Member Reviews

The Guilt Trip by Sandie Jones is a thriller surrounding six friends who are at a destination wedding. There are lots of lies amongst the group, lots of jealousy, and even more drama. As the weekend continues, secrets at exposed and marriages are beginning to crumble.

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Oh, the way The Guilt Trip starts tells you all you need to know. Something bad happened. Why? Was anyone angry with anyone? Yup. Everyone. And then we get to go back and find out why. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? What about when your friends may be your enemies? Do you get even closer? More characters are making that decision than you will at first realize. Everyone has secrets and they all come out. This was quite a fun read/listen (I did both back and forth between having time to do it and setting up my classroom). I liked the narrator and her ability to help me keep the characters straight in my mind. There were quite a few that she subtly and not as subtly made different. Her voice became my inner voice for the parts I read myself. Thanks to all involved for the ARC. I will be recommending this book.

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Wow. The premise sounded promising but it was a lot of boring to get to the ending. The majority of the book didn’t feel necessary and I just kept waiting for something to happen.

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This was a entraining book it’s filled with drama, friendships, secrets & lies. It read likes a soap opera with of course lots of mystery and drama. So if you miss all them old time soap opera you will like it’s book.

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This is the story of 3 couples. Five have a past connection to each other. They weren’t always the same “social media perfect” couples they were when they arrived to celebrate the wedding of Ali and Will.

At first it doesn’t seem strange that some guests arrived complaining about not wanting to being there. As the story unfolds, readers will learn quickly that past secrets begin to surface and threaten to change everything…in a bad way!

The question is… who is really to blame for things going south, lives being overturned, the “sh!$& hitting the fan”? Can someone in the original friend group prove to be as sinister as Sandie Jones wants you to believe? Or.. is Ali, the newcomer and Will’s fiancé, an awful person with ulterior motives?

In a very drama filled-Jersey Shore vibe… Sandie Jones creates a story that will leave readers shaking their heads at the utter craziness of these flawed characters.

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Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I have an e-galley and advanced listening copy of The Guilt Trip.

First off, I loved the narrator. Clare Corbett did a fantastic job and is a large part of why I enjoyed the book. I will definitely be checking our other books she narrates. I knew something was coming, but I had no idea that it would go the way that it did. I also really liked how the ending wrapped up.

I wasn't a fan of how all of the women in the book were pitted against each other. I understand Rachel's anxieties about Jack cheating on her, but so much of what he was telling her wasn't even remotely believable. Rachel and Paige seemed so determined to hate and distrust Allie. I was really surprised Allie worked so hard to protect Rachel. Allie was a much bigger and better person than the other women in the story.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read and review as well as access to the audio book.

First off, I loved the narrator for the audio. She did a fantastic job on what I felt what not a great story. I honestly didn't like many of the characters and the fact that Rachel and Noah were obsessing over something from 20 years ago was cringeworthy. Had the story taken place five years after 'the incident' it would have been more believable. I also feel like the characters all had a huge dinking problem - maybe its a UK thing, but the alcohol consumption seemed excessive. I'm sorry to say I didn't really like this one.

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This book was packed chock-a-block full of drama and secrets! I did struggle at times to keep all the characters straight because there were just so many and each of them intertwined with each other in different ways. I feel like lately there have been quite a few thrillers to release that focus on a wedding or reunion or special event on a remote island, an isolated location, or otherwise difficult place to travel to, and while the guests are there, some weather event essentially traps them there and drama (and often murder) ensue. This one definitely kept the drama level high throughout. One I really got a feel for the characters it made it a touch easier to follow all the drama but I still found myself missing things as I attempted to play back the character's history in my mind. The ending caught me off guard not necessarily because of a twist but because of an event that I just didn't see occurring. Overall I enjoyed the story. This was my first book by this author but I would definitely read more.

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The Guilt Trip is full of lies, secrets, and deception between friends all set against a beautiful villa in Portugal. It was a quick and intriguing read, but overall it ended up being a little disappointing. Thank you so much to Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for my gifted copies!

The story basically follows three couples that are all friends as they get together at an expansive villa on the coast of Portugal for one couple’s nuptials. Most of the characters seem normal at the beginning, but the story soon becomes toxic as the blurred lines between relationships and friendships are brought to light.

This was my first book by Sandie Jones and I definitely think I will more of her books, but I went in expecting a thriller. It ended up being more of suspense/drama with a little bit of “thriller” right at the end so be prepared.
The first half of the story was very slow for me, but since I was reading and listening I was able to get through it quickly. The second half did become more interesting, but it was difficult to keep up with all of the directions of the story. There also seemed to be some plot holes and an ending that was a tad confusing. I’m still not 100% sure what really played out which is where I ended up being a little disappointed.

I know it may sound like I didn’t enjoy The Guilt Trip, but I have to say it was an entertaining and twisty story that I did enjoy despite the few issues I had with it. It does seem that I may be in minority with my overall thoughts for this one so please do not let me deter you. It is definitely a good summer read!

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Solid 4 stars!

This is a first for me from this author (I’ve had her debut on my shelves for 2.5 years and just have too many that I haven’t grabbed it yet.) So thanks to #NetGalley for this copy and opportunity to review The Guilt Trip!

The premise is repeated many times in other reviews and the general synopsis — 6 friends (two of which are siblings, two of which are past lovers-turned friends) embark on a trip to Portugal for a wedding between 2 of the 6. The author does an OK job of providing background to get us to where we are today. For me, it was pretty choppy, though. Because the details were not provided in a consistent manner, as a reader I found myself very frustrated with the lack of communication between the women. Many assumptions were made by our protagonist and if real conversations would’ve been had, there would have been less whining. (I hate when women appear weak.)

I gave it 4 stars for the assumptions I made as a reader that were wrong!... The epilogue left me with a, “what did she just say?!?!? And I had to re-read it again. I love a good, who done it, and this was no exception.

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The Guilt Trip by Sandie Jones was a twisty thriller set in sunny Portugal with British accents! What more could you ask for? This book takes place in the days leading up to a wedding and was filled with DRAMA! I knew there’d be a twist or two and was pleasantly surprised to not guess them! It’s listen in a day intriguing, but memorable enough to spread over several days without loosing your place! Must listen for sure!

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The Short Version: A somewhat twisty thriller filled with thoroughly unlikable characters, that is still highly readable and seems poised to be a book club favorite.

The Long Version: I got to listen to an Audiobook ARC of this title thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.

Alright, so the Guilt Trip is a thriller about three couples who are off to this remote Italian village for the wedding of one of the couples. As the drinks flow, secrets are revealed and skeletons come out of the closet at a pace that would make Halloween jealous.

This is an odd title for me in that I enjoyed reading it, but when I examine the overall makeup of the book I can find a lot of issues that should have taken me right out of it

First, and the biggest issue overall was the characters. For the most part I found all of them hypocritical and unlikable. The author clearly wants you to root for and against certain characters at certain times, and reveals information in a way you might second guess your perceptions throughout, but the whole time, I couldn’t stop thinking “All of these people are terrible, I wouldn’t want to be around any of them for an extended period of time”. Since I couldn’t find anyone to root for, it really made the book less enjoyable because at the end, I wasn’t glad things worked out how they did. There was a measure of justice in the resolution but I would have been fine to have the whole villa fall off the edge of a cliff and see all the characters lost to the ocean forever.

Character development was also an issue for me. I don’t really think our main character grew throughout the story. She learns some new facts and appropriately sees things somewhat differently because of that, but she still seems like someone who would be content to talk behind your back and assume the worst about you if given the right situation to do so.

The final major issue I had with this title was the climax. I just didn’t really get it from a planning perspective. There’s a text sent out to embarrass one of the characters, and I didn’t understand the thought pattern there considering the culprit is supposed to be highly intelligent and logical. It was going to be obvious who sent it and it would have only served to confirm everyone’s suspicions about the secrets they’re keeping. I similarly didn’t get the thought process of the true villain when they enacted their plan (sorry to be so vague, you know…spoilers). It wasn’t well formed, which is illustrated by how simply it unravels in the end. It just felt like a lot of work went into constructing the tangled web between these characters and then the climax/ending was more like “Well something has to happen, so let’s do this.”

It's a testament to the writing skill of the author that despite these issues, which would tank most books for me, I still wanted to listen intensely. It’s almost like a car wreck, where you can’t look away, even though you’re horrified by what you see.

The plot for the most part is well constructed, save for the climax, which I already discussed. The pacing is flawless, not a hint of a sag anywhere in it, and the prose and dialogue are all very appropriate and engrossing. A very well written book.

The narrator was also of benefit to the production. She made each character unique and I never had trouble telling anyone apart, even with a decent sized cast. Her intense portrayal of Ali, is a large part of what I didn’t like about the character, but based on the writing, I think she hit the nail on the head. She added a lot of emotion and drama to the events unfolding and elevated the book at every turn.

Overall a 3.5 rounded up. It was a mostly enjoyable listen that seems ripe for book clubs everywhere. It wasn’t overly complicated and touches on a lot of relatable subjects (insecurities we all have, infidelity, or fear of infidelity, who people are vs. how they present themselves, etc…) even though it doesn’t seem to plumb any new ground or go places overly unexpected. There are twists, but they’re not too twisty, and there’s tension but it simmers instead of boiling. A good safe read if you’re a mystery/thriller lover or enjoy pulling back the curtain of secrets between friends.

Component Ratings
Concept/Idea: 3.5 out of 5
Protagonist: 3 out of 5
Supporting Characters: 2 out of 5
Character development: 2.5 out of 5
Plot: 4 out of 5
Pacing: 5 out of 5
Prose: 4.5 out of 5
Dialogue: 4.5 out of 5
Narrator’s performance: 5 out of 5
Ending: 4 out of 5

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This book was not for me. It was sold as a mystery/thriller, but there's not much mystery to it and not much suspense. All the characters are either too good or too bad to be believed. They're basically one-dimensional--until there's a "twist" and a completely opposite personality is revealed. The viewpoint character, Rachel, is all right, but I find myself quite exasperated with her too as the book proceeds. And the huge reveal at the end is no surprise at all--and based on other people's reviews, I'm not the only one who feels this way.

I feel bad leaving this review, because it's not that this book is terrible. It's just that it's being sold as a mystery/thriller, and I don't think it fits that bill at all. Had I been reading it as an e-book, I wouldn't have finished it. Since it was an audiobook with an excellent and engaging reader, I stuck with it to the end.

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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This is my first Sandie Jones book and it did not disappoint. Like so many thrillers, the characters made decisions and kept secrets that leave the reader perplexed. Still, the characters and their secrets drove this story and made for a good plot and an even better ending! Some of the twists you can see coming but others are unexpected, making this quite an enjoyable book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an opportunity to read and review this book.

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This is not a thriller or suspense as advertised but more of a a domestic drama. I did however really enjoy the story. A group of friends all with hidden secrets and likes/dislikes of each other. Ali is the younger "typical blonde" of the group and also the bride who the story centers around and the rest of the group feels is a bit over the top and annoying. As the drama unfolds you question who is hiding what and even who is cheating with who? Once I thought I had it figured out - I was wrong!

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Interesting well-written novel with a surprise twist at the end. Three couples head to Portugal for a destination wedding. The plot involves old secrets and uncertainty over who’s lying and who’s having an affair. Narration was excellent. I’m looking forward to reading this author’s next book.

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I wanted to love this book but it just wasn't for me. I'll start with the good - it did keep me reading and wanting to find out what happened. But beyond that, I was too distracted by the glaring problems. My least favorite trope is the one where the WHOLE plot could be moot if people would just talk to each other. This whole story danced on that line -while I think none of the characters were capable of being honest to themselves or each other, I just kept thinking, JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER. Also there was A LOT of the "Oh my partner might be cheating let's blame the woman and figure out how I can get him to love me" and that really gets under my skin. It's also not a thriller until about the last 10% so there's a lot of repeating thoughts from the MC and not a lot of action until then. This just was not for me.

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A couples trip + wedding gone ALL wrong and ends in tragedy. This group of friends shared so many secrets and lies, it made me appreciate my friend circle! I enjoyed the atmosphere and imagery of Portugal; it was also cool being able to understand some of the Portuguese dialogue in the audio. The pacing of the plot was just right and had my attention from the very beginning.

There were twists at almost every turn and just when you think things are coming to a resolution at the end, she weaves even MORE surprises into the loop. The ending is packed entertainment and I think the story tied together perfectly. I alternated between the physical book + audiobook; the narration is done very well, even when communicating different characters and their emotions.

I haven’t read a Sandie Jones novel that I didn’t like and Guilt Trip is definitely worth the read!

Thank you @netgalley for the gifted alc and eARC!

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Wow, this book was quite the roller coaster. The general premise is: six friends go to Portugal for Ali and Will's wedding, but slowly the group begins to fracture as lies compound and secrets are exposed! *dun dun dun*

There were a couple twists I saw coming but enough additional surprises that I found myself gasping out loud as I listened to the audiobook. I'm normally not a big audiobook listener, but the highest praise I can offer The Guilt Trip is that I found myself just sitting in my room listening to the book, so curious about what would happen next that I couldn't press pause.

This book is a bit like the script for a soap opera (particularly in the last third of the book), but if you can suspend your disbelief about how adults normally act, it's a good time.

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I truly enjoyed THE GUILT TRIP by Sandie Jones. It was astounding and jaw-dropping good. The complex relationships between the characters are well designed and carry the story to an unexpected ending. The book has a solid plot that delivers several good punches. All the characters’ secrets were over-the-top but not so far fetch. The epilogue delivered the final blow and now I am not sure if I know who did it. Well done, Ms. Jones!

The narration was well done. The narrator succeeded to communicate the characters' emotions and her pace was perfect.

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