I really liked the plot of this book and I found it to be something that I'm not used to reading and seeing done one hundred times so it was quite refreshing. However one thing that I didn't like about this book was there was so many different points of view changes and they were very muddled so it made it hard for the reader to keep track of who was talking and what was going on with each character. Not only did this make it hard it also took me out of the story a lot which I didn't like. I wanted to enjoy this book however I found it to be very slow moving and very confusing at times. The story is all about a man named Sam who runs into his ex girlfriend. He is surprised when he sees that she has a child with her. He questions her on it and she reveals that she is looking after her friends baby so he doesn't have to worry. It isn't to long after however that it is revealed that the child is hers and she is claiming that Sam is the father. I found myself putting this book down a lot and having to force myself to pick it back up again which was unexpected. The best part about this book was the ending I loved how it all came full circle and I loved how twisted our main character was. There were parts that I saw coming but others that I was so shocked it really threw me for a loop. I loved how our main character Naomi was written. She was so dark and conniving it was crazy to think that people can actually be that cruel. There were parts I loved however there were long parts that I felt just dragged on. I think this is one book that
I might have to reread in order to fully grasp what is happening.

Secrets May Out…
A slow burn suspense in this tale of twisted human relationships. Told effectively by way of a three way narrative, the reader learns the backstory of Sam and of a baby that may, or may not, be his. As the tale progresses, tensions mount and secrets may well out. Keenly observed with a menacing undercurrent and with well crafted characters.

This was a slow burning psychological thriller set during the pandemic and on the whole told from in the third person from the point of view of the character of Miranda sams boss.

When Sam decided to make another go of it with his ex Naomi he really has no idea of what he is letting himself in for and what is yet to come

This was an intense gripping read and shows nothing and no one is how they seem at face value.

A lovely dark thriller for the majority of the book that will keep you entertained. Some great characters although I felt the ending was a slight let down. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

The Ex is a well written, can’t put it down book. The story has been brilliantly set mid-pandemic. The author, S. E. Lynes, has woven Covid throughout the plot creatively using it to explain/enhance the evolution of non-traditional story of revenge. Definitely a must read!
Thank You to Bookouture, NetGalley and S. E. Lynes for the opportunity to enjoy this ARC.
I am anxious to read other titles by this author.

The Ex by S.E. Lynes was a bit of a letdown for me as I always have such high expectations of anything from this author. While it is an undeniably solid read, it just did not engage me as much as I had hoped.

Sam runs into his ex Naomi about a year after their breakup and is shocked to discover that she now has a baby. Wondering if the child is his, Sam rekindles his relationship with Naomi, setting off a whirlwind of events that will forever alter lives. 3.5 stars

I have previously enjoyed this author's titles, and do realize that not every offering is destined to be a favourite. While I did not gel with this particular book for whatever reason, I very much look forward to what comes next from the fabulously talented Ms Lynes.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC.

Good Lord this was good. This book had me so anxious throughout. I had to laugh at how invested I was. The characters really come to life and the pandemic is woven throughout the book, rather than just mentioned in passing as many books I'm reading.

I loved all the characters and the whole storyline itself. This would make an excellent movie.

As usual for S.E. Lynes, a five star read.

SE Lynes is one of my favourite authors. An auto-buy author, as they say: I don't even need to read the blurb. And yes I will buy it even though I got to read it here (I think everyone should).

Sam broke up with Naomi. Was she as coercive as she seemed? Or was he neglectful? We get a peek at their relationship and the author makes it very hard to determine at first. One thing you do know early on: Sam has done something bad. But WHAT?!
And so it's with bated breath that you are carried through the story of them coming together again.

SE Lynes once again delivers a story of simmering suspense where all is not what it seems. I must've suspected EVERYONE at one point or another.

Highly recommend, like all the others (though Can You See Her? is still my favourite)

A failed relationship leaves a different mark on Naomi and Sam.
The creative writing style had me detesting the Naomi character; wanting to know why she did certain things. I found Sam to be a pleaser, but I think as he had been a victim of both emotional and physical abuse he would tend to be this way.
This book had me hooked from the start of the book, but I felt the book came to an abrupt end.

I really liked this book, it was well written with a gripping story, an engaging narrative and well developed charcaters. A good level of suspense and like that the pandemic was brought into it as we can all relate.

I am clearly in the minority, but I didn’t like this book as much as the others by this author. The story felt very predictable to me. It centers on Sam, who broke up with his girlfriend Naomi during the pandemic and then runs into her by chance a year or so later- she has a baby in tow and he can’t help but wonder if it is his baby. This sets off a whirlwind of events as Sam and Naomi rekindle their relationship. The story is told primarily from Sam’s POV, but you also get some chapters from letters written by Naomi’s and from Sam’s friend Miranda.

I found the first half of the book a little boring as we see Sam and Naomi try to rebuild their relationship. I was really frustrated with Sam through most of this part because he didn’t stand up for himself and constantly questioned his own actions. Things pick up as the book continues and there are a couple of twists towards the end, though I had predicted the twists. One thing I did really enjoy is the true emotion Sam feels towards baby Tommy, which is expertly written and felt truly authentic.

Overall, there just weren’t that many surprises in this book and the relationship didn’t feel believable. It was an ok read but not my favorite. I see most other reviewers felt much differently, though; seems worth the read if you like this author. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks NetGalley, Bookouture and S. E. Lynes for an ARC to review.
Loved The Housewarming, The Baby Shower and Her Sister's Secret.. S. E. Lynes become one of my favorite authors.. She doesn't follow the stereotypical structure of such books.
Here in The Ex, I loved the narration style, the characters, the scenic setting and the impact of COVID and its mental and social effects.
I absolutely loved The Ex. Looking forward to reading the next one already.

Right. I'm actually starting to bore myself now with how much I rate this author. We have now been treated to book 11 and as per usual, it is another 5 star read. I just don't know how she does it. Each book is beautifully written which obviously draws you in, but the 'depth' of these books blows my mind. Everything is so intricately woven and plotted, that you really have no idea about what is coming next. I go between wanting to devour the book immediately, or save it to read as long as possible so I don't have months to wait until the next!

As highly recommended as always!!

This was a great fast paced, engaging read. Sam Moore runs into his ex-girlfriend. Naomi has a baby with her and Sam wonders if it could be his child. Sam has always wanted a family so he starts a relationship with Naomi. The relationship moves along very quickly and Joyce is worried about Sam and so is Miranda. Miranda wonders should she say something?

This was like a roller coaster ride just buckle up and enjoy the ride in this fast paced psychological thriller.

"The Ex" is a book about just that, an ex. It's written in a narrative form from the view of Miranda about Sam and Naomi. It kicks of right away telling us something big is going to happen, but what is the question? It's a very suspenseful read and I've never read a book where I actively hate a character, namely Naomi! This made the book kind of hard to read for me as I disliked her character so much that I didn't want to know what else she was going to do to poor Sam but I had to know what happens in the end. The ending is a little bit predictable but it's still a good ending to a good book!

Wow! S.E.Lynes has produced an amazing book with The Ex. With each of her books, the plots get more twisted. The Ex is the most tense to date.

The plot of The Ex fascinated me. It's a deep exploration of morality, human connections, self-image, and values. For quite a while I questioned who was wrong and right in how Naomi and Sam conducted their relationship the first time around. Narcissism and gas-lighting do their devious work in making you almost sympathise with an abuser.

We all like to think we're smart and would never be fooled, but we've all lost our heads for love. The consequences of a character's earnest belief in love a second time around has heartbreaking and deadly repercussions.

I couldn't put this book down, even when what was happening was painful to read. That's the sign of a brilliant writer who knows how to play with a reader's emotions, in the best way possible.

An excellent read.

S.E. Lynes' books are always a reliably good read and The Ex was no exception. Sam and Naomi split up a while ago, for reasons about which they would both give very different accounts; when Sam meets Naomi again by chance, she has a baby with her - a baby who looks suspiciously like him. It seems that motherhood has changed Naomi for the better, and they reconnect and rekindle their relationship over baby Tom - but of course, there's more going on than meets the eye.

There aren't really any big surprises, however; we-the-reader can see more or less where things are going, and it was one of those situations where I hoped they wouldn't go there but knew they would. As a result it was quite a painful read waiting for the inevitable hammer to fall. Towards the end I half expected a twist which didn't really come.

It was a plausible - up to a point - account of a toxic relationship with a profoundly narcissistic person. Things rarely go as far as they do here, but the letters scattered throughout help explain, to some extent, how someone can consider themselves entirely justified in acting in clearly dreadful and indefensible ways.

I don't think this is my favourite of Lynes' books, but it was nevertheless an engrossing read.

I am a huge S.E. Lynes fan especially after reading The Housewarming. The Ex has so much emotion especially from the male's point of view regarding his past relationship and the secrets between them. I also adored the aunt he lived with and how protective and cynical she can be. We all need aunties like her. Excellent suspense once again from this fab author!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The synopsis:
Sam is an honest, hard-working young man. He lives with his grandmother, Joyce.
One day on a walk, Sam sees his ex, Naomi. Naomi has a baby with her. Sam notices the resemblance, but Naomi insists she is just babysitting and the baby is not his. But is it? What other jaw dropping secrets is Naomi hiding?

This was a 4 star read for me. It started very slow, and I was not sure I would finish. It did not have a "thriller" feel about it. But halfway through, wow!!! I was so glad I kept reading. There are many surprising twists, so do not give up. I also like how it ended on a happy note.

I would highly recommend and would like to read more books by the author, S.E. Lynes.

This book had great ratings, so I was really looking forward to it. However, it was extremely hard to get into. The main characters needed to be developed more in order for the storyline to make sense, in my opinion.