Oh wow. What a book. What an incredible author. Each of her books is insanely gripping and packed with twists while also making you think abd question. This is a gem of a book. A stand out stupendously brilliant read.

I predicted during the covid pandemic that authors all around the world would be tapping away at their keyboards to write stories about the year or two that the world was locked down.

Susie Lynes has taken the pandemic and written a cracker of a book about Sam and his ex, Naomi.

Sam leaves Naomi to move back into the house he grew up in to live with his Nan during lockdown so she won't be lonely. Thinking that a complete break is better for them he has no contact whatsoever with Naomi. One day he is out walking and bumps into Naomi who is pushing a pram, and so the story begins ........

This is a very up to date psychological thriller about love, loss, manipulation and revenge and I highly recommend it!

Have you ever gone back to an ex? I have and I’ve learnt if it didn’t work the first time the reason why could probably still be there.

Set after Covid lockdowns this is the story of Sam Moore who made the decision to leave his partner Naomi to lockdown with his grandmother Joyce. Later, as life is starting to get back to normal, he bumps into Naomi who has a young boy Tommy with her. She says he is a friends…….

Told via his friend Miranda Clarke and the clever use of a letter, as a reader you think you are aware of the facts and it is easy to make assumptions and draw a conclusion. You know from the start a local man was held for child abduction and that the wife is still missing.

So often coercive/toxic relationships are portrayed from a certain side. But manipulation and narcissistic behaviour are not gender specific. Which side is easier to believe? We had the #MeToo but we also had the Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard. Would their troublesome pasts make you think differently? Does your own gender have a correlation to an automatic response?

This was a tense read with well drawn characters, who weren’t the only ones being manipulated. They say love is blind, but in some cases it is also deaf, dumb and infuriatingly stupid!

EXCERPT: In the silent dimness, he listens to his son breathe. He feels capable. Trusted. When they were together, she was always snatching things from him, low mutters escaping from pursed lips - 'oh, for God's sake, or 'I can't watch', or 'honestly, it's too painful - before performing whatever task it was correctly. But now he has passed all the tests she set for him, with flying colours.

After a moment, he kneels on the floor and rests his head on the old carpet before lying flat on his stomach. He will pull up this carpet, he thinks. Sand the boards. The mesh sides of the cot allow him to watch his son: the bud of his tiny mouth; his papery, shell-like nails; his whipped downy hair.

His breathing stops. For a moment, Sam's heart clenches. But then Tommy releases the warmest, sweetest, gentlest breath.

'Miracle,' Sam whispers, fingertips pressed to the mesh. There are no words for what he feels in his heart. To be a father, to lie on the floor and watch his son sleep, is the most everyday thing and yet so extraordinary it makes his breath catch in wonder. Nothing must be allowed to spoil this, he thinks.

Nothing must be allowed to take this away.

ABOUT 'THE EX': The love of your life… or your biggest mistake?

It’s hard, meeting your ex after so much time apart. You remember the hurt, the tears and accusations, 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?

After a sleepless night, you arrange to meet, agreeing 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…

MY THOUGHTS: Deliciously evil, Ms Lynes. You had my emotions all over the place. And there's still a wee hitch in my breath when I think of what you put poor Sam through. My heart was pummeled by his anguish and distress. I shredded tissues!

The Ex is a fast and exciting read. It has all the hallmarks of a good psychological drama. It's twisty. The characters are unpredictable - yes, even Sam! Naomi is . . . Naomi. Definitely two sides to her coin. Nonna Joyce is lovely, but I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of her. I could see why Sam left Naomi to move back in with her at the start of lockdown. She reminds me of my own grandmothers. And Miranda - what a wonderful friend she is.

I loved the way Lynes set the story up at the beginning. I was curious. No, more than curious. I was hooked! And I stayed firmly on that hook right the way through. This addictive read had me flipping pages into the early hours of the morning when I finally put it aside with a shocked gasp and a satisfied smile.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

#TheEx #NetGalley

I: selynesauthor @bookouture

T: @SELynesAuthor @Bookouture

#contemporaryfiction #domesticdrama #psychologicaldrama

THE AUTHOR: After graduating from Leeds University, S E Lynes lived in London before moving to Aberdeen to be with her husband. In Aberdeen, she worked as a Radio Producer at the BBC before moving with her husband and two young children to Rome, where she lived for five years. There, she began to write while her children attended nursery. After the birth of her third child and upon her return to the UK, she gained an MA in Creative Writing from Kingston University. She combines writing with teaching at Richmond Adult Community College and bringing up her three children in Teddington, Middlesex.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Ex by S.E. Lynes for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

Amazing book!! Kept me guessing and couldn’t wait to finish! Edge of your seat thriller. Stayed up late reading this one

Sam Moore and Naomi split during a COVID lockdown and they have no further contact until Sam sees her pushing a young baby in a stroller towards a car park. Covered with a blue blanket, the baby has blonde hair and blue eyes and looks similar to Sam but Naomi hadn't mentioned being pregnant when he left, leaving his keys on the table. Will he ask her and if so, how? The baby is called Tommy and Sam starts to see Naomi again against the better judgement of his gran, Joyce and colleague, Miranda.

This is another winner for me, from the pen of Susie Lynes. I couldn't put it down, finishing it in only a couple of reading sessions. Themes include desperation, obsession and manipulation. A beaut of a tale.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

It's hard, to meet your ex after so much time apart. He stares hard at your beautiful baby boy, whose innocence lights your life. The next day he asks, is it his child? The most important thing is to do right by the baby. Sure, you've missed him but can you ever trust him again?

I enjoyed this book, loving the writer's style. The characters are strong and believable and the story progresses well and at a good pace. I found it difficult to pinpoint what makes the story so complete. Not ideal for a book review, I know. It is so easy to read and the characters come alive so make it a pleasure. Plus there are lots of twists and turn. Some you can see coming some totally unexpected.

Verdict - A great read in my opinion. Although there are lots of books in this genre this one stands head and shoulder above most simply because of its easy readability.

Life is short. Seize the day. Naomi wants Sam back and she will do anything to make it happen. Anything. Sam left Naomi and now he is back, living with his grandmother. Apparently Naomi has a baby son named Tom. A son Sam knew nothing about. With the same blond hair and blue eyes, Sam quickly assumes that he is the father. A father who immediately decides that he wants to be involved in his son’s life.

Things are beginning to take shape. With extreme reins on control, Naomi is going to get Sam back by any means necessary. The three of them will be a nice little family, no matter the cost. Thus begins a roller coaster of events that prove Naomi’s desperate attempts to make it happen.

This is no sweet little love story. In fact, as this book evolves proving that sheer desperation comes with manipulation and control to the point of obsession. The story is delivered in an interesting third person accounting from a couple of characters, especially with letters written in first person from Naomi‘s point of view.

This intriguing book not only features Sam and Naomi, as Sam‘s grandmother Joyce plays a pivotal role. Miranda, Sam’s dear friend is also integral to this story. With these additional characters, the exceptional pacing in this story flows easily. As each letter comes through from Naomi, she definitely wins one of the most unlikable people awards. Naomi states early on that her desperate actions are due the effect that the pandemic had on her life. While she may want Sam back, the question is whether or not she can forgive him for leaving her in the first place.

S. E. Lynes has written an addictive and compelling read from beginning to end. I was eager to see far things would go and what the conclusion would bring. With excellent writing and a thrilling plot, this book was a one-sitting read and was thoroughly enjoyable.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy my YouTube video review as well - https://youtu.be/Q80JKFejV1s

Sam Moore works as chief landscaper for Miranda, a garden designer. He lives with his 86-year-old grandmother, Joyce.

Sam and Naomi broke up about a year ago at the start of lockdown for Covid. Naomi treated Sam badly, belittling him and being an all-round nasty person. She was afraid he wanted them to move in with Joyce to take care of her. Joyce also knew that Naomi was bad for Sam but kept quiet about it.

Now, Sam has seen Naomi with a baby boy named Tommy. She admits that Sam is the father and Sam is smitten. He wants to be a part of Tommy’s life but Naomi is hesitant. She also appears as though she has become a new person. She’s a good mother, she’s kind, she apologizes for the way was and admits that she loves Sam. Now, he has asked her to marry him. But, Joyce and Miranda know how the old Naomi used to be and do not believe that she has changed like this. What is Naomi up to?

This is one good thriller. The sucker meets slick Willy. Can’t say much more about this book because that would be giving out spoilers. Suffice to say that the characters are well-written and the plot well-created. Kept me wondering up to the end when it all became clear. Well done. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

If you have read other books by Suzie Lynes you know she loves a slow burn, I usually don't as much, but I must admit she is a master at it! She's one of the few writers who succeeds in making me love a slow burn.
The plot of The Ex is brilliant and brilliantly delivered through different POV and letters, both in third and first person narration, this way you can really see different perspectives on the story and it keeps the narration egaging and vibrant.
Around 50 per cent in, the pace completely changes and forget about slow burn, you're literally sucked in in a fast paced, twisted plot. Wow, it's like reading two different books completely, it's a shock and I'm amazed at how well Lynes always delivers it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Ex is set in 2021, just as lockdowns were being lifted, and introduces us to Sam. After having moved back in with his Grandmother for lockdown, he bumps into his Ex Naomi when out on a walk. They did not end on good terms and he hasn't seen or spoken to her since leaving their flat just over a year ago. He is shocked to see her pushing a baby who she says she is looking after him for a friend, but Sam is not convinced. We follow him as he tries to come to terms with what happened when he and Naomi split and wrestles with what to do next.

I am not saying anymore as you need to read to find out what happens, but there is a constant sense of unease throughout this book and although I thought I knew what was going on, I was wrong! The small cast of characters are drawn well and I really liked the format of being mainly told from the perspective of Sam's friend and business partner Miranda.

Another great read from Lynes to add to an ever-growing catalogue!

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Ex' by S.E Lynes.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for S.E Lynes, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 26th August 2022.

This is the fifth book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'The Housewarming', 'Can You See Her?', 'The Baby Shower'and 'Her Sister's Secret' which I highly recommend.

I was originally drawn to this book by its gorgeous eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Fans of Ruth Ware, Lisa Jewell and Gillian Flynn will be gripped by The Ex.' I am a huge fan of Lisa so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of S.E Lynes and if this is as good as 'Can You See Her?', 'The Housewarming', 'The Baby Shower'and 'Her Sister's Secret' it is sure to be an epic read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of 64 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in Lyme Regis, Dorset, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 , UK 🇬🇧 . I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times. I have in fact visited and holdayed in Dorset on many occasions including going there on holiday last and this year so am looking forward to possibly recognising name places.

This book is written in a mix of third and first person perspective and the protagonists are Sam Moore, Joyce Naomi Harper and Miranda Clarke. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything. To have the benefit of both first and third person perspective ensures you don't miss out on anything.

'The Ex' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book S.E Lynes discusses/includes domestic abuse amd gaslighting.

OMG!!! JUST WOW!!! Yet another fantastic psychological thriller that will keep you hooked and on your toes throughout!! Well done S.E Lynes!!!

This book is extremely well written with descriptions that leave your heart pounding and feeling the hairs on your arms raise. The storyline is filled with suspense, friendship, deceipt, love, secrets, loss, lies and some shocking twists and turns!!!

I was completely gripped throughout this page turning thriller. I enjoyed seeing what was going on through both Sam, Joyce and Naomi's eyes and I love at the end how everything is wrapped up neatly for the reader I must admit a pet hate of mine with books is unnecessary loose ends. I absolutely loved the explosive ending which I was not at all expecting!!! I was completely invested throughout the storyline and addicted throughout. Considering this book is a psychological thriller I must admit that I think it took me through every possible emotion from anger to horror, happiness to devastation, suspense to dispair. I was absolutely devastated by several actions/twists in this book and I wish I could go into more detail but I really don't want to spoil any of the twists and bombshells for future readers. I have absolutely loved every sing book that I have read by this extremely talented author and the fact that she not only writes unputdownable books but intricately weaves in such vital topics I really wish every one would pick up one of her books to see just how amazing she is and how much they have lost out on by not picking one up yet !!!

S.E. Lynes covers so many topics in this book and she has done it extremely well weaving them perfectly through the storyline. I will try to cover some of them in this review without giving too much away. I believe the first one that was pointed out really was COVID and all the different effects it had on different people . Susie really couldn't have put it more perfectly in this book than how she does. Some people now stay in a lot more after lockdown after becoming used to the isolation,others went out partying the second they could, others suffered with anxiety, many suffered from loss. As Susie says it affected everyone in one way ot another. The next topic she covers and the main one really is toxic relationships and whether it is a good idea to go back to one. Can people change? The book also covers topics of domestic abuse and gaslighting by females which, again, are topics not often found in fiction or even non fiction books yet should be spoken about more regularly to help the victims of these events. A HUGE congratulations to S. E. Lynes for covering these topics and for the research that would have gone into them. I am sure your book will make a few readers feel better or seek help needed after reading this and maybe coming to the realisation that what has happened to them can be talked about and help is out there. Again to cover such unique topics in books and weave them into an addictive storyline could not have been an easy feat but SE Lynes has done it perfectly!!! It also covers in how our pasts and personalities can change and mould our futures and how we can sometimes linger on something that has happened which then fester into a posion or even anger. I've said plenty in how many great topics have been covered in this book so I won't say anymore as I don't want to bore you but it definitely leaves you with food for thought and is a book that will stay with you for a long time after!



AN ADDICTIVE BOOK THAT I WOULD ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO SEE MADE INTO WHAT WOULD PROMISE TO BE A BLOCKBUSTER MOVIE!!!

The characters were all very strong and realistic and there was a good range of personalities throughout. I became completely invested in Sam and my heart absolutely tore in half for everything that he was going through. He was such a hard working man and you could see him falling into a crevice of depression and heartbreak which was just absolutely heartbreaking. Joyce was such a perfect and sweet Gran to Sam and their relationship was absolutely beautiful. To see an older man look after and help his Gran the way he did is something that I miss seeing in real life. Miranda was such an amazing friend to Sam and I'm very happy with certain things. Well, as for Naomi.......
I think I best leave my character evaluation here as a) what I have to say may get me removed from a few places and b) will probably give too much away so you'll just have to pick up a copy to fill in the gaps won't you!! A great mix of characters to love and hate that made the book perfect.

A MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS SUSIE ON AN ABSOLUTELY ADDICTIVE MUST READ. YET ANOTHER SUCCESS AND HERE'S TO YOUR NEXT ONE 🥂


THIS IS EXACTLY WHY YOU ARE ONE OF MY FAVOURITE AUTHORS. EACH BOOK IS UNIQUE AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOUR SECRET IS BUT YOU JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER AND BETTER!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!


Overall a must read, absolutely addictive gripping thriller filled with friendship with an explosive ending that will stay with you for a long time.

Genres covered in this novel include Psychological thriller, Suspense, Thriller, Mystery and Psychological Fiction amongst others.

I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Ruth Ware, Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn , Shari Lapena and anyone who loves an addictive book with an unexpected twist!

367 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle or £9.99 for paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews

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Running into an ex can be awkward. You smile, make small talk but underneath, you remember the reason(s) you are no longer together. What can make this run in even more uncomfortable, when your ex has a baby, and you begin to wonder....

Sam ran into his ex; Naomi and she is not alone. She has a baby, Tommy with her. Sam can't help but feel thing for Naomi. He also can't help but wonder, is the baby hers? Is he the father? The timing is right....

This was a fast read told through various POV's and letters. Boy oh boy, did I feel for Sam in this book! I also wanted to give him some words of wisdom as well.

This was a guilty pleasure read for me. It was fast paced, fun and entertaining!

3.5 stars

Manipulation madness!
Obviously us readers knew what was going down, but you can't help but feel bad for Sam. Poor, sweet, blind Sam.

So it's told in the 3rd person by Sam and Joyce (Sam's grandma) and there are some letters written in the 1st person by Naomi (Sam's ex) and Miranda (Sam's best friend/coworker) is 1st personing us too. It started off slow for me, but the pace flowed along nicely and before I knew it I was fully engaged and ready for the conclusion.

Overall, I did not care for all the pandemic talk, but this was on point as a psychological thriller. There were some suspenseful moments towards the end. This is my second winner from this author and I'll be back for more thrilling rides.

★★★ 3.5 stars

The love of your life? Or your worst nightmare?

I began this review earlier today (having given up after 40%) with one train of thought only to go back and finish the book and thus change my opinion. As the pace was so slow it was glacial as was the chill I felt whenever I was in sneaky Naomi's presence, it did pick up...but not until about 50%. Normally, I wouldn't go back and finish a book I had just reviewed as unable to get through but I know Susie is capable of some thrilling tales and I kind of wanted to find out what actually happened.

Sam is a sucker for a sob story and when he runs into his ex, Naomi, one day after leaving her the year before prior to the UK's first COVID lockdown he is shocked to see she has a baby in tow. But never fear, she is just looking after the little tyke for her friend. At least that's what she tells Sam but he's not stupid. He sees the resemblance, the fair hair, the blue eyes...he knows. He goes home to his gran Joyce with whom he's been living since he walked out on Naomi (for good reason, I might add) and regales her with the impromptu meeting. Joyce warns him to be careful where that girl is concerned but Sam just has to know - is Tommy his baby?

And so he texts Naomi to meet up, casual like. But she is not stupid either. She knows that's exactly what he'll do and so she sets about playing him like a fiddle. At first she denies Tommy is his but then about faces and admits that he is. They then agree to daytime access once a week, when he has to rework his work schedule to accommodate the princess as she calls the shots. Whilst she has agreed to access amicably, she could also quite easily take it away again, using Tommy as leverage in her quest to snag Sam's affections once again. Meanwhile poor Sam is decorating a nursery in his gran's house especially for Tommy when he is (finally) allowed to stay over. He has taken to fatherhood like a fish to water and he is loving every minute of it...for all the 8 hours Naomi deems to allow him at first.

Sam is convinced that Naomi is a changed woman. That motherhood has mellowed her. Even Joyce's opinion of her grandson's "ex-ex" was turned around. But is that the face she just wants him to see? He forgets the pain she caused him and the reasons why he left. She still articulates his every fault and how he made her angry, excusing her appalling outbursts and behaviour, when he could only respond with silence. He never knew what to say to her. I get that. But she took it as a personal attack and a year later never fails to remind him of that in her oh so subtle way. And Sam, still under her spell, bows to her in agreement seeing the error of his ways. Seriously? The woman blows hot and cold and poor Sam never knows which temperature he's going to get. Her underhand and subtle gaslighting manipulates him into constantly second guessing himself. She did that! And a year later, she still is! But this time with a smile not sarcasm in her tone. But it's still there.

But Sam is smitten. Case closed. With his gran's ring she gifted him to give Naomi, Sam gets down on bended knee and proposes. He wants to be a family and he wants that with Naomi and Tommy. And so they begin to plan their future together. Now that he had found and rekindled the love of his life, what could possibly go wrong?

The story unfolds through the narrative of Miranda who retells it as Sam's story with letters from Naomi (to Sam) peppered throughout. It is through these letters that I can see the subtle gaslighting, the manipulation and the emotional abuse. She knows exactly what she is doing and she dangles the silent threat in the form of words that she may or may not give to him.

When I began this review earlier, I didn't think the story had gone anywhere. That it was just more of Sam jumping through Naomi's hoops. But I wanted to know what Sam had done and why and I do enjoy Susie's thrillers so I went back and (admittedly) skipped a few chapters to where it started to get interesting and pick up pace. From there I was hooked. And I flew through the rest of the pages until the final truth was revealed. And wow! Just wow!

One thing was for sure...I HATED Naomi. With a passion. She was up to something...I just know she was. Was she stringing Sam along for her own gain before revealing her true colours again? Maybe? Maybe she truly loved him. But one thing is for sure...she is toxic. Their relationship is toxic. And yet she still had the power to lure him into her web once again and keep him entangled there. Because he is a good guy. He sees and believes the best in people.

While slow burns are not my style, preferring to be thrust into the deep end from the beginning and being catapaulted through the rest of it, THE EX did in fact pick up its pace ten-fold at the halfway mark. In my opinion, that is too long to keep readers waiting for the good stuff...unless they like that style. Susie does have a penchant for slow burns but this was pretty glacial to begin with for quite some time.

The style in which THE EX is written is very different which I admit to finding confusing at first but once I got used to it I could follow the format. It was the slow pace that had me stumped. And while that was ALMOST enough to make me give up, I'm glad I did go back and pick it up again because it did indeed get better. It is predictable but that doesn't spoil the enjoyment for me...the slow pace in the first half did that. But in the second half, it ended up being an intriguing and enjoyable read.

I would like to thank #SELynes, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheEx in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

Wow S.E Lynes does it again. The Ex was absolutely fantastic, it was a complete page turner that I could not put down. Set as we were coming out of lockdowns in 2021 the story tells of Sam who by complete chance meets his ex Naomi. Naomi has a young child with her and Sam is desperate to do the right thing by her so they rekindle their romance with everything seeming to be pretty perfect for the little family. Throughout the book there is a sense of unease that as a reader you can't quite put your finger on. Then the major twist happens. I admit that I did sort of see it coming but as I was reading it I had a sense of no this can't be right. The story was absolutely phenomenal and I urge people who enjoy this genre to read it as you will not be dissapointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

I absolutely cannot put the book down. One of the best thrillers a rental year. I don’t wanna say too much about the plot because it’s better to go in green. However you need to read the Ex.

I’ve never read this author before. I want to read more after loving this. This book is so well-written. I was gripped by the story.

This is the story all about how Sam’s life got twist turned upside down!

Miranda is telling us the story and they all have pandemic fatigue and have just gone through something wild. We don’t know what it is yet but we know that Sam did it and the cause was his ratty ex-girlfriend, Naomi.

He left Naomi early in the lockdown because she was emotionally abusive and he wanted to stay with his Gran who raised him, so she wouldn’t be lonely. A year or so later, he runs into Naomi and she has a little boy. Is it his? If he has a baby, he wants to be there. He’s willing to give it another go.

Naomi tells a different story. She’s the victim here! I don’t think anyone is buying that though and you know she’s crazy because of how much she talks about astrology. Can their stars realign or is she playing him for a fool?

I really liked this. I loved that the pandemic was worked in but wasn’t center stage. Our lives have changed so much and along with that, our relationships have too. Often they’ve been accelerated so it was interesting to hear it from that angle.

I really enjoyed the format as well. Showing us snippets, news clippings, and diary entries along the way. It ratcheted up the suspense because we knew something bad was happening but when? It was like the book version of a jump scare!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the chance to read and review! I’d definitely recommend this and will be checking out more from this author.

What a cracking good read. The old saying “Leopards don’t change their spots” was never more appropriate. Vile characters, brilliant plot and a stonking good read