3 stars. This had the makings of a fun domestic thriller, set in a luxurious Cabo resort, juicy gossip, and the classic whodunnit setup. It was a quick and easy read, and the writing flowed well, especially with the back-and-forth between present scenes and past flashbacks.

That said, it didn’t fully land for me. Shay wasn’t the most compelling narrator, and by the halfway mark, I found myself wishing for multiple POVs to balance her out.

The “big secret” wasn’t so big, the cartel storyline felt like a lazy twist, and the ending tied things up way too neatly. Although, I was able to guess the killer, I’d still recommend this to fans of domestic thrillers looking for a quick beach read but it wasn’t a standout for me personally.

✨Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.✨

I appreciate having a copy to review- thank you! I wavered between a 3 and 4 when considering # of stars for this one. I liked the plot and setting, but it had a slightly slower pace. Despite that, the ending was one that I could appreciate. I enjoyed it well enough overall, so I think it's about a 3.5 (rounded up to 4).

Three stars. This book was fine. Not bad but didn’t really stand out to me. I finished it a couple of weeks ago and don’t find it to be very memorable…

This was a quick and easy read with some twists, but the ending was easy to guess. The characters weren’t very likable, but the affair was interesting, and I enjoyed reading about the details of the beautiful wedding.

This was a really fun one!! I felt like it was “And Then There Were None” meets Bravo TV. So much fun and I read it in just a day or two because I needed to know what happened next!

Thank you to NetGalley and The William Morrow Team for the E-ARC.

I have always wanted to go to an Indian wedding. I think the traditions are stunning! First, it’s more than a day event. It’s usually between 3-4 days and the decor and outfits are STUNNING. Colors are everywhere! It’s so vibrant and beautiful! The intricacies of the Mehndi and how beautiful it is, with sometimes the hidden grooms name! It’s just such a fun, beautiful, amazing cultural thing that I have always wanted to experience! I hope to get to experience it for real some day!!!

But until then, this books description of it was so good! The small little wedding details with the invites and descriptions of the days. I’m not sure what it had to do with the book but I absolutely loved it. And if the only purpose was to give more insight into traditional cultural weddings… chefs kiss! The mention of the Holi was amazing. Another cultural/ religious celebration that I hope I get to experience. I would love to experience any and all cultural and religious situation. How beautiful to get to be a part of other peoples cultures. Until then, S.C Lalli did a beautiful job of making me feel like I was in this book. Everything was so beautifully described. While also being a little scary cause of the murders.

The twists had me guessing until the end. The book is described as white lotus meets the guest list and I think that is an amazing description. This book was suspenseful, cute, funny, sad, and beautiful.

Shay is invited to the wedding of the year! Radhika, a social media influencer and sister of a highly influential skin care guru is marrying Raj, the son of a wealthy hotel empire. Shay is dating the best friend of Raj, Caleb. She arrives a few days before the wedding but a few days after the wedding party. Chaos follows when Radhika and Raj are found dead. Who did it? Who is safe? Was it drug related? Was it someone in the family? Who did it? Caleb, Zara (the skin care guru sister, and Sean (Rajs cousin turned brother) were the only people with access to their hotel room. Did they do it, or did they help someone? You’ll have to read and find out.

Destination Wedding • A Double Homicide

A destination wedding that is called off because the bride and grooms bodies are found, guest asked to leave as immediate family are helping to solve the murder. The question is who did it and why?

Seems as though many had a reason... good read!

This book kicked off with a bang, giving off major White Lotus vibes. I was really into the locked-room mystery buildup, but the cartel angle took it in a direction I wasn’t expecting. I found myself wishing for more focus on the characters’ hidden secrets rather than the back-and-forth around ethics and the cartel, but overall, the story kept me hooked.

Shay’s character did feel a bit immature and naive at times, especially considering some of her decisions, but I appreciated her determination to make things right. Despite a few bumps, this was an enjoyable read, and I’d definitely recommend it!

A lot of people seem to like this, but I found it kind of tropey. I don't know. It was just another of the same old thing, I guess.

I liked this one and thought it was interesting. It had some suspense and was a fun read but didn’t really stand out as anything different.

The narrative flows smoothly, transitioning between present scenes and past flashbacks. (Although I struggle to follow time hopping -these flashbacks provide valuable backstories for the main characters) I found some of the flashbacks to be somewhat dry. The pacing is sometimes quite fast but at times, but other times I felt like it dragged. Overall, the story maintains a swift momentum, carrying the reader along.

I was moderately surprised by the twists, which kept me engaged until the final pages.

This book would be enjoyed by someone who likes smart thrillers featuring a strong female lead and flawed characters.

I feel like this book is worth your time.

Wow, this was my first book by this author and I would for sure read one. What a ride! I enjoy the suspense and the pacing throughout.

After making it 60% through, I just can’t anymore. I don’t like a single character and the story is both too complex and somehow too boring. I kept waiting for something to hook me, but it never came.

The date to the best man of a lavish wedding finds the groom dead the night before the wedding. The story is well done and I got into the book. It is done with some dual timelines which bother me sometimes, but these were not to bad. I got into the book and I read it fairly quick. There was a lot to the story and some good twists!

• Viral Influencers • Dysfunctional Families • Tropical Destination Wedding • Secret Agendas • A Double Homicide • 


What happens when the biggest wedding of the year gets called off because someone murders the bride and groom? The wedding party and most of their guests have already arrived at Blush- an exclusive resort in Cabo- when the bride and groom's bodies are discovered. Everyone is shocked- but someone had to do it? Who is lying and why?

SC Lalli writes a thrilling mystery following Shay (the "plus one") as she tries to uncover what happened to the idolized couple on what was supposed to be the best week of their lives. I had theory after theory on who was behind the murders, but I couldn't completely predict this one! There were so many twists and unanswered questions to keep the reader engaged. The plot did drag at times (especially in the beginning), and I never formed a connection with any of the characters. The unsolved mystery kept the book's momentum and I found myself flying through the second half.

S.C. Lalli’s The Plus One is a gripping, suspense-filled mystery that deftly blends family drama, secrets, and a murder investigation against a lavish, high-stakes backdrop. Set against the glamorous wedding of Radhika Singh and Raj Joshi at a luxury resort in Cabo, the story follows Shaylee "Shay" Kapoor, who finds herself embroiled in a world of wealth and excess as she accompanies her boyfriend, Caleb Prescott III, to the high-profile event.

But what begins as a celebration of love soon spirals into chaos when the bride and groom are found dead, each with a gunshot to the head. The investigation reveals a web of secrets, lies, and possible motives, all set against the opulent yet tense atmosphere of the resort. As the police investigate, suspicion falls on a small group of people with access to the couple’s room, including Shay and those closest to the bride and groom.

Lalli masterfully develops a cast of complex, multi-dimensional characters, and Shay is particularly compelling as an outsider with her own secrets, who may be the only person able to piece together the fragmented puzzle. Her outsider perspective and critical thinking make her both relatable and resourceful, driving the investigation forward with insight and determination.

With its mix of personal betrayals, cultural dynamics, and high-society drama, The Plus One is a fast-paced, page-turning thriller. Lalli keeps readers on edge, twisting the plot with unexpected revelations and a jaw-dropping finale. This debut is a standout, offering a delightful combination of suspense, intrigue, and rich storytelling that will satisfy fans of both mystery and contemporary fiction.

I could not get into this book. I read it and re-read the beginning several times and it did not grab my attention. I love murder mysteries and read 100+ books a year for my library and unfortunately the lack of character development and loose plot left me hanging.

A murder at a wedding, a plus one who's not who she says she is. This book had very strong White Lotus vibes, and I'm a sucker for an unreliable narrator who's keep all her secrets close.

Quick, easy, read with some twists and turns, but ultimately an easy to guess ending. Characters weren't very likeable, but the affair sounded amazing and I enjoyed reading about the details of this magnificent wedding to be.

Quick and easy read with unreliable narrator and dual timelines. The beach/resort setting has been a little overdone for me lately but I would still recommend this book for anyone looking for a popcorn thriller.