The Housemaid’s Secret by Frieda McFadden is the second book in The Housemaid trilogy. I remember really liking The Housemaid, so I was really hyped for this second installment. Being that the stories are not really interconnected, reading the previous books isn’t a requirement. This one has a nice psychological twist, but I don’t believe it’s anything that veteran readers and movie watchers haven’t read or seen before. It was something I wished was a bit more creative and shocking, but I still think it worked out okay in the end.

I think one of the worst parts about the story is how unlikable Millie can be at times. While her dedication to helping out women in abusive relationships is commendable, her attitude and personality towards her own boyfriend can be maddening. Here is a boyfriend who treats her like she’s the princess, something that even she believes she doesn’t deserve, and yet she never seems to reciprocate those feelings with him. I guess that’s how real relationships can sometimes go as well, but it was a bit frustrating to read at times. The author also kept hinting at some big hidden surprise regarding Millie’s history that made her seem like some truly messed up psychopath serial killer, but instead, the reveal was hardly that at all. It was even that much more frustrating that it took so long for Millie to just spill it out for the audience.

With all this said, I’d guess that could be why Millie fits the ending better than a character that has little to no flaws. The Housemaid’s Secret was a fun read but went on for just a tad bit longer than I’d have liked. The author clearly knows how to write a story in an intriguing and fun way that just forces you to turn the page. Mixing in some fun and witty thoughts from Millie certainly helped things out as well. I will definitely read the last book in the series sometime in the near future.