What do you think?
My Ex-Husband's Ex-Husband
From New York Times bestselling authors Rachel Cohn and Melissa de la Cruz comes a freewheeling journey through Vienna where two estranged friends search for their mutual ex—and a long-lost bond.
Audrey and Ian were best friends—until they fell in love with the same man. To be precise, they fell in love with, married, and divorced the same man. And there’s no coming back from that.
Twenty-odd years later, they’re right back at the Vienna, where their university study abroad turned into a love triangle from which they never quite recovered. But it’s Christmas, and Audrey’s daughter is getting married. Time to let bygones be bygones.
Not for the sake of the holiday or even because they’ve matured with age…but because their mutual ex is nowhere to be found. It’s up to Audrey and Ian to track him down.
As wedding plans go further awry, the former besties race to find the father of the bride. Juggling complicated family dynamics (and the cocktails required to cope), they learn that, sometimes, it’s not about the search but the friendships rediscovered along the way.
Audrey and Ian were best friends—until they fell in love with the same man. To be precise, they fell in love with, married, and divorced the same man. And there’s no coming back from that.
Twenty-odd years later, they’re right back at the Vienna, where their university study abroad turned into a love triangle from which they never quite recovered. But it’s Christmas, and Audrey’s daughter is getting married. Time to let bygones be bygones.
Not for the sake of the holiday or even because they’ve matured with age…but because their mutual ex is nowhere to be found. It’s up to Audrey and Ian to track him down.
As wedding plans go further awry, the former besties race to find the father of the bride. Juggling complicated family dynamics (and the cocktails required to cope), they learn that, sometimes, it’s not about the search but the friendships rediscovered along the way.
208 pages, Paperback
First published November 18, 2025
About the author
Rachel Cohn
33 books2,319 followersRachel grew up in the D.C. area and graduated from Barnard College with a B.A. in Political Science. She has written many YA novels, including three that she cowrote with her friend and colleague David Levithan. She lives and writes (when she's not reading other people's books, organizing her music library or looking for the best cappuccino) in New York City.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
May 30, 2026
3.5★s
My Ex-husband’s Ex-husband is a novel by award-winning, bestselling American authors, Rachel Cohn and Melissa de la Cruz. Audrey Krishnan-Meyer is back in Vienna, this time for the occasion of her daughter, Isadora’s wedding. It’s where her ex-husband Beau has settled, but also where she and her then best friend, Ian Harvey first encountered, and both fell for, the charismatic and promiscuous Beau Williamson, during their study-abroad year.
Now Audrey is back, with her younger daughter Max organising the wedding, the happy couple enjoying the preamble to Christmas in Vienna, Beau’s implacable mother, Georgia nastily critical of every aspect and, much to Audrey’s chagrin, Ian has been invited. Conspicuously absent is the father of the bride. Beau isn’t answering calls or texts, and to save heartbreak for Izzy, Audrey and Ian find themselves teaming up to locate him.
Their search takes them to a day-rave at a club, various favourite spots from their study-abroad year, and they catch up with another American acquaintance resident in Vienna, Colin Villan. Ian is distracted by non-stop calls from his agent, Damien, who is trying to repair the damage that Ian’s rant against publishers at his book event is causing, while Audrey flirts with Colin.
Along the way, Audrey is roofied, she and Ian withstand Georgia’s acid tongue, and they discover something about Beau’s poor behaviour while each of them was married to him. A major flaw in Max’s organisation threatened the nuptials, the bride gets cold feet, there’s a lot of drinking and quite a bit of disagreement in the close quarters of their sub-par Air-BnB.
While the alternating narratives, Audrey and Ian, are well marked, both are first-person narratives and the voices are quite similar, so can be confusing. A lot of drama and a good dose of humour before several predictable HEAs. The right readers will find it entertaining.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Little A.
My Ex-husband’s Ex-husband is a novel by award-winning, bestselling American authors, Rachel Cohn and Melissa de la Cruz. Audrey Krishnan-Meyer is back in Vienna, this time for the occasion of her daughter, Isadora’s wedding. It’s where her ex-husband Beau has settled, but also where she and her then best friend, Ian Harvey first encountered, and both fell for, the charismatic and promiscuous Beau Williamson, during their study-abroad year.
Now Audrey is back, with her younger daughter Max organising the wedding, the happy couple enjoying the preamble to Christmas in Vienna, Beau’s implacable mother, Georgia nastily critical of every aspect and, much to Audrey’s chagrin, Ian has been invited. Conspicuously absent is the father of the bride. Beau isn’t answering calls or texts, and to save heartbreak for Izzy, Audrey and Ian find themselves teaming up to locate him.
Their search takes them to a day-rave at a club, various favourite spots from their study-abroad year, and they catch up with another American acquaintance resident in Vienna, Colin Villan. Ian is distracted by non-stop calls from his agent, Damien, who is trying to repair the damage that Ian’s rant against publishers at his book event is causing, while Audrey flirts with Colin.
Along the way, Audrey is roofied, she and Ian withstand Georgia’s acid tongue, and they discover something about Beau’s poor behaviour while each of them was married to him. A major flaw in Max’s organisation threatened the nuptials, the bride gets cold feet, there’s a lot of drinking and quite a bit of disagreement in the close quarters of their sub-par Air-BnB.
While the alternating narratives, Audrey and Ian, are well marked, both are first-person narratives and the voices are quite similar, so can be confusing. A lot of drama and a good dose of humour before several predictable HEAs. The right readers will find it entertaining.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Little A.
November 4, 2025
This is a fun little romp!
When Audrey heads to Vienna, Austria for her daughter’s Christmas Day wedding she isn’t surprised to find her ex-husband, Beau, has gone missing. She is surprised to find her ex-husband’s ex-husband, also her former best friend, Ian, has also been invited to the wedding! What ensues is a scramble for Audrey and Ian to find the irresponsible and self-centered father of the bride. Along the way, they share secrets from their past and reconnect as friends.
Audrey and Ian are great main characters and you can see their connection as friends. They both have to deal with a generally nasty former mother-in-law and the crises of their daughters/step-daughters. Ian stole the show! He’s brash, funny and touchingly sweet as he tries to figure out how to be happy while still being present for his friend and step daughters and dealing with unexpected romantic inclinations. He’s just such a solid sweetie, I loved him.
This is a quick read at under 200 pages but I thoroughly enjoyed it. There are all sorts of mess ups and adventures as well as great descriptions of Vienna at Christmas time. Plus, there are so many charming and funny supporting characters. It’s quite the ensemble and it absolutely works. Fun, fun read!!
Thank you to NetGalley, the authors and Little A publishing for the opportunity to read and review this fun book.
When Audrey heads to Vienna, Austria for her daughter’s Christmas Day wedding she isn’t surprised to find her ex-husband, Beau, has gone missing. She is surprised to find her ex-husband’s ex-husband, also her former best friend, Ian, has also been invited to the wedding! What ensues is a scramble for Audrey and Ian to find the irresponsible and self-centered father of the bride. Along the way, they share secrets from their past and reconnect as friends.
Audrey and Ian are great main characters and you can see their connection as friends. They both have to deal with a generally nasty former mother-in-law and the crises of their daughters/step-daughters. Ian stole the show! He’s brash, funny and touchingly sweet as he tries to figure out how to be happy while still being present for his friend and step daughters and dealing with unexpected romantic inclinations. He’s just such a solid sweetie, I loved him.
This is a quick read at under 200 pages but I thoroughly enjoyed it. There are all sorts of mess ups and adventures as well as great descriptions of Vienna at Christmas time. Plus, there are so many charming and funny supporting characters. It’s quite the ensemble and it absolutely works. Fun, fun read!!
Thank you to NetGalley, the authors and Little A publishing for the opportunity to read and review this fun book.
![Profile Image for Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1746468325i/66224803._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
November 16, 2025
Ho ho hoe Beau is on the run and his two exes (ex wife and ex husband) are searching for him.
After their drama with the reaaaaally open minded (and not so loyal) Beau Audrey’s and Ian’s friendship is destroyed.
But a wedding brings those two together again.
This was so much fun! Especially as an audiobook. I heard it in one sitting (long drive) and was entertained the whole way.
It’s under 200 pages for those who want to read it, so it’s a little snack between your other books.
And the best thing it: the main theme is family and friendship! Before Christmas!
So if you’re in the mood for a funny little Christmas story full of chaos, read this book (or listen to it!).
After their drama with the reaaaaally open minded (and not so loyal) Beau Audrey’s and Ian’s friendship is destroyed.
But a wedding brings those two together again.
This was so much fun! Especially as an audiobook. I heard it in one sitting (long drive) and was entertained the whole way.
It’s under 200 pages for those who want to read it, so it’s a little snack between your other books.
And the best thing it: the main theme is family and friendship! Before Christmas!
So if you’re in the mood for a funny little Christmas story full of chaos, read this book (or listen to it!).
November 10, 2025
Recommend-O-Meter: For a quick and fun read, but not much more
I came into this expecting something light and fun. And honestly, that’s basically all this is. So if you’re expecting something deep and world-changing, this really isn’t it, but still entertaining for what it’s worth.
Audrey and Ian are ex-BFFs who both used to be married to the same deadbeat guy, and now they have to team up and find the asshole for their daughter’s/step-daughter’s wedding. Rocking premise, I know, and it’s all set against a gorgeous backdrop of Vienna during the holiday season.
Cue a lot of family drama, friend drama, and, of course, lover drama. Everyone’s kinda shitty and also kinda cliché, and so many truly horrid decisions are made. Quite simply, this book reads like the kind of direct-to-Netflix holiday special family comedy I would watch when I wanted something that required zero brain cells.
And it really is fun, so long as you’re prepared for the literary equivalent of Coca-Cola calories in terms of nourishment.
Audio Assessment: Jesus, I could barely stand to listen to this at parts. Both narrators’ accents were horrendous. And as a German speaker, hearing them butcher so much of it was like listening to nails on a chalkboard. The short words were… decent, I guess, but every time they got anything longer to say, it was SO bad. Like, I could barely understand what they were trying to say with how badly they pronounced it. It always took me completely out of the moment, and I hated it. Sorry.
[I received an ARC and an ALC of this book from the publisher on NetGalley. This does not in any way affect the contents of my review.]
I came into this expecting something light and fun. And honestly, that’s basically all this is. So if you’re expecting something deep and world-changing, this really isn’t it, but still entertaining for what it’s worth.
Audrey and Ian are ex-BFFs who both used to be married to the same deadbeat guy, and now they have to team up and find the asshole for their daughter’s/step-daughter’s wedding. Rocking premise, I know, and it’s all set against a gorgeous backdrop of Vienna during the holiday season.
Cue a lot of family drama, friend drama, and, of course, lover drama. Everyone’s kinda shitty and also kinda cliché, and so many truly horrid decisions are made. Quite simply, this book reads like the kind of direct-to-Netflix holiday special family comedy I would watch when I wanted something that required zero brain cells.
And it really is fun, so long as you’re prepared for the literary equivalent of Coca-Cola calories in terms of nourishment.
Audio Assessment: Jesus, I could barely stand to listen to this at parts. Both narrators’ accents were horrendous. And as a German speaker, hearing them butcher so much of it was like listening to nails on a chalkboard. The short words were… decent, I guess, but every time they got anything longer to say, it was SO bad. Like, I could barely understand what they were trying to say with how badly they pronounced it. It always took me completely out of the moment, and I hated it. Sorry.
[I received an ARC and an ALC of this book from the publisher on NetGalley. This does not in any way affect the contents of my review.]
June 17, 2025
Real rating: 1.75 stars rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little A. for providing me with an ARC of this novel. All my thoughts and opinions are my own.
The tile of this book instantly struck me because I knew I would be in for messy drama. Two best friends, Audrey and Ian, who fall in love with the same man, Beau, and even get married and divorced to him. Beau is MIA the night before Beau and Audrey’s daughter’s wedding, so Ian and Audrey take it upon themselves to find him before it’s too late.
Unfortunately, the writing style of this novel alerted me almost immediately that I would not have a great time with this book. It’s very…quirky, which I’m not a fan of at all. It felt a bit excruciating to get through. On top of that, there’s the constant pop-culture references and sprinkled use of ebonics—meant to elicit a chuckle from the reader, but is more distasteful than anything, especially considering it’s being referred to as “gen z slang”— that keep getting inserted into the story.
Even with the alternating POVs between Ian and Audrey, there honestly isn’t much of a difference in tone. They’re practically the same person. More than once, I had to pull up the table of contents to remind myself who was talking because I honestly could not tell the difference.
Even a book with the most interesting premise, for me, can be completely sullied by a “quirky” writing style. This is not to say that everyone would dislike it. I can only compare the style to the likes of Cara Bastone and Emily Henry—interesting storylines with quirky writing styles, not right on the money, but in that ball park—so if you’re a fan of their writing, you might like this book.
The other main thing that throws me is the fact that all of the main characters are at least 45 years old (minus Audrey and Beau’s two children). Yet, there is nothing any of them does that reflects that. I genuinely had to keep reminding myself they were nearing their 50s, yet all of their actions, rationale, communication skills—it’s like a New Adult novel. There’s just morsels here and there that remind me of their age: the mention of subtle frown lines, wrinkles by their eyes, random moments of worrying about their jobs.
I get the prevailing theme here—trust me, I do. Two ex-best friends that were torn apart by their love/heavy competitive infatuation (take your pick) for the same man, rekindle their friendship as they traverse the streets of the town that started it all, making them feel young again.
Well, they feel a bit /too/ young.
Even with the small flashbacks from both Ian and Audrey showing glimpses of their individual relationships with Beau, I have a hard time believing it was love. I actually don’t think anybody was in love with anybody. Beau was just having fun—yes, even with two marriages and two children between the three of them. Audrey and Ian are (not were) incredibly insecure people who were both steadfast in their belief that Beau was incredibly out of their league and they were /lucky/ he even gave them the time of day. Both Audrey and Ian were in this weird competition with each other for his attention. I can chalk it up to youthful naïveté at the time, I suppose. But by their mid-30s? Some growth would’ve been great to see.
I also don’t love that they made the sexually fluid man cheat on everybody with anybody. It feeds a harmful stereotype. Audrey even made a comment early on in the book where she says something along the lines of acknowledging that Beau wasn’t straight, but still “fooled” herself into believing that marriage would make him faithful. That says a lot. She also makes comments here and there about Ian that suggests she’s someone who genuinely believes she’s an ally, but isn’t at all.
Then we have Ian who keeps calling Audrey a “bitch” or a “ho” in his internal monologues for literally no reason. His anger towards her is so incredibly misplaced that it’s almost exhausting to keep reading.
Those last 30-odd pages gave it the extra .75 boost.
Overall, I believe they are all borderline alcoholics who are in dire need of therapy, not a man, and are honestly better off without each other in their lives. They enable each other’s worst qualities.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little A. for providing me with an ARC of this novel. All my thoughts and opinions are my own.
The tile of this book instantly struck me because I knew I would be in for messy drama. Two best friends, Audrey and Ian, who fall in love with the same man, Beau, and even get married and divorced to him. Beau is MIA the night before Beau and Audrey’s daughter’s wedding, so Ian and Audrey take it upon themselves to find him before it’s too late.
Unfortunately, the writing style of this novel alerted me almost immediately that I would not have a great time with this book. It’s very…quirky, which I’m not a fan of at all. It felt a bit excruciating to get through. On top of that, there’s the constant pop-culture references and sprinkled use of ebonics—meant to elicit a chuckle from the reader, but is more distasteful than anything, especially considering it’s being referred to as “gen z slang”— that keep getting inserted into the story.
Even with the alternating POVs between Ian and Audrey, there honestly isn’t much of a difference in tone. They’re practically the same person. More than once, I had to pull up the table of contents to remind myself who was talking because I honestly could not tell the difference.
Even a book with the most interesting premise, for me, can be completely sullied by a “quirky” writing style. This is not to say that everyone would dislike it. I can only compare the style to the likes of Cara Bastone and Emily Henry—interesting storylines with quirky writing styles, not right on the money, but in that ball park—so if you’re a fan of their writing, you might like this book.
The other main thing that throws me is the fact that all of the main characters are at least 45 years old (minus Audrey and Beau’s two children). Yet, there is nothing any of them does that reflects that. I genuinely had to keep reminding myself they were nearing their 50s, yet all of their actions, rationale, communication skills—it’s like a New Adult novel. There’s just morsels here and there that remind me of their age: the mention of subtle frown lines, wrinkles by their eyes, random moments of worrying about their jobs.
I get the prevailing theme here—trust me, I do. Two ex-best friends that were torn apart by their love/heavy competitive infatuation (take your pick) for the same man, rekindle their friendship as they traverse the streets of the town that started it all, making them feel young again.
Well, they feel a bit /too/ young.
Even with the small flashbacks from both Ian and Audrey showing glimpses of their individual relationships with Beau, I have a hard time believing it was love. I actually don’t think anybody was in love with anybody. Beau was just having fun—yes, even with two marriages and two children between the three of them. Audrey and Ian are (not were) incredibly insecure people who were both steadfast in their belief that Beau was incredibly out of their league and they were /lucky/ he even gave them the time of day. Both Audrey and Ian were in this weird competition with each other for his attention. I can chalk it up to youthful naïveté at the time, I suppose. But by their mid-30s? Some growth would’ve been great to see.
I also don’t love that they made the sexually fluid man cheat on everybody with anybody. It feeds a harmful stereotype. Audrey even made a comment early on in the book where she says something along the lines of acknowledging that Beau wasn’t straight, but still “fooled” herself into believing that marriage would make him faithful. That says a lot. She also makes comments here and there about Ian that suggests she’s someone who genuinely believes she’s an ally, but isn’t at all.
Then we have Ian who keeps calling Audrey a “bitch” or a “ho” in his internal monologues for literally no reason. His anger towards her is so incredibly misplaced that it’s almost exhausting to keep reading.
Those last 30-odd pages gave it the extra .75 boost.
Overall, I believe they are all borderline alcoholics who are in dire need of therapy, not a man, and are honestly better off without each other in their lives. They enable each other’s worst qualities.
March 21, 2026
A story of friendship, forgiveness and reconciliation. Audrey and Ian are estranged former best friends, who were inseparable until they both fell for—and eventually married and divorced—the same man, Beau.
Decades later, Audrey and Ian reconnected as Audrey and Beau’s daughter is about to get married. Funny how can two people pit against each other. The book highlights how easy it is to blame the "other person" instead of the person actually causing the drama.
Decades later, Audrey and Ian reconnected as Audrey and Beau’s daughter is about to get married. Funny how can two people pit against each other. The book highlights how easy it is to blame the "other person" instead of the person actually causing the drama.
June 8, 2025
I haven’t read a book by Melissa de la Cruz or Rachel Cohn since high school, but the second I saw this title, it absolutely yelled at me. I knew I needed to read it, and it did not disappoint.
This book is pure fun from start to finish. It’s a short, fast-paced, lighthearted, and genuinely hilarious story that delivers exactly what it promises. I read it in one sitting, and honestly, I didn’t want to put it down. Reading a “Christmasy” book in June gave it an extra layer of charm, like breaking the rules in the best possible way.
The plot is delightfully messy in the most entertaining way: Audrey and Ian were once best friends, until they both fell in love with (and married, and divorced) the same man. Fast-forward twenty-some years, and they’re reunited in Vienna, where it all began, on the eve of Audrey’s daughter’s wedding. There’s only one problem: the father of the bride is missing, and it’s up to Audrey and Ian to find him.
What unfolds is a witty, cocktail-soaked caper through a snow-dusted Vienna filled with old wounds, unexpected laughs, and the kind of friendship that never quite dies. The banter is razor-sharp, the situations are delightfully absurd, and the emotional payoff is surprisingly heartfelt. It’s not a romance, but it’s absolutely a love story of friendship, forgiveness, and what it means to grow up (eventually).
Melissa de la Cruz and Rachel Cohn have created something that feels both nostalgic and fresh. It reminded me why I loved their writing in high school, and why I still do now. If you’re looking for a smart, cozy, laugh-out-loud holiday romp—no matter the season—this book is a total gift.
This book is pure fun from start to finish. It’s a short, fast-paced, lighthearted, and genuinely hilarious story that delivers exactly what it promises. I read it in one sitting, and honestly, I didn’t want to put it down. Reading a “Christmasy” book in June gave it an extra layer of charm, like breaking the rules in the best possible way.
The plot is delightfully messy in the most entertaining way: Audrey and Ian were once best friends, until they both fell in love with (and married, and divorced) the same man. Fast-forward twenty-some years, and they’re reunited in Vienna, where it all began, on the eve of Audrey’s daughter’s wedding. There’s only one problem: the father of the bride is missing, and it’s up to Audrey and Ian to find him.
What unfolds is a witty, cocktail-soaked caper through a snow-dusted Vienna filled with old wounds, unexpected laughs, and the kind of friendship that never quite dies. The banter is razor-sharp, the situations are delightfully absurd, and the emotional payoff is surprisingly heartfelt. It’s not a romance, but it’s absolutely a love story of friendship, forgiveness, and what it means to grow up (eventually).
Melissa de la Cruz and Rachel Cohn have created something that feels both nostalgic and fresh. It reminded me why I loved their writing in high school, and why I still do now. If you’re looking for a smart, cozy, laugh-out-loud holiday romp—no matter the season—this book is a total gift.
June 5, 2025
(3.75 star review) While I greatly enjoyed the book, I had a hard time loving the character Ian. By the end Ian did have a tad of a redemption arc but for 3/4 of the book he seemed selfish and I couldn’t get over how he married his best friends ex husband. Even when his character became a tad more likeable I still couldn’t give over that. But overall it was a cute book, I just wish it didn’t end on a cliffhanger. But maybe that means there will be another book coming!
In regards to the writing style, I thought overall it was great. I do wish some characters were describe physically more in depth so I could picture them easier but overall I thought the writing style was beautiful and easy to read.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.
In regards to the writing style, I thought overall it was great. I do wish some characters were describe physically more in depth so I could picture them easier but overall I thought the writing style was beautiful and easy to read.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2025
This book is written like someone binge watched a week of Bravo reality shows and then decided to write all the cliches into a book. But not in a good way. The main characters are Audrey and Ian (who are both about 45 years old) and who both fell in love with (and eventually married and divorced) Beau when they were exchange students in Vienna. And now all of them are in Vienna again for the rushed Christmas wedding of Beau and Audrey’s eldest daughter, a wedding that was planned entirely by her college freshperson younger sister. Becuase sure why not. Except that Beau is MIA since apparently that’s just what he does cuz he’s such a free spirited rich boy who never really ahd to do anything and could just float thru life, and Audrey and Ian have to find him. Everyone is a bit of a mess, which ok messy characters can be fun sometimes. But the way this book is written, with the alternating povs of Audrey and Ian, just doesn’t work since both character’s “voices” sound exactly the same, and so much of it is repetitive, like Audrey remining us she is rich, well almost rich. And Im sorry but having a scene where two 45 year olds go to a middle of the day time rave in Vienna to look for Beau and then one of them (Audrey) passes put on the floor randomly and basically no one in the club notices, except one guy who looks like Hugh Jackman (yes really thats in the book) who saw someone roofied Audrey’s drink then kept an eye on her is just weird. And then like that’s it, there’s nothing except that Ian eventually finds Audrey, gets told she got roofied, takes her back to the hotel, and just leaves her there to go back to the party and hook up with someone, seems like the behavior of 20 year olds. Especially when the next day he tells her she was randomly sipping from stranger’s drinks when they were in the rave since she was drunk. So yeah the book was a bit over the top and trying too hard, and it would have been a fun idea if the characters were younger. But they’re just middle aged alcoholics (seriously, ther is some Bravo level drinking going on with these two) who need therapy.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
January 20, 2026
This was a fun premise. Audrey and Ian have a complicated relationship. They were college best friends who later married and divorced the same man. When their mutual ex is a no-show for Audrey's daughter's wedding, they need to work together to find the father of the bride.
There's Christmas in Europe, a wedding, shenanigans, and very complicated family dynamics. But at the heart of it is a love story between two former best friends reuniting which made me so happy.
Thank you Little A and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.
There's Christmas in Europe, a wedding, shenanigans, and very complicated family dynamics. But at the heart of it is a love story between two former best friends reuniting which made me so happy.
Thank you Little A and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.
August 6, 2025
The story felt predictable and unoriginal. The characters were difficult to relate to, and the plot lacked a much purpose. Despite featuring middle-aged protagonists, the tone came across as cliché and immature—more like a young adult novel trying, unsuccessfully, to pass as adult fiction. #NetGalley
November 4, 2025
4.25⭐️
This was tight 90 minute movie. A “grittier” (PG 16) Hallmark soap opera that I would watch the hell out of. A short, sweet, frequently hilarious book about rekindling long lost friendships, moving forward from past betrayals and finding new love after love lost.
This is dual POV between Audrey and Ian. Beau doesn’t get a chapter because is the story isn’t really about him. It’s about friends reconnecting after betrayal, resentment and buried secrets.
The characters felt fully realized, everyone from the kids, to the grandma and the next love interests felt like real people. Audrey and Ian were kinda annoying at first, but you got their dynamics. You got their reasonings, you understood THEIR TRUTH. You got why they both had fell for Beau and the character growth by the end was great.
This was a fun, funny, madcap family European romp.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
Publication Date: November 18, 2025
“I know him,” I say. Ian Hawkins was once my very best friend. “He’s my ex-husband’s ex-husband.”
‘Like all disastrous relationships, ours has an origin story.’
‘I haven’t seen Ian in person in - how many years? I do the math. Beau and I were married for ten years. He left me to marry Ian. They lasted six years.’
‘We were Ian and Audrey. Audrey and Ian. Inseparable. Irreplaceable. Interchangeable. One mind, two bodies. We were each other‘s soulmates and best friends.’
‘It would be many more years before I understood that this was Beau to a T – for all his aversion and singularity and moving against societies grain, very little of what he did was original. Everything about him was derivative. What he lacked an authentic thought, he made up for his spade with his pseudophilosophy, his accumulated trivia, and his raw magnetism.
At the time, it didn’t matter.’
‘Ian and I never acknowledged it to each other, but we both wanted to be ruined by Beau. Badly.’
‘Izzy and Max are never going to forgive me if I lose their mother in a day rave in Vienna.’
‘I knew Beau wasn’t straight, and I knew marriage wouldn’t change who he was. But I did fool myself into thinking, he’d chosen a monogamous lane, and that lane was me and our baby.’
‘We fall silent. The last stages of grief, perhaps: acceptance. We both married and divorced a serial philanderer. We sacrificed our friendship for him.
We were so excited and stupid ones.
Beau was never worth that.’
‘I can see his face doing Ian Recalibration, trying to determine whether my version of fax lineup with his.’
This was tight 90 minute movie. A “grittier” (PG 16) Hallmark soap opera that I would watch the hell out of. A short, sweet, frequently hilarious book about rekindling long lost friendships, moving forward from past betrayals and finding new love after love lost.
This is dual POV between Audrey and Ian. Beau doesn’t get a chapter because is the story isn’t really about him. It’s about friends reconnecting after betrayal, resentment and buried secrets.
The characters felt fully realized, everyone from the kids, to the grandma and the next love interests felt like real people. Audrey and Ian were kinda annoying at first, but you got their dynamics. You got their reasonings, you understood THEIR TRUTH. You got why they both had fell for Beau and the character growth by the end was great.
This was a fun, funny, madcap family European romp.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
Publication Date: November 18, 2025
“I know him,” I say. Ian Hawkins was once my very best friend. “He’s my ex-husband’s ex-husband.”
‘Like all disastrous relationships, ours has an origin story.’
‘I haven’t seen Ian in person in - how many years? I do the math. Beau and I were married for ten years. He left me to marry Ian. They lasted six years.’
‘We were Ian and Audrey. Audrey and Ian. Inseparable. Irreplaceable. Interchangeable. One mind, two bodies. We were each other‘s soulmates and best friends.’
‘It would be many more years before I understood that this was Beau to a T – for all his aversion and singularity and moving against societies grain, very little of what he did was original. Everything about him was derivative. What he lacked an authentic thought, he made up for his spade with his pseudophilosophy, his accumulated trivia, and his raw magnetism.
At the time, it didn’t matter.’
‘Ian and I never acknowledged it to each other, but we both wanted to be ruined by Beau. Badly.’
‘Izzy and Max are never going to forgive me if I lose their mother in a day rave in Vienna.’
‘I knew Beau wasn’t straight, and I knew marriage wouldn’t change who he was. But I did fool myself into thinking, he’d chosen a monogamous lane, and that lane was me and our baby.’
‘We fall silent. The last stages of grief, perhaps: acceptance. We both married and divorced a serial philanderer. We sacrificed our friendship for him.
We were so excited and stupid ones.
Beau was never worth that.’
‘I can see his face doing Ian Recalibration, trying to determine whether my version of fax lineup with his.’
November 14, 2025
This was messyyyyy...
Like a reality TV show about a rich family or some telenovela with like a million seasons. This book catches up us about season 14, we are past behind 2 divorced and many drama.
In the present Audrey and Ian try to find their shared ex-husband, who is the reason for their falling out while rekindling their friendship. In Audrey's place I don't know if I had been civil with Ian, after his betrayal, doesn't matter how many years passed. It's clear that Beau, their ex-husband was the main manipulator who treated both of them bad, but Ian was really self-centred and not a good friend to Audrey. Honestly, the more I learned about their relationships I hoped Beau would just turn up dead. 😅
I really enjoyed their journey it was funny and tragic at times. My favourite characte was Damien, he deserved better than this fucked up family in my opinion.
It was a short read I pretty much destroyed it in one sitting. The audiobook of it is also great, with two narrators.
Thank you Brilliance Publishing for the eARC and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this adudiobook.
Like a reality TV show about a rich family or some telenovela with like a million seasons. This book catches up us about season 14, we are past behind 2 divorced and many drama.
In the present Audrey and Ian try to find their shared ex-husband, who is the reason for their falling out while rekindling their friendship. In Audrey's place I don't know if I had been civil with Ian, after his betrayal, doesn't matter how many years passed. It's clear that Beau, their ex-husband was the main manipulator who treated both of them bad, but Ian was really self-centred and not a good friend to Audrey. Honestly, the more I learned about their relationships I hoped Beau would just turn up dead. 😅
I really enjoyed their journey it was funny and tragic at times. My favourite characte was Damien, he deserved better than this fucked up family in my opinion.
It was a short read I pretty much destroyed it in one sitting. The audiobook of it is also great, with two narrators.
Thank you Brilliance Publishing for the eARC and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this adudiobook.
November 14, 2025
My Ex-Husband's Ex-Husband follows Audrey and Ian, who used to be close friends before they both married and divorced the same man, as they prepare for their daughter/step-daughter's wedding in Austria. For such a wild premise, I think the book does a great job of threading together the twists and turns that have resulted in this slightly absurd situation.
My Ex-Husband's Ex-Husband is a fun romp, but I struggled to connect with the protagonists. Audrey and Ian are charismatic but not especially mature. While I value flawed protagonists, they are often petty and messy in a way I found tough to enjoy from characters in their mid 40s. Despite not always enjoying the protagonists' viewpoints, I love how the story centers Audrey and Ian's (now strained) friendship as they try to navigate the obstacles that have come between them.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this audiobook.
My Ex-Husband's Ex-Husband is a fun romp, but I struggled to connect with the protagonists. Audrey and Ian are charismatic but not especially mature. While I value flawed protagonists, they are often petty and messy in a way I found tough to enjoy from characters in their mid 40s. Despite not always enjoying the protagonists' viewpoints, I love how the story centers Audrey and Ian's (now strained) friendship as they try to navigate the obstacles that have come between them.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this audiobook.
December 10, 2025
2.5
This was... fine. I was looking for something fast on a flight, and it delivered that. The concept is excellent and funny. But he first half of the book is kind of terrible -- unlikeable characters, a weird relationship with time and pace, and at one point, an apparently sincere and extensive belief that Bratislava is in Slovenia (the characters went to "Bratislava, Slovenia" and the authors then followed up on this magical journey with details about "Slovenian polka." How two authors and at least one editor all missed this fairly basic geography is anyone's guess.) The inspo seemed clearly to be the wonderful "The Guncle," but the characters lacked the development and depth that made that book so good.
The second half of the book was at least entertaining. The action (and characterization) both develop slightly. While it didn't make it a good book, it at least made the last half a fun book.
This was... fine. I was looking for something fast on a flight, and it delivered that. The concept is excellent and funny. But he first half of the book is kind of terrible -- unlikeable characters, a weird relationship with time and pace, and at one point, an apparently sincere and extensive belief that Bratislava is in Slovenia (the characters went to "Bratislava, Slovenia" and the authors then followed up on this magical journey with details about "Slovenian polka." How two authors and at least one editor all missed this fairly basic geography is anyone's guess.) The inspo seemed clearly to be the wonderful "The Guncle," but the characters lacked the development and depth that made that book so good.
The second half of the book was at least entertaining. The action (and characterization) both develop slightly. While it didn't make it a good book, it at least made the last half a fun book.
March 16, 2026
Audrey and Ian go way back. They spent time together in their younger days in Vienna with Beau. Audrey married Beau. Then Ian married Beau. Neither worked out. Now years later, they are reunited when Audrey and Beau’s daughter is getting married in Vienna. However, as the big day approaches, Beau is nowhere to be found. Audrey and Ian must work together to track him down and get him to the wedding. Somehow.
This was a quick read with several quirky characters. The story never slowed down and I felt like I was there with them.
Spend a bit of time Vienna for the wedding and see if you can help track down Beau. Good luck.
This was a quick read with several quirky characters. The story never slowed down and I felt like I was there with them.
Spend a bit of time Vienna for the wedding and see if you can help track down Beau. Good luck.
November 21, 2025
This book instantly gave will & Grace meets Real Housewives vibes. The banter was sassy, the characters had no filters… I wish that was more socially acceptable at times!
However, the plot fell a little flat for me. I wasn’t expecting adult characters to imitate gossip girl vibes throughout. It just wasn’t my vibe.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review!
However, the plot fell a little flat for me. I wasn’t expecting adult characters to imitate gossip girl vibes throughout. It just wasn’t my vibe.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review!
November 29, 2025
I DNF'd at 5% on the ebook. If I would have pushed through, I could see myself possibly enjoying the story. I stopped reading because I did not like the style of the writing. I believe in giving honest reviews but will not read books that are not for me.
January 11, 2026
3.8 stars.
April 10, 2026
Def enjoyable! It’s short and ridiculous and endearing.
May 16, 2026
CUTE. A really solid friendship story at the center, and also on the side the Hallmark movie I didn't realize I wanted to read 😋
August 17, 2026
3.5
Audio
Audio
August 25, 2026
2.5✨ fun and quirky family shenanigans abound through a wedding, a fallout, and a reunion
March 14, 2026
2.5/5
I had slightly lower expectations of this book, so that was probably a good idea. I wasnt expecting anything grand so this silly run around was a fun listen. The title and cover art hooked me, and I desperately wanted to follow thru and find out how everything ended. But the accents. The accents were horrendous. I had no idea where some of them were supposed to be from. eek.
I had slightly lower expectations of this book, so that was probably a good idea. I wasnt expecting anything grand so this silly run around was a fun listen. The title and cover art hooked me, and I desperately wanted to follow thru and find out how everything ended. But the accents. The accents were horrendous. I had no idea where some of them were supposed to be from. eek.
March 28, 2026
Really fun, only wish it were longer!
June 27, 2025
-- 3.75 ★
The premise of this book is so unlike anything I've ever read and it was brilliant. The book flows so easily and it was such a fun and simple read. Although it is quite short I still managed to gain feelings for the different characters and could envision them realistically which is a plus. Ian and Audrey's relationship went from hatred (rightfully so) to blossoming into something more mature and sophisticated. It felt like a huge hug I will miss their dynamic so so much. I just didn't like how Ian's character acted at times BUT we need flawed characters in books, he just irritated me fitfully.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC!!
The premise of this book is so unlike anything I've ever read and it was brilliant. The book flows so easily and it was such a fun and simple read. Although it is quite short I still managed to gain feelings for the different characters and could envision them realistically which is a plus. Ian and Audrey's relationship went from hatred (rightfully so) to blossoming into something more mature and sophisticated. It felt like a huge hug I will miss their dynamic so so much. I just didn't like how Ian's character acted at times BUT we need flawed characters in books, he just irritated me fitfully.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Little A for an advanced copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story follows Audrey, a forty-something single mom of two daughters, and Ian, a forty-something ex-step-father to Audrey's children. Their connection? Beau, a charming but flaky philanderer who did Audrey and Ian wrong in so many ways. Prior to their own respective relationships with Beau, Audrey and Ian were best friends studying abroad in Vienna, where they both met Beau. Now, after twenty-some years, Audrey's daughter Izzy is getting married (also in Vienna), bringing together the two estranged best friends. On top of that, Beau has gone missing and Audrey and Ian need to work together to find the father of the bride and save this wedding.
This story was funny and touching. I loved Audrey and Ian's relationship. The strained awkwardness when they first reunited after their divorces from Beau, their humor and affection showing a long history of love between the two that was derailed by their marriages to Beau. Throughout the book, I laughed out loud at their sibling-like antics, the endearing displays of sudden protectiveness of each other to silly outbursts of frustration. They made a good team as co-parents to Izzy and Mia, only to revert back to their frenemy status when alone. Told in duo points of view between the two friends, I loved watching their Vienna Christmas wedding (mis)adventures. The side characters were also enjoyable, filling out the family dynamics that made up the conflicting and joyous occasions in the story.
The tone of the writing matched the subject: it allowed for good humor and playful banter, but also for serious heart to hearts, discussions on infidelity, alcoholism, cheating, co-parenting, horrible (shared) mothers-in-law, heartbreak, and ultimately, the healing power of true friendship. I really enjoyed the pace, the writing style, the topics in question. I found they were handled well by the authors and made for a funny and heartwarming exploration of what it means to be family.
4/5 stars
This story follows Audrey, a forty-something single mom of two daughters, and Ian, a forty-something ex-step-father to Audrey's children. Their connection? Beau, a charming but flaky philanderer who did Audrey and Ian wrong in so many ways. Prior to their own respective relationships with Beau, Audrey and Ian were best friends studying abroad in Vienna, where they both met Beau. Now, after twenty-some years, Audrey's daughter Izzy is getting married (also in Vienna), bringing together the two estranged best friends. On top of that, Beau has gone missing and Audrey and Ian need to work together to find the father of the bride and save this wedding.
This story was funny and touching. I loved Audrey and Ian's relationship. The strained awkwardness when they first reunited after their divorces from Beau, their humor and affection showing a long history of love between the two that was derailed by their marriages to Beau. Throughout the book, I laughed out loud at their sibling-like antics, the endearing displays of sudden protectiveness of each other to silly outbursts of frustration. They made a good team as co-parents to Izzy and Mia, only to revert back to their frenemy status when alone. Told in duo points of view between the two friends, I loved watching their Vienna Christmas wedding (mis)adventures. The side characters were also enjoyable, filling out the family dynamics that made up the conflicting and joyous occasions in the story.
The tone of the writing matched the subject: it allowed for good humor and playful banter, but also for serious heart to hearts, discussions on infidelity, alcoholism, cheating, co-parenting, horrible (shared) mothers-in-law, heartbreak, and ultimately, the healing power of true friendship. I really enjoyed the pace, the writing style, the topics in question. I found they were handled well by the authors and made for a funny and heartwarming exploration of what it means to be family.
4/5 stars
October 26, 2025
LOVED IT! If you're worried it will be a cliché plot getting the two exes together, don't! It's a perfect blend of a Christmas chaos, repairing long-lost friendships, moving on and above all, getting together as a family.
So when it comes to the plot, Audrey and Ian have been best friends since forever. And when they are exchange students in Vienna, they meet Beau, and they both fall for him. Which, as you can imagine, eventually will lead to the friendship going bad, with both of them marrying him in due time. But we meet them after all this already happened, they're both divorced from Beau and meet, in Vienna again, for the wedding of one of Audrey and Beau's daughters.
And from here onwards, there we have the Christmas chaos in all its glory when the bride's father is nowhere to be found. Audrey and Ian will just have to find the ever cheating bastard, and bring him back in time for the ceremony.
Both Audrey and Ian have their own share of problems outside their relationship with Beau. The biggest similarity between the two is their lack of confidence in themselves, thinking they aren't a "good catch". Throughout the book, they find their friendship again, and push each other to recognize the better parts of themselves, ultimately leading to a new-found happiness for both.
My only irk here would be the cliffhanger at the end. That said, I would gladly return to this world, to continue this journey will all the characters (well, maybe except Beau and Georgia, they can stfu).
I'd say it's a very nice read for the upcoming Christmas break, if you're up for some laughter, but also some character development and family drama.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
So when it comes to the plot, Audrey and Ian have been best friends since forever. And when they are exchange students in Vienna, they meet Beau, and they both fall for him. Which, as you can imagine, eventually will lead to the friendship going bad, with both of them marrying him in due time. But we meet them after all this already happened, they're both divorced from Beau and meet, in Vienna again, for the wedding of one of Audrey and Beau's daughters.
And from here onwards, there we have the Christmas chaos in all its glory when the bride's father is nowhere to be found. Audrey and Ian will just have to find the ever cheating bastard, and bring him back in time for the ceremony.
Both Audrey and Ian have their own share of problems outside their relationship with Beau. The biggest similarity between the two is their lack of confidence in themselves, thinking they aren't a "good catch". Throughout the book, they find their friendship again, and push each other to recognize the better parts of themselves, ultimately leading to a new-found happiness for both.
My only irk here would be the cliffhanger at the end. That said, I would gladly return to this world, to continue this journey will all the characters (well, maybe except Beau and Georgia, they can stfu).
I'd say it's a very nice read for the upcoming Christmas break, if you're up for some laughter, but also some character development and family drama.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
January 5, 2026
This story was quite silly but very entertaining. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. I don’t know if I would have enjoyed this story if I read it instead. It has a Christmas theme and an interesting plot but overall, pretty good.
I recommend this book if you are looking for something lighthearted, funny, and not too serious.
I recommend this book if you are looking for something lighthearted, funny, and not too serious.
July 11, 2026
If Hallmark ever wants to veer into the 'woke' category and go for a Christmas movie featuring some queer characters, they can direct their attention to this book.
In those quintessential Hallmark movies, you can forgive the nonsense and kind of shitty characters because of the nostalgia and goodwill that comes with shitty Christmas movies.
Maybe it's because it's July, maybe it's because it's a book, this story earns no forgiveness.
Between the two obnoxious main characters you're meant to be rooting for, the brand name dropping every page, and the try hard nature of the banter and 'crazyyy' situations the characters go through, this only kept itself off the DNF tag because of it's length. It's short and to the point, which is helped by the fact that a number of situations, conversations, and things that may provide a shred of context to the story are described as happening off screen. It's annoying, hard to follow at times, and ultimately for the best as if I had to read even thirty pages more, I would not have finished this book.
But alas, I did finish this book and immediately had the full disappointment settle over me. I picked this up because queer stories in a contemporary setting are few and far between when browsing the shelves of new releases at the library. This story does the genre no favors. Please, for the love of God, tell me why the queer main character becomes an alt-right, Fox News darling as a B-plot in this thing??? His messaging of publishing watering down original ideas to maximize profits is of course a valid point, but you're telling me this man is GIDDY to hop on Fox News of all places and allow himself to be paraded as some figurehead for 'anti-woke' freedom of speech?? WTF. And this is the same man who at some point in this story, without a hint of irony, declares that he is never wrong. You'd hope with that attitude and his actions, he would have a story that goes to show him the error of his ways, as all good Hallmark Christmas stories do. But no, by the end of it he is the exact same person, a caricature of queer, artistic men who straight girls like to imagine going on a shopping spree with and Republicans cite when insisting that they know queer people who agree with their opinions.
And Audrey, good fuck what can you say about that doormat. Audrey is willfully blind to anything that doesn't fit her narrative or make her feel better about herself. And worse than that, she's so banal I have nothing left to say about her.
These two characters have a very interesting relationship. One that is torn apart and sewed back together in approximately two pages because neither of these characters are even close to real people. There is no serious discussion on how their actions impacted one another, no introspection into what fault each of them had in getting themselves to where they are now. Instead, they both get neatly shoved into a new relationship, lose all animosity over their cheating ex-husband despite never addressing the cheating with said ex-husband (the mistress in question was confronted instead, because of woke), and live happily ever after.
The whole story is the perfect mix of one-dimensional characters, perfectly placed and timed disasters, and inane B-plots to make a shitty Hallmark movie you put on in the background while cleaning your living room, randomly stopping once or twice to say "Who would say that?" at the TV when you hear another line of speech no human has ever uttered. All sprinkled over with snow and twinkling lights to remind you that, oh yeah, this is happening at Christmas for some fucking reason.
One star because you get some credit for the gays. Not enough credit to make me ever recommend this to someone. Ever.
In those quintessential Hallmark movies, you can forgive the nonsense and kind of shitty characters because of the nostalgia and goodwill that comes with shitty Christmas movies.
Maybe it's because it's July, maybe it's because it's a book, this story earns no forgiveness.
Between the two obnoxious main characters you're meant to be rooting for, the brand name dropping every page, and the try hard nature of the banter and 'crazyyy' situations the characters go through, this only kept itself off the DNF tag because of it's length. It's short and to the point, which is helped by the fact that a number of situations, conversations, and things that may provide a shred of context to the story are described as happening off screen. It's annoying, hard to follow at times, and ultimately for the best as if I had to read even thirty pages more, I would not have finished this book.
But alas, I did finish this book and immediately had the full disappointment settle over me. I picked this up because queer stories in a contemporary setting are few and far between when browsing the shelves of new releases at the library. This story does the genre no favors. Please, for the love of God, tell me why the queer main character becomes an alt-right, Fox News darling as a B-plot in this thing??? His messaging of publishing watering down original ideas to maximize profits is of course a valid point, but you're telling me this man is GIDDY to hop on Fox News of all places and allow himself to be paraded as some figurehead for 'anti-woke' freedom of speech?? WTF. And this is the same man who at some point in this story, without a hint of irony, declares that he is never wrong. You'd hope with that attitude and his actions, he would have a story that goes to show him the error of his ways, as all good Hallmark Christmas stories do. But no, by the end of it he is the exact same person, a caricature of queer, artistic men who straight girls like to imagine going on a shopping spree with and Republicans cite when insisting that they know queer people who agree with their opinions.
And Audrey, good fuck what can you say about that doormat. Audrey is willfully blind to anything that doesn't fit her narrative or make her feel better about herself. And worse than that, she's so banal I have nothing left to say about her.
These two characters have a very interesting relationship. One that is torn apart and sewed back together in approximately two pages because neither of these characters are even close to real people. There is no serious discussion on how their actions impacted one another, no introspection into what fault each of them had in getting themselves to where they are now. Instead, they both get neatly shoved into a new relationship, lose all animosity over their cheating ex-husband despite never addressing the cheating with said ex-husband (the mistress in question was confronted instead, because of woke), and live happily ever after.
The whole story is the perfect mix of one-dimensional characters, perfectly placed and timed disasters, and inane B-plots to make a shitty Hallmark movie you put on in the background while cleaning your living room, randomly stopping once or twice to say "Who would say that?" at the TV when you hear another line of speech no human has ever uttered. All sprinkled over with snow and twinkling lights to remind you that, oh yeah, this is happening at Christmas for some fucking reason.
One star because you get some credit for the gays. Not enough credit to make me ever recommend this to someone. Ever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews