desiree(finally back) 's Reviews > The Intruder

→ possible spoilers ahead ↓

Okay, I’ll admit it, I gave up on this one the first time I tried it. The opening chapters didn’t grab me; they were slow, repetitive, and honestly, a little boring. But when I picked it up again for a second try, I ended up finishing it in one sitting, so clearly it did get better. It was kind of like a rollercoaster: moments that completely pulled me in, followed by stretches that lost my attention again.

I think my biggest issue was expectations. The blurb made it sound like a fast-paced, twisty thriller — something dark and edge-of-your-seat intense. What I actually got was more of a psychological drama, heavy on emotional trauma and heartbreaking childhood themes. It wasn’t the thriller I expected, but once I adjusted my mindset, I found myself appreciating it for what it was. Painful, sad, and raw at times, it had an emotional depth that worked for me.

The past and present timelines worked really well. Usually this is hit or miss for me, but here I was invested in both sides of the story. The way they came together in the end was satisfying and well done. That said, there were moments when the plot felt stagnant, and some repetition made the pacing uneven.

The twists, however, were predictable. I guessed every single one, which dulled the impact. The reveals were fine but not shocking — more of a quiet “oh, okay” than a jaw-drop moment. Still, the emotional payoff kept me reading.

Character-wise, I had a love/hate relationship with Casey/Ella. I adored her as Ella, complex, sympathetic, and easy to root for, but as Casey, not so much.
And Anton and his brother? Yeah… they broke my heart. 😭.

Overall, this one felt a bit different from Freida’s usual style, in a good way, though it’s not without its flaws. And as always, I’ll keep reading her books because she always leaves me curious for the next one.

Side note: I wish she’d cut back on repeating certain words or phrases. It sometimes feels like filler and can pull you out of the story, but that’s a minor complaint in an otherwise engaging read.

All in all, not my favorite but definitely not a waste of time. More of an emotional, psychological journey than a thriller, but once you settle into it, it’s worth finishing.

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me: “i can’t take another one.”
also me: preorders immediately while side-eyeing the author..💀✨