The Trade Off takes a look at the world of journalism and what you’d trade for the ultimate stories. Stella has built her journalism career on doing anything it takes. She’s focused and aggressively working to further her career at the Globe. Jess is a new reporter, seemingly sink-or-swimming when she discovers the reality behind the journalism at the Globe. When Jess discovers an awful truth about the Globe, how far will she go to expose everything?
I enjoyed the journalism elements and not knowing who you could trust. I personally found some of the twists a bit far fetched and felt Stella’s change was a bit abrupt but overall I enjoyed this slow burn, psychological novel. The narration was really well done and elevated the story.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sandie Jones dives head first into a journalistic scandal in The Trade Off

Excellent set up of a relatable, no-win situation for rookie journalist Jess. Jess is riddled with a wonderful sense of integrity—which is rare in the corrupt world of journalism, particularly when you have to win to get to keep playing the game.

Stella, on the other hand, is a master at this game. She presents as the typical, cut-throat, Machiavellian female type A woman who will stop at nothing to win. We see from the beginning there will come a massive conflict for each woman. But there’s so much we don’t see coming until AFTER we find ourselves entangled in Jones’ journalistic web of deceit, distrust, and dishonor.

In a world where we constantly hear journalists are protecting their “sources,” what happens when those “sources” decide not to “play ball”?

The answer is so much more complex and severe than anything I could have anticipated. I am not a fan of spoilers, so my advice is first read the book. Second, if the press comes knocking… consider “no comment” as a viable course of action.

I enjoyed the book. It was a little different than my usual thrillers, but I really liked it. It was mildly difficult to follow at first because of the language differences (I’m from Georgia in the US)—I had to adjust due to the language barrier and accent variations, but I caught up quickly.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley who provided me with access to this book in exchange for an honest review. These are my opinions and have not been influenced by anyone else.

#bookstagram #suspense #mysteries #thrillers #thetradeoff #corrupt @bookshell_f

The Trade Off is an intense psychological thriller with incredible twists in the story lines and an exceptionally powerful ending.
Jess is a green reporter with big dreams and a good sense of morals. Stella, her boss, is hardened and willing to do whatever it takes to get the story. As Jess sees how tabloid journalism really works she will be forced to decide what decisions she can live with in this dirty and sordid business.
3.5 ⭐️
Expected publication date: August 15,
2023
How far would you go to break the story first? Would you compromise who you are?
***Thank you to NetGalley, Sandie Jones, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own. ***

For Stella, deputy editor of The Globe , the choice has always been clear. It doesn’t matter how low she has to stoop―getting the best story is what she’s built her reputation on.

For Jess, The Globe’s rookie reporter, the story stops when the truth does. But she knows that the dirty tricks of the tabloids will be hard to overturn.

And when a celebrity is hounded by The Globe and pays the ultimate price, Jess wonders just how much Stella and the paper are responsible.

Determined to show the world what the tabloid is capable of, Jess will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth, but she needs to watch her back, because someone else is prepared to kill to bury it.



How far would you go to get the story for the front page? Journalism is a make it or break it career and Stella is doing what she has to do to make it. Jess is a new hire and new to the tabloid world. She quickly discovers what a mess it can be and what it can do to someones life when lies are printed.

This story was more of a slow burn, but I enjoyed Jess’s character. The second half of the story picks up and some action in the end. I found the twist in the end to be a little predictable, but interesting story that really makes you think about journalism and how much power the media truly has.

I was so excited to get this ARC for “The Trade OFf” from the fabulous Sandie Jones. I highly recommend this story - I was such a fan!

I couldn't get into this book and I unfortunately dnf'ed it. But I see a lot of good feedback so it was probably because I was mentally engaged with a different kind of books at the time I tried listening to this one.

I really enjoyed this thriller about how far tabloids will go to get a story, and I don’t even want to think about how much this is true in real life. I'm guessing it probably is not far from reality, especially given Jones' background in journalism. This one captivated me from the start and I read it in one setting, I am a sucker for topics like these and this one did not let me down. I loved the two female protagonists and their two POV’s. I listened to this one via audio and thought the narrators did a fantastic job with the story, and I would absolutely recommend listening if you can. This was overall well done and one I would recommend.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the copies to review.

THE TRADE OFF by Sandie Jones is a gripping exploration of the ethical complexities in the realm of journalism. Stella, a formidable deputy editor, epitomizes ambition-driven reporting, while Jess, a rookie journalist, stands for truth and integrity. Jones adeptly weaves a tale that scrutinizes the dark underbelly of media while echoing the #metoo movement's pertinence. The narrative, reminiscent of Jones' previous work, The Other Woman, showcases her signature addictive plots and unique style. Stella's transformation from an assertive boss to an ally with Jess amplifies the dynamic storytelling. Jess, endearing and determined, personifies the aspiring journalist, making readers root for her success. The anticipated twist adds intrigue, culminating in a satisfying conclusion. THE TRADE OFF is a thought-provoking and contemporary narrative that exposes the reality of media and leaves a lasting impression, reaffirming Sandie Jones' prowess in crafting compelling stories.

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and Sandie Jones for an advance copy of The Trade Off in exchange for an honest review. I have really enjoyed Sandie Jones work in the past and this was no exception! I have never read a book written about the plot or setting so that was refreshing and enjoyable. I loved following along with Jess and Stella through the ins and outs of the reporting world. This one kept me captivated and engaged especially with how well the narrator performed. This one is out now and you should definitely add it to your TBR!

Enjoyed the audio version!

I do enjoy stories by this author but none have grabbed me as much as her first two books did. The plot was interesting though the pacing was a bit slow. There were quite a few side stories but they were woven together well. I was surprised by the turn of events towards the conclusion (perhaps I wouldn’t have been had I read more of the synopsis 🤷‍♀️). Dual narration and point of views worked well in building this story. Overall an enjoyable experience, will look forward to the next one by this author.

Twisty and cunning…. How far will they go to get the story? Definitely makes you pause as a consumer of information.

Great narration!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick. Our library purchased and our patrons have been checking out and and enjoying the book. I see it is a popular book club choice as well we hope to have more oppurtinies to support authors like them

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

The Trade Off
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Author: Sandie Jones

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: For Stella, deputy editor of The Globe, the choice has always been clear. It doesn’t matter how low she has to stoop—getting the best story is what she’s built her reputation on.

For Jess, The Globe’s rookie reporter, the story stops when the truth does. But she knows that the dirty tricks of the tabloids will be hard to overturn.

And when a celebrity is hounded by The Globe and pays the ultimate price, Jess wonders just how much Stella and the paper are responsible. Determined to show the world what the tabloid is capable of, Jess will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth, but she needs to watch her back, because someone else is prepared to kill to bury it.

My Thoughts: This story opens with a bang. It is a slow burn thriller. Stella, who is a deputy editor with the Globe, will do anything to get the story, even if it means crossing a line or six. Jess, just starting at the Globe, wants to be the type of journalist that reports only the truth. The Globe is a tabloid journal, not a respectable news source. We all know journalists can be overbearing, reaching, and obnoxious, but every once in a while, there will be a journalist that cares about the truth. When Jess stumbles across of what crossing the line can do, she will do everything she can to bring light to the questionable tactics of the Globe. However, in doing so, will it cost her the job or her life? How far will the Globe go to protect themselves? In this dangerous cat and mouse game, we see questionable ethics, lines being crossed, threatens celebrities for the story, fabricated stories, and pieces of the truth displayed in alternate theories. This is more of a workplace thriller that could be seen as authentic and realistic.

The story is narrated primarily by Stella and Jess, in their respective perspectives. Stella has been in the journalism business for 15 years, has developed thick skin, still ambitious, and will do anything for the story. Jess is only 25 and this is her first national journalism assignment, while she is green, she believes that the truth can be reported and stories do not need to be fabricated to sell. After a short time at the Globe, Jess soon realizes that they use questionable ethics and she is not sure if this is the job for her. The characters were built well with depth, mystery, questionable ethics, backstabbing, and creative. The author’s writing style was complex, suspenseful, twisty, and engaging. The plot was delivered in twisty layers, especially in the second half with an ending that I did not expect.

I had both the digital and audio ARCs for this novel. I preferred the audio. The narrators do an amazing job at voice variation and really bring the characters to life. The first half of the book is slow but the second half really picks up and has you on the edge of seat as all of the plot lines start to blend together and explode. While the character build up is necessary to get to the second half, if you stick with it, you will not be sorry. I really felt like this story was a very realistic approach to tabloid journalism in today’s world. It is a rough industry and very cutthroat. I highly recommend picking this book up.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC! This was a fast-paced intriguing thriller that kept me engaged. The audio was confusing as times but I think that was a me thing being that I’m not used to hearing an accent in my day-to-day life. Sandie Jones is a great thriller writer and this book is no exception!

Fun and juicy inside look at the world of tabloid journalism, with a Me Too twist. Though the beginning had a little too little murder and mayhem for my liking, it brought the drama and character intrigue which kept me invested and guessing until the end. Sandie Jones is a reliable, friendly, juicy, twisty author, and this book is a solid entry into her canon. Looking forward to the next one! Audiobook was well-narrated and an easy and smooth listen.

This was an interesting delve into tabloid journalism and the lengths that some journalists go to capture a story. The book alternates between two perspectives - Stella, a seasoned and ambitious journalist and Jess, a new journalist with strong ethics and a keen desire to do good in her role.

The plot started off slow for me and I found it difficult to know where it was going. Was it a drama about journalism? Was it psychological? Was it cat and mouse? It seemed like the plot arc kept changing directions.

At about the 65% mark, it began to take shape and the pace picked up. However, the relationship between the two MC's remained confusing to me. It fluctuated between bullying, mentoring, competitors, enemies and co-conspirators. It was hard to understand, which made some of the plot elements somewhat unrelatable to me. There was also an element of the #metoo but it was underdeveloped so didn't work very well for me.

However, there was a twist at the end that I didn't see coming. And the audiobook performance was dynamic and engaging.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great thriller with women’s rights themes I loved! There were definitely twists I didn’t expect, which made it quite enjoyable. I loved the dual POV with two women who were enemies, because it allowed for different perspectives for the reader. Well done!

I really enjoyed the audiobook version of this book, with two narrators. I listened at 1.75x and 2.0x speed (my normal listening speed is 1.75x).

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced audio copy (and I’m so sorry for my delay in completing this read).

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I read the excerpt on this book, but I like Sandie Jones, so I gave it a try. It was different than the thriller I was expecting, but I still enjoyed it. I studied communications in college, so it was interesting seeing the behind the scenes of a tabloid. I know it was fiction, but I’m sure those tricks really happen. I thought the book was a little long and started to drag in the middle, but it was still a fun listen! The narrators did a great job and even used different accents for different characters. They had very soothing voices to listen to.

I've really enjoyed Sandy Jones's writing in the past, so I was excited to read this one as well. It took me a little bit to get into this one despite how intrigued I was by the description. I can't really pinpoint why it was so hard to connect to this in the beginning though. It was just a bit of a slow start and slightly confusing until I understood exactly what was going on. This is quite dramatic and exciting towards the end, but I did think it had quite a few lulls as well. What saved it for me was the ending. It felt so justified and relatable as a woman. It was nice to see the female characters stand strong together and go against toxic masculine culture. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in exchange for an honest review.