The Boyfriend

A new, twisting thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Teacher and The Housemaid!

She's looking for the perfect man. He's looking for the perfect victim.

Sydney Shaw, like every single woman in New York, has terrible luck with dating. She's seen it all: men who lie in their dating profile, men who stick her with the dinner bill, and worst of all, men who can't shut up about their mothers. But finally, she hits the jackpot.

Her new boyfriend is utterly perfect. He's charming, handsome, and works as a doctor at a local hospital. Sydney is swept off her feet.

Then the brutal murder of a young woman--the latest in a string of deaths across the coast--confounds police. The primary suspect? A mystery man who dates his victims before he kills them.

Sydney should feel safe. After all, she is dating the guy of her dreams. But she can't shake her own suspicions that the perfect man may not be as perfect as he seems. Because someone is watching her every move, and if she doesn't get to the truth, she'll be the killer's next victim...

A dark story about obsession and the things we'll do for love, #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden proves that crimes of passion are often the bloodiest...

This discussion guide was shared and sponsored in partnership with Sourcebooks.

Book club questions for The Boyfriend by Laura Southgate

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

Compare Sydney and Bonnie’s approach to dating. What are the pros and cons of using dating apps? Have you ever used one?

Is Slug a good person? Why do you think he and Tom stick together?

After Bonnie’s murder, it becomes apparent to Jake that a serial killer is on the loose. What is the killer’s MO? Who do they seem to target, and why?

Why does Alison hate Tom so much? Are her feelings justified?

Count the ways Tom seems like a perfect boyfriend. In what ways does he seem...not so perfect?

Sydney can’t help but feel unsettled around Randy. Why is that?

Consider Tom’s mother’s choice to protect her son, though she suspects he’s guilty of something terrible. Do you think she made the right decision? What would you have done in her position?

This story is told between two perspectives and timelines. Did this make the read more suspenseful? Were you able to predict any of the twists?

What do you think happened to Kevin? Do you think he deserved it?

Discuss Sydney’s future. Then, discuss Tom’s future. Do you think each are happy?

The Boyfriend Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the The Boyfriend discussion questions