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The Ex Factor
Please note this book is a brief departure from the Chick Lit that Debbie Viggiano usually writes. This book includes swearing and upsetting scenes throughout.Sam Worthington is married to Annie. He’s also a loving, hands-on dad to daughter Ruby. Then Sam discovers Annie is having an affair. Even worse, she wants a divorce. Devastated, Sam has to cope not just with the dismantling of a marriage, but being parted from the daughter he adores. When Annie’s new relationship breaks down, she wants Sam back. But Sam has now met teaching student Josie, and re-discovered love. Annie hatches a plan to seduce Sam and win him back, but her plan fails. Sam hadn’t counted on his rejection of Annie backfiring on him so spectacularly – for Annie vows to use Ruby to destroy her ex-husband. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. And for Sam Worthington, his journey to hell is just beginning.
316 pages, Paperback
First published December 5, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 16, 2018
The Ex Factor, Debbie Viggiano
Genre: general fiction
I've read several of Debbie's books, and this is a departure from the usual but still with her excellent solid writing style.
Its a hard subject, one that strikes close to home for many readers. When a marriage breaks up some fathers drift off, happy to abandon their family, others though are like Sam, desperately want to be a father, to have as much access as possible but get thwarted at every step by the mother. Sadly apart from expensive court proceedings, and not everyone has the thousands that can cost, there's nothing else they can do. Even then having a court order doesn't help when the mother say the child is ill, asleep, at a friends, doesn't want to come and refuses access. The father can go back to court as Sam does, but that takes time and the months away from his daughter take a toll on him, on his new family and of course on Ruby. The only happy one is the mother, Annie, such a vindictive character. It would be nice to think parents always wanted the best for their child/children but like Annie many only want control, revenge for what they see as slights. Annie was the one to leave, yet tells Ruby Sam was at fault, forced her into an affair. Of course her poison is all lies but kids naturally believe what parents tell them and Annie has Ruby for the majority of the time, been drip feeding her malicious words into her ears. Its cruel, and yet it goes on day after day for many families. My lovely brother is going through the same process, so far he's been unable to see his daughter for almost two years, despite spending several thousands on court fees. The court agreed he'd done nothing wrong, was a good father, but the mother was so vindictive she has kept his daughter away and all he can do it seek more legal proceedings. Meanwhile his little girl probably is being told daddy didn't want her.....
Its an incredibly sad, very realistic story of what pressures a family breakdown can put on the absent parent, spilling over into other family members. Thankfully the end shows there is a glimmer of light, and I'm hoping that same thing happens for my brother in time.
A KU purchase
Genre: general fiction
I've read several of Debbie's books, and this is a departure from the usual but still with her excellent solid writing style.
Its a hard subject, one that strikes close to home for many readers. When a marriage breaks up some fathers drift off, happy to abandon their family, others though are like Sam, desperately want to be a father, to have as much access as possible but get thwarted at every step by the mother. Sadly apart from expensive court proceedings, and not everyone has the thousands that can cost, there's nothing else they can do. Even then having a court order doesn't help when the mother say the child is ill, asleep, at a friends, doesn't want to come and refuses access. The father can go back to court as Sam does, but that takes time and the months away from his daughter take a toll on him, on his new family and of course on Ruby. The only happy one is the mother, Annie, such a vindictive character. It would be nice to think parents always wanted the best for their child/children but like Annie many only want control, revenge for what they see as slights. Annie was the one to leave, yet tells Ruby Sam was at fault, forced her into an affair. Of course her poison is all lies but kids naturally believe what parents tell them and Annie has Ruby for the majority of the time, been drip feeding her malicious words into her ears. Its cruel, and yet it goes on day after day for many families. My lovely brother is going through the same process, so far he's been unable to see his daughter for almost two years, despite spending several thousands on court fees. The court agreed he'd done nothing wrong, was a good father, but the mother was so vindictive she has kept his daughter away and all he can do it seek more legal proceedings. Meanwhile his little girl probably is being told daddy didn't want her.....
Its an incredibly sad, very realistic story of what pressures a family breakdown can put on the absent parent, spilling over into other family members. Thankfully the end shows there is a glimmer of light, and I'm hoping that same thing happens for my brother in time.
A KU purchase
December 14, 2019
Wow – what an emotional rollercoaster!
The story in brief:
Sam Worthington’s daughter, Ruby, is the centre of his universe and he will do anything to protect his little ‘princess’. Coerced into starting a family within months of marrying Annie, he is left literally holding the baby while Annie goes out with the girls. Enter Nigel and the beginning of a hellish existence for poor Sam.
Following an acrimonious divorce, Annie moves in with Nigel and his two sons, resentful when he refuses to marry her. Their relationship is doomed from the start, Nigel’s children being the main reason for its downfall. Realising her mistake, Annie contrives to win Sam back, but she has left it too late. Despite missing his beloved daughter, Sam doesn’t want to know – a rejection that costs him dearly.
Widow Josie Payne has been left to raise her daughter alone, following her husband’s tragic accident. A chance meeting with Sam develops into a loving relationship and the pair subsequently remarry. The nightmare scenario that ensues has a devastating effect on all their lives, not least the children, when ex-wife Annie tightens the screws over Sam’s access arrangements. Worse still, Annie is systematically poisoning their daughter’s mind and Sam feels powerless to do anything, other than meet her demands.
This is a chilling portrayal of an embittered woman and the lengths she’s prepared to go to in her desire for revenge. I couldn’t fault this book; the subject matter being one of life’s grim realities which the author has tackled in an insightful and intelligent way.
I felt such sympathy for long-suffering wife, Josie, whose patience and understanding exceeded what could be expected of many women in her circumstances. As for Sam, there were times when I wanted to shake him and make him stand up to Annie, but given what he was up against and the fear of losing his precious daughter, it was understandable how easily he could be manipulated. Annie is toxic; there is no better word to describe her.
This is the first of Debbie Viggiano’s novels that I’ve read and I was impressed with her writing and characterisation. It’s clear from the blurb that this was never going to be an uplifting read, albeit riveting. I gather this is a diversion from the author’s usual genre of chick-lit and, I have to say, she’s done an excellent job on a serious subject.
If you enjoy stories that are true to life and take an in-depth view of the different facets of human nature – good and bad – give The Ex Factor a go; you won’t be disappointed. 5*
September 25, 2017
I was expecting a light romantic comedy because of other books I've read by this author, but The Ex Factor is a rather different read; not so light-hearted by a long shot. The book chronicles the life of a modern blended family and portrays the terrible damage that is done to children by a cruel parent. It's very nearly a horror story, and at times I was close to tears as I watched the slow slide into mental illness of a tiny little girl.
Readers who've been lucky enough not to encounter this kind of abuse in life may find Annie unrealistic and over the top; my own experience dealing with family law clients tells me the portrait is not even exaggerated. It's been drawn, in fact, with grace and restraint. The author deserves full marks for handling a horrifying subject in a way that's both readable and not too traumatic, while not soft-pedalling this difficult issue.
A sensitive and empathic portrayal of one of the nastiest features of our society.
Readers who've been lucky enough not to encounter this kind of abuse in life may find Annie unrealistic and over the top; my own experience dealing with family law clients tells me the portrait is not even exaggerated. It's been drawn, in fact, with grace and restraint. The author deserves full marks for handling a horrifying subject in a way that's both readable and not too traumatic, while not soft-pedalling this difficult issue.
A sensitive and empathic portrayal of one of the nastiest features of our society.
Read
January 19, 2021What a great book. Anyone with custody problems, may or may not think theirs is not so bad. I do not know how many times I wanted to jump into the book and tell Annie what I thought. Jodie was too weak for my liking, but you think “this cannot go on forever”. All in all, I finished up feeling quite sorry for Annie, Ruby took teenage years to the max, Josie needed to keep loving but fighting for her corner and her daughter, never his, was just collateral damage.
The author must have lived through a custody, separation, divorce with children or know of someone in this position.
Great read, will follow this author.
The author must have lived through a custody, separation, divorce with children or know of someone in this position.
Great read, will follow this author.
December 14, 2017
Wow.
I have rated this book five out of five because I could not stop reading it, it played on my heart strings and I could feel Sam's pain all the way throughout it. I grew to despise Sam's ex wife and I grew to love Josie to bits. It was compelling, gripping and honest. So full of real life emotion and pain. I absolutely adored it.
I have rated this book five out of five because I could not stop reading it, it played on my heart strings and I could feel Sam's pain all the way throughout it. I grew to despise Sam's ex wife and I grew to love Josie to bits. It was compelling, gripping and honest. So full of real life emotion and pain. I absolutely adored it.
October 8, 2018
Read this!!!
This book was almost my undoing! It was an amazing book and stressed me out to no end lol. The thought that some parents actually behave like Fanny Annie is appalling. I really wanted to SEE the reconciliation between Sam and Ruby and would LOVE for there to be a follow up book.
This book was almost my undoing! It was an amazing book and stressed me out to no end lol. The thought that some parents actually behave like Fanny Annie is appalling. I really wanted to SEE the reconciliation between Sam and Ruby and would LOVE for there to be a follow up book.
May 26, 2021
Heartbreaking and hopeful
This is a tricky subject but has been handled well. The breakdown of relationships and building of new families is never easy but can be made worse when one person refuses to let go. All sides are presented with, sometimes brutal, honesty but never gratuitously so. A deeply moving book.
This is a tricky subject but has been handled well. The breakdown of relationships and building of new families is never easy but can be made worse when one person refuses to let go. All sides are presented with, sometimes brutal, honesty but never gratuitously so. A deeply moving book.
September 27, 2018
Just a great read true to life and no holding back
Straight talking, sometimes a tear and so true to life
Love all her books.....just ordered her new one and straight on to the next book
Straight talking, sometimes a tear and so true to life
Love all her books.....just ordered her new one and straight on to the next book
February 20, 2021
Hell hath no fury...
Never have I read a story so powerful and so infuriating at the same time. The proclivity of Annie to inflict pain knows no boundaries. Sad lives. Even sadder story.
Never have I read a story so powerful and so infuriating at the same time. The proclivity of Annie to inflict pain knows no boundaries. Sad lives. Even sadder story.
January 26, 2020
Powerful
Excellent read. I could feel the pain. Relationships within a family. Intense. I had to keep reading and reading. Powerful.
Excellent read. I could feel the pain. Relationships within a family. Intense. I had to keep reading and reading. Powerful.
December 9, 2013
I have enjoyed all of this author's books and although this one is a little different, I really couldn't put it down once I had started reading it. It was quite stressful to read at times so the feeling of wanting to see how things ended up was there all the time. The characters were very "real" and some of them managed to make me switch from feeling sympathetic to totally livid with them through the book.
Debbie Viggiano writes believable characters who are a joy to read, no matter the genre. I highly recommend this, and all of her books.
Debbie Viggiano writes believable characters who are a joy to read, no matter the genre. I highly recommend this, and all of her books.
May 26, 2014
I was expecting a light hearted chick-lit book but this is not what this book is at all. This is about Sam who has a daughter called Ruby who he adores. His ex wife does everything that she can possibly do to make it as difficult as she can for Sam. I got quite drawn into this book but found myself getting annoyed at Sam the main character. Towards the end of the book I started to really dislike Sam. I think that some of the things that he did were in my book unforgivable. As for his ex-wife, I don't think that I have ever disliked a character so much.
August 13, 2013
The Ex Factor is a meaty relationship tale that is as much a psychological story as a romantic one. Annie and Sam are ex partners but Annie is determined to wreck Sam’s new relationship using their daughter, Ruby, as a means of destruction. A complex family set-up, jealousy and a father fanatical about his daughter, ensures this is a gripping – and not always comfortable – read. Highly recommended.
October 19, 2013
Absolutely brilliant! For anyone who has experience with a blended family this one is for you. So much of Annie, Sam, Josie, Ruby and Lucy's story resonated with me. It made me laugh and it made me mad but most of all it kept me entertained and I found myself nodding my head and rooting for all of them (even Annie!) to get a happy ending.
August 3, 2014
A mentally draining book as what poison in those characters but reality for lots of people no doubt. Long winded and irritating, the negativity and the constant I'm dumping you to suddenly they're loved up again.
January 28, 2016
A really moving story that kept me glued to the screen for half a day. I simply had to finish it! As the author says, it's no romance. But it's one of the most captivating, touching, moving stories I've ever read.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
February 24, 2014
really well written, felt like the characters came to life and you either really detested them or felt for them! good holiday read as you can't put it down.
August 16, 2016
Fantastic read
Loved this book and couldn't put it down. The characters were very realistic and believable. Can't wait to read more books by this author.
Loved this book and couldn't put it down. The characters were very realistic and believable. Can't wait to read more books by this author.
November 17, 2013
Really enjoyed this book. You could really feel the pain of the characters.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews