Book Review: The Other Girlfriend by Alex Stone

I am pleased to be welcoming Alex Stone to Novel Kicks. She’s here with the blog tour for her novel, The Other Girlfriend. 

She loves him…

Lizzie Green once loved Tom Murphy with a passion that bordered on obsession. All she wanted was his love to be returned. Then one night something terrible happened and Tom left Lizzie broken hearted. She swore she would never let him hurt her again….

She loves him not.

Now, ten years later, Tom turns up on Lizzie’s doorstep still as charming as ever. Lizzie knows he still has the power to break her heart and destroy her life again. But Lizzie can’t say no to him….

Can she?

*****

Lizzie had always loved Tom to the point where he became an obsession, but when a weekend away ends in tragedy, Tom disappears from her life, leaving her to deal with what’s broken. 

It’s ten years later and he’s back. Is this their chance to be together? Does Tom really mean it when he says he loves her? She’s determined to believe him. 

I was a big fan of Alex Stone’s last novel, The Perfect Daughter, so I couldn’t wait to start reading this novel. 

I love the fact that it’s set in Bournemouth. I know that town and so I could picture all the places mentioned. The atmosphere and setting is described so well. I could see every scene. I would love this to be adapted into a tv series. 

From page one, I was well and truly hooked and I read it in one day. I needed to know what happened and what would become of Lizzie. 

Lizzie is stronger than she thinks. Despite the fact I found her actions frustrating in some parts, I wanted to give her a big hug. Having suffered from panic attacks myself, i really resonated with her. I felt as though I was experiencing her pain with her, that I was in her head. 

Tom on the other hand… even at the beginning, he’s hard to trust. All the way through, I swung backwards and forwards between wanting to believe him and not. 

This book is so well plotted and there wasn’t a moment where I felt the story dragged. 

There is one big incident from the past in this novel that dictates the behaviour of these characters. I liked the psychological aspects of this novel. There is suspense and tension bubbling all the way through.

This book focuses on the acts of gaslighting, manipulation and obsession and how this can affect your mental health and I feel it deals with these things with sensitivity and knowledge. It also looks at how your whole life can be shaped by one event and how your recollection is not always the truth – how these events and your perception of them have the power to hold on to you, make you fearful. Also, it’s about forgiveness, acceptance and self belief.

I’m not going to say any more as I don’t want to give too many spoilers.

This is a compelling, dark novel full of mystery and twists and turns that had me guessing until the end. Alex Stone is fast becoming one of my favourite authors in this genre and I am very much looking forward to what comes next. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books, Netgalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for the review copy in exchange for an honest review 

About Alex Stone: 

Alex Stone, originally an accountant from the West Midlands, is now a psychological suspense writer based in Dorset.

This beautiful and dramatic coastline is the inspiration and setting for her novels.

She was awarded the Katie Fforde Bursary in 2019 and her debut thriller The Perfect Daughter was published by Boldwood in October 2021.

Say hello to Alex via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Bookbub. Click here to sign up to her website. 

The Other Girlfriend was released by Boldwood Books on 28th July 2022. Click to buy on Amazon UK and Waterstones. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.