I would rate Dear Debbie 4 out of 5 stars. It kept me engaged throughout, and I really liked the way the different threads were tied together and the story ultimately gave us closure.

It didn't quite reach the heights of The Housemaid or Never Lie for me, but that didn't stop me from enjoying it. Freida McFadden knows how to keep the pages turning, and this book held my attention right until the end.

One of the things I liked most was the way Debbie was portrayed throughout the story. Her character was compelling, and I appreciated the decision she made when she realized that the children currently living in the place weren't responsible for what had happened to her.
That moment added another layer to Debbie's character for me. It showed that, despite everything she had been through, she could recognize where the blame did — and didn't — belong.

One part that felt a little stretched was Jesse not knowing Debbie, which I could accept, but then using Cooper's name with Harley. That particular detail was harder for me to buy.

Still, it was a relatively small issue in an otherwise engaging read. I liked how the story came together, and the closure made the journey feel worthwhile.

And I'm especially happy that Dear Debbie became my 25th book of the year! It's always satisfying to reach another reading milestone, and this was a good book to mark it with.