Exile

by Eve Ainsworth

A fairy tale romance. The pages ripped up. Will they get a second chance to rewrite their ending?Stevie and Harry's wedding was meant to be the highlight of the year, a fantasy come true. Working as a cleaner for Harry's family, Stevie never imagined the wealthy and privileged Harry would ever look her way, let alone propose.

So why did she jilt him at the altar?

Five years later, Stevie's back. A successful journalist, on the surface she's returned to look after her sick father, but she's asking questions about Harry's family that soon cast a suspicious light on her.

Even as Harry tries to stay away, the two are drawn to each other time and time again. Then Stevie is attacked and put in hospital. Someone is willing to go to any lengths to keep her quiet...

Dark, twisty and packed full of emotional gut-punches, this romance is perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover, Chloe Walsh and Mercedes Ron.

Genres: Romance

336 pages, Paperback

Expected publication December 1, 2026

About the author

Author of Seven Days & Crush
Scholastic
www.eveainsworth.com

http://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/eve-ains...

I have also self published an adult comedy - The Blog of Maisy Malone.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blog-Maisy-Ma...

I love reading, long walks, hot baths, eighties music and tea.

Please follow me on Twitter

https://twitter.com/EveAinsworth

Or find me on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/eveainsworthn...

Reviews

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K]

Quick Summary: A twisted thinking drama, with a second chance romance element

My Review: Exile by Eve Ainsworth is a "dark and twisty romance packed full of emotional gut-punches." It was released on 4/30/26.

About the Book: "Stevie and Harry's wedding was meant to be...

So why did she jilt him at the altar?

Three years later, Stevie's back.

Even as Harry tries to stay away, the two are drawn to each other time and time again.

Then Stevie is attacked and... Someone is willing to go to any lengths to keep her quiet..."

In My Own Words: A wedding. A runaway bride. A number of secrets. Lies, gaslighting, and manipulations. Power and money. An unexpected triangle. An attack. A revelation. A second chance.

My Final Say: This story was not simple. It was a web of lies and entangled lives. It was power on display and evil intentions. It was love lost and hearts reconciled. It was ugly, tragic, and beautiful all rolled into one.

Other: Readers who like a bit of Dynasty and Falcon Crest type family drama and undercover messiness may like this story.

Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Format: 📱
Cover: +

Thank you to the author, to the publisher (Canelo), and to NetGalley. I appreciate the opportunity to review a digital ARC of this title. It was a very entertaining read.

[VickydpBooks]

A fairy tale romance. The pages ripped up. Will they get a second chance to rewrite their ending?

Good book really enjoyed this book!!

Dark, twisty and packed full of emotional gut-punches, this romance is perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover, Chloe Walsh and Mercedes Ron.

Tropes:
Dark romance
Suspense
Second chance
Rich MMC x Working class FMC

[Karin (Kay)]

1.75 Stars

I wanted to love this book. Truly. The premise is so good! I was so interested in why she left, how he did it, what she would do when she got back, how she would make it right, what he would do when she returned, etc. etc. etc. But, for me, there were too many issues that caused this book to fall flat.

First off, I want to say that what Stevie did and how she did it was inexcusable. I am sorry, but leaving man at the altar like that and then disappearing for YEARS without any word is psychotic behavior.
Even now that I know why (spoiler portion of the review is hidden below), Stevie owed that man a conversation, AT MINIMUM. Even if she did not want to tell him what happened, she could have called to see if he was okay, should have called to make sure Liam delivered the letter, should have called to say sorry. SOMETHING. She literally ghosted him. I could not wrap my head around this behavior - especially given how she describes him: a sweet little puppy dog of a human who was so good to her, saw her and not her station, cared for her and her dad, was smart and tender, etc etc etc. Literally Prince Charming. AND THIS IS HOW SHE TREATS HIM? Nope. Nope. Nope.

Then, there's Harry. Spineless pathetic Harry. This man may be a puppy dog, but he's an abused dog that doesn't know how to bark or bite when necessary. LITERALLY everyone in this book except for Stevie's dad is awful to this man and he just takes it. and apologizes to them - OFTEN. I have never met someone so passive in their own life, but who complains about it for hundred of pages. COME ONE DUDE! STOP COMPLAINING AND STAND UP FOR YOURSELF!! Oh, and of course, he forgives Stevie before he even finds out why she did what she did. Of Course!!! BECAUSE HE HAS NO SPINE AND NO SELF RESPECT!

oh and don't get me started on Liam and Fliss and Jenny. All these people SUCK. THEY ARE TERRIBLE. Honestly, even Mac is awful. He knew what was happening to Jenny and he could have told someone. Told Harry. Nope. Instead he just told him to keep an eye on her. It's his mother - he could have helped her. The fact that he was blind to everything was one issue, but the fact that others knew what was happening and said nothin is another issue.

Then there's the plot. Here are some spoilers so I am going to hide them and you can reveal them if you wish: It was ZERO surprise to me that a) that the reason she left was because his dad sexually assaulted her. This was the ONLY thing that could make what Stevie did even remotely forgivable, so I guessed early on that this is what happened. I didnt hate this part, and it tracks with the character she created for the dad. BUT what I did hate is that her being a victim of sexual assault was apparently a cart blanche to do whatever she wanted and hurt everyone for YEARS with no regard for them or their emotions - WITH NO CONSEQUENCE. I am sorry, but being a victim of sexual assault does not mean you also get to be a terrible person. As someone who has spent years in therapy after sexual assault, I can tell you that any good therapist would tell you that hurting others when you are hurt is not okay. It makes sense - it explains the behavior! but it does not excuse it. She came back into this village and NO ONE KNEW (except for Liam who did not believe her) about what Harry's dad did (Pete). and they all already forgave her. And then when they found out what happened to Stevie a week before the wedding, it was as if she was a saint. She was the poor victim who could do no wrong. I am sorry but that does not excuse this woman's behavior. For example, she comes in and meets with Harry and LIES TO HIM about why she left (I wasn't ready). Then, she is jealous of Fliss and starts to complain and CALLS HARRY A CHILD when he doesn't give in to what she wants. Then, she decides to confront Pete and Harry's family AT HIS ENGAGEMENT PARTY. Not on a Tuesday afternoon in an office - NOPE. FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO SEE, AND TO RUIN HARRY'S LIFE AGAIN AT WHAT SHE BELIEVED WAS SOMETHNG THAT HE WANTED AND MADE HIM HAPPY. OH! And then when she finally does tell Harry that his dad tried to r*pe her a week before the wedding, she then goes to their special spot and finds a cute little "I will love you forever" note they wrote each other when they were 18. He has kept this peice of paper for years even after she shattered his heart! AND because *she* is done, SHE RIPS IT UP! It's not hers to destroy! HE KEPT IT! Ugh! It is something he cherishes and she unilaterally decides to destroy it??!! She is by far the most selfish character, especially because she feels like she's justified in her actions. She's not. Harry did not do anything to harm her - Pete did. And she continuously hurts Harry - and its INFURIATING.

AND THEN IT GETS WORSE. Then the plot goes from this slow, choppy, nothing-much-is-happening- except Stevie and Harry are annoying plot to MULTIPLE MURDER ATTEMPTS on Stevie's life. It was insane, and out of left field, and absolutely unnecessary. I was rolling my eyes. Obviously it was the dad who tried to do it. Obviously he would get away with it and come back to try to kill her again. And obviously he would get caught. This was truly like an episode of a soap opera, but worse because you get no insight into anyone's emotions. Things happen and then it just jumps to the next chapter. What was the point?  

Cliffnotes of the above that is spoiler free: Stevie is the worst. She uses her past to excuse her behavior and the world around her reinforces that behavior. She apologizes repeatedly and then acts selfishly again (and again!), making her words meaningless. Everyone else sucks too. In reality, every single person in this story just needs therapy. Deep, intensive therapy. And they will all apparently do anything BUT go to therapy.

Aside from the spoiler part of the plot above, the other thing that really bothered me about the way the plot was laid out was that the reader was kept in the dark about what happened to Stevie until the "big reveal" at the engagement party. It became increasingly frustrating that she did not reveal it in her mind - or to her best friend - or to her dad. She spent the majority of the book having the same empty half-truth conversations with everyone around her - and I was tired of waiting to be told the thing I already (accurately) predicted.

Aside from that, the writing also felt thin. The multiple page breaks made the story choppy and disjointed. Some sections were so short, and offered so little to the story. It felt more like a checklist of scenes that the author needed to create to get us to the ending, but I felt like just jumping from scene to scene. To me, it felt like this book was a season of a soap opera in the form of a book. And in true soap opera form, we jump from one scene and POV to the next with these mini "cliff hangers" that arent really cliff hangers and that get resolved too quickly. Followed by an ending that's insane (see spoilers above if you wish) and is more for the shock value than making sense in the context of the story. So, if soap operas are your thing then this story is for you.


Needless to say, I did not enjoy this book. I wish I did - I tried so hard to like it. And I am sorry that I couldn't get over Stevie's actions and her empty apologies before she acted selfishly again and again (and again), but I couldn't do it.

Thank you NetGalley and Canelo for access to the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Bookish_Gabby]

Eve Ainsworth always gives the most heartbreaking and yet heartwarming, as well as twisty and emotional romances. And this book is no exception. It is a dark, emotional, and twisted second-chance romance story, with very unlikable characters. It is also a very quick read and a rather unique story, which is the reason I love Ainsworth's books.

The story follows Stevie, who leaves her soon-to-be husband at the altar. Suddenly and without any explanation. She leaves the country without any explanation. Three years pass, and she is back in the village to face the truths and lies, and finally give her explanation as to what happened and why she left.

Honestly, I didn’t like any of the characters in this book, like at all, but I was hooked by the story. I loved the plot, I loved the suspense and writing, and I just couldn't put it down. I loved the twists and turns and lies and drama in this, but it wasn’t a five-star for me because I didn’t believe in Stevie and Harry’s love. For me, they didn’t have much chemistry. That and I really didn’t like how Stevie treated Harry and how Harry didn’t have any backbone to stand up for himself, not only against Stevie but also against his friends and family. I think both of them needed healing and time to work on themselves.

Overall, as always with Ainsworth’s books, I loved the uniqueness of this story, the writing, and the plot, including the suspense, drama, lies, and twists.

[Mar]

Una boda + Una novia fugitiva + Un novio que desea ser hippie = Una serie de secretos donde a pesar de todo, ambos protagonistas aún se aman con todo su corazón. En seriooo ame este libro me atrapo desde el principio y es queeee ambooos se siguen amando apesar de tooodooo. Debo confesar que no tarde nada en leerlo, es muy rapido porque realmente quieres saber por qué dejó plantado al prometido en pleno altar si lo ama y él a ella. Es cenicienta pero con paginas rotas, y es que hacen mucho referencia a cenicienta pero realmente creo que es totalmente diferente. Trae consigo un triangulo amoroso porque cuando regresa 3 años después el ex prometido ya esta comprometido nuevamente con otra chicaaaaa. Puedes encontrar en este libro drama y amor, quieres desvelar el misterio de qué esconde la protagonista para tomar semejante decisión y huir del pueblo luego de ello. Gracias a Netgalley y editorial Canelo por este hermoso y maravilloso ARC donde sentí coraje, impotencia, ganas de llorar y a la vez me enamore porque realmente los protagonistas nunca se dejaron de amar. Es muy realista y lo sentí absolutamente todo, son de esos libros que te crean una montaña rusa de emociones. Y para quien no le guste el spicy, definitivamente no tiene pero realmente nunca hizo falta.

[Ramona Thompson]

Stevie and Harry were the perfect couple, and perfect for each other. Except that Stevie came from a working class family and was actually employed as a housecleaner for Harry's parents. Harry's parents were the defacto owners of the village where they lived, and Harry's father did not approve of the mixing of the classes. For that, and some other reasons that develop as the plot moves along, Stevie runs away on their wedding day. When she returns to the village, Harry has a new fiancé, Fliss, and they are about to celebrate with their engagement party. Which is the right couple--Harry and Stevie, or Harry and Fliss. This was a good, well written story about being true to oneself. A good read, except that I got a little annoyed with Harry for not standing up for himself. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc with no pressure for a positive review.

[Ugne]

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this.

Unfortunately, this really wasn't for me.
And I really wanted to enjoy it, as the premise of the book sounded so promising but it felt flat and borderline infuriating.
Stevie was the worst character ever. As a reader you are kept in the dark about this big secret of why she did what she did almost throughout the whole book and it's so frustrating and repetitive. Halfway through I actually stopped caring and was just skimming through the book.
Harry was just pathetic, he wasn't able to stand up for himself and make any sort of decisions, but he kept complaining and whining throughout the book and it just made me mad, honestly.
The plot was soo soo far fetched at times, especially the ending scenes it felt so unrealistic and took me out of the story completely.
Overall, I really did not enjoy this book. I wish I did.

[Jane Hunt]

It's an emotional, dark, dramatic tale with many unlikeable characters, but they are well written, and each plays a part in this story full of angst, betrayal, and conflict. What happens to Stevie is harrowing, and all her actions follow from this. The story portrays her lack of self-esteem and loneliness well, and it is satisfying to see her confrontational, even if it puts her in danger. Harry appears weak, but as you learn his story, it is obvious why he is a people pleaser. It's an emotional story full of dark deeds and emotions, but the ending is uplifting and offers hope for the two main characters' futures.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Harriet]

I wanted to enjoy this book but unfortunately it got quite boring because it was so repetitive - just a back and forth of 'why did she leave, what did the family do wrong?' We could have found out in one conversation (but then that obviously wouldn't be a whole book's worth).

It also didn't help that every single character was unlikeable in this..

[•mikaela• :)]

✨ARC Review✨

She left him at the alter, and now she's back.

This was an emotional book about heartbreak, second chances, betrayals, corruption, secrets and lies.
A quick read, full of drama and shocking truths.

[Theresa]

This book was so good. I could not put it down.

[Vicky]

Not my sort of book - far too unbelievable! Characters too silly and weak, and the storyline Fae too twee.

[Katie (Kitkatscanread)]

Wow this book was truly amazing!
I found it hard to put down.
I love Eve's writing style, and this book was just so atmospheric and mysterious that I just wanted to find out more!
I listened to the audiobook of this, and I really recommend going that route if you like your audios.
I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to all who are a fan of the likes of Taylor Jenkins Reid and Colleen Hoover.