LOVED LOVED LOVED! Devoured it in one day!
This story is about Becca, a married mother of a 3 year old, who finds herself in a humdrum marriage to Dean, when she receives a message on social media from her ex boyfriend, Connor, who she hasn't heard from in over 10 years. Immediately she begins to remember the excitement and connection they had and starts to wonder if she made a mistake all those years ago. And then things begin to go horribly awry...
What an amazing thriller that kept me going back and forth on who to suspect! A definite must read!

Thank you Netgalley for this book. I love each page a new emotion, very well written and interesting. I think they drink around 5 litres of tea in this book lol
I will read everything by this author !!!

The Ex Boyfriend is a twisty read and one I was looking forward to read and I’m glad to say it didn’t disappoint.
Becca is married to Dean and together they have a three year old daughter, Mia. Life from the outside looks good as it so often does but on the inside cracks are appearing. Dean is working longer and longer days and weekends away whilst Becca struggles to manage child care and her part time nursing job. Connor an ex boyfriend she met in Australia years ago gets in touch through social media saying how much he misses her and still loves her that she has to respond. Meanwhile her dad is struggling living with her sister and everything blows to head. Mia is being continuously ill and Becca has no idea why.
This was a very full thriller, I use the term full as with every page turn something was happening, being revealed or a red herring appearing. I loved that at no point did my mind wander from the book. I did pin my hopes on the wrong person and was shocked when the truth was revealed.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

The story is about Becca who, like many women, is caught up in the mundane life of being a wife, a mother, a daughter and a full time job to deal with too. Out of the blue she is contacted by an ex boyfriend from her time out in Australia and she begins to re-evalue her life coming to the conclusion that no harm would be done by renewing their friendship especially with him being so far away. And that is the start of everything going wrong in Becca's life with it all pointing to her past!
Rona is very good at feeding the reader the plot little by little and just when you think you have it all worked out, she sends off on another tangent to think again as well as becoming even more determined to find out what is going on! And then there is the ending.......I shall say no more!
Great writing with plenty of mis-directions to keep the reader guessing and turning the pages. i would definitely recommend this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Yet another great psychological thriller from Rona Halsall.
There’s lots going on in this book and when it all comes crumbling down it’s hard to know who to suspect.
Becca is tired from working and looking after her three year old daughter and her husband is working away more and more. An ex boyfriend gets in touch and Becca wonders what could have been if she’d gone back to Australia several years ago.
Her childminder has a health scare so leaves Becca with no-one to look after Mia so she asks her sister, Kate, who is living with their dad after their mother’s death.
Kate is not happy as whilst working from home is ok she’s feeling trapped and it’s clear her and her dad aren’t getting on.
Frank comes to stay with Becca for a few days which seems to work well as he’s there to help with another sickness episode that Mia suffers.
Becca is worried that the vomiting and diarrhoea is happening too often so demands that some tests are carried out.
It’s found that Mia is being poisoned and Becca is suspected of doing it and Mia is taken away from her.
What follows is heartbreaking to see as Becca longs to be with her daughter but the authorities won’t let her.
When the truth comes out, there’s multiple shocks as several people close to Becca have been hiding things from her and someone wanted her to lose her child.
This is a gripping psychological thriller that well and truly had me hooked throughout.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

The overall story and how it develops is brilliant and it definitely left me feeling uneasy at times. Especially with children of my own, I really felt how Becca was feeling, worrying about her daughter, people not listening and then being taken away from her. It was heartbreaking. 

There are plenty of characters that you will suspect throughout and even though I did guess who it was it was still a shock and I definitely don't think every reader would guess it so easily. 

I scored this 3.5  stars as already mentioned, for the brilliant story and concept, however my only criticism was that I didn't really warm to the characters. Becca left me feeling frustrated and the others were not pleasant. There wasn't much background on them. I felt like it could have looked at the past of her husband and sister more. Parts of that felt a little rushed. 

Apart from that the overall concept was great, it did leave me with a knot in my stomach at times and early on had me changing my mind numerous times as to what could be going on. 

I think it's definitely worth a read!

Who can you trust? Your family? Your friends? Your husband? Or…your ex-boyfriend? These are the questions Becca faces in this absolutely gripping psychological thriller by Rona Halsell.

Becca, mother of three year old Mia, is married to Dean who spends long days trying to grow a new business. She works part time as a district nurse and relies on Ruth for childcare. Although stressed by her changing schedule and Dean’s late nights and travel, Becca manages well until two things happen at nearly the same time. Connor, the Australian ex-boyfriend she broke up with ten years ago, texts her a friendly message. She replies and the two begin regular messaging. Then Mia gets sick. Becca tries frantically to have the mysterious illness diagnosed. What happens next will shock you but why it happened will have you on the edge of your seat!

This is the first book Ive read by Rona Halsell and it will definitely not be the last. I’m so looking forward to her next! This fact-paced, suspenseful thriller deserves 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Rona Halsell for this ARC.

This book kept me at the edge of my seat and I had to read it in one sitting. Fast paced and really intriguing, I couldn’t help to feel so much compassion for Becca and everything she was going through!

There were a fair amount of twists and turns and even though I did figure out some things, I was taken aback a few times too. Becca and sweet little Mia were definitely my favourite characters throughout. I was a bit suspicious from the beginning about the other characters but I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone so will not comment on my mains suspicions.

I liked how mental health was explored in this book and how the author found a tactful way to go about it and the importance of not judging someone by past actions or behaviours. Thrilling and mysterious, with the right amount of despair and relentless will to find the truth.

I would really recommend this amazing mystery and psychological thriller and can’t wait to read more by Rona Halsall.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and advanced digital copy of this fantastic book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

From the first chapter I was intrigued - I had to know what was going on with Mia. I did find it hard to relate to some of the characters initially as I was suspicious to most if not all of them at different times throughout the book. I had myself convinced that I knew who the ‘bad guy’ was until I continuously changed my mind and then found I had no idea - I certainly did not see the conclusion coming.
As a mum I truly felt for Becca and Dean with their daughter being so inexplicably ill, especially for Becca who was so desperately trying to find the cause knowing that something was wrong.

A truly gripping story that had me needing to read on to find out what was happening! A very quick read for me that was superbly written with plenty twists, suspense and suspicion.

DNF at 40%. Just could not get into it. I do appreciate the free ARC in exchange for the honest review. All opinions are my own....

Well, this really is a psychological thriller - it will mess with your head!

Becca has a lot on her plate; she looks after her three-year old daughter Mia while her husband works hard at building his business which takes him away from home a lot of the time. With her mother dead and her father in poor health since his heart attack, she is always being made to feel guilty by her sister who moved back home to care for their father. Throw in a stressful part-time nursing job and you begin to see why she is thrilled when an ex-boyfriend makes contact on social media. Can she share her worries with him? Then things get worse as Mia get ill over and over again, and Becca begins to realise that not all those who profess support are on her side. Who to trust?

The tension is palpable in this novel - you can almost feel the immense pressure Becca is put under. Well-written and carefully plotted - as always from Rona Halsall - this one had my heart pounding in my ears more than once. I had no idea where it was going until all was revealed, and I liked that the book went on to include an epilogue explaining where everyone ended, tying it all up and leaving no questions unanswered. I was so drawn into this one that I read into the early hours long after I should have been asleep, and I would definitely recommend this to every reader who enjoys not knowing what's going to happen next. Another five star read from this author!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

I have to own up to the fact that although I was recently gifted four titles written by this author they have remained on my teetering book mountain, yet to be explored. Why, I ask myself have I allowed this to happen? Too many good books to read and not nearly enough time is my answer! However I’m so glad I have finally rectified the situation and chosen her latest book The Ex Boyfriend to satisfy my penchant for an engaging psychological thriller.

Becca is a part time district nurse, living in Llandudno, north Wales, married to the rather beige Dean and mother to three year old Mia. She immediately comes across as an anxious individual often left in sole charge of her energetic young daughter whilst Dean is busy building his own business. I suppose she is your typical harassed, stressed out mum juggling too many balls at once, not helped by her strained relationship with sister Kate and father Frank who live in Bangor.For unknown reasons yet to be revealed neither of them are particularly fond of Dean which naturally makes Becca piggy in the middle, always an awkward position to occupy. Apart from support from childminder Ruth, Becca’s sense of isolation is obvious and her marriage appears to be floundering. Theirs doesn’t seem like a match made in heaven, definitely not aflame with passion or bound by all consuming love. So when ex boyfriend Connor gets in touch via Twitter, is it any wonder Becca revels in some much needed attention, reliving past memories and wondering her life could have been like had circumstances been different? Connor Cynwinski was her Australian love, a relationship brought to an abrupt end due to her mother’s death prompting Becca’s return to the UK to attend the funeral and help her father through his grief. Just as Connor renews contact with his past love, little Mia starts experiencing bouts of illness that are distressing for all concerned. What’s the connection between these two events, if any?

This is a storyline very much governed by the past and Becca’s relationship with her family as well as with Connor, with her working life also having an influence over the direction of events. How the past and present collide is the intriguing aspect of this psychological thriller that severely tested my detective skills and found me wanting. I didn’t like any of the characters,with childminder Ruth portrayed as rather too involved in Mia’s life, Dean not anywhere near as involved as he should be, an obnoxious Kate whose complicated relationship with Frank made me raise my eyebrows more than once and Becca who plays right into the hands of those who have had reason to mistrust her in the past. Thanks to the author’s brilliant way of deflecting attention away from these individuals at just the right moment you’re never sure who to trust.

The kind of storyline as depicted in The Ex Boyfriend always makes me inwardly seethe at the injustice of placing a woman, in this case, Becca as the obvious culprit in the firing line from both family members and the authorities. I don’t know why but I’m always quick, sometimes too quick to believe in the protagonist’s innocence, but what will you decide? The author has created an atmosphere whereby EVERYBODY is a possible suspect so I found myself marvelling at the author’s talent for misdirection. She nicely sets up Becca as prime suspect with enough of a backstory to make this particular theory plausible, yet manages to do exactly the same with husband Dean, father Frank, sister Kate and the rather creepy childminder Ruth and indeed Connor the ex boyfriend. Who is the fly in the ointment? Who can Becca, or us as the reader trust? Is Becca a reliable narrator? The fun is in the guessing, playing amateur detective and I found my head full of wonderful theories, thoughts spiralling in one direction before abruptly shooting off in another, switching allegiance in the blink of an eye. I will also admit to feeling rather smug at one point, convinced my brain had finally joined up the dots in the correct order, only to have the author cleverly wiping that short lived smugness off my face! Whilst it’s brilliant to feel you have outwitted the author’s attempts at misdirection, I prefer to blindsided by the truth, which when revealed makes you gasp and exclaim “of course, it’s so obvious!”
The Ex Boyfriend is such an easy read in terms of writing style, the kind of psychological thriller that will hold your attention and keep you entertained without giving you too much of a fright, so you can read it anytime of day or night knowing it won’t cause you any nightmares. I love a storyline that can also educate, inform,or open our eyes to something new, prompting a good old Google search! That is exactly what you can expect from this read. The human psyche is such a never ending source of fascination to me, with a myriad of conditions affecting our well being, a subject at the heart of Becca’s story and naturally providing plenty of fodder to make this a good psychological thriller.

I wasn’t disappointed with the ending although a part of me was hoping for a volte face rather than all the strands being so neatly tied up but that is a minor criticism. I like to play devils advocate in my head, imagining how I would have chosen events to play out but since I’m not an author, just a voracious reader, I’m content to leave myself in the expert hands of the likes of Rona Halsall who know how to engage the readers interest until the last written word. I definitely recommend and at least I am now in the possession of other books by this author so she can continue to delight me with her accomplished writing skills. My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

Becca is overwhelmed with her non-stop duties of being a working mom and wife to a husband who is always busy with his work and doesn't seem to have time to talk or work on their problems. Suddenly, Becca's old love Connor shows up on her social media stirring up some of those old happy and warm memories when she felt so free and alive. Well since Connor lives in Australia maybe it couldn't hurt to make contact with her old dear friend and lover because she really needs someone to talk things over. Then her precious three year old Mia starts getting sick and Becca is suspicious that someone might be trying to make Mia sick even though the doctors keep say it is just a tummy virus. What is going on? Mia's illness only started after Becca reconnected with Connor. Could Connor be trying to destroy her marriage? That's not possible if he is in Australia or is he?

I really enjoyed this fast paced story. There were so many twists and turns. (Love when that happens). Everytime I thought I had solved the puzzle I would find out I was wrong, and sometimes I just love being wrong. This was a fun (not light in any way) and suspenseful read. I can't wait to read more books by Rona Halsall.

I want to thank the publisher "Bookouture" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this terrific story and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

I highly recommend this thrilling book to any mystery or psychological suspense loved and have given a rating of 4 Sinister 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!

Publication Date is September 30, 2020

Becca is a district nurse, wife to Dean and mother to three year old Mia, Dean is a workaholic, she's struggling with her stressful job, looking after Mia and tending to her elderly father who has never got over the loss of his wife, Becca's mom. Ten years ago Becca returned home from Australia, leaving behind Connor, a man who adored her but wasn't the settling down type, she promised she would return but never did. Now she receives a message from Connor on social media, he wants to get in touch, she's tempted and it makes her question her life now, is she happy? There's no doubt she adores Mia and would do anything to protect her, and being friends with someone on the other side of the world wouldn't hurt would it? Then Mia starts getting ill and nobody seems to know why, until all fingers point towards Becca, and she realises her past is coming back to haunt her.

This is the third book I've read by this author and once again she got me hooked, Halsall drip feeds the plot to her readers slowly like a spider draws prey into its web, constantly encouraging you to believe you've worked out what's going on, then throws a curveball, sending you off in a completely different direction, I was convinced on a number of occasions that I knew who the culprit was but no, she wasn't having any of that was she, and off I went again, back to square one, but that final twist was where my chin hit the floor, I did not see that coming! The characters are well written, some likeable, others not so, and it's a very authentic plot with a great ending. If you like a thriller that surrounds you with intrigue and twists, you'll love this one.

I'd like to thank Bookouture and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

This book was a trip. I'll be posting my review for the book tour under my assigned date, but couldn't wait to give publisher feedback on this one. What happens to Becca is a mother's worst fear-her daughter Mia starts to get sick and the doctors accuse her of poisoning Mia. Becca's marriage is falling apart, and she can't help but think what might have been when the past love of her life contacts her on social media. This book was full of twists and turns, and I enjoyed it despite guessing the ending 1/3 of the way through the book. For anyone looking to read a quick thriller, this book is perfect.

Feeds mentioned below are where I will cover the book on my assigned tour date.

OH MY DAYS!! I mean seriously OH MY DAYS! Yes, I have to shout this! This book has blown me completely away. It is so compelling and it is a story which will chill you to the core. It is a story that had me panicked, not quite sure how I would act in Becca’s situation.

My mind kept changing to who was behind everything! Who doesn’t love a book where you question the main character too, I mean can we even trust what Becca is saying? I can’t tell you who I specifically suspected, but it was everyone but the person I should have suspected, but on reflection, it made perfect bloody sense. It’s just well so sad.

Rona has definitely left me flying down the motorway at over 100mph. As soon as you open the book you are hurtling so fast that you need a minute to take a breath. She does this for you occasionally while we reflect on the past with Becca but don’t get comfortable because it does not last long. I sped through the last 20% because I needed to know how everything would play out. It was just mental! I don’t know how else to explain it, she can write a goddamn twist in the tale. This was a sharp sting and it will leave a mark!

With the theme an actual ex boyfriend in The Ex Boyfriend hovering too, well it makes you question everything you know on social media. I mean do you know who is behind the computer! Now that’s a chilling thought!

I think I can say this so easily but it’s my favourite so far of Rona’s. It’s a story that would have most mums panicking about what they would do. It made me nervous at how easy it would all be and that is a scary situation to be in. I really was gripped from the first page, I mean I need to remember not to read a book by Rona late at night and start it in the daytime because I always lose my nights to her book. It a taut thriller, it takes a look into a seemingly normal family and the dark secrets that lie beneath. Teasing information out so slowly, but enough to make you flick the pages quickly to find out what is going on and then everything just spirals out of control so quickly.

Gah this book!! I need to find some decent words to get you to read it but I don’t know any! It’s a book that I have come to expect from Rona and then some! She has completely upped her game with this tale, my head is still spinning from it all! Blinding!

This was a true suspense novel! Kept me turning the pages to find out what happens next. Loved that there were so many twists. I am a huge fan of twists, and I loved the writing style. Thanks netgalley and the author for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A huge thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture and Rona Halsall for the copy of this incredible story.

She couldn’t understand how everything had fallen apart so quickly.
Is a huge understatement! Becca's life gets torn from her when her little girl Mia starts getting Ill sporadically.
Events from Becca's past all play a role in a manipulation game that will twist your thoughts as a reader.

By the time he’d finished, she felt like a worn-out rag, wrung out so many times she was tattered and frayed, no substance left in her threadbare fibres.
This book had layers upon layers upon layers of shocking events, twists and turns and ever single page had me wondering what the hell was going on!
I was on the edge if every seat I took to read this! And Rona Halsall should be on the edge of glory with that incredible woven masterpiece.


Absolutely beautifully written! Fantastic characters!

I loved it!

Well written and well developed storyline. Interesting characters, good pace, good suspense. Captivating well told story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

A good read which is full of suspense. What is wrong with Mia? Overall this storyline is good. At times it is all over the place and seems a bit lost but the plot ideas made the book worth reading.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.