The Ex

By: Shalini Boland

Narrated by: 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.

Good listen to get through chores

I feel like this is a good story, but only if there’s going to be a part two book.

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.

Several twists

I didn't see a couple of the twists coming. I wish there was more to the ending. I'm sure Shalini could write it better than my imagination. Great narration.

Basic

Average thriller. Twists were hardly a surprise. Maybe I’m spoiled by Frieda McFadden and Alice Feeney. At least it kept me interested. Overall hoped for more.

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????