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Hu Done It #1
The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club
An Instant USA TODAY Bestseller!
In this laugh-out-loud murder mystery, three women dating the same man band together to get revenge, but when they discover his body, they'll need to solve his murder before they go down for it.
The body in the closet was going to be a problem. Kathryn Hu knew it. Yes, Tucker Jones was a cheating scumbag, and yes, she’d agreed to meet Olivia and Elle—Tucker’s other girlfriends—to exact revenge for all he’d put them through… But then they found him. Dead.
Do they look guilty? Yes.
Do they feel guilty for having wished him dead just hours before? Maybe a little.
But—solid motive and a crime scene covered in their DNA aside—they’re innocent. They swear.
To clear their names, Kat, Olivia, and Elle team up to find the real killer. But as they go undercover and lie to everyone, including the hot detective working the case, they realize that every person in their ex's life had a reason to want him dead. Will they uncover the truth before they go down for a murder they didn't commit?
Filled with humor and shenanigans, The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is a romp of an adventure by award-winning author Gloria Chao, perfect for fans of Dial A for Aunties, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It and John Tucker Must Die.
What you can expect in THE EX-GIRLFRIEND MURDER CLUB :Cozy Murder MysteryFull of ShenanigansOver-the-top HumorAmateur SleuthsUnlikely Female Friendships John Tucker Must Die meets Dial A for Aunties
In this laugh-out-loud murder mystery, three women dating the same man band together to get revenge, but when they discover his body, they'll need to solve his murder before they go down for it.
The body in the closet was going to be a problem. Kathryn Hu knew it. Yes, Tucker Jones was a cheating scumbag, and yes, she’d agreed to meet Olivia and Elle—Tucker’s other girlfriends—to exact revenge for all he’d put them through… But then they found him. Dead.
Do they look guilty? Yes.
Do they feel guilty for having wished him dead just hours before? Maybe a little.
But—solid motive and a crime scene covered in their DNA aside—they’re innocent. They swear.
To clear their names, Kat, Olivia, and Elle team up to find the real killer. But as they go undercover and lie to everyone, including the hot detective working the case, they realize that every person in their ex's life had a reason to want him dead. Will they uncover the truth before they go down for a murder they didn't commit?
Filled with humor and shenanigans, The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is a romp of an adventure by award-winning author Gloria Chao, perfect for fans of Dial A for Aunties, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It and John Tucker Must Die.
What you can expect in THE EX-GIRLFRIEND MURDER CLUB :Cozy Murder MysteryFull of ShenanigansOver-the-top HumorAmateur SleuthsUnlikely Female Friendships John Tucker Must Die meets Dial A for Aunties
Audible Audio
First published June 24, 2025
772 people are currently reading
43166 people want to read
About the author
Gloria Chao
11 books1,088 followersGloria Chao is a USA Today bestselling author and a screenwriter. Her novels include The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club (sequel coming 6.2026), Ex Marks the Spot, When You Wish Upon a Lantern, Rent a Boyfriend, Our Wayward Fate, and American Panda. She graduated from MIT and became a dentist before realizing she'd rather spend her days in fictional characters’ heads instead of real people’s mouths. When she’s not writing, you can find her on the curling ice, where she and her husband are world-ranked in mixed doubles.
Visit her tea-and-book-filled world at GloriaChao.Wordpress.com, and find her on Twitter and Instagram @GloriacChao.
Visit her tea-and-book-filled world at GloriaChao.Wordpress.com, and find her on Twitter and Instagram @GloriacChao.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,874 reviews
August 2, 2025
♡ thank you to Harlequin Publishing and Gloria Chao for an ARC of this book via NetGalley ♡
4.5/5 ⭐️ (rounded up)
i DID NOT expect to like this book as much as i did!!! i mean, im OBSESSED! this was a cozy murder mystery that relied heavily on the friendship of three women, all screwed over by the same guy. their friendship was absolutely so wholesome! there's also such a dramatic plot twist at the end that i could've NEVER saw coming!
📖 plot & pace: this story Kat, a chemist who thinks she's finally met the love of her life.. until she interrupts his proposal to another woman (Oliva). yikes 😬 Kat & Olivia become friends, kind of like a trauma bond, but then they find that Tucker also had another woman (Elle) in his life (go figure right??) she joins their group and they decide on revenge. they trash his apartment but in doing so, they find his dead body. they have to figure out the truth before they're framed for his murder. the pacing of this story was pretty fast but never overwhelming. i couldn't put this one down!
👥 characters: let's start with Tucker.. that complete douche!! i'm not saying anyone deserves to DIE, but he definitely had a lot coming for him. the girls were all so lovable! i truly admired their friendship and they way they stuck together. they were the definition of girls girls! detective birch was also kind of iconic for trying to keep Kat out of harms way. i felt the characters were very well written and had just enough backstory that made them feel real.
🤩 tropes: murder mystery, unlikely friendship, found family (chaotic style), morally grey characters
this was such an enjoyable read! i can't believe this was my first book by Chao but i promise it will not be the last!!
edit: i also listened to the audiobook and the narrator is AMAZING. the book felt so much more alive. i didn't think i could like this book more but the audiobook solidified that!
4.5/5 ⭐️ (rounded up)
i DID NOT expect to like this book as much as i did!!! i mean, im OBSESSED! this was a cozy murder mystery that relied heavily on the friendship of three women, all screwed over by the same guy. their friendship was absolutely so wholesome! there's also such a dramatic plot twist at the end that i could've NEVER saw coming!
📖 plot & pace: this story Kat, a chemist who thinks she's finally met the love of her life.. until she interrupts his proposal to another woman (Oliva). yikes 😬 Kat & Olivia become friends, kind of like a trauma bond, but then they find that Tucker also had another woman (Elle) in his life (go figure right??) she joins their group and they decide on revenge. they trash his apartment but in doing so, they find his dead body. they have to figure out the truth before they're framed for his murder. the pacing of this story was pretty fast but never overwhelming. i couldn't put this one down!
👥 characters: let's start with Tucker.. that complete douche!! i'm not saying anyone deserves to DIE, but he definitely had a lot coming for him. the girls were all so lovable! i truly admired their friendship and they way they stuck together. they were the definition of girls girls! detective birch was also kind of iconic for trying to keep Kat out of harms way. i felt the characters were very well written and had just enough backstory that made them feel real.
🤩 tropes: murder mystery, unlikely friendship, found family (chaotic style), morally grey characters
this was such an enjoyable read! i can't believe this was my first book by Chao but i promise it will not be the last!!
edit: i also listened to the audiobook and the narrator is AMAZING. the book felt so much more alive. i didn't think i could like this book more but the audiobook solidified that!
Want to read
September 5, 2025𐙚⋆˚✿˖°
Huge thanks to Harlequin Audio for the ALC via NetGalley 💌
This will be my second Gloria Chao book—my first was Ex Marks the Spot (also an ARC) and I enjoyed it. The premise here sounds absolutely delicious and I can already tell it’s going to be messy, funny, and chaotic in the best way.
Three women. One cheating scumbag. A plan for revenge gone sideways when they discover him already dead. Now they’re not just ex-girlfriends—they’re prime suspects. To clear their names, Kat, Olivia, and Elle dive headfirst into the investigation, unraveling secrets, lies, and way too many suspects who all wanted him gone. But here’s the real question: can they uncover the truth before they go down for a murder they didn’t commit?
──★ ˙🧷 ̟ !!
Huge thanks to Harlequin Audio for the ALC via NetGalley 💌
This will be my second Gloria Chao book—my first was Ex Marks the Spot (also an ARC) and I enjoyed it. The premise here sounds absolutely delicious and I can already tell it’s going to be messy, funny, and chaotic in the best way.
Three women. One cheating scumbag. A plan for revenge gone sideways when they discover him already dead. Now they’re not just ex-girlfriends—they’re prime suspects. To clear their names, Kat, Olivia, and Elle dive headfirst into the investigation, unraveling secrets, lies, and way too many suspects who all wanted him gone. But here’s the real question: can they uncover the truth before they go down for a murder they didn’t commit?
──★ ˙🧷 ̟ !!
March 3, 2025
The cover of this book was initially what caught my attention! I had no idea how much I would actually love it! This is my first humorous murder book that I have read. The wittiness, the jokes, and the metaphors were so clever. It’s a good thing I took chemistry, because all of the chemistry jokes made sense to me and had me laughing so hard at times!
This book had a very strong beginning. It starts off with a guy that gets caught cheating. What strategy did the girls come up with? These girls came up with a bunch of silly, sparkly, disgusting and disturbing pranks to play on him at his house. These girls thought he was out on a trip, so it was the perfect timing. They were on the revenge and nothing was going to stop them until…. Well they found him unalived in his own home.
After finding him, the girls get together a plan on what to do next. Two of the three girls go on a podcast, while the chemist is set to go back to his house and clean. The chemist scrubs all of their DNA off of the inside of the house, then someone comes in and the chemist looks guilty. Even though their ex boyfriend was found like that, none of them did it. So, the three of them looked into his past and realized a lot of people wanted him gone. Eventually, after all the digging, they find out who murdered him. Were they 100% sure though? Did they find out that someone else could have done it? Even though the ending was somewhat predictable to me, it was still an overall great laugh out loud murder story!
I give this book a 4 out of 5 star rating! Thank you to NetGalley for providing me this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!
This book had a very strong beginning. It starts off with a guy that gets caught cheating. What strategy did the girls come up with? These girls came up with a bunch of silly, sparkly, disgusting and disturbing pranks to play on him at his house. These girls thought he was out on a trip, so it was the perfect timing. They were on the revenge and nothing was going to stop them until…. Well they found him unalived in his own home.
After finding him, the girls get together a plan on what to do next. Two of the three girls go on a podcast, while the chemist is set to go back to his house and clean. The chemist scrubs all of their DNA off of the inside of the house, then someone comes in and the chemist looks guilty. Even though their ex boyfriend was found like that, none of them did it. So, the three of them looked into his past and realized a lot of people wanted him gone. Eventually, after all the digging, they find out who murdered him. Were they 100% sure though? Did they find out that someone else could have done it? Even though the ending was somewhat predictable to me, it was still an overall great laugh out loud murder story!
I give this book a 4 out of 5 star rating! Thank you to NetGalley for providing me this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!
July 29, 2025
The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club? More like murder me for reading this not-so-laugh-out-loud murder mystery to completion.
The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is the first installment in the Hu Done It series. Tucker Jones is discovered dead by his ex-girlfriends-Kat, Olivia, and Elle. Being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, they're now the prime suspects in a murder that they didn't commit. Can they work together to uncover the real killer and clear their names in the process?
While reading you could definitely tell the author was inspired by the romcom movies "John Tucker Must Die" and "The Other Woman." However, it wasn't as entertaining. Here's why:
The main character, Kathryn Hu, a chemist was intolerable. I'd imagined the author found out what "beta-mercaptoethanol" was just so she could mention it 17 times in her book. Yes, I keyword searched my Kindle.
"Kathryn's Hypothesis/Law of Luck" and the "Dish Served Hot Podcast Transcript" were significant towards the storyline, but it felt insignificant at the same time. It felt like the author had a word limit that she needed to complete. This book should've been 50 pages shorter.
The writing was amateur and needed additional editing before publication. Here are some examples:
"We figured all this out," Olivia said, "when we went to see Lauren's mom. Who's okay but is pretty broken up."
"It's not only lasses before asses, but lass before your own ass." Girl, HUH? You chose that line to close off this book?
"Right after we parted, I drove straight to the police station. Where I walked up to Adrian's desk and kissed him." Kathryn and her love interest's lack of chemistry and build up was unsatisfying to read. She went from being mad at him, not trusting him, to kissing him out of nowhere.
I was disappointed to say the least, and will not be planning to read the rest of the series. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.
The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is the first installment in the Hu Done It series. Tucker Jones is discovered dead by his ex-girlfriends-Kat, Olivia, and Elle. Being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, they're now the prime suspects in a murder that they didn't commit. Can they work together to uncover the real killer and clear their names in the process?
While reading you could definitely tell the author was inspired by the romcom movies "John Tucker Must Die" and "The Other Woman." However, it wasn't as entertaining. Here's why:
The main character, Kathryn Hu, a chemist was intolerable. I'd imagined the author found out what "beta-mercaptoethanol" was just so she could mention it 17 times in her book. Yes, I keyword searched my Kindle.
"Kathryn's Hypothesis/Law of Luck" and the "Dish Served Hot Podcast Transcript" were significant towards the storyline, but it felt insignificant at the same time. It felt like the author had a word limit that she needed to complete. This book should've been 50 pages shorter.
The writing was amateur and needed additional editing before publication. Here are some examples:
"We figured all this out," Olivia said, "when we went to see Lauren's mom. Who's okay but is pretty broken up."
"It's not only lasses before asses, but lass before your own ass." Girl, HUH? You chose that line to close off this book?
"Right after we parted, I drove straight to the police station. Where I walked up to Adrian's desk and kissed him." Kathryn and her love interest's lack of chemistry and build up was unsatisfying to read. She went from being mad at him, not trusting him, to kissing him out of nowhere.
I was disappointed to say the least, and will not be planning to read the rest of the series. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.
June 13, 2025
The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is peak popcorn thriller energy. I was smirking my way through the dialogue and the twisty plot like I was watching a dark comedy unfold. Imagine John Tucker Must Die… but like, he’s actually dead. LMAO.
This story strikes a fun balance between lighthearted chaos and introspective growth. The exes are out for revenge but along the way, they start facing what’s really been holding them back and work toward building something that actually makes them happy. Sure, the main trio could be a little irritating at times, but honestly? I had fun hanging out with them.
Also, random side note: I loved the quirky little sidenotes about phrase origins such a clever touch. And the ending? Totally caught me off guard (in the best way). Overall, a super entertaining read with surprising heart underneath the murder plot.
✨Thanks to NetGalley, The Author, & Harlequin Audio for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review✨
This story strikes a fun balance between lighthearted chaos and introspective growth. The exes are out for revenge but along the way, they start facing what’s really been holding them back and work toward building something that actually makes them happy. Sure, the main trio could be a little irritating at times, but honestly? I had fun hanging out with them.
Also, random side note: I loved the quirky little sidenotes about phrase origins such a clever touch. And the ending? Totally caught me off guard (in the best way). Overall, a super entertaining read with surprising heart underneath the murder plot.
✨Thanks to NetGalley, The Author, & Harlequin Audio for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review✨
October 22, 2025
˙₊➴ ꒰ 3.5-stars★ ꒱ ꒷⊹࣪˖
Katheryn thought she had the best boyfriend, someone who could turn even her worst days around. But Tucker Jones wasn’t just her perfect boyfriend. Turns out, Olivia and Elle thought he was their perfect boyfriend too.
After catching him cheating, these three team up for the ultimate revenge. But when their prank goes horribly wrong and Tucker ends up dead, they're not just heartbroken, they're the prime suspects. Now, with time running out, they must uncover the truth and find out who really killed their ex-boyfriend before they're arrested for a crime they didn’t commit.
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts
‧˚ ꒰ 👩🏽🤝👩🏻 ꒱ plot & characters ₊˚⋆
I love me my mind-bending, thrilling, and unpredictable mysteries, so I went into this not expecting much, assuming it would be a more lighthearted read. But ohhh was I wrong. I absolutely devoured this book! I don’t think I’ve been this entertained in a while. From the sharp humor and clever dialogue, to the relatable characters, and the whole mystery plot. I was cackling my ass off the entire time!🤣💯
What truly made the story shine was Katheryn “Kat” Hu, our main girl and the heart of the group. As this book was told entirely from her point of view, it comes alive through her unique charm and hilarious personality. From her endless stream of malaphors (and her oddly specific knowledge of their origins) to her terrible lying skills, nervous rambling, and constant overthinking, Kat is extremely chaotic in the best way!❤️🔥
The addition of Olivia “Double-Oh-livia” McCarthy, the brain of the group, and Elle Henderson, the fearless guts of the group, made the story even more of a blast. Their sharp wits, unique strengths, and chaotic teamwork combined turned them into an unstoppable force. Together, these trio formed the Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club, and they were a total menace in the best, most entertaining way possible🤪‼️
‧˚ ꒰ 🔎 ꒱ concerns ₊˚⋆
Tbh I really wanted to rate this book higher because I had such a good time with it. But I think I totally shot myself in the foot (origin: WWI, when a soldier would shoot himself in the foot to avoid battle) as I already figured out who and how the book would end. Despite that, I don’t find the book that predictable, it's definitely just a me thing where my overthinking brain goes overdrive and predicts all the possible suspects/endings. Another is that I wish the deeper, more vulnerable parts of Kat, Olivia, and Elle’s pasts had been revealed a bit differently. While I could understand and appreciate their pasts and emotions, the lore drop felt sudden and out of nowhere, and it made it a bit harder to fully connect with them on a deeper level.
‧˚ ꒰ 💍 ꒱ final thoughts ₊˚⋆
It was such an unexpectedly hilarious and addictive book that I just couldn't put it down! A 3.5-star. This was a fun and entertaining read. Another gem discovered and secured through my Goodreads challenges! If you’re looking for a humorous mystery packed with girl bosses and female power, this one’s definitely for you! Heard that this was the first book in a series, so I'm hyped to see what adventures and mysteries our girlies will face next!🤩💞
˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆
Another read for gr’s fall achievements - heart warmers! Blame (thank) Justine for making me so addicted to achieving these challenges hihi!🤪❣️
❝ I never thought something so beautiful could come out of something so ugly. We didn’t let the circumstances taint our friendship, and then it became the only thing that held me together. ❞
Katheryn thought she had the best boyfriend, someone who could turn even her worst days around. But Tucker Jones wasn’t just her perfect boyfriend. Turns out, Olivia and Elle thought he was their perfect boyfriend too.
After catching him cheating, these three team up for the ultimate revenge. But when their prank goes horribly wrong and Tucker ends up dead, they're not just heartbroken, they're the prime suspects. Now, with time running out, they must uncover the truth and find out who really killed their ex-boyfriend before they're arrested for a crime they didn’t commit.
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts
‧˚ ꒰ 👩🏽🤝👩🏻 ꒱ plot & characters ₊˚⋆
❝ You’re right. The brains, the guts, and the heart—we’re the Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club. And we can do this. ❞
I love me my mind-bending, thrilling, and unpredictable mysteries, so I went into this not expecting much, assuming it would be a more lighthearted read. But ohhh was I wrong. I absolutely devoured this book! I don’t think I’ve been this entertained in a while. From the sharp humor and clever dialogue, to the relatable characters, and the whole mystery plot. I was cackling my ass off the entire time!🤣💯
What truly made the story shine was Katheryn “Kat” Hu, our main girl and the heart of the group. As this book was told entirely from her point of view, it comes alive through her unique charm and hilarious personality. From her endless stream of malaphors (and her oddly specific knowledge of their origins) to her terrible lying skills, nervous rambling, and constant overthinking, Kat is extremely chaotic in the best way!❤️🔥
❝ Why do I feel like you two can see right through me?” “The power of sharing a penis? ❞
The addition of Olivia “Double-Oh-livia” McCarthy, the brain of the group, and Elle Henderson, the fearless guts of the group, made the story even more of a blast. Their sharp wits, unique strengths, and chaotic teamwork combined turned them into an unstoppable force. Together, these trio formed the Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club, and they were a total menace in the best, most entertaining way possible🤪‼️
‧˚ ꒰ 🔎 ꒱ concerns ₊˚⋆
❝ How can a group of ladies this smart make so many bad decisions? ❞
Tbh I really wanted to rate this book higher because I had such a good time with it. But I think I totally shot myself in the foot (origin: WWI, when a soldier would shoot himself in the foot to avoid battle) as I already figured out who and how the book would end. Despite that, I don’t find the book that predictable, it's definitely just a me thing where my overthinking brain goes overdrive and predicts all the possible suspects/endings. Another is that I wish the deeper, more vulnerable parts of Kat, Olivia, and Elle’s pasts had been revealed a bit differently. While I could understand and appreciate their pasts and emotions, the lore drop felt sudden and out of nowhere, and it made it a bit harder to fully connect with them on a deeper level.
‧˚ ꒰ 💍 ꒱ final thoughts ₊˚⋆
❝ Kathryn’s Thirteenth and Final Law of Luck: There are no laws; you make your own luck. ❞
It was such an unexpectedly hilarious and addictive book that I just couldn't put it down! A 3.5-star. This was a fun and entertaining read. Another gem discovered and secured through my Goodreads challenges! If you’re looking for a humorous mystery packed with girl bosses and female power, this one’s definitely for you! Heard that this was the first book in a series, so I'm hyped to see what adventures and mysteries our girlies will face next!🤩💞
˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆
Another read for gr’s fall achievements - heart warmers! Blame (thank) Justine for making me so addicted to achieving these challenges hihi!🤪❣️
Read
July 14, 2025The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is a humorous mystery about three girls who discover they’re dating the same man and band together to prank him, only to discover his body. With motive and a crime scene covered in their DNA, they have to solve his murder before they go down for it. It’s John Tucker Must Die with murder. It’s the humor and shenanigans of Finlay Donovan is Killing It, Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, and Dial A for Aunties. It’s the mystery and friendship of Only Murders in the Building—and it also has a podcast, Dish Served Hot, with a reality celebrity host who’s out to get the girls.
And this is book #1 in the Hu Done It series, with the sequel coming June 2026!
Writing this book was some of the most fun I’ve ever had while writing, and I hope it shows in the pages. This one is for anyone who’s ever needed a reminder that even the worst storms can lead to a rainbow, and that friends can come from the most unlikely places.
Happy reading, and I hope you enjoy the hijinks!
And this is book #1 in the Hu Done It series, with the sequel coming June 2026!
Writing this book was some of the most fun I’ve ever had while writing, and I hope it shows in the pages. This one is for anyone who’s ever needed a reminder that even the worst storms can lead to a rainbow, and that friends can come from the most unlikely places.
Happy reading, and I hope you enjoy the hijinks!
October 31, 2025
I am shocked this book was traditionally published. Surely whoever gave this one the green light needs to be put on performance management?
Terribly written and terribly edited, we follow our main protagonist Kathryn as she realises her boyfriend of a couple of months has been dating two other women. From there the Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is formed.
There are so many weird choices here by the author. For a start I feel like we were following the wrong ex-girlfriend. Olivia would have been a far better choice having dated Tucker for two years.
Listening to Kathryn's mother talk in stereotypical broken English was just uncomfortable, if you want to convey that a character is not a native English speaker, let them speak their own language, we don't need to resort to stereotypes surely? It's lazy representation.
The podcast element and true crime in general was poorly portrayed. Surely any listener could see the plot holes.
I think this was a poor book full of spelling mistakes that is doing nothing useful. Everywhere seems to be pitching this as cosy mystery and honestly those marketers need to pick up a Dictionary because cosy doesn't mean dumb.
However it was so stupid, I had fun with it. Finding the plot holes and laughing at these silly characters, I actually had a great time!
Three stars.
Terribly written and terribly edited, we follow our main protagonist Kathryn as she realises her boyfriend of a couple of months has been dating two other women. From there the Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is formed.
There are so many weird choices here by the author. For a start I feel like we were following the wrong ex-girlfriend. Olivia would have been a far better choice having dated Tucker for two years.
Listening to Kathryn's mother talk in stereotypical broken English was just uncomfortable, if you want to convey that a character is not a native English speaker, let them speak their own language, we don't need to resort to stereotypes surely? It's lazy representation.
The podcast element and true crime in general was poorly portrayed. Surely any listener could see the plot holes.
I think this was a poor book full of spelling mistakes that is doing nothing useful. Everywhere seems to be pitching this as cosy mystery and honestly those marketers need to pick up a Dictionary because cosy doesn't mean dumb.
However it was so stupid, I had fun with it. Finding the plot holes and laughing at these silly characters, I actually had a great time!
Three stars.
May 29, 2025
**Thank you to Mira Books for this ARC via NetGalley**
Kathryn Hu’s last name makes her a walking question, but that’s the least of her problems considering she hates her job at the chem lab and has no friends. Things get worse when she learns her man has been stealthily cheating on her with multiple women, a trope that never ceases to befuddle me because a) I married a good guy and b) if said guy wanted to cheat on me, I would literally have to organize it for him. Nonetheless, the incredulity begets a fun story where the jilted lovers unite to exact revenge on the philanderer, and they're largely successful until he’s found dead in a closet.
The only thing Tucker Jones cares more for than cheating is the comfort of his balls, evidenced by his significant financial investment in a men’s underwear brand that boasts a separate pouch for the family jewels. Unfortunately, the invested funds weren’t his, so his girlfriends aren’t the only ones who want his head (and sack) on a stick. When Kathryn appears guilty of murder, she finds solace and protection in her new girl-gang as well as a hot detective who we discern isn’t great at his job since he’s relying on 3 cuckqueans to dig up clues. There’s a deranged podcaster on a tirade that didn’t add much to the plot, but reminded me why I don’t like podcasts, so I still appreciated that bit. Meanwhile, Kathryn loves rabbits and metaphors, which made this an unexpectedly educational read where I learned what a mini lop is and that the saying “all eggs in one basket” hails from Don Quixote. 4-stars for the campy murder mystery, girl power vibes, and horse dildo newsletters!
Kathryn Hu’s last name makes her a walking question, but that’s the least of her problems considering she hates her job at the chem lab and has no friends. Things get worse when she learns her man has been stealthily cheating on her with multiple women, a trope that never ceases to befuddle me because a) I married a good guy and b) if said guy wanted to cheat on me, I would literally have to organize it for him. Nonetheless, the incredulity begets a fun story where the jilted lovers unite to exact revenge on the philanderer, and they're largely successful until he’s found dead in a closet.
The only thing Tucker Jones cares more for than cheating is the comfort of his balls, evidenced by his significant financial investment in a men’s underwear brand that boasts a separate pouch for the family jewels. Unfortunately, the invested funds weren’t his, so his girlfriends aren’t the only ones who want his head (and sack) on a stick. When Kathryn appears guilty of murder, she finds solace and protection in her new girl-gang as well as a hot detective who we discern isn’t great at his job since he’s relying on 3 cuckqueans to dig up clues. There’s a deranged podcaster on a tirade that didn’t add much to the plot, but reminded me why I don’t like podcasts, so I still appreciated that bit. Meanwhile, Kathryn loves rabbits and metaphors, which made this an unexpectedly educational read where I learned what a mini lop is and that the saying “all eggs in one basket” hails from Don Quixote. 4-stars for the campy murder mystery, girl power vibes, and horse dildo newsletters!
August 3, 2025
Kathryn Hu (Kat) is a chemist, an undergrad student working in a lab where everybody hates her guts or simply ignores her, especially her boss.
Every experiment ends up in failure, small accidents keep happening to her, so much so that she developed what she calls Kathryn Laws of Luck.
But she has the best boyfriend in the world Tucker Jones. Until she finds out he has 2 other girlfriends, Olivia (Liv) a lawyer and Elle a wanna be writer.
Kat, Liv and Elle, instead of hating each decide to get their revenge on Tucker, playing some smelling pranks in his pristine apartment when they confirm he's not home.
But they are wrong, because he is there but dead as a doornail!
They run as fast as they can, but the next day Kat goes back to clean all the DNA they left there, when she is caught by Detective Birch and so becoming the principal suspect.
The three women join forces and start an investigation of their own to find who murdered Tucker and save Kat to be arrested and convicted for something she didn't do.
They discover he was stealing huge amounts of money from the company he worked for, had lots of debts, was mixed with very shady people and owed money to his family and even a coworker!
So many suspects!
The hot Detective Birch seems to get a liking for Kat and though he's doing his job he also doesn't believe she's a murderer, but she already told him so many lies and the evidences point to her!
This is a humurous, laugh-out-loud mystery, full of sayings, metaphors and malaphors!
I had a good time!
It was a very enjoyable reading!
😃😂😃🤣
Every experiment ends up in failure, small accidents keep happening to her, so much so that she developed what she calls Kathryn Laws of Luck.
But she has the best boyfriend in the world Tucker Jones. Until she finds out he has 2 other girlfriends, Olivia (Liv) a lawyer and Elle a wanna be writer.
Kat, Liv and Elle, instead of hating each decide to get their revenge on Tucker, playing some smelling pranks in his pristine apartment when they confirm he's not home.
But they are wrong, because he is there but dead as a doornail!
They run as fast as they can, but the next day Kat goes back to clean all the DNA they left there, when she is caught by Detective Birch and so becoming the principal suspect.
The three women join forces and start an investigation of their own to find who murdered Tucker and save Kat to be arrested and convicted for something she didn't do.
They discover he was stealing huge amounts of money from the company he worked for, had lots of debts, was mixed with very shady people and owed money to his family and even a coworker!
So many suspects!
The hot Detective Birch seems to get a liking for Kat and though he's doing his job he also doesn't believe she's a murderer, but she already told him so many lies and the evidences point to her!
This is a humurous, laugh-out-loud mystery, full of sayings, metaphors and malaphors!
I had a good time!
It was a very enjoyable reading!
😃😂😃🤣
August 11, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
I don't always buy into the claims, but in this case The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club was laugh-out-loud good reading. It's all because of the main protagonist, Kathryn Hu. A chemist in a lab at Harvard, Kathryn, believes that she has found the man who knows her better than herself. Until she finds him proposing to another woman. The other woman is Olivia, a lawyer. The two women ended up licking their wounds and plotting revenge with another of Tucker's recent dates, Elle. Just simple, harmless fun. Until Tucker is found murdered and Kathryn becomes the prime suspect.
Once I began reading, I couldn't stop. I even admit that I was snorting with laughter. My boyfriend kept asking, "What are you laughing at?" and he just shook his head when I kept saying, "It's my book." I loved the friendship between Kathryn, Olivia and Elle. I enjoyed the plot twist. I want more of Kathryn and Detective McHottie in the future.
The best of the amateur sleuths!
TheExGirlfriendMurderClub #NetGalley.
Publication Date 24/06/25
Goodreads Review 11/08/25
I don't always buy into the claims, but in this case The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club was laugh-out-loud good reading. It's all because of the main protagonist, Kathryn Hu. A chemist in a lab at Harvard, Kathryn, believes that she has found the man who knows her better than herself. Until she finds him proposing to another woman. The other woman is Olivia, a lawyer. The two women ended up licking their wounds and plotting revenge with another of Tucker's recent dates, Elle. Just simple, harmless fun. Until Tucker is found murdered and Kathryn becomes the prime suspect.
Once I began reading, I couldn't stop. I even admit that I was snorting with laughter. My boyfriend kept asking, "What are you laughing at?" and he just shook his head when I kept saying, "It's my book." I loved the friendship between Kathryn, Olivia and Elle. I enjoyed the plot twist. I want more of Kathryn and Detective McHottie in the future.
The best of the amateur sleuths!
TheExGirlfriendMurderClub #NetGalley.
Publication Date 24/06/25
Goodreads Review 11/08/25
June 9, 2025
really wanted to enjoy this more than i did because of the premise - ex-girlfriends getting revenge on the man they were all dating? here for that mess. but i felt like these women got over their relationship and became best friends basically overnight. then, the way they decided to take revenge on him was incredibly immature (literally smearing actual shit all over his house?? rubbing his toothbrush against their armpits?? are we twelve year old boys lol???). i also felt like they got away with way too much. you expect me to believe the detective on the case allowed them to continue amateur sleuthing? lol. okay. and our main character didn't think or act with any common sense. everything worked out so cliche and conveniently - she even ends up having a romance with the hot detective. really?? was that necessary?
i feel like i would have enjoyed more if we got all three pov's of the woman instead of just one. this was definitely a flop for me.
thank you to netgalley and harlequin audio for providing the alc!
i feel like i would have enjoyed more if we got all three pov's of the woman instead of just one. this was definitely a flop for me.
thank you to netgalley and harlequin audio for providing the alc!
May 5, 2025
Many thanks to The Hive, Atria Books, and Harlequin Books for the gifted copy of The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club. All opinions are my own. This book kept me entertained with its mystery and dark humor. It gave off major John Tucker Must Die vibes with a dash of murder mystery. As a woman who has had not always the best luck in relationships I found this book so comical. Almost all of us have an ex that we would love to get back at but what happens when something actually terrible actually happens to them - like murder and you are framed for the crime? As a band of one man's exes come together you will go along with the women while they try prove their innocence throughout the book. All they wanted was a little bit of revenge and groveling but the universe had other plans. Even though this had murder mystery in it, it was comical and lighthearted. It kept me entertained and I even laughed out loud a couple of times.
October 29, 2025
This is a Cozy Mystery, and this is the first book in A Hu Done It Mystery series. I read this book by listening to the audiobook, and I loved the audiobook. I loved this book so much because it was a fun read. I loved all the characters, and I loved how many times I laughed while reading this book. This book had a twist I really did not see coming until it was almost revealed. I was 100% pulled into this book, and I loved reading this book from the first page to the last page. I cannot wait for the next book in this series because the romance that started in this book I really cannot wait to see it become more. This was a cute fun time that I did not want to end. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
September 24, 2025
John Tucker must die… Oh wait, he did.
Kat Hu thought she was just meeting up with Olivia and Elle - her cheating boyfriend’s other girlfriends - for a little revenge plotting. Instead, they find Tucker dead in a closet, with every reason to be suspects themselves. To clear their names, the trio forms an unlikely alliance, diving into Tucker’s messy past and tangled relationships. But with motives everywhere and a hot detective circling closer, proving their innocence will be a lot harder than hating on their ex.
"The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club" by Gloria Chao is a lighthearted cozy mystery with plenty of hijinks, secrets, and female solidarity. I had fun with the setup and really enjoyed Kat and Olivia in particular - they are exactly the kind of ride-or-die friends a girl needs when the going gets murderous. The mystery, while somewhat predictable, kept me entertained, though I didn’t find it quite as laugh-out-loud funny as I expected. But the podcast subplot - though it did end up having at least some relevance - definitely felt more like a distraction for most of the story.
Overall, this is a breezy whodunnit with a playful premise, enjoyable characters, and a cozy vibe. This seems to be the beginning of the new "Hu Done It" series (gotta love a clever name!), and I'd probably pick up the next book for some light popcorn murder mystery. Perfect if you’re in the mood for friendship, shenanigans, and murder served with a wink.
Kat Hu thought she was just meeting up with Olivia and Elle - her cheating boyfriend’s other girlfriends - for a little revenge plotting. Instead, they find Tucker dead in a closet, with every reason to be suspects themselves. To clear their names, the trio forms an unlikely alliance, diving into Tucker’s messy past and tangled relationships. But with motives everywhere and a hot detective circling closer, proving their innocence will be a lot harder than hating on their ex.
"The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club" by Gloria Chao is a lighthearted cozy mystery with plenty of hijinks, secrets, and female solidarity. I had fun with the setup and really enjoyed Kat and Olivia in particular - they are exactly the kind of ride-or-die friends a girl needs when the going gets murderous. The mystery, while somewhat predictable, kept me entertained, though I didn’t find it quite as laugh-out-loud funny as I expected. But the podcast subplot - though it did end up having at least some relevance - definitely felt more like a distraction for most of the story.
Overall, this is a breezy whodunnit with a playful premise, enjoyable characters, and a cozy vibe. This seems to be the beginning of the new "Hu Done It" series (gotta love a clever name!), and I'd probably pick up the next book for some light popcorn murder mystery. Perfect if you’re in the mood for friendship, shenanigans, and murder served with a wink.
June 17, 2025
3.5 / 5 Stars
This is a quick, campy read about murder. It feels like it should not work but it does if you can just suspend a ton of disbelief. Kathryn Hu is a chemist who just moved to Massachusetts to start her postdoc work in a lab. She also just started dating Tucker. It is a dream come true until she finds out that he has another girlfriend named Olivia. Oh, and whoops, he actually has a third girlfriend named Elle. Understandably, these three ladies want revenge. So when they go and trash his condo and find him dead, it doesn’t look great that their DNA is all over everything and they have a motive. They have to figure out who the real murderer is before the police catch on.
This book is filled with lots of puns (both on Kathryn’s last name and with chemistry) and a ton of bodily liquid humor (the word “poop” comes up 22 times), so be warned if that is not your cup of tea. I did love that Kathryn likes to explain where sayings come from so you actually learn a ton of fun facts.
I think you can’t take this book too seriously because exactly ZERO good decisions are made by the characters in this book. But if they made rational decisions, there would be no hijinx so just let go and let the story take you on a ride.
I liked that the ridiculousness was balanced with some more serious themes like the experience of being a child of immigrants and how hard it is to make friends as an adult. Sometimes the characters would do more tell than show for their backstories but all of the themes felt honest and real.
I didn’t see the ending coming which, as a jaded true crime fan, I loved! It was a good surprise about who actually did it.
Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA and NetGalley for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: June 24, 2025
This is a quick, campy read about murder. It feels like it should not work but it does if you can just suspend a ton of disbelief. Kathryn Hu is a chemist who just moved to Massachusetts to start her postdoc work in a lab. She also just started dating Tucker. It is a dream come true until she finds out that he has another girlfriend named Olivia. Oh, and whoops, he actually has a third girlfriend named Elle. Understandably, these three ladies want revenge. So when they go and trash his condo and find him dead, it doesn’t look great that their DNA is all over everything and they have a motive. They have to figure out who the real murderer is before the police catch on.
This book is filled with lots of puns (both on Kathryn’s last name and with chemistry) and a ton of bodily liquid humor (the word “poop” comes up 22 times), so be warned if that is not your cup of tea. I did love that Kathryn likes to explain where sayings come from so you actually learn a ton of fun facts.
I think you can’t take this book too seriously because exactly ZERO good decisions are made by the characters in this book. But if they made rational decisions, there would be no hijinx so just let go and let the story take you on a ride.
I liked that the ridiculousness was balanced with some more serious themes like the experience of being a child of immigrants and how hard it is to make friends as an adult. Sometimes the characters would do more tell than show for their backstories but all of the themes felt honest and real.
I didn’t see the ending coming which, as a jaded true crime fan, I loved! It was a good surprise about who actually did it.
Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA and NetGalley for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: June 24, 2025
November 17, 2025
Enjoyable enough if you’re willing to accept the absurdity of this cozy.
Narrated by Kathryn (aka Kat), a quirky chemist who discovers her serious boyfriend is two timing her. Then the “other” woman becomes an ally in her plans to seek some kind of revenge on said boyfriend, or at least, significantly inconvenience him somehow. Ha! Their plans get derailed when they find the boyfriend dead.
Guess someone already pranked him.
Kat’s story is interspersed with a podcast that centers on people getting revenge on those who’ve betrayed them.
Also intertwined is detective McHottie, who is determined to solve the murder case, even if he causes stressful moments for Kat.
However, McHottie may not get glory because The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is packing all the brains, guts, and heart needed to decipher this whodunit.
There is nothing groundbreaking here, but it could provide reading entertainment if you’re looking for a low stakes’ satire on relationships and podcasts.
Narrated by Kathryn (aka Kat), a quirky chemist who discovers her serious boyfriend is two timing her. Then the “other” woman becomes an ally in her plans to seek some kind of revenge on said boyfriend, or at least, significantly inconvenience him somehow. Ha! Their plans get derailed when they find the boyfriend dead.
Guess someone already pranked him.
Kat’s story is interspersed with a podcast that centers on people getting revenge on those who’ve betrayed them.
Also intertwined is detective McHottie, who is determined to solve the murder case, even if he causes stressful moments for Kat.
However, McHottie may not get glory because The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is packing all the brains, guts, and heart needed to decipher this whodunit.
There is nothing groundbreaking here, but it could provide reading entertainment if you’re looking for a low stakes’ satire on relationships and podcasts.
June 12, 2025
I enjoyed this book -- listened on audio (the narrator was terrific!! She distinguished the three main female leads from each other without sounding fake or weird. I always knew who was speaking.)
I won't rehash the plot, the summary says it all. I wanted to read this based on the premise alone.
The humor and humorous moments weren't over-the-top, but fun and relatable. The podcast thread was great comic relief. The characters felt like real people, especially Katherine Hu (in whose head we spend our time.) What I really, really loved was how Katherine shifted over the course of the story through the support of her new friends (the other ex-girlfriends!) and how her relationship with her parents didn't so much evolve as how she realized they showed their love in unexpected ways. I liked the mystery, and while I had an idea about the ending, I didn't have everything figured out, which was awesome.
The heading says this is book 1, so I'm excited for book 2!
Received the audio through NetGalley -- thank you to the author and publisher! I listened at 1.25X speed.
I won't rehash the plot, the summary says it all. I wanted to read this based on the premise alone.
The humor and humorous moments weren't over-the-top, but fun and relatable. The podcast thread was great comic relief. The characters felt like real people, especially Katherine Hu (in whose head we spend our time.) What I really, really loved was how Katherine shifted over the course of the story through the support of her new friends (the other ex-girlfriends!) and how her relationship with her parents didn't so much evolve as how she realized they showed their love in unexpected ways. I liked the mystery, and while I had an idea about the ending, I didn't have everything figured out, which was awesome.
The heading says this is book 1, so I'm excited for book 2!
Received the audio through NetGalley -- thank you to the author and publisher! I listened at 1.25X speed.
September 13, 2025
The main character made my brain hurt. Like girl. For a scientist, you dumb.
August 12, 2025
"But it's not all on you. And we can't control this.
It's a mess. It's covered in glitter and poop and too much DNA."
I enjoyed this book more than I expected. It was somewhat medium paced book with 3 main characters that you can’t help but fall in love with but also relate to each one. If you’re looking for a mystery book full of humor and taylor swift references (my favorite), this is it. Somehow I’m shocked because I couldn’t predict the killer ?
It's a mess. It's covered in glitter and poop and too much DNA."
I enjoyed this book more than I expected. It was somewhat medium paced book with 3 main characters that you can’t help but fall in love with but also relate to each one. If you’re looking for a mystery book full of humor and taylor swift references (my favorite), this is it. Somehow I’m shocked because I couldn’t predict the killer ?
September 16, 2025
As a huge fan of JOHN TUCKER MUST DIE growing up, I HAD to read this book. As a huge fan of a silly goofy time book, I had fun with this mystery!
It's JOHN TUCKER MUST DIE, but this time "Tucker" does die, and the ex-girlfriends look culpable, so they join up to figure out who actually killed him. This book had some fun twists and turns, and I love that it's called the "Hu Dunnit" series since the main character's last name is "Hu." She's a quirky main character with an obsession for the etymology of phrases/idioms which gets sprinkled through the story.
There were some parts I didn't love like the romance plotline with the main character and the podcast element of the story, and I'm not sure I'd continue in the series, but overall it was an enjoyable cozy mystery.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions remain my own.
It's JOHN TUCKER MUST DIE, but this time "Tucker" does die, and the ex-girlfriends look culpable, so they join up to figure out who actually killed him. This book had some fun twists and turns, and I love that it's called the "Hu Dunnit" series since the main character's last name is "Hu." She's a quirky main character with an obsession for the etymology of phrases/idioms which gets sprinkled through the story.
There were some parts I didn't love like the romance plotline with the main character and the podcast element of the story, and I'm not sure I'd continue in the series, but overall it was an enjoyable cozy mystery.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions remain my own.
March 20, 2025
ARC review • pub date 06.24.25
This book was hilarious and so much fun to read. An unlikely friendship trio is formed (Kat, Olivia, Elle) when they all figure out they’re involved with the same guy. They plot to get back at him, but discover something much more sinister when they break into his condo.
I would classify this as a cozy mystery and I knew just by the cover I would have a great time reading it. And I’m pretty sure I saw the author announce another book 👀 which I will be sure to read
Read if you love
-podcast transcripts
-revenge
-the movie The Other Woman
-metaphors
4⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley, HTP books, Mira Books for my ARC
This book was hilarious and so much fun to read. An unlikely friendship trio is formed (Kat, Olivia, Elle) when they all figure out they’re involved with the same guy. They plot to get back at him, but discover something much more sinister when they break into his condo.
I would classify this as a cozy mystery and I knew just by the cover I would have a great time reading it. And I’m pretty sure I saw the author announce another book 👀 which I will be sure to read
Read if you love
-podcast transcripts
-revenge
-the movie The Other Woman
-metaphors
4⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley, HTP books, Mira Books for my ARC
August 8, 2025
This was so good! Such a fun murder mystery full of humor and shenanigans. I just loved it. If you loved Finley Donovan is Killing it, then you will love this one. Three women dating the same man agree to meet with each other to plan revenge against him, but then they find him dead. They definitely had the motive and look guilty, but they're innocent. They need to clear their names, so they set out to find the killer. I was totally into this one. The things they were planning for revenge were hilarious. Overall just a funny, entertaining cozy read to escape into.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
July 25, 2025
I don’t think the author has ever actually met an attorney ever.
Want to read
August 18, 2025ARC received! Thank you so much, Harlequin Audio!!
October 2, 2025
A cute and fun debut about the lengths women will go to enact revenge on a cheating boyfriend. The twist at the end was clever and unexpected. The narrator of the audiobook did a good job bringing the characters to life.
July 12, 2025
This is a review of the audiobook performed by Carolyn Kang.
This is a cozy mystery. Carolyn Kang does a wonderful job performing the different voices. This story is about 3 women who plan revenge after finding out that they are all dating the same man.
Kathryn/Kat is the main character. She is a graduate student in chemistry. And I absolutely loved her. Olivia is a lawyer and Elle is a writer. These trio of women were so much fun. I loved seeing them working together (there is a mystery to solve).
There is a podcast, which added a lot to the story. And some romance, which I really enjoyed. I figured out the guilty party before it was announced. It was an interesting way to end the book. I definitely thought that the book ended too abruptly. I’m curious what the next book in the series will be about. But I love cozy mystery series. And this one had some great characters.
*The tagline and blurb give away something that does not occur at the beginning of the book. Even though it is a key part of the story it does not happen at the start of the book. I am not a fan of spoilers. And would 100% not have used this as a tagline on the cover (which is very hard to miss).
This is a cozy mystery. Carolyn Kang does a wonderful job performing the different voices. This story is about 3 women who plan revenge after finding out that they are all dating the same man.
Kathryn/Kat is the main character. She is a graduate student in chemistry. And I absolutely loved her. Olivia is a lawyer and Elle is a writer. These trio of women were so much fun. I loved seeing them working together (there is a mystery to solve).
There is a podcast, which added a lot to the story. And some romance, which I really enjoyed. I figured out the guilty party before it was announced. It was an interesting way to end the book. I definitely thought that the book ended too abruptly. I’m curious what the next book in the series will be about. But I love cozy mystery series. And this one had some great characters.
*The tagline and blurb give away something that does not occur at the beginning of the book. Even though it is a key part of the story it does not happen at the start of the book. I am not a fan of spoilers. And would 100% not have used this as a tagline on the cover (which is very hard to miss).
June 30, 2025
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, more darkness.
Second, this 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.
Third, 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.
Fourth, 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.
Fifth, the narrative starts out amusing then becomes 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.
Sixth, the ending wasn't bad, though predictable.
On the plus side (the only +), 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.
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, more darkness.
Second, this 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.
Third, 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.
Fourth, 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.
Fifth, the narrative starts out amusing then becomes 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.
Sixth, the ending wasn't bad, though predictable.
On the plus side (the only +), 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.
April 25, 2025
There’s something undeniably charming about cozy, somewhat silly murder mysteries that can brighten up an otherwise mundane day. While the premise may not be profound and the mystery won’t keep you on the edge of your seat, you’ll likely find yourself laughing out loud at some of the protagonist’s antics. It’s hard not to!
Kathryn Hu is a genius, yet she struggles in social situations. She lacks the art of subtlety and, unfortunately, is quite gullible when it comes to love. You might say she’s a veritable ingenue. Luckily, she’s not alone in her misadventures of the heart.
Tucker Jones has been juggling three different women, Kathryn, Olivia, and Elle, each for different nights of the week. Now that his deception has been exposed, the women are seeking revenge, but not blood. Unfortunately, while they’re executing an elaborate prank, Tucker unexpectedly is found dead in his closet. Now Kathryn and the other two women risk being accused of murder unless they can solve the mystery in time.
As the women work through the clues and Tucker’s complicated financial past, they become increasingly entangled in a suspenseful game of cat and mouse.
This novel strikes the right balance of silliness to keep it fun and lighthearted, making it a great contrast to heavier reads. Don’t approach it expecting anything profound; just sit back and enjoy the ride!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Kathryn Hu is a genius, yet she struggles in social situations. She lacks the art of subtlety and, unfortunately, is quite gullible when it comes to love. You might say she’s a veritable ingenue. Luckily, she’s not alone in her misadventures of the heart.
Tucker Jones has been juggling three different women, Kathryn, Olivia, and Elle, each for different nights of the week. Now that his deception has been exposed, the women are seeking revenge, but not blood. Unfortunately, while they’re executing an elaborate prank, Tucker unexpectedly is found dead in his closet. Now Kathryn and the other two women risk being accused of murder unless they can solve the mystery in time.
As the women work through the clues and Tucker’s complicated financial past, they become increasingly entangled in a suspenseful game of cat and mouse.
This novel strikes the right balance of silliness to keep it fun and lighthearted, making it a great contrast to heavier reads. Don’t approach it expecting anything profound; just sit back and enjoy the ride!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for my honest review.
June 20, 2025
The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club by Gloria Chao starts with a great premise: Three women unite to get revenge on the boyfriend who cheated on them. Kat, Olivia and Elle, each with their own wounded backstory, somehow become instant friends after they discover they are all having a relationship with Tucker. They decide to seek revenge on Tucker, but wind up as prime murder suspects when they find him dead. They continue to team up to clear their names. The story soon becomes more slapstick than thriller, and leans heavily on metaphors. It would be best described as a lighthearted, female friendship murder mystery. I found it quickly paced and easily readable. The ending felt a bit drawn out to me but I enjoyed the final twist. This book is a fun popcorn thriller that would be perfect for when you want to turn your brain off and just enjoy. 3/5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Harequin Trader Publishing for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harequin Trader Publishing for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
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