Book Rating: 4.5 out of 5 boozy stars

WOW. Frieda McFadden truly outdid herself with this novel. I could not put the book down without continually thinking about what was going to happen next. The novel follows Millie, the heroine from The Housemaid, and her life after the first book. I thought the first book was well done, but I am surprised to say that I enjoyed the second book even more. 

The novel begins with Millie living in the Bronx, working hard to turn her life around by attending college courses, dating a new guy, and no longer participating in her old line of work... When she unexpectedly loses her job, Millie is thrust back into the job-hunting search, hoping that she will find something quick despite her background as an ex-con. When she is contacted by Douglas Garrick to clean his monstrous penthouse, she cannot pass up the job. 

According to Douglas, his wife, Wendy, has an autoimmune disorder that keeps her from maintaining the penthouse's upkeep. He is explicit in his instructions; "Do not bother her. She needs to rest." But when Millie hears his wife crying in her room, she disobeys orders and knocks on the door... What she sees behind the door is worse than she ever expected, but not something she hasn't dealt with before...

Millie's character development throughout the entire book was perfectly executed. Millie is a strong female lead who shows the readers continuously how independent and fiercely protective she is of other women. Her thoughts and actions are realistic to her portrayal and we often see rash decision-making and an emotional immaturity from her that fits her age as well as her ex-con status.

McFadden put so much thought into the plot twists that ultimately made this story a 5 star read for me. Yes, you read that right. TWISTS, as in multiple. This novel is a page turner that you won't stop thinking about even after you've finished it.

The Bronx Cocktail 

(From "Liquor.com")

Ingredients

• 2 ounces gin

• 1/4 ounce dry vermouth

• 1/4 ounce sweet vermouth

• 1 ounce orange juice, freshly squeezed

• 1 dash orange bitters (optional)

Recipe

1. Add the gin, dry and sweet vermouths, orange juice and orange bitters into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.

2. Double-strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Booze Rating: 2 out of 5 boozy stars

Like the name of the drink, part of this story takes place in the Bronx. Known for being the borough in New York City with the highest crime rates, the Bronx is probably not a place that most people with the luxury of options would choose to live. In the novel, Millie lives in a pretty run-down apartment building in the aforementioned dangerous borough and, despite her ability to take care of other women, struggles to feel safe even behind a dead-bolted door. Enjoy a little taste of the Bronx while devouring this novel. You won't be disappointed.