EX :

by A.J. Nox

Meet bored upper-middle-class fiancée who paces a too big of a house while her fiancé spends his Sunday golfing like normal.

Her week began giving her fiancé a mindless h*andjob in the shower. Just part of the routine.

It ends with her ex getting released from prison after ten years and showing up to destroy her perfect, fake life.

Corbin knows his Katie girl’s deepest desires and knows how to push her boundaries.

He’s not her savior - he’s more like satan.

And Kate is ready to spend as much time as needed on her knees, bowing down to her true master… no matter the danger and now matter how wrong it is.

***

Check the TW's inside the book if you feel inclined to do so. It's a long, dirty list.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2024

Reviews

[TheReaderVert · Rating 1 out of 5]

For me it's quite simple don't market your book as a romance if it doesn't have an HEA

If you are a writer of Dark Romance and you put Dark Romance as a subtitle in your book but your book doesn't end with an HEA I hope your socks are always wet & that your shoes will always squeak down hallways. 😒

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

good


( Check all TW ) I loved this book so much. It did have its ups and downs. I did love the mmc

[thebeespot72 · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Ex” was quite a turbulent read, with intense characters doing extreme things to an unexpected ending. It is a story that pushes the envelope, but out of curiosity, you read it anyway. That was me with “Ex” by AJ Nox. There are a few tropes I’m not bothered by that others would be, one of which is the cheating trope. It truly depends on how it’s done.

Author AJ Nox’s story centers around a woman, Kate, living a relatively stagnant life with her fiancee. Years ago, her life couldn’t have been further from that with her ex, Corbin, who landed himself in prison serving a long sentence. When Corbin appears at her door, he’s there to get what he believes is rightfully his—Kate. No matter what it will take and who it will destroy.

Readers will follow Kate as she struggles with what her life could be like with Corbin, and they secretly see each other. And Corbin, as he pushes Kate's threshold many times over. Author AJ Nox goes into graphic details in several extreme scenes between Corbin and Kate. There were even things that I, an experienced dark romance reader, had not encountered until this story.

But graphic details aside, “Ex” was a solid story. The ending was unexpected. Some might find it off-putting, but I didn’t mind. Overall, I enjoyed the story, and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie and Corbin

If you are looking for the book that is so out of the box, this is it! Katie's life is routine and average. She's moved on from an ex-lover. Until he finds her again and the affair begins. Be aware of triggers. Be aware that the writing will grab you and you won't believe what you're reading.

[Lisa Menor · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Kate settles into a quiet, suburban life, all he!! is about to break loose. Corbin, Kate's ex, has just been released after 10 long years in prison. Shocked to see him, Kate can't help but remember what they were together, how they were. Corbin remembers too. He's never forgotten his Katie girl and that's what has kept him going the last 10 years, and now he's back to claim what has always been his.
Corbin's need for control is equally matched by Kate's need to be controlled. I love the dual POV, and Corbin and Kate's intense chemistry! Corbin is rough. Years in prison have made him cold and the only person who could break through was Kate. Kate thought she could put aside her needs and live a more restrained existence. Seeing Corbin again, proved her wrong. Fantastic read!

[Hatshepsut · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was bored senseless reading this.
Numb suburban housewife, prison muscle (sic), unclear past, bdsm, mediocre smut, flat characters and a whole lot of meaningless choppy writing. Yawn. Horrendous read.

[Ashley - The Tattered Page]

HOOK: MY PSYCHO EX JUST GOT OUT OF PRISON AFTER 10 YEARS...

... and he just showed up at my door. To claim me. To take me back.
Only thing... I'm wearing an engagement ring.

NOTE: twist at ending—need to doublecheck that before reading

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Carol F · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would have given this book more stars, except for the ending, which I feel should have ended differently. But that's just my opinion and someone else might think different. This book is the authors first, unless author using a pen name?? Unfortunately I can't see me reading anything more by this author.

[Jetscarbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

whoa boy. I finished this book yesterday and it has stayed rent-free in my head ALL NIGHT LONG because of the ending. I have no idea WTF even happened. (spoilers ahead)

There is no HEA in this book. There is not even an HFN in this book. The ending sucks and it's super depressing.

h is engaged to some boring, vanilla guy. H gets out of prison. He's been there for 10 years. He was in a relationship with h before he went to prison. He wants his woman back. He doesn't have to work at all at it because she falls right back into a relationship with him.

So be aware- there is cheating Neither of them care. There is a lot of spice. Sometimes it was even uncomfortable spice.....like the fact he makes her sleep in a dog cage. I would read all the triggers in this book because there are a lot of kinks.

There's a plot going on during all the kink- some heroin deals, a crappy BFF, and h's fiance finding out. The fiance sets up H and H ends up going back to prison for 10 more years.


The ending.....
h goes on some date with some random guy and ends up locked up in a cage for 5 days. It's mentioned that she was one of the lucky ones because she is the only one who has escaped his cage.

Then we move forward some in time and she is sex trafficked to some guy????? Who was it? Was it that heroin dealer H battled during the book? I was so confused during this part

There was no happy ending in this book at all.

[_booknerd.4ever_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy smokes! This dark romance by new author AJ Nox is smoking hot! If dark romance is what you crave, this book is for you! Katie and Corbin have an intense relationship that not everyone understands. Their chemistry is explosive! While I wouldn’t do some of the things in this book in real life, I do enjoy reading about it as long as it consensual with both parties. I enjoyed this ride. What surprised me was the twist at the end. I didn’t expect that ending at all. I can’t wait to see what AJ Nox has in store for us next.

[Debi Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie Girl

This was a new author for me and one of the darkest books I have ever read. Katie is living her life with Chad and having her bakery. Until one day an unexpected visitor comes to her door. Corbin has been in prison for ten years and now he is back to rightfully claim Katie. A dark romance that will keep you hooked. Looking forward to reading more from this author

[Roma Sauza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what a great read! Not usually a fan of dark romance but I couldn’t put this one down and just read straight through. Let me just say the spice level is off the charts so keep a toy handy 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 😉. Had to take half a star off because I really wanted a HEA! Highly recommended 4.5 ⭐️

[Antoniette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crazy but really good!

This story is crazy but good. Katie and Corbin’s story is off the charts, chemistry is off the charts. If you need something a little different then read this!

[Nikki B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book has a lot of mixed reviews, I really really enjoyed this story. Corbin is so obsessed with his Katie that he's almost demented! Katie is engaged, runs a bakery, and lives a normal upper class lifestyle. She's semi happy in her relationship with her fiance' and thinks her life is actually pretty perfect. Until one day, her ex, Corbin comes knocking on her door. Freshly out of prison after doing 10 yrs, he's back. And he wants one thing. His Katie. Katie gives in to her desires for Corbin almost immediately, knowing in the end she'll end up hurting one of the guys because they both give her exactly what she needs in their own way. While her fiancé is a decent, normal guy who plays golf and pickle ball, Corbin is dark and twisted. The intensity between them is crazy. At some points, the things that Corbin did to Katie had me thinking maybe Katie is the demented one because she just stayed, never left, never addressed it, and maybe sometimes, even enjoyed it. I didnt find one redeeming quality in Corbin to make him a lovable character. He literally had nothing to bring to the table except for how much he was obsessed with her. The characters are well written. The only thing I felt was missing was a little backstory on what made him get arrested in the first place. Other than that, this was a great read. I suggest checking the trigger warnings first, but I definitely recommend this one!

[Cheri Lexiyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
This was a fun and wild read. Katie, the FMC, is living a materialistic and emotionally unfulfilling life with her fiancé Chad. That all changes when her Ex, (MMC) Corbin returns after 10 years in prison. Their re-attraction to each other is immediate and undeniable and they resume their VERY intense relationship. I enjoyed the intensity and passion between Corbin and Katie, and the spice was beyond spicy. Some of the content was a bit graphic, but hey, it's literally called a dark romance novel and everything is listed in the trigger warnings so make sure to read them. That being said, I was invested in these characters and their dynamic. I would have liked more details about the origin of their relationship and perhaps another epilogue about what happens 5 years after the book ends. If you are comfortable with the tropes listed, this is a recommended read! I received a copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Susan McWhinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new author and a new novel! And what an entrance. I have read many genres and certainly many BDSM in my time but this one certainly opens my eyes! It is dark, raw, gritty, forbidden and off the charts hot! The MMC, Corbin, is possessive, dark and carries many demons on his back, and is definitely the DOM whilst the MFC, Katie is his submissive in every sense of the word. She knows it is wrong to go back to Corbin, but who questions their DOM. She has been existing waiting for him to come back to her.
If you want thrilling ride till the end, with an unexpected ending that no one can see coming, then this is the novel for you.
A must read if you are into dark and dangerous., cos that is Corbin!
5 stars from me!

[Christine Harrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay

The spice is definitely 5 stars. I wasn't a huge fan of Kate and Corbin. The way he calls her Katie Girl is cringe. I get being bored with your life and wanting excitement, but to me, she threw her life away. She did right by not staying where she lacked needs, especially after telling what she needs, however waiting 10 years for a man who will probably never change is insane. It keeps you interested just in the end of all things it wasn't great but okay. The spice is what kept me reading.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The disappointment I feel.

I was so ready for this to be a 5 star read.

The author did an amazing job showcasing the monotonous life our MFC lived. I was obsessed from chapter one.

Then the spice started spicing… and I questioned if this was appropriate to read in public 😅

But that ending?!?! Such a disappointment. I want my money back. Jk.

Worth the read. But don’t expect an amazing ending. Be ready to be let down.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐️

——arc review——

Corbin, Katie’s Ex, has been released from prison after 10 years only to find Katie in another relationship. Corbin still wants Katie and is willing to get her back. It’s interesting to read Katie and Corbin’s dynamic after all these years. It was fun to read this book. If you love stalker romances, then this is for you.

[KT Letendre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can you imagine ...

This book was fiction to the extreme. No part of it seemed realistic. A girl in a happy but unsatisfying home gives it all up for a violent felon who locks her in a cage and smacks her around? It was a quick read, and the violence was more jaw dropping than the sexual escapades.

[barbie hartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is predictable...

Until Corbin returns and then everything changes. This is Katie and Corbin's intense, dark, twisted story about second chances, forbidden relationships, fierce sexual play, dominance, drugs, possession and consensual pain. Get ready for suspense and violence wrapped up in their unique love story. The book's ending feels unfinished.

[Shirley Rentzel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea

I just didn't like it, I have liked plenty of dark romances but couldn't even like this book a little bit. I didn't finish it since I couldn't care about the characters or what happen to them. Shirley

[Chante Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well what a ride


Katie and Corbin... are like watching a train wreck ...Spice 5 outta 5 story, 4.5/5
Katie is engaged to be married when her ex Corbin gets released from prison...leading to well the train wreck of their lives..
Well written kinky and fun

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read from this author and holy smokes was it dark and delicious! The twist at the end really got me. I loved that our main character's couldn't forget each other and the spice was hot! I can't wait to see what this author comes out with next!

[Mirra Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an ok book really didn’t have me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t get into it I was a little bored but I continued. I see the author has potential and I wouldn’t mind seeing what else the author has maybe the next book will catch my attention.

[cydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

where is the second book?

AJ did such a great job. I’m not a spoiler type of reviewer. So I won’t say much about the storyline except for that I loved it. The spice is spicinggg. Only issue I have is the ending. I wanted more.

[Peggy Henstra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review

This story made me go, hmmm. Loved these characters, and the ending was brilliant. The sex scenes damn near melted my reader.

[Samantha]

DNF - I can’t.

[Nicole]

DNF