The Devil You Know

Dr. Jane McGill #2

by Freida McFadden

Dr. Jane McGill is in heaven.

She’s got a great job at a VA Hospital, an adorable daughter, and a loving husband. Granted, it would be wonderful if her preschooler wouldn’t wake her up at three in the morning, and it would be a miracle if her husband would change the toilet paper roll once every millennium. Still, in most ways, she has the ideal life she’d always imagined.

Then Jane discovers that Dr. Ryan Reilly is the VA’s newest vascular surgeon. Dr. Ryan Reilly, a.k.a. Sexy Surgeon, a.k.a. the biggest jerk she ever loved.

A decade ago, Jane broke up with the Sexy Surgeon to marry the Nice Software Engineer, but as cracks and crevices appear in her marriage, she can’t help but wonder what life would have been like if she’d made a different choice. Or if it isn’t too late to change her mind…

Genres: Audiobook, Fiction, Romance, Thriller, Mystery, Chick Lit, Medical

353 pages, Paperback

First published May 28, 2017

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

[Kelly Burleson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stick to thrillers Freida, this ain’t it. Nobody wants to read a 350 page long inner monologue of a woman complaining about her husband and job, or if you do, this book is perfect for you.

[Nicoline · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't hate me but i skimmed most of this book... I was only interested in the parts with Ryan and all the other stuff was just so incredibly boring - Ben was annoying, their daughter was annoying, all the doctor and patient chapters were annoying and then we find out that Ryan is sick and is going to die... so really, what's the point even?

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the previous book in the series, this one made me laugh. What it had that the previous didn’t was more serious themes like motherhood and the difficultly of maintains your relationship when you’re a parent. It was also sad in the end. Well done!

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sequel was a better read as it was more focused with a distinct plot, something that was lacking in The Devil Wears Scrubs. It's less medical in content, centering more on relationships, with themes of dissatisfaction in relationships and with partners, weathering the bad times, and ultimately realizing what and who you need in your closest relationships. An enjoyable read covering some essential issues, but one that doesn't get too deep.

[cyd⭐️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was..so.. uh.. this was definitely words on paper 😶

I really didn't like the romance and I just feels like such a downgrade from the first book.

Why did she leave Ryan exactly? I mean I get why I just don't understand why. ALSO Ryan is just bland idk.
OKAY she has a kid now, and a husband.. but they're kinda falling apart?
I just wasn't rooting for Ben at all 🙁 i just didn't like him at all

I'm just kinda disappointed with this one, which is really sad because I loved the first one sm

imo this isn't Freida's finest work but I know someone else will love it

(2/5)⭐️💉

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not going to lie the ending made me sad…but another book I could not put down! Such a good book. I wish there were more!

[Melissa ☽ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not it. It was a constant whining from an ungrateful wife. Complaining of her job, husband, kid. Just not for me.

[Teju A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here hoping she writes more books like this. This was has heart warming as it was also a little sad.
So, when Ryan starts working at the VA and Jane's marriage seems heading off the cliff, she starts to wonder if she was too hasty in letting him go for marriage with Ben.
Sometimes passing through the fires only makes us see things more clearly......

This was also hilarious 😂
Solid 5 stars!!!!!

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember the guy you thought you were in love forever with? He was the one who may have been hot as blazes, full of personality and brilliantly talented, but you grew up, you needed more and the man you married gave you what you needed, love and commitment. It happened to Dr. Jane McGill when Dr. Ryan Reilly came to work at the VA hospital after being out of her life for ten years, one marriage, one child, one demanding career and a whole boatload of problems, pitfalls and stress. He blew in looking just as good, just as magnetic and he is still just as single. And Jane is poleaxed. Her marriage has a few chips, her child can be a bit demanding and her job is far from what she thought being a doctor would be.

She falls into a cautious but natural platonic relationship with Ryan, as he seems to always be there when she is in distress, almost like a knight in shining armor, but Ryan has his tarnished side, his own secrets that prevents him from forming a real relationship with anyone and Jane knows what his secret is. Is Jane getting too close to trying to rekindle their past romance? Is she just being nostalgic, forgetting why she chose Ben over Ryan? It doesn’t help that things at home are not all sunshine and smiles…

Freida McFadden’s THE DEVIL YOU KNOW is tale of choices, of reasons for the choices we make and a lesson in not being able to go back for a do-over. Written with a keen sense of comedic timing, especially regarding Jane’s harried life, this is a delightful read with fabulously flawed characters that will resonate with anyone who ever thought, “what if” when the going gets tough!

I received this copy from Freida McFadden in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Dr. Jane McGill - Book 2
Publisher: Hollywood Upstairs Publishing (May 28, 2017)
Publication Date: May 28, 2017
Genre: Humor | Romance | Medical
Print Length: 355 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[･ ⟢ shareen khan ୭;˚ ᵎᵎ[semi-ia] · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devil You Know by Freida McFadden
★ 3.70/5 starssss!
Read: 2 August, ’26

My thoughts:

I wasn’t satisfied with the ending of this book, mainly because we all know who should’ve been the endgame couple… and they just weren’t. Because of that alone, my rating dropped.

Also, more than three-quarters of the book was basically Jane being completely fed up with Ben. Not going to lie, he acted like a kid for the entire book. He’s not a child—he’s her husband. Jane kept thinking about the consequences if she didn’t just comply and let him be himself, but I kept wondering… if you’re constantly scared of the consequences, is the relationship even worth it?

She’d lowered her standards to the point where him simply saying “thank you” would’ve made her entire day, and honestly, that’s just really sad. But at the same time, I think it reflects modern dating culture surprisingly well because, not going to lie, it genuinely feels like that’s where we’re at these days. I know quite a few people rated this book lower, but I wonder if that’s partly because it mirrors the reality of how poor so many relationships can be now. Being a decent human being almost feels like the bare minimum… and somehow that’s become the standard worth celebrating.

So yes, it was frustrating because we all know who should’ve been endgame, but we also know why they weren’t. It was largely out of their hands.

I also think Jane and Ben got married far too early, while they were still deep in the honeymoon phase. Once that wore off and they actually had to live life together, reality set in. That’s when you truly get to know someone—not when you’re floating around on cloud nine with your feelings clouding your judgement.

Honestly, that’s one of the reasons relationships have never really interested me. I have major trust issues because you never truly know someone until you’re actually in those situations with them, and by then, a lot of people feel trapped. Personally, I’d rather avoid all of that. But also… I’m just not interested.

Overall, this was still an enjoyable read. It felt like peeking into contemporary dating and relationship culture from the outside, and if anything, it just made me grateful not to be part of it.

[Elissa Kumburis · Rating 1 out of 5]

If this was the first book I had read by Frieda it would've been the only. I cant believe she wrote this. It was just pointless. Her books always seem to get better about the half way mark, this one never got there. I have zero interest in reading The Devil Wears Scrubs and wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.

[lenaleest · Rating 2 out of 5]

350 pages about a woman complaining about her husband, no thank you.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me laugh and cry. It had some very sad moments. I like that the characters are not perfect. They are flawed human beings. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. A 4 star rating from me.

[Noodle The Naughty Night Owl · Rating 5 out of 5]

9/10: Fantastic, left me wanting more.

“Please.” He holds up his hand. “Let me protect you while I still can.”

Oh boy, this was sad. Even though at times it was funny. And it didn't end at all how I thought it would end, but I still liked it.

“You were the love of my life. You had to know that, didn’t you?”

EDIT: OK, so this book has been percolating inside my head for a few days now, and still I can't stop thinking about it.

It started out getting 3-stars from me, and then progressed to 4-stars and finally, I've had to cave and give it 5-stars, simply because any book that stays with me for this length of time has to have done something right, right?

I don't think it would normally score so high on the traditional NBRS scale, as it wasn't what I would normally rate as a "fantastic read." But it did touch me. Deeply.

I liken it to Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us. But not necessarily for the reasons you may think.

Sexy Surgeon, aka Ryan Riley, is not abusive in any way, but he was a love interest I rooted for. A love interest who couldn't win the girl's heart in the end because of his back story. Just like Ryle out of It Ends With Us.

I understand how Ryle couldn't be with Lily in the end, just as I understand how Ryan couldn't be with Jane in the end. But oh, I so did want them to win their girls.

And the reason why Ryan doesn't win Jane in The Devil You Know just breaks my heart, even now, days later.

So, in the end, The Devil You Know may not have been a superbly written book in the strictest sense, but it was a book that made me feel...for days afterwards.

And as such, it deserves 5-stars from me.

[Alya | short TBR clearance era · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the first book 2 years ago, decided to pick this one up today... If you want a whinny wife with a bad ending this book is for you

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars**

[zack !! · Rating 1 out of 5]

woman complains about annoying husband, runs into annoying ex who does bare minimum kind gestures, drama ensues! the only interesting part was the little patient stories/check-ups in between the constant whining 😭

[Jada Reads Horror · Rating 1 out of 5]

⭐️

I have one more Freida book to read then I’ll have read her whole collection of books!

[Joshua Waselynchuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

of all her medical books, I didn't mind this one the most. it dealt more with Jane's personal life (marriage, motherhood, etc) then only medical related like the first book. While still some cringe writing it was more digestible then some of the other medical drama ones she has

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars for The Devil You Know: Dr. Jane McGill, Book 2 (audiobook) by Freida McFadden read by Gabra Zackman.

I really enjoy Freida McFadden’s murder mysteries but her romances set in the gritty medical world are extra special. You can tell that she really knows this world and it comes through in her writing. In this book, the story is set in a VA Hospital, Dr. Jane McGill is trying to potty train her young daughter and deal with her husband who’s becoming more distant. And then the new surgeon shows up. Not only do they have a past together but they had almost gotten married. How should she play this? He broke her heart but he’s such a nice guy.

[Christine Lucia Asha · Rating 4 out of 5]

MUST READ BOOKS in every genre:
Thriller Say Goodbye
Memoir The Yellow House
SciFi Murder by Memory
Romance Time Loops & Meet Cutes

Dedication: For all the mothers who have grown to hate glitter. And play-doh. And Frozen

So funny and so true in many other ways, husbands who don't do the simplest things and then get mad you asked why......children who exhibit perfect behavior to teachers but refuse to do the same tasks at home......

Also, there is an old flame who shows up and keeps our protagonist on her toes - does she want him back or will she take the time to fight for the life she created to continue.

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This story is both hilarious as well as heart-breaking.

Eight years later, Jane is married to Ben and they have a 3 year old daughter. But then Ryan shows up to work at the same VA hospital and the shocking surprises are mind-blowing!

Most of us live our daily lives guessing when the end may or may not come. Unfortunately, Ryan knows WHAT the end looks like and has a fairly accurate estimate of WHEN. So he chose to live his life alone - no wife, no family. The question becomes - should he have chosen differently?

Can't stop thinking about this awesome story!

[Donna Mallery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel! It was humorous and heartwarming as well as finalized some of the first in the series. I really do enjoy Freida’s books. She has a lightheartedness even in her thrillers. In this book, the protagonist is no longer an intern but an Internal Medicine doctor. We hear about her hilarious patients, her trying times with a toddler, and her marriage. The dreamy doctor from the first series is also prominent in this book. She wraps everything up nicely!

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

i didn't enjoy this at all. i only read it because it was Freida McFadden but it was a total let down.

[Chlo (Taylor's Version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldnt stand her cheating on her HUSBAND and just ugh so glad they worked things out Ryan pissed me off just as much as Jane

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid follow-up with a few quirks.

The Devil You Know is a good read and a nice continuation of Dr. Jane McGill’s story, picking up more than a decade after the first book. Jane is now married with a young daughter, and working at a VA hospital. Things get interesting when Dr. Ryan Reilly, a new surgeon, enters the scene—raising the question: will old feelings resurface?

One frustrating detail that stood out was the repeated mention of Jane’s four-year-old not being potty trained—it felt unnecessary and a bit distracting. Still, the mix of medical drama and emotional tension makes for an engaging read overall. I definitely prefer the thrillers from Freida.

[Shelley Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed this! It was a good well rounded story! My only complaint is it was a little too misandristic. Lost stars for that reason alone because it was throughout the entire narrative, even within the happy ending. But despite that the character was still likable which was surprising! Overall I liked it.

[Nikos Drosinos · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️- I liked “The Devil You Know” more than the first book. It touched on some heavier themes like motherhood and mental health, which made it feel different from Freida McFadden’s usual style. That said, it didn’t manage to keep me hooked all the way through, some parts dragged a little, and a few scenes (like an entire discussion about toilet paper) felt unnecessarily long. Still, I appreciated the change of pace and enjoyed seeing her explore something outside her usual comfort zone.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.9/5⭐️s This book was funny, sad, and completely relatable. I’m personally not a doctor but I do assist with patient care. So I found some of this to be hilarious. The banter and sarcasm through the book are great! It will keep you laughing! Especially if you have ever worked in the medical field.

Dr. Jane McGill is working as a primary care doctor at the VA hospital. Finally leaving County Hospital behind her. She is married to a handsome computer programmer (I imagine him as Chris Pratt), has a child, great job now. Living the life that she didn’t even know she wanted. Leaving the sexy surgeon (I imagine him as Chris Carmack) behind. Or so she thought.

He’s back! Is he back for her? Why would he leave his sweet job at a private practice and his life in the city? Did he come all this way for her?

I enjoyed this book way more than I enjoyed the first! The first was okay, but it was lacking the plot. This one has more of a plot, funny, and at times completely relatable. However, I did absolutely hate the ending! The little twist at the end. I also wanted the MC to show a little back bone against the one person she truly hated the most in her life. Or maybe just start becoming more confident in herself.

[Jolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil You Know by Freida McFadden continues the story of Dr Jane McGill and her new career at the VA hospital. She has a toddler daughter, who can be a handful, especially since she is still not potty trained. Plus, her husband is not the greatest help. Her marriage has more turmoil than she would like. Then sexy surgeon, Dr Ryan Reilly, starts to work at the VA, and she wonders what life would have been like if she would have married him. This is another five-star book that I thoroughly enjoyed.