The Ex-Factor

A novel about sex, relationships and other natural disasters

When Martha Seymore finds out about her boyfriend's one-night-stand she doesn't know what to do. And Martha's business is relationships. She's the girl who gets paid to sympathise with the cheated and jilted, the under-sexed and over-attached at Gloss magazine. Realising she's just as clueless as her hapless readers, Martha finds it increasingly difficult to continue giving relationship advice whilst dealing with her own heartache. Also, there's the distinctly unattractive prospect of admitting a failed relationship not only to her colleagues, but also to her oldest friend, Desdemona, whose irritatingly perfect lifestyle would make even a saint harbour murderous tendencies. Worse, Desdemona's new fiance is Alex, Martha's first ex-boyfriend, who, contrary to all expectations, has matured into an infuriatingly sexy and talented chef. Life just isn't fair.

Tired of always doing the right thing, Martha starts to wonder if she has the right approach to relationships after all: is the best way to get one man off your mind, at least temporarily, to get another one into your bed?

About the Author

Andrea Semple's writing has appeared in the Guardian and Independent and numerous magazines, and lives in Leeds with her boyfriend, fellow author Matt Haig. She is also the author of The Ex-Factor and The Make-Up Girl.