The Ex 2,5 ⭐️ rounded up to 3 ⭐️

The Cover
This looked like the typical thriller/crime cover. Dark and promising danger. A necklace with a heart pendant and two rings. The pendant is bloody. It’s one of these covers that I would have picked up, as S.E. Lynes is a new author to me. 4/5 ⭐️ for the cover.

My Synopsis
“I’ll do anything to get you back”
Post lockdown, Sam is till loving with his gran. On his usual walks on the beach he sees his ex, Naomi, with a baby stroller. He has not seen her in a year. Naomi tells him, it’s her friends. But Sam’s doubt has taken a seed (no pun intended), is the boy his? Will Naomi weasel her way back to his life? Has she changed?


Thoughts/rating
I think I am in the minority here, I did not like the book very much. Meh.

I initially liked, that Miranda was talking directly addressing the reader, breaking the fourth wall. Personally I have no read many books like that and found myself enjoying it in the beginning. Then it started irking me out, how can she know all these things? It confused me. Then my excitement was again buffed, the book changed to third persons POV. There is something about the writing that puts me off, makes it hard to follow. It constantly switches perspectives and through which characters we see things. Joyce’s (the grandmother) thoughts, Sam, Miranda, letters from Naomi. It was confusing at first. It spoiled the mood for me.

The problem was, the book was decent, but I had trouble with the writing. The only character I liked was Joyce. Sam was weak and spineless. Naomi, don’t get me started? I think this book was doomed for me right from the start. Quite meh….

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, and S.E. Lynes for letting me read “The Ex” in exchange for an honest review!

Sam and Naomi split a year ago and had no further contact until he sees her pushing a young baby in a buggy. With blond hair and blue eyes baby Tommy looks exactly like him but Naomi hadn't mentioned being pregnant when he left. Keen to know the truth he arranges to meet her again. Wanting to be in Tommy's life he starts to see Naomi more often against the better judgement of his Nan Joyce and colleague Miranda. They question if Naomi has turned over a new leaf or if the real Naomi will show her true colours further down the line.
Susie has written another page turner here, I felt for Joyce as she knew how hurt Sam was by Naomi in the past, I felt Sam was quite a weak character and Naomi was able to manipulate him quite easily. She was a real piece of work, I love when authors give us characters to dislike immensely

The love of your life… or a deadly mistake?
It’s hard, meeting your ex after so much time apart. You remember the tears and accusations, the desperate look on his face as he punched the wall, but you try not to show it. You smile politely, even while your heart beats faster.
You watch as he looks down into the stroller, at the beautiful blond haired blue eyed baby kicking his little legs in the sunshine, whose innocent smile lights up your world.
You see his face change. You know what he’s thinking.
The next day he calls. His voice is shaking. He wants the truth. Is it his child?
You hesitate, your throat dry, good and bad memories swirling in your mind. You’ve missed him so much… but can you ever trust him again?
You decide that the most important thing is doing what’s right for baby Tom. But months later, when the sirens wail in the night, you have to admit: you never thought either of you would go this far…
Totally enjoyable read really gripping I read in one sitting totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture
I just reviewed The Ex by S. E. Lynes. #TheEx #NetGalley

A decent thriller told from various perspectives, definitely one to take with you on holiday this year, it will keep you gripped until the end.

Sam runs into his ex-girlfriend, Naomi, one day after a year apart and she has a baby in tow named Tommy. She claims at first that the baby belongs to a friend, but later the story changes and she says the baby is actually Sam’s. They get back together and end up getting married.

This was an interesting thriller. It was a slow start and about halfway in, it picked up the pace to reveal some really good twists. I had some suspicions early on that I was right about, but I still really enjoyed the story. I didn't like any of the characters and really thought Sam could have been smarter about some things. Overall, an enjoyable book!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.