The Ex: By Freida McFadden

'' If she believes someone is trying to kill her, she's probably right. and I know who that person is ''

Remember how we have always been told not to OBSESS over things and people for the sake of our own mental health and well-being .. ?. to leave space and distance between us and what we’re actually attached to, physically and mentally. Again for the sake of our own stability and wellness. 

 

You see, it's not an easy thing to do. As a person who is fully committed to her paperbacks and the plot within every publication, I can confirm that my mental stability is in jeopardy due to that kind of attachment. But for most of us, that kind of  attachment brings in joy. Even if the publication we devoured in one setting is disturbing, we would still find ourselves in peace and at ease. Unless we have to get back to reality, that's when the intense feeling of being a child left alone on their first day of school will come back. 

We all have names popping in our heads, BUT Freida McFadden will always be the first and most repeated name when it comes to that. obsessing over a particular book and the characters within is as normal as having coffee in the morning. However, there’s  a huge differences between loving the characters in the plot and forgetting about them the moment you reach the final page, and loving them to the point of wanting to reach out to them through the pages. 

 

The unhealthy obsession I’m talking about (IN A GOOD WAY) revolves around the book I just finished

Yes.

Now.

Just now.

 

 

This is not my first read from the talented Freida McFadden. Not even, the second or third. It's more, that mentioning the exact number will definitely put me on hold and make others categorize me as an OBSESSIVE READER . I agree though, because I sure am.

McFadden’s books never fail to make the reader feel uneasy and terrified for their own life. Every page has a new plot twist, making you feel like a terrified FBI agent failing a mission.

 

The Ex. Is an obsessive publication, that putting it down is hard  due to the fear of missing out an important twist or detail. Unless you need to grasp for some air and exhale deeply, then that's something we can't discuss because safety comes first.

We have all known obsessive people in our lives, and yes I will use that word a lot in here  because this an obsessive book about OBSESSIVE characters who are also OBSESSED about their friends lives, leading them to stalk and harm. The love and hate loop I’m talking about is based on our leading characters, Joel, Francesca, Lydia, Anna and Cassie.

The first few pages were so calm, it was like reading a chat box from jealous friends back when we were 15 and 16, having grudge and crushes over our classmates. But with every page flip, you would find for yourself how that obsession of theirs was never an act of love. The grudge they hold is something deep, something that led them to hate and even physically harm others, without putting any thought into it.

 

But what makes the plot more and more interesting, is the fact that it has been written from two different point of views., The EX and the new girl ..

All throughout the book, you will think that the EX is no one but Francesca, the chef and restaurant owner. However, as you come closer to the end, you would realize that the EX, is no-one but Anna .. the innocent new mother, Anna. 

Anna, the one who tried to be the glue and fix things in a sweet demeanor. But no, she did what she did and pulled that act of hers for the sake of making up for her actions. Her actions that can never be forgiven. Lydia on the other hand, is another friend within the group, who again hates the new girl and tries to harm her just to push her away, for Francesca used to be her closest friend and companion .. But not anymore ..

 

Because  Francesca is dead.  

 

SPOILER ALERT !!

The sweet/ new mom  Anna, is the mastermind behind it all.

She staged Francesca’s death, tried to plot others into more of her acts, and also tried to harm Cassie in her own delusional ways.

 

Ohh did you ask why ?? .. 

 

 

Well, that’s because she used to be Joel's EX too! . Before Francesca and Cassie, she was the one who had Joel’s heart. Maybe It was a fling or something not that serious, but she couldn’t witness another person taking her place and having all that love showered on them, when it was supposed to be her.

 As women and adults, their friendship was not based on the connection we all have in mind whenever the word friends pops in. Whether it was before or after Francesca's death, jealousy was there and it did increase by time, leading to an uncontrollable flow of emotions that made harming others an easy normal task ..

 

This is an Obsessive and compelling story, where  jealousy, rivalry and obsessiveness are the main focus point. The aforesaid are based on emotions and even things  we cant physically have. Be it partners, physical materials  or even something as simple as the love that can be spread from one to another. As much as you want to have your hands on it, you're destined to be watching from  afar, just like an audience member who was forced to watch show they never wanted to attend in the first place. 

 

I highly encourage you to get all of McFadden’s books, and this in particular, because it has been smartly and OBSESSIVLY written. 

I don’t think you will get a good night sleep after this. I know that for a fact.  You will be watching your back when you walk, and check under your bed when you’re about to sleep, but in the end you will enjoy that creepy journey of revealing secrets among people whom you thought would never hide anything from each other. 

 

 

'' she can't shake the feeling someone is 

watching her. But who? and why? ''