“Welcome to the family,” Nina Winchester says as I shake her elegant, manicured hand. I smile politely, gazing around the marble hallway. Working here is my last chance to start fresh. I can pretend to be whoever I like. But I’ll soon learn that the Winchesters’ secrets are far more dangerous than my own….
Every day I clean the Winchesters’ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor.
I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband, Andrew, seems more broken every day. But as I look into Andrew’s handsome brown eyes, so full of pain, it’s hard not to imagine what it would be like to live Nina’s life. The walk-in closet, the fancy car, the perfect husband.
I only try on one of Nina’s pristine white dresses once. Just to see what it’s like. But she soon finds out…and by the time I realize my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it’s far too late.
But I reassure myself: The Winchesters don’t know who I really am.
They don’t know what I’m capable of….w
Review
What a whirlwind. The Housemaid is the first book this year that I’ve read within 24 hours. I couldn’t put it down. There was just something addictive about it. For one, the story was great. There were a few twists that I didn’t see coming but when they did, I immediately thought “that makes sense”. The plot is also very dark, and it only gets darker as it thickens. At the same time, it’s a very easy read with simple language providing a deep impact. And I’ve never read a prologue or epilogue so perfect.
I also enjoyed all the characters. Millie was a particularly fantastic character, a great juxtaposition between flawed and morally strong. Even though she made decisions I didn’t agree with, I couldn’t help but side with her. Nina and Andrew have great character development and brought me on different journeys than Millie. While I liked Millie all the way through, Nina and Andrew played with my feelings and brought the most surprises.
The ending of The Housemaid was totally satisfying and I was so excited to see there is a sequel coming out. After a lukewarm introduction to Frieda McFadden with The Locked Door, I’m totally getting the hype now.
You can pick up a copy of The Housemaid here.
Joyful Antidotes 