Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced audiobook copy. This was a DNF for me. I just couldn’t get interested in the it. Stopped at the 30% mark. The audio was fine, it was just the story.

Reading Between the Wines book review #102/115 for 2023:
Rating: 3 🍷 🍷 🍷
Book: The Trade Off
Author: Sandie Jones
Releases Aug 15, 2023!

Sipping thoughts: I loved Sandie Jones, and while I enjoyed this book, it wasn't my favorite of hers. It was definitely the error of #MeToo and the movies Bombshell and She Said. There was definitely a level of surprise and twist and kept my interest. While this was not my favorite Jones book, I can't wait until the next release.

Cheers and thank you to @NetGalley and @MacmillanAudio for an advanced copy of @TheTradeOff.

#TheTradeOff #SandieJones #MacmillanAudio #NetGalley #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult @JoannaSchaffhausen @Minotaur_Books

This week I listened to The Trade Off by Sandie Jones. Her newest novel explores the dark side of the media, especially when it comes to covering celebrities and British tabloids. Jess, one of two POVs that tell the story, is the only likable character. However, that is on purpose and the point. Jess is also the only journalist in the story that actually holds herself to an ethical code. I recommend this book if you like psychological thrillers, reality TV, and celebrity gossip. The audiobook is an easy listen and well narrated.

Thank you @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for allowing me to listen to this audiobook ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

How far would you go to get the story you want to publish, even if it doesn't reflect the whole truth? Welcome to the merciless, competitive, dog-eat-dog universe of tabloid journalism! This is a realistic workplace thriller that questions ethics, crosses lines, threatens the private lives of celebrities, fabricates stories, and explores the several faces of truth. The 2 dueling POVs from Stella and Jess propel the story ever more increasingly. You'll be on the edge of your seat toward the end.
Overall, this book takes a realistic approach to tabloid journalism, reflecting its ugly face and emphasizing how compelling it is to survive in this industry. You have two choices: become the hunter or the prey.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio e-arc.*

The Trade Off was so intense and riveting, I was completely absorbed and listened to it within a day. I cheered for the virtuous and naive main character, Jess, as she navigated the treacherous world of tabloid journalism. I loved the drama and the gasp-worthy moments throughout the book. I’ve read all of Sandie Jones’ books and declare this to be her best yet! Special thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was not for me. Took too long to get to the plot. The characters was one dimensional.. it just didn’t connect.

****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

I have read several of Sandie Jones's books and they are very hit or miss for me. I either love them or loathe them. This one, unfortunately, falls to the latter.

Told in two POVs, both are tabloid journalists working for The Globe. Stella is seasoned and will get the story at all costs. Jess is new and shocked by what she finds.

Maybe the setting was part of the issue for me- it is exhausting in real life and I don't really want to read about it. I feel it became more polarizing leading up to the 2016 US election, and then was exacerbated by the pandemic. With the rise in social media over that time frame, there is no where to hide.

I am trying to say this may be a "me" thing, rather than the book. I wanted to DNF early on, but persevered. Can't say that I am glad I did. I am pretty ambivalent about it. I found the events predictable, which didn't help matters.

I listened to the audiobook. It is narrated by Nathalie Buscombe and Sofia Engstrand. Nothing of note except I felt their pacing wasn't exactly matched. It felt slow during Jess's chapters, but had I sped it up, I think Stella's would have been too fast.

I received an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

I read the book first and then I listened to it, which made the experience even better. I really liked the part about strong women in the book. The people talking in the audiobook made the characters feel real, especially the strong women. Even when things didn't go well in the story, the writing was true and honest. It felt like the story was telling me to keep going and not give up.

The characters in the story went through ups and downs, just like we do in real life. The story didn't hide the tough parts, which made it easier to relate to. This connection to real life made the characters' struggles feel like something we all go through.

The message that stuck with me is about not giving up, especially when things are hard. It's like the story was saying, "Don't stop, no matter how tough it gets." This made me think about my own problems and how I can keep trying. The story felt like it was talking about my own life.

In a world where everyone has problems, the book's ideas about strong women and facing challenges with honesty are like a guiding light. It reminds us that problems are normal and that being strong means not letting them control us. The way the story tells us this shows how good the author is at making us feel things and want to do better.

To wrap it up, the book talks about strong women and facing problems with honesty. Reading it first and then listening to it felt like the story was talking to me personally. It makes me want to keep going, even when things are tough.

Copied from Goodreads: A bit predictable but overall an engrossing story about power and empowerment. The characters were well-developed. I related to them so much that I physically cringed in empathy when I knew one of them was falling into a trap. I can’t speak to the accuracy of the British press, it seemed accurate.

Definitely worth picking up if you are a fan of thrillers, #metoo, and empowerment.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio via NetGalley for providing this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

How far will one go to have a hot story? What tactics would one use to get the "story" before anyone else does? What if that story is a lie?

This book explores the ugly side of the tabloid press utilizing two journalists. Stella is a seasoned journalist who will do whatever she needs to do to come out on top. Jess is a new journalist who questions the ethics of reporting and believes in telling the truth.

When a celebrity pays the ultimate price after being hounded, Jess is determined to uncover the truth....

This book was slow, and I struggle with slower paced books. It does pick up but never fully won me over. I didn't care enough about any of the characters and found myself being bored at times.

I had both the book and the audiobook and mainly listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration. It is a shame that the narration could not win me over. Too slow for me, but I did appreciate how the author showed the ugly side of tabloid journalist and the tactics utilized to hound celebrities to break the news first.

I have enjoyed other books by Sandie Jones and was shocked that this one didn't work for me. We can't love them all. As I have enjoyed her previous books, I will happily read what she writes next. Others have enjoyed this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well.

Although this book did not work for me, It was well written and I enjoyed that she showed the perspective of both Jess and Stella.

3.5/5 stars

Thank you Macmillan audio for the advanced listening copy!

Stella, deputy editor of The Globe, is willing to do anything to get a story, no matter how much she has to manipulate things. Jess, rookie reporter and new addition to The Globe, focuses more on the truth of the stories she's reporting. When their reporting directly affects a beloved celebrity and causes an upset they could have never intended, Jess's conscious forces her to explore what hand The Globe, and Stella, had in the process. Determined to expose The Globe for what it is, Jess goes undercover and finds herself knee-deep in a situation far more dangerous than she realized.

I was instantly drawn in by this one! From the beginning, the storyline was fascinating and mysterious, leaving me unable to put this book down! Stella and Jess both had their own motivations, but the ways that their characters interacted and related to each other was so enticing, making it difficult to choose who to root for. There were some clever twists throughout this story, and a love of events I was definitely not expecting. On the whole, this wasn't the most complex thriller and I thought the ending became a bit rushed, but I enjoyed it overall! This was great on audio and I thought both narrators did a fantastic job!

Jess was so excited to start her big career off at The Globe, a large tabloid. Would you do anything to get your story? Thats what question Jess faces as she works for the cut thraot Stella. I really enjoyed the snow balling , bad things and bad people just keep coming! Overall this was a fun read .and with The audiobook made the book even more enjoyable. i really liked the Narrator and looking forward to more reading by her.

Thank you to @Macmillanaudio, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for my #gifted copies.

This is my fourth Sandie Jones novel and it pains me to give it only 3 stars. I've enjoyed her previous books a lot, and without even reading the description, I requested The Trade Off on Netgalley based only on my love of Jones.

I should have read the description.

The premise is tabloid journalism (in the UK, but let's be honest, it's the same in the US), the #metoo movement, lying for profit, consequences based on bad journalism.... in other words, not escapism fiction. That said, as an American immersed in the decline of society and determinedly a blue voter continually contacting my representatives, watching all the news, having my heart ripped out as The Fourth Estate has crumbled into persuading readers/watchers versus presenting facts......I need my fiction to feel like fiction. In this time, The Trade Off was too close to reality (well done Ms. Jones) and not at all what this reader needs to distract from Rome burning.

If you are not as emotional as I have been about society for the last 7 years, then this may absolutely be your book.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this advance copy in exchange for my review.

I really enjoy Sandie’s writing, but something about this book didn’t quite do it for me. It felt less like a thriller and more like dramatic fiction (which is FINE) but I went into it expecting the thrill.
In that sense it reminded me a lot of Yellowface. (Not from a plot standpoint but just the stuck somewhere between drama and thriller.)
What I did like was the rawness to how tabloids can affect the #MeToo movement negatively.

3.5 stars rounding up

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Sandie Jones for the advanced copy of The Trade Off in exchange for my honest review!

This was a fun, twisty, fast-paced read. Perfect for a pool day! I liked that we got POV chapters from both our female main characters, Stella and Jess. I also was never quite sure who I should be trusting until the very end, and I liked being kept on my toes in that respect.

I think fans of Jones' previous books will definitely enjoy this one.

The Trade Off will be on US bookshelves next Tuesday August 15!

What a wild ride this book was! I absolutely loved following two different journalists. One who is seasoned and will do anything for a story (Stella). And a newer one who’s a little bit shy and still wants to do the right thing (Jess). It was so fascinating watching how the two women worked completely different. I definitely got a certain feeling about the two and was pleasantly surprised at the end to find out I was wrong. This book is full of twists and turns you won’t see coming!

Sandie Jones explores the exploits of tabloid journalism in her latest psychological thriller. This was a bit mediocre for me. There was a lot going on and a lot of characters to keep straight, especially for the audio version. The plot was ok but there was nothing that really wowed me. Still, I respect where the author was going with this and how she relayed a difficult topic. The narrator also did a good job.

Rookie reporter Jess has just started working for The Globe, quickly learning the scandalous world of the tabloids and the lengths a reporter will go to for a story. When a false story gets reported and things turn deadly, Jess wants to expose The Globe for their fake news, but the tabloid will go to great lengths to ensure that doesn't happen.

The first half of this book was pretty much a media room drama with not a ton going on. Right at the 50% mark, the story picks up and things get a bit more interesting and faster paced. Unfortunately I think the slower start made me lose interest and wasn't really able to get back into it. I wasn't the biggest fan of the narrative but I did like the dual for multiple POV's. Readers who like a slow burn take of revenge will likely enjoy this book.

Really disappointed in this one. I like Jones’ other books so this felt like a let down. It was just meh. Felt way too drawn out with nothing buzzy or new about it. Skimmed the last few chapters. I would skip.

3.5-stars - a little too expect the expected for me, but I was still fully sucked into the story.

The story centers around Stella, a seasoned deputy editor at The Globe, and Jess, a rookie reporter with a strong moral compass. The plot explores the world of tabloid journalism and its relentless pursuit of sensational stories. When a celebrity's life is tragically affected by The Globe's invasive tactics, Jess questions the paper's ethics and Stella's ruthless approach. What's more important: the truth or the story; the secrets or not.

The characters are well-crafted with distinct personalities and motivations. Jess's determination to uncover the truth and her internal struggle with the consequences of her actions make her a compelling protagonist. Stella's unwavering dedication to her career adds complexity to her character, even if it often puts her at odds with Jess. Throw in a handful of men with questionable actions and motives and the blame seems to be pointed in all directions.

The exploration of themes like justice, revenge, innocence, and guilt adds depth to the narrative, allowing readers to reflect on the ethical implications of journalism's pursuit of sensationalism. The tension escalates as the story unfolds, leading to a satisfying climax that ties up loose ends and delivers a final twist.

"The Trade Off" offers a gripping premise that delves into the ethical complexities of tabloid journalism - with a theme of the #MeToo movement. Overall, I enjoyed it!