Book review

Everyone that knows me, knows how much I love a good thriller. And Freida is one of my favorites. Her twists and her turns make your mouth hit the floor, and leave you scratching your head.

If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that keeps you pacing and questioning loyalties until the last page, then The Ex by Freida McFadden is a strong contender. That said, it also comes with its share of frustrations. Here’s my take on why this novel both excels and stumbles — and whether it’s worth your time.

On the plus side, The Ex delivers a gripping premise. You’ve got Cassie, a bookstore-owner who thinks she has finally met “the one” in Joel — a doctor whose looks, charm and apparent devotion suggest fairy-tale territory. But then there’s Joel’s ex, Francesca, who looms large in the background — and a nameless “Ex” narrator tracking Cassie and Joel’s relationship with an eerie obsession.

McFadden uses dual or even multiple perspectives, switching between “The Ex” and Cassie (and others), which elevates the tension: you never quite know whose side you’re on. Many readers have praised the concept of alternating POVs for adding freshness.

The twist near the end is bold. Without spoiling things, there’s a reveal that rewrites much of what you thought you knew — and for many readers that alone justifies the ride.

In short, it’s at its best when McFadden is building suspense, exploiting jealousy, heartbreak, and the slippery nature of truth in relationships. Themes like “the insidious nature of jealousy” and “the last-ditch pain of heartbreak” are strong ideas underpinning the story.

However, as much as I admired those high points, the novel also frustrates in a few key areas — enough that my overall verdict is a bit ambivalent.

First, character development is inconsistent. The “Ex” narrator and Cassie both have strong emotional arcs (in theory), but in practice some moments feel driven more by plot convenience than real psychology.

Some situations emerged where I couldn’t quite believe the characters would behave so one-dimensionally, especially given the stakes.

Second, the twist — while promising — also brings complications. Some readers may find the ending confusing or unsatisfying, feeling that there were “loose ends” or that the narrative threads didn’t merge as cleanly as they started.

As a fan of thrillers, I appreciate a twist that surprises me — but I also like one I can go back to and say, “Oh yes, that makes sense in hindsight.” In this case, the coherence at the end wasn’t always crisp. Some plot points do feel unresolved by the end.

Third, and tied to the above: the pace and structure waver. Although I like to call it “fast-paced,” others may find the alternating POVs and the layers of deception slowed things down or made the story harder to follow.

If you’re in the mood for a suspense novel in which you don’t know who to trust, where obsession and jealousy drive the narrative, and you’re okay with a slightly messy finish, then The Ex is a fun read. I’d give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars in my book.

If, however, you prefer psychological thrillers that tie every knot neatly and have fewer “wait ­— what just happened?” moments, you might want to go in with tempered expectations.

But at the end of the day, I will continue to highly recommend Freida McFadden books all. day. long. Her imagination, pacing, and ability to shock readers never disappoint. Every book she writes reminds me why I fell in love with thrillers in the first place.