McFadden did it to me again. She’s got my full attention with her screwed-up tales. I love psychological thrillers—creeping dread, unreliable characters, and endings that punch me straight in the gut—and The Tenant did not fail me. I’ve been a long-time fan of twisty, character-driven stories, and this one reeled me in, shook me up, and left me questioning everything I thought I knew about the human race. She hooked me good, and I’ve already picked up another one of her books.
Overview
The Tenant is a slow-burn psychological thriller told from a rare male perspective. It was published this year (2025), and honestly, I wouldn’t have even gone searching for it if it weren’t for BookTok and Bookstagram screaming its praises. I don’t usually chase “new” publications—I just go with whatever captures my attention. But I’m so glad I read this!
The story follows Blake Porter, a recently fired VP of marketing, and his fiancée Krista, who are trying to save their upscale Manhattan brownstone from financial ruin. (I’m from NY—not the city, but close enough—so I really enjoyed the setting for this one.) Their solution? Rent out an apartment in their home.
One of the better prospects (after a few truly looney-bin-worthy applicants) is Whitney: charming, beautiful, and seemingly normal. But it doesn’t take long for things to start feeling… off. Neighbors suddenly go cold, weird smells start creeping through the house, and Blake begins to feel watched in his own home. Paranoia takes over. Someone knows his darkest secrets—and they might just use them against him.
Themes & Takeaways
The Tenant hits hard when it comes to trust and vulnerability. The idea that someone you live with could be the root of your unraveling is a real-life fear. Most of us have had some sort of roommate situation that made us side-eye everything about our living space. McFadden taps into that fear in such a compelling way.
This book had me thinking about how many times we let red flags slide or assume someone’s safe just because they come off as “normal.” Blake, the protagonist, had all the red flags. If I had a checklist of qualities to avoid in a guy, I would’ve picked him every time. Goes to show—you never really know what someone’s capable of. Assumptions? In this story, they could literally get you killed.
Pacing, Mood & Style
McFadden knows exactly how to build tension. The story starts slow, pulling you in with familiar stressors—money problems, relationship drama, awkward tenant interviews. Then things slowly but steadily escalate: weird sounds, unsettling smells, a heavy air of paranoia. The unease creeps up on you.
The male point of view was a refreshing shift. Most psychological thrillers lean into female narrators, but hearing the unraveling happen from Blake’s perspective gave the book a different rhythm—and made the whole thing even more unsettling.
The Twist (No Spoilers!)
Listen, I pride myself on being able to sniff out a twist. I conjured every possible ending, pointed fingers at everyone and everything based on the evidence… and I was dead wrong. With Freida McFadden, I always brace for impact and even try to outsmart her (it’s impossible, honestly). But this one? I didn’t see it coming at all. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story yanked the rug out from under me. That’s the kind of twist that sticks with you.
Final Thoughts
The Tenant is one of those books you stay up late reading, telling yourself “just one more chapter,” until suddenly it’s 2 a.m. and you’re staring at the ceiling wondering what just happened. It’s eerie, atmospheric, and psychologically rich.
If you love books that mess with your mind and make you second-guess the people around you, this one’s for you.
Freida McFadden, you’ve got me hooked. And Blake? Thanks for the reminder to always trust my gut when something feels off—because if The Tenant taught me anything, it’s that you can never be too careful about who you let under your roof.
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