A murderous beginning to friendship.
What a fun read. Katherine was great. Totally likable and such a dorky person. The whole situation is totally nuts and entertaining. Love how they all meet and against the odds form a wild friendship. Solving a murder together is bound to bond you together. They were all so different and distinctive that they helped bring out boisterous personalities in each other. It was funny. It was fun. It was mysterious. I can’t wait for another one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I had high hopes for this book, and while it delivered on some fronts, it left me wanting more in others.

What I Loved:
The friendship between the three women—tied together by the fact that they all dated the same man—was unexpectedly heartwarming and layered. It was refreshing to see a story that didn’t lean into cattiness or competition, but instead explored solidarity, healing, and the surprising ways people can connect through shared history.

What Fell Flat:
Mandy’s character, though not a main lead, plays a key role in moving the plot forward. Unfortunately, she’s written as so over-the-top silly and ditsy that it became distracting and hard to take seriously.

Kat’s flirtation and budding relationship with the detective also felt surface level. There wasn’t enough emotional depth or chemistry to make it feel compelling, especially against the backdrop of a murder investigation.

And the big plot twist—Elle being the wife—had so much promise. But with only one chapter from her perspective, it felt underdeveloped. Rather than giving her depth or emotional motivation, that chapter made her come off as unhinged, which weakened the impact of the twist.

Final Thoughts:
This book had some standout moments, particularly in the exploration of unexpected female friendship. But it didn’t quite stick the landing when it came to the characters and emotional arcs that could have elevated it. An entertaining read with strong themes, but left me wanting more.

THE EX-GIRLFRIEND MURDER CLUB - Ienjoyed this relaxing, easy to read, lighthearted story with its interesting and immersing story lines and wonderful characters. Hard to put down and intriguing. Source: Netgalley. 5*

A book that is exactly what you think it is: a revenge plot with little background and a lot of investment in version of Newton’s Laws of Physics mixed with a Murder/Revenge podcast. The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club opens with Katherine “Kat” Hu rationalizing all her bad luck to the hyper fixation of a coffee stain in the shape of an egg (which is also the easiest way to describe a chemical change for the layman). Just as the plot, there are lots of details tossed in the presumably have a purpose but lacks the transition, background, and pacing to make things work.

Written similarly to Chao’s book “Boyfriend for Rent,” this novel has an interesting lure but a small payout. There’s something about the heavy investment in details that stunt its pacing and makes it difficult to follow. If you stick with it, it can be a fun, cozy mystery.

Thank you NetGalley for and Mira Publishing for an advanced copy.

This book had John Tucker Must Die energy 💅 with a side of “if you go down, I’m going down too” loyalty 🤝—aka, absolute chaos in the best way.

Kathryn is a hot mess of a main character 🙃 but she’s got a system: her own personal laws of luck 🍀. Spoiler: they’re not exactly foolproof. When her ex dies and she becomes suspect #1 🔪, the only people who have her back? The other exes. What follows is a wild, hilarious, and surprisingly heartwarming ride of girls supporting girls 👯‍♀️… while also trying to solve a murder.

I was laughing out loud 😂 and genuinely didn’t want to put it down. Gloria Chao nailed the blend of humor, tension, and friendship-fueled mayhem 🎭.

🎯 Perfect for fans of: murder with a side of memes 💻, chaotic girl squads 👩‍👩‍👧, and stories where loyalty runs deep—even if it’s messy.

💬 Would you join a club with your ex’s other exes… if it meant solving a murder?

Three women dating the same man band together to get revenge, but when they discover his body, they'll need to solve his murder before they go down for it.

I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a long time.. It was a lot of fun to read and had several twists and turns throughout. I laughed out loud many times. All of the characters were relatable and enjoyable to read about (except Tucker for obvious reasons). I also did not expect the ending! I hope this is the start of a series, as I'm eager to see where Kathryn Hu ends up next. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone.

Three jilted lovers. One dead ex. Let the investigation—and chaos—begin! This murder mystery is packed with romcom energy, dark humor, and some seriously wacky shenanigans. I couldn’t stop reading—it’s clever, hilarious, and unexpectedly heartfelt. Between the girl power vibes, ride-or-die friendship, found family feels, and a hot detective (yes, please), this book had me hooked from page one.

The plot was so smartly woven, full of twists and hilarious bad luck.

What I loved most was how Gloria Chao balanced laugh-out-loud moments with real emotional depth. Each character felt unique and relatable, and the bond between the women was both chaotic and heartwarming. The twists kept me guessing, and just when I thought I had it figured out—boom! Another curveball. It’s the kind of book that’s both entertaining and empowering, with strong female leads who take matters (and murder investigations) into their own hands. This was such a fun, fresh take on the murder romcom genre—I’ll be recommending it to everyone!

This was a 5 Star read for me. Mystery, Drama, Friendship. I pre-ordered this book months ago just from the cover alone, and reading it now, did not disappoint. I thought I saw the twist coming, and then 🤯 MIND BLOWN. I cannot wait for sequel! Gloria Chao, you just became an auto read author!

Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy and opportunity to read this book early!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was laugh-out-loud funny, witty, charming, and sometimes over-the-top silly but in the very best of ways. I found myself wanting to be a part of The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club (minus the, you know, murder aspect). The story starts with Kat stumbling upon her boyfriend's proposal to another woman he had apparently been seeing for years. The two girls kick him to the curb and decide to take a trip that Kat intended to take with her ex, only to find him at the rental with yet ANOTHER side chick. The three ladies band together in the ultimate girls girl friendship. Set on the intent of getting some really dirty revenge (and yes, I mean that literally!), they break into his condo set to trash the place and instead stumble upon his dead body. This sets on a whirlwind of trying to get themselves out of being charged for a crime they didn't commit, but with evidence stacked against them thanks to their break-in and DNA left behind, it poses to be tricky, but not impossible, for the trio.

I loved this book and really hope the author writes more just like it. If you're looking for an entertaining, easy-to-read laugh, look no further than The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club.

When three women find out they are all dating the same man, they plan to take revenge. However, this doesn’t go to plan and while trashing his apartment the find his dead body. Together they have to prove their innocence. They band together to investigate their ex’s murder to uncover the real killer.

Three women involved with the same man and he ends up dead. With plenty of laughs, hijinks, and craziness the three of them set out to find the murderer before one of them is arrested for the crime. I’m not sure if this will turn into a series of any kind but I wish it would.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve read and enjoyed some of Gloria Chao’s YA books in the past, so I was intrigued she was releasing an adult book. While I’m still not a huge fan of cozy mysteries, The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club piqued my attention with the John Tucker Must Die comp, and the twist that, when a cheating douche’s scorned girlfriends attempt to get revenge, they end up at the center of an investigation into his murder.
As expected, I loved the group dynamics between Kat, Olivia, and Elle, including the comedic ways they all became aware of each other and their respective relationships with Tucker. Their shenanigans were an absolute highlight, especially the lengths they went to in order to find answers (including going undercover to participate in a podcast investigating the crime).
The podcast itself was perhaps the weakest spot of the book itself, especially with the humor of the host being particularly cringe.
However, the book for the most part had a great balance between outlandish, over-the-top humor and page-turning suspense that had me utterly invested. The ending jumped the shark a bit, but it works tonally for the book overall.
I had a lot of fun with this, and I’m cautiously optimistic to hear that there may be more, as it seems to be the first of a series. But whatever happens next, this is a promising start, and I’d recommend it to readers who are interested in a book with equal emphasis on strong female friendship and a bonkers murder mystery.

I just read The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club by Gloria Chao, and it was such a fun, twisty ride. It’s got murder, messy ex drama, and a group of girls you can’t help but root for. I flew through it in a day and loved every chaotic minute.

While I love this author and think she's very smart, I didn't connect with the protagonist enough to make a recommendation. The plot is brisk and I love the premise—three girlfriends who realize their boyfriend has been triple-timing them only for him to end up dead, with them as the prime suspects. That said, while there's good humor here, there isn't a lot of character development or depth. They simply launch into a revenge scheme and band together but it doesn't yet feel earned.

This was one of those revenge stories that some of us women love to read. Kat is dating Tucker. She soon finds out that he has 2 other girlfriends. They are all so angry that they decide to mess with him. They are trashing his apartment when they find his dead body. Now they are suspects and must figure out who really did it to get off. I know I had a boyfried that cheated on me. I would never have done what this trio did, but it would be great to fantasize.

This is like a romantic comedy if the romance was between friends and the comedy was getting back at your ex-boyfriend. Taking on a similar plot to a Sabrina Carpenter video, watching these 3 get revenge on their cheating ex is very gratifying. Being persons of interest in his murder makes it a compelling read, and the whodunit of it all keeps you interested. The 3 women are very different from one another but it balances out so nicely. I think their dynamic was my favorite part. The writing style does keep it unique to Kat, who’s the brains of the group, and often wandering off script to put in some fun-fact. I will say, I figured out the plot as soon as the main characters did, and I felt a little silly not realizing it sooner, but it was so well done. The plot twist feels satisfying and the wrap-up of it all does feel like a win at the end of it. I really enjoyed this, and it’s fairly light-hearted for a murder-mystery type of comedy. I’d even go as far to say a teenager could read this, and it be age appropriate. I really enjoyed this, and probably could’ve finished in one sitting.

Special thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This delightful cozy whodunit mystery features an unexpected trio: three ex-girlfriends! It’s a fun, fast-paced read that would be absolutely perfect for a day at the beach.

In this comedic murder mystery, three women—Kathryn, Olivia, and Elle—who are all dating the same cheating man, Tucker, plan to get revenge on him. However, when they unexpectedly find his dead body, they must prove their innocence before they are wrongly accused of his murder. Despite having a motive and evidence that links them to the crime scene, they band together to investigate and uncover the real killer, navigating lies and deception, all while dealing with the attractive detective on the case. The story follows their humorous and suspenseful journey to clear their names and find the true culprit.

The characters are gradually fleshed out with each chapter, making them easy to distinguish not just by their standout traits but also by their distinct personalities. We have a nerdy scientist, a savvy beauty, and a level-headed opportunist. These unlikely allies hit it off, and let me tell you, it’s quite the rollercoaster ride! This appears to be a debut from a young adult author, and I must say, well done!

I particularly enjoyed the podcast element and the sweet taste of revenge served up by the girls. The sprinkle of authentic Asian culture added a delightful touch that made the story even more engaging.

The audiobook was a treat, brilliantly narrated and downright hilarious! I truly believe this is one of those gems that shines even brighter in audio form, thanks to the narrator’s fantastic delivery. The pacing and humor were spot on!

I was on the edge of my seat, completely engrossed, and eager to uncover more. The main twist caught me completely off guard—kudos to the author for that! I’m officially hooked and can’t wait for the next installment to drop. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, instant connections, and unpredictable twists, this book will keep your afternoon delightfully occupied!

Thank you, Harlequin Audio and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved the premise, title, and cover art for this book! It looked and sounded perfect for a lighthearted but mysterious summer read. However, as much as I loved the main characters, the execution of the story fell flat for me. There were so many immature, implausible behaviors by the “Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club” members, and it made the story completely unbelievable. The sideline story about the revenge podcast and the outrageous number of F bombs detracted from the story as well.

On a positive note, I loved reading about Kat and her interaction with her parents. She is quirky and endearing, and I loved getting to see the cultural difference in the way her parents parent. I can totally relate to her feeling like she has unusually bad luck, because I have felt that way myself many times. Will probably read the next book in the series simply because I love her and want to see her get her happy ending she so deserves!

5⭐️

I'm always so leery going into cozy mysteries because a lot of the time they seem so cheesy. But I absolutely loved this! The trauma bond between Kat, Olivia and Elle was so strong and chaotic. And I mean, who hasn't thought 'that guy that wronged me deserves to die' once or twice? The revenge the girls got on Tucker was so cathartic if not a little over the top. And I loved the truth surrounding why it was so over the top messy.

The way Kat was willing to take the fall even though she knew the group was innocent was sweet. I loved the way this highlighted the struggle she faced as a single Chinese woman facing the cultural pressures from her family and how she never really had any girl friends. Watching her and Olivia become so close and helping Kat realize that she's not alone was heartwarming.

The investigation into Tucker's death was wild. And even though it was completely unbelievable it was so chaotic I loved it. The former reality tv star turned podcaster who forged all her evidence was the most believable part of the whole thing. Detective Birch did such a horrible job investigating the murder but that almost made me like him more. Overall this book was absolutely hilarious and a must read!

Thanks Netgalley and MIRA books for providing this book to me!