Hello Readers,
Thank you, NetGalley and Michael Joseph (Penguin Random House) for the copy of The Exes. I received a complimentary eBook in exchange for an honest review. I hit bit of a reading slump at the end of last year and I am catching up on books I missed the publication days for.
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the cover image featured in this post. It is used under Fair Use for the purposes of review and recommendation, in line with sections 29 and 30 of the Copyright Act.
If you’re searching for a psychological thriller that truly gets under your skin, The Exes is one you won’t want to miss. Leodora doesn’t shy away from heavy themes, weaving in elements of family trauma, toxic relationships, and emotional turmoil with a raw honesty that gives the story real weight. Despite this, it remains utterly addictive.
From the start, this novel pulls you into a tense, unsettling world where nothing feels quite right and that feeling never really goes away. At its core, this is a dark, emotionally charged exploration of trauma, complicated relationships, and the lasting impact of the past. The story follows Natalie, a protagonist so vividly written that you feel as though you’re unravelling her life alongside her in real time.
What makes this book stand out is its handling of suspense. The pacing is razor sharp, steadily building tension while delivering twist after twist some you might sense if you’re a thriller lover, but many that will completely blindside you. It’s the kind of story where just when you think you’ve figured things out, the narrative shifts and leaves you questioning everything all over again.
The character work is exceptional. Every person in this story feels layered, flawed, real, and the use of unreliable narration adds a constant sense of unease. You’re never entirely sure who to trust or even what to believe which makes the reading experience even more gripping. The multi timeline structure deepens the mystery, gradually revealing pieces of the puzzle without ever losing momentum.
For a debut novel, this is remarkably polished. It feels
confident, bold, and original in a genre that can sometimes feel predictable.
If you love thrillers that keep you guessing, challenge your assumptions, and
leave you thinking, this absolutely delivers.
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