Audio Review: The Boyfriend – A Twisty Ride Through Love and Lies

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about this book

In the middle of Manhattan’s chaotic dating scene, Sydney Shaw is a 34-year-old accountant with a solid career and a string of dating disasters that make her feel like she’s cursed. That is, until she meets Tom Brewer—a charming doctor who’s handsome, attentive, and seems like he walked straight out of a dating app fantasy. But just as Sydney starts to let her guard down and imagine a real future with him, a chilling string of murders in the city starts to hit too close to home. The victims? Women who were dating someone new. As her instincts start to whisper that something about Tom isn’t adding up, Sydney finds herself caught in a psychological web where trust is a gamble—and love might be the most dangerous game of all.

my thoughts

Let me start by saying: I don’t usually reach for thrillers. I’m more of a cozy romance or character-driven fiction kind of girl. But The Boyfriend? Whew. I went into it totally skeptical—thriller just isn’t usually my jam. But after seeing all the hype online, I figured I’d dip a toe in. One chapter turned into ten, and next thing I knew, it was 3 a.m., I was emotionally wrecked, and deeply suspicious of every smiling man in a white coat. I was completely consumed by Sydney’s story. Just when I thought, “Okay, I know what’s happening here,” the book laughed in my face and spun me in a totally different direction. That’s the magic of McFadden—she gives you just enough to feel confident, then snatches the rug out from under you in the best possible way.

characters

Sydney is smart, successful, and super relatable. She’s that friend who’s doing amazing at work but keeps attracting total weirdos on dating apps. Her desire to find something real and meaningful makes her easy to root for—and her vulnerability makes the stakes feel higher as she gets deeper into the mystery. She’s observant but also emotionally driven, which adds to the tension when things start to get weird with Tom.

Tom is a whole puzzle box of a character. On the surface, he’s basically Prince Charming with a stethoscope—kind, charming, and a total green flag. But the deeper into the story you go, the more cracks you start to see. He’s polished but not perfect, and the dual timelines that hint at his past only make him more intriguing. I was constantly trying to figure out if he was the real deal or a walking red flag disguised as a dreamboat.

relationship dynamics

This is not your typical slow-burn love story. Sydney and Tom’s relationship kicks off with a bang—it’s fast, intense, and borderline fairy tale… until things start to feel off. What begins as romantic starts to unravel into something unsettling. There are lies of omission, small inconsistencies, and a gut feeling Sydney can’t shake. One of my favorite things about their dynamic is how it keeps you questioning: Is Sydney overthinking things, or is she picking up on something real? That tension between trust and suspicion is at the core of their story and gives it that deliciously dark, edge-of-your-seat vibe.

pacing, plot, & Writing style

This book is a literal page-turner. McFadden’s writing style is quick and clean—no unnecessary fluff. The chapters are short, so there’s always that “okay, just one more” feeling that turns into reading the whole thing in one sitting. The dual timelines are done so well and actually serve a purpose, dropping just enough clues to keep your brain working overtime. The plot? A roller coaster. Every time I thought I was coasting along on a flat stretch, BAM—another twist. It’s the kind of book that makes you talk out loud while reading (you know, the “NO WAY” and “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” moments).

Setting, themes & emotional impacts

New York City isn’t just the backdrop—it’s a full-on character in this story. The bustling energy, the anonymity of city life, the randomness of strangers crossing paths—it all adds to the atmosphere of the book. You feel the highs of a fast-paced romance in a glamorous city, and the lows of isolation when the people you trust most might be hiding something. The flashbacks to Tom’s earlier life, in a more suburban or rural setting, provide a stark contrast that enhances the suspense.

At its core, The Boyfriend is all about trust—and how tricky it can be to truly know someone. It digs into how easy it is to fall for someone’s highlight reel while ignoring the stuff that doesn’t quite add up. Sydney’s craving for connection feels so real, and it shows how loneliness can blur your instincts. As things unfold, the story touches on obsession, control, and how our pasts have a sneaky way of showing up in the present. It’s a reminder that love isn’t always what it seems… and sometimes, that’s the scariest part.

I felt everything with this book—hope, fear, confusion, empathy, and that gut-punch of “oh no, I didn’t see THAT coming.” Sydney’s emotional arc is so raw and real that I couldn’t help but feel every moment with her. You’ll question everyone and everything, right up until the final twist (and maybe even after that).

final thoughts

If you’re even thinking about dipping your toe into thrillers, The Boyfriend is a perfect entry point. The audiobook version? Chef’s kiss. The voice actors absolutely nailed the tone and pacing, especially in the flashback scenes where you hear Tom at different stages of life. I seriously can’t recommend it enough—it’s one of those books that sticks with you long after you’ve finished it. If you’re anything like me, you’ll finish the last chapter, sit back, and mutter “WHAT THE F**K?!” to no one in particular.