number of cliffhangers that emotionally wounded me: Countless
Would I do it again? In. A. Heartbeat.

Conclusion — Why Your E‑Reader Will Thank You

So here I am, post-Housemaid trilogy binge, blinking at my Kindle like it owes me a therapy session. This book didn’t just give me drama — it snatched my attention, spun me around, and dumped me in a pit of plot twists I never wanted to climb out of. It was the best kind of wild — and if you’ve got even a whiff of curiosity? Trust me, you’re next.

As Freida McFadden herself once said:

“Sometimes, the most dangerous place in the world is behind a perfectly painted front door.”

This is a series that proves that again and again… and again.

The Housemaid is one of those rare reads that makes your Kindle feel alive. It makes you laugh, gasp, scribble frantic marginalia notes, and ignore your social life. Whether you read it over Christmas like I did or devour it in a weekend blackout, this is the digital thriller that owns you.

Final thought: It’s unhinged, unexpected, and exactly the kind of book that deserves its own “TIKTOK made me buy it” badge. Ready to hit “Buy Now”? Your Kindle and I both say: do it.