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.

So, I just finished The Plus One by S.C. Lalli, and I have to say—it was fine. Not bad, not amazing, just… fine. It’s the kind of book where you can see the potential for something really great, but it doesn’t quite stick the landing.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this title.

When can anyone have a posh, exclusive destination wedding without a murder? I’m going to say…. Not very often. This book was full of twists and turns but it was a bit predictable. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters but it was a quick read.

Thank you netgalley for the arc of the plus one in exchange for my honest review. I did not get to this one before the release date unfortunately. The beginning of this book is good but the pace slows down considerably. Set in Cabo with the backdrop of an lavish Indian wedding a double murder and investigation takes place. There are not many twists and turns and there is a semi happily ever after for Shay our main character. Pick this one up if you like a bollywood whodunit but lots of family issues

This was a great read! I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was hooked and read the whole book in three days! Loved it

This book started out with a bang, giving off The White Lotus vibes. I was really enjoying the locked room mystery build-up until the cartel suggestion. I wish there was more about the character's hidden secrets than the back and forth of ethics and cartel, but I enjoyed the story overall. Shay's character felt a bit immature and naive to be doing some of the things she was doing, but I appreciate her efforts to right the wrongs. Overall, this was a great read and I'd definitely recommend it!!

A very well done mystery thriller. The main character is relatable and he story line moves swiftly. Thanks for sharing with us.

"The Plus One", at the heart, is a murder mystery steeped in culture. When Shay and her boyfriend, Caleb, travel to Cabos to attend the wedding of a couple involved in two high-profile businesses, the start of the festivities ends quickly after the couple is murdered. Shay and Caleb both have secrets of their own and work to keep those while also keeping themselves from danger.
Overall, this was a fun book. I enjoyed getting to explore more of different cultures and the reasoning behind the actions of various characters. However, I believe there was a little too much explanation in terms of suspects, which led to several outcomes being possible. The end answer as fine but nothing spectacular for me.
S. C. Lalli does put together a mystery that keeps the reader engaged, as well as adding in dual timelines for some more background information, but I feel there was too MUCH background information for me to stay focused on the mystery on hand.

I really struggled to finish this book. The story seemed like it was going to be very interesting but I found it to be boring. There was no build up and the book just dragged on. The characters weren’t my favorite which can make or break a book for me. I really wanted to like this book but it didn’t have me ok the edge of my seat. Thank you NetGalley, S.C. and William Morrow for the ARC!