The Ex

De: Shalini Boland

Narrado por: Katie Villa

A dark past. A fresh start. A new nightmare waiting to begin.

Willow McAllister is desperate to start over. Quiet town. Blank slate. No attachments. When she meets her friendly new neighbour, Priya, it feels like a lifeline: the start of something good.

And then there’s Gabe: charming, funny, easy to talk to. Maybe she’s allowed a little happiness. Maybe she can trust again.

But Willow’s instincts have been wrong before. And when she discovers that Gabe and Priya share a past, the cracks start to show. Willow can’t help wondering if Priya’s arrival next door really was by chance. Because coincidences like this? They don’t feel like coincidences at all.

Is she imagining the tension between them? Or ignoring something she shouldn’t?

Someone is lying.

And Willow can’t afford to get it wrong again.

©2026 by Shalini Boland. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Couldn’t put it down

This is another great one by Shalini Boland. Handles sensitive topic very well . Couldn’t put it down. Really likable protagonist. Perfect timing for me- i was sick the days I listened to this and it took my my mind off my misery. This story does, however, demand a sequel.

When trust turns toxic

I'm a great fan of Shalini Boland, and Katie Villa's narration is the perfect match for her dark, twisty tales. “The Ex” is no exception – Boland's subplots are riveting, and the tension builds steadily. I found myself yelling at Jasmine (don’t do it, girl!), but that's just a testament to the author's skill in crafting relatable, flawed characters. The story's got plenty of surprises and kept me guessing until the end. For those who love an intriguing British thriller, this is a must-have. Boland and Villa are a winning combo – can't wait for their next collab! The layers of deception and hidden agendas will keep all listening intently. Highly recommend for fans of this genre.

Good but not the author"s best level

The ending felt rushed and a bit confusing..needed a few more chapters.

The characters you were invested in.but in the end..it left you saying and then????

The Characters

An intriguing premise with moments of suspense, The Ex had the potential to be a gripping psychological read. While the story does keep you curious, the characters often become difficult to track, making parts of the narrative feel muddled. The pacing has interest, but the limited character development makes it hard to fully connect with or invest in. Overall, an okay read with a solid concept, but it lacked the depth needed to make it truly memorable. 2.5 ⭐️

Fast-paced and gripping

What a delightful discovery after several slow-as-molasses clunkers! And an interesting twist. One of the author's best works.