Review:

‘We do not make our paths; our paths make us.’

– from the book The American Boyfriend by Ivy Ngeow.

If I have to describe this book in a sentence I would say, it’s like a wine, slowly hitting hard.

Ivy Ngeow’s The American Boyfriend is a journey of Phoebe and her adventures in the US, Florida as she arrives with her toddler for a vacation with her boyfriend. As her boyfriend can’t make it and will be a bit late, she tries to settle herself in the Vacy home with her toddler. Being robbed on the day she arrived at Key West, her adventure had already begun. And while she explores the place, she waits for Carter to arrive. During the time she enjoys the vacation with Jojo, she makes friends with Locals there. What’s skeptical is everyone warns her about Carter. Can she trust them? Or can she trust Carter? Is she in Danger?

With an engrossing plot, Ivy weaves a thrilling tale of Love, family, suspense, relationships, online dating and the struggles of a single mother. With a crisp, descriptive narrative, here we get a glimpse of the Gun culture in the Key West and the lives of the Locals. We see how Phoebe tries to enjoy her time there and everything looks normal. But that Normalcy had a tinge of fear that readers will witness. Things start getting messier as Carter arrives and she starts finding the missing puzzles.

The story starts slow, and with every event, it gets more and more exciting as the events unfold. Ivy’s writing style is gripping and With multiple narratives, many characters and events happening simultaneously, Ivy builds that element of tension and suspense throughout. The characters are brilliantly developed. While each of them adds depth to the story, each of them becomes the prime suspect for the readers. I liked Phoebe’s character and wanted to scream every time she ignored the warnings she was getting and trusted everyone easily. Another character that had my heart was Posh’s character. I loved reading about her and Jojo.

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At times, it gets a bit confusing for the readers to keep up with the timelines with multiple events but the thrill keeps one going, especially in the second half of the story. So don’t give up as it gets too exciting with Carter’s entry. It’s a slow-paced story, and it builds up well with each chapter. What I loved the most was Ivy’s attention to detail and the thrill she puts here. Especially the trouble situations Phoebe encounters.

Amidst the run and chase of decoding the truth, trusting the strangers and getting out of the danger, Ivy describes the relationship Phoebe shares with her mother, her supportive best friend who asked her to consider her decision twice. These minute details added depth to the story hinting at something big and creepy. With lots of drama and entertainment, readers will be stunned by the last few chapters and the climax. 

The American Boyfriend is a meticulously crafted thriller that delves into the depths of human psyche and relationships. Ivy Ngeow’s skillful storytelling and keen observations make this a must-read for fans of the genre. Prepare to be captivated by the intricacies of Phoebe’s journey and the secrets that unfold along the way. If you love reading thrillers, The American Boyfriend is definitely a book you can count on.

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