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The Ex Between Us
The best of friends keep the deadliest secrets....
Jo is my best friend. From high school to adulthood, we’ve gone through everything together. Even when I made a foolish mistake and betrayed her in the worst way, she forgave me. She’s godmother to my son, and our lives are intertwined. We want the best for each other, always.
I hope she approves of my new boyfriend, Noah. How could she not? Noah is kind, attentive, and loves me for who I am. But when I introduce them over dinner one evening, Jo doesn’t look happy. She’s always been protective of me, and as Noah clutches my hand, I force her reaction to the back of my mind.
But later, Jo tells me that someone is threatening her and she fears for her life. And all too soon, the threats land at my door, too. At first it’s small my precious roses destroyed, my mail sabotaged. But when I receive a note saying, “I want your life,” I’m terrified.
Someone wants to cause me harm. They’re prepared to take everything I love. But are they closer to me than I could have ever imagined?
An utterly addictive psychological thriller that is packed with twist after twist from the USA Today best-selling author of My Sister’s Husband . Perfect for fans of K.L. Slater, The Wife Between Us , and Gone Girl .
Jo is my best friend. From high school to adulthood, we’ve gone through everything together. Even when I made a foolish mistake and betrayed her in the worst way, she forgave me. She’s godmother to my son, and our lives are intertwined. We want the best for each other, always.
I hope she approves of my new boyfriend, Noah. How could she not? Noah is kind, attentive, and loves me for who I am. But when I introduce them over dinner one evening, Jo doesn’t look happy. She’s always been protective of me, and as Noah clutches my hand, I force her reaction to the back of my mind.
But later, Jo tells me that someone is threatening her and she fears for her life. And all too soon, the threats land at my door, too. At first it’s small my precious roses destroyed, my mail sabotaged. But when I receive a note saying, “I want your life,” I’m terrified.
Someone wants to cause me harm. They’re prepared to take everything I love. But are they closer to me than I could have ever imagined?
An utterly addictive psychological thriller that is packed with twist after twist from the USA Today best-selling author of My Sister’s Husband . Perfect for fans of K.L. Slater, The Wife Between Us , and Gone Girl .
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First published August 12, 2022
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About the author
Nicola Marsh
411 books1,441 followersUSA TODAY bestselling and award-winning Australian author Nicola Marsh writes page-turning fiction to keep you up all night.
She has published 86 books across genres, including contemporary romance, women's fiction, domestic suspense, and fantasy.
She's a Waldenbooks, Bookscan, Amazon, iBooks and Barnes & Noble bestseller, a 2013 RBY and National Readers' Choice Award winner, and a multiple finalist for many other awards.
She loves chatting on social media!
She has published 86 books across genres, including contemporary romance, women's fiction, domestic suspense, and fantasy.
She's a Waldenbooks, Bookscan, Amazon, iBooks and Barnes & Noble bestseller, a 2013 RBY and National Readers' Choice Award winner, and a multiple finalist for many other awards.
She loves chatting on social media!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
November 3, 2022
Actual rating: 2,75
This was October pick in our book club and the five of us were looking forward to read it.
In the end, only three of us managed to finish it, which speaks on it's own.
By the synopsis, we expected a thriller when in reality we got women's fiction going all out of it's way to kookoo land by the end, with thriller aspects at the very epiloque.
Just like my friend Ani stated, if nothing, it read like villain original story or however you call that genre.
The book was written in first person following two friends' perspectives: Abi's and Jo's.
This novel had and interesting but also awful set of characters, where all the people were toxic to each other and for some reason kept staying together.
They reminded me why my policy is "no friends are better than fake friends".🙃
The only somewhat normal character was Abi's son Rob, but the author managed to ruin him too with some of his comments (also, he was gone for most part of the story).
Abi was my least favourite of them all. She was spoiled to dead and didn't even realized her actions and Jo I liked until the very end when the author decided to kill all of her potential and ruin her completely.
I wish Nicola Marsh didn't decide to jump on that "thrillers are popular" train and wrote coming of age end for Jo.
As for the writing, it was good and it was very similar to Jane Fallon's.
My friend Amanda and I agree: it felt like we were reading Fallon's work.
Overall, it was a good book to pass time and I am glad I read it along with my friends because that way I enjoyed it more then I would if I was reading it on my own.
This was October pick in our book club and the five of us were looking forward to read it.
In the end, only three of us managed to finish it, which speaks on it's own.
By the synopsis, we expected a thriller when in reality we got women's fiction going all out of it's way to kookoo land by the end, with thriller aspects at the very epiloque.
Just like my friend Ani stated, if nothing, it read like villain original story or however you call that genre.
The book was written in first person following two friends' perspectives: Abi's and Jo's.
This novel had and interesting but also awful set of characters, where all the people were toxic to each other and for some reason kept staying together.
They reminded me why my policy is "no friends are better than fake friends".🙃
The only somewhat normal character was Abi's son Rob, but the author managed to ruin him too with some of his comments (also, he was gone for most part of the story).
Abi was my least favourite of them all. She was spoiled to dead and didn't even realized her actions and Jo I liked until the very end when the author decided to kill all of her potential and ruin her completely.
I wish Nicola Marsh didn't decide to jump on that "thrillers are popular" train and wrote coming of age end for Jo.
As for the writing, it was good and it was very similar to Jane Fallon's.
My friend Amanda and I agree: it felt like we were reading Fallon's work.
Overall, it was a good book to pass time and I am glad I read it along with my friends because that way I enjoyed it more then I would if I was reading it on my own.
August 15, 2022
Hard to put down and riveting! The Ex Between us kept me on my toes, kept my fingers turning the pages and left me with a satisfied smile on my face!
Abagail (Abi) and Jo have been best friends since they were in school together. They have always been there for each other, except for that one time in high school, but since then they have been there for each other. How wonderful to have had a friend for so long, someone who has seen you go through so many changes in your life, the ups, downs, good times and bad.
Abi's son, Rob has just left for college and both she and Jo are sad to see him go but happy for him to chase his dreams. Abi has pretty much raised him as his father, Cal is a photographer who is never in town. He is always chasing the next photo opportunity. As Abi and Cal ended their romantic relationship, she is open to beginning a new one with Noah, a thoughtful and nice man she just met.
Then Jo gets a threatening message, then Abi begins receiving threats as well. Who would want to threaten these two women? Why and why now?
Well, well, well, this is a fun and twisted one!!! Talk about being captivated! I found this book hard to put down and just the right mix of drama that I was looking for! There were quite a few twists in this book and one that I was not expecting at all!!! Talk about being shocked. That is how you do it! Just when I thought this book couldn't get any better, Marsh blew me away!!!! Well done!
#TheExBetweenUS #NetGalley
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Abagail (Abi) and Jo have been best friends since they were in school together. They have always been there for each other, except for that one time in high school, but since then they have been there for each other. How wonderful to have had a friend for so long, someone who has seen you go through so many changes in your life, the ups, downs, good times and bad.
Abi's son, Rob has just left for college and both she and Jo are sad to see him go but happy for him to chase his dreams. Abi has pretty much raised him as his father, Cal is a photographer who is never in town. He is always chasing the next photo opportunity. As Abi and Cal ended their romantic relationship, she is open to beginning a new one with Noah, a thoughtful and nice man she just met.
Then Jo gets a threatening message, then Abi begins receiving threats as well. Who would want to threaten these two women? Why and why now?
Well, well, well, this is a fun and twisted one!!! Talk about being captivated! I found this book hard to put down and just the right mix of drama that I was looking for! There were quite a few twists in this book and one that I was not expecting at all!!! Talk about being shocked. That is how you do it! Just when I thought this book couldn't get any better, Marsh blew me away!!!! Well done!
#TheExBetweenUS #NetGalley
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
December 26, 2022
Fast paced, twisty and highly entertaining describe this unputdownable thriller. This story is told from the perspective of two childhood friends. Abi appears to have it all and good fortune seems to come to her easily. Jo, her best friend, always seems to be one step behind, struggling for just a glimpse of happiness and success. When they are both suddenly targeted by malicious pranks, they believe the past has come back with a vengeance. Is someone lurking in the shadows trying to right the wrongs of the past? Is revenge a dish best served cold, or has it been simmering for years? Extremely addictive and entertaining! Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 28, 2022
Nicola Marsh's book The Ex Between Us is a juicy story about threats, lies, and secrets. Knowing someone who wants to harm you causes considerable distress. But, what if you don't know who that someone is?
Synopsis:
Jo and Abigail have been best friends since childhood. Despite experiencing ups and downs their friendship remains strong. Recently, they have both begun noticing strange occurrences and receiving disturbing threats. Why would anyone wish to harm two close friends?
The Ex Between Us has strong elements of mystery. As I read the book I changed my mind multiple times about who the perpetrator was. Nicola Marsh kept me guessing till the last page. Can you figure it out?
The Ex Between Us by Nicola Marsh is available on August 12th. Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for allowing me the pleasure of reviewing this twisty book! Your kindness is appreciated.
Synopsis:
Jo and Abigail have been best friends since childhood. Despite experiencing ups and downs their friendship remains strong. Recently, they have both begun noticing strange occurrences and receiving disturbing threats. Why would anyone wish to harm two close friends?
The Ex Between Us has strong elements of mystery. As I read the book I changed my mind multiple times about who the perpetrator was. Nicola Marsh kept me guessing till the last page. Can you figure it out?
The Ex Between Us by Nicola Marsh is available on August 12th. Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for allowing me the pleasure of reviewing this twisty book! Your kindness is appreciated.
August 4, 2022
The Ex Between Us has a killer premise. The story was impactful with a deep plot that evokes emotion on every page. Marsh constantly stokes the flames of mystery.
The story had me instantly with the book cover. Mysterious, the colours remind me of the feeling of sorrow. I had the feeling that the book would be chilling and atmospheric.
The story focuses on two main characters, Abi, and Jo. Abi is struggling after her only child, Rob leaves to go to college. Empty nest syndrome is real, she has focussed her entire life on bringing him up to be the young, confident man he has become. Getting pregnant at seventeen took its toll but she wasn’t alone she had help from her parents, her best friend Jo, Rob’s father, Cal, and his best friend. The novel sets the tone straight away. She knows how lucky she has had it, even so, Cal has never been reliable and dependable, always leaving to go on photography jobs, flirting with other women, and being an absent father in Rob’s teenage years. He was never going to be the one that stayed devoted to their family. She knew, she accepted it but now it was time for her.
Reading The Ex Between Us reminded me of standing in the middle of a forest in the pitch dark, twigs begin to snap all around you, but you can’t see the threat watching. Nothing feels right, and the dark is as much a threat as the person stalking you. Just like the events that are plaguing Jo and Abi. Suddenly they are being targeted with vandalism and messages that allude to leaving a man alone. Abi has no interest in Cal anymore, but Jo still harbours illicit feelings toward him even if she tries to delude herself.
Nicola Marsh has a knack for creating taut plotlines that mess with your head. When Abi meets a new man, Noah, all these events start to ramp up a gear and you start to question just who is pulling the strings. Two old rivals are in town and Abi starts to question if they might be in on the pranks. Who would still be acting like teenagers when they are in their thirties? it’s a question that Abi asks herself time and time again. Lies and hidden secrets begin to unfold, some comforted me, but some created an anxious web of deceit.
Jo wasn’t particularly likable. She had a lot of unresolved trauma and pain from her childhood and unfortunately, it followed her into her adulthood. She has never felt good enough for anyone, and she begins to think she has always played second fiddle to her best friend, Abi. Her mother preferred her, their friends preferred her and her unrequited love, Cal, chose Abi over her. It was a seed – the more she poured her hate into it, the more it grew and became a dangerous obsession.
The story had me instantly with the book cover. Mysterious, the colours remind me of the feeling of sorrow. I had the feeling that the book would be chilling and atmospheric.
The story focuses on two main characters, Abi, and Jo. Abi is struggling after her only child, Rob leaves to go to college. Empty nest syndrome is real, she has focussed her entire life on bringing him up to be the young, confident man he has become. Getting pregnant at seventeen took its toll but she wasn’t alone she had help from her parents, her best friend Jo, Rob’s father, Cal, and his best friend. The novel sets the tone straight away. She knows how lucky she has had it, even so, Cal has never been reliable and dependable, always leaving to go on photography jobs, flirting with other women, and being an absent father in Rob’s teenage years. He was never going to be the one that stayed devoted to their family. She knew, she accepted it but now it was time for her.
Reading The Ex Between Us reminded me of standing in the middle of a forest in the pitch dark, twigs begin to snap all around you, but you can’t see the threat watching. Nothing feels right, and the dark is as much a threat as the person stalking you. Just like the events that are plaguing Jo and Abi. Suddenly they are being targeted with vandalism and messages that allude to leaving a man alone. Abi has no interest in Cal anymore, but Jo still harbours illicit feelings toward him even if she tries to delude herself.
Nicola Marsh has a knack for creating taut plotlines that mess with your head. When Abi meets a new man, Noah, all these events start to ramp up a gear and you start to question just who is pulling the strings. Two old rivals are in town and Abi starts to question if they might be in on the pranks. Who would still be acting like teenagers when they are in their thirties? it’s a question that Abi asks herself time and time again. Lies and hidden secrets begin to unfold, some comforted me, but some created an anxious web of deceit.
Jo wasn’t particularly likable. She had a lot of unresolved trauma and pain from her childhood and unfortunately, it followed her into her adulthood. She has never felt good enough for anyone, and she begins to think she has always played second fiddle to her best friend, Abi. Her mother preferred her, their friends preferred her and her unrequited love, Cal, chose Abi over her. It was a seed – the more she poured her hate into it, the more it grew and became a dangerous obsession.
August 16, 2022
Jealousy. Revenge. Obsession. Pranks and sabotage that are ratcheting in intensity. The question as to motive is definitely something one might wonder while reading this incredible psychological thriller by Nicola Marsh.
There is Jo and and there is Abi. At least one of them is unlikable from beginning to end in this addicting read. Both are the victims of sabotage. Determining who is responsible leads to that question of motive. How far will it go?
The story itself begins when Jo’s son Robbie leaves for college. Jo and Abi were best friends during their school years when something that had lifelong consequences ended that friendship, leaving Abi furious with Jo. However, Abi eventually forgave Jo, and became Robbie’s godmother. Even more, Abi moved to where Jo, Robbie and his father Cal lived, and became an extended member of their little family. For eighteen years, Abi and Jo seemed as close as two BFFs could be.
With Robbie leaving the nest, Jo stretches her wings, pulling away from that little family unit. She considers what it is she really wants. Who she really wants. Going to any means possible to get what she wants. Meanwhile, Abi has a new man in her life named Noah. While on the one hand both women might seem on the course of happiness, there are those threats that are affecting each of them.
What a compelling read! Oh, the surprising twists and turns in this utterly engaging novel! With incredible pacing that led to a shocking ending, this book was truly thrilling and impossible to put down. Perfectly titled, perfectly executed, Nicola Marsh has written another winner.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/2GNWYIXFpeo
There is Jo and and there is Abi. At least one of them is unlikable from beginning to end in this addicting read. Both are the victims of sabotage. Determining who is responsible leads to that question of motive. How far will it go?
The story itself begins when Jo’s son Robbie leaves for college. Jo and Abi were best friends during their school years when something that had lifelong consequences ended that friendship, leaving Abi furious with Jo. However, Abi eventually forgave Jo, and became Robbie’s godmother. Even more, Abi moved to where Jo, Robbie and his father Cal lived, and became an extended member of their little family. For eighteen years, Abi and Jo seemed as close as two BFFs could be.
With Robbie leaving the nest, Jo stretches her wings, pulling away from that little family unit. She considers what it is she really wants. Who she really wants. Going to any means possible to get what she wants. Meanwhile, Abi has a new man in her life named Noah. While on the one hand both women might seem on the course of happiness, there are those threats that are affecting each of them.
What a compelling read! Oh, the surprising twists and turns in this utterly engaging novel! With incredible pacing that led to a shocking ending, this book was truly thrilling and impossible to put down. Perfectly titled, perfectly executed, Nicola Marsh has written another winner.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/2GNWYIXFpeo
August 15, 2022
This is a page turner of a story a real psychological thriller, my mind was twisting and turning with everything that happened, two friends since high school Abi and Jo they wanted the best for each other and kept no secrets, or did they?
Abi stepped up and supported Jo on the first day they met and a friendship grew and grew strong they were there for each other, then at a party in their last year of high school Abi did something that would change things, Abi became a teenage mum and although it took some time Jo could not ignore her son Robbie and became Robbie’s godmother and again they were there for each other and life was good.
Although Robbie’s father Cal has been around he is not there all the time and now Robbie has left for college Abi is alone expect for Jo and it is time for her to start moving on, meeting a guy at a bar starts things changing Noah is attentive and soon Abi is feeling good about life, that is until things are starting to go wrong for Abi and Jo is getting threats as well, who is doing this?
This one kept me re-thinking over and over again, there are twists and turns from the start, who is behind the threats and problems? But more to the point why is this happening to these two friends? And the ending wow, really this is a fabulous story and I don’t want to give too much away, but I do highly recommend it, Nicola Marsh knows how to keep her readers on the edge of their seats, don’t miss this one.
My thanks to Netgalley for my copy to read a review.
Abi stepped up and supported Jo on the first day they met and a friendship grew and grew strong they were there for each other, then at a party in their last year of high school Abi did something that would change things, Abi became a teenage mum and although it took some time Jo could not ignore her son Robbie and became Robbie’s godmother and again they were there for each other and life was good.
Although Robbie’s father Cal has been around he is not there all the time and now Robbie has left for college Abi is alone expect for Jo and it is time for her to start moving on, meeting a guy at a bar starts things changing Noah is attentive and soon Abi is feeling good about life, that is until things are starting to go wrong for Abi and Jo is getting threats as well, who is doing this?
This one kept me re-thinking over and over again, there are twists and turns from the start, who is behind the threats and problems? But more to the point why is this happening to these two friends? And the ending wow, really this is a fabulous story and I don’t want to give too much away, but I do highly recommend it, Nicola Marsh knows how to keep her readers on the edge of their seats, don’t miss this one.
My thanks to Netgalley for my copy to read a review.
August 8, 2022
Buckle up, friends, this is a wild and twisty ride!
Abi and Jo have been best friends since high school. Abi was the more popular of the two and defended Jo against the school bullies and they made an instant connection. That is, until Abi got pregnant from a one night stand with Cal, the school hottie. Jo, and every other girl at school, was crushing hard so when she found out about her betrayal, they didn’t speak for months.
That changed after Robbie was born. Abi missed Jo terribly and sent Cal to try and smooth things over and she asked Jo to be his godmother. Jo fell in love with Robbie immediately and even followed the little family when they moved towns.
Jo, a “pick me”, has sat by and watched long enough. Robbie is grown and heading off to college now and even though Cal and Abi co-parent, they are no longer a couple. They never really were. Jo sees this as her opportunity and nothing is off-limits. She’s resented her best friend for the ease in which she’s walked through life and now it’s time for Jo to take what’s hers.
We alternate between Jo and Abi, sometimes going back to the younger years with Jo, to see what she dealt with growing up around a best friend whose shadow she was in and a family who always cheered on her little sister first. She also has a best friend named Rex, who seems like her Atlas. If you know, you know!
It was interesting to hear the different perceptions of what happened between them and it let us know they didn’t exactly have their fingers on the pulse of exactly how everything went down and it would have been easier if they’d communicated with each other, but then we wouldn’t have books!
Some of it was less “unreliable narrator” and more “oh did I leave out this important chunk of info?” and I didn’t love that but it was so twisty, juicy, and good that I let it go. The relationships between everyone involved are what made the book so interesting so I loved the peek into everyone’s heads.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the chance to read and review!
Abi and Jo have been best friends since high school. Abi was the more popular of the two and defended Jo against the school bullies and they made an instant connection. That is, until Abi got pregnant from a one night stand with Cal, the school hottie. Jo, and every other girl at school, was crushing hard so when she found out about her betrayal, they didn’t speak for months.
That changed after Robbie was born. Abi missed Jo terribly and sent Cal to try and smooth things over and she asked Jo to be his godmother. Jo fell in love with Robbie immediately and even followed the little family when they moved towns.
Jo, a “pick me”, has sat by and watched long enough. Robbie is grown and heading off to college now and even though Cal and Abi co-parent, they are no longer a couple. They never really were. Jo sees this as her opportunity and nothing is off-limits. She’s resented her best friend for the ease in which she’s walked through life and now it’s time for Jo to take what’s hers.
We alternate between Jo and Abi, sometimes going back to the younger years with Jo, to see what she dealt with growing up around a best friend whose shadow she was in and a family who always cheered on her little sister first. She also has a best friend named Rex, who seems like her Atlas. If you know, you know!
It was interesting to hear the different perceptions of what happened between them and it let us know they didn’t exactly have their fingers on the pulse of exactly how everything went down and it would have been easier if they’d communicated with each other, but then we wouldn’t have books!
Some of it was less “unreliable narrator” and more “oh did I leave out this important chunk of info?” and I didn’t love that but it was so twisty, juicy, and good that I let it go. The relationships between everyone involved are what made the book so interesting so I loved the peek into everyone’s heads.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the chance to read and review!
August 13, 2022
This was a quick and fun read. The story centers on Abi and Jo, who have been best friends since junior high. When Abi's son leaves for college and she meets a new man, weird things start happening. Jo is treading in dangerous territory by upping her flirtation with Abby's ex and weird things start happening at her house too. There are also 2 "frenemies' in town that the women knew in high school who just happened to show up around this time. Who is really harboring secrets? It's very soap opera like but will keep you engaged!
The narrative alternates between Abi and Jo, mostly in current time but with a few flashback chapters that set the stage for the current landscape. I didn't love either main character, but you'll see that one of them has a lot more strange things going on in their head than the other one, making her easy to hate. I found myself silently yelling at her in my head a few times. I figured out pretty early who the villain was but I wasn't sure exactly how it was going to play out. There was constant action throughout. The ending had a couple of twists that I definitely did not see coming.
Overall, this is a a light "beach read" type of domestic expense that held my interest and had some great twists. If you don't mind the not relatable/likable characters, I expect you'll enjoy it. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The narrative alternates between Abi and Jo, mostly in current time but with a few flashback chapters that set the stage for the current landscape. I didn't love either main character, but you'll see that one of them has a lot more strange things going on in their head than the other one, making her easy to hate. I found myself silently yelling at her in my head a few times. I figured out pretty early who the villain was but I wasn't sure exactly how it was going to play out. There was constant action throughout. The ending had a couple of twists that I definitely did not see coming.
Overall, this is a a light "beach read" type of domestic expense that held my interest and had some great twists. If you don't mind the not relatable/likable characters, I expect you'll enjoy it. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2022
4.5/5
I absolutely love a domestic thriller that is dramatic and maybe even a little over the top in a soap opera kind of way and this one delivered on all fronts! There was lots of unreliability, seriously as it flipped back and forth between Jo and Abi’s perspective I had no idea who was telling the truth or lying. Maybe both? Such a mindfuck in the best way. I sped through this really fast because I couldn’t stop reading, give me all the drama and I’m entertained. It was juicy and surprising and while I did figure out one twist only right before it happened it didn’t bother me in the slightest because this was the best popcorn thriller I’ve read in awhile! Definitely would be ideal to read by the pool this summer.
I absolutely love a domestic thriller that is dramatic and maybe even a little over the top in a soap opera kind of way and this one delivered on all fronts! There was lots of unreliability, seriously as it flipped back and forth between Jo and Abi’s perspective I had no idea who was telling the truth or lying. Maybe both? Such a mindfuck in the best way. I sped through this really fast because I couldn’t stop reading, give me all the drama and I’m entertained. It was juicy and surprising and while I did figure out one twist only right before it happened it didn’t bother me in the slightest because this was the best popcorn thriller I’ve read in awhile! Definitely would be ideal to read by the pool this summer.
July 16, 2022
So the last three books I read were all debut novels so I was surprised when I went into this one that the author: Nicola Marsh has written over 80 books and has sold over eight million copies. Much different! Usually I shy away from authors who have written so many books since mostly they are just book mills, churning out book after book preferring quantity over quality. But spoiler: This book isn't one of those.
Abi and Jo have been best friends their whole life. Even through high school where they have a huge fallout when Abi had a drunk night and accidently slept with a boy that Jo had a serious crush on. Abi ultimately ends up getting pregnant and she and Jo fight and separate. Oh, the drama! But when Abi asks Jo to be the godmother of her child all is forgiven and Jo ends up giving up her life to switch towns with Abi to help her raise her son.
This one is domestic suspense on steroids. It's a slow burn as we see nothing is at seems and there are grudges and jealousy galore as this one plays out until a fiery ending. I usually like more murder and mayhem in my books but this one turns pleasantly evil. Nicola Marsh doesn't sleepwalk through her 80th book. This one is well written and has a ton of polish as it's obvious the author is firing on all cylinders between her and editor to get a quality book out.
This book is two best friends with their own interior motives which play out until the author nails the landing. It's fairly predictable but the ending is so chilling the slow burn is worth it. It's a brutal ending as characters get taken to the woodshed. It is perfect to read on the pool or beach.
So great book but I'm not going to read all 80 of Nicola Marsh's books. Maybe just half of them.
Advance Reader Copy given free for honest review.
Abi and Jo have been best friends their whole life. Even through high school where they have a huge fallout when Abi had a drunk night and accidently slept with a boy that Jo had a serious crush on. Abi ultimately ends up getting pregnant and she and Jo fight and separate. Oh, the drama! But when Abi asks Jo to be the godmother of her child all is forgiven and Jo ends up giving up her life to switch towns with Abi to help her raise her son.
This one is domestic suspense on steroids. It's a slow burn as we see nothing is at seems and there are grudges and jealousy galore as this one plays out until a fiery ending. I usually like more murder and mayhem in my books but this one turns pleasantly evil. Nicola Marsh doesn't sleepwalk through her 80th book. This one is well written and has a ton of polish as it's obvious the author is firing on all cylinders between her and editor to get a quality book out.
This book is two best friends with their own interior motives which play out until the author nails the landing. It's fairly predictable but the ending is so chilling the slow burn is worth it. It's a brutal ending as characters get taken to the woodshed. It is perfect to read on the pool or beach.
So great book but I'm not going to read all 80 of Nicola Marsh's books. Maybe just half of them.
Advance Reader Copy given free for honest review.
August 10, 2022
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Nicola Marsh's tense domestic thriller THE EX BETWEEN US.
I absolutely love domestic thrillers that are a little twisted and maybe even a tad deliciously disturbing with psycho toxic narrators. THE EX BETWEEN US is all this and more complete with unreliability, secrets and plenty of lies going on that the reader doesn't know who to believe. But I saw through the facade and managed to figure out who was doing what...and pretty much why. But this didn't deter my enjoyment one bit...I mean, this was like a Jerry Springer show! A car crash from which you couldn't look away. There were so many lies told that no one knows what to believe. Who is lying? And who is telling the truth? Or is anyone?
The story centres on Jo and Abi who have been best friends since high school and throughout the ensuing years they have been through a lot together, with a betrayal testing their friendship in the biggest possible way. But then after seven months of "coventry", their friendship is once again back on track when Abi gives birth to Robbie and asks Jo to be godmother, who falls in love with the scrunched up little baby as soon as she sees him. Their lives become intertwined as Jo follows Abi, Cal and Rob to Fort Chester three hours out of where they grew up in San Francisco. Jo becomes a fixture in their little family - a place where at last she is needed.
Eighteen years later and Rob is going off to college and Abi is fearing her nest becoming empty but knows she won't be for long with Jo to around to cheer her up. And then Abi meets Noah...and he's everything Cal's not. And soon she finds herself falling for him, and he her. When the time comes to introduce Jo to Noah, Abi can only hope she approves because Noah is everything she never knew she wanted or missed. He is kind, attentive, considerate, a gentleman even and loves her for who she is. But when Abi introduces them, Jo doesn't appear to be happy. Surely she can see he is practically perfect, can't she? But then she's also always been very protective of her...and maybe she fears Abi's relationship with Noah is moving too fast too soon.
But it's not until later that Jo confides in Abi that she has been the victim of vandals and someone has been threatening her, leaving her fearing for her safety. And then Abi begins receiving threats too. Her roses are destroyed, garden gnomes decapitated, a scorpion in her mailbox...but they don't stop there. Some strange things have also been taking place at her work for which she has been lumbered the blame. And then, a note arrives stating "I want your life" and Abi is terrified.
When Abi discovers one of "mean girls" from high school is in town, she begins to wonder if she's not the cause of the threats and unrest...after all, it only seemed to begin since she arrived. But Mandy isn't the only one from high school also in town. Abi's former friend Lara is also sniffing around and Abi is suspicious when she begins asking about Cal.
But the question is...who is out to harm Jo and Abi? And what is it that they want?
What a delightfully delicious toxic tale THE EX BETWEEN US is! It reminds me just why I hated high school (though I needed no reminding on that score). The gossip, the cliques, the lies, the pettiness and all the horrid things that teenagers do to each other in the name of popularity. Eighteen years later and it seems some of those haven't changed at all! The bitterness, the need for revenge, the bitchiness...thirty-six year old women are seriously old enough to know better. But oh, what a read!
This story played out like a bad soap opera with plenty of twists and tales of revenge. Or even the Jerry Springer show while we just sat back with the popcorn and watched it all play out.
Told through the alternating narratives of Jo and Abi, we get a glimpse into their worlds and how different they were but remained friends. I genuinely felt sorry for the hand that Jo had been dealt as a teenager - emotionally absent parents, bullied at school, friendless and alone. But then she meets Abi who sticks up for her against the bitchy bully Mandy and the two become best friends. But Jo also has a secret; one she keeps from everyone, including Abi. For this is something just for her that no one else can take away. She treasures it throughout the years and continues to keep it secret.
Until one day, Abi discovers that secret...
THE EX BETWEEN US begins as a slow burn told primarily in the present day with a few past chapters peppered throughout as the story unfolds and the tension builds. Then the twists begin...one after the other...and all the lies that have been told begin to unravel...as do each of their lives.
Who will be left standing at the end of it all? Who will survive? And who won't? And who has lived the biggest lie of all?
THE EX BETWEEN US is an addictive page-turning thrill ride that keeps readers guessing throughout, as we can sense something isn't quite right but can't put our fingers on it. I suspected and guessed and was right but it didn't deter my enjoyment one bit. It's the thrill of the ride that I enjoy, not the predictability or lack thereof. I don't care. I just enjoy a good tale if it is woven just right.
And then that ending. It was delicious, it was twisted and just oh so right!
Perfect for fans of deliciously twisted and toxic tales of domestic suspense.
I would like to thank #NicolaMarsh, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheExBetweenUs in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
I absolutely love domestic thrillers that are a little twisted and maybe even a tad deliciously disturbing with psycho toxic narrators. THE EX BETWEEN US is all this and more complete with unreliability, secrets and plenty of lies going on that the reader doesn't know who to believe. But I saw through the facade and managed to figure out who was doing what...and pretty much why. But this didn't deter my enjoyment one bit...I mean, this was like a Jerry Springer show! A car crash from which you couldn't look away. There were so many lies told that no one knows what to believe. Who is lying? And who is telling the truth? Or is anyone?
The story centres on Jo and Abi who have been best friends since high school and throughout the ensuing years they have been through a lot together, with a betrayal testing their friendship in the biggest possible way. But then after seven months of "coventry", their friendship is once again back on track when Abi gives birth to Robbie and asks Jo to be godmother, who falls in love with the scrunched up little baby as soon as she sees him. Their lives become intertwined as Jo follows Abi, Cal and Rob to Fort Chester three hours out of where they grew up in San Francisco. Jo becomes a fixture in their little family - a place where at last she is needed.
Eighteen years later and Rob is going off to college and Abi is fearing her nest becoming empty but knows she won't be for long with Jo to around to cheer her up. And then Abi meets Noah...and he's everything Cal's not. And soon she finds herself falling for him, and he her. When the time comes to introduce Jo to Noah, Abi can only hope she approves because Noah is everything she never knew she wanted or missed. He is kind, attentive, considerate, a gentleman even and loves her for who she is. But when Abi introduces them, Jo doesn't appear to be happy. Surely she can see he is practically perfect, can't she? But then she's also always been very protective of her...and maybe she fears Abi's relationship with Noah is moving too fast too soon.
But it's not until later that Jo confides in Abi that she has been the victim of vandals and someone has been threatening her, leaving her fearing for her safety. And then Abi begins receiving threats too. Her roses are destroyed, garden gnomes decapitated, a scorpion in her mailbox...but they don't stop there. Some strange things have also been taking place at her work for which she has been lumbered the blame. And then, a note arrives stating "I want your life" and Abi is terrified.
When Abi discovers one of "mean girls" from high school is in town, she begins to wonder if she's not the cause of the threats and unrest...after all, it only seemed to begin since she arrived. But Mandy isn't the only one from high school also in town. Abi's former friend Lara is also sniffing around and Abi is suspicious when she begins asking about Cal.
But the question is...who is out to harm Jo and Abi? And what is it that they want?
What a delightfully delicious toxic tale THE EX BETWEEN US is! It reminds me just why I hated high school (though I needed no reminding on that score). The gossip, the cliques, the lies, the pettiness and all the horrid things that teenagers do to each other in the name of popularity. Eighteen years later and it seems some of those haven't changed at all! The bitterness, the need for revenge, the bitchiness...thirty-six year old women are seriously old enough to know better. But oh, what a read!
This story played out like a bad soap opera with plenty of twists and tales of revenge. Or even the Jerry Springer show while we just sat back with the popcorn and watched it all play out.
Told through the alternating narratives of Jo and Abi, we get a glimpse into their worlds and how different they were but remained friends. I genuinely felt sorry for the hand that Jo had been dealt as a teenager - emotionally absent parents, bullied at school, friendless and alone. But then she meets Abi who sticks up for her against the bitchy bully Mandy and the two become best friends. But Jo also has a secret; one she keeps from everyone, including Abi. For this is something just for her that no one else can take away. She treasures it throughout the years and continues to keep it secret.
Until one day, Abi discovers that secret...
THE EX BETWEEN US begins as a slow burn told primarily in the present day with a few past chapters peppered throughout as the story unfolds and the tension builds. Then the twists begin...one after the other...and all the lies that have been told begin to unravel...as do each of their lives.
Who will be left standing at the end of it all? Who will survive? And who won't? And who has lived the biggest lie of all?
THE EX BETWEEN US is an addictive page-turning thrill ride that keeps readers guessing throughout, as we can sense something isn't quite right but can't put our fingers on it. I suspected and guessed and was right but it didn't deter my enjoyment one bit. It's the thrill of the ride that I enjoy, not the predictability or lack thereof. I don't care. I just enjoy a good tale if it is woven just right.
And then that ending. It was delicious, it was twisted and just oh so right!
Perfect for fans of deliciously twisted and toxic tales of domestic suspense.
I would like to thank #NicolaMarsh, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheExBetweenUs in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
August 7, 2022
The Ex Between Us
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 7/12/22
Author: Nicola Marsh
Publisher: Bookouture
Pages: 323
Goodreads Rating: 3.99
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Bookouture and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Abi and Jo are best friends. From high school to adulthood, we’ve gone through everything together. Even when I made a foolish mistake and betrayed her in the worst way, she forgave me. She’s godmother to my son and our lives are intertwined. We want the best for each other, always. I introduce Jo to Noah, my new boyfriend, but she does not look happy. She has always been protective of me. But later Jo tells me that someone is threatening her and she fears for her life. But when I receive a note saying, “I want your life,” I’m terrified.
My Thoughts: Marsh is such a talented writer, she had me guessing who the “threat” was throughout the whole story. The way Marsh crafts her stories gives you the feeling of being all alone in the dark and hearing “noises.” The characters were well developed, they had layers of depth, mysterious, and just brilliantly portrayed. Abi and Jo were flawed, however, Abi is the one I related to, I felt Jo was on this rollercoaster of destruction and obsession. The author’s writing style was creative, suspenseful, twisty, and flowed so well. The story is started a little slower by building the characters, with their backstories, the plot is delivered through multiple twits, and the ending is brilliant. This was a fast paced, page turning story that was hard to put down once I started reading. This book releases next week and I highly recommend you pick up.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 7/12/22
Author: Nicola Marsh
Publisher: Bookouture
Pages: 323
Goodreads Rating: 3.99
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Bookouture and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Abi and Jo are best friends. From high school to adulthood, we’ve gone through everything together. Even when I made a foolish mistake and betrayed her in the worst way, she forgave me. She’s godmother to my son and our lives are intertwined. We want the best for each other, always. I introduce Jo to Noah, my new boyfriend, but she does not look happy. She has always been protective of me. But later Jo tells me that someone is threatening her and she fears for her life. But when I receive a note saying, “I want your life,” I’m terrified.
My Thoughts: Marsh is such a talented writer, she had me guessing who the “threat” was throughout the whole story. The way Marsh crafts her stories gives you the feeling of being all alone in the dark and hearing “noises.” The characters were well developed, they had layers of depth, mysterious, and just brilliantly portrayed. Abi and Jo were flawed, however, Abi is the one I related to, I felt Jo was on this rollercoaster of destruction and obsession. The author’s writing style was creative, suspenseful, twisty, and flowed so well. The story is started a little slower by building the characters, with their backstories, the plot is delivered through multiple twits, and the ending is brilliant. This was a fast paced, page turning story that was hard to put down once I started reading. This book releases next week and I highly recommend you pick up.
June 26, 2022
Every time, Nicola Marsh. Every time!
You suck me into a story, you mess with my head, spinning my emotions and thoughts around as if you flung me in the tumble dryer, and then I finish, astounded at the ending.
The Ex Between Us was no different.
Two friends who have been through a lot over the years of their friendship, Jo and Abigail.
Both are very different women, with differing upbringings, yet they support one another, through many ups and downs.
Life is changing, as Abigail's son, Rob heads off to college, and Jo is there to help her through the empty nesting she is experiencing.
She meets a man, someone who seems almost too good to be true, the complete opposite of Rob's father, but she feels happy.
Then things start to happen. Little things at first, like plants being dug up but they build up, and not only to Abigail. Jo starts receiving spray-painted messages on her door and porch.
I really don't want to say much more because I don't want to give away anything, but I can tell you this, I was constantly guessing, and second-guessing who the person was, who was messing with these friends' heads. I did work it out, eventually, but not without a lot of umming and aahing, wondering, and confusion.
Brilliant!
Safe to say we never know anyone 100%...
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
You suck me into a story, you mess with my head, spinning my emotions and thoughts around as if you flung me in the tumble dryer, and then I finish, astounded at the ending.
The Ex Between Us was no different.
Two friends who have been through a lot over the years of their friendship, Jo and Abigail.
Both are very different women, with differing upbringings, yet they support one another, through many ups and downs.
Life is changing, as Abigail's son, Rob heads off to college, and Jo is there to help her through the empty nesting she is experiencing.
She meets a man, someone who seems almost too good to be true, the complete opposite of Rob's father, but she feels happy.
Then things start to happen. Little things at first, like plants being dug up but they build up, and not only to Abigail. Jo starts receiving spray-painted messages on her door and porch.
I really don't want to say much more because I don't want to give away anything, but I can tell you this, I was constantly guessing, and second-guessing who the person was, who was messing with these friends' heads. I did work it out, eventually, but not without a lot of umming and aahing, wondering, and confusion.
Brilliant!
Safe to say we never know anyone 100%...
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 6, 2022
Jo is my best friend. From high school to adulthood, we’ve gone through everything together. Even when I made a foolish mistake and betrayed her in the worst way, she forgave me. She’s godmother to my son and our lives are intertwined. We want the best for each other, always.
I hope she approves of my new boyfriend Noah. How could she not? Noah is kind, attentive and loves me for who I am. But when I introduce them over dinner one evening, Jo doesn’t look happy. She’s always been protective of me and as Noah clutches my hand, I force her reaction to the back of my mind.
But later Jo tells me that someone is threatening her and she fears for her life. And all too soon, the threats land at my door too. At first it’s small things: my precious roses destroyed, my mail sabotaged. But when I receive a note saying, “I want your life,” I’m terrified.
I really enjoyed this book totally recommend it
Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture
I just reviewed The Ex Between Us by Nicola Marsh. #TheExBetweenUS #NetGalley
I really enjoyed this book totally recommend it
Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture
I just reviewed The Ex Between Us by Nicola Marsh. #TheExBetweenUS #NetGalley
June 28, 2022
Just finished this ARC thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture.
Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Publish date: Aug 12, 2022
If you like twists and a book that keeps you thinking and guessing then this is the book for you!
I enjoyed getting to know the history of the friendship between Abi & Jo from childhood to adulthood and all they've been through together.
This book is about friendships and secrets, which who doesn't love secrets! This is one book I highly recommend!!
Description:
The best of friends keep the deadliest secrets…
Jo is my best friend. From high school to adulthood, we’ve gone through everything together. Even when I made a foolish mistake and betrayed her in the worst way, she forgave me. She’s godmother to my son and our lives are intertwined. We want the best for each other, always.
I hope she approves of my new boyfriend Noah. How could she not? Noah is kind, attentive and loves me for who I am. But when I introduce them over dinner one evening, Jo doesn’t look happy. She’s always been protective of me and as Noah clutches my hand, I force her reaction to the back of my mind.
But later Jo tells me that someone is threatening her and she fears for her life. And all too soon, the threats land at my door too. At first it’s small things: my precious roses destroyed, my mail sabotaged. But when I receive a note saying, “I want your life,” I’m terrified.
Someone wants to cause me harm. They’re prepared to take everything I love. But are they closer to me than I could have ever imagined?
Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Publish date: Aug 12, 2022
If you like twists and a book that keeps you thinking and guessing then this is the book for you!
I enjoyed getting to know the history of the friendship between Abi & Jo from childhood to adulthood and all they've been through together.
This book is about friendships and secrets, which who doesn't love secrets! This is one book I highly recommend!!
Description:
The best of friends keep the deadliest secrets…
Jo is my best friend. From high school to adulthood, we’ve gone through everything together. Even when I made a foolish mistake and betrayed her in the worst way, she forgave me. She’s godmother to my son and our lives are intertwined. We want the best for each other, always.
I hope she approves of my new boyfriend Noah. How could she not? Noah is kind, attentive and loves me for who I am. But when I introduce them over dinner one evening, Jo doesn’t look happy. She’s always been protective of me and as Noah clutches my hand, I force her reaction to the back of my mind.
But later Jo tells me that someone is threatening her and she fears for her life. And all too soon, the threats land at my door too. At first it’s small things: my precious roses destroyed, my mail sabotaged. But when I receive a note saying, “I want your life,” I’m terrified.
Someone wants to cause me harm. They’re prepared to take everything I love. But are they closer to me than I could have ever imagined?
June 28, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the copy of The Ex Between Us. I don’t think this book was for me. Even the parts set in the present felt very high schoolish because the characters never seemed to have grown or moved on since high school. This made it really hard to identify with or relate to the characters. The story was more nuanced than the synopsis promised, and there was a lot going on. Unfortunately, the writing and annoying characters kept distracting me. If you can get past the characters’ immaturity you might love this book.
August 31, 2023
Abigail (Abi) and Jo, best friends since they were in school, through good and bad times. Well apart from a time at High School, but since then they have always been there for each other.
When Abi meets a new guy who seems too good to be true, strange things start to happen to her and Jo. Is it someone from the past or someone closer to home!!
I loved this book, it is cleverly written and kept me guessing until the end.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
When Abi meets a new guy who seems too good to be true, strange things start to happen to her and Jo. Is it someone from the past or someone closer to home!!
I loved this book, it is cleverly written and kept me guessing until the end.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an Advanced Audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This book will appeal to ladies who cringe a little bit when they remember the girl drama that occurred in high school. Maybe you felt it, maybe you saw it, but this book is a bit of a cautionary tale of what could happen if you don’t leave that girl drama back where it belonged.
In this story, we have two best friends who have stuck to each other since “mending their fences” at high school graduation. What were they fighting about in grade 12? A new boy arrived at school and everybody wanted him. Jo certainly did and she called dibs so she was obviously offended when Abigail slept with him. So why did they make up? Well Abigail’s night of lust / betrayal / curiosity resulted in a pregnancy and Abigail and everybody’s high school crush give birth to a baby boy on graduation day and Abi asked Jo to be godmother.
After high school, the young couple and their baby are gifted a house and move to the country to raise their boy. Jo tags along and the reader assumes that the 18 years went by smoothly (ish). I found this part very unbelievable but I remembered I was reading fiction and I just accepted this and moved on.
The story really takes place 18 years later. Baby boy is all grown up and is off to university. Abi and the hottie have basically given up their relationship (coparenting with benefits), Jo is flirting dangerously with same hottie and somebody is sabotaging Abi’s home and career and tagging Jo’s house with threats. Two more girls from high school happen to be in town and Abi finds love again on her first trip to the bar and it is anybody’s guess who is to blame and is their motivation revenge sex, or lust for more?
All in all, I found this book fast paced and enjoyable and liked the extra push for character development at the end. I rate this book a 4 and think there is enough teenage angst remaining in these 30 somethings that most ladies will relate or remember.
I would like to report that recently that I celebrated my 30 year high school reunion- once with the ladies that were my best friends and another time with an expanded group of ladies that we liked to mix it up with in high school. We have utmost respect for each other and admire the strong willed girls we were and the badass bosses we became. Take this as a grain of wisdom - what happens in high school should stay in high school!
Congratulations to the author as this book will publish August 12, 2022 and who’s! Look at her published works - she has written just a massive amount of books! I think this is book #89!
This book will appeal to ladies who cringe a little bit when they remember the girl drama that occurred in high school. Maybe you felt it, maybe you saw it, but this book is a bit of a cautionary tale of what could happen if you don’t leave that girl drama back where it belonged.
In this story, we have two best friends who have stuck to each other since “mending their fences” at high school graduation. What were they fighting about in grade 12? A new boy arrived at school and everybody wanted him. Jo certainly did and she called dibs so she was obviously offended when Abigail slept with him. So why did they make up? Well Abigail’s night of lust / betrayal / curiosity resulted in a pregnancy and Abigail and everybody’s high school crush give birth to a baby boy on graduation day and Abi asked Jo to be godmother.
After high school, the young couple and their baby are gifted a house and move to the country to raise their boy. Jo tags along and the reader assumes that the 18 years went by smoothly (ish). I found this part very unbelievable but I remembered I was reading fiction and I just accepted this and moved on.
The story really takes place 18 years later. Baby boy is all grown up and is off to university. Abi and the hottie have basically given up their relationship (coparenting with benefits), Jo is flirting dangerously with same hottie and somebody is sabotaging Abi’s home and career and tagging Jo’s house with threats. Two more girls from high school happen to be in town and Abi finds love again on her first trip to the bar and it is anybody’s guess who is to blame and is their motivation revenge sex, or lust for more?
All in all, I found this book fast paced and enjoyable and liked the extra push for character development at the end. I rate this book a 4 and think there is enough teenage angst remaining in these 30 somethings that most ladies will relate or remember.
I would like to report that recently that I celebrated my 30 year high school reunion- once with the ladies that were my best friends and another time with an expanded group of ladies that we liked to mix it up with in high school. We have utmost respect for each other and admire the strong willed girls we were and the badass bosses we became. Take this as a grain of wisdom - what happens in high school should stay in high school!
Congratulations to the author as this book will publish August 12, 2022 and who’s! Look at her published works - she has written just a massive amount of books! I think this is book #89!
August 14, 2022
Having read and enjoyed a few of Nicola Marsh books, she is now permanently on my list of to be read whenever she releases a new book.
Her latest book The Ex Between Us has been a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining story, quite a rollercoaster of a ride full of lots of twisty turns, by which I mean the story has you guessing throughout as to which characters are being honest, which are lying and which are up to no got. As I got to know all of the characters, I literally did not know who to trust, which is the prefect combo for a good story as it means there was nothing predictable about it. There were a few bits at the end which I was surprised by and which I liked very much.
So overall, this is a very well written story, with a intricate and clever plot that had me captivated from start to finish.
Her latest book The Ex Between Us has been a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining story, quite a rollercoaster of a ride full of lots of twisty turns, by which I mean the story has you guessing throughout as to which characters are being honest, which are lying and which are up to no got. As I got to know all of the characters, I literally did not know who to trust, which is the prefect combo for a good story as it means there was nothing predictable about it. There were a few bits at the end which I was surprised by and which I liked very much.
So overall, this is a very well written story, with a intricate and clever plot that had me captivated from start to finish.
December 12, 2022
3.5 rounded up to 4⭐️
Jo & Abi have been best friends since highschool, except for one short period of time. Once Abi’s son moves away for school, she falls in love with a guy she met in a bar. Around the same time, both Abi & Jo start getting threatening messages at their houses. Someone is trying to scare them, but who is it and why are they doing it?
I would only consider the very end of this story to be a thriller, the rest is better described as women’s fiction. That isn’t a bad thing - it still kept me entertained. It was a really quick read, was engaging and had short chapters.
I really didn’t enjoy the premise of the background story. This isn’t really a spoiler because it’s mentioned at the beginning of the story - but multiple girls are fighting over a guy. It just kind of makes my eyes roll. But I understand it’s something that happens in real life.
Overall, I thought the book was decent! But I didn’t find the “thriller” portion to be anything special. If you’re anticipating a crazy physiological thriller, this one may not be for you. But the story is still good!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Jo & Abi have been best friends since highschool, except for one short period of time. Once Abi’s son moves away for school, she falls in love with a guy she met in a bar. Around the same time, both Abi & Jo start getting threatening messages at their houses. Someone is trying to scare them, but who is it and why are they doing it?
I would only consider the very end of this story to be a thriller, the rest is better described as women’s fiction. That isn’t a bad thing - it still kept me entertained. It was a really quick read, was engaging and had short chapters.
I really didn’t enjoy the premise of the background story. This isn’t really a spoiler because it’s mentioned at the beginning of the story - but multiple girls are fighting over a guy. It just kind of makes my eyes roll. But I understand it’s something that happens in real life.
Overall, I thought the book was decent! But I didn’t find the “thriller” portion to be anything special. If you’re anticipating a crazy physiological thriller, this one may not be for you. But the story is still good!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 19, 2022
Wow - this one really had my mind reeling. I was on the edge of my seat nearly the whole way through. I loved all of the main characters because they were all so flawed, interesting, and relatable. Jo, especially, shows how far you're willing to go to get what you want at the risk of losing everything you have. The relationship between Jo and Abigail is so interesting and I spent the whole book trying to figure out if Jo actually forgave Abi or not. Jo's mind was all over the place and it was clear she was mentally ill but as a reader it was fascinating to watch. I did not expect that ending one bit. It truly shocked me. Hearing Abi taunt Jo at the end brought me a lot of joy after watching Jo do everything possible to take down her bestfriend after all of those years. I absolutely loved watched the main characters play a game of cat and mouse that they didn't know they were playing. Rex and Cal were also great characters, and I thought the character development of each one of them was just fantastic.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2022
My Review:
Loved!!!!! Hooked from the very first chapter. What didn’t I love about this one is the real question? I have read this author before and she is so much fun to read. Between her writing style and her story lines I always have a blast reading her books. They remind me of my old high school days with all the gossip, cliques, lies and betrayal. Also, the pettiness and the lengths you go through to be liked. You think when you get older you don’t have to deal with it all still but it’s still there just in a different form. With all that being said. The characters were awesome along with the story line but what I loved the most was that shocking ending. It was twisted and evil. You are like really all this for that. It showed that the past is never really the past and it will come back to haunt you in some way shape or form. I can’t wait to read more of this authors books.
In conclusion, the plot, the characters and all the twists in this book made this book an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 5 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Loved!!!!! Hooked from the very first chapter. What didn’t I love about this one is the real question? I have read this author before and she is so much fun to read. Between her writing style and her story lines I always have a blast reading her books. They remind me of my old high school days with all the gossip, cliques, lies and betrayal. Also, the pettiness and the lengths you go through to be liked. You think when you get older you don’t have to deal with it all still but it’s still there just in a different form. With all that being said. The characters were awesome along with the story line but what I loved the most was that shocking ending. It was twisted and evil. You are like really all this for that. It showed that the past is never really the past and it will come back to haunt you in some way shape or form. I can’t wait to read more of this authors books.
In conclusion, the plot, the characters and all the twists in this book made this book an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 5 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
August 14, 2022
Nicola Marsh has written a great tale centring on two women Abigail and Jo who have been best friends since their high school days. Abi and Cal's son Robbie is now off to college. Abi and Cal had a one-night stand years ago when Cal was every girl's school crush, including Jo's at the time. Jo and Abi had a falling out but Jo came around when Abi, who missed her, asked her to be Robbie's godmother.
With some great characterisation of characters who aren't as they seem, The Ex Between Us is well plotted and deeply intriguing. It's tense and the ending is a delicious and chilling one, following on from a steady trot. Very highly recommended, I look forward to Nicola Marsh's next novel.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
With some great characterisation of characters who aren't as they seem, The Ex Between Us is well plotted and deeply intriguing. It's tense and the ending is a delicious and chilling one, following on from a steady trot. Very highly recommended, I look forward to Nicola Marsh's next novel.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
August 14, 2022
Abigail and Jo have been best friends since high school. Even when Abigail made a mistake that hurt Jo. Jo is godmother to Abigail's son, Robbie. They are always there for each other.
Abigail's son just moved away to college and things have been over for Abigail and Cal, Robbie's father, for quite some time.
Abi now has a new boyfriend but is it as it seems? Jo is wanting Cal's friend Tom and thinks maybe there could be something between them.
But then someone starts targeting Abi and Jo. Leaving things at both of their doorsteps. Who would want to hurt both of them? It seems that 2 women they went to school with are in town and one was the mean girl from high school.
Just when I thought I had an idea what was going on then something would happen to change my mind.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the book to review.
Abigail's son just moved away to college and things have been over for Abigail and Cal, Robbie's father, for quite some time.
Abi now has a new boyfriend but is it as it seems? Jo is wanting Cal's friend Tom and thinks maybe there could be something between them.
But then someone starts targeting Abi and Jo. Leaving things at both of their doorsteps. Who would want to hurt both of them? It seems that 2 women they went to school with are in town and one was the mean girl from high school.
Just when I thought I had an idea what was going on then something would happen to change my mind.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the book to review.
August 16, 2022
This book was very timely as I am about to become an empty nester myself like Abi the protagonist. Unlike her though I’m not caught in a bizarre partner swapping triangle, where over the years Cal bounces between her and best friend Jo like one of those bat and ball on a string.
Their friendship has survived the betrayal and is now stronger than ever, with Jo being there to support Abi as her son Rob heads off to college. After all no man is worth losing a friend over is he?
This has two of the most hard headed determined women and if they joined together they would be a force to be reckoned with. With them both seemingly in danger I was trying to piece together the clues to find out who was making their lives hell. Was it the men that were now part of their group?
I am pleased to say this is all about what is hidden. It is duplicitous and evil in it’s intent with no one being who they appear to be. After all a smile can hide a multitude of sins……
Their friendship has survived the betrayal and is now stronger than ever, with Jo being there to support Abi as her son Rob heads off to college. After all no man is worth losing a friend over is he?
This has two of the most hard headed determined women and if they joined together they would be a force to be reckoned with. With them both seemingly in danger I was trying to piece together the clues to find out who was making their lives hell. Was it the men that were now part of their group?
I am pleased to say this is all about what is hidden. It is duplicitous and evil in it’s intent with no one being who they appear to be. After all a smile can hide a multitude of sins……
August 11, 2022
Two best friends and how they have grown over the years. But something is happening to both of them? Who is leaving them messages and messing with their lives ? Do they have a stalker? Someone who watches in the night? Who is doing this and why?
I loved seeing what was going on in Abi and Jo's life. I did guess at the twist but I so enjoy a crazy character. I was desperate to get to the end and see what happened!!
Pick this novel up today! I'm off to find some other reads by this author!
I loved seeing what was going on in Abi and Jo's life. I did guess at the twist but I so enjoy a crazy character. I was desperate to get to the end and see what happened!!
Pick this novel up today! I'm off to find some other reads by this author!
August 8, 2022
Nicola Marsh's domestic suspense novels are, in my opinion, among the best written. She can draw the reader in from the first page and doesn't let go until the final word. The story has so many twists and turns that I almost felt dizzy. This book has easily made it into my top reads of the year.
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February 16, 20234 Forgiveness Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
So the concept of forgiveness has been thought of, written about, and lived since the beginning of time. Does it really happen to those who were hurt...the ones who errored and did the hurt, can they ever forgive themselves and believe all is good...
These are only a few ideas that could torture those involved. The Ex Between Us by Nicola Marsh masterfully looks at this quandary and extends it to the max making it a compelling tale.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * * Spoiler Free
So the concept of forgiveness has been thought of, written about, and lived since the beginning of time. Does it really happen to those who were hurt...the ones who errored and did the hurt, can they ever forgive themselves and believe all is good...
These are only a few ideas that could torture those involved. The Ex Between Us by Nicola Marsh masterfully looks at this quandary and extends it to the max making it a compelling tale.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
July 26, 2022
Well that was fun! We are following the friendship between Jo and Abi. They are best friends since the beginning of junior high. Abi gets pregnant at 17 and her life doesn’t fall apart. Jo’s life has been less adventurous. She has basically followed Abi around for most of it. Then Abi meets a guy and weird things start to happen to her and Jo. Is it the new fella? Is it someone from the past? Or is it someone closer to them? I did finally figure out what was happening but it was later in the book and I appreciated the other surprises! I enjoyed the ride! Can’t wait to read more from this author!
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