I appreciated the chance to read an advanced copy of The Ex-Husband. Overall it was ok, the plot was the overdone gas-lighting theme. I wasn't able to connect or feel much for any of the characters, they weren't developed enough.

Samantha Hayes never disappoints. Fabulous writing that draws you in from the first page until you finally put it down tired from lack of sleep. Another winner

New town, not sure what to expect. . You think you are free to do as you please till someone moves nextdoor.
and then your nightmare becomes a reality. What would you do if your ex husband mved right next door and saying it was coincidence. Few weeks later the night air fills with smoke and a quiet street dance with blue and red lights. All secrets behind two closed doors ends up coming too light , who going to be blamed for it?
Such a crazy ride. Enjoy.
Thanks to netgalley, bookouture, and the author in exchange for a review.
Published June 28th, 2022.

She's finally free... or so she thought.

Leah feels like the weight of her abusive marriage is finally off her shoulders, now that she has found the perfect little home for herself and her two children. The house is tiny and a bit of a fixer-upper, but Leah is slowly putting her love and care into her DIY home. Once she and the kids are beginning to feel settled in, she notices moving vans outside, and is curious about her new neighbours. Leah is shaken to her core when she comes face-to-face with her abusive ex-husband. Craig insists they can stay out of each other's way and get along for the sake of their two children, but can things truly remain civil between them? When smoke rises behind the two homes and police are called to the scene, will anyone believe Leah is innocent?
I couldn't get enough of this domestic psychological thriller. I felt awful for Leah and her children, while also feeling a little frustrated toward Leah's rash behavior at times. I could also understand why she may have acted that way, all things considered. This story was packed with a few punching twists that had my jaw on the floor in a mixture of disgust and awe. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for a good, thrilling read!

Please note that this novel can be triggering to survivors of domestic abuse.

"It's my ex. Trust me on that. He moved next door, and he's been intent on making my life a misery ever since." ~ 46%

So goes the story of Leah and her ex-husband Craig. She finally escaped the nightmare marriage, no longer flinching if she accidentally burns dinner and knows the kids are now safe. Until she sees Craig stroll past her window and lets himself into the house next door. He claims it is a coincidence and they can be good neighbors.

But Leah is on edge. She doesn't believe it is a coincidence. She fears for her safety and that of Craig's new girlfriend. Her actions going forward make me question her character and credibility of the past. She rifles through his garbage, eavesdrops and more. Then something happens to make the reader wonder who is the innocent one here?

I understand book descriptions are written to entice the reader. But "unputdownable" or "master suspense thriller" this is not. The comparisons to bestselling psychological thrillers are a stretch. If you are still in the mood for domestic suspense after this review, then this book is for you. Otherwise, I do not recommend reading.

Happy Pub Day, Samantha Hayes! The Ex-Husband is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins.

~LiteraryMarie

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of The Ex-Husband by Samantha Hayes from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I think this might be the best book Samantha Hayes has written yet - so darn good! I was unable to put this book down and stayed up WAY past my bedtime in order to finish it. The book has so many twists and turns and will literally leave you gasping! Do yourself a huge favor and read this ASAP!

Today it is my stop on the book tour of My Ex Husband, hosted by Bookouture. Thank you for my spot on the tour, and for the copy of the book, via Netgalley, in exchange for my honest review.

𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪

I couldn't wait to get stuck in to this book after reading the blurb. This was a slow burner at first, but I found that just served to build the tension, gently at first but then in such a way that I felt the pages turning themselves. The author's skill in conveying fear, stress, panic, and desperation onto paper, made this a compelling, and (I hate this word) unputdownable.

The characters were so well formed and credible, it felt like they were coming out from the page and I was actually witnessing their interactions. I love that in a book! I could also say the same about the scene descriptions. It made it so easy to orientate myself to each location.

Try as I might, I couldn’t work Leah out at first. I can’t imagine staying in a new home having discovered my violent, abusive ex, had moved into the adjoining house, especially when there are children involved. I empathised with her but couldn’t fully understand why she did some of the things she did. Craig, for the time he appears, is loathsome. But he is meant to be. My favourite character is definitely DI Carla Nelson. She’s a strong female character who many could aspire towards.

The tension built up as the story progressed towards its inevitable conclusion. I really enjoyed reading this book which I am happy to recommend to readers of let’s and mysteries. I gave The Ex Husband, by Samantha Hayes, five bonfires 🔥

Samantha Hayes writes books that can be daunting, thrilling and sometimes plods along keeping the reader steadily reading and quietly intrigued.

I’ve read books by her that has made me gasp and some that I quietly finish and close the book with “I enjoyed that”. This was one of those plots.
It was interesting. It kept me reading. I wasn’t eagerly flicking the pages or want to stay up all night to finish it but I liked it. I have always loved her style of writing, the way she plans out her plots.
Meeting the characters she makes totally real to me whether I like them or not.

She’s living her life now with the children away from her ex.
She has been there living, running her salon, her kids are settled then….
Whose moved into the bigger house next to her?
Her ex and his new wife.

There’s room for trouble, right?

I found her a bit weak when it came to him suddenly seeing the kids more. Didn’t distract though, I just wanted to shake her is all!

If you like domestic noir or family drama with a mysterious edge to it, this might fulfil your needs.

Can’t wait for her next one now.

Omg where do I start this book was amazing I was totally hooked I didn't want it to end can you imagine buying a new house loving it settling in and then seeing your abusive husband walk into the posh house next door (he brought the house with his new wife) omg this book was amazing a real roller coaster of a read and just when you think youve cracked it there's another twist fantastic 5 stars

This is a first time read for me by this author, so I wasn't sure what to expect. The blurb caught my attention and I decided to give it a try. This is a breathtaking, suspenseful novel that is quite the page-turner and had me on the edge of my seat. It's a domestic thriller with moments of tense drama, mystery, and suspense. Leah has finally found some happiness and is free now that she is away from her abusive and controlling ex-husband. She has taken her kids and moved into a new neighborhood in hopes of a fresh start. But the peaceful life she thought she had is shattered when she discovers her new neighbor is her ex-husband and his girlfriend. Leah is now constantly on edge, trying to guess her ex-husband's next move and what he is up to. The story is chilling and gripping and piqued my interest from the start and I couldn't wait to see how it ended. The storyline was well crafted and flowed smoothly and the plot twists and turns kept me guessing and turning the pages anxious to see what happens next. The author did a nice job of crafting an entertaining and compelling psychological thriller. She did a good job of describing the scenes and making them come to life, as if you are experiencing them yourself. The characters are so realistic and believable, I had chills going up and down my spine while reading. It's an utterly gripping tale you won't be able to put down. I would absolutely love to read more by this author! Definitely a must-read for any psychological thriller fan!

I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I really liked other books by this author,--this one not so much. Too much happening was just unbelievable. It got worse as the book went on, one impossible to believe thing after another. So I would not recommend this to others.

I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I got to about 25 percent and stopped. I just could not go on. I felt like I was reading a teen drama book but with adults instead.

Imagine your ex husband moves in next door. The divorce was not aminicable and your ex is is very charming and can get anyone to believe what he says.

This is what The Ex-Husband is about. Leah is trying to move on with her life and be as civil as possible with her ex for the sake of her children. As hard as she tries her ex is always one step ahead of her.

This book got my blood boiling. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting to yell at the ex. Its an excellent book.

I’ve read and enjoyed several books by this author, unfortunately this one not so much, Imdid not like the characters and found the ending especially a bit confusing,

Very well written, fast paced and full of suspense! Characters are well thought out and the general premise is just when you think your life is back on track and breathing a sigh of relief the past is never far away! First read of Samantha Haye’s and certainly won’t be my last!

Oh this little book is twisted. It is a really well written physiological thriller. About how when you think you have escaped your past it comes right back around to haunt you and find you again. Just when you think that you have your life on track.

Leah is divorced from her abusive husband Craig and has managed to buy a small property for herself and 2 children, with a lovely hidden garden that she intends to transform into a veg patch. She has good neighbours and has had a couple of dates with a chap called Gabe who lives on a house boat.

When her neighbours sell up Leah meets her new one....Gillian...assretive, well presented and strong. Her husband works away but promises a drinks nite for Leah to meet him on his return.

Leahs life is turned upside down when she finally meets this elusive man....it is her ex husband craig.

Once again he plays a huge part in her life with cruelty, manipulation, destroying her self worth, mental health and credibility.

Twists at the end i didnt see coming.
A good beginning and end, a bit slow in the middle and at times a little far fetched.
However i have always enjoyed samanthas books and recommend a read.

This is another great read by Samantha Hayes. I have read most of her books and they remain consistently well written.
The story keeps you involved and the characters are believable, I really couldn’t put this down and read it in two sittings.
It’s pace is quick and it keeps you in suspense. Thoroughly recommend all books by this author as if you are keen on suspense, psychological twists and excellent characterisation then her books for you .

I have read all the authors other books and gave them a five star rating. This book was a disappointment. Besides the writing being rather choppy, the characters were all rather unlikable. Additionally, the ending was rather confusing . I hope the authors next book gets back to the quality of writing and storytelling that I was hoping to see in this book.

I have mixed feelings about this book… I was really entertained for the majority of the book but the beginning and ending were not my favorite.

The book’s prologue started with the crime scene — a murder was committed, but the killer, victim, or motive was not revealed. Then, flashback to two months earlier where we get to hear the story from the start. The timeline caught up with the prologue at the 60% mark of the book, which felt like awkward timing for me. In my opinion, the flash forward of the crime scene at the prologue of the book did not offer much to the story. It didn’t necessarily take anything away, but it didn’t add anything either.

I was intrigued for the majority of the book. I liked the plot of the book and the unsettling descriptions of Craig trying to weasel his way back into Leah’s life. I was flying through the book to see what happened next.

Things were smooth sailing for me until the very end of the book… I was so confused once I finished the book that I had to re-read the last couple of chapters and I am still left with questions. There is nothing worse than finishing a thriller and being left confused!

❌ SPOILERS ❌

Please only read this if you have already read the book or don’t plan on reading it. Okay — the main thing that I’m confused about is why Leah’s mom Rita admitted to killing Craig. Since the book was written in third person, we were told that Leah intentionally killed Craig in the car accident. In the next chapter, Rita confessed to killing Craig several nights prior to that in his house. And then Rita was arrested for killing him, even though the detectives knew that he died in the car accident. Am I missing something? The ending just doesn’t add up to me.