The Exes' Revenge by Jo Jakeman goes back and forth in time. Ms Jakeman has done an excellent job of piecing the time lines together. I was immediately pulled into this story and found it difficult to put down. Lots of edge of your seat moments with your heart pumping. Looking forward to reading more by this author. I was given an early copy to review.

I read another review of this book that took the words right out of my mouth: "A bit of a mess but I still kinda liked it." Like a 3.5 for me.

Like a well-build house, this book has good bones. The idea of these three women coming together to destroy a truly despicable man, has a lot of promise. I thought Naomi and Imogen were compelling characters (Ruby is a bit more vague--it doesn't help that she doesn't really show up as a central character until nearly the 40% mark in the book.) The story moves along at a nice pace and there is a lot of action and a solid ending. (REALLY solid...I though the book's ending was the best part of the book.)

At times these three women all make boneheaded moves, but I thought the author did a nice job of diving into the psychology of why women stay with their abusers (not a spoiler..this is revealed early in the book) and how those abusers groom them over time to behave in ways that aren't always logical. Again, I had some issues with Ruby, who seemed almost idiotic in her blind adoration of "Pip," (we could have used a bit more backstory to understand her motivations), but overall the actions in the story seemed true to the characters.

I had bigger issues with Phil though, who almost becomes comically villainous. Later in the story we are given some insight to why he seems to have crossed the line from "abusive spouse" to "full-on psychopath," but I wasn't sure I was buying it. Having him be full-on crazy sure made for some exciting action-scenes, but it also strained some credibility.

I agree with yet another reviewer that this would make a great movie. It paints a picture with some pretty broad strokes, with a lot of drama that would play great on screen but don't always hold up in the more detailed examination you get from reading a book.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Holy cow this book! Phillip is QUITE the character. It is hard to say which one of his exes is my favorite. This book was fantastic. I was really surprised by the ending. Great book

It is a preposterous book with a far fetched plot and not particularly likable characters who barely outshine the detestable villain. However, I do indeed believe many will enjoy the book

This was my first novel by Jo Jakeman, but I'm already looking forward to her next one. The story moved at a good pace and was engaging, but what I really liked was the characters development of the protagonist, Imogen. She starts off very meek and afraid (with good reason!) and changes and grows stronger as circumstances demand. I don't want to give away the plot, because there are a good amount of twists and turns, bit I will say it was an enjoyable and clever thriller by an author I will happily read again in the future.

Amazing! So suspenseful - read in 1 day! Loved it! Can’t recommend this book enough! It had everything you want - mystery, suspense, duplicitous characters....

This is a riveting story of three unlikely courageous women--an ex-wife, an estranged wife, and the new girlfriend--who unexpectedly band together to take on the narcissistic, abusive man in their lives who subjected each of them to debilitating psychological and physical abuse. A very heartfelt and inspiring read.

When Imogen runs into Naomi at the hospital an unlikely alliance is formed against Phillip. Phillip seems charming but his partners know the truth and in order to break free of him they find themselves working together. A chilling story of a charmingly abusive man and the lengths his exes will go to to break free.

For some reason as I started this book I thought it was a dark comedy. There is no comedy here. But, it is dark and, frankly, at times it was hard for me to read. The graphic scenes of spousal abuse, both physical and mental, were written so well and appear so frequently, that on more than one occasion I was tempted to just stop reading. But, I took a deep breath and read on. However, if you enjoy a story about women triumphing over this type of abuse, this book is definitely one you should read.

Since the book begins with the husband’s funeral, the reader knows going in the exes win. The question is how do they pull it off? It is a fascinating premise and the author does a good job with both the basic story and most of the characters. A few of the characters were a bit over the top, but not too much. There are a number of interesting twists and turns before a satisfying ending.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book

This was a great book. It took me a while to get into it...there’s a lot of description that I had to skim over (not a bad thing, just not my thing) but once I got into the thick of the story I really enjoyed it! I would read more by this author. Lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was just ok for me. I think I might have been expecting something different, perhaps more dark humor or more similar to First Wives Club. The book starts out at Phillip's funeral and his 3 exes are in attendance. So, we know he dies, it is just a matter of finding out how. He is an abusive husband and boyfriend and they certainly have cause to detest him. I thought parts of this book were kind of boring, for awhile I feared the whole thing would take place in Imogen's basement. Luckily it didn't. It just didn't get that much more exciting for me. I didn't feel like there were any great revelations, even Phil's reveal toward the end was something I was kind of already thinking was the case. This wasn't a bad book, it just didn't have enough surprises or revelations to make it a really satisfying read.

The Exes’ Revenge takes the recently popular plot line with the husband/boyfriend being a domestic violence perpetrator and turns the tables when his victims decide to plot revenge against him. The main thing that was missing from this book was the element of believability because it was a bit over the top, and reminded me somewhat of a Lifetime movie (which I could see it being turned into). The Exes’ Revenge didn’t keep me up late to finish the book or get my heart racing, but it was a good twist on this domestic suspense plot line that has become very popular recently. Personally, I am just really burned out on the domestic violence plot line which has appeared in several books I’ve read this year, so I think that impacted my perception of the book.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a run read! It is a hilarious novel, but it is also empowering for survivors of abuse. It would be a great choice for a women's book club.

I read this book in one sitting! Lots of twists and turns, a hateable bad guy and a satisfying ending.

From the blurb, I thought I was getting into a dark and *dramatic* tale... usually in any case where an ex is involved, there is drama. I think one review I read even mentioned "lifetime movie"... In my opinion, this story was lacking that particular type of drama, but it was able to keep my interest the entire time. I gave it three stars, though I would call this a solid 3.5. The narrator is Imogen, a woman who is going through a divorce from a nasty, abusive husband who has already left her for a younger woman. Imogen join forces with her soon-to-be-ex-husband's EX-WIFE (can you follow?!) and also the younger woman who her husband left her for! (Doesn't that just scream juicy?!) It is a fun story to follow, but just doesn't grab you the way it should, I was satisfied with the ending, no problems there. I would recommend along with me aforementioned thoughts.

This book was definitely different....the going back an forth between what happened with all 3 women was slightly confusing...but at the same time it left me wanting more...

great story that keeps you reading, page after page. I loved the progression of the friendships and bonding that tied these women together.

Remember the comedy movies FIRST WIVES CLUB in which three women seek revenge on their respective husbands who left them for younger women or NINE TO FIVE where the women take their abusive boss prisoner. Well Jo Jakeman’s THE EXES’ REVENGE is that type of novel…….with the comedy removed and replaced with a lot of brutality and spousal violence.

The story opens with the funeral of Philip Rochester, a brutal domineering cop who enjoyed deceiving , controlling and abusing the women in his life…. so the reader knows how the tale will end and it’s just a matter of the how’s and why’s.

He had threatened and physically abused his previous wife Ruby as well as his current spouse Imogen and his most current girlfriend Naomi was yet another woman he used for his own selfish ends while safely ensconced behind a police “blue wall of silence and protection”. When the three women team up in an attempt to outwit and outmaneuver the slimy Phil a lot of action ensues (some of it a little far-fetched) that results in his receiving his just desserts.

The narrative moves back and forth in time giving the reader a lot of background information about the women involved as well as that of their abuser.

Overall, not a bad read, but for this reader the “funny revenge” of the aforementioned movies is more enjoyable.

P. S. Just checked out other books by this author and found one called Sticks and Stones. When I read the synopsis I discovered it is this book with a different title, so be aware and don’t buy it twice.

This was a quick fun read. I pretty much unrealistic scenario but fun. The book starts off with Philip's funeral, so we already know how the story will end, but not how we get there. At his funeral three women from his part/current life are present - Ruby, the ex wife, Imogene the current wife and mother of his child, and then Naomi the current girlfriend.

All had their own issues with Philip but none had every really spoken with each other. When Philip tells Imogene she needs to get out of the family home immediately all hell breaks lose. Then while at the hospital visiting with her mother, Imogene, bumps into Naomi who has had a "fall" at home and needed treatment for a gash on her head.

The three ex's somehow come together an realize Philip is not who they all thought he was an one thing leads to another.

This is all I will say as anything more will give the fun of reading this away.

Wow!! This book. Definitely a book that stays with you! Could not put it down!

Highly recommended if you enjoy suspense genre! Thank you for my review copy, which I received through Net Galley.