Hmmmm this book has me unsure what to write for I think the first time ever! Fast paced in some places, very very slow in others and an ending that even now I don’t understand. Who killed who?! There’s also an unexpected and completely unbelievable twist. And a whole barrage of unlikeable characters . I’m normally a fan of Samantha Hayes work but this one was a miss for me.

This book was a nail biter. The whole time I was trying to figure out what the twist would be and was thrown for a couple loops throughout. The writing style keep your on your toes and makes it impossible to put down!

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was so good! It was one of the best thrillers I have ever read. I read alot of thrillers and this one really surprised me.

This book gave me such anxiety, I loved it! I cringed wondering what would come next, but I could not stop reading! So good and full of unexpected twists & turns! Great writing and such a good ending! Thank you so much!

The Ex-Husband
by Samantha Hayes
You better just wait until you have enough time to finish. It was a bit slow, and yet times just over the top. But, not bad.

Having extracted herself from a disastrous marriage, hairdresser Leah is rebuilding her life with her two children and a new house. She even has a new man on the scene. It's all going well, until new people move in to the bigger house next door.

It's obvious - not least because it actually says so in the blurb - that the male half of the new neighbours is going to be Leah's ex-husband Craig, which kind of detracts from any potential suspense or surprise when that turns out to be the case (and takes a while getting there). Immediately, Craig sets about making Leah's life a misery.

Craig is a world-class jerk and enjoyably hateable villain without apparent redeeming features. Some of his antics are jaw-dropping and way over the top (the school escapade!). All he lacks is a moustache to twirl. He's your basic psychopath, I think, using his charm to get everyone on his side (and against Leah). Leah is overall a sympathetic character and does do sensible things like go to the police, but also makes some seriously questionable choices at times. (In her defence, she's under a lot of stress.) There's a lot going on and a few surprises, some very far-fetched, along the way. (The twist with Leah's mum? No thanks.)

I'm not sure what to make of the ending and whether it changed anything that had gone before. If so, I'm not sure how.

An enjoyable enough, fast and easy read in the domestic thriller genre, if a bit formulaic and far-fetched.

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read this amazing book. 

Having being employed as a domestic violence support worker I found it scary the accuracy with which Hayes portrayed the coercive control that so often continues following the end of a relationship. 

Hayes writes a gripping insight to the relationship between Craig and Leah. The book has multiple twists and turns to keep you gripped and whilst initially not the patient of books it quickly becomes a book that is difficult to put down. 

If you have been in an abusive relationship please note that this may on occasion be somewhat triggering.

Thank you for the ARC

This is a book about Leah, a recently divorced mother of two, who recently purchased a home, and is having new neighbours just moving in next door. Weeks go by without her meeting the better half of her new neighbour. She gets I voted over for cocktails to get a proper Introduction only to find out It’s her abusive ex husband..

I was hooked right from the start, it pulled me in and I couldn’t put it down until I was finished. What an amazing read.

This was a nice thriller that kept my attention for sure. I couldn’t imagine getting divorced and then finding out my soon to be ex-husband lived next door to me. It kept my attention all throughout the book and even had a nice little twist ending. I have not read this author before, but plan on trying more. I only gave it 4/5 but it was a little too cliche for me, but an overall good read.

This book was really good! The ending was great, it had me questioning everything I had just read. I know I'm really into a book when I viscerally, physically hate a character so much that my jaw was clenched for most of the way through with frustration and annoyance at someone who doesn't even exist... I hate men like Craig. Check your trigger warnings. It took me awhile to really sink my teeth into this one, only I think because what is supposed to be the first twist that comes at about 20% of the book is right there on the cover and is still presented as a big surprise. But that's the only downside for this book, I loved it otherwise! Gets a 9.5/10 from me.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley and Bookouture.

Honestly a very disappointing read nearly didn't finish it very slow paced and not a great storyline. Pretty unbelievable at times

Unfortunately this book was neither thrilling nor suspenseful. The pace was very slow and the interpersonal relationships were murky and confusing. The plot had the potential to be taken into a different direction but the opportunities were missed. The behaviour of the protagonist is silly at times. Sorry not my pick.

The plot and writing does not do the premise of the abusive ex husband living next door justice.

I found this to be a very disjointed read and for want of a better word just 'daft' at times.

One element of the ending was cleverly done but otherwise not sure how I finished reading it.

Oh, wow. This book gave me legitimate anxiety at times, which is pretty impressive. The twists just kept coming and I honestly wasn’t sure what was going to happen next.

Leah is relieved to finally be free of her abusive ex-husband Craig and start a new life in a new home with her children whilst dating someone new (Gabe) when she learns at an unfortunate dinner that Craig is her neighbor along with his new girlfriend, Gillian.

Continuous nightmare scenarios keep ensuing for Leah involving Craig. He was very easy to loathe and fear simultaneously from his manipulative, abusive behavior.

There was one relationship of sorts I found off putting and a little confusing and some things I wish would’ve been explained a little further, but overall I quite enjoyed this book.

The ending was surprising and satisfying as well.

4 stars!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Overall this was a great book. It builds well until you know SOMETHING is going to happen. Filled with drama which slowly escalates, The Ex Husband is well written and leaves the reader really feeling for Leah who doesn’t seem to be able to find a way out. Unfortunately though every one of her reactions, plays right into his hands and before long it seems like Leah is in danger of losing it all.

This is the one thing that really stopped me loving this book and that’s the fact that Leah for most of the book isn’t the most likeable character. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to be in her situation, but there were times that her behaviour was genuinely unhinged. However, perhaps that is just what happens when you are pushed right up to the edge.

I did enjoy The Ex Husband and it’ll be a great, quick and easy summer read for people that like their thrillers with a twist of psychological warfare!!

So this book is highly recommended on goodreads with close to 4 stars so I was happy to get a copy of it. The best way to start this review is to check out the spoiler free synopsis: We have Leah who is recently divorced "escaped" from her ex husband Craig and has moved away with her two daughters. Until her ex husband "happens" to move right next to her...... Ohhhhh, Domestic tension!

Not really. So you already know the plot of this book and guess what? She doesn't meet her ex husband to almost page 100 by Kindle. You have a couple of "misses" where you know what is going to happen but takes it's time. This just leaves a slow moving book where the first 100 pages I was literally hoping this book would fast forward. I hate skipping pages on a book I'm reviewing so I trudged along like the dutifully reviewer I am.

Once they meet the book does pick up. Craig is a certifiable dooshbag. and you start to really dislike him and there is a good amount of sleazy beach read to look forward too. It does become entertaining as Leah fights to get her life back. The ending is nails.

I just can't get past the slow beginning though which is why I ultimately think the book is just average overall. It's long but if you start on page 80 you knock it down to it's correct length. So I recommend reading this on a beach and just tearing out the first third of this book. But please recycle those pages of course.

Advance Reader Copy given free for honest review.

This book is about a woman named Leah who is recently divorced to Craig. Unbeknownst to Leah, Craig moves into the house next door with his new wife. He continues to manipulate and harass Leah despite their marriage having ended. The book has a few twists that I did not see coming however, overall it did not keep me guessing or on the edge of my seat like other thrillers.

I received an advance copy of this book from Net Galley & the publisher in exchange for my review.

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

Leah is getting her life back on track following her divorce from a controlling and abusive husband. She and her two kids have just moved into a new house and things are going well with her new boyfriend. But the happiness is short-lived when her ex turns up in the house next door with his new girlfriend.

3.5 stars.

The beginning of this book focused a lot on the ex, Craig, gaslighting Leah and acting like she was crazy. I felt like that got repetitive, but that could be because I have read too many books about abusive spouses and I think am bored with them. Things started picking up in the second half when we got some unexpected reveals. I definitely did not figure out where this one was going and I read it in a day, so despite being a little bored with some of the themes, it wasn't a bad read.

Waaaait. What. WHAAAA? I’m confused. I think. So quick recap of me, I always always review as soon as I’m done reading a book. I like it fresh I like the feels I have the moment I’m done with that last sentence and as weird as it may sound for someone who is super analytical about all things, this is one thing I don’t want to over analyze and change my mind on later in reviews. Whew. Ok. So this book. The first half I was rushing to get through it because I was slightly annoyed with the disaster of characters introduced. Then the second half of the book picks up pace and the ball starts rolling and I’m like okaaaay this is fun here we are! But. Then the last page completely flips another switch and left me guessing what I thought was the end of things. Quite clever if I read that right.

The story: Leah is all moved into her new home with her two children, finally free from her psycho ex husband. Tadaaaa he moves in next door and misery commences. She fights for her sanity and he stomps on her in all ways.

It’s all twisted in how characters connect and to be honest it was kind of ridiculous that this one man had all this charm on all these people. Putting that aside, the book was truly a fun read. If you are looking for an easy, not too angsty, and fun thrill, this one is for you.

Thank you Bookouture and netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I was so excited when I saw this on Twitter that I just had to drop everything, request and read. Sadly, however, this one fell short for me.

Whilst it was a page turner, it was page turner for all the wrong reasons. I skimmed so much of this story as it just seemed to drag for me. It was a lot of Telling. Which I find many 3rd person books to be. But I feel like the author really could have packed a punch if the story had been written in 1st; to me it was like reading someone's recount, but with not much excitement.

I also found the ending REALLY confusing. To the point I had to go back a few paragraphs to read it again because I was sure I'd read someone confess to killing the villain, but apparently I was wrong, even though after a re-read it still came across that they'd killed them.... So, I'm still scratching my head over that.

Unfortunately this is a pass for me, but I would still read something else from this author, as the descriptiveness and even the characters were written fabulously.