This was a bit of a miss for me, honestly I just found the pranks so gross it was hard to read, even if he deserved it lol! I also found the MC a little irritating at times. It was sweet and funny but was a miss for me

funny, fun, awesome, murder mystery from a trio of girls who are all being cheated on by the same man. final twist is awesome. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review. GLORIA DID IT AGAIN!! This book is very different from her contemporary YA romcoms but it was so good!!! The mystery, the plot twists, the murder!! It was all so creative and I never saw the plot twist coming! I had so much fun with this book I couldn’t put it down. Knowing there is going to be a sequel makes me so excited you have no idea. I love Kat the main character. She’s so awkward and relatable. This book still made me cry once because Gloria always sneaks in something about being Asian that’s so relatable or heartwarming I can’t help but cry. I hope I get to see Gloria again and get a copy of this book signed. ❤️ I LOVE YOU GLORIA!! I’m also so honored I got to read this book months before release.

Kat thinks she's found the love of her life - until she stumbles in to the room during his proposal to someone else. When the two women commiserate and decide to go on the vacation Kat paid for without her cheating ex - they find him already at the hotel with yet another woman. They. Want. Revenge. At least they think they do until they find him dead in the closet and the three of them have the best motive.

Full of laughter, fun, and women who have each other's back, this is a great cozy mystery!

The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club (review shared on instagram 3/17 @readbytheroots

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC.

If I had to review this in emojis only it would be 😂😂👀💀
This was a fun story that centers around 3 women who meet upon finding out they are dating the same guy! Their plot for revenge turns darker than they planned for and the newly formed friend trio must work together to clear their names. Naming themselves the Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club, they’ll investigate their shared ex’s past and form a sisterhood along the way.

This story kept me laughing out loud (literally - especially the scenes between Kat and her parents). Fans of the movies John Tucker Must Die and Jawbreaker should enjoy this read!

Find it on a shelf near you on June 24!

The cover and synopsis instantly grabbed my attention, but I had no idea how much I would love this book! A laugh-out-loud murder mystery with revenge, unexpected friendships, and a little romance? Sign me up!

Kat, Olivia, and Elle have one thing in common: they all dated the same cheating scumbag, Tucker Jones. Fueled by betrayal, they team up to get back at him with a series of ridiculous, petty, and over-the-top pranks. But when they arrive at his house, expecting to revel in their revenge, they find Tucker dead—and suddenly, their mission takes a sharp turn. With their DNA all over the crime scene and a very solid motive, they quickly realize they need to clear their names before they go down for a murder they didn’t commit.

This book starts fast and doesn’t slow down. The banter is razor-sharp, the chemistry jokes had me cackling, and the characters are so vibrant and real that I felt like I was part of their wild, chaotic adventure. Kat, the quirky chemist, is brilliant and unpredictable. Olivia, the socialite with a keen sense of justice, adds flair and humor. Elle, the no-nonsense realist, keeps things grounded. Their unlikely friendship is the heart of the story, and watching them go from strangers to an unstoppable crime-solving trio was pure fun.

The murder mystery itself was full of twists and turns. I’ll admit, as a thriller fan, I did predict the ending about halfway through, but that didn’t take away from the ride. Every time I thought I had it figured out, a new twist threw me off just enough to keep me hooked. And let’s not forget the podcast element—Mandy’s Dish Served Hot was the perfect touch, adding layers to the mystery and making the investigation feel even more intense.

The humor, the unexpected moments of heartfelt emotion, and the pure chaos of these three women trying to navigate their way out of a murder charge made this book impossible to put down. Add in a swoon-worthy detective and the chemistry between him and Kat? Perfection.

If you love books that keep you on your toes while making you genuinely laugh out loud, The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is a must-read. It’s sharp, witty, and so much fun—I can’t wait to see what this author does next!

This book was an absolute blast! I LOVED the quirky characters and the female character. They were all so different but became friends. Highly recommend!

I really liked the concept of this book. Initially I picked it up for the title because, excellent title. The idea of ex girlfriends getting revenge and the murder plot is fun but the writing just wasn’t for me. It all felt really rushed and disjointed which left me really confused at times. It was a bit cheesy, which is fine, I’ve read plenty of cheesy stuff but this style just wasn’t for me. It just didn’t quite flow for me.

Funny and cute mystery. I loved the ending! There were a lot of similarities to the movie John Tucker Must Die, not sure if that was intentional but had me scratching my head a bit!

The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club by Gloria Chao is a humorous and cozy mystery with unlikely friendships that had me immediately hooked. Three exes of Tucker Jones find themselves in a challenging situation. The ex-girlfriends are interested in getting revenge and work together to plot a way to get back at Tucker, complete with glitter and live frogs. Their mission for revenge takes a turn when they discover Tucker's body. Will they end up paying the price for a murder they didn't commit?

During the course of the investigation the trio becomes friends while simultaneously trying to solve the case of Tucker's mysterious murder. Kathryn Hu teams up with Olivia and Elle and discovers a long list of people with motive to kill Tucker. Woven throughout are the podcasts, Dish Served Hot, to further damage the reputations of Tucker's exes. Kat becomes the number one suspect and in order to clear her name without implicating the other girls they must find the actual murderer. With various twists and turns, this became a fun and fast read as I anticipated the resolution and hoped for the best for these likeable characters as the evidence mounted against them.

Thank you HarperCollins Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

This wildly entertaining murder mystery is equal parts sharp, hilarious, and full of unexpected twists. The premise alone promises chaos, and it delivers with fast-paced action, witty banter, and a trio of ex-girlfriends who are as lovable as they are reluctantly entangled in a crime scene. The chemistry between Kat, Olivia, and Elle is electric, making their unlikely alliance both hilarious and heartfelt. Their amateur sleuthing—filled with undercover antics, poorly executed plans, and plenty of close calls—keeps the suspense high while ensuring plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
Beyond the humor, the story explores themes of betrayal, friendship, and justice, giving it surprising emotional depth without losing its fun, fast-moving energy. The mystery itself is well-plotted, with plenty of red herrings and a cast of suspects that keeps you guessing. With its mix of dark humor, strong female friendships, and a dash of romance, this is the perfect read for fans of Dial A for Aunties and Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. A delightfully twisty, laugh-out-loud whodunit that will keep you hooked until the very end.

Interesting concept and an okay read. I feel like it needed more because the ending seemed rushed. It definitely kept me coming back, but I definitely wanted more.

Thank you Harlequin Trad Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC! I really enjoyed reading this ‘cozy’ mystery. Typically mysteries are more dark but this one had a more lighthearted feel (despite the reason for the mystery.) Kat really blossoms throughout the book. I didn’t expect the ending at all and enjoyed it but was a bit confused by some of the wording at the end that left me wondering what actually happened. Overall a cute mystery that I would recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club.

How could I not request this based on the funny title and quirky cover? Love it!

Too bad I didn't love the narrative.

First, this was way too cozy for me. I prefer more blood, more mayhem, darker with more serious undertones.

The story was too silly, too flirty, too rom-com and too hard to suspend disbelief for.

I do need a decent foundation on which to believe the mystery is plausible but this was just too...much.

I didn't see John Tucker Must Die but its obvious the narrative pulls inspiration from the 2006 film.

Second, so many cliches you can't swing a cat at. I'm sure Kat can tell me the origins of that idiom.

The ex-gfs are all hot, so is the sleazebag Tucker, and the super hot detective.

You know you're reading a book when nearly the entire cast is right out of Hottie Central Casting.

Third, the podcast nonsense and Kat's laws of bad luck or whatever it was called got old fast. I didn't see the point of incorporating these side threads into the narrative.

Fourth, the narrative starts out amusing then becomes a totally and completely unbelievable.

The detective befriending Kat and allowing her to continue her own investigation? The Life Alert thing? How Kat easily gains the trust of Tucker's secretary?

Eye roll much? I did, a-plenty.

Fifth, the ending wasn't bad, though predictable.

I like how the three women bonded and had each other's back but I didn't like any of them,

I didn't dislike them or hate them; I just didn't care about them.

First I want to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book as an ARC.

I honestly didn’t know how much I was going to love this book. The cover was super intriguing, but I didn’t know what to expect. I love mysteries and this one honestly might be one of the best I’ve read this year. I never wanted to put the book down. I loved all of the characters and the ending was mind blowing. I never expected it and loved it.

There is so many twists and turns. Starts with wanting revenge (as you should in that situation). Then goes on to plotting the revenge and then having to solve a murder while also trying to save yourself and your friends, but also becoming best friends in the process. This book was written so well. Highly recommend to anyone who likes mysteries!

A big thank you to Gloria Chao and HarperCollins Publishers Inc. for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!

Kathryn, Olivia, and Elle are just three women brought together by the betrayal and heartache caused by their ex, Tucker. What could possibly go wrong when they ban together to get revenge on him, and what other secrets does Tucker have?

If you are a fan of Finlay Donovan and/or Dial A for Aunties, you will love this one! It is laugh-out-loud funny and filled with so much chaos and bad luck that it fueled me to the very end.

This was fun! John Tucker Must Die meets Only Murders in the Building.

While the podcast bit was annoying, seeing Kat and Olivia and Elle band together and support each other through their situation was really heartwarming. I didn't see the twist coming until just before it happened and I thought it was a good one, though quite sad. Overall, a quick, light murder mystery with lots of humor!

First of all thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for giving me the arc to review!
Now to the book…The Ex-girlfriend murder club is a quirky take on the mystery genre, offering readers a light yet engaging read filled with humor and satire. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, making it a perfect pick for those who want the intrigue of a murder mystery without the usual grim intensity.

The mc, while sometimes teetering on the edge of over-the-top quirkiness, remains relatable, adding charm to the story. Her antics might occasionally lean toward cringe, but that’s part of the book’s charm.

Overall, this book is a fantastic choice for anyone who enjoys a mystery with a comedic twist. If you’re looking for something fun, breezy, and refreshingly witty, this is definitely worth a read!

Funny, clever - this book was incredibly entertaining and I was drawn in by the characters. It was a cozy mystery that had me laughing out loud.

I was initially drawn in by the unique and interesting plot of The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club, and the story started off with promise. However, it quickly got off track and became more and more unbelievable as it went on. What could have been a clever mystery felt scattered and over-the-top. Additionally, there was a lot of foul language throughout the book, which really took away from the story for me. Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me.