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The Ex Girlfriend
Luke is the one. After everything she's been through, Georgia knows she deserves someone like him, to make her feel loved. Safe.
The only problem is his ex-girlfriend. Luke says Cadence is having trouble accepting their break-up, but Georgia thinks there's more to the story. She also has the feeling someone is watching her.
When everything starts to go wrong at work, at home, in her old friendships and her happy new relationship with Luke, Georgia starts to feel truly afraid.
Cadence wants what she has. What would she do to get it?
And can Georgia trust anyone at all?
Praise for Nicola Moriarty
'I devoured it' Marian Keyes
'Accelerates in intensity and sheer originality with every page' Australian Women's Weekly
'Dramatic, mysterious and compelling' Vogue
391 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2019
436 people are currently reading
3944 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Moriarty
10 books1,312 followersNicola Moriarty lives in Sydney's north west with her husband and two small daughters. She is the younger sister of bestselling authors Liane Moriarty and Jaclyn Moriarty. In between various career changes, becoming a mum and studying teaching at Macquarie University, she began to write. Now, she can't seem to stop.
Hello there people in the world of books,
I Would love to hear from you either here on Goodreads or perhaps at Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/NicolaMoriart...
Hello there people in the world of books,
I Would love to hear from you either here on Goodreads or perhaps at Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/NicolaMoriart...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 643 reviews
March 1, 2021
EXCERPT: The door was almost closed when an arm was thrust through the crack, causing it to jolt to a stop and then slowly shudder it's way open again. Georgia stepped back.
'Whoever it is, just don't let it be Cadence, don't let it be Cadence. Please, please don't let it be Cadence.'
A woman stepped in, her eyes down, her face blotched with angry patches. Blonde hair partly obscured her contorted features. But Georgia could still recognize her.
Cadence.
ABOUT 'THE EX': She wants him back. She wants you gone.
Luke is The One. After everything she's been through, Georgia knows she deserves someone like him, to make her feel loved. Safe.
The only problem is his ex-girlfriend. Luke says Cadence is having trouble moving on. She texts Luke all the time and leaves aggressive notes on Georgia's car.
Georgia starts to feel afraid. But she decides to confront Cadence ... and that's when things get interesting.
MY THOUGHTS: I went into this expecting it to be more chic-lit than it actually was. Probably one of the reasons I enjoyed this so much. Moriarty slowly builds up the suspense on a base of ever shifting sands. I was more than pleasantly surprised. Intruiged. And entertained.
There's not a huge number of characters, Moriarty has kept it quite tight, and it works well. The pace is fast and suspenseful. Moriarty had me hooked early on, and kept me wanting more right through to the last word. It's the sort of book that you think, 'I've got a few minutes to spare, I'll just read a page or two,' and instead you end up reading several chapters and being late. I boiled a pot full of eggs dry. Neither the eggs nor the pot survived.
Moriarty has blended a mix of love, betrayal, revenge and manipulation into a suspenseful psychological thriller that has me looking for more titles from this author.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.1
#TheEx #NetGalley
@HarperCollinsAU #HarperCollinsAustralia
#NicolaMoriarty
#australiancrimefiction #contemporaryfiction #domesticdrama #psychologicalthriller #suspense
THE AUTHOR: Nicola Moriarty lives in Sydney's north west with her husband and two small daughters. She is the younger sister of bestselling authors Liane Moriarty and Jaclyn Moriarty. In between various career changes, becoming a mum and studying teaching at Macquarie University, she began to write. Now, she can't seem to stop.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins Australia via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Ex by Nicola Moriarty for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'Whoever it is, just don't let it be Cadence, don't let it be Cadence. Please, please don't let it be Cadence.'
A woman stepped in, her eyes down, her face blotched with angry patches. Blonde hair partly obscured her contorted features. But Georgia could still recognize her.
Cadence.
ABOUT 'THE EX': She wants him back. She wants you gone.
Luke is The One. After everything she's been through, Georgia knows she deserves someone like him, to make her feel loved. Safe.
The only problem is his ex-girlfriend. Luke says Cadence is having trouble moving on. She texts Luke all the time and leaves aggressive notes on Georgia's car.
Georgia starts to feel afraid. But she decides to confront Cadence ... and that's when things get interesting.
MY THOUGHTS: I went into this expecting it to be more chic-lit than it actually was. Probably one of the reasons I enjoyed this so much. Moriarty slowly builds up the suspense on a base of ever shifting sands. I was more than pleasantly surprised. Intruiged. And entertained.
There's not a huge number of characters, Moriarty has kept it quite tight, and it works well. The pace is fast and suspenseful. Moriarty had me hooked early on, and kept me wanting more right through to the last word. It's the sort of book that you think, 'I've got a few minutes to spare, I'll just read a page or two,' and instead you end up reading several chapters and being late. I boiled a pot full of eggs dry. Neither the eggs nor the pot survived.
Moriarty has blended a mix of love, betrayal, revenge and manipulation into a suspenseful psychological thriller that has me looking for more titles from this author.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.1
#TheEx #NetGalley
@HarperCollinsAU #HarperCollinsAustralia
#NicolaMoriarty
#australiancrimefiction #contemporaryfiction #domesticdrama #psychologicalthriller #suspense
THE AUTHOR: Nicola Moriarty lives in Sydney's north west with her husband and two small daughters. She is the younger sister of bestselling authors Liane Moriarty and Jaclyn Moriarty. In between various career changes, becoming a mum and studying teaching at Macquarie University, she began to write. Now, she can't seem to stop.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins Australia via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Ex by Nicola Moriarty for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
July 3, 2019
When Georgia met Luke in a bar after being stood up by her date, she was immediately attracted by his good looks, charm and caring nature. As she gets to know him she falls deeply in love and knows he is 'the one' for her, well-deserved after all the bad relationships she's had. Soon he is meeting her family and moving in with her. But he comes with baggage - his jealous ex-girlfriend Cadence who just doesn't want him to leave her and won't give him up easily.
Nicola Moriarty has written a twisted psychological thriller which is a compelling page turner. With complex characters and a well paced plot it is a fast paced read. While the direction of the plot might feel a tad predictable, the underlying plot revealed in the suspenseful climax took me by surprise. Recommended for lovers of a good thriller.
With thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins Australia for a digital copy to read
Nicola Moriarty has written a twisted psychological thriller which is a compelling page turner. With complex characters and a well paced plot it is a fast paced read. While the direction of the plot might feel a tad predictable, the underlying plot revealed in the suspenseful climax took me by surprise. Recommended for lovers of a good thriller.
With thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins Australia for a digital copy to read
October 27, 2021
Georgia was at a bar waiting for her date but she was stood up, she meets this handsome genuine guy Luke they get on like a house on fire but he has baggage he still lives with his ex Cadence , this sends Georgia into a frenzy.
Luke & Georgia are getting closer day by day.until Georgia finds out the reason that Luke didn’t invite her back to his flat WAIT FOR IT Luke is living with his ex Cadence… this infuriates Georgia to the point of revenge, The problem is Cadence can be like a single white female exploding one minute then begging for forgiveness the next.
What happens from here on is revenge is so sweet you can taste it will Georgia get the man she finally deserves or will Cadence win him over one again.
I found this to be a little slow to start but it picks up the pace chapter by chapter it’s compelling & enjoyable at the same time. This is my first read by Nicola Moriarty I am not sure if this is an author I would continue to read.
Luke & Georgia are getting closer day by day.until Georgia finds out the reason that Luke didn’t invite her back to his flat WAIT FOR IT Luke is living with his ex Cadence… this infuriates Georgia to the point of revenge, The problem is Cadence can be like a single white female exploding one minute then begging for forgiveness the next.
What happens from here on is revenge is so sweet you can taste it will Georgia get the man she finally deserves or will Cadence win him over one again.
I found this to be a little slow to start but it picks up the pace chapter by chapter it’s compelling & enjoyable at the same time. This is my first read by Nicola Moriarty I am not sure if this is an author I would continue to read.
June 8, 2019
I guessed where this one was heading right from the start and spent a lot of time saying "no, don't do it" to various characters as I was reading. The suspense was still there though and I sped through those pages!
It is hard to review The Ex without giving anything away. Let's just say girl meets boy, they fall in love, bad things happen, there are many twists and turns and it probably does not end the way you expected it would. The author paces her story well, creates good characters and writes a tense, captivating story.
All good and very well worth reading!
It is hard to review The Ex without giving anything away. Let's just say girl meets boy, they fall in love, bad things happen, there are many twists and turns and it probably does not end the way you expected it would. The author paces her story well, creates good characters and writes a tense, captivating story.
All good and very well worth reading!
July 18, 2019
*https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
The Ex is a suspense filled story of love and revenge.
Georgia is finally getting her life back on track. She has a nursing job that she loves and is looking forward to a date she has arranged through a dating app. When her date stands her up she is about to head home when she is harassed by two men that have had a little too much to drink. Luke comes to her aid and moves the men along. Georgia is enchanted. He is not only good looking, he is charming and attentive. They start to date and Luke explains that his ex-girlfriend is in denial, she will not let him go. Georgia starts to get threatening texts and notes left on her car. She feels like she is being followed.
Georgia had finally found the perfect guy and she wasn’t going to let a clingy, psycho ex spoil it for her.
If you like suspense, if you like books about weird-ass stalkers, this book is for you!
I did think I knew where this story was going but I never guessed just how crazy and out of control it would become.
Moriarty includes themes of mental illness, self harm, depression, suicide and vulnerability.
There is also a heart-felt side story of Georgia’s job as a nurse and her attachment to one elderly patient.
Highly recommended for thriller fans!
The Ex is a suspense filled story of love and revenge.
Georgia is finally getting her life back on track. She has a nursing job that she loves and is looking forward to a date she has arranged through a dating app. When her date stands her up she is about to head home when she is harassed by two men that have had a little too much to drink. Luke comes to her aid and moves the men along. Georgia is enchanted. He is not only good looking, he is charming and attentive. They start to date and Luke explains that his ex-girlfriend is in denial, she will not let him go. Georgia starts to get threatening texts and notes left on her car. She feels like she is being followed.
Georgia had finally found the perfect guy and she wasn’t going to let a clingy, psycho ex spoil it for her.
If you like suspense, if you like books about weird-ass stalkers, this book is for you!
I did think I knew where this story was going but I never guessed just how crazy and out of control it would become.
Moriarty includes themes of mental illness, self harm, depression, suicide and vulnerability.
There is also a heart-felt side story of Georgia’s job as a nurse and her attachment to one elderly patient.
Highly recommended for thriller fans!
June 10, 2019
The Ex by Nicola Moriarty - wow! First of all how is this the first book by the author that I have read? I seriously need to fix that - this book was fantastic!! I had absolutely no idea where this was going and had me reeling in the final chapters. I read this book in an afternoon, very difficult to put down.
I am not going to say too much about the plot for this story - to do so would be to spoil it for anybody wanting to read it. All I will say is this - who can you trust? Georgia meets Luke and thinks that her bad run of men has finally ended. There is a catch though - he still lives with this ex who is struggling to let go. For any more than that you will have to read the book! I can't recommend this book more.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
I am not going to say too much about the plot for this story - to do so would be to spoil it for anybody wanting to read it. All I will say is this - who can you trust? Georgia meets Luke and thinks that her bad run of men has finally ended. There is a catch though - he still lives with this ex who is struggling to let go. For any more than that you will have to read the book! I can't recommend this book more.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
June 13, 2019
The Ex is the fifth novel by Australian author, Nicola Moriarty. Georgia Fitzpatrick can't believe her luck when being stood up by her Tinder date lands her in the company of the delectable Luke Kauffman. He seems like the perfect guy: a real gentleman and so sweet. Hot too!
But there's a catch: his ex, who still shares his flat, and can't seem to accept that it's over. A dilemma that might have given others pause (to run a mile from this too complicated situation, or to take a chance that this guy is worth the hassle?) gets Georgia’s consideration for mere moments.
Less than two months later, he’s moving in with her on the premise that this should alleviate the situation with Cadence, the ex (the repeated texts and nasty notes are definitely heading into stalking territory). Except it doesn’t. Things just seem to be getting worse. And then other things start to go amiss in Georgia’s life.
It is soon apparent that not all characters cannot be taken at face value: some have a history that leads to poor life choices. Moriarty deftly demonstrates how easy it is to be deceived, especially where wishful thinking and unquestioning, perhaps misguided, trust are involved. It is good to see the female characters showing their strong spines when it most matters.
Moriarty manages to insert a few red herrings that will keep the reader guessing and, while the who becomes obvious quite quickly, the whatever next and the why are what makes this a gripping page-turner right up to the nail-biting climax. A riveting read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins Australia
But there's a catch: his ex, who still shares his flat, and can't seem to accept that it's over. A dilemma that might have given others pause (to run a mile from this too complicated situation, or to take a chance that this guy is worth the hassle?) gets Georgia’s consideration for mere moments.
Less than two months later, he’s moving in with her on the premise that this should alleviate the situation with Cadence, the ex (the repeated texts and nasty notes are definitely heading into stalking territory). Except it doesn’t. Things just seem to be getting worse. And then other things start to go amiss in Georgia’s life.
It is soon apparent that not all characters cannot be taken at face value: some have a history that leads to poor life choices. Moriarty deftly demonstrates how easy it is to be deceived, especially where wishful thinking and unquestioning, perhaps misguided, trust are involved. It is good to see the female characters showing their strong spines when it most matters.
Moriarty manages to insert a few red herrings that will keep the reader guessing and, while the who becomes obvious quite quickly, the whatever next and the why are what makes this a gripping page-turner right up to the nail-biting climax. A riveting read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins Australia
October 14, 2019
*www.onewomansbbr.wordpress.com
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
**4.5 stars**
The Ex by Nicola Moriarty. (2019).
Georgia feels like Luke is 'the one' and that she deserves someone like him to make her feel loved and safe. The only problem is Luke's ex, Cadence. Luke says she is having trouble moving on and constantly texts him, and then Georgia starts finding aggressive notes on her car. Georgia starts to feel afraid, but she decides to confront Cadence and then things become...interesting.
I was super keen to read this book after loving the author's last book, and also after seeing so many great reviews for this one. This novel totally lived up to it for me and I loved it! I read it in a day because it was just that easy to read and I didn't want to put it down. I found the plot super entertaining. I picked one of the twists early on but I actually think a lot of readers would and it's more about the why and how that makes this story really engaging. There were some questionable decisions made by Georgia but I actually found it quite believable, one hears of similar things in reality more often than not. I liked how the reader eventually got Cadence's side of the story from her perspective later on in the book too.
Overall this is an intense but fun read that I'd highly recommend.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
**4.5 stars**
The Ex by Nicola Moriarty. (2019).
Georgia feels like Luke is 'the one' and that she deserves someone like him to make her feel loved and safe. The only problem is Luke's ex, Cadence. Luke says she is having trouble moving on and constantly texts him, and then Georgia starts finding aggressive notes on her car. Georgia starts to feel afraid, but she decides to confront Cadence and then things become...interesting.
I was super keen to read this book after loving the author's last book, and also after seeing so many great reviews for this one. This novel totally lived up to it for me and I loved it! I read it in a day because it was just that easy to read and I didn't want to put it down. I found the plot super entertaining. I picked one of the twists early on but I actually think a lot of readers would and it's more about the why and how that makes this story really engaging. There were some questionable decisions made by Georgia but I actually found it quite believable, one hears of similar things in reality more often than not. I liked how the reader eventually got Cadence's side of the story from her perspective later on in the book too.
Overall this is an intense but fun read that I'd highly recommend.
July 6, 2019
I have read a lot of this type of psychological thriller of late but happily, this is one of the best.
Georgia meets Luke and he’s everything she’s ever wanted in a boyfriend. The only negative about Luke is that he still lives with his ex-girlfriend who, once she learns about Georgia, starts to cause trouble between the new couple.
Maybe because I have read lots of similar books this year, I thought it had a pretty obvious twist. However, even though I guessed what was going to happen at an extremely early mark, I still enjoyed the book immensely. And despite thinking I knew what was going on, the tension in the book built at a really good pace, until my heart was pumping and I had to read to the end quickly to find out the resolution.
I liked the Australian feel to the book. Although technically the setting could have been any larger city in the world and the characters’ language and dialogue would certainly be understandable to anyone in any country, I still got a nice sense that the characters were distinctly Australian.
I also liked the way Moriarty included modern aspects into the story with such ease. Texting, social media etc are all used with a deft touch and there was nothing jarring about their inclusion at all (which I find quite often is the case in contemporary books).
Impressively Moriarty presents a lot of sensitive issues with empathy and finesse. Depression, cutting, suicidal thoughts, anxiety and emotional abuse are all integral to the plot.
And, most impressively, Moriarty made the story seem realistic - something that is really a rarity amongst this genre! I really believed all this could have happened and I never once rolled my eyes and had ‘as if’ thoughts whilst reading.
I gave the book 4 out of 5, shaving off a star for how obvious some things were (although, now I think about it, that might have added to the novel's realism). I still highly recommend this book and Moriarty definitely proves her more famous big sister isn’t the only one with writing talent in the family.
PS Not sure what’s going on with the title. My version was called simply ‘The Ex’ but a lot of editions now seem to be ‘The Ex Girlfriend’. ??
Georgia meets Luke and he’s everything she’s ever wanted in a boyfriend. The only negative about Luke is that he still lives with his ex-girlfriend who, once she learns about Georgia, starts to cause trouble between the new couple.
Maybe because I have read lots of similar books this year, I thought it had a pretty obvious twist. However, even though I guessed what was going to happen at an extremely early mark, I still enjoyed the book immensely. And despite thinking I knew what was going on, the tension in the book built at a really good pace, until my heart was pumping and I had to read to the end quickly to find out the resolution.
I liked the Australian feel to the book. Although technically the setting could have been any larger city in the world and the characters’ language and dialogue would certainly be understandable to anyone in any country, I still got a nice sense that the characters were distinctly Australian.
I also liked the way Moriarty included modern aspects into the story with such ease. Texting, social media etc are all used with a deft touch and there was nothing jarring about their inclusion at all (which I find quite often is the case in contemporary books).
Impressively Moriarty presents a lot of sensitive issues with empathy and finesse. Depression, cutting, suicidal thoughts, anxiety and emotional abuse are all integral to the plot.
And, most impressively, Moriarty made the story seem realistic - something that is really a rarity amongst this genre! I really believed all this could have happened and I never once rolled my eyes and had ‘as if’ thoughts whilst reading.
I gave the book 4 out of 5, shaving off a star for how obvious some things were (although, now I think about it, that might have added to the novel's realism). I still highly recommend this book and Moriarty definitely proves her more famous big sister isn’t the only one with writing talent in the family.
PS Not sure what’s going on with the title. My version was called simply ‘The Ex’ but a lot of editions now seem to be ‘The Ex Girlfriend’. ??
October 25, 2019
When Georgia finally meets the man of her dreams, everything else seems to go wrong. Luke has en ex-girlfriend, Cadence. He tells Georgia that Cadence is not coping with their breakup. But Georgia feels that there is more to it.
I really enjoyed this fast pa ed, twist filled thriller. This is a tense and suspenseful read. The characters are well rounded and believable. It's hard to review this book without giving away spoilers. This is a well written story with a great plotline that you will hard to put down. A great read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and the author Nicola Moriarty for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this fast pa ed, twist filled thriller. This is a tense and suspenseful read. The characters are well rounded and believable. It's hard to review this book without giving away spoilers. This is a well written story with a great plotline that you will hard to put down. A great read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and the author Nicola Moriarty for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 18, 2023
It was a light holiday read which was exactly what I wanted. Nothing that shocking but an easy read!
July 27, 2019
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Nicola Moriarty returns with a tightly bound domestic thriller titled, The Ex. A story of falling in love, trust, betrayal, revealing your true colours and mystery, this novel will reel you in from the very first sentence, through to the final word. The Ex is definitely one of my favourite thriller novels of the year.
Imagine meeting the man of your dreams, only to find out that he has an ex who just won’t let go. Worse still, the ex has turned into the ultimate stalker! For hardworking nurse Georgia, when Luke enters her life, she believes that she may have met ‘the one’. But there are early warning signs when Luke reveals that he still lives with his ex girlfriend Cadence, a woman who is yet to accept her relationship with Luke is over. When strange and threatening things start to happen to Georgia, she immediately casts the blame on her boyfriend’s jealous ex girlfriend. While Luke comforts her, Georgia cannot shake the feeling that Cadence isn’t going to let Luke go without a fight. When Georgia eventually faces up to Cadence things take an interesting turn!
Like a number of other reviewers before me, I am going to tip toe around this one plot and content wise. It is very easy to deliver a spoiler while discussing The Ex, and thus ruin this hooking thriller piece. I will say that Nicola Moriarty has delivered her best piece of fiction yet, this is her fifth novel, and it really seems like she has found her groove in the sub genre of domestic thriller fiction. Moriarty has obviously strived to deliver a balance between offering plenty of warning signals, but at the same time, keep her audience slightly at arm’s length. I was committed to The Ex from the very first sentence (even the author’s dedication to her children at the front made me snap to attention) and I really liked being pushed, pulled and turned every which way. Eventually, Moriarty completely shifted my stability with this book – by delivering a mind blowing plot twist. This demonstrates Moriarty’s true craft as a skilled writer for the thriller genre.
In Georgia, the main protagonist of this novel, Moriarty has presented a character that is incredibly normal and down to earth, with very real expectations. Georgia wants a solid relationship and a man to sweep her off her feet. When she meets and falls for charming Luke, we can’t help but want this couple to succeed. In Cadence, Luke’s ex, we want her out of the picture as soon as possible. For her meddling, we want Cadence to get her just deserts, that is until something happens! Need I say more!
I also need to mention the themes that are incorporated within The Ex. Moriarty does an excellent job of shining a light in mental illness, depression, self harm and low self esteem. Her treatment of these issues comes with a strong degree of insight and sensitivity. It definitely adds another coating to this novel, which seemed to take it up another notch in my eyes.
I think this is the type of review where less is more. The Ex is by far an influential book, that I won’t forget any time soon. I raced through The Ex in a matter of hours, thanks to the unyielding plot, fascinating cast and everyday Australian setting. The Ex is triumphant book from a talented Australian novelist and I’m already looking to Moriarty’s next one – with eager eyes!
*Please note that a free copy of this book was provided to me for review purposes through Beauty & Lace and Harper Collins – AU.
The Ex is book #101 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
Nicola Moriarty returns with a tightly bound domestic thriller titled, The Ex. A story of falling in love, trust, betrayal, revealing your true colours and mystery, this novel will reel you in from the very first sentence, through to the final word. The Ex is definitely one of my favourite thriller novels of the year.
Imagine meeting the man of your dreams, only to find out that he has an ex who just won’t let go. Worse still, the ex has turned into the ultimate stalker! For hardworking nurse Georgia, when Luke enters her life, she believes that she may have met ‘the one’. But there are early warning signs when Luke reveals that he still lives with his ex girlfriend Cadence, a woman who is yet to accept her relationship with Luke is over. When strange and threatening things start to happen to Georgia, she immediately casts the blame on her boyfriend’s jealous ex girlfriend. While Luke comforts her, Georgia cannot shake the feeling that Cadence isn’t going to let Luke go without a fight. When Georgia eventually faces up to Cadence things take an interesting turn!
Like a number of other reviewers before me, I am going to tip toe around this one plot and content wise. It is very easy to deliver a spoiler while discussing The Ex, and thus ruin this hooking thriller piece. I will say that Nicola Moriarty has delivered her best piece of fiction yet, this is her fifth novel, and it really seems like she has found her groove in the sub genre of domestic thriller fiction. Moriarty has obviously strived to deliver a balance between offering plenty of warning signals, but at the same time, keep her audience slightly at arm’s length. I was committed to The Ex from the very first sentence (even the author’s dedication to her children at the front made me snap to attention) and I really liked being pushed, pulled and turned every which way. Eventually, Moriarty completely shifted my stability with this book – by delivering a mind blowing plot twist. This demonstrates Moriarty’s true craft as a skilled writer for the thriller genre.
In Georgia, the main protagonist of this novel, Moriarty has presented a character that is incredibly normal and down to earth, with very real expectations. Georgia wants a solid relationship and a man to sweep her off her feet. When she meets and falls for charming Luke, we can’t help but want this couple to succeed. In Cadence, Luke’s ex, we want her out of the picture as soon as possible. For her meddling, we want Cadence to get her just deserts, that is until something happens! Need I say more!
I also need to mention the themes that are incorporated within The Ex. Moriarty does an excellent job of shining a light in mental illness, depression, self harm and low self esteem. Her treatment of these issues comes with a strong degree of insight and sensitivity. It definitely adds another coating to this novel, which seemed to take it up another notch in my eyes.
I think this is the type of review where less is more. The Ex is by far an influential book, that I won’t forget any time soon. I raced through The Ex in a matter of hours, thanks to the unyielding plot, fascinating cast and everyday Australian setting. The Ex is triumphant book from a talented Australian novelist and I’m already looking to Moriarty’s next one – with eager eyes!
*Please note that a free copy of this book was provided to me for review purposes through Beauty & Lace and Harper Collins – AU.
The Ex is book #101 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
May 18, 2025
How. Dis. A. Point. Ing.
I picked the twist 30% into the book. I am actually quite impressed with how accurate I was. But then instantly unhappy with the whole book because it was obviously predictable....
I wanted to like it ... but I honestly felt the writing was so flat and simple. The characters didn’t have too much depth or personality that I connected with. The story line plodded along without really anything happening that was exciting. I kept reading hoping it would get better - it didn’t. At least give us a good sex scene or two to spice it up GEEZ!
I skimmed through the last few chapters because I actually didn’t care what happened after it was confirmed I was 100% right. The villain was revealed and it was all just terribly boring and stupid.
People who don’t read much would probably enjoy it but this didn’t do anything for me but piss me off that I wasted the last few days of my holiday reading this.
I picked the twist 30% into the book. I am actually quite impressed with how accurate I was. But then instantly unhappy with the whole book because it was obviously predictable....
I wanted to like it ... but I honestly felt the writing was so flat and simple. The characters didn’t have too much depth or personality that I connected with. The story line plodded along without really anything happening that was exciting. I kept reading hoping it would get better - it didn’t. At least give us a good sex scene or two to spice it up GEEZ!
I skimmed through the last few chapters because I actually didn’t care what happened after it was confirmed I was 100% right. The villain was revealed and it was all just terribly boring and stupid.
People who don’t read much would probably enjoy it but this didn’t do anything for me but piss me off that I wasted the last few days of my holiday reading this.
April 12, 2021
The Ex by Nicola Moriarty
I thought I knew what to expect when I started reading The Ex, however the story soon diverts into a clever twist. The storyline was well constructed and I felt myself getting totally immersed in this read. I enjoyed the different characters in the story and how intense some of their scheming made you feel about them.
Georgia a nurse meets charming and handsome Luke in a bar and they soon start dating. Unfortunately Georgia finds that Luke has some unwanted baggage that becomes a serious problem in her life in the form of ex-girlfriend Candence. Candence is obsessed with her former boyfriend and enters Georgia’s life in a way that has her on edge and in fear.
If I could give you a broader glimpse of this story I would but I also don’t want to ruin the storyline of this psychological thriller which incorporates mental illness, self harm and toxic relationships. It’s an easy, modern day read and totally entertaining .
Thanks to Netgalley+ HarperCollins Publishers Australia for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
I thought I knew what to expect when I started reading The Ex, however the story soon diverts into a clever twist. The storyline was well constructed and I felt myself getting totally immersed in this read. I enjoyed the different characters in the story and how intense some of their scheming made you feel about them.
Georgia a nurse meets charming and handsome Luke in a bar and they soon start dating. Unfortunately Georgia finds that Luke has some unwanted baggage that becomes a serious problem in her life in the form of ex-girlfriend Candence. Candence is obsessed with her former boyfriend and enters Georgia’s life in a way that has her on edge and in fear.
If I could give you a broader glimpse of this story I would but I also don’t want to ruin the storyline of this psychological thriller which incorporates mental illness, self harm and toxic relationships. It’s an easy, modern day read and totally entertaining .
Thanks to Netgalley+ HarperCollins Publishers Australia for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
June 5, 2019
I have to be honest, I’ve been agonising over this review for days, worried that no matter how carefully I word it, that I’d inadvertently reveal something that could spoil The Ex for the reader. Something I definitely don’t want to do. I’ve drafted paragraph after paragraph, and deleted them all, so I’m going to make this short and sweet.
Having finally found her feet after a difficult few years, Georgia Fitzpatrick thinks she now may have also met ‘the One’. Luke is handsome, charming, and most importantly, makes her feel safe.
Georgia can understand then why Luke’s ex-girlfriend is reluctant to let go, but as Cadence’s behaviour escalates from nuisance texts to increasingly threatening notes, Georgia is worried about just how far she will go. Despite Luke’s assurances that he will take care of it, when Cadence’s latest stunt affects the job she loves, Georgia is determined to confront the ex, and put an end to the harassment, once and for all.
A compelling story of love, betrayal, and revenge, The Ex, offers enthralling twists and turns, even though I found, in part, I was able to predict the path the story would take. The pace was just about perfect, and I finished it very quickly, even for me. The characters are intriguing, and Moriarty deals sensitively with issues raised concerning Georgia’s mental health. That I’m familiar with the setting (Castle Hill, NSW) was a bonus for me.
The Ex, Nicola Moriarty’s fifth novel, is a gripping domestic thriller I’m happy to recommend.
Having finally found her feet after a difficult few years, Georgia Fitzpatrick thinks she now may have also met ‘the One’. Luke is handsome, charming, and most importantly, makes her feel safe.
Georgia can understand then why Luke’s ex-girlfriend is reluctant to let go, but as Cadence’s behaviour escalates from nuisance texts to increasingly threatening notes, Georgia is worried about just how far she will go. Despite Luke’s assurances that he will take care of it, when Cadence’s latest stunt affects the job she loves, Georgia is determined to confront the ex, and put an end to the harassment, once and for all.
A compelling story of love, betrayal, and revenge, The Ex, offers enthralling twists and turns, even though I found, in part, I was able to predict the path the story would take. The pace was just about perfect, and I finished it very quickly, even for me. The characters are intriguing, and Moriarty deals sensitively with issues raised concerning Georgia’s mental health. That I’m familiar with the setting (Castle Hill, NSW) was a bonus for me.
The Ex, Nicola Moriarty’s fifth novel, is a gripping domestic thriller I’m happy to recommend.
February 18, 2021
Het verhaal wordt goed opgebouwd. Er is een goede basis voor een interessant verhaal. Echter kreeg ik al snel vermoedens dat er iets niet klopte. Toen er een plottwist kwam (mijn favoriete onderdeel van psychologische thrillers), bleek deze nog groter te zijn dan ik dacht.
Georgia, het hoofdpersonage, wordt sterk neergezet. Je leert haar als beste kennen van alle personages. De rest blijft meer geheimzinnig, maar dat draagt wel bij aan het verhaal.
Aan het begin van het verhaal lees je ook steeds korte stukjes van een scene die zich afspeelt in een lift. Deze stukjes waren steeds maar 3 zinnen en toch super spannend! Dit vond ik echt een goede toevoeging aan het verhaal.
Nicola Moriarty heeft weer een boek geschreven waar ik van heb genoten. Haar vlotte schrijfstijl zorgt ervoor dat je gekluisterd bent aan het boek. Je wilt graag weten hoe het verhaal afloopt. Een puntje van kritiek vond ik dat ik het verhaal niet helemaal afgerond vond, maar dat was misschien ook haar bedoeling geweest.
Georgia, het hoofdpersonage, wordt sterk neergezet. Je leert haar als beste kennen van alle personages. De rest blijft meer geheimzinnig, maar dat draagt wel bij aan het verhaal.
Aan het begin van het verhaal lees je ook steeds korte stukjes van een scene die zich afspeelt in een lift. Deze stukjes waren steeds maar 3 zinnen en toch super spannend! Dit vond ik echt een goede toevoeging aan het verhaal.
Nicola Moriarty heeft weer een boek geschreven waar ik van heb genoten. Haar vlotte schrijfstijl zorgt ervoor dat je gekluisterd bent aan het boek. Je wilt graag weten hoe het verhaal afloopt. Een puntje van kritiek vond ik dat ik het verhaal niet helemaal afgerond vond, maar dat was misschien ook haar bedoeling geweest.
October 9, 2019
If you look at the title, read the blurb, know your psychological thrillers and think you can guess the premise and outlay of this book, you would be right!
It is exactly as it says its going to be
If you love these kind of stories then its the equivalent of a comfort food meal, exactly what you want and enjoyable!
I Do love these kind of tales and love the ‘knowing whats going on’ before they do kinda thing and pretty much guessed like a dot to dot the first 75% of the book, I didnt really warm to the characters but didnt overly dislike them either, the setting in Australia made a nice change and the writing was fine, it was all just ‘good’
And then it changed, the last 25% was WOAHHHHHHH and it turned into a fast paced, exciting and nerve jangling thriller....I would have liked this maybe a bit earlier but as I say the first 75% was more than acceptable
The ending is worthy of a shouted ‘YES’ although the last line was kinda weak but by then the deed had been done and it was cheers all round that the baddie had got his just desserts ( and he is a baddie, he is vile )
A happy place read which turned into a thrilling edge of your seat ( or wherever your reading) ending
7/10
4 Stars
April 29, 2022
Bloody Hell!!! What a tense filled ride!
Sure did keep me on my toes.
The last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat so much so I had to swap from listening to reading my physical copy so I could read faster and skim those suspenseful bits that had me all anxious on account of one psycho character.
A brilliant read. A true page-turner.
Simone Gescheit, did an excellent job narrating The Ex by Nicola Moriarty.
Sure did keep me on my toes.
The last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat so much so I had to swap from listening to reading my physical copy so I could read faster and skim those suspenseful bits that had me all anxious on account of one psycho character.
A brilliant read. A true page-turner.
Simone Gescheit, did an excellent job narrating The Ex by Nicola Moriarty.
November 16, 2019
I really really enjoyed this book. I knew what was going on but it had so much other stuff going on it didn’t take anything away from the book. It was so thrilling and so addictive. I really liked Georgia and Cadence and I’m so glad they had a happy ending. I absolutely despised Luke and could tell a million miles away that he was dodgy. It was all a bit too good to be true so I realised quite early on that he wasn’t what he seemed. The story really showed what girl power means and women sticking by other women which was a nice positive message. It was such a brilliant book and I’m definitely going to be reading more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2019
The Ex-Girlfriend is a tense and gripping psychological thriller written by the younger sister of Liane Moriarty and it's fair to say that writing riveting reads runs in the family. This story reminds us that some people can become so utterly obsessed with another that the jealousy ends up ruling their life and everything they do is driven by the idea of being with the person whether for the first time or once again as here with Cadence and Luke; the phrase "if I can't have you then no one can" is certainly relevant in The Ex-Girlfriend. I find that I often lose interest in domestic thrillers due to the similarities they inevitably have to each other but this was superbly plotted, well written and chock full of an uneasy suspense.
It's taut, twisty and fast-paced, with a cast of beautifully developed characters who are realistic and believable. I did predict one of the twists before it arrived but I couldn't have foreseen the brutal fallout and consequences. It's a dark and disturbing tale narrated in the first half by Georgia and the second half by Cadence; I really enjoyed this as it was intriguing to see things from opposite perspectives. The second half is definitely where my interest deepened. It is far from being an original thriller and I know those who read this genre frequently will likely guess the direction it's heading quite early on. However, it was an entertaining and easy way to pass the time. Many thanks to Michael Joseph for an ARC.
It's taut, twisty and fast-paced, with a cast of beautifully developed characters who are realistic and believable. I did predict one of the twists before it arrived but I couldn't have foreseen the brutal fallout and consequences. It's a dark and disturbing tale narrated in the first half by Georgia and the second half by Cadence; I really enjoyed this as it was intriguing to see things from opposite perspectives. The second half is definitely where my interest deepened. It is far from being an original thriller and I know those who read this genre frequently will likely guess the direction it's heading quite early on. However, it was an entertaining and easy way to pass the time. Many thanks to Michael Joseph for an ARC.
November 5, 2019
My Ex-Girlfriend is one of those books that is hard to review without giving anything away so this might quite possibly be one of the shortest reviews I’ve ever written.
Girl meets boy in bar, after having been stood up by a Tinder date. Georgia and Luke’s romance is one of the whirlwind kind. But Georgia knows she has finally found the one. Luke is everything she could possibly want in a boyfriend. Except for the fact that he can’t seem to shake his crazy ex-girlfriend, Cadence.
Now, I read a lot of books from the psychological thriller and suspense genre and I’m not entirely sure I’d put this book in that particular category. On top of that, I have a truly suspicious nature. So I pretty much figured out where things were heading right from the start. Yet that didn’t mean I wasn’t invested in the story. I often caught myself rolling my eyes, urging the characters to see what I was seeing or practically imploring them not to do certain things.
Personally, I prefer my psychological thrillers a lot more on the gripping side, which is something I felt was lacking somewhat in The Ex-Girlfriend. Nevertheless, it’s an entertaining and quickie read and Nicola Moriarty tackles a range of subjects from mental health issues to depression to self-harm. It’s remarkably easy to imagine how a stalker can drive you to the brink when you’re already feeling vulnerable.
And really, that’s all I’m going to say. Very sorry but I’ve already had to delete certain things because they came too close to spoiler territory. I will say that things turned out quite a bit more harrowing than I expected them to and if there are lessons to be learned from this story, they are to stay as far away from the dating scene as you possibly can and never trust anyone. Ever. You’re welcome.
Girl meets boy in bar, after having been stood up by a Tinder date. Georgia and Luke’s romance is one of the whirlwind kind. But Georgia knows she has finally found the one. Luke is everything she could possibly want in a boyfriend. Except for the fact that he can’t seem to shake his crazy ex-girlfriend, Cadence.
Now, I read a lot of books from the psychological thriller and suspense genre and I’m not entirely sure I’d put this book in that particular category. On top of that, I have a truly suspicious nature. So I pretty much figured out where things were heading right from the start. Yet that didn’t mean I wasn’t invested in the story. I often caught myself rolling my eyes, urging the characters to see what I was seeing or practically imploring them not to do certain things.
Personally, I prefer my psychological thrillers a lot more on the gripping side, which is something I felt was lacking somewhat in The Ex-Girlfriend. Nevertheless, it’s an entertaining and quickie read and Nicola Moriarty tackles a range of subjects from mental health issues to depression to self-harm. It’s remarkably easy to imagine how a stalker can drive you to the brink when you’re already feeling vulnerable.
And really, that’s all I’m going to say. Very sorry but I’ve already had to delete certain things because they came too close to spoiler territory. I will say that things turned out quite a bit more harrowing than I expected them to and if there are lessons to be learned from this story, they are to stay as far away from the dating scene as you possibly can and never trust anyone. Ever. You’re welcome.
June 23, 2019
I absolutely adore Nicola Moriarty!
This is the third book of hers that I have read & she is definitely an auto-buy author for me.
The being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this read! I did guess what was actually happening, which left me, for most of the book, yelling at the characters and covering my eyes when they didn't listen!
This is also how I watch horror movies... THE SUSPENSE KILLS ME!!
Even though I guessed the 'twist', the book still hooked me in and had me on the edge of my seat! Then I was shook, there was a twist that I never even suspected. I loved it! I really do enjoy surprise twists!
So, enough about the plot because I really don't want to give anything away.
The author has created a suspenseful, captivating story that will keep you on the edge of your seat! I find Nicola's writing style enjoyable and just perfect for binge reading. She really know's how to draw the reader into the story with a perfect balance of heavy moments, light heartedness and pure paranoia!
Finally on to the characters! Firstly, I was amazed that I didn't find any of them annoying and throat-punch worthy, because lets face it, that happens in most books. Even though I was basically calling them morons throughout the book (WHY DON'T THEY LISTEN TO ME!), I was actually rooting for them. Except, you know, 'the villain', that person needs to go back to their hole and stay there! But, I was really satisfied with the ending and would highly recommend this book to all book lovers!
I would like to thank HarperCollins Australia and Nicola Moriarty for sending me a copy of this fantastic book.
This has in no way affected my views or opinions of the book or the content of my review
July 9, 2021
I'd love to be at a dinner with the Moriarty sisters!
The Ex is the fifth novel by Australian author Nicola Moriarty. Georgia Fitzpatrick meets the delicious Luke Kauffman after a no-show Tinder date. He seems perfect! At this point, you may think this is a chic-lit/contemporary read. And yes, for about half, it seems to be. There is the psycho ex-girlfriend, Cadence, who still shares his flat. Georgia, however, thinks this is a small price to pay for someone so wonderful.
When Luke moves into Georgia's place two months later, things with the ex escalate. And then other things start to go awry in Georgia’s life.
And this is where the book kicks into a higher gear. The psychological thriller is in there, and it's worth holding out for. Not all characters can be taken at face value. Moriarty easily deceives, and the questions keep coming - who can you really trust?
The female characters have a bit of backbone, and the red herrings had me guessing; even when I suspected the outcome, I was not entirely sure I was right - all the tells of a worthwhile read. The last quarter of the book packs a real punch!
A riveting read.
The Ex is the fifth novel by Australian author Nicola Moriarty. Georgia Fitzpatrick meets the delicious Luke Kauffman after a no-show Tinder date. He seems perfect! At this point, you may think this is a chic-lit/contemporary read. And yes, for about half, it seems to be. There is the psycho ex-girlfriend, Cadence, who still shares his flat. Georgia, however, thinks this is a small price to pay for someone so wonderful.
When Luke moves into Georgia's place two months later, things with the ex escalate. And then other things start to go awry in Georgia’s life.
And this is where the book kicks into a higher gear. The psychological thriller is in there, and it's worth holding out for. Not all characters can be taken at face value. Moriarty easily deceives, and the questions keep coming - who can you really trust?
The female characters have a bit of backbone, and the red herrings had me guessing; even when I suspected the outcome, I was not entirely sure I was right - all the tells of a worthwhile read. The last quarter of the book packs a real punch!
A riveting read.
February 18, 2020
3.5 stars
Would have been a 2 star book but for the last quarter .
Georgia is stood up by a tinder date , but in turn makes friends with Luke , and later becomes his lover . But Luke had a vindictive ex girlfriend, or so it seems at the outset.
It was a good read, especially the last one third. I do confess that from 40 to 60 percent I was even mildly thinking of giving up on the story , but am glad that I didnt.
Would have been a 2 star book but for the last quarter .
Georgia is stood up by a tinder date , but in turn makes friends with Luke , and later becomes his lover . But Luke had a vindictive ex girlfriend, or so it seems at the outset.
It was a good read, especially the last one third. I do confess that from 40 to 60 percent I was even mildly thinking of giving up on the story , but am glad that I didnt.
July 20, 2019
I nearly DNF’d this book. I am glad I ploughed on though as it did pick up as I progressed.
The villain was a bit obvious from the start which I found somewhat frustrating.
The villain was a bit obvious from the start which I found somewhat frustrating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2020
Georgia finds the perfect boyfriend in Luke, and quickly finds herself falling in love. The big problem is that he has an ex-girlfriend called Cadence, who he is still living with for financial reasons. Cadence isn't letting go of Luke too easily. Georgia starts receiving nasty messages left for her wherever she goes, indicating that Cadence is following her and stalking her. But is everything as it seems?
A quick read, and very, very predictable. It probably only deserves two stars, but if I read a book in the space of a day or two because I want to keep going back to it, then the author is obviously doing something right. Maybe I just wanted to see if my suspicions were right, but really, how couldn't they have been? It is blindingly obvious what is going on here!
And did Georgia really need to have four (FOUR!) brothers? It got confusing keeping them apart for the scenes they were all together.
If you go into this knowing very little about it and with very low expectations, you can probably get a few kicks out of it. Predictability isn't a death knell for a book for me, ever. But when the author acts as if you're supposed to be surprised by what transpires when it's so freaking obvious, as it is here, that can annoy me. But like I said, it's a quick read and kept me engaged.
A quick read, and very, very predictable. It probably only deserves two stars, but if I read a book in the space of a day or two because I want to keep going back to it, then the author is obviously doing something right. Maybe I just wanted to see if my suspicions were right, but really, how couldn't they have been? It is blindingly obvious what is going on here!
And did Georgia really need to have four (FOUR!) brothers? It got confusing keeping them apart for the scenes they were all together.
If you go into this knowing very little about it and with very low expectations, you can probably get a few kicks out of it. Predictability isn't a death knell for a book for me, ever. But when the author acts as if you're supposed to be surprised by what transpires when it's so freaking obvious, as it is here, that can annoy me. But like I said, it's a quick read and kept me engaged.
September 22, 2024
I listened to this on audiobook.
Wowser, this has been an absolutely brilliant story from start to finish. Loved it. It was brilliantly written, so much so that I was captivated at every step and turn. I loved getting to know Georgia and Cadence, discovering their stories and seeing how things all play out. There were quite a few twists and turns as well as a couple of shocking moments.
I was enjoying this story so much so that I didn’t want it to end. I really enjoyed how it all ended though, especially what the girls did at the very end to a certain somebody. That’s all I’m saying though as don’t want to risk spoilers.
So last words, well done Nicola for releasing yet another amazing story.
Wowser, this has been an absolutely brilliant story from start to finish. Loved it. It was brilliantly written, so much so that I was captivated at every step and turn. I loved getting to know Georgia and Cadence, discovering their stories and seeing how things all play out. There were quite a few twists and turns as well as a couple of shocking moments.
I was enjoying this story so much so that I didn’t want it to end. I really enjoyed how it all ended though, especially what the girls did at the very end to a certain somebody. That’s all I’m saying though as don’t want to risk spoilers.
So last words, well done Nicola for releasing yet another amazing story.
February 24, 2020
Setting: Sydney, Australia; present day. Georgia has a chequered past but is starting to put her life back together - she has been working as a nurse for two years now and has a nice apartment and a few good friends - but she lacks that special person in her life and never seems to have much success on the dating front. This appears to be confirmed when she is left waiting in a bar by her latest date Brett who is a 'no-show' - but just as she is about to leave, Luke walks into her life and sweeps her off her feet. Never so happy before, she revels in her new relationship - but there is a shadow over it in the form of Luke's ex-girlfriend Cadence who will simply not let Luke go and stalks Georgia with nasty notes, emails and text messages. Luke and Georgia are at their wits' end trying to stop Cadence from destroying their relationship and bringing back all of Georgia's past insecurities. Finally deciding to put an end to the stalking once and for all, Georgia decides to confront Cadence - with surprising results....
This seemed to be a pretty 'run-0f-the-mill' stalking book but there is a serious twist in the tale at about halfway which really brings the story to life for the remainder of the book. Told mostly by Georgia but also by Cadence, all is revealed - but will it all be resolved? Read the book to find out! - 8.5/10.
This seemed to be a pretty 'run-0f-the-mill' stalking book but there is a serious twist in the tale at about halfway which really brings the story to life for the remainder of the book. Told mostly by Georgia but also by Cadence, all is revealed - but will it all be resolved? Read the book to find out! - 8.5/10.
July 14, 2019
What a deliciously twisted, suspense filled thriller!
This was my first Nicola Moriarty book and I practically consumed it. If her others are anything as gripping as this one, I daresay it won’t be my last!
This book is excellently written, has a great cast of characters, and is very compelling, and while I suspected certain elements early on, the how and the why were done brilliantly.
Everything in this story is so intricately woven that I can’t say much more without giving away plot points, but if you’re a fan of the mystery/thriller/suspense genre then get on this book!
Many thanks to Nicola Moriarty, HarperCollins Australia, and NetGalley for an ARC is this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first Nicola Moriarty book and I practically consumed it. If her others are anything as gripping as this one, I daresay it won’t be my last!
This book is excellently written, has a great cast of characters, and is very compelling, and while I suspected certain elements early on, the how and the why were done brilliantly.
Everything in this story is so intricately woven that I can’t say much more without giving away plot points, but if you’re a fan of the mystery/thriller/suspense genre then get on this book!
Many thanks to Nicola Moriarty, HarperCollins Australia, and NetGalley for an ARC is this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2022
This is a hard one to review fully without heading into spoiler territory, but here goes...
Thirty-something Sydney nurse Georgia heads out to meet Brett, an attractive-sounding guy she's been enjoying chats with via Tinder. But he's a no-show, and after waiting ages in the bar for him, a couple of dodgy blokes trying to pick her up in the meantime, Georgia's more than ready to go home. And then she runs into Luke...
The first half of The Ex Girlfriend (also published under the shorter moniker The Ex) follows the progression of Georgia and Luke's relationship from that apparently fated first meeting, through early dates, a family wedding and moving in together. But "the course of true love never did run smooth" (A Midsummer Night's Dream) and Georgia's growing devotion to Luke is overshadowed by the obsessive and intrusive behaviour of his former girlfriend, Cadence. Nasty notes and text messages escalate to home break-ins and Georgia being framed at work for a crime she never committed. What can she do to convince Cadence that Luke has moved on and that she needs to cease her frightening stalking behaviour?
At about the halfway point, the perspectives shift and a quite different narrative begins to unfold. It's at this point that my interest in the book really ramped up, as I'd found the character of Georgia a bit vapid and difficult to warm to up until then.
What follows is a twisty and engrossing contemporary thriller with some interesting exploration of gender politics, toxic relationships, manipulation, gaslighting and retribution. The central three characters are well-developed and complex, and backed by a believable cast of supporting characters, in the shape of Georgia's workmates and family members. Nicola Moriarty skilfully uses misdirection and the drip-feed of information about a mysterious traumatic past event in Georgia's life to create a shocking realisation that builds suspense and sets up the final thrilling denouement.
I'd recommend The Ex Girlfriend to readers who enjoy twisty contemporary suspense, and would encourage readers to push beyond the slow-build and experience the narrative as an ultimately satisfying whole.
Thirty-something Sydney nurse Georgia heads out to meet Brett, an attractive-sounding guy she's been enjoying chats with via Tinder. But he's a no-show, and after waiting ages in the bar for him, a couple of dodgy blokes trying to pick her up in the meantime, Georgia's more than ready to go home. And then she runs into Luke...
The first half of The Ex Girlfriend (also published under the shorter moniker The Ex) follows the progression of Georgia and Luke's relationship from that apparently fated first meeting, through early dates, a family wedding and moving in together. But "the course of true love never did run smooth" (A Midsummer Night's Dream) and Georgia's growing devotion to Luke is overshadowed by the obsessive and intrusive behaviour of his former girlfriend, Cadence. Nasty notes and text messages escalate to home break-ins and Georgia being framed at work for a crime she never committed. What can she do to convince Cadence that Luke has moved on and that she needs to cease her frightening stalking behaviour?
At about the halfway point, the perspectives shift and a quite different narrative begins to unfold. It's at this point that my interest in the book really ramped up, as I'd found the character of Georgia a bit vapid and difficult to warm to up until then.
What follows is a twisty and engrossing contemporary thriller with some interesting exploration of gender politics, toxic relationships, manipulation, gaslighting and retribution. The central three characters are well-developed and complex, and backed by a believable cast of supporting characters, in the shape of Georgia's workmates and family members. Nicola Moriarty skilfully uses misdirection and the drip-feed of information about a mysterious traumatic past event in Georgia's life to create a shocking realisation that builds suspense and sets up the final thrilling denouement.
I'd recommend The Ex Girlfriend to readers who enjoy twisty contemporary suspense, and would encourage readers to push beyond the slow-build and experience the narrative as an ultimately satisfying whole.
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