My Sister's Ex

by Cydney Rax

Rachel Merrell goes into shock when her ex-boyfriend, Jeffery Williams, begins dating her half sister Marlene Draper. At first, Rachel swears Jeff is feigning interest in Marlene just to get back at her for breaking up with him. Rachel pretends Jeff’s interest in Marlene doesn't bother her, but when they unexpectedly hit it off and love begins to blossom, Rachel can't bear to watch the happy couple. Suddenly, Rachel wants Jeff back and she is determined to get him no matter what the cost—including Marlene's happiness.But when her attempts to regain Jeff's affections fail, Rachel decides to join an online dating service, creating a profile under an assumed name, just to test the waters. Surprisingly, Rachel's profile matches someone who sounds like he'd be the perfect replacement for Jeff, but when she sees a picture of the man of her dreams, she's dumbfounded and it IS Jeff! Despite Rachel's jealousy over her sister's relationship, she has to tell Marlene the truth about the two-timing Casanova. Now the women will work together to devise a way to make him pay for what he's done...and discover a thing or two about sisterhood in the process.From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Audiobook, Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit

203 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Basically I became interested in becoming a writer after reading Terry McMillan’s novel Disappearing Acts. In 2004 my author dreams were realized via the release of my controversial debut novel My Daughter’s Boyfriend, the story of a 34-year old single mother that becomes attracted to her teenage daughter’s boyfriend.

I love writing about marriage, infidelity, juicy love triangles, family, romance, women's issues, and male/female relationships. It never gets boring to write about what human beings go through.

My novels make you think and feel! If it doesn't do that, I haven't done my job.

My novels/interviews have been featured in USA Today, Black Beat Magazine, Publishers Weekly, Jewel Magazine, Today's Black Woman, Vibe Vixen, Quarterly Black Review, Booking Matters Magazine, Essence magazine, Ebony magazine, Black Expressions Book Club, among others.

Learn more via http://www.cydneyrax.com or follow me on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCydney...

Reviews

[Lisette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was wild!
But I actually really enjoyed it. Especially the narration of Bahni Turpin and Adenrelo Ojo!

[Linda Boyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first book by this author. I ran across the audio version of this book at the library and the title sounded interesting. The book is not as scandalous as you may think, but to me it is a little far fetched. I can't see sisters doing that to each other, but the story line did make for an interesting story. Believe it or not there is a message in this book, and I suggest that you check it out.

[The Urban Book Source · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Sister’s Ex by Cydney Rax, despite its suggestive cover and title, is actually a novel with aspirations. Not nearly as overtly scandalous as one would expect from the title and cover art, My Sister’s Ex tells the story of half-sisters, Rachel Merrell and Marlene Draper. The book picks up at the point where Rachel discovers that her sister has started an affair with her ex-fiancé, Jeffrey Williams. Rachel is understandably upset over the situation and, as one might expect, drama ensues.

Interestingly enough, Rax does not simply leave this as the sister dating the ex drama it could be. She allows each sister to tell her side of the story directly to the reader using alternate chapters to reveal their convoluted past which helps to explain their strained relationship. We also learn a great deal about Jeffrey through the women’s telling of their own sides of the story.

As much as one may admire Rax’s efforts to make this more complex than the average she stole my man story, at times we get the sense that she has taken on too many issues. As a result, there is inconsistency in the theme throughout the book. One moment it seems that Rax’s novel is an examination of the complexity of sibling rivalry; the next moment it is a commentary on lying, cheating men. Just when we think we’ve gotten a grip on the men who lie and cheat deserve to die concept, we are hit with the women shouldn’t betray one another theme. Finally, and unfortunately as is typical of the modern urban novel, the women end up in church and life presumably is all better.

There are a couple of characterization flaws in the book that cannot be overlooked; for example, Rachel and Marlene do not always have distinct voices. They sound equally bratty and whiny as they argue over Jeffrey. The shift from Rachel’s point of view to Marlene’s is not always distinct enough; and, at times, we would be unable to tell who was speaking if it were not for the chapter headings.

Despite the whiny tone Rachel and Marlene share, My Sister’s Ex is an enjoyable read that requires little mental agility to keep up with the story. Rax gets a tad heavy-handed at the end with her over the top punishment for Jeffrey and the requisite church revival and penance scene at the end. Nevertheless, My Sister’s Ex is entertaining and, for some, will be thought-provoking.

What did you like best about the book?
The story, overall, was well-written and most scenes were well executed. Rax clearly has a good command of the elements of writing.

What did you dislike about the book?
I disliked the heavy-handed closing of the novel including the extreme way in which the situation with Jeffrey was resolved and the all too easy wrap-up in church where everyone has to be told how to behave.

How can the author improve this book?
Rax could have trusted her readers to draw the conclusions she wanted them to draw by creating a more complex ending for the story, thereby evoking more intellectual stimulation and the accompanying discussions that would have arisen, rather than taking the easy way out of having the church elders lay out the lessons of the story.

[Colleen Meliski]

I too received a promotional copy of this book and was asked to read and review it. It's not a great book, but it's readable IF you like this genre. Rachel and Marlene's reactions and emotions don't seem to go through a logical progression given the circumstances. The urban vernacular is awkward. I found the development of the complex relationships of Rachel and Marlene's parents to be confusing.

Reviewing the list of Ms. Rax's other titles, I get the impression these books are merely fantasies in print. I think I'll keep my hands off My Daughter's Boyfriend, My Husband's Girlfriend, and My Best Friend and Her Man.

[Kesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another strange read. This is what I get for roaming the shelves and selecting based on the cover. I was engaged listening to this read on a 16 hour road trip. Strange, strange, strange plot.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Half sisters Rachel Merrell and Marlene Draper have a lot in common. They have the same father, share the same apartment and now, they apparently share the same man. Jeffrey Williams dated Rachel and eventually asked her to marry him. But Rachel wasn't feeling the marriage thing, so she turns down the marriage proposal and ends the relationship. Not to be outdone by Rachel's decision, Jeffrey woos Marlene. Seeing the relationship blossoming right before her eyes, Rachel goes through a period of thinking maybe she needs Jeffrey back, but all her efforts are rebuffed. Jeff takes the cake with his antics of seemingly being in love with Rachel while going through the motions with Marlene. He is a womanizer and quite the drama king himself and the tangled web he's weaving could have a dangerous outcome.

[Dani Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️
This story started off with a lot of promise. Quite quickly, however it turned into a unnecessarily ridiculous plot and over the top “twists”. The mom? Why? The ending was strange, sudden and didn’t fit the overall theme of the rest of the book. I finished because I started but I wouldn’t reread or recommend.

[Nichole Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now, this has some twist and turns I didn't see coming. It was a good read. The spiritual parts were solid too.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being an only child I could not fathom the situation in this book. The writing was amazing but this whole thing was a little far fetched to me and... I didnt care for the ending.

[Jessika Sartin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baby... Ain't no way. 😂 My sister and I would NEVER! Too many scenarios in this book just seen so unreal to me. I just hope "family" is not really like this for some people.

[Qua'Tesha Ratliff · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this is not what I expected. Chile long story short the entire family was a hot mess.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title says it all..but what was even more insane than crossing that line with your sister's ex was the sister's living together and openly discussing the relationship. I found that a little disturbing and couldn't fathom sisters actually being able to share a roof when one is dating the ex-fiancée of the other and it being a recent breakup. It was an okay read, but the audacity of the older sister really blew me. I kept thinking, no one could be that bold yet blind. Wasn't expecting the ending but sometimes all your unkind ways come back to bite you when you least suspect it.

[Nikki · Rating 1 out of 5]

I may be in the minority but I did not like this book. It took me forever to finish because I kept putting it down. I couldn't believe the stupidity of the characters. Unbelievable at times. This was my first time reading this author. Based on this book, I'm not sure if I will read any more from this author.

[Cassandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've definitely read better in my opinion. Of course I prefer romance with a very happy ending. I could never really get into the book due to the author's 'voice'. It's not a terrible book in the sense that there was not real plot and the characters were fake.

[Teleka · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just okay with me. The story didn't really seem realistic. But overall it was a pretty good read.

[Ransom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. The ending could of been a lil better, but its worth the read.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Confusing

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listening to the audiobook in the car. It's engaging enough to pass the hours, but no great piece of literature. Had a nice, little, unexpected twist at the end.

[Blessed T · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. I only kept reading to see what was gona happen to Jeff. I knew something of interest had to happen!

[Laree Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read a very good book