Can't give any feedback on this book as downloaded it, then it disappeared before I could read it... problem with the app? I don't know

The story is told in dual timelines. It is full of tension. There are some great twists and turns. The ending was a little bit disappointing.

I wanted to like this one more than I did. The storyline was decent but I just couldn't connect with the characters. I saw through Tom right from the start with his manipulation and gaslighting. Lizzie, Beth now, jumps between then and now with tidbits of information that slowly (so slowly) tell you what happened in the past and how it's influencing her now. She just seems so naive and when she finally starts to change it's almost too late. Overall just kind of meh for me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"The Other Girlfriend" by Alex Stone is a psychological thriller that explores the complex and twisted dynamics of love, obsession, and revenge. The story revolves around Lizzie Green, who once loved Tom Murphy passionately but was left brokenhearted after a traumatic event. Now, ten years later, Tom reappears in Lizzie's life, raising questions about whether she can resist the pull of their complicated history.

The novel grips readers from the start with its intense premise, presenting a narrative that plays with the fine line between love and obsession. Lizzie's emotional journey, fueled by unresolved feelings and a fear of being hurt again, adds depth to the plot. The exploration of the aftermath of a traumatic event and its lasting impact on the characters is a strong aspect of the book.

The pacing of the story is generally well-managed, with suspense building gradually as the narrative unfolds. Stone effectively creates an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty, keeping readers on edge as they navigate the intricate relationships and hidden motives of the characters.

However, some aspects of the novel may feel predictable, especially for readers familiar with the psychological thriller genre. The dynamics between Lizzie and Tom, while compelling, follow certain conventions that may lessen the impact of certain plot twists. The plot's reliance on familiar elements might leave readers expecting more originality.

Additionally, the characters, while engaging, could benefit from more nuanced development. Lizzie's internal struggle and the complexity of her emotions are explored, but the supporting characters could have been more fleshed out to enhance the overall depth of the narrative.

The writing style is straightforward, making the novel accessible to a broad audience. Stone skillfully weaves together the past and present, gradually revealing the layers of the characters' history. The exploration of themes such as trust, forgiveness, and the consequences of unresolved emotions adds substance to the psychological aspects of the story.

In conclusion, "The Other Girlfriend" by Alex Stone is a solid psychological thriller with a compelling premise that explores the lingering impact of past traumas on present relationships. While it may follow some genre conventions and lack complete originality, it succeeds in creating a tense and suspenseful atmosphere. The novel earns a three-star rating for its engaging narrative and exploration of psychological themes.

Lizzie can’t believe it when Tom whom she’s known since school knocks on her door 10 years after she last saw him. She has always wanted him but events conspired against her. I loved the start and liked the end but most of this tale is full of handwringing, misery, internal conversations and constantly trying to please. It was so annoying and would have been extremely easy to give up but I persevered to the very end. It’s obvious what’s going to happen but it took far too long to get to that point. Being a Dorset resident it was nice to read about local places and landmarks - makes a change from London!

Lizzie Green had loved Tom Murphy with all her being, but he was dating someone else. On a trip with friends something terrible happens which is kept secret but drives a wedge between Lizzie and Tom.

Ten years later Tom shows up at Beth's door (she prefers to be called Beth now and not Lizzie) he wants to rekindle their relationship, he has never stopped loving her and says that they should be together. Will Tom break her heart again?

A tension filled thriller that will keep you on the edge of your sofa.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

A good debut in the genre though with too many co-incidences for my liking to tie up the threads. I admit to struggling to complete this. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the reading copy.

In her teenage years and young adult life Lizzie was in love with her friend Tom. When Tom got a girlfriend it broke her heart and when something unthinkable happened it took Lizzie a long time to rebuild her life. When Tom turns up out of the blue on her doorstep years later - is this what she’s always dreamed of or is there something more going on?

This thriller is told in the past and also the present by the main character Lizzie. I didn’t warm to this character at all to start with and wished that she grew a bit of a backbone. I did however enjoy how the past slowly was revealed of what happened then and how the book got faster paced towards the middle and the end of the book.

This was a slow burning read, that picks up pace quickly and becomes a thrilling read until the end. The end I didn't expect, and rounded off the book nicely. Recommended.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. I think the book was just okay. To me it should have been cut way back by a couple of hours. Dragged on for way too long.

So good!! I love a good suspenseful read. Thank you netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw the plot for this one I was excited to read it. My problem was I really didnt connect with the characters. It has a past /present timeline. It was a bit too slow for me.

Hmm. That was interesting. A rather complicated plot that weirdly spoke to me in such a way that I had never anticipated. I though it would be boring but I was proven wrong by the awesome writing and pacing. Good job!

Cheers to Netgalley for the copy!

This is a psychological drama that entails secrets, lies and manipulation and I’m all for it. This should be on lifetime!!

Crikey what a ride!! Another new author to me and another to keep a look out for.

Lizzie has severe anxiety however she tries to keep it in check with intense structure, checking and cleaning. Then out of the blue her childhood best friend, Tom, turns up on her doorstep. She hasn’t seen or heard from Tom in 10 years after a traumatic weekend away during their first year at university. But Tom is more than a friend, he’s the man she always wanted and was obsessed with but could never have when she was at university. Why has Tom turned up now and can she trust him?

Wow this was a bit of an odd one, which I eventually really enjoyed. I felt this was definitely a “slow burn” as by about 30% in I was struggling a little with it however other reviews said that it was worth carrying on, so I ploughed through, and I’m really pleased I did. Initially I found Lizzie really frustrating as it seemed she was ignoring every single red flag and to be honest it was exhausting being in her head all the time however by around halfway through things started to get interesting as Lizzie’s intuition began kicking in and ultimately, I really enjoyed following the journey she made. I guessed the secret quite early on, but it didn’t ruin my overall enjoyment of the book. I wavered between 3 and 4 stars for this one. Until the middle this was definitely a slow burn but then after that, the pace went at brake neck speed, and I feel it definitely deserved 4 stars.

Overall, an interesting, albeit little scary, foray into manipulation and gas lighting and I would recommend it. I have this author’s debut book on my “to be read” list and I am looking forward to reading it now I enjoyed this one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alex Stone and Boldwood Books for my advanced reading copy. Out now.

I love a domestic noir and any plot about toxic relationships and The Other Girlfriend ticked both these boxes. The plot kept with gripped throughout and I found the characters well developed. An excellent read.

Teen, Lizzie has a crush on her best friend, Tom. But Tom has a girlfriend, Hannah and promises Lizzie he really wants her. One weekend away with friends at Durdle Door, and drunken game of truth or dare leads to a fatal incident as Hannah plunges to her death.
10 years on, Lizzie, now Beth still can’t put the events of that weekend behind her and lives in her shell. On evening, a knock at the door reveals Tom, who she has seen or heard from since that fateful night. He presumptively, invites himself to stay and Beth can feel his power over her again.
As the days goes on, Beth realises Tom is not the hero she always thought he was, coercing her into situations she doesn’t want to be in. There is more to Tom and that night that she’s kept hidden all these years and now is time for the truth to shine.
A great psychological thriller, plenty of twists and likeable characters that will keep you wanting to read on.

The Other Girlfriend was billed as a psychological thriller and although there were some twists and turns, it didn't grip me all that much. Lizzie Green had loved Tom Murphy with all that she had, but he was with someone else. On a trip with some friends, something happens, something that is kept a secret, something that drove a wedge between Lizzie and Tom. Ten years later, Tom shows up at Beth's door (she has changed her name) and tries to rekindle their relationship. Why? What has brought on this sudden desire to be with Lizzie/Beth.

I have to say, Lizzie/Beth was not very bright. She allowed Tom to show up and use her, once again. I know love is blind, but this was way over the top for me. I also got a bit tired of her attitude toward herself and always trying to justify things. The chapters were short and alternated between the past and present. It wasn't until almost the end of the book when we find out what really happened ten years before and it didn't make me gasp, just nod my head a bit. This was just an okay read for me, one that I will not remember in the future.

Creepy, chilling and claustrophobic, with The Other Girlfriend Alex Stone continues to prove to be a gifted, nuanced and original voice in the crowded field of psychological crime thrillers.

Lizzie Green had once been head over heels in love with Tom Green. Her love for him was all-consuming, overwhelming…and almost obsessive. Lizzie believed that Tom was the man for her and the only one who could make her happy. Unfortunately, reality proved to be far different from all of her romantic fantasies. One night something terrible happened and Lizzie had been left devastated, broken-hearted and totally alone. Lizzie vowed never to let Tom hurt her in this way ever again. But will this promise to herself be one that she can keep? Or will fate once again pull the rug out from under her feet and surprise her in the most alarming and sinister of ways?

Ten years later, Lizzie is absolutely flabbergasted when Tom turns up on her doorstep. Still as charming as ever, Tom wastes no time in trying to worm his way back into Lizzie’s life. Although she knows that she should show him the door and not let him past the impenetrable defenses she has built around herself, Lizzie knows that Tom has the power to hurt her and break her heart into a million tiny pieces again.

Lizzie will not let Tom destroy her life again. But can she resist him? Or is she about to make a huge mistake from which there is no going back from?

A tension-filled thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, The Other Girlfriend is a domestic noir chiller that explores toxic relationships, dangerous obsessions, the secrets we keep and the lies we tell ourselves.

In this unsettling, disturbing and twisted thriller, Alex Stone brings to life our deepest and darkest fears, our insecurities and the lengths we go to to be loved. A book best read with every single light on in the house and the doors and windows bolted shut, The Other Girlfriend is another winner by Alex Stone.

Tom turns up at Lizzie's house unexpectedly after a ten year absence. She is rebuilding her life, and is now known as Beth. She has OCD behaviour due to an incident during her university days. As the story unfolds, it shows that Tom is manipulative and has a hold over Lizzie. But what is the truth?
Fantastic twisty novel, which has you wondering who is lying and why, right up to the explosive ending. Powerful and enthralling read from a wonderful author!