La boda de la empleada

The Housemaid #2.5

by Freida McFadden

The Housemaid’s Wedding is a winter-themed short story meant to fill in the long gap between Book 2 of the Housemaid series (The Housemaid’s Secret) and Book 3 (The Housemaid is Watching). It can be read either between Book 2 and Book 3, or after Book 3.

Today is supposed to be the happiest day of my life.

I'm engaged to the man of my dreams, and in a few short hours, I'm going to stand before a judge, who will declare us husband and wife, till death does us part. Despite some bumps in the road, this day is everything I dreamed it would be.

There's only one problem:

Someone out there doesn't want me to live long enough to say my vows.

And if I'm not careful, they may very well get their wish.

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Short Stories, Romance

96 pages, Paperback

First published November 22, 2024

About the author

#1 New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Publisher's Weekly, and Amazon Charts bestselling author Freida McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain injury who has penned multiple Kindle bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. She lives with her family and possessed cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean, with staircases that creak and moan with each step, and nobody could hear you if you scream. Unless you scream really loudly, maybe.

Note that I am maxed out on friends, so I apologize in advance that I can't friend anyone back!

Reviews

[♥︎ Heather ⚔ (New House-Hiatus) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. Look, Freida - when you write these popcorn type thrillers that are fast paced, short and don't require a lot of brain power from the reader, there simply just isn't enough material to pull off a series.

This was thin, weak, not enough material. I could have imagined a better wedding on my own. Why is there even a paper copy of this? Trees were used for what?

There was so much focus on the stupid blue dress, I really thought we were going to have a whole 'famous internet dress' moment again.

This book is pointless. Sigh.

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
── .✦

[manas (NEW YEAR) · Rating 2 out of 5]

freida—i beg you. please stop milking this series.

SHE CHANGED THE COVER LMAO!!!

she needs to be stopped??? the cover is giving “it ends with us”…

[ashlyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

SHE LISTENED TO US AND CHANGED THE COVER!!! THANK YOU 🧎‍♀️‍➡️ the last cover was giving it ends with us

[desiree(finally back) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could write a review. I could crack another joke, but for what it’s worth, this short story is a joke on its own. The only thing it did for me was help me get closer to my reading goal.

[Laura Lovesreading · Rating 1 out of 5]

I PROMISE YOU THIS NOVELLA WAS NOT NEEDED

The Housemaids Wedding is supposed to be a thrilling short and sweet book about Millie and Enzo getting ready to get married, but there is someone who wants to kill Millie before she even gets to saying her vows. The novella was indeed short but nothing sweet about it!

I am a perfection combination of disappointed and annoyed. I am DISANOYED

Lord, I am so disappointed by this novella I am making words up now. With the book being so short I was expecting a thrilling action packed plot with something along the lines of the perpetrator already having Millie hostage and the rest of the book being spent with Millie using her wits about her to escape and Enzo wherever he is trying to find his bride to be. NOPE!

Instead, the first 20 pages of the book is Millie reminding us that she is getting married, letting us know that there is someone after her instead of her telling her fiancé, dwelling on about needing something old or blue, harping on about baby names, and oh, Freida has managed to find a new obsession to talk about…

LOCKS!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, you heard me, we get to know about Grade One locks, Deadbolt Locks and Hook-and Eye Locks. GIVE ME STRENGTH! I promise you nothing happened in this book, besides me realizing that between book 2 and 3 this is where Millie becomes diabolically stupid and lacks common sense. She is doing everything that someone should not do who is being threatened and has the audacity to play the ‘BIG I AM’ to an innocent bystander (don’t even get me started with that scenario… like what was he even doing there?)

The only enjoyment out of this novella is Freida finally giving me a chapter with Enzo. It was pleasing and refreshing to know that the hunk still had his street smarts about him and did what he had to do! (then I quickly remembered he becomes a dimwit in book 3 and lost all my thrills and tingles).

I am going to give this short book a pass and pretend it doesn’t even exist. But her new book coming out next year better be a hit or I fear its time to let go of the book shackles I have with this woman and finally move on! 😭😭😭

[Deepak · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cover is obviously giving Collen Hoover vibes because it should have ended with us not needing this bullshit 🤝

[Alyssa Nieves · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only thrilling thing about this was me finishing it in 30 minutes. It was ridiculous and unnecessary, but I did enjoy getting another glimpse into Millie and Enzo’s life. Freida needs to move onto a different series I fear. It’s time 🙂‍↕️

[Delaney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think it’s time we put the housemaid books to rest 😅

[elizabeth rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short and sweet? Or simply unnecessary?
This novella added nothing to the series.

[Clace · Rating 1 out of 5]

Millie making the dumbest decisions for the 19472846th time 🤦

[T.S · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ☆
Fredia... please stop. the only thing I learned from this book is how to waste my time.


Freida McFadden is definitely pregnant cause why she keeps delivering books every 9 months?! 😭

i thought we talked about this

[ivy · Rating 2 out of 5]

not well thought out, but it was super quick and easy to read

[Paige · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s like she’s trying to make fun of her own series.

[shei · Rating 1 out of 5]

—— 1.5✰ stars.

freida. what was the damn fucking reason?
let me answer for you, none.

the 0.5 is because Enzo is cute.

[Flo Camus · Rating 1 out of 5]

[1.2⭐] 𝙇𝙖 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙖 𝙙𝙚 𝙡𝙖 𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖 es una novela corta escrita por Freida McFadden y publicada en 2024. El libro vuelve a centrarse en Millie y Enzo, personajes que ya se habían ganado un lugar en el corazón de muchos lectores gracias a 𝙇𝙖 𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖. La historia está ambientada en el día de su esperada boda.


Me molesta que se haya decidido sacar esto como una publicación aparte y no como un añadido especial a una nueva edición de 𝙇𝙖 𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖, quizás una edición de aniversario o una versión con los cantos pintados. Sinceramente, la cantidad de páginas no da, no se justifica, y la historia no se sostiene por sí sola, no tiene el peso ni la originalidad para hacerlo. Esto podría haber sido perfectamente un epílogo extenso o un “regalo” para los lectores que seguimos la serie desde el inicio. Sin embargo, se sintió como un intento desesperado por exprimir hasta la última gota de popularidad de la saga.

Justamente por eso, al tratarse de un libro que se publica de forma independiente, mi vara fue mucho más alta y la novela no la alcanzó ni de cerca. Si me vas a vender 96 páginas como si fueran una historia con entidad propia, al menos dame algo más. Sentí que era una historia repetitiva, que no va hacia ningún lado, que apenas llegamos a la superficie de un supuesto misterio que se cae a pedazos en el clímax. La resolución no solo es floja, sino que me generó verdadera molestia porque me hizo sentir que la autora perdió totalmente la chispa y que escribió esto al apuro, sin pensar demasiado, con el solo objetivo de seguir vendiendo lo antes posible antes de que su saga deje de ser tan famosa.

Es cierto que se profundiza un poco más en la relación con Enzo. Se nota que es un personaje noble, adorable y alguien con quien una sí se casaría, pero eso NO justifica que se necesite un libro y una historia propia. El conflicto central es muy débil y se resuelve de forma tan insípida que ni siquiera logra emocionar. Además, no hay tensión real, no hay giros y no hay impacto. Se lee como una escena descartada de la novela original y estirada hasta el cansancio.


Finalmente, puedo decir que 𝙇𝙖 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙖 𝙙𝙚 𝙡𝙖 𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖 es una lectura completamente prescindible. Entiendo que haya lectores que disfruten volver a ver a sus personajes favoritos, pero yo considero que no vale la pena su lectura y mucho menos al saber que es una obra independiente. Es un relleno que se nota demasiado porque no lleva a ninguna parte.
Lo terminé solo para sacarlo de la lista de pendientes, pero me quedo con una frase que resume bien cómo me sentí: “Esto pudo haber sido un párrafo, pero se convirtió en un libro entero”.

[Callie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Plot twist who? Never heard of her.

That was utterly pointless.... This wasn't even your typical McFadden writing because there was absolutely no twist at the end. To say it was a disappointment is an understatement. I definitely don't recommend it no matter how much you loved the Housemaid series. There was no context and you were just thrown into her sticky situation confused. Good thing it was a short read because I consider it a waste of time other than that you found out how they came up with Ada's name.

[sonia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars . ⊹ ･ﾟ𖥔 ₊ ˑ

⤷ Ty Freida for giving us nothing

[lia ♡ (hiatus) · Rating 1 out of 5]

i've had enough.

[Supreme Commander of South America · Rating 3 out of 5]

At this point this series shouldn’t be called a thriller lol

[niyya نية]

HELP SHE CHANGED THE COVER

----
Frieda my dearest, please, enough is enough.

(I will be reading this)

[fadheela ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

DID I MISS IT OR THE THRILLER PLOT TWIST IS SIMPLY INVISIBLE IN THIS BOOK?!👀

[Rachel Hanes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The wedding that I didn’t know I needed!

This very short story details the day of Millie and Enzo’s wedding. 💒 While the wedding did not take place at a Church, but at City Hall- we still learn how in love these two are as a couple and how meant for each other that they are.

On the morning of Millie and Enzo’s wedding day, Millie wakes up to a threatening phone call. Throughout the day, Millie keeps receiving these calls and it makes her so nervous. However, Millie does not tell Enzo about these threatening and harassing phone calls as she does not want to worry him or ruin their wedding day.

Does Enzo find out about the calls? Is the wedding ruined? Will Millie ever be safe? If you’ve read and enjoyed the other books in the Housemaid series, then this book is a must read as well!

According to the Author’s Note at the beginning of this short story, the author suggests reading this story between books two and three of the Housemaid Series, or after Book Three. This way all of us Millie and Enzo fans can see them get married, and not feel cheated. :)

[Tanu · Rating 3 out of 5]

“They say rain on your wedding day is good luck. Death threats on your wedding day? Probably not so much.”

Was this book necessary?? NO
Was it a thriller?? Definitely NOT
Did i still enjoy reading it? YES

I loved reading about Millie and Enzo's important day and how despite so many difficulties and challenges, they made it this far with each other. I did not like Enzo in the other books, but in this one the way he takes care of Millie's needs and assures her that they do not need anyone else as long as they have each other felt very romantic and mature.🥰

There was nothing thrilling about this book though. And i would have enjoyed it more if Freida wasn't trying to turn it into one. It fell flat in the end and ended very abruptly.

So this was a cute little intimate insight into the life of Enzo and Millie as they start their family and get ready to face new adventures that come along with it.💜

~~~~~~~~

Freida never fails to serve ya'll!🥰 I can't stop reading this series..short story, long story whatever she gives, I read!! no questions asked!!!!💜
Also, that cover is georgeous!!💜

[iain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok this is a very quick snapshot into the wedding of the housemaid.
Um I don’t know why this was written and put out for us to read, I know it was only 77p but was this just for money or to get others to read her books?
Just completely confused me on why?
Story was ok, I know how a wedding goes, I should have I’ve been married twice 😂.
This book really was that, being told how a wedding goes hers. Trials and tribulations.
With a bit of dilemma
Just a ok really 🤔

[Samm 🍄🥀🌙🪐⚡️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Freida girl you know I love you, but this was soooooo not necessary

[Casey Reads 🌸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were a lot of bad reviews for this, but I don’t agree with those. I enjoyed it. There was suspense and their wedding. It was better than the most recent book as we got the version of Enzo we truly love instead of how she ruined him with the other book.

I thought she created suspense well for being such a short story and I was creeped out especially in the beginning.

I chose to believe this is how their story ends and I am just gonna forget about the other book. I do think she should end the series with this one though, because this series has run its course.

[ZeeZee So Cool]

11th November(pre-read): WHERE’D THIS POP UP FROM ALL OF A SUDDEN? 💀🤚

26th November(post-read): maybe the plot twist and the importance of this book were really the friends that we made along the way ☹️

[seeraaa ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

𓍯𓂃𓏧♡ 2,5/5
"𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐼 𝑔𝑜 ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑢𝑛𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑛 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑑, 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑢𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑝𝑢𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑛’𝑠 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑚 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑟."


This novella was short, fast-paced, and easy to get through — but honestly? It felt unnecessary.
It lacked depth, tension, and any real plot beyond a few threatening phone calls.
It could’ve been much better… if only Millie’s parents had actually shown up at the wedding. 😒💔

That part truly broke my heart. She was still willing to forgive them, even after they abandoned her in the darkest moments of her life. And despite everything, she still loves them. 🥺💔

On the brighter side, I did love Enzo and how supportive he was toward Millie — and that blue dress? Beautiful 😅
But those baby name suggestions? Absolutely not. I hope they try harder next time 🤣🤣🤣

Overall, it was a quick read with a few emotional moments, but not something I’ll remember for long.💜👰🏼‍♀️






𓍯𓂃𓏧♡𝑃𝑟𝑒-𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑.
Kicking off the month with this novella that’s been roasted in the reviews 😅 let’s see if it’s really that bad… 👰🏼‍♀️💜

[Leena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ummm this was unnecessary..... thank you 🚶

[Fairuz ᥫ᭡. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars! 🌟 Okay, hear me out—this book might not have been the thriller of the century, but I actually LOVED it! 🥰 Sure, it didn’t pack the same mystery-punch as the rest of the series, but it gave us exactly what we all wanted: closure for Millie and Enzo. 💒 Their love story wrapped up in a short, cozy winter read? Yes, please! ❄️💖

If you're here for romance, soft moments, and just a sprinkle of drama (hello, creepy phone calls), this one’s for you. But if you’re expecting edge-of-your-seat suspense, maybe lower those expectations a bit. 🤷‍♀️

The wedding day wasn’t perfect—because of course, drama follows Millie and Enzo like a shadow—but seeing their love shine through every hiccup was everything. 🥹 It’s sweet, simple, and feels like a warm hug for the heart. And honestly? I wouldn’t mind more little novellas about their everyday life because I could never get enough of these two! 💕

If you’re craving a sugary-sweet ending to their story, this one delivers. The perfect little bow on their love story! 🙌✨