This story was fun and dare I say... relatable? Reminiscent of the Oscar winning movie John Tucker Must Die (haha) with characters that I saw bits of myself in, this story spun a tale of deceit with the unlikeliest female friendships banding together to get revenge on a boy that I loved to hate. This is a book for anyone who’s ever been wronged by a significant other, who wants to sink their teeth into a story stronger than playing You Outta Know on repeat - however, that does help!

Thank you to the author, the publishers and Net Galley for this delightful read. My review opinions are my own.
I adored this fun read about 3 women who found out they were dating the same man. When the nefarious man is murdered they join together to clear their names as their DNA is all over the victim crime scene. What ensues is hysterical funny and such a well crafted mystery.
Hilarious funny scenes had this reader laughing at each rapidly turned page. This was such a fun read. I read it cover to cover. I highly recommend this book but clear your schedule because you will not put it down. Well done to the author.

The cover of this book hooked me, and I adore cozy mysteries so I thought this would be a fun read and I was right! It kind of reminded me of Veronica Mars or Enola Holmes but with a group of friends, and I love that vibe!

The book kicks off with a cheating ex and three girls plotting their revenge. That is, until they find him dead. Two head to a podcast to alibi up, while the third (a chemist) tries to clean their traces from the scene. The chemistry jokes and aspects were heavy, but the few I understood were fun!

The ending didn’t totally surprise me, but the journey was hilarious and wild. A funny whodunit with serious chaotic girl energy!

The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5/5)
Kat, Olivia, and Elle all discover they’re dating the same man and start an unexpected friendship. What starts as some petty revenge turns into them discovering Tucker’s dead body. Now they have to solve his murder to clear their names.

Think the energy of “John Tucker Must Die” meets amateur true crime detectives. I read this book all in one sitting in a flight and it was lighthearted and entertaining from start to finish. Something about the writing felt casual, like talking to a friend and being in their head. I’m not saying every book has to be sophisticated or that I didn’t like it, but it felt different than other books I’ve read lately. I liked that all three women had unique personalities, even if Kat was my least favorite of them. She’s a bit of a classic quirky/nerd and the typecast was a bit too on the nose at first but by the end of the book she had grown on me with all her idiom references. The big twist kept me guessing until the final chapters, where I finally pieced it all together.

The podcast inserts were a miss for me. They felt like filler and didn't add much to the story, so I ended up skimming through them in the latter half of the book.

A big thank you to @netgalley and @harlequintradepublishing for the ARC!

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#cozymystery #netgalley #theexgirlfriendmurderclub #bookish #bookstagram #bookreview

So excited for the chance to read this! Thank you Netgalley and ARC. It was such a cute read! I loved the plot and the way they all worked together was so fun. I couldn’t put it down!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Gloria Chao for an e-ARC of The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club!

Kat, Olivia, and Elle have never met, but they have one thing in common: they’ve all been dating the same man, Tucker Jones. Initially teaming up for revenge, they instead find his body in a closet. Now prime suspects, the trio must clear their names by solving the murder themselves. As they investigate, dodging suspicion and deceiving a very attractive detective, they uncover a web of motives from everyone in Tucker's life. With time running out, the women must find the real killer before they go down for it.

Naming the ex-boyfriend Tucker Jones was pretty on the nose for a book perfect for John Tucker Must Die fans. The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club was hilarious and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was funny, entertaining, campy, and cute.

I loved the friendship between the women. I feel like we often see the women fighting with each other when they find out that their boyfriend has been cheating on them, but that wasn’t the case here. They really bonded and started to deeply care about one another.

I thought the ending was super unique and tied everything together nicely. I won’t give anything away, but it made me tear up a little bit!

I know we love romance during the summer, but if you’re looking to switch it up a bit, then pick up The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club for your next pool read.

This was a fun book that would make a good vacation read-quick and you don't have to think too hard. I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style and I did foresee the twist at the end. However, I did come to like the main characters and really enjoyed the portrayal of strong female friendships! So if you like cozy mysteries and ride or die ladies give this book a chance!

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC!

4 stars!
Unlikely friendships, found family, mystery, suspense, revenge, Taylor Swift, lighthearted, fun, and laughing out loud.
This book was so fun. I love a book that is heavy on the female friendship theme.
Add in a little murder mystery and BAM! You have fun and wild events.
I enjoyed this book despite it being over the top. I found myself laughing out loud multiple times. It feels like this could be one of those classic movies, like one of the Pitch Perfect movies, where they have the over-the-top challenges.
The main character, Kat, is smart, and I love a smart female character in a book - YES!
Ellie wants to be a writer and is a beautiful woman.
Liv is the lawyer.
All three have been dating the same man and want revenge! As they go about their silly revenge plot, they discover Tucker's dead body!
Needless to say, Kat ends up a suspect, so the ladies band together to see who killed Tucker. Also, this was so reminiscent of the movie "John Tucker Must Die".
The characters are well-developed and relatable.
The plot was well structured, and the pace was perfect. I read this very quickly.
This is perfect for a fun beach read or quirky book club pick!
Add this to your summer TBR immediately.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book!
Happy Reading!

This was such a fun read! I loved Kat's parents and all the weird, but useful gifts they got her! I liked the podcast and the fun revenge the girls got. I did not see that twist! Was a great book!

This was a quick and entertaining read that I finished in a few hours.
A well written story that kept me hooked from the very beginning.
The characters draw you in and keeps you flipping the pages.
The characters were all realistic and very well developed.
I really enjoyed the writing style. I found myself hooked, turning the pages.

"The brains, the guts, and the heart - we're the Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club."

If you're a fan of Lucy Score's Riley Thorn series, you'll love this hilarious murder mystery! I can't count the number of times I laughed out loud or how badly I wish this book would never end! Kat, Olivia, and Elle are out of this world funny, and I love how their personalities just meshed so perfectly. All three women were dating the same guy, Tucker, and Tucker is really a mother-Tucker, lol. Between Tucker and Kat, I guarantee any reader will have a blast! I absolutely enjoyed this one! The ending takes a serious turn and leaves us gasping out loud. I would definitely recommend this quick, fun murder mystery!
Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Mrs. Gloria Chao for this fun and enticing read!

Excellent trope and debut novel! Ex‑Girlfriend Murder Club is charming and brisk, a perfect balance of humor, suspense, and heartfelt friendship. It’s ideal for fans of clever female ensembles, sharp banter, and mysteries that entertain rather than terrify.

If you're looking for a light-hearted page-turner with genuine emotional warmth and a side of sleuthing, this is a stellar pick—a fun and refreshing addition to the genre.

Looking forward to more from Chao

Kathryn Hu (Kat) is madly in love with her boyfriend Tucker Jones. Until Kat interrupts Tucker's engagement proposal... to another woman named Olivia. Bonding over their awful choice in men, Kat and Olivia become friends. When the two new besties find yet another woman Tucker had on the side, they quickly take the new girl, Elle, in with open arms. Now all three women have one thing in mind, and that's payback. Set on trashing Tucker's apartment, the girls all get ready for revenge. But what they find at Tucker's place is problematic. Tucker's dead body is tucked away in his closet. Scared of being framed for the murder, the ex girlfriends work together to try to find the culprit. Let the chaos begin!!

This is a comedic murder mystery that reminds me of John Tucker Must Die, but with murder instead of social annihilation. The pacing was pretty steady and I really enjoyed the dry wit and sarcastic humor throughout. As with most murder mystery fiction novels , you do have to suspend disbelief a little bit because some things are a little OTT, but as long as you go with the flow, get ready for a fun and chaotic summer read!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Gloria Chao, and Harlequin Trade Publishing/ MIRA for this ARC!! Publication date was June 24th 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club in exchange for an honest review. Three women find out they are dating the same man join forces to get revenge, but when they discover his body, they'll need to solve his murder before they go down for it. This was a laugh out loud story full of chaos and self reflection. While the ex-girlfriends start wanting revenge, their journey becomes so much more. They experience growth, healing, and finding their own way. The trio was a bit over-the-top at times, but that just added to the fun of the story. I kept waiting to see what the next shenanigans would be. Fans of Finlay Donovan will enjoy this book. A smart, fast-paced, and surprisingly heartfelt thriller with a killer hook. Highly entertaining! This was my first Gloria Chao book, I am already looking forward to the next book in this series.

3.5 stars

The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is a solid, easy read that blends mystery with a bit of humor and some sharp dialogue. The premise is fun—several women who all dated the same guy end up connected by a murder—and the story unfolds at a nice pace without getting too heavy.

The characters are distinct and their interactions bring some good moments, especially the awkwardness of navigating past relationships while trying to solve a crime. It’s not a deep or particularly twisty mystery, but it does what it sets out to do and stays entertaining throughout.

Overall, it’s a good pick if you’re in the mood for something light with a touch of crime and a bit of snark.

What a wild and entertaining ride! One guy and three wronged women—cue the chaos. The Ex-Girlfriends Club sets out for revenge, but they get far more than they bargained for. The plot unfolds with just the right balance of mystery and humor, keeping things lively and unpredictable. Each ex brings her own baggage, but together they form an unlikely alliance with one goal: uncover the truth about the man they all once dated. As they race to solve his murder, they cross paths with a charming cop who’s also on the case, a few eccentric parents, and a podcaster whose revenge series unexpectedly turns into a true crime investigation. Shenanigans ensue at every turn!

4/5 stars

Thank you MIRA Books for the advanced reading copy!

This was a super solid, fun and entertaining mystery! The premise was giving THE OTHER WOMAN in all the right ways -- three awesome women come together to get revenge on their cheating ex, only to end up solving his murder, instead. I really liked all three girls and their dynamic throughout the story -- seeing them support each other was really uplifting!

A few things were on my nerves throughout this book -- like Kathryn's "laws of luck" and the idiom origins. It felt like the author was working really hard to give Kat some unique quirks, but it wasn't coming through as authentic to me.

Otherwise, though, this story was fast-pace and an easy listen. The mystery kept me guessing, and that TWIST!! Took me by total surprise, which is always fun. Plus, we love a hot cop a la Finlay Donovan's Nick and this detective was a fun addition.

Overall this one was a solid, entertaining and surprising joy to listen to!

The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is a wild ride from start to finish! Equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and mysterious, this book hooked me from the first chapter. I loved the unlikely friendship between Kat, Olivia, and Elle—three smart, bold women who come together after dating the same jerk… only to find him dead in a closet. Oops.

Their dynamic had me cackling: “Lasses before asses” is basically a life motto now. Each woman brought something to the table—chemist, lawyer, writer—and their chaotic chemistry made the story feel fresh and empowering. There’s even a hot detective and a twisty mystery I did not see coming.

The narration by Carolyn Kang added so much depth to the characters and story—she brought the story to life beautifully. If you read along with the audio book you will have the BEST immersive experience!

If you love murder mysteries with strong female friendships, clever writing, and a twisty plot that keeps you guessing, this one’s a must-read!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for the opportunity to be an ALC reader in exchange for an honest review.

THE EX-GIRLFRIEND MURDER CLUB

⭐️⭐️💫

Things I liked:
•”The Other Woman” plotline
•unexpected friendships
•women supporting women

Things I disliked:
•the ending felt rushed and there wasn’t a satisfying denouement
•repetitious and trite at times

I think the bones of a good story are there but the characters and the plot needed more development.

*Thanks to NetGalley and MIRA for the eARD!

WOWWW!!! That was one Elle of a curveball!! The idiom "throwing a curveball" originates from baseball, where it refers to a type of pitch that spins and changes direction unexpectedly in flight, making it difficult for the batter to hit.😉