This book had Freida McFadden’s usual fast-paced story that made it hard to put down until I was finished. I loved the workplace setting because the location and types of characters felt so normal and like you would come across them yourself at work.

Although I found myself not wanting to put the book down, I think this one lacked the shocking plot twist that Freida McFadden’s books usually have, and I felt a little underwhelmed by the ending. Although it did wrap up the story nicely I was just expecting something a little more shocking.

I could not put this down and finished it in one sitting! I felt confused throughout and had no idea of the twists and turns that were happening. I was suspicious of everyone including the policeman! Brilliantly written with good thought out characters. Didn’t particularly warm to any of them but was a brilliant storyline! Freida does not disappoint and it made my week to be able to read this before publication day!

4.5★

𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆:
◇ Psychological thriller
◇ Workplace setting
◇ Colleague drama
◇ Dual timelines
◇ Fast-paced

𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
I could not put this down. It definitely draws you in, and I ended up reading it in a few hours. It had me obsessing over what happened and who did it. The dual timelines really tripped me up when trying to decide who was lying and who was telling the truth. It was stressful but in the best way. I enjoyed how all the characters were a touch insane; like there was some minor crazy and then some high level demented. There were twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Overall, it was a really good read!

Thank you to Freida McFadden, Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for this arc.

Freida McFadden is becoming an author I like to reach for when I want something entertaining and easy to read. Her writing isn’t exceptional or life changing literary works, but she is a good storyteller and I enjoy seeing where the twists will go. Her popcorn thrillers make for great pallet cleansers or beach reads.

This book was almost comical at times. I couldn’t stop picturing the little boy from the viral video who says “I like turtles.” 🐢 I enjoyed the alternating POVs and thought this was a fun one.

Although the characters were mostly shallow and not likable, I can’t deny I was intrigued and wanted to see how it would all wrap up. This wasn’t a favorite for me, but that won’t stop me from picking up another of Freida’s books. I’m hooked on her wild stories and am a fan now.

Another quick, easy, enjoyable read by Freida McFadden - but this one also confronts the serious issue of bullying and its consequences. But that doesn't stop McFadden from incorporating some messed-up characters. Everyone is at least a little crazy. There are several twists I did not see coming, and the storyline kept me entertained. I also enjoyed reading the commentary about the Boston area. Thank you to NetGalley, Freida McFadden and the Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC. I'm always excited to read a Freida book! Keep them coming!

Another captivating and intricate psychological thriller authored by the talented Freida McFadden!

The Coworker delves into the treacherous depths of the human mind, shedding light on how the past reverberates in unsettling ways. At its core, this gripping tale revolves around the lives of two remarkable women, Dawn Schiff and Natalie Farrell, as they navigate the labyrinth of secrets concealed within their workplace, Vixed, a renowned nutritional supplement company.

Dawn Schiff, an extraordinary individual with a fondness for turtles, enjoys partaking in monochromatic meals and holds a deep reverence for rules, mysteriously vanishes one fateful morning, failing to appear at the office. At this moment, Natalie Farrell, the company's top salesperson, and Dawn's trusted coworker, receives a call on Dawn's phone, only to be met with a distressing message before the connection abruptly terminates.

With Dawn's disappearance intertwining their destinies, Natalie finds herself at the epicenter of an intense investigation. Determined to unearth the truth behind her colleague's vanishing act, she embarks on a perilous journey through the enigmatic web of secrecy shrouding their workplace. As the plot unravels, we witness the profound emotional and psychological toll inflicted upon Natalie, as she becomes further embroiled in the mystifying events surrounding Dawn's absence.

Freida McFadden's masterful prose paints a vibrant and evocative picture of the characters' innermost emotions, completely immersing readers in their gripping experiences. The narrative strikes a harmonious balance between intelligence and personal connection, eliciting a deep and profound understanding of the characters' journeys.

A sense of unpredictability permeates the pages throughout the story, ensnaring readers in its relentless grip and consistently defying expectations. Revenge, bullying, and the boundless ambition of beautiful women are all expertly explored, leaving readers pondering whether anything can truly impede their quest for success.

An enthralling and spellbinding read, The Coworker is the perfect companion for a leisurely Sunday, transporting readers to a world where darkness lurks beneath the surface, waiting to be unraveled.

I have yet to read a book by Freida McFadden that I didn’t like. I am a fan of her writing style, short chapters, and multiple narrators/perspectives because I feel like it creates a tense dynamic and helps to illustrate the bigger picture, all while keeping my undivided attention. This one is still very much a thriller, packed with one shocking twist after another, but it also has a very real underlying theme, that many of us can relate to when it comes to relationships. It makes you reflect on the past, and maybe the present, about the power behind our words and actions and both the positive and negative consequences they can have. This is one that I will be thinking about for quite some time! Thank you NetGalley, poisonedpenpress, and Freida for this ARC. The Coworker releases on August 29th! So glad I had already pre-ordered so I can read it again!!!!

Freida did it again! I loved this book because I love a mean girls revenge trope. Admittedly, I guessed most of the twists, but it was still a fun read. Obsessed with all her books!

So so excited to have received an ARC! I devoured this book in less than a day! Gotta say, this officially belongs in my top 5 Freida books. As always, it's a page-turner. A quick read. However, there were times that the MC annoyed me, but I guess it's really just a part of her character. Nonetheless, this is worth reading! ✨

I want to start by saying thank you to @netgalley, @poisonedpenpress & @fmcfaddenauthor for the ARC of this book!

I’ve been impatiently waiting on this book and was so excited when I was able to download an advanced copy! I read this book so fast! I don’t know how Freida does it but every book she writes will blow your mind 🤯 this one was no different! I loved that the chapters kept switching back and forth between the two female characters. I LOVE when books tell a story from more than one perspective. I’ve said it once & I’ll say it again, the plot twists will give you whiplash! Just when I thought I had figured out something, no I did not! I encourage everyone to read this when it comes out, you will not be disappointed!!

The Coworker is a standalone psychological thriller by Freida McFadden and this was my first book by the author. I had seen a few people post about this book and after reading many books in my normal genres I decided to give this book a try.

The Coworker is a story about two women, Dawn Schiff and Natalie Farrell, who work at the same nutritional supplement company, Vixed, and how one event changes both their lives. Dawn is the company accountant and Natalie is the company’s top sales representative. These two women couldn’t be more opposite and different. The only thing these two have in common is their cubicle wall and company they work for. Dawn is a rule follower, predictable, socially awkward, and a bit of a loner. Natalie is a risk taker, popular, beautiful, and does what is needed to get the job done. So when Natalie notices that Dawn isn’t at her desk one morning, she starts to wonder where her punctual quirky coworker could be. One thing leads to another and Natalie finds herself in a situation she never thought she would be in.

This book takes you on a roller coaster ride that has some twists that just make you think and wonder what really is going on and how in the world are these things happening. The ending wasn’t one that I expected and I think I expected it to be more and not so tied up neatly. It really made me think about my high school days and how I need to teach my kids to be nice to everyone no matter what. It also made me think about turtles and how I have always loved them, but apparently not as much as Dawn. 😜

Was this book my favorite? No.
Am I glad that I read it? Yes. I love reading new authors.
Will I give this author another chance? Yes, I am a firm believer that you can’t judge an author by just one book.
Will I read another psychological thriller? Most likely.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good psychological thriller to get lost in. I look forward in reading another book by the author. Thank you to Netgalley and the author for gifting me the opportunity to read this book before release day. This book releases August 29th so make sure you mark your calendars and/or pre-order this book.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I absolutely love Freida's writing style and infamous twists and was excited to be chosen to read this new book. I wish I could stay it was a great read but it wasn't. I found it to be extremely predictable and repetitive. The storyline itself was well done and the characters were well drawn. The story fell flat for me. I will never want to hear about turtles in my life after this book.

When Natalie’s odd co-worker is not at her desk one morning, she begins to worry. But, when she is confirmed missing Natalie finds herself the prime suspect. After an ominuous phone call, she finds herself stuck in a web of lies that makes her question who the victim really is.
Freida McFadden novels are best known for their twists and turns, and The Co-Worker is no exception! The alternating timelines provided a trickle of details to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The story was thoroughly developed and well thought out, leaving a breadcrumb trail of information that when brought together provides such a satisfying ending! Freida fans, and mystery/thriller readers will not be disappointed with The Coworker!

WOW!!! I thought I had it all figured out, but then came another twist. Read this book in one day! Dawn Schiff seems meek and mild, but don’t let her fool you. All she wants is her co-worker beautiful, popular Natalie to be her friend……or does she?

I read this in one day even with a busy schedule! One of my favorite things about a Freida book is how they keep you on your toes making you want to keep reading. All her books have been fast and fun reads for me. This one was no different! I found it to be a twisty fun read but it wasn’t my favorite of hers. I felt it was a bit slower going and the twist wasn’t as mind bending as some of her others have been. I do recommend reading this as it was entertaining and fun as all Freidas books are.

Wow I DEVOURED this book. I picked it up last night and couldn’t put it down all day today. This is one of my favorite books so far this year and definitely one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a long time. I loved how the book incorporated the story telling through emails. I also loved having two different points of view with unreliable narrators. I did anticipate one of the major twists but the other twists and turns kept me guessing until the last page! I can’t wait to go back and read Freida McFadden’s other books!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!!

Frieda did it again! I’ve read almost all of her books so I was over the moon to receive the ARC of Tje Coworker! Frieda has this ability to hook readers from the very beginning, and just why you think you know the plot..nope! I’ve yet to guess correctly in any of her books and I cannot get enough!

Another great book written by Frieda! I honestly believed I figured out "whodunit" but I was way wrong.

I am unbelievably excited to have received an ARC for Freida McFadden’s newest book, considering I read essentially her entire back catalog this year. This book starts off really strong and I particularly enjoyed the use of Dawn’s emails as a narrative device and for exposition.

The key to reading a Freida McFadden book (and a lot of other psychological thrillers) is to suspend your disbelief and not dwell too much on the details or else the whole plot falls apart. For example, you just have to accept the way that the police investigation is conducted even if it’s completely unrealistic or nonsensical (eg: they never look into Natalie’s finances despite that being the primary motive).

However, there is a limit to that suspension of disbelief and it’s especially tested when main characters start behaving completely contrary to how they’ve been portrayed for 80% of the book. I have to say that I’m pretty let down by the ending. While the characterization had been relatively consistent for Part 1 of the book, it suddenly goes off the rails for the sake of a few last-minute plot twists. In particular, Dawn’s behavior in the last few chapters didn’t make sense to me, and way too many decisions are hand-waved away by playing the “love fixes all” card.

I also felt like the book spent way too much time on, what I can only assume is, a red herring subplot about Vixen’s products. Random people basically pop up to yell at Natalie and then are never mentioned again. It doesn’t add anything to the story since there it’s never even implied to be related to Dawn’s disappearance. Natalie certainly doesn’t dwell on it for more than half a second.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I can’t get over it. Freida keeps you on your toes front front to back. Super easy read. Highly recommend!