The Crash. By Freida McFadden 🎧 Listen to Free Audiobook Online

https://amzn.to/40YcmxL 😄Freida McFadden’s latest novel, The Crash, is about Tegan Werner, a young pregnant woman who, you guessed it, crashes her car during a blizzard while driving to see her brother. 🚗❄️ She’s stuck inside with a broken ankle, and luckily, Hank finds her and takes her to his rural home. There, she meets his wife, Polly, a former nurse who’s eager to help Tegan while they wait out the storm.
But, like all of McFadden’s books, something feels off. Tegan needs to go to the hospital, and Polly promises to take her once the roads are clear. In the meantime, Tegan is trapped in a stranger’s basement, unable to walk and without a phone. It doesn’t take long before she starts to question if this couple has her best interests at heart.
Some readers compare this book to an older story about an injured author trapped by a crazy fan, but honestly, it’s totally unique and worth your time. It hooks you from the very beginning and keeps pulling you in with each chapter. That said, it does have some challenges.
For example, the pacing is quick and easy, but the story unfolds slowly. That can be frustrating if you’re someone who likes action right away because there’s a lot of inaction in the middle. It can also feel a bit repetitive at times, with characters’ traits and situations being reminded of often. But honestly, these reminders help us stay connected with what’s going on and see things from the characters’ perspectives.
The story is told from different points of view, mainly Tegan and Polly, which gives a fuller picture. But knowing more also raises the tension, especially because both women make some pretty bad decisions out of desperation.
McFadden explores when actions are truly justified and when people are just making excuses to avoid doing what’s right. That gray area is something she often tackles, and if you’re not comfortable with it, this book might not be for you. She also looks at how judgment works — how Polly judges Tegan, and vice versa. Both women assume things about Hank and others, but only the reader really knows who’s right or wrong most of the time. Still, it’s hard not to feel some empathy even for the “misguided” characters.
This can be a bit frustrating, especially with Polly’s internal conflict, Hank’s reluctance or inability to step up, and Tegan’s clash between naivety and reality. Plus, the other characters—her brother, the baby’s father, his associate—are important too, even if we don’t get much about them at first. Still, every detail matters, so pay attention.
Of course, McFadden always throws in some twists, and this one’s no different. There’s more than one, and while you might guess a couple, I can pretty much guarantee one will surprise you. It felt a little out of place because there weren’t many clues leading up to it, but it definitely gave me a shock — and who doesn’t love that?
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The tension and some of the characters’ misconceptions annoyed me at times, but honestly, that’s what kept me hooked and emotionally invested. I finished feeling satisfied but also a little guilty — like I’d compromised my morals, but it was totally worth it.
I highly recommend this book! It’s a gripping read that kept me on the edge of my seat, and I really loved the twists and turns. If you enjoy suspenseful stories with complex characters, you’ll definitely want to check out The Crash. 😊📖