2 stars

The story of how far the reporters are willing to go for a story is pretty old.
Also, the new and completely green full of idealism rookie reporter who couldn't tie three words in the beginning is so cheesy and over the top.
The ending was pretty ridiculous when the worse reporter of all made a 180 because of what... almost happen to her.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read this book!

3⭐
Publication date ~ August 15, 2023
Page Count ~ 300
Audio length ~ 9 hours 56 minutes
Narrators ~ Nathalie Buscombe, Sofia Engstrand
POV ~ single 1st & 3rd
Featuring ~ tabloid reporters, suicide, se*ual assault, #metoo

Stella is a seasoned powerhouse of a reporter for The Globe and Jess is the rookie who wants to make a difference. They both have very different ways they go about their jobs.

I've been a reader of Sandie's for years and this one is coming in as my least favorite. It just didn't grab me at all and my ears were a drifting. I don't know if it was the slow pace or the plot, but I just wasn't feeling it. I didn't like how that poor lady was pushed to take her own life, however I do feel like this is something that probably happens more often than we realize, which gives it a realistic feel. Happy the chapters were short. The cover is vibrant.

I was lucky enough to have a kindle and an audio copy. I mostly listened, but either was as fine as it could be.
Narration notes:
I thought they both did a good job. They expressed proper emotion when necessary.

𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦!

Another fantastic story by Sandie Jones and this one was a wild ride. Full of deception, lies, suspense and an addictive plot that will keep you at the edge of your seat.

Thank you Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for this gifted copy.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳 by Sandie Jones releases today August 15, 2023.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx

I don’t know what the author and Macmillan Audio put in this audiobook but I was hooked from the cover to the very last word of this one👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
And I’ve got to say from a narration standpoint this is THE BEST AUDIOBOOK I’VE EVER LISTENED TO HANDS DOWN! The voice actors (one even being the author who read the prologue) voices were simply delightful! For a majority of the book I was listening at 1.75x speed which is lower than my usual 2.5x, but it was so good I didn’t even mind a bit!


This masterfully crafted dual POV suspense drama centers around the ethical, or less than ethical, ways the media/publishing industry will go to get “the story” and the repercussions of those actions. I loved the cunning and sliminess of the morally grey character(s). The audiobook did a wonderful job showcasing the juxtaposition/contrasting nature of “cut throat” seasoned editor Stella and “fresh meat” naive Jess from the start with the help of plot as well as the narrators.

I could 10/10 see this as the newest series or movie on any of the major streaming platforms!

4.75⭐️


Special thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

This was a great and entertaining thriller. It kept me wanting to listen and had some twists I wasn’t expecting! Overall a great listen. I’d recommend this to those who love thrillers on audio.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new book by Sandie Jones and wonderfully narrated by Nathalie Buscombe, Sandie Jones, and Sofia Engstrand - 4 stars!

Stella is deputy editor of The Globe, who has her sights set on becoming the editor. That means that nothing is sacred when it comes to getting the story, even the truth. Jess is The Globe's new rookie reporter who is all about the truth. But those lines keep getting blurred, and someone is now dead. But who can Jess trust to help her uncover the truth?

This is somewhat of a slow burn, but an interesting look behind the covers of tabloid magazines and newspapers. where the headlines are more important than the truth. The story unfolds between the two POV of Stella and Jess and becomes a twisty cat-and-mouse game. It was an entertaining ride!

I really enjoyed Sandie Jones' THE OTHER WOMAN so I was excited to receive an early copy of this book. Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for my early reading and listen copy!

I loved the concept of this novel It reminded me a bit of the HBO show "The Newsroom" (best show ever), but the tabloid-version. I have zero-interest in celebrity gossip, but I was still super fascinated by the premise of seeking the juicy story at all costs. I was enthralled to learn about the tactics journalist use to get THE story and I'm glad Jones highlighted the effects tabloid reporting has on the exposed. Honestly, I was a bit shocked at how interesting I found the premise considering I generally have less than zero interest in the personal lives of famous people.

I hybrid read this book and I really enjoyed the narrators, but I am so glad I had the ebook to reference. There were some weird jumps in the timeline and setting that made the listen and read a little confusing. Once I was used to the writing style and the characters though, I actually preferred the audiobook and hearing the emotions both main characters carried.

I think I would have liked the book better if it just stuck to exposing the ugly journalism tactics instead of adding in the whole cover-up and twist. I found it to be a bit done and not well-wrapped up in the end, but overall I found this to be a solid average read.

THE TRADE OFF
Sandie Jones

Are you looking for a thriller that goes behind the headlines?
I’ve got a book for you.

In THE TRADE OFF we are following Stella and Jess. Stella is the deputy editor of The Globe and knows what it takes to build a good story. Jess, a rookie reporter newly hired at The Globe, has a lot to learn about what it takes to do what she’s always wanted to do, be a top reporter.

Does Jess have what it takes to get the juicy gossip, the big headline, and the byline she’s always aspired for? And will Stella be there to show her the ropes and exactly what it takes to get what she wants? It was fun to find out.

As always, I appreciated the sharpness found in the writing. I always know exactly where I stand with Jones.

The dynamic between Stella and Jess was very Interesting. I liked following along as Stella shows her truth and Jess has a choice as to how to respond. I loved being there to see how it all played out.

There were a few things I felt could’ve been different that would have contributed to my reading experience.

THE TRADE OFF read like it had training wheels on. It didn’t really trust me to hear the real story. It felt written for newbies and crossovers from other genres. So instead of the scintillating, captivating, and salacious novel, it could have been the reading experience felt tepid and lacking elements of intrigue, tension, and surprise.

I didn’t feel connected to the characters as much as I would’ve liked. Considering the trajectory of the story and what was at stake, I had a problem connecting to the characters and feeling emotional about what they were going through.

THE TRADE OFF felt like a mix of SUCCESSION (not as intense) and THE MORNING SHOW. If you like either of those two, I recommend you pick this up!

Overall, I felt THE TRADE OFF is a solid thriller that could’ve been more. I liked it, didn’t love it. But look forward to what Jones has next.

THE TRADE OFF is out now where books are sold. Let me know if you pick this one up.

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for the advanced copies!

THE TRADE OFF…⭐️⭐️⭐️

Buckle up book friends! If you had any thoughts that certain sectors of the news media may use unscrupulous, highly unethical methods to get a story, The Trade Off by Sandie Jones is not going to disabuse you of those ideas. An exploration of tabloid-esque news through the eyes of an idealistic reporter who thinks she can be the change, make a dent in the system. I experienced this in my favorite way to read through dual ebook/audiobook thanks to my friends Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio via Netgalley. The Trade Off is available today, 8/15/23.

Jess is thrilled to be The Globe’s newest editor. She begins to understand not just how people are coerced into giving interviews, but are set up into situations to create news stories to report. With support from higher up she is determined to begin to shift how things are done. The deeper Jess gets, the more she realizes she has no idea where anyone’s loyalty stands, and where her own safety lies.

Sandie Jones serves up a dishy tale with unlikeable players, a main character who is principled but flawed, and a boys club full of misogyny and privilege. I’m here for every naughty bit of it! I loved seeing Jess’s journey, her stumbles and triumphs. Keep an eye on Stella, she’s far more interesting than I’d anticipated!

The audiobook is narrated by Nathalie Buscombe, Sandie Jones, and Sofia Engstrand. These narrators did a fantastic job and adding a layer to the story that really worked. I highly recommend the dual book/audiobook reading experience that allows you to carry your story along when you’re walking, driving, or folding laundry. It truly maximizes reading time.

You’re going to want The Trade Off on your priority TBR for mystery thriller and suspense reading.

While I do enjoy how bingeable Sandie Jones’s thrillers normally are, this one didn’t work as well for me. I really enjoyed the themes (ie the tabloids and social media and how far people will go for the ultimate scoop) but the pacing felt off and I struggled to connect with any the characters.

Thank you Minotaur and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copies in exchange for my honest review.

Sandie Jones is an auto-read author for me. My favorite is still The Other Woman but The Trade Off is worth the read too. It’s definitely a quick read with a fast paced format— short chapters between two POVs. The first POV is Jess, a rookie reporter for The Globe. The other POV is Stella, long term reporter for the same paper that is a total cutthroat when it comes to journalism.

The Globe publishes an article causing the death of a celebrity and everything begins to unravel. Who is to blame— Jess for befriending the celeb and getting a story or Stella for publishing pictures that creates a huge storm. You can’t trust anyone or anything.

I liked the short chapters and the female empowerment in this one! Well done SJ! I’ll continue to add her books to my lists.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 (rounded up to 4⭐️ on Goodreads).

Many thanks to @minotaur_books and @macmillan.audio for sharing an early copy with me!

Two female journalists and alternating points of views. Jess, the fresh face on the scene who is trustworthy, and Stella, the veteran journalist who will say or do anything to get a story. Sandie Jones is a writer I haven't read before. I've heard wonderful things about her earlier works so I was eager to dive into this tone. Although there is some mild suspense, I wouldn't classify this as a thriller. The plot went a little too slowly for my taste, but it did pick up eventually. I won't reveal any details of the plot but there are enough twists that lead to a satisfying ending!

Thank you to St. Martins Press/NetGalley for an advance copy 💛

A behind the scenes look of two women working for The Globe: one who will do anything to get the story and the sales, and the other who firmly believes in telling only the truth and nothing else. But things start to take a turn for both of them when one story leads to some very unfortunate circumstances and more secrets about the magazine begin to unravel.

This book was not a thriller like I was expecting. In fact, it moved fairly slowly even in the somewhat suspenseful moments. It also got very dark with some themes I wasn’t expecting
(sexual assault, slander, suicide). This one ended up not being for me.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the advance copy.

This is good.
I love stories where women uncover and handle some corruption. The narrators were amazing. It had some sketchy moments I enjoyed. There is TON of action. It was definately more exciting than my usual listen.

Thank you for the ARC!

Is what the media telling and selling us truth, fiction or a sensationalized version of both? This book totally makes you question everything you hear and read. What lengths are reporters going to to get stories and fill copy and who are they taking down in the process.

I very much enjoyed this look inside the entertainment journalism industry and it really made me think about all of the stories that I've read and heard. It's also super timely with all of the headlines that are being thrown at us on a daily basis. This book nailed the dynamics and had me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who was bad, who was good and who was telling the truth.

This was an entertaining, quick read and another winner from Sandie Jones!

The Trade Off
By: Sandie Jones

I really enjoyed this novel as I studied Journalism in College.

We all know that reporting the news on TV or in magazines, depending on the type, most people strive for the perfect story. Whether the story is stretching the truth, completely true or a misconstrued is another story in itself. Everyone hears or witnesses something someone else might not.

The Globe’s deputy editor is Stella and she will do anything to get the story. Her reputation has made her who she is today.
The other character Jess who is a new reporter wants the truth and the tabloids can be tricky. We have all seen photographers and reporters waiting outside celebrities’ home or places they go to get the next big story. The Globe will suffer when a celebrity is pursued.
Fast paced and reminds me of some of the news in today’s world with some of the best selling magazines at the checkout counter of most grocery stores.
Thank you MacMillon for this advanced copy of The Trade Off. I have loved all her books, and this is another preorder for me. Available August 15th.

This book was a little slow and I found my thoughts wondering as I listened to the audiobook. I found that the story was not keeping me invested t in what was going on. The quality of the audiobook was good, I just didn’t love the book overall.

In an age where #FakeNews seems to be the trendy topic Sadie Jones' "Trade Off" shines a glaring light on the media industry.

How do the tabloids always get such juicy stories? What lengths are "reporters" willing to go to get a scoop? Is celebrity worth is?

Stella is a cut throat editor of The Globe, dead set on keeping this tabloid paper alive at any cost. Known for her brutal tactics and take no prisoners attitude she's one to be feared. But what about morality and ethics? Can Stella's new reporter hold on to her own morals?

A stunning inside look at the media industry!

I've enjoyed other books by Sandie Jones but this was a "quit" for me.

While I appreciate the author bringing to light the ugly (and true) side of "journalism" around celebrities; I found this story difficult to follow and very, very slow. I read a few spoilers / reviews and can tell at 25% it's time to give up. I know someone will die and don't care enough to read more and find out who or why. I am not invested in the story, the characters, or the globe.

Thanks netgalley for my ARC ALC. I still look forward to SJ's next book.

Would you tell a story if you knew it was a lie, or would you tell the truth and sleep at night? This is the question that two journalists must ask themselves. Stella is the deputy editor of The Globe, a London newspaper. For her, it doesn’t matter how low she has to stoop to get the best story, as long as it helps her climb to the top. For rookie reporter Jess, on the other hand, the story stops as soon as the truth does. But Jess knows that it will be hard to stop the dirty tricks of the tabloids. When a celebrity is harmed by the newspaper’s reporting, Jess wonders how much Stella and The Globe are responsible. Jess will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth, but someone else is willing to whatever it takes to bury it—even kill.

Wow, welcome to the competitive, ruthless world of tabloid journalism! This workplace suspense novel is an intense and realistic story about ethics, backstabbing, and crossing lines, all in the name of success. The beginning of the book started off slowly, but things picked up in the second half. As Jess began investigating her colleagues at The Globe, the book became much more fast-paced and full of unexpected twists and turns. A very interesting take on the dark side of the media and the tactics they take to get a story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.