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2nd February 2024
06:05pm GMT
As a child, I adored reading. As an adult, I find it extremely hard to set aside time and energy to tuck into a book, despite how amazing it may be.
If I'm honest, I'm averaging around four to five books, a year, at best.
After multiple pleas from my boyfriend to try audiobooks instead, I decided to give in, expecting to meet the same struggle that I do with a handheld book.
I opted to listen to a book he had already completed, afraid to use up a credit for fear I wouldn't make it past the first chapter.
How wrong I was; I finished the entire thing in under one week - a new personal best (which, admittedly, wouldn't have been hard to beat).
The book I chose was a fictional psychological-thriller-mystery called 'The Housemaid' by Freida McFadden.
The plot centres around a down-and-out woman named Millie, who is in desperate need of employment and is failing to catch a break.
This family, on the surface, has everything; they are swimming in money, and have a gorgeous house, as well as leading luxurious lives.
At first glance, they seem like the picture-perfect family.
Nina and Andrew share one daughter, Cecelia, who you'll come to learn is somewhat of a handful.
They hire Millie, much to her relief, and she excitedly moves in with the family as their live-in maid.
Despite their enormous home with marble hallways and additional guest rooms, they stick her in the attic in a tiny box room with no windows.
Soon, Nina starts to exhibit erratic and worrying behaviour, often creating messes and problems for Millie, sometimes, it seems, on purpose.
All signs point to Millie getting the hell out of dodge, and quick, especially with their handsome Italian landscaper, Enzo, utters the word 'Pericolo' to her when they meet.
When she finally translates his message into English, she finds out that 'Pericolo' means 'Danger'.
As this is the protagonist's last chance to make ends meet and get her life on track, she overlooks the inappropriate (and infuriating) treatment and continues to try and do her job to the best of her ability.
Andy, Nina's drop-dead gorgeous husband, who is also a billionaire, however, is nothing short of a gentleman, always treating her with respect and kindness.
Things soon escalate and start to take a dark turn, with revelations and twists you could never have foreseen.
This book had a remarkable finish and managed to wrap the entire plot up into a perfectly twisted and terrifying bow, much like classics such as 'Gone Girl' and 'The Woman On The Train'.
It's one that stayed with me long after I finished and not just because it kickstarted my love of reading again.
Whether you decide to consume 'The Housemaid' by reading or listening, you will not be disappointed.
You'll be left reeling, satisfied, and wanting more.
*Sometimes* our boyfriends are right, I guess.
Pre-warning: 'The Housemaid' includes profanity, as well as mentions of sex and violence.
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