The Ex Who Came Back

by Daniel Hurst

Your biggest mistake is your sister’s new boyfriend.

All the family are gathered to meet my sister’s new boyfriend, including my husband Seth, and it should be a happy occasion. But the moment I see him my stomach drops. It’s Mateo. My worst mistake. My biggest secret. I hoped I’d never see him again – why is he here now?

‘It’s nice to meet you,’ he says. As I look into Mateo’s cold green eyes, I know he’s playing a deadly game. My hands tremble. This man can’t be trusted. He’s pretending not to know me… and he knows I have to pretend, too.

I’m caught in a lie with no way out. Mateo is dangerous. I don’t want my sister to get hurt. But if I admit who Mateo really is – what really happened between us – I could lose everything. My gorgeous husband. My precious little boy.

Or even my life…

From number 1 bestselling author and the king of jaw-dropping twists, The Ex Who Came Back is a completely addictive and unputdownable psychological thriller that will have your heart hammering as you flip the pages until the final twist!

Genres: Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Audiobook, Psychological Thriller

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2025

About the author

Daniel Hurst is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of fast paced psychological thrillers. His most popular titles include Til Death Do Us Part, The Passenger and The Doctor's Wife, the latter title reaching #1 on the Amazon UK Kindle store in February 2023. A regular KDP Select All Star since he became a full-time author in 2021, Daniel prides himself on writing fast, releasing stories often and engaging with his readers.

You can visit him at www.danielhurstbooks.com, where you can also download a copy of his FREE thriller 'Just One Second.'

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

When does Daniel Hurst not deliver? I mean seriously, he always delivers gripping, thrilling, shocking, fast paced page turners!!! In The Ex Who Came Back he had me glued to the pages and loving every second of it! I was addicted to the drama, the suspense, the tension, and the menacing threat one character promised to deliver!

Corinne, her husband Seth, their son and the rest of the family gathered to meet her sister, Georgia's boyfriend, Mateo. Everyone was happy to meet Mateo except for Corinne, who has met him previously! She hoped to never see her biggest mistake ever again but her he was meeting her family!

Woohoo! The tension was off the charts! I loved Corinne's mounting unease and tension as it grew throughout the book. Daniel Hurst had me turning the pages at warp speed wanting, no needing, to know what was going to happen next!

As with his other books, The Ex Who Came Back is a well thought out, oozing with tension, fast paced, and riveting page turner which entertained, delighted, and thrilled me!

Another captivating page turner from Hurst!

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 📖

[chantalsbookstuff]

I usually love Daniel’s books, so this is a tough review to write. Unfortunately, this was my first DNF from this author. Corinne’s character was deeply flawed, which could have been interesting, but after the big opening moment, the story just seemed to lose direction.

The repetition of the same sentences and references became too much for me, and I couldn’t push through to the end. A sad day for me as a fan, but I’ll still be looking forward to his next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Publishers for the ARC.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ex Who Came Back is another addictive read by Daniel Hurst. This fast-paced thriller is unpredictable with twists and turns throughout. I was immediately immersed in Corinne’s drama. Having an unwelcome blast from the past come into her life proves to be Corinne’s worst nightmare. I was on the edge of my seat as the story unfolded. Daniel Hurst always delivers unputdownable thrillers that are entertaining and suspenseful from start to finish. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

My second "EX" book of the week.

Surprisingly, the "EX" in this book was not an "EX".

He was a one-night stand.

The book's storyline had potential:
A former lover resurfacing in one's life to create upheaval.

Overall, the execution felt flat and formulaic.

The beginning was repetitive and slow.

Fortunately, the book picked up at the 50% mark.

Even so, the ending stretched credibility and required a HUGE suspension of disbelief.

If you’re a Daniel Hurst newbie, you might find the book a quick, passable read.

But if you're a Daniel Hurst fan like me, the twists will come off as predictable and recycled from Hurst’s earlier books.

I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Nathalie Buscombe.

[Melody McNamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Daniel Hurst knows how to write a quick and easy domestic thriller but this one fell short of my expectations, mainly due to the unbelievable plot. I did like Corinne's growing sense of desperation as Mateo threatened to reveal her deepest secret, and Mateo was one creepy, manipulative character. But his motivations just didn't ring true, and Corinne (and especially her husband Seth) often acted out of character. The inner thoughts of the characters were terribly repetitive, and although there were some tense moments in the second half, I found the ending to be anticlimactic. I often have mixed feelings about the author's books because, while I have my complaints, his stories are always entertaining and addictive.

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel Hurst does it again! The Ex Who Came Back is book #42 (yes, forty-two!) and somehow he’s still managing to top himself. Every. Single. Time. This one had me hooked from page one and guessing right up to the final, jaw-dropping twist. The pacing is razor-sharp, the characters deliciously complex, and the tension? Off the charts. I don’t know how he sleeps at night with the kinds of stories he dreams up — and honestly, I hope his real wife sleeps with one eye open! 😂 The title alone is enough to give you chills, but once the story unfolds, you’ll be questioning everyone’s motives… including your own. Daniel, you’re a master of domestic suspense. Keep them coming — I’ll be first in line for #43! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release. To be published September 2025.

[Rachel the Page-Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corinne’s sister Georgia has some big news, and she is getting her family together to fill them in on it. Corinne and her husband Seth figure this must have to do with a man, as she doesn’t usually make a fuss over things. When they all arrive at the restaurant, Corinne stops short when she sees the man sitting at the table with her sister and parents. His name is Mateo, and she had an affair with him five years prior.

After he and Georgia announce that they’re moving in together, Corinne feels sick. She had a drunken one-night-stand with this man, before she and Seth were married, and now he’s dating her sister? This can’t be a coincidence, and she soon finds out it’s not. Mateo is still in love with Corinne, and he wants her back. He gives her an ultimatum: tell Seth about their affair by the end of the week, or he will.

The book goes back and forth from the past to the present, explaining how this affair came to be, and how Corinne has lived with the guilt of it for so long. The plot is relatively simple, but this was a very quick page turner that ended with quite a surprise. I like that the book remained as simple as the plot; if summer weren’t almost over, this would be a good beach read. There could have been more drama, but this was still entertaining. 3.5 stars, rounded up!

(Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me on this book’s tour. “The Ex Who Came Back” will be released on September 24, 2025.)

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to Bookouture for a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Ex Who Came Back is a gripping, thrilling and engaging page turner.
This was a goodie from the masterful Daniel Hurst.
Corinne and Seth are a happy couple.
An invitation comes to meet her sister Georgia’s new boyfriend.
The family gathers and Corinne gets the shock of her life.
Mateo, the new flame is in fact, Corinne’s ex from years ago.
They parted on very bad terms and she thinks he’s back for some sort of revenge.
Why is Mateo here…..
He cannot be trusted.
What happens next will glue you to the pages to find out.
Daniel always seems to give his reader entertainment.
He knows how to grip you and keep you there.
A suspenseful domestic drama and an addictive psychological thriller.

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE EX WHO CAME BACK BY DANIEL HURST.
Release date set for the 24th of September 2025.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
I can't tell you how excited I've been for this book to come out so when I received the ARC for it I was buzzing.
This cover is the best cover I've seen all year. Just love it. (As you can tell I love abit of pink 💓).
Once again From the very beginning I was hooked and kept wanting to just sit and read.
Absolutely loved the storyline throughout.
This book kept me on my toes till the very end. I thought I knew where it was going but nope. I didn't have a Scooby Do.
Absolutely fantastic.
Highly highly recommend this to every single person reading this.

[Amy Saggers · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately I couldn’t finish this book. The idea sounded great — your ex showing up again, but this time he’s dating your sister. That’s a really strong setup for a thriller, and at first it grabbed me.

But as I kept reading, I lost interest. The main character kept repeating the same thoughts, and some of her choices didn’t feel very real. The story started to drag, and I could already guess where it was heading. Because of that, I didn’t feel much suspense, and I didn’t connect with the characters.

I feel horrible for rating this so low, I’m normally a fan of Daniel’s stories.
Oh well never mind there’s always the next one

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corinne made a mistake

Corinne thought the mistake was long gone

Corinne is wrong

and the mistake is back

This is a ‘we know pretty early on what is happening’ thriller and the reading excitement is waiting for it all to unfurl and see how it plays out and will it ‘cause chaos’ or ‘be dealt with’

Or both

This is Daniel Hurst gold as only he can write, someone getting on with their day and BAM everything changes

As always good characters, tense situations and a disquiet running through the story until we find out what is going to happen to everyone involved

If you love the authors work this is a another sure fire winner for you, where danger mixes with high stakes and a twist here and there doesn’t go amiss 😎

[Heather Cairns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really repetitive & unbelievable. Boring & def not his best

[Vanessa Wrafter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ex who came back ..
I recieved this as a ARC read from Netgalley and Daniel Hurst thank you so much i really enjoed this ,
We meet Corinne, who from the outside looking in appears to have it all she has a loving husband, a beautiful son that she adores and has a beautiful life created with her husband
However, a dark secret from her past comes back to haunt her threatening an end to her happy little life
When the man from her past resurfaces, Corinne’s world spirals into a desperate attempt to protect her family and protect them from her hidden past .
This was a edge of your seat book it was fast paced , it gave me palpitations the adrenaline was going this book was so so good I absolutely loved it ,

The suspense was epic and I couldn't predict how this book was going to go which I loved this was my first psychological thriller to read and it did not disappoint 5 stars was easy for this book

[Heather Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the book #TheExWhoCameBack by #DanielHurst. I loved this gripping thriller involving mistakes, revenge and the lengths someone will go to hold onto their lives. Mateo, a long ago mistake, has just walked back into Corrine’s life, as her sister’s boyfriend. She knows he’s up to no good and could ruin her life. What does he want? What will she do to stop him?

[Lauren Bennison · Rating 1 out of 5]

Waste of my fricking time

[Zeina (Taylor's Version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley for sending me this amazing ARC by Daniel Hurst!
The book is so good! It has a perfect pace, the story is so gripping!
The writing is perfect and anyone can read it as it is perfect for people who struggle with English. The story picks up immediately so that's really good, it doesn't get boring or slow at any point so that's perfect! Not knowing Mateo's intentions makes the story even more thrilling! The story at the end got so chaotic and I was on the edge of my seat. I honestly can't wait to read more books from this author.

[Krista (Mrs K Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Daniel Hursts books and this one is definitely one of my favorites by him.

This was a fast-paced thriller filled with lies and drama. This is for sure a recommend.

Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Joanne Cheek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting psychological thriller.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like AJ Campbell or Freida McFadden, you will probably enjoy the writing of Daniel Hurst. It is easy to read.

The Ex Who Came Back is an enjoyable read but I found it a little slow. It seemed much of the story are Corinne’s repetitive thoughts on what she calls her “mistake” or whether he husband is wonderful or not. In other words, the plot progressed slowly and there is no character development. That being said, it was suspenseful wondering how everything would be resolved when the ex came back, how he came to be in Corinne’s life, and whether she could get him to leave.
I didn’t find the ex, Mateo, a believable character, but perhaps that was intentional to have the story work.

[Zoe Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by Daniel and oh boy did I enjoy it! I especially enjoyed the way it kept me on my toes & wanting to know what was gona happen next! I wasn’t a fan of mateo he did make me angry at times but was glad of the ending ☺️

I’m deffo adding more of his books to my TBR!
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me ARC read this book!

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book like the fast and the furious! Hurst never fails to get my blood boiling with at least one of his characters. I was on the edge of my seat with my jaw set, grinding my teeth, trying to think of how I could pull a John Wick on that slimeball ex who just had to come back. The nerve of that guy. I kept trying to think ahead to how Corrine would apprise herself of this situation, but I did not see that coming at all! Another Hurst-worthy twist for the record books! This story was compelling, unputdownable, and filled with nerve-wracking tension and nail-biting suspense. Mateo will make you want to spit fire, ladies, so be forewarned. I always know that I will be fully entertained when I read a book by this author, and I loved every minute of this crazy thrill ride! I would highly recommend!

Thank you to Bookouture for granting me a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

[Diane Elizabeth Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

"​The Ex Who Came Back" is a fast-paced thriller that grabs you from the very first page!
We meet Corinne, who seems to have it all: a loving husband, a close knit family, a beautiful home, and a son she adores.
However, a dark secret from her past threatens to unravel her perfect life.
When the man at the centre of her secret resurfaces, Corinne’s world spirals into a desperate attempt to protect her family.
As her mental state deteriorates, the suspense ramps up with every clever new move her tormentor makes to add to Corrine's turmoil. This is the type of one-sitting read we have come to expect from Daniel Hurst. It will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
My sincere thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the privilege of the ARC. This is my honest opinion.

[Justinstaysreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley! 🙏 So many thoughts on this one. I loved the revenge-driven storyline—it hooked me right away. But by the middle, the predictability started to drag, and the ending felt a little flat. I honestly couldn’t stand the main character, but hey, this book definitely kept me entertained on a ✈️. Solid 3.5 ⭐️, and I’ll absolutely keep reading this author. Out now!

[Cat Dilnot · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hahahahahaha wtf

[Lex Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC for my honest review!

This was my first novel by this author and I was not disappointed. I usually enjoy this type of thriller, I was gripped from the beginning and found myself addicted. I kept wanting to read as much as I could at a time as the story was very fast paced, the chapters were a good length and it was suspenseful. The plot was so intriguing and entertaining, I felt enthralled while reading. My favorite characters were Seth and Georgia (and of course little Freddie).

Being captivated by this novel makes me want to read the author's backlist, continue reading any new novels he comes out with and read more novels/author's from the publisher. I am glad I got the opportunity to read this book and I highly recommend checking it out when it publishes on September 24th.

[Jodi VanMeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read several books by Daniel Hurst that I absolutely devoured. The Ex Who Came Back…….i wouldn’t say I devoured this book. The first half of the book took me forever to read and get into. Then finally it picked up and I had the can’t put the book down moment.

I had a hard time liking Georgia and Corrine and maybe that’s why I had a hard time getting into this book at the beginning. Seth is definitely the winner here and honestly would have liked his POV on some chapters. But overall this is a solid read and I did enjoy it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher as always for this advanced copy!

[whatsjoanareading · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry if this comes off as pretentious but jumping on the trend of “people I don’t want book recommendations from”: everyone who rated this book more than 2 stars is definitely in my top 3.

I honestly didn’t think I’d ever meet a character more unbearable than Violet from Fourth Wing, but Corrine just stole first place. This was my first time reading Daniel Hurst, and I don’t want to say never, but I really can’t imagine picking up another one of his books. The only reason I finished was out of respect for NetGalley who sent me this copy... otherwise, it would’ve been a DNF for sure.

Look, I’m not an author, I don’t work in publishing, I don’t edit books (= I have zero authority in this area) but honestly… what on earth was this? From chapter one it was painfully predictable, ridiculously repetitive, with flat characters, silly motivations, and a plot that made me roll my eyes more than once. And as for it being a thriller, we must be talking about chapter 30 (?) and maybe the last three chapters... Everything else was basically a melodrama with a sprinkle of suspense that could’ve been wrapped up in 100 pages instead of dragging on for 300+.

And don’t even get me started on Corrine’s inner thoughts. Endless, whiny, and downright exhausting. The supposed suspense never landed, and the book padded itself with irrelevant details that did nothing to move the story forward. Calling this a psychological thriller feels generous (!!) it wasn’t thrilling, it wasn’t tense, it was just bland and lazy, with plot twists that relied entirely on convenience.

My rating: ☆
Read in: 2 days & 🇬🇧 & 📱

I actually kept some notes while reading, just to give you a taste of the mental chaos I was going through (spoilers ahead!):

Chapter 4 – Could it be that Seth isn’t such a good guy after all? … And what if Seth discovered the secret and is now teaming up with Mateo?? That’s way too far-fetched, considering Mateo had to reshape his entire life, dating Corrine’s sister for months just to pull this off. Unless Seth planned this “test” from the very beginning? Also… is this really supposed to count as a thriller just because she cheated? This is pure family drama, not crime fiction. Where’s the dead body?
And I can already see where this is going: the big drama over the doubt... who’s the father of the baby?? Seth or Mateo?

Chapter 9 – Of course, Seth is “busy” on Saturday... I'm sure he's shopping for wedding rings... you wanna bet?
And Corrine’s first conversation with Mateo at the café? Absolutely ridiculous. She’s 33, not a teenager at prom.
“What do you do for work?”
“That’s really what you want to ask? Don’t you want to know something more interesting, like if I’m single?”
Excuse me, are we in a café or in high school? He might look like a Greek god, but he talks like a 14-year-old boy. Please.

Chapter 10 – Of course, he was out buying the ring and planning the proposal… didn’t I say so? Completely predictable.

Chapter 11 – I’m sorry, but I’m struggling here… I get that her husband would be furious if he found out, sure. But her whole family turning against her? Olivia suddenly hating her? That’s just way too far-fetched. Makes zero sense.

Chapter 20-something – Didn’t I already say the paternity question was coming? Another totally predictable “twist.”
And what’s with this obsession with writing letters about the affair she supposedly never plans to tell anyone about??? Of course, Seth is going to find those letters!!! again, wanna bet? This is just lazy, lazy, sorry.

Chapter 30 – Finally! A good chapter! Full of suspense, engaging, exactly what I signed up for. Too bad it took over 200 pages to get here.

I just cannot buy this premise. A sister who supposedly never wanted marriage or kids suddenly falling for her sister’s mysterious ex? A man obsessed with a woman after a one-night stand? Nope, not buying it. And then (deep breath) his genius plan is to seduce the sister for months, blackmail Corrine, and then run away with her?? And don’t get me started on Corrine writing those letters and then KEEPING them. Writing them I can almost understand, but keeping them?? Come on. We all know in her place we’d burn them, shred them, flush them, eat them... anything but keep them neatly stored in a box. That’s just laughable.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good thriller book with some mystery! Read this while reading another book. Can you imagine a one night stand coming back to haunt you in your future? And when that one night stand is someone you cheated with? Some twists and turns with a big plot twist toward the end.

[Ciarra · Rating 2 out of 5]

What an insufferable woman

[Jessica Chiles · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a bit meh for me. It was highly repetitive and apart from the final little twist, pretty predictable. Through the entirety, I found myself wondering why the MFC didn't just tell and get it over with.

Quick read but very much a take it or leave it.