Just wow, this audio book was incredibly gripping! The unexpected twists throughout the book made it hard to pause. The end did not disappoint, it was surprising and shocking with a twist that I NEVER saw coming.

This was an OK book.

This is an 'i am not sure' book because it was fine - not bad, not brilliant but could of been so much better. seemed a little rushed in places and was pretty unrealistic.

an easy read though - i wouldn't put others off reading it, just not for me.

I really loved the twists and turns in this book and the fact that they were staring the reader in the face, but the pace of the book made you unable to put the pieces together! As a reader, I was frustrated at how many little things I picked up on and then, ultimately, ignored but it is a credit to a writer that they are able to cause that effect through guiding the reader down another path. I loved this book and I’m excited to check out other books by this author!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

4⭐️

An Exciting Read

This book follows the turmoil faced by Sadie when her husband Ted's ex crashes their family Christmas getaway and claims to have been invited by Ted.

The blurb, the premise and the plot called to me and this book did not disappoint. It dives right in into the meat of the story and does not drag or lose pace in between. The characters all seemed very suspicious and had me wondering what the twist could be.
The plot setting and progression were, tense, heart-pounding and fabulously performed by the narrator Helen McAlpine.

I quite enjoyed the simplistic writing style of the author and loved how the twists were sprung on us. However, the ending seemed pretty rushed and maybe a little far fetched. But, a thoroughly satisfying read. I hope to read more by the author.

I received an ARC of the Audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you to Netgalley, the Author and the Publisher for providing an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book made zero sense. The FMC Sadie's inner monologue was annoying and repetitive. This review contains a lot of spoilers so don't read it if you plan to actually read the book, but if you do read the book, don't be surprised by how utterly not thrilling it is.

1). After like 12 years of marriage there is some mysterious problem between Ted and Sadie.
2) Sadie had a bad childhood, she doesn't want her kids to experience the same (her dad left her and her mom for a new family). This point is brought up to exhaustion throughout the book. We get it, you care about your kids. Everyone does. I don't need to hear it 45 times in a 9 hour book.
3) Alice is Ted's ex, from like, college. He is mysterious about how the relationship ends, but it turns out he knew about his daughter Natasha the entire freaking time. Looser.
4) Apparently Sadie also new about Natasha, in an abstract, you know after you know, but then are convinced you know all along kind of way?
5) Oh yeah, later you find out it was Sadie who invited Alice to Christmas. The unreliable narrator didn't work for me here. The entire book is Sadie's fault.
6) You find out the mystery between Ted and Sadie about halfway through, and then you realize that Sadie is a complete idiot, because for a therapist, she has remarkedly little ability to process her feelings.
7) supposedly there was some danger from Alice's husband, but, it made no sense, since the police wanted Alice because he had been "left for dead." Which means he was in a hospital and not running around the Scottish country side in a massive flood.
8) the ending made zero sense, but even as Sadie almost drowns, we still have time for one more lengthy inner monologue about all the hopes she has for her children.
9) there was no tension in this book, there was no rooting for Sadie because she was dumb and kept making these blanket declarations like she knows Ted and he loves her and they are a solid couple and then she didn't know him at all and she knew all along he was a bad man? Like wtaf.
10) It would have been great if Robin had showed up and picked them off one by one, the ending, unfortunately was much more lame.

I felt like this was really slow at some points and then sped through other parts. I did like the setting in a remote area with a lodge. The remote area made the perfect backdrop for a psychological thriller. There were a few un expected twists throughout but it just didnt blow me away.

Great story. Totally holds your attention, with a few wee twists in there. Loved it. Also enjoyed that the narrator was Scottish so the story felt real.

MY HUSBAND’S EX by Rosie Walker

I’m new to this author’s work. I see she has written several other books and I’d love to read them as well. I felt that My Husband’s Ex was a good introduction for me to her writing.

Psychological thrillers are one of my favourite genres. In this particular novel the author pulled out all the stops, building suspense from the get-go to a relatively satisfying ending. There are several twists in this story, but if you’re an experienced reader in this genre, you’ll easily figure out some of it, if not all.

That said, this is the type of book I’ll recommend to someone who is new to the psychological thriller genre who wants to test the waters, so to speak, to see if this would be their kind of read.

I could relate with some of the narcissistic behaviour of one of the characters, as I have, like many, known someone earlier in my life who had these exact same tendencies. I appreciated how the author kept the narcissistic behaviour of this specific character under the radar, but often giving the reader sneak peeks into how this kind of behaviour will lead up to one of the biggest plot twists in this book.

What attracted me to wanting to read this book (apart from the gorgeous cover), was where it said in the synopsis that Sadie is locked in the basement by Alice, the husband’s ex-girlfriend, and then a promise to the reader that Alice has met her match. I was instantly intrigued: how will Sadie escape from a locked basement, and what will the consequences thereof be for Alice? Sadly, I feel that that part of the synopsis is somewhat misleading as it didn’t deliver on the expectations it had created. Sadie is indeed locked in the basement, but that forms a very small part of the story and doesn’t happen in the way the synopsis suggests.

Although I felt disappointed by the somewhat misleading synopsis, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story. Having listened to My Husband’s Ex on audio, the narrator did a great job bringing the characters to life. I was left in awe of her ability doing all the different voices. It took me awhile though to get used to the Scottish accent. I can’t say that I’ve ever listened to an audiobook before read by a narrator with a Scottish accent. But it was a good experience and I really liked how she added to the plausibility of each character.

I don’t always enjoy characters’ inner monologues, but Sadie’s added to the story and clarified the past events that fuelled it to present day. Most of the characters are very realistic and in some ways relatable, especially the grandparents.

Overall this was quite a good read and one that you’d most likely want to read past your bedtime, or even while relaxing on the beach, or in a plane on a short flight. Definitely consider adding it to your tbr if psychological thrillers tickles your fancy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for allowing me to listen to an advanced copy of the audio version of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a deeply atmospheric thriller that really works as a audiobook thanks to a narrator with some serious skills in creepy voices!! Each character has a unique voice, some are pretty creepy, all are distinct and together they really work to bring this original story to life.

The plot is based around a family of 4 who head to the remote Scottish Highlands for a Christmas to reconnect and heal some marital rifts. A knock on the door heralds a serious departure from this plan, as husband, Ted's', ex-girlfriend along with her teenage daughter announce the they are joining the family for the festivities! We quickly realise that there are some dark intentions at play. The creepy atmosphere is enhanced with a storm that ensures no-one can safely leave the remote lodge. Does everyone make it out alive? This novel is well worth a read/listen to find out!! Definitely one to have on the 'to read' list for the festive season!

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

When Ted's ex-girlfriend shows up with her daughter at the doorsteps of the holiday home that Sadie and Ted have booked - they both are surprised as they were not expecting her at all.
This was supposed to be a perfect Christmas for Ted & Sadie - they were supposed to sit and talk about how they can get better at their relationship but instead Ted is spending all his time drinking wine with Alice!
Sadie has to try her best to ensure that she doesn't lose Ted to Alice - she knows what Alice wants and she is not ready to give it to her at any cost!

Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture Audio and Rosie Walker for approving this heart pounding thriller which was engaging till the last word!

Book Review - Ex Girlfriend by Rosie Walker
Narrated by Helen McAlpine

Sadie is really hoping that spending Christmas in a private, remote location will help her and her husband, Ted, to rekindle their romance and bring their little family closer together before hosting all of the grandparents a few days later. Things have been a little tense between Ted and Sadie recently and Sadie is banking on this trip to help save their marriage. This slow burn thriller hooked me right from the start as I grew increasingly intrigued as the plot unfolded.

When Ted’s ex-girlfriend, Alice, shows up on the doorstep of their quiet retreat, the turmoil begins. My allegiances swayed throughout the story; the story is told through one voice, Sadie’s, and the listener is privy to all of Sadie’s innermost thoughts as the story unfolds. She is conflicted as Ted swears he didn’t invite Alice, but Alice insists that he messaged her. Who should she believe? The narrator, Helen McAlpine did a great job giving voice to Sadie as she struggled to find the truth. Is Alice here to steal her husband? How can Sadie protect her children from this mess?

There were times in which I felt like the story could have moved at a slightly faster pace, but I did not see the twist coming at all and though I had several predictions as to what was ultimately happening in this story, I was ultimately incorrect!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Rosie Walker, and Bookouture Audio for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s nearly 3am and I just couldn’t put this book down. The ending is shocking. I really didn’t see it coming.

This book starts off with a family going away to spend time together for Christmas, the husband and wife (a therapist) are having problems connecting* and she just wants to have a nice Christmas for their girls. The backdrop is a storm that potentially will leave them stranded. As soon as they arrive at the lodge, two additional people show up, a little girl and her mom. The mom is the ex girlfriend. Chaos ensues as the reader tries to figure out, what happened with the ex and why is she here. Who invited and what does she want?

I have to admit this was a slow read, and at times I was very frustrated as the narrator was supposed to be a therapist, and yet didn’t seem to see all the signs that her husband was not who he stated or wanted people to know who he actually was. I felt that it took way too long to get to the actual point of why the ex-girlfriend was there and why she had a left the husband years before he married his current wife..

I also feel the ending of the book was not very satisfying.

Ex-Girlfriend by Rosie Walker was an unexpected thriller for me. When an unexpected guest shows up at the cabin where Sadie and Ted were celebrating Christmas with their family everyone was surprised. Sadie fully expected to spend the holidays recovering from a stressful year with her husband and children, but Alice and her daughter had other plans. Or did they? By the middle of the book when Sadie and Teds daughter lost her new I pad, I threw all of my expectations out the window because the truth was nothing I though it was going to be. When I think of a true thriller read, this book really will stand out to me now. Poor Alice went from being the villain to victim and back again so many times my head was spinning. In Sadie's head she really did not know what the truth was until she came so close to death her tired mind put it all together when she was pulled from the freezing water by the last person she expected. The meaning surrounding the story is such a powerful and uplifting one for anyone who has dealt with this type of abuse. I love this book and highly recommend!!

Thank you Netgalley for the Arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

**Audio Review
This was my first encounter with the author Rosie Walker and therefore had no experience as what to expect.
However, I am very happy to say it will not be my last as I have definitely found a new author to add to my list and very much looking forward to reading more in the future.
Absolute credit also has to be given to the narrator Helen McAlpine for the magnificent accurate articulation and great voice consistency for all the characters!

This ticked so many boxes of concepts I love in a novel with my favourite type of setting -
A remote lodge in the Scottish Highlands during the festive period - usually this location is associated with the routine holiday romance scenario but is much better suited to this type of psychological suspense thriller which the author captured perfectly and executed with fantastic descriptive language. I could feel, see, taste everything about this setting. The Scottish weather (which I am unfortunately familiar with) completed the underlying feel for this setting in the format of a Storm.

The opening chapters had me instantly hooked - this was not just about Ted and Sadie experiencing a difficult patch in their marriage and trying to resolve with a Christmas break, right from the get go there was an atmosphere of suspense created.

The story line is continuous with unexpected twists which supports the fast pace which I enjoy in a thriller, completed with an ending I would never have predicted. There is a fantastic mix of characters which always had me wondering and trying to second guess.
There was some delicate themes running within the plot that the author delivered exceptionally well which help create a genuine connection to the characters.
Would recommend to all readers with a love of Psychological Thrillers (and not just for Christmas).

Thank you very much to NetGalley for this ARC in Audio format of “My Husband’s Ex” (*previously known as Ex-Girlfriend) by Rosie Walker in exchange of an honest review.

I spent some of this book in confusion since there were definitely twists and turns I wasn't expecting. I'm still not 100% convinced the ending worked, but this book kept me entertained and hooked until the last second. I loved the narrator and her gorgeous accent.

This was a peculiar read.

The premise was great, however, it seemed like this novel had every possible thriller trope thrown into the story.

At times, I was thinking wait what??? And not in a genuine surprised way. I was genuinely confused.

It’s hard for me to convey. This just wasn’t it for me.

Narrator of the audiobook was good though

Audiobook🎧 review

3.5 🌟 (rounded up)

The book 'Ex-Girlfriend' lead me on an adventure that was full of both suspense and deceit. From the moment Alice, the ex-girlfriend, appears on Sadie and Ted’s doorstep with a daughter in tow, suspicion lingers, which left me constantly questioning each character’s motives, who I should trust and what would happen next.

The story is told from the perspective of Sadie (the wife), who attempts to save her marriage in the face of Alice's unexpected return. The entire book kept me guessing what would happen next until the very end.

The end did feel little rushed. However, the author’s exploration of jealousy and betrayal, coupled with domestic problems, made for a compelling read.

I will say the narrator's dialect for the audiobook caught me off guard initially, and it took some getting used to, but I think it ultimately made the story more authentic. Keep in mind it may take some getting used to if you decide to undertake the audiobook.

Although I didn't find the book completely flawless, I still consider it to be an above-average suspenseful thriller.

Thank you Net Galley, Bookouture Audio and Rosie Walker for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

It’s a yes for me! 🖤

@deannsdailydrop

This was a fun, quick easy read.
The beginning had me hooked and the author did a good job at building up the suspense. However I don't think there was enough foreshadowing for that ending it didn't really make sense but overall enjoyable.

Starts off like a cozy family story, but then the plot twists. No spoilers. Just when you think you know what is going on, another twist, then another. The audiobook narrator has a strong accent, which I enjoyed. This was better than I expected! I was happily surprised and really enjoyed this book!