🎧Audio Book Review🎧

Ex Girlfriend
Rosie Walker

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Wow...this was a total rollercoaster the whole way through and totally messed with my head!
There was so much going on and nothing was ever as it seemed.

When Ted and Sadie head off to a remote Scottish lodge for the perfect family Christmas - and just what they need to repair their marriage - nobody could have guessed how the weekend would pan out.

I wasn't quite sure how I felt about the characters in this to be honest.
I started off liking both Ted and Sadie and deep down, knowing there was something not quite right, but assumed it was just the 'thing' about their marriage, that we didn't yet know.
But as the story developed, I did start to wonder about Sadie, being a therapist, yet not being able to effectively communicate her nor Ted's behaviour.
This set me on edge a little and made me suspicious of whether Sadie was indeed a reliable narrator or not ?

The storyline was intriguing and I was hooked in the main.
I loved the twists and turns that were uncovered as we read and I liked the way the tension ramped up which kept me listening.
The ending did become a little out there but it was exciting to read and wasn't at all as I'd expected.

I love a closed room thriller - not a mystery as such....but pay attention! - and I love thrillers set in remote areas.
The terrible weather and the remote Scottish highland setting was just perfect. The descriptions really set the scene well and I knew things were not going to go well in the end.

Overall a crazy ride,but I loved it!


💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕

If this book were an injury it would be whiplash. Whenever I thought I had a handle on how this book was going, the next page I turned changed the direction completely. Don't get complacent or think you know what's coming when you listen because you don't.

Ex Girlfriend is an excellent read and the first book I’ve read by this author. It’s a domestic thriller and one which completely captivated me right up until the very last page. Of course I thought I knew how it was going to pan out but I will admit to being completely off track. The author takes you on a rollercoaster of a journey and I was left open mouthed at times. An unputdownable read with a great cast of characters.

Sadie, her husband Ted and their two children head to a house in the Highlands on Christmas Eve. Having planned the perfect Xmas with family arriving and a veritable feast, everything is thrown into chaos with the arrival of two strangers who arrive in the depths of a storm.

Alice is Teds ex girlfriend, first love and the “one who got away”, she turns up with her teenage daughter showing Sadie a text that Ted had invited her.

As the storm gets worse, cutting off the group from the outside world, tensions rise to boiling point and end with at least one of the group loosing their life.

I’m not sure how I feel about this book. There was an unreliable narrator that made me think that the author had ignored certain previous scenes in order to fit her narrative. It left me thinking that there were large plot holes that didn’t reconcile. I lost empathy for the main character and it drove me mad that they had multiple inappropriate conversations in front of the children who miraculously never hear a thing.

Having said all of that it was a quick enjoyable (albeit frustrating) read. Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

"Ex-Girlfriend" by Rosie Walker is a captivating and emotionally charged novel that delves deep into the complexities of past relationships and unfinished business. The story follows two women, Sadie and Alice, whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways.

Walker's writing style is beautifully descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the characters' inner struggles and the intricacies of their relationship. Sadie (Ted) and Alice are multifaceted individuals with their own sets of flaws and strengths. As the story unfolds, we see them confront their past traumas and come to terms with their feelings for each other.

However, some readers may find the start of the book to be a bit slow-paced. While the novel provides some insight into Sadie and Alice’s past, there are moments where you wish for more detailed backstory. The complex dynamics between the two women leave you hungry for more information about their history and what led to their eventual breakup.

Despite these minor drawbacks, "Ex-Girlfriend" shines in its powerful storytelling and the way it explores themes of love, loss, and forgiveness. The unexpected twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning the pages to uncover the next revelation.

I would highly recommend "Ex-Girlfriend" to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and emotional read. With its compelling characters, rich storytelling, and poignant themes, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impact on its readers.

Absolutely wonderful narration by Helen McAlpine. Thank you Rosie Walker and NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions belong to me

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This was a rollercoaster ride of a book. I really enjoyed it. Plenty of surprises though some parts were a little predictable. But other times I was left wondering. I did not really find myself liking any of the characters a lot as their reactions to situations were rather odd.
The narrator did a good job.

Ex-Girlfriend by Rosie Walker was my first read by the author. This addicting domestic thriller does a brilliant job building suspense as you delve deeper into the story and surprises you at every turn. I didn’t know who to believe and what twists awaited me.

Narrator Helen McAlpine’s enthralling Scottish accent made you feel like you were right there. Her pacing and characterizations helped keep me at the edge of my seat and really brought these characters to life.

If you are looking for secrets, deception and a didn’t see it coming ending then I recommend Ex-Girlfriend. I am without a doubt going to read more from author Rosie Walker.

Thank you Bookouture Audio, author Rosie Walker, and NetGalley for this Advanced Listening Copy.

Sadie's husband's ex girlfriend Alice turns up at the door while the family are on holiday. How did she know they'd be there and what does she want? Ted swears he didn't tell her and hasn't been in touch with her. 

This popcorn thriller was pretty good. It started off strong and then veered into unbelievable territory in the second half as the twists kicked in. The narration was great and kept me hooked throughout. I'm keen to read more by the author now!

Ex-Girlfriend Audiobook: 4 stars. I enjoyed this one and the narrator was pretty good too! She has a Scottish accent which I love so that was a plus. If you like domestic thrillers, I think this one was pretty good. The twists were pretty decent too. The ending also left me like “ooooohhhh” so that’s always fun! You know how some books have an unreliable narrator? I think this book is filled with unreliable characters. I really didn’t know who to trust even if the book is from Sadie’s POV. If I had the ability to raise one eyebrow in skepticism I would lol. Overall a solid domestic thriller audiobook. I’ll pick up another Rosie Walker book for sure! Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Rosie Walker for the advanced listen!

Ex-Girlfriend (audio)
3.75⭐️

Family, gifts, a secluded house, a dangerous storm, the arrival of an unexpected ex-girlfriend, and a night they might not all survive. Merry Christmas!

Ted and Sadie travel to a house where they will spend Christmas with their parents and their 2 daughters. It’s supposed to be a joyous time making precious memories. Then there’s a knock on the door and surprise! It’s Ted’s ex-girlfriend (the one who got away) and her daughter. What follows is the next two days through Sadie’s POV.

This is a dramatic domestic suspense. It was Lifetime Movie-esque. Great writing and storytelling albeit over the top for sure. The revelation around the half way mark made me question what I had read up to that point. There were times things didn’t really make sense to me and I questioned Sadie’s narration, but it did make sense that only getting one POV would include misperceptions and biased thoughts of that character.

Even though it’s set during Christmas this would be a good gloomy/stormy day read. Read this if you’re looking for twists and turns without being overly realistic or plausible. Just enjoy the ride!

Wonderful narration!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this ARC!

Pub Date May 03 2024

DNF.

The story was too implausible for me from the start and only became more difficult to believe. I enjoyed the narrator though. The MC was very likable.

The Ex Girlfriend by Rosie Walker. Thank you to NetGalley for my audio ARC. I really enjoyed the narrator’s Scottish accent. This book releases in May.

Sadie has planned a Christmas away in a secluded house for her family. Her in-laws and her mother are due to arrive the following day, and she plans on having a much needed talk with her husband, Ted, before they arrive.

As they are busy settling into the house, there is a knock on the door and a strange woman and young girl walk in. Before Sadie can do anything the woman, Alice, flings herself into the arms of Ted. Alice is Ted’s ex-girlfriend.

Who invited her and why is she there? The weather takes a turn for the worse and soon there is a raging storm outside and they are all trapped in the house.

The story took a few unexpected twists and turns that I didn’t foresee. Overall a good listen.

* I am unable to link my Goodreads review here but I have submitted it there. Also on Instagram under my book handle of books.bubbles.beach

His high quality audio deals with a women desperately trying to gix her marriage with a christmas family getaway,which is interrupted by the srrival of her husband ex and her daughter. Full of twsts and turns the story had me gripped as it showed noone knows what goes on behind vlised doors. The ending was over too quickly for me and i felt the story could hsve done with more male perspective to make it more balanced.
The narration was spot on. Thank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrator for this 4 star listen

Sadie and Ted need some family time and a perfect Christmas after going through what they describe as a “speed bump” in their relationship. Heading off to a secluded cabin with their two young daughters, everything seems perfect until there is an unexpected knock at the door.

Ted’s ex, Alice with her daughter, Natasha.

How did they know that Sadie and Ted were there and why have they come?

I was totally hooked and as the tension built and the secrets all emerged, Alice dropped a massive bombshell putting them all in danger, and then a storm rolled in. Brilliant! Totalling gripping and twisty right up until the very end!

I listed to the audiobook which was brilliantly narrated by Helen McAlpine. I really enjoyed how she brought these characters to life so well.

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Rosie Walker and Bookouture, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

A great story about relationships, hidden secrets and holding onto the past. The story starts off showing you the lovely dynamic between this family of husband, wife and 2 daughters. They are going to a cabin home for the Christmas holidays and the extended family will join later. On their first night, a storm occurs and there’s a knock at the door and it’s the ex girlfriend of the husband. This is not a welcome surprise for the wife. From the moment the ex girlfriend and her child appeared, it’s been one problem after another. The ex girlfriend is too clingy with the husband, and rude to wife. All the wife can think of is making the unwanted visitors leave immediately. However, the storm gets worse and they can’t leave. The longer the visitors say, the more chaos ensues and the wife wants to protect her children and get out alive.

The beginning of this book is great and it draws you right in. Then the family arrives to their cabin and there is a strange woman on the porch with a young girl. When the woman hugs Sadie's husband Ted, the drama starts when they realize it's his ex girlfriend Alice. Unfortunately for me that is about where I started disliking this book. Alice barges in and somewhat makes herself at home and they just let her? I would be like, I don't think so! Ted and Sadie let Alice walk all over them and many unbelievable events happen. I was not a fan of this one, sorry.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture Audio and Rosie Walker for access to the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This was fun! Some of the execution was a little rough, but I really enjoyed the style and the premise. It was well paced, so I never wanted to put it down!

Premise - a middle aged married couple facing a difficult time in their relationship heads to the English countryside for a Christmas of reconnection… until the husband’s past comes knocking.

Loved:
+ all the drama
+ rural psychological thriller vibes (think: locked room)
+ the author kept me guessing

Room for improvement:
- one character had a complete personality transplant after their truth came out towards the end and, in light of what we learn, some of their old behavior and choices made no sense
- the villain was pretty flat

Overall I had a great time and would read more from this author!

Thanks, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date: May 3rd, 2024
Page number: 276
Audio length: 8 hour 57 minutes
Narrator: Helen McAlpine
Genre: domestic thriller
POV: Sadie
Setting: isolated Irish countryside

Sadie, her husband Ted and their 2 children rent an isolated home to have Christmas either families. Ted’s ex girlfriend and her daughter show up. Drama, confusion, lots of secrets.

The suspense created in the first half was great- tension kept building- it kept me very engaged and I did not want to stop listening.

The second half had a lot of action, but seemed to be a bit choppy and unrealistic/far fetched and I became less interested and engaged.

Thank you to author, publisher, NetGalley for advanced audio copy. This is an honest voluntary review.

Wow this is so messy! I love it so much. Imagine your husband's estranged ex shows up to stay in your vacation house with yall over christmas.
Then you catch them kissing. Then you find out her kid is also his kid.
And then there is a storm keeping them trapped with you.
This isn't just awkward either. It is a whole entire nightmare. The whole family has arrived and now you just have to deal.
At first I didn't love the protagonist. She seemed weak and a little pathetic but I also saw Ted as a clueless guy and he is not that at all.
Our protagonist is obsessed with her husband. I mean beyond obsessed.
No one in this book does the normal thing. It is delightful. I could not predicta single thing.

The narration was perfection.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ | Format: Audiobook & E-Book

Okay so I was totally enraptured by this story from start to end. It’s a thriller, yes, but basically also could be described as someone’s personal horror story depicting all the scenarios you would NEVER want to happen. Marriage falling apart leading to the decision to go on a Christmas trip to a secluded cabin with your family, when your husband’s ex-girlfriend suddenly shows up with her child? Quickly finding out danger is following said ex-girlfriend? A terrible, life-threatening storm with no possibility of escape? Yeah, definitely a nightmare come true and things only progressively get worse from there…

Addictive and heart-pounding, with an absolutely excellent narrator for the audiobook (Helen McAlpine), I found myself constantly surprised by the direction the story took, but ultimately felt like the ending was rushed and disappointing, lowering my overall rating.

Thank you to Rosie Walker, Bookouture, & NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.