A few months ago, I read Strange Pictures, and I absolutely loved it. It was eerie, unsettling, and so cleverly put together. There was this constant sense of mystery, where you couldn’t quite understand what was happening or how everything connected, and that made it even more compelling. It stayed with me long after I finished it.

That’s exactly why I picked up Strange Houses. I expected to feel that same creeping tension, that same sense of awe. But instead, I found myself frustrated. So many loose threads that are never addressed, and instead of building mystery, it just creates confusion. The creepiness was there though that's why 2.5 stars.

I have to say, Freida McFadden’s books are incredibly addictive and very “bestseller-like.” What she really excels at is keeping you hooked. You never feel bored, not even for a second. Even though her plots aren’t always the most original, and you can sometimes clearly see what’s coming next, that honestly doesn’t bother me at all. Not even a little.

Her writing also follows a familiar structure: the first part tells the main story, and the second part usually shifts perspective to another character, typically the one who is either most responsible for what’s happening or deeply involved in the situation. After reading three of her books, I can confidently say that this is her signature style.

That said, something felt a bit off for me in this one compared to the others. I can’t even fully explain why. I just didn’t enjoy it quite as much as the previous two books I’ve read. Still, it’s a solid 4-star read. I liked it, and it definitely kept me engaged.

Interestingly, I didn’t fully figure out what was going on this time. For most of the book, I was convinced that Brock was the villain. I felt like he was subtly trying to harm Millie. For example, by paying Xavier to assault her so she wouldn’t feel safe in the neighbourhood and would end up depending on him and moving with him. But that wasn’t the case at all. So yeah… I got that completely wrong.

I also misjudged who the actual villain was, but I won’t say more because I don’t want to spoil anything.

Overall, I think it’s a good and engaging story, but I didn’t love it as much as "The Tenant" or the first book in the series. What truly wins my heart in both The Housemaid and The Housemaid's Secret, though, is Enzo. Without a doubt, Enzo is the best part of this series. I love him. And he knows a guy for everything 😂

First of all, shoutout to my boyfriend, because without his reading challenge, this book would still be collecting dust on my TBR. So… credit where it’s due.

Now, before I get into it, I need to address the hate. I’ve seen a lot of negative comments about Fable by Adrienne Young. About the writing, the characters, everything. And yes, it’s true: this isn’t your typical fast-paced, overly polished, “made-for-TikTok” fantasy with dramatic romance and constant twists. Also yes, it’s written by a white author, and no, it’s not exactly a beacon of diversity or LGBTQ+ rep. So if those are must-haves for you, I get why this might not work.

BUT.

Let’s talk about what this book actually does. People complain about the vocabulary being too hard and I’m sorry, but we’re talking about ships, the sea, and dredging. Of course there’s going to be specific terminology. Google is free though.

And the “flat characters” argument? I really don’t buy it. To me, this felt 100% intentional. Fable is a character who lives by one core rule: trust no one and owe nothing to anyone. So naturally, we don’t fully get to know people either. We see everything through her guarded perspective. If she doesn’t trust them, why should we? If she keeps her distance, so do we. That’s not bad writing. That’s commitment to character.

Personally, I really enjoyed the story. I loved the dynamic between Fable and her father, and overall, this was just a fun fantasy read. And can we talk about the romance? Or rather… the lack of it? There’s basically one kiss. ONE. So refreshing. No dramatic love triangles, no insta-love nonsense. Just vibes, survival, and the sea. Is it the most groundbreaking book ever? No. Is it trying to be? Also no. But was it enjoyable? Absolutely.

It may not have that typical “bestseller” formula people are used to, and I can see why that throws some readers off. But for me, it worked. I had a great time, and I’m definitely picking up the sequel. Sometimes you don’t need perfection. You just need a book that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. And this one did exactly that.