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Dear Debbie
A brand new twisted thriller that will have you cheering "good for her!" from the #1 New York Times bestselling and global sensation Freida McFadden, author of The Housemaid!
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.
From #1 New York Times and international bestselling author Freida McFadden comes a biting, subversive thriller about what happens when women finally choose to take justice into their own hands – with killer results.
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.
From #1 New York Times and international bestselling author Freida McFadden comes a biting, subversive thriller about what happens when women finally choose to take justice into their own hands – with killer results.
327 pages, Paperback
First published January 27, 2026
About the author
Freida McFadden
131 books304k followers#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!
Note that I am maxed out on friends, so I apologize in advance that I can't friend anyone back!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58,687 reviews
February 16, 2026
I gave McFadden three tries and I can now conclude it's not meant to be! Despite my desperate attempts to join the fanwagon, I just don't get the popularity of these books. Short chapters, I suppose. And very easy to read (nix the mention of rape and murder and my 8 year old would make quick work of this). But utterly ludicrous and hinged on at least ten different coincidences.
The protagonist is a housewife and part time columnist, but also a closeted genius who has complex apps tracking her entire family, and a penchant for petty revenge. Though, naturally, despite being the cleverest clever clogs that ever clevered, she doesn't think to turn off her location tracking when committing an actual crime 🫠
Plot-wise, it's a revenge fantasy. Revenge stories are great when done well, but they rely on the villains being despicable enough so we can enjoy the revenge, meaning that Debbie’s neighbours are atrociously obnoxious, the boss she wants to get revenge on is conveniently having an affair, and a high school coach is stupid enough to tell not only a teen girl but also her mother that she needs to lose a few pounds.
Genuinely, how do people deal with how ridiculously convenient things are? How convenient is Zane's criminal past? What luck her boss was having an affair! How wild the reveal about Ken? And, my god, the absolutely batshit thing with Harley and you-know-who?! MAJOR SPOILER:
I didn't guess the twist because I didn't count on that many absurd coincidences.
Then we get to the epilogue and I must have rolled my eyes about twenty times. It moves through the characters as they all reveal various new twists and wild coincidences. I was begging just STOP. I can only imagine there must be a bunch of readers who read this and think "oh my god, I never saw that coming, amazing" so each to their own. I am officially parting ways with McFadden's books.
The protagonist is a housewife and part time columnist, but also a closeted genius who has complex apps tracking her entire family, and a penchant for petty revenge. Though, naturally, despite being the cleverest clever clogs that ever clevered, she doesn't think to turn off her location tracking when committing an actual crime 🫠
Plot-wise, it's a revenge fantasy. Revenge stories are great when done well, but they rely on the villains being despicable enough so we can enjoy the revenge, meaning that Debbie’s neighbours are atrociously obnoxious, the boss she wants to get revenge on is conveniently having an affair, and a high school coach is stupid enough to tell not only a teen girl but also her mother that she needs to lose a few pounds.
Genuinely, how do people deal with how ridiculously convenient things are? How convenient is Zane's criminal past? What luck her boss was having an affair! How wild the reveal about Ken? And, my god, the absolutely batshit thing with Harley and you-know-who?! MAJOR SPOILER:
I didn't guess the twist because I didn't count on that many absurd coincidences.
Then we get to the epilogue and I must have rolled my eyes about twenty times. It moves through the characters as they all reveal various new twists and wild coincidences. I was begging just STOP. I can only imagine there must be a bunch of readers who read this and think "oh my god, I never saw that coming, amazing" so each to their own. I am officially parting ways with McFadden's books.
July 26, 2025
EVERYONE HAD DEBBIE ALL THE WAY F&CKED UP!!!
Dear Debbie,
You are indeed that bitch! Your personality and unhinged ways carried this book, and I truly enjoyed reading through it! Your advice column had me howling, because I know a lot of women would really want to act out the not so nice options you advised them if all else failed. I feel sorry for the people who ever encounter you and don’t treat you with the respect you deserve because I know their comeuppance won’t be pretty. You had me laughing, you had me in shock, you really put the MAMA in Mama Bear, and I commend you on your zero fucks given attitude!
Ms Frieda McFadden… touché!! You gave me an entertaining, suspend your disbelief to the cows come home novel and I’m not mad at it! You made Debbie relatable in a crazy unhinged way and it was enjoyable following a protagonist in your book that I actually liked and rooted for. Because I have read just about every single one of your books I know to go into your novels not trusting a soul, but I will admit the twist took me by surprise in this one. The explanations for how everything panned out was PHENOMENALLY DIABOLICAL especially the epilogues from everyone. But it is indeed a popcorn thriller so I’m going to accept the nonsensical-ness of it all!
I must say again I enjoyed the writing in this one. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators did a wonderful job, it was truly a one sit listen and that’s something us book readers can all agree that you are able to achieve. It was a wild, fast paced, dramatic read and I am excited to read what you put out next…
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⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
Debbie is losing it!!
Freida is losing it!!
We are losing it!!
😭🥵😭🥵😭🥵😭
Dear Debbie,
You are indeed that bitch! Your personality and unhinged ways carried this book, and I truly enjoyed reading through it! Your advice column had me howling, because I know a lot of women would really want to act out the not so nice options you advised them if all else failed. I feel sorry for the people who ever encounter you and don’t treat you with the respect you deserve because I know their comeuppance won’t be pretty. You had me laughing, you had me in shock, you really put the MAMA in Mama Bear, and I commend you on your zero fucks given attitude!
Ms Frieda McFadden… touché!! You gave me an entertaining, suspend your disbelief to the cows come home novel and I’m not mad at it! You made Debbie relatable in a crazy unhinged way and it was enjoyable following a protagonist in your book that I actually liked and rooted for. Because I have read just about every single one of your books I know to go into your novels not trusting a soul, but I will admit the twist took me by surprise in this one. The explanations for how everything panned out was PHENOMENALLY DIABOLICAL especially the epilogues from everyone. But it is indeed a popcorn thriller so I’m going to accept the nonsensical-ness of it all!
I must say again I enjoyed the writing in this one. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators did a wonderful job, it was truly a one sit listen and that’s something us book readers can all agree that you are able to achieve. It was a wild, fast paced, dramatic read and I am excited to read what you put out next…
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
Debbie is losing it!!
Freida is losing it!!
We are losing it!!
😭🥵😭🥵😭🥵😭
July 25, 2025
5⭐️- What in the Desperate Housewives meets unfiltered female rage did I just read?! 😳🔥🍷 Because WOW.
I can confidently say this is Freida McFadden’s best book to date 🏆📚✨ I finished it in one sitting because putting it down was simply not an option 😮💨🛋️📖
The writing is addictive, sharp, and relentless 💉✍️⚡ Debbie as a character is completely unhinged but somehow grounded enough to feel disturbingly real 😈🧠👀 A menace. An icon. A walking red flag 🚩💅🔥
And the twists. THE TWISTS. 🤯😵💫💥 Some of Freida’s more recent books played it a little safe, but not this one 😌🔪 🪤 You will NEVER see them coming. 🌀😱
What truly surprised me is how mature and emotionally impactful this book feels 🖤🥀💭 Beneath the chaos and madness, there’s something genuinely moving here, layered with anger, vulnerability, and deliciously dark humour 😤💔😏
If I had to sum up my experience in one sentence, it would be this: we support women’s rights, but even more importantly, we support women’s wrongs 💅🔥👑
_________________________
Pre-Read:
“Freida, honey, you write like you got a deal with the devil and a sponsorship with Red Bull. It’s giving fast fashion but for thrillers.” Said whilst adding it to his TBR!! 🤣
I can confidently say this is Freida McFadden’s best book to date 🏆📚✨ I finished it in one sitting because putting it down was simply not an option 😮💨🛋️📖
The writing is addictive, sharp, and relentless 💉✍️⚡ Debbie as a character is completely unhinged but somehow grounded enough to feel disturbingly real 😈🧠👀 A menace. An icon. A walking red flag 🚩💅🔥
And the twists. THE TWISTS. 🤯😵💫💥 Some of Freida’s more recent books played it a little safe, but not this one 😌🔪 🪤 You will NEVER see them coming. 🌀😱
What truly surprised me is how mature and emotionally impactful this book feels 🖤🥀💭 Beneath the chaos and madness, there’s something genuinely moving here, layered with anger, vulnerability, and deliciously dark humour 😤💔😏
If I had to sum up my experience in one sentence, it would be this: we support women’s rights, but even more importantly, we support women’s wrongs 💅🔥👑
_________________________
Pre-Read:
“Freida, honey, you write like you got a deal with the devil and a sponsorship with Red Bull. It’s giving fast fashion but for thrillers.” Said whilst adding it to his TBR!! 🤣
July 25, 2025
someone book miss Freida a flight to the Bahamas because my girl needs a vacation
July 25, 2025
women in male dominated fields
February 5, 2026
Everyone in this book needs therapy.
Want to Read
January 21, 2026Not me adding this to my tbr after giving the past 6 Freida books 1,2 or 3 stars
February 10, 2026
I honestly wish Freida McFadden would release a new book every single week so my entire year could be brighter, twistier, smarter—and most importantly, endlessly entertaining—just like her unputdownable, incredibly addictive writing. Who am I kidding? Even if she released a book a day, I’d still struggle to keep up with the pace at which I devour them. Thankfully, she’s basically a writing machine and releases around three books a year… but is that enough?
No. Never. Absolutely not.
I know it’s early in the year, but I’m calling it now: when the Goodreads Choice Awards roll around—whether in the thriller category or any mystery-related award—this book already has my vote. It’s a more-than-five-stars read for me. And I’d also like to officially award myself a trophy for “Most Paranoid Twist-Catcher,” because for the first time ever while reading a McFadden book, I guessed all the twists… including the biggest one in the final third.
Yes, I shocked myself.
Clearly my McFadden Spidey senses have evolved. Since The Teacher-which had one of the most jaw-dropping, absolutely unforeseeable twists ever—I’ve trained myself to stay alert while reading her books. Honestly, I should thank her for providing the most entertaining form of brain exercise imaginable.
Now, let’s talk about this book—because it is unhinged in the best possible way.
One of the most common criticisms of McFadden’s books is the perceived naïveté of some of her characters. Some readers practically scream at the women in their reviews. (Side note: I will forever defend book-version Millie from The Housemaid—less… anatomy, more heart.)
But Debbie? Oh no. Debbie is a different beast.
Debbie is brilliant. A literal genius with a 178 IQ. She designs apps, left MIT for mysterious reasons, writes a popular advice column as Dear Debbie—empowering women with sharp, no-nonsense relationship advice—and balances all of this while being a stay-at-home mom to two teenagers in her early forties, plus a freelance writing career.
What no one seems to realize, though, is that Debbie can snap. When she witnesses injustice, something inside her ignites. Call it karma, call it vigilantism—but without a silly costume, Debbie delivers her own brand of justice to protect the people she loves.
And trust me… she’s about to explode.
Debbie is fuming—practically breathing fire like a Targaryen dragon. It all begins with the cancellation of her interview with a gardening magazine. She’s worked tirelessly to create a pastoral paradise in her backyard, only for her sneaky neighbor to steal her spotlight by secretly advertising her roses behind her back. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
She despises her daughter Lexi’s boyfriend, who not only empties their fridge but also their liquor cabinet. Her younger daughter Izzy is depressed after quitting soccer—could it have something to do with her creepy coach, rumored to be a peeping Tom lurking around the girls’ showers? Her husband is hiding something big… and yes, it might involve another woman. And then there’s Harley, her new gym friend, who seems way too invested in Debbie’s personal life. What are her real intentions?
But when an unexpected final crisis hits, Debbie completely unravels.
Twenty years ago, something happened to her—something she chose to ignore, to let slide. But she’s done playing the nice, agreeable housewife. Enough is enough. It’s time to take matters into her own hands.
Because nobody messes with our girl.
Bring it on, Debbie.
I don’t say this lightly, but Debbie might just be my favorite character Freida McFadden has ever created. Sorry, Millie—you’re iconic and unhinged in your own right, but Debbie is on another level. Wilder. Smarter. Even more dangerous. And that’s exactly why I loved her more.
This is my favorite thriller of the year so far. I had an amazing time reading it. I full-on villain-laughed out loud every time Debbie unleashed another vigilante move. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
Absolute perfection.
My ideal popcorn-and-Cabernet read. 🍿🍷
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No. Never. Absolutely not.
I know it’s early in the year, but I’m calling it now: when the Goodreads Choice Awards roll around—whether in the thriller category or any mystery-related award—this book already has my vote. It’s a more-than-five-stars read for me. And I’d also like to officially award myself a trophy for “Most Paranoid Twist-Catcher,” because for the first time ever while reading a McFadden book, I guessed all the twists… including the biggest one in the final third.
Yes, I shocked myself.
Clearly my McFadden Spidey senses have evolved. Since The Teacher-which had one of the most jaw-dropping, absolutely unforeseeable twists ever—I’ve trained myself to stay alert while reading her books. Honestly, I should thank her for providing the most entertaining form of brain exercise imaginable.
Now, let’s talk about this book—because it is unhinged in the best possible way.
One of the most common criticisms of McFadden’s books is the perceived naïveté of some of her characters. Some readers practically scream at the women in their reviews. (Side note: I will forever defend book-version Millie from The Housemaid—less… anatomy, more heart.)
But Debbie? Oh no. Debbie is a different beast.
Debbie is brilliant. A literal genius with a 178 IQ. She designs apps, left MIT for mysterious reasons, writes a popular advice column as Dear Debbie—empowering women with sharp, no-nonsense relationship advice—and balances all of this while being a stay-at-home mom to two teenagers in her early forties, plus a freelance writing career.
What no one seems to realize, though, is that Debbie can snap. When she witnesses injustice, something inside her ignites. Call it karma, call it vigilantism—but without a silly costume, Debbie delivers her own brand of justice to protect the people she loves.
And trust me… she’s about to explode.
Debbie is fuming—practically breathing fire like a Targaryen dragon. It all begins with the cancellation of her interview with a gardening magazine. She’s worked tirelessly to create a pastoral paradise in her backyard, only for her sneaky neighbor to steal her spotlight by secretly advertising her roses behind her back. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
She despises her daughter Lexi’s boyfriend, who not only empties their fridge but also their liquor cabinet. Her younger daughter Izzy is depressed after quitting soccer—could it have something to do with her creepy coach, rumored to be a peeping Tom lurking around the girls’ showers? Her husband is hiding something big… and yes, it might involve another woman. And then there’s Harley, her new gym friend, who seems way too invested in Debbie’s personal life. What are her real intentions?
But when an unexpected final crisis hits, Debbie completely unravels.
Twenty years ago, something happened to her—something she chose to ignore, to let slide. But she’s done playing the nice, agreeable housewife. Enough is enough. It’s time to take matters into her own hands.
Because nobody messes with our girl.
Bring it on, Debbie.
I don’t say this lightly, but Debbie might just be my favorite character Freida McFadden has ever created. Sorry, Millie—you’re iconic and unhinged in your own right, but Debbie is on another level. Wilder. Smarter. Even more dangerous. And that’s exactly why I loved her more.
This is my favorite thriller of the year so far. I had an amazing time reading it. I full-on villain-laughed out loud every time Debbie unleashed another vigilante move. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
Absolute perfection.
My ideal popcorn-and-Cabernet read. 🍿🍷
medium blog
February 3, 2026
If I had been in my luteal phase, I probably would’ve hated this 🏃🏻♀️💨
February 4, 2026
I didn’t mind this one! It didn’t necessarily blow me away but I enjoyed myself and Debbie’s POV. I felt like her writing was better in this one too. Solid 3 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden
This story was so entertaining and I feel bad for being entertained because it's also so wickedly evil. If you ever need help, write to Dear Debbie. She'll have to be diplomatic in her official letters but she has a secret file where she writes what you should really do if someone is giving you grief and the grief-maker just might not live through her advice.
While Debbie can dole out the advice, her life at home isn't running so smoothly. Her husband seems to keeping secrets and her daughters seem to think Debbie's ideas are at the bottom of the trash heap. She's not even allowed to talk to her oldest daughter, talk about losing control of a parent/child relationship. And, on top of everything, Debbie has just lost her job which doesn't mesh well with whatever is going on with her husband.
I can see Debbie, running amok and killing people decades from now, in some nursing home. She's that kind of character, always thinking, always scheming, always plotting, and everyone had better beware. This was a fun time while watching from afar (the other side of my Kindle).
Pub January 27, 2026
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Edelweiss for this ARC
This story was so entertaining and I feel bad for being entertained because it's also so wickedly evil. If you ever need help, write to Dear Debbie. She'll have to be diplomatic in her official letters but she has a secret file where she writes what you should really do if someone is giving you grief and the grief-maker just might not live through her advice.
While Debbie can dole out the advice, her life at home isn't running so smoothly. Her husband seems to keeping secrets and her daughters seem to think Debbie's ideas are at the bottom of the trash heap. She's not even allowed to talk to her oldest daughter, talk about losing control of a parent/child relationship. And, on top of everything, Debbie has just lost her job which doesn't mesh well with whatever is going on with her husband.
I can see Debbie, running amok and killing people decades from now, in some nursing home. She's that kind of character, always thinking, always scheming, always plotting, and everyone had better beware. This was a fun time while watching from afar (the other side of my Kindle).
Pub January 27, 2026
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Edelweiss for this ARC
February 7, 2026
4/5 ★
Dear Debby,
You are truly unhinged, but everyone will get why after reading this addictive, at times emotional revenge thriller.
Sincerely,
A Reader Who Couldn’t Look Away
In Dear Debbie, advice columnist Debbie Mullen is pushed to her breaking point when she loses her job and begins to suspect her husband is keeping secrets. As her life continues to collapse around her, Debbie stops trying to be the “bigger person” and decides it’s finally time to take her own advice and deliver payback to those who deserve it most.
I really liked this one! This is definitely going to be a hit with Freida McFadden fans. I’ve read so many of her books now I couldn’t even list them all, and she never misses for me (aside from The Crash last year).
This one had an extra layer that genuinely surprised me, compared to other Freida books I’ve read. Beyond the twists, deception, and absolutely unhinged characters, there was real heart here, and I found myself truly caring about Debbie and her family. Freida did an excellent job creating characters that felt believable and relatable to everyday families… just significantly more reckless. I especially loved the dynamic between Debbie and her teen daughters. Their comments toward her were hilarious and so real.
Debbie was easily the standout of the book, and she’s the kind of main character you won’t forget. She even reminded me a bit of the protagonist in Best Offer Wins (4.5 ★). I’m starting to love thrillers with characters who really go there and don’t hold back.
Like all of Freida’s books, this one is incredibly fast-paced and easy to sink into. The pages absolutely flew for me. I went into it while at the start of a reading slump, and once again she pulled me right out of it.
I don’t really have any major complaints. It wasn’t quite a five star read for me, but it was certainly entertaining.
I definitely recommend it!
—
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Dear Debby,
You are truly unhinged, but everyone will get why after reading this addictive, at times emotional revenge thriller.
Sincerely,
A Reader Who Couldn’t Look Away
In Dear Debbie, advice columnist Debbie Mullen is pushed to her breaking point when she loses her job and begins to suspect her husband is keeping secrets. As her life continues to collapse around her, Debbie stops trying to be the “bigger person” and decides it’s finally time to take her own advice and deliver payback to those who deserve it most.
I really liked this one! This is definitely going to be a hit with Freida McFadden fans. I’ve read so many of her books now I couldn’t even list them all, and she never misses for me (aside from The Crash last year).
This one had an extra layer that genuinely surprised me, compared to other Freida books I’ve read. Beyond the twists, deception, and absolutely unhinged characters, there was real heart here, and I found myself truly caring about Debbie and her family. Freida did an excellent job creating characters that felt believable and relatable to everyday families… just significantly more reckless. I especially loved the dynamic between Debbie and her teen daughters. Their comments toward her were hilarious and so real.
Debbie was easily the standout of the book, and she’s the kind of main character you won’t forget. She even reminded me a bit of the protagonist in Best Offer Wins (4.5 ★). I’m starting to love thrillers with characters who really go there and don’t hold back.
Like all of Freida’s books, this one is incredibly fast-paced and easy to sink into. The pages absolutely flew for me. I went into it while at the start of a reading slump, and once again she pulled me right out of it.
I don’t really have any major complaints. It wasn’t quite a five star read for me, but it was certainly entertaining.
I definitely recommend it!
—
Follow my Bookstagram for all the latest thriller and horror news, tons of recommendations, giveaways, and more!
instagram.com/joshxreads
February 19, 2026
3.5 crazy train ⭐️
I switched up my usual chore listening this past weekend and, instead of reaching for smut, I opted for this popcorn thriller instead. 🍿👀
I’ve only read a handful of Freida McFadden’s books, and while they always keep me entertained and flying through the pages, there’s something that keeps me from rating them higher. Usually it’s the clueless FMCs and the frustratingly silly decisions they make, but thankfully that wasn’t the case with Debbie.
Debbie is completely unhinged, boasting an IQ of 178 and a firm belief in karma and revenge. I found myself laughing, probably inappropriately, at the dark humor woven throughout the story. It was undeniably fun for a while, but by the end, that initial enjoyment started to wear thin and I found myself ready for it to wrap up.
At this point, I know exactly what I’m getting with her books: a fast paced, propulsive read that doesn’t demand much brainpower but does require a hefty suspension of disbelief.
The narration by Julia Whelan, January LaVoy, and Scott Brick was perfection as always.
I switched up my usual chore listening this past weekend and, instead of reaching for smut, I opted for this popcorn thriller instead. 🍿👀
I’ve only read a handful of Freida McFadden’s books, and while they always keep me entertained and flying through the pages, there’s something that keeps me from rating them higher. Usually it’s the clueless FMCs and the frustratingly silly decisions they make, but thankfully that wasn’t the case with Debbie.
Debbie is completely unhinged, boasting an IQ of 178 and a firm belief in karma and revenge. I found myself laughing, probably inappropriately, at the dark humor woven throughout the story. It was undeniably fun for a while, but by the end, that initial enjoyment started to wear thin and I found myself ready for it to wrap up.
At this point, I know exactly what I’m getting with her books: a fast paced, propulsive read that doesn’t demand much brainpower but does require a hefty suspension of disbelief.
The narration by Julia Whelan, January LaVoy, and Scott Brick was perfection as always.
February 9, 2026
3.5 Stars rounded up!
I don’t typically reach for Freida McFadden expecting nuance — the twists can be wild and the female leads sometimes make choices that have me side-eyeing the page.
But Debbie? Debbie came to play. 🤺
She’s sneaky in the best way. Cool under pressure. Handling business with ease while everyone else is fumbling. No panic. No sloppy mistakes. Just calculated moves and quiet confidence. I was fully invested, silently cheering her on.
Over-the-top? Sure.
Entertaining? Very.
Debbie had swag 💁🏻♀️ — and that made all the difference for me.
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
*
*
*
3.5 stars rounded up. Debbie was an unhinged bad ass. Full RTC
Something quick on audio while working. 🤞🏻
I don’t typically reach for Freida McFadden expecting nuance — the twists can be wild and the female leads sometimes make choices that have me side-eyeing the page.
But Debbie? Debbie came to play. 🤺
She’s sneaky in the best way. Cool under pressure. Handling business with ease while everyone else is fumbling. No panic. No sloppy mistakes. Just calculated moves and quiet confidence. I was fully invested, silently cheering her on.
Over-the-top? Sure.
Entertaining? Very.
Debbie had swag 💁🏻♀️ — and that made all the difference for me.
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
*
*
*
3.5 stars rounded up. Debbie was an unhinged bad ass. Full RTC
Something quick on audio while working. 🤞🏻
January 27, 2026
My first Freida McFadden — and I’m enthralled! I was initially skeptical about starting this as I’d seen many mixed reviews of her prior books, but I’m pleased to say I don’t regret picking this up. However, one thing I struggled with the most is the narration style — it remained my least favorite aspect of the narrative, with the first 30% feeling somewhat dull. Still, I eventually warmed up to it.
The trajectory of the story is also quite exciting with Debbie constantly on her ominous excursions. There’s nothing better than a good plot twist in a thriller, and Dear Debbie certainly delivered. And I’ll be frank, I did not see it coming. Freida does an excellent job of keeping the eventual calamity hidden, making the revelation all the more shocking.
While some elements fell short, the escalating tension kept me on edge. The selfish temperaments of all three characters are also unmistakable, but don’t fret, their unlikable traits are fully explained in the revelation at the end.
Beyond the thrilling moments, I found Debbie’s dynamic with her teenage daughters deeply relatable, especially given the fact that one of them is the same age as me. This connection made the reading experience even more potent. Perhaps the reason why I enjoyed this so much is by this very emotional pull to the characters. While not an entirely perfect read, I must admit that this was a great introduction to Freida's books.
4 stars
The trajectory of the story is also quite exciting with Debbie constantly on her ominous excursions. There’s nothing better than a good plot twist in a thriller, and Dear Debbie certainly delivered. And I’ll be frank, I did not see it coming. Freida does an excellent job of keeping the eventual calamity hidden, making the revelation all the more shocking.
While some elements fell short, the escalating tension kept me on edge. The selfish temperaments of all three characters are also unmistakable, but don’t fret, their unlikable traits are fully explained in the revelation at the end.
Beyond the thrilling moments, I found Debbie’s dynamic with her teenage daughters deeply relatable, especially given the fact that one of them is the same age as me. This connection made the reading experience even more potent. Perhaps the reason why I enjoyed this so much is by this very emotional pull to the characters. While not an entirely perfect read, I must admit that this was a great introduction to Freida's books.
4 stars
December 8, 2025
4.5
This was my favorite from the author so far! Debbie was completely unhinged in the best way! 😲
I love a revenge story and Debbie is the Queen of Karma! 👑 Don't cross Debbie!
Debbie writes an advice column for a local family oriented newspaper. People send in questions seeking Debbie's wisdom. Lately, she hasn't been holding back. She may even begin taking her own advice because well, things have gotten out of hand.
I think fans of Freida will love it! Her signature exaggeration plays well with this plot! I had to keep saying to myself, "Oh no she didn't"! The ending also played well! Hoping for a Debbie sequel. 🤞
This was a buddy read with Kaceey and we both flew through it!
Thanks to EW and the publisher for my ARC. Comes out Jan 26, 2026
This was my favorite from the author so far! Debbie was completely unhinged in the best way! 😲
I love a revenge story and Debbie is the Queen of Karma! 👑 Don't cross Debbie!
Debbie writes an advice column for a local family oriented newspaper. People send in questions seeking Debbie's wisdom. Lately, she hasn't been holding back. She may even begin taking her own advice because well, things have gotten out of hand.
I think fans of Freida will love it! Her signature exaggeration plays well with this plot! I had to keep saying to myself, "Oh no she didn't"! The ending also played well! Hoping for a Debbie sequel. 🤞
This was a buddy read with Kaceey and we both flew through it!
Thanks to EW and the publisher for my ARC. Comes out Jan 26, 2026
January 31, 2026
Freida is a hit or miss author for me, and finally I was blown away. Debbie was smart and devious, but her motivation made sense so I found myself following her slightly off-kilter moral compass. As ever, the pace was fast, there was a twist that I actually found interesting and justice was served.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
FUN! 🍿
She sees them while they’re sleeping..she knows when they’re awake..
Diabolical Debbie Mullen is a loving mother and a doting wife, who keeps tabs on her family-with their permission-on the phone APP she designed called Findly.
She also writes an advice column aptly called “Dear Debbie” doling out UNCONVENTIONAL advice to New England wives who feel unappreciated by their husbands…(hilarious excerpts from these letters interspersed throughout)
But, it’s finally time to heed her own counsel…
It’s PAYBACK time for anyone and EVERYONE who has wronged her, or her family.
NO EXCEPTIONS
I was an outlier for “The Housemaid” finding it too OTT for my personal taste, but I have enjoyed some of the author’s short stories so when I was offered this book from the Publisher through Edelweiss, I decided to give this full length novel a try.
Did I find everything plausible? No, but I was entertained from the first page and I never lost interest!
The “Dear Debbie” column was an irresistible premise and those were some of my favorite chapters, but I admit I was completely SURPRISED by one of the other reveals too!
I also loved learning that Freida McFadden will always provide trigger warnings even though they might be spoilers, for sensitive readers and that her books will never have graphic descriptions of violence or SPICE. That is something that I am 100% onboard with.
NOW AVAILABLE!
Thank You to Poisoned Pen Press and Edelweiss for the ARC. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
She sees them while they’re sleeping..she knows when they’re awake..
Diabolical Debbie Mullen is a loving mother and a doting wife, who keeps tabs on her family-with their permission-on the phone APP she designed called Findly.
She also writes an advice column aptly called “Dear Debbie” doling out UNCONVENTIONAL advice to New England wives who feel unappreciated by their husbands…(hilarious excerpts from these letters interspersed throughout)
But, it’s finally time to heed her own counsel…
It’s PAYBACK time for anyone and EVERYONE who has wronged her, or her family.
NO EXCEPTIONS
I was an outlier for “The Housemaid” finding it too OTT for my personal taste, but I have enjoyed some of the author’s short stories so when I was offered this book from the Publisher through Edelweiss, I decided to give this full length novel a try.
Did I find everything plausible? No, but I was entertained from the first page and I never lost interest!
The “Dear Debbie” column was an irresistible premise and those were some of my favorite chapters, but I admit I was completely SURPRISED by one of the other reveals too!
I also loved learning that Freida McFadden will always provide trigger warnings even though they might be spoilers, for sensitive readers and that her books will never have graphic descriptions of violence or SPICE. That is something that I am 100% onboard with.
NOW AVAILABLE!
Thank You to Poisoned Pen Press and Edelweiss for the ARC. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
September 4, 2025
#women in male dominated fields. 🤍
Want to Read
February 1, 2026Dnf @20% this is not what I’m looking for right now 😔😔
November 5, 2025
⤿ rating: 2 stars
⤿ age: 18+
⤿ spice: none
₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ Review will contain a minor spoiler.
══⋆⋅☆⋅⋆══╡ Overview: ╞══⋆⋅☆⋅⋆══
Please don't mind how boring this review looks. I'm too lazy to write a long one, and I'd rather not waste my time anymore on this book.
This was very mid and boring. It was enjoyable at times, but it wasn't catching my interest as much. However, the plot twist made my jaw drop. I dropped my rating from three stars to two, because it doesn't deserve that much.
As usual, like every thriller I've read, the characters pissed me off, and I'm so glad they had this ending. I love seeing bad people get what they deserve.
══⋆⋅☆⋅⋆══╡ Characters: ╞══⋆⋅☆⋅⋆══
જ⁀➴ Debbie and Cooper: I support women's rights and women's wrongs. I loved seeing her kickass. I was skeptical of Connor at first, and I hated him, but I'm glad he turned out to not be a shitty husband.
જ⁀➴ Lexi and Izzy: They would NOT survive Arab parents.
જ⁀➴ Harley and Hutch: I hope they both rot in hell.
── .✦ 𝓕𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼: Overall, this was fine, I suppose. I think it worsened my slump.
«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺ Pre-read: ༻ *ੈ✩‧₊˚
I read a lot of books by Freida, and I wasn't a fan of most of them, honestly. However, her books are quick and great for a reading goal, which is why I read them 😂. Also, I'm unable to read anything at the moment, so I hope this helps!
✄┈┈┈┈┈┈
Plot twist: Ali Hazelwood and Freida McFadden are the same person.
⤿ age: 18+
⤿ spice: none
₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ Review will contain a minor spoiler.
══⋆⋅☆⋅⋆══╡ Overview: ╞══⋆⋅☆⋅⋆══
Please don't mind how boring this review looks. I'm too lazy to write a long one, and I'd rather not waste my time anymore on this book.
This was very mid and boring. It was enjoyable at times, but it wasn't catching my interest as much. However, the plot twist made my jaw drop. I dropped my rating from three stars to two, because it doesn't deserve that much.
As usual, like every thriller I've read, the characters pissed me off, and I'm so glad they had this ending. I love seeing bad people get what they deserve.
══⋆⋅☆⋅⋆══╡ Characters: ╞══⋆⋅☆⋅⋆══
જ⁀➴ Debbie and Cooper: I support women's rights and women's wrongs. I loved seeing her kickass. I was skeptical of Connor at first, and I hated him, but I'm glad he turned out to not be a shitty husband.
જ⁀➴ Lexi and Izzy: They would NOT survive Arab parents.
જ⁀➴ Harley and Hutch: I hope they both rot in hell.
── .✦ 𝓕𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼: Overall, this was fine, I suppose. I think it worsened my slump.
«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺ Pre-read: ༻ *ੈ✩‧₊˚
I read a lot of books by Freida, and I wasn't a fan of most of them, honestly. However, her books are quick and great for a reading goal, which is why I read them 😂. Also, I'm unable to read anything at the moment, so I hope this helps!
✄┈┈┈┈┈┈
Plot twist: Ali Hazelwood and Freida McFadden are the same person.
March 25, 2026
Suburban housewife finally cracks. Those are the vibes and i LOVED THEM. I love women. One of my favorite Freida books now!
July 25, 2025
Another day, another Freida McFadden read finished — and to my genuine surprise, I actually liked this one(don't mind the 3 star rating, it's a good version of it this time🫠). It’s easily one of her stronger recent releases. While it may not rank among my all-time favorites, it also wasn’t a frustrating waste of time, which, if you read enough thrillers, feels like a win.
One of the standout elements for me was the advice column format woven throughout the story. Those sections were engaging and added an extra layer of intrigue that kept me invested. I experienced this book via audiobook and honestly, that format probably saved me from abandoning it during slower stretches. The pacing swings between gripping and sluggish. Moments of real curiosity are followed by chapters that stall the momentum, creating a reading experience that feels both compelling and tedious.
A major win here: I genuinely enjoyed the female main character. That alone feels noteworthy, since her heroines often irritate me. This one was fun, sharp, and delightfully unhinged in a way that made her fascinating to follow. She may rank among my favorites to date and is absolutely the type of person you would not want to cross. Let’s just say karma plays a memorable role...💀🙈.
That said, there are moments later in the book that could have been handled with more nuance and care. Some developments feel rushed, and the novel occasionally overstays its welcome. Some moments that could've and should've been handled with more care and better worded than they were. A handful of chapters could have been chopped without losing anything essential.
As for the twists, they are unmistakably her style: bold, slightly outlandish, and requiring a healthy suspension of disbelief. Not the strongest reveals, but far from the weakest — very much a “just go with it” experience. Ultimately, the writing feels stronger than in some of her other recent works, which elevates the entire book. And in a rare turn for me, the epilogues were a highlight rather than an afterthought, providing a satisfying close instead of a coin toss.
Not perfect and not top-tier, but a solid, entertaining thriller that proves she still knows how to keep readers hooked, even when the ride gets a little uneven.
...
it's timeeee😤 let's see how this goes !!
debbie’s losing it, i’m losing it, we’re all losing it. freida, please. let’s just spiral on into january..😩🫠
One of the standout elements for me was the advice column format woven throughout the story. Those sections were engaging and added an extra layer of intrigue that kept me invested. I experienced this book via audiobook and honestly, that format probably saved me from abandoning it during slower stretches. The pacing swings between gripping and sluggish. Moments of real curiosity are followed by chapters that stall the momentum, creating a reading experience that feels both compelling and tedious.
A major win here: I genuinely enjoyed the female main character. That alone feels noteworthy, since her heroines often irritate me. This one was fun, sharp, and delightfully unhinged in a way that made her fascinating to follow. She may rank among my favorites to date and is absolutely the type of person you would not want to cross. Let’s just say karma plays a memorable role...💀🙈.
That said, there are moments later in the book that could have been handled with more nuance and care. Some developments feel rushed, and the novel occasionally overstays its welcome. Some moments that could've and should've been handled with more care and better worded than they were. A handful of chapters could have been chopped without losing anything essential.
As for the twists, they are unmistakably her style: bold, slightly outlandish, and requiring a healthy suspension of disbelief. Not the strongest reveals, but far from the weakest — very much a “just go with it” experience. Ultimately, the writing feels stronger than in some of her other recent works, which elevates the entire book. And in a rare turn for me, the epilogues were a highlight rather than an afterthought, providing a satisfying close instead of a coin toss.
Not perfect and not top-tier, but a solid, entertaining thriller that proves she still knows how to keep readers hooked, even when the ride gets a little uneven.
...
it's timeeee😤 let's see how this goes !!
debbie’s losing it, i’m losing it, we’re all losing it. freida, please. let’s just spiral on into january..😩🫠
December 27, 2025
Holy Shooty Balls this one owned me! Viciously satisfying, darkly funny, & jaw dropping from start to finish!
Right away, there was this electric feeling that told me I was in the hands of a thriller that knew exactly what it was doing. Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden is a domestic thriller with claws and unapologetic energy that hooked me completely. I tore through all of it. Debbie kept my devoted interest from start to finish. The voice, the pace, the everything. I devoured it. The excerpts from the Dear Debbie column? I laughed out loud. Absolutely bingeable. And the fact that this is my very first Freida McFadden? I do not know what the heck I was waiting for.
Key Thoughts
📖 Pacing that never dipped. The chapters snapped forward with that addictive must keep reading momentum.
👀 Debbie. Debbie. Debbie. An all time favourite character for me. Her momma bear ferocity, her flaws, and that one moment that had both our hackles raised. I felt every beat of her.
💭 A wicked blend of humour and righteous fury. This is a story fuelled by women pushed past the edge and deciding enough is enough.
🏡 The setting gave me that creeping tension where everything looks perfect on the surface but you can feel something unsettling in the air just beneath it.
🧩 The twists were paced like detonations. One in particular shifted the entire landscape of the story with a single line. I sat back and just said wow.
This book completely wowed me. I am sitting here after finishing and I feel energized by what Freida McFadden just delivered. I am so glad I went in blind and let it hit me exactly the way it wanted to.
Anticipated publication date: January 27, 2026
Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press for offering me this DRC which I received via Edelweiss+.
Right away, there was this electric feeling that told me I was in the hands of a thriller that knew exactly what it was doing. Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden is a domestic thriller with claws and unapologetic energy that hooked me completely. I tore through all of it. Debbie kept my devoted interest from start to finish. The voice, the pace, the everything. I devoured it. The excerpts from the Dear Debbie column? I laughed out loud. Absolutely bingeable. And the fact that this is my very first Freida McFadden? I do not know what the heck I was waiting for.
Key Thoughts
📖 Pacing that never dipped. The chapters snapped forward with that addictive must keep reading momentum.
👀 Debbie. Debbie. Debbie. An all time favourite character for me. Her momma bear ferocity, her flaws, and that one moment that had both our hackles raised. I felt every beat of her.
💭 A wicked blend of humour and righteous fury. This is a story fuelled by women pushed past the edge and deciding enough is enough.
🏡 The setting gave me that creeping tension where everything looks perfect on the surface but you can feel something unsettling in the air just beneath it.
🧩 The twists were paced like detonations. One in particular shifted the entire landscape of the story with a single line. I sat back and just said wow.
This book completely wowed me. I am sitting here after finishing and I feel energized by what Freida McFadden just delivered. I am so glad I went in blind and let it hit me exactly the way it wanted to.
Anticipated publication date: January 27, 2026
Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press for offering me this DRC which I received via Edelweiss+.
January 30, 2026
i’m covinced Freida gave Debbie a 178 IQ because we called her fmcs stupid.
⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹
ᝰ ⋆ ── preread ✶
i always fall for it 🤠 hopefully this one isn't as disappointing as her last releases 🤞🏻
— buddy reading with my beautiful bsf mads (she already finished) 🤍 i adore reading the most outrageous books with you 😭 my partner in crime forever 🫂
⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹
ᝰ ⋆ ── preread ✶
i always fall for it 🤠 hopefully this one isn't as disappointing as her last releases 🤞🏻
— buddy reading with my beautiful bsf mads (she already finished) 🤍 i adore reading the most outrageous books with you 😭 my partner in crime forever 🫂
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This is an unusual thriller. Debbie Mullen is, to all appearances, an ordinary homemaker with a husband and two children. She has a part time job writing an advice column for the local newspaper. But then her life spins out of control. Her boss fires her and her husband quits his job when he is denied partner status at his accounting firm. In addition, her older daughter is being blackmailed by her boyfriend, who has nude photos of her.
Debbie and her husband, Cooper, both have secrets which come to light in the book. Debbie decides to take control of her life with unexpected results. If you have ever daydreamed about taking revenge on the people that have wronged you, you will love this book.
One quote from the author, at the beginning of the book: "Even though my books are thrillers, a genre that traditionally has dark elements, I do my best to keep them as family friendly as I possibly can. You're not going to find any graphic scenes of violence or S-E-X."
I rate this book a solid 4 stars.
Thank you Lauren Klouda from Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen Press for sending this eARC through Edelweiss+.
On Sale Date: Jan 27, 2026
Debbie and her husband, Cooper, both have secrets which come to light in the book. Debbie decides to take control of her life with unexpected results. If you have ever daydreamed about taking revenge on the people that have wronged you, you will love this book.
One quote from the author, at the beginning of the book: "Even though my books are thrillers, a genre that traditionally has dark elements, I do my best to keep them as family friendly as I possibly can. You're not going to find any graphic scenes of violence or S-E-X."
I rate this book a solid 4 stars.
Thank you Lauren Klouda from Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen Press for sending this eARC through Edelweiss+.
On Sale Date: Jan 27, 2026
April 2, 2026
3.5 stars—- I’m sorry. …I was sick of reading dull, slow-paced (so called) thrillers and I relapsed. Yes, I turned to my old friend Freida for comfort and she didn’t disappoint. However, I now must enter rehab and return to stuffy, overhyped authors that never deliver the type of fast paced, thrill-rides that Freida does. Freida McFadden is great as a change of pace,don’t think about the inconsistencies, ridiculous plot twists that would never happen thriller writer … and I do mean THRILLER WRITER. “Dear Debbie” = expectations exceeded. Truthfully, Ms. McFadden has a gift of writing in such a relatable, easy to read manner that most of the books I’ve read of her’s I’ve thoroughly enjoyed (as long as I don’t over analyze). “Dear Debbie” tells the story of Debbie, her husband and two daughters who live a normal life in a normal neighborhood. Everything seems to be going great for Debbie and company until life happens and events don’t go the way Debbie thinks they should. When that happens, Debbie comes up with some creative solutions to change things up or get revenge in some of the more creative ways I have read. As the story progresses, Debbie’s methods get darker and the book takes some twists and turns that are unpredictable and absurd. I had to tell myself to not overthink it (or even to think at all)or it would ruin the momentum and fun. I definitely enjoyed the book — even the extreme twists and turns that would have had no chance of happening as written. I guess my willingness to overlook these type of problems tells you that the book delivered what I was looking for: a fun, interesting read that I could sit down and not think too hard about that just flew by. Thanks Freida —I’ll see you again in about 6 months.
July 29, 2026
[3.8⭐] 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙖 𝘿𝙚𝙗𝙗𝙞𝙚 es un thriller psicológico escrito por Freida McFadden y publicado en 2026. La novela nos presenta a Debbie Mullen, una mujer que durante años ha sido la responsable de la popular columna de consejos «Querida Debbie», donde ayuda a otras mujeres a enfrentar sus problemas cotidianos con empatía y sensatez. Sin embargo, mientras intenta orientar la vida de los demás, la suya comienza a desmoronarse: pierde su trabajo, sospecha que su marido le oculta cosas y siente que sus hijas adolescentes cada vez se alejan más de ella.
Queridos lectores, me encanta Freida McFadden. Hay algo en sus libros que siempre logra atraparme, incluso cuando sé perfectamente cuál es su fórmula. Su forma de escribir es sencilla, los capítulos son muy cortos y eso hace que sus novelas se lean a una velocidad impresionante. Creo que esa capacidad de convertir una lectura en algo tan adictivo sigue siendo una de sus mayores fortalezas.
Además, cuando empiezo un libro suyo siempre tengo una expectativa muy clara: sé que en algún momento llegará un giro que me hará cuestionar todo lo que había pensado hasta ese instante. Hubo un plot twist que realmente no vi venir, me tomó completamente desprevenida y terminó siendo una de las cosas que más disfruté de la novela. Quizás no sea el giro más impactante que ha escrito la autora, pero sí consiguió sorprenderme cuando ya creía tener toda la historia resuelta.
Uno de los recursos que más me gustó fue la estructura de la narración. Los capítulos alternan entre el punto de vista de Debbie, el de su marido y los extractos de la columna "Querida Debbie". Este cambio constante hace que la lectura nunca se sienta monótona y, además, permite conocer la historia desde perspectivas muy distintas. Las cartas y las respuestas de la columna aportan un humor negro muy entretenido y funcionan como un contraste perfecto con la tensión que va creciendo en la trama.
También, disfruté la construcción del personaje de Debbie. Me pareció interesante ver cómo Freida desarrolla su evolución psicológica y cómo, poco a poco, vamos presenciando el deterioro emocional de una mujer que ha vivido intentando ser correcta, prudente y comprensiva con todos. A medida que las cosas empiezan a escaparse de su control, Debbie cambia, y aunque muchas de sus decisiones son moralmente cuestionables, nunca deja de resultar un personaje fascinante.
Debo decir que me agradó mucho la resolución de este conflicto. No crean que soy una psicópata, pero creo que todos alguna vez hemos fantaseado con que el karma llegue más rápido para ciertas personas o con hacer justicia con nuestras propias manos, aunque claramente sepamos que eso no es lo correcto. Justamente esa sensación es la que explora muy bien esta novela; Debbie lleva ese pensamiento al extremo y resulta inevitable preguntarse hasta dónde estaríamos dispuestos a llegar si nos encontráramos en una situación similar. No compartí muchas de sus acciones, pero sí entendí perfectamente de dónde nacían sus emociones.
Si tuviera que compararlo con otros libros de la autora, no diría que entra en mi top de favoritos, pero sí me pareció una de sus novelas más entretenidas de los últimos años. Tiene todos esos ingredientes que uno espera cuando toma un libro de Freida McFadden: capítulos cortos, una lectura muy ágil, personajes que esconden más de lo que aparentan, secretos, mentiras y giros inesperados que hacen que sea difícil dejar de leer.
Finalmente, puedo decir que 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙖 𝘿𝙚𝙗𝙗𝙞𝙚 es una novela que disfruté bastante y que reafirma por qué sigo leyendo a Freida McFadden cada vez que publica un libro nuevo. No me pareció perfecta ni creo que sea su mejor obra, pero sí logró engancharme desde las primeras páginas, sorprenderme con un giro que no esperaba y hacerme disfrutar de una protagonista tan perturbadora como carismática.
Queridos lectores, me encanta Freida McFadden. Hay algo en sus libros que siempre logra atraparme, incluso cuando sé perfectamente cuál es su fórmula. Su forma de escribir es sencilla, los capítulos son muy cortos y eso hace que sus novelas se lean a una velocidad impresionante. Creo que esa capacidad de convertir una lectura en algo tan adictivo sigue siendo una de sus mayores fortalezas.
Además, cuando empiezo un libro suyo siempre tengo una expectativa muy clara: sé que en algún momento llegará un giro que me hará cuestionar todo lo que había pensado hasta ese instante. Hubo un plot twist que realmente no vi venir, me tomó completamente desprevenida y terminó siendo una de las cosas que más disfruté de la novela. Quizás no sea el giro más impactante que ha escrito la autora, pero sí consiguió sorprenderme cuando ya creía tener toda la historia resuelta.
Uno de los recursos que más me gustó fue la estructura de la narración. Los capítulos alternan entre el punto de vista de Debbie, el de su marido y los extractos de la columna "Querida Debbie". Este cambio constante hace que la lectura nunca se sienta monótona y, además, permite conocer la historia desde perspectivas muy distintas. Las cartas y las respuestas de la columna aportan un humor negro muy entretenido y funcionan como un contraste perfecto con la tensión que va creciendo en la trama.
También, disfruté la construcción del personaje de Debbie. Me pareció interesante ver cómo Freida desarrolla su evolución psicológica y cómo, poco a poco, vamos presenciando el deterioro emocional de una mujer que ha vivido intentando ser correcta, prudente y comprensiva con todos. A medida que las cosas empiezan a escaparse de su control, Debbie cambia, y aunque muchas de sus decisiones son moralmente cuestionables, nunca deja de resultar un personaje fascinante.
Debo decir que me agradó mucho la resolución de este conflicto. No crean que soy una psicópata, pero creo que todos alguna vez hemos fantaseado con que el karma llegue más rápido para ciertas personas o con hacer justicia con nuestras propias manos, aunque claramente sepamos que eso no es lo correcto. Justamente esa sensación es la que explora muy bien esta novela; Debbie lleva ese pensamiento al extremo y resulta inevitable preguntarse hasta dónde estaríamos dispuestos a llegar si nos encontráramos en una situación similar. No compartí muchas de sus acciones, pero sí entendí perfectamente de dónde nacían sus emociones.
Si tuviera que compararlo con otros libros de la autora, no diría que entra en mi top de favoritos, pero sí me pareció una de sus novelas más entretenidas de los últimos años. Tiene todos esos ingredientes que uno espera cuando toma un libro de Freida McFadden: capítulos cortos, una lectura muy ágil, personajes que esconden más de lo que aparentan, secretos, mentiras y giros inesperados que hacen que sea difícil dejar de leer.
Finalmente, puedo decir que 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙖 𝘿𝙚𝙗𝙗𝙞𝙚 es una novela que disfruté bastante y que reafirma por qué sigo leyendo a Freida McFadden cada vez que publica un libro nuevo. No me pareció perfecta ni creo que sea su mejor obra, pero sí logró engancharme desde las primeras páginas, sorprenderme con un giro que no esperaba y hacerme disfrutar de una protagonista tan perturbadora como carismática.
February 2, 2026
I started this thinking: quick, fun thriller.
I ended this like: WHO CAN I EVEN TRUST ANYMORE?! 😵💫📚
This book pulls you in fast and then quietly starts messing with your head in the most delicious way. Every time I thought I had it figured out… nope. Every time I trusted someone… mistake. Every time I made a new theory… Freida laughed. 😏
Debbie is smart, bold, unintentionally hilarious, and so easy to underestimate... which makes watching everything unfold ridiculously satisfying. And the dry humor? I was actually laughing. Shmarvart took me OUT. 💀😂
The pacing is flawless. A slow psychological simmer that absolutely explodes at the end. And that ending?! Jaw. On. The. Floor. 🤯
Snarky. Twisty. Psychological. Fast-paced. Cliffhangers everywhere. Impossible to put down. 🙌
If you think you know where this story is going… you don’t. Freida did it again!
P.S. Freida… where can we download Debbie’s new app? 😉
I ended this like: WHO CAN I EVEN TRUST ANYMORE?! 😵💫📚
This book pulls you in fast and then quietly starts messing with your head in the most delicious way. Every time I thought I had it figured out… nope. Every time I trusted someone… mistake. Every time I made a new theory… Freida laughed. 😏
Debbie is smart, bold, unintentionally hilarious, and so easy to underestimate... which makes watching everything unfold ridiculously satisfying. And the dry humor? I was actually laughing. Shmarvart took me OUT. 💀😂
The pacing is flawless. A slow psychological simmer that absolutely explodes at the end. And that ending?! Jaw. On. The. Floor. 🤯
Snarky. Twisty. Psychological. Fast-paced. Cliffhangers everywhere. Impossible to put down. 🙌
If you think you know where this story is going… you don’t. Freida did it again!
P.S. Freida… where can we download Debbie’s new app? 😉
March 6, 2026
4 solid stars.
What a pleasant surprise Dear Debbie turned out to be after being more than disappointed with my last McFadden book.
This was a storyline which I could buy into and had no trouble keeping me on my toes until the very end.
Just when I thought I had it all figured out the plot thickened...and proved me completely wrong. The ending was not only shocking, but left me delighted.
If possible, listen to the audiobook. Superstar narrators Julia Whelan, January LaVoy, and Scott Brick gave me a greater understanding for the deep emotions motivating the actions in each of these dynamic characters present day life. Hearing the characters voices out loud provided me with an empathy I could not have achieved otherwise. My highest of accolades to all. Thank you.
What a pleasant surprise Dear Debbie turned out to be after being more than disappointed with my last McFadden book.
This was a storyline which I could buy into and had no trouble keeping me on my toes until the very end.
Just when I thought I had it all figured out the plot thickened...and proved me completely wrong. The ending was not only shocking, but left me delighted.
If possible, listen to the audiobook. Superstar narrators Julia Whelan, January LaVoy, and Scott Brick gave me a greater understanding for the deep emotions motivating the actions in each of these dynamic characters present day life. Hearing the characters voices out loud provided me with an empathy I could not have achieved otherwise. My highest of accolades to all. Thank you.
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