4.5 rounded up

'Ex in the City' is a second chance rom com about redemption, staying true to yourself and personal growth. Portia Macintosh has delivered a real treat for anyone who has read 'One Way or Another/Between a Rock Star and a Hard Place' and 'If We Ever Meet Again/How Not to Be Starstruck', featuring music journalist Nicole Wilde and her serial shagger rock star best friend Dylan King. This time Nicole and Dylan finally get their happy ending.

Ten years on, Nicole has left the chaos to live a more stable small town life with Rowan and his two sons and work in crisis management. But something is missing, and her relationship is over, but she can't quite take the final leap to reclaim her old self. Just when she starts reminiscing about him, Dylan King returns.

I devoured this book (and then went back to re-read all my favourite parts). Nicole and Dylan slotted together again effortlessly. Dylan has undergone major personal growth. This is a much healthier Dylan trying to make up for past mistakes to win back Nicole. He's supportive and always there for Nicole in a way that she missed. Continuity wise, I'm also glad Macintosh addresses all the longstanding questions I had regarding their estrangement that was described in his cameo appearance in 'You Can't Hurry Love' (though there is one slight error but its unimportant).

This book is probably one of her more 'darker' books in that Macintosh tackles some serious issues, such as the misogyny and toxic behaviour Nicole experienced or witnessed. Dylan's addiction issues are also sensitively tackled.

There were some minor pacing and plotting issues, though. The first five chapters could've done with some cuts of some overly long descriptions and the domestic/school run mum stuff. I'd have loved to have seen Nicole stop being a doormat with all the housewife/parenting she did for a thankless Rowan. I'd rather more on the tour-related stuff. Some plot lines also not quite resolved, such as married Mikey's tour behaviour. It just seemed like a missed opportunity not to delve further into how the band could make it work after all the recrimination, coupled with a healthier Dylan dealing with the bands' reclamation of their old partying ways.

This is a book that just made me happy when I finished it, that I was left wanting more (I'd be happy for a bonus epilogue (hint). Portia - thank you! I'd been waiting for this book and I've not been disappointed. I will be getting both the book and audiobook so I can re-live it.

Thanks to Boldwood and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was just okay for me. The characters were dimension and relatable. There were lots of cheating moments. Some language. Minimal spice.

Definitely wbove the rest rom-com. Characters you can relate to and like, or not - situations we've all been in one way or the other - and some solid themes of finding your true self, redemption, friendship, and what is important, all wrapped into a friend to lover slow burn. Better than the typical rock star trope, and definitely a fun read.