First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder...

The Exes

Publishing on 26th February 2026

Natalie chose James carefully, because he's different from all the men she'd loved before. Calm. Competent. Kind.

And there are three very good reasons she needs to be so careful. Their names are Marc, Luca and George.

Natalie prefers not to think about what they did to her. Let alone what she had to do to them.

Except now, on a night they are meant to be celebrating how happy they are together, Natalie and James are lying in separate bedrooms. She is asking herself how she could have been foolish enough to let yet another man hurt her like this.

Slowly, Natalie realises she’s already holding a knife.

But she's not going to do anything with it. She’s not.

Not again.

  • "An excellent read - entertaining, intriguing and exciting. Bravo!"

    LIZ NUGENT

  • "Beautifully written, and full of unexpected twists and turns"

    TASHYA CORYELL

  • "This is the book I’ve been hungry for. Sharp and smart."

    MARY WATSON, author of The Cleaner

  • "A brilliant and exciting new voice in the thriller world. Deft, tense, and deliciously twisty. More, please, Ms Darlington, and soon"

    ANNA MAZZOLA, bestselling author of The Clockwork Girl

More praise for The Exes

  • "THE EXES explodes out the gate and never lets up, delivering twist after shocking twist right up until its deeply affecting end. A razor-sharp debut about the secrets we keep even from ourselves."

    ANA REYES, New York Times bestselling author of The House in the Pines

  • "An exquisitely written wild ride of a story full of complex characters, taut suspense and plot twists you won’t see coming."

    JESSICA GEORGE, New York Times bestselling author of Maame

  • "This was a real wild, rollercoaster read. Such a great premise, executed brilliantly. Beautiful writing and great pacing. People often talk about ‘shocking twists’, but this thriller truly delivers – literal jaw drop! I can’t believe this was from a debut author. Absolutely loved it!”

    SHALINI BOLAND, USA-Today bestselling author of twenty psychological thrillers

  • “In addition to being full of unexpected twists and turns, The Exes is beautifully written with profound things to say about family and the lengths we'll go to protect the ones we love. A cathartic book for anyone with a terrible ex.”

    TASHA CORYELL, author of Love Letters to a Serial Killer

  • “This is the book I’ve been hungry for. Sharp and smart, The Exes grips with a well orchestrated story, while exploring deeper themes with a deft hand and underlying humour.”

    MARY WATSON, author of The Cleaner

  • "A brilliant and exciting new voice in thriller world. Deft, tense, and deliciously twisty. More, please, Ms Darlington, and soon."

    ANNA MAZZOLA, bestselling author of The Clockwork Girl

  • "Her storytelling is razor-sharp, her characters deliciously complex, her pacing… exquisite. Filled with twists and turns you will never see coming. Leodora isn’t just entering the thriller arena – she’s kicking the door clean off its hinges. Thriller royalty, take note: she’s coming for the crown.”

    Goodreads Reviewer

  • “An absolutely addicting thriller. I loved the twists and the plot overall. Natalie was a great character... I didn’t know whether to be proud of her or be afraid of her. A great weekend read!”

    Goodreads Reviewer

  • “Consider my flabbers gasted. I cannot believe this is a debut novel. This was super well-written with complex characters and a fast-paced narrative, I absolutely devoured this book in one session. I won’t say too much about the plot for risk of any spoilers, but with a throng of unreliable characters and twists and turns at every corner, you’re going to want to strap in tight because you’re going on a ride.”

    Goodreads Reviewer