Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy

The book focuses on two characters as opposite as day and night. Stella, a seasoned journalist who will do anything to land a scoop and will knock down anyone in her way in order to get on top. Jess, on the other hand, is brand new to the journalist gig and believes strongly in ethical journalism and doing the right thing. When a celebrity is hounded by the media and then pays the ultimate price, both women will stop at nothing – but for what can only be determined by them.

I found this book slow and a bit boring. The characters were extremely hateable so it didn’t really even feel like I had someone to root for. Jess is supposed to be the angel on the shoulder and Stella, the devil on the other shoulder. I found Jess incredibly naïve and too gullible for her own good. Stella at least had a backbone, but lacked a conscience most of the time.

I did think that it clearly showed the ugly side of journalism and I did find the writing good. It just wasn’t a captivating enough story for me. I have a bunch of Sandie Jones books on my TBR so I won’t let this one keep me from trying some of her others.

Rating: 2.5/5

This was my first by Sandie Jones and it definitely didn’t disappoints. It was fast paced and thrilling. Stella will stop at nothing to get the first scope on the latest news stories. Giving us a behind the scenes look on what it takes to be a woman in the media world.

Thank you St Martins Press and netgalley for an arc

I really tried to like this book but I couldn’t get connected to any of the characters. I wish that the author had laid out each character before diving right into the story. That would have helped me connect better.

The Trade Off is my favorite Sandie Jones novel to date, and I can't believe it took me so long to read it! I listened to this in basically one sitting because I couldn't put it down, and I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen. The viewpoints alternate between Stella and Jess, and I don't think I had one I preferred over the other. They each added something different to the storyline and while I can't say I loved either of them, they were interesting and flawed characters. This turns into a search for the truth/uncovering of something quite despicable, so I would be sure to check triggers prior to entering.

The audiobook was fantastic, and I loved both Nathalie Buscombe & Sofia Engstrand. They perfectly fit their respective characters, and I have zero complaints about any part of their narration. Tone, pacing, and pitch all were on point, and they further pulled me into the story, so I would recommend the audio as the way to go. I also appreciated that the author herself read her note at the end, and it gave me a better understanding of the reason she wrote this. The Trade Off had some great twists and an explosive ending that I didn't see coming. While it deals with some very current and upsetting topics, it is also very suspenseful, and I loved every minute of it.

I loved the ethical elements that were brought inot this book. Its easy to say you would do the right thing, but when the rubber meets the road you never know what you'll do. I also enjoyed the news article aspect of this. It was a nice twist to a thriller and I enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would.

A novel of suspense that explores the moral dilemma of telling a story, even if it means perpetuating a lie. Sandie Jones delivers another gripping and thought-provoking thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
In "The Trade Off," Stella, the deputy editor of The Globe, has always prioritized getting the best story, no matter the cost. She has built her reputation on stooping to any level necessary to secure the most sensational headlines. On the other hand, Jess, a rookie reporter at The Globe, believes that the truth should be the ultimate goal, even if it means challenging the dirty tricks employed by tabloids.
Sandie Jones skillfully weaves a web of deception and consequences in "The Trade Off." The author's ability to create tension and suspense is evident throughout the novel, keeping readers guessing and eagerly turning the pages. The moral dilemma presented in the story raises thought-provoking questions about the ethics of journalism and the price of pursuing the truth.
"The Trade Off" is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that delves into the consequences of deception and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. Sandie Jones's masterful storytelling and exploration of moral ambiguity make this novel a standout in the genre. Fans of psychological suspense will be captivated by the intricate plot and the complex characters. "The Trade Off" is a testament to Jones's talent and will leave readers eagerly awaiting her next thrilling tale.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press!

Are you willing to sacrifice your morals if it means you land your dream job?

Jess is faced with this very question when she, in fact, lands her dream job but also as she uncovers one scandal after another.

The Trade Off is a slow burn mystery at the start. However, once it does eventually kick off, it evolves into a fast-paced thriller.

For me, I struggled with the pace. The slow burn start began to drag, and by the time it started to pick up, I had lost my will to fully invest. I simply wanted answers. I didn't hate it, and I didn't love it, which landed The Trade Off at a three star review.

DNF around 20%. Couldn't get into it unfortunately.

Thank you net galley for the earc in exchange for an honest review

Ugh, the reporter side was way too heavy and boring. The characters were bland and dry - i guess I'm not one who likes the news story, although it does make you think what they lie about in todays day in age.

Another enjoyable read/listen from Sandie Jones. This time it's about the sordid world of tabloid newspapers. Jess is newly recruited to the Globe Newspaper in order to bring back some moral standards to its pages and to keep an eye on some of the reporters' tactics. Stella, who has been at the paper for many years and wants the editor job is promised the position in return for some "favours'. When a person commits suicide as a result of an article in the paper (based on lies), Jess takes it upon herself to bring justice for all the people who have suffered at the hands of the globe but ends up in danger herself.
A good insight into the tabloid world, with a story that keeps you reading/listening until the end.

I love this author but I had a hard time getting into it. Maybe suspense in journalism isn’t my jam. I will probably still continue to give anything she writes a shot because I’ve loved what she’s written previously.

I found this to be an interesting, thought provoking, readable psychological thriller.

Was it intense enough to keep me up at night or spike the adrenaline? No.

Did it ask some really good questions and make me think? Yes.

Did it explore the dark side of the media, particularly tabloids, and make you question what, if anything, is true and how far people would go for a good story? Absolutely yes.

Stella and Jess, our two POV characters, are both in the industry to get the story but that is where their similarities end. While Stella is ruthless, willing to do anything to get a story and has been around the block, Jess is new to the industry and clear on what is right and wrong when it comes to the integrity of journalism. When they end up working for the same paper and on the same story, their world's collide. Things go terribly wrong and they are forced to face the monster they - or is it the industry? - have created head on.

Reader, be warned, this one has a slow start but does pick up for the second half. I do think the strength was its stark look at journalism's ugly side more so than the "mystery" that evolves.

If you like a slow burn, thought provoking thriller, this one is likely your jam.

Sadly, this was a really slow story and I was never able to get into it. There was a lot of potential based of the synopsis, but it did not deliver. Also, this is definitely NOT a thriller. It should have been classified as a drama. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but it never did.

I also really disliked the characters. Even though the first half or so of the book really built up the characters, I still didn't like any of them. Plus, all this build up about the characters made for a super slow read! It really felt like a chore to read this one.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

This one was interesting! I thought the news angle was a cool aspect to the story, it made for an entertaining twist to this contemporary thriller. While the suspense was more of a slow burn, I did enjoy it. I enjoy a good cat and mouse thriller and this definitely made me think about how I consume news stories.

The Trade Off started a bit slow, but about half way through it took off like a rocket! Full of intrigue, twists, turns and a little viciousness thrown in for good measure! I'll never look at the tabloids the same again!

The Trade Off is a cautionary tale about media and journalism. While it covers some heavy topics, it is a very fast paced book. Touching on #MeToo and other important issues I resonated a lot with the storyline. While it was not my favorite book in this genre, it will stick with me for some time.

Finding the right words for this review is a bit tricky. On one hand, I was captivated by the book's exploration of the tabloid culture and its relevance in today's media landscape. The message it conveyed about the blurred lines between sensationalism and legitimate news struck a chord with me. However, I couldn't shake the feeling of being pulled back to the book whenever I tried to set it aside. It's possible that the unsettling parallels to current events made it hit too close to home for me personally.As for the story itself, it was a rollercoaster of twists and turns populated by a cast of characters that ranged from mildly irritating to downright unlikable. I found myself constantly guessing where the plot was headed, only to have my predictions dashed at every turn. While this uncertainty kept me engaged, it also left me feeling a bit disoriented by the end.

I’ll be honest, I skimmed the last 100 pages because I had a feeling how it was going to end and I was losing interest. I think the story needed more development of Jess to be our main character, and splashes of Stella but it held pretty 50/50 for their alternating chapters. It’s thriller/suspense with some #metoo movement storyline.

I've read several books by this author, and honestly, they unfortunately were just not for me. I decided to give her one last try with this one, and I'm so glad I did. This was the one. I genuinely enjoyed it and this has convinced me to continue giving Jones a chance in the future. 3.5 stars