This is a fun read. I don’t think it’s one I will remember or think about, but it was entertaining while reading.
This story follows a close knit group of friends. When Chloe turns down Luke’s proposal she fractured the friendships but tries to mend it during their group trip to the emerald coast.
Again, I liked this one, but didn’t love it.
Thank you netgalley for the arc!

Chloe finds herself feeling uncertain that she made the correct choice after leaving behind everything that she has ever known on the West Coast to attend university in Tennessee. After the conclusion of her first semester, she is packing up to head home early for winter break when she meets Luke, a classically handsome guy who appeared in her doorway. Seeing as how she made the decision to not return for the spring semester, she indulges this man’s attempts to get to know her. One thing led to the next, and she finds herself situated at a Waffle House table with four other people that are all friends with Luke, and this chance meet changes the trajectory of her entire life.
The Group Trip explores finding yourself, your found family, the intricacies of those relationships, and ultimately your place in the world. Spanning a decade, we are shown different events that have shaped the friend group, changed the friend group, and threatened to break apart the friend group. This was a quick read that did a fantastic job of letting you get to know the characters and allowing you to bond with them over their triumphs and tribulations.

Wow. Let me just first put out there, I wish I had a friend group that still stuck together since college. I love how the friend group was more family than friends. You follow a group of 6 friends from college to adulthood.

I really enjoyed the book. I really liked the characters, enough that I didn’t want it to end. I did correctly guess on what would happen at the end but it was still worth getting to the end. Honestly, if there was a second book with the same characters, I would also read that one. 100% recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for a copy in exchange for a honest review.

A beautifully told story of a group of college friends, whose relationships evolve over the years, and not all in positive ways. A story of friendship; having it, keeping it, and growing with the changes in it.

This is about a group of six friends who have been friends for as long as they can remember. There are a couple of couples within this group so when Chloe refuses Luke’s marriage proposal, there ends up being a fracture within the group. I loved every single relationship in this book, especially the friendships.

This is an interesting story about five college friends that take a group trip every year until it becomes awkward after two of the friends in the group break up. After drifting apart they come together again for a trip that will change their lives forever. I loved the characters and their dynamics with each other. I also found it interesting that the story jumps back and forth between the present and the past in descending order. It worked well with the storytelling. There was a bit too much sex talk for me, but it didn’t feel totally inappropriate or flippant. I loved how the fire put things into perspective for the friends and gave them a stronger bond. It was the perfect way to close the story!

Triggers: miscarriages,fertility issues, and house fire

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was a captivating read about a group of friends. As an adult I’m a bit envious of their friendship. It’s really hard to find a friendship like the one they have. The story drew me in almost immediately but I do feel like it was missing that spark. Overall this is a 3.5 star read for me but rounding up.

The Group Trip starts out leaving you wondering about one woman’s doubts about her nine-year relationship, then slowly drip-feeds you all the reasons why she balked at the last minute. But this story is about so much more than one relationship, it’s about the infinite number of relationships we have with our friends — and ourselves — that truly remind us who we are, even as we (and they) grow and change.

I enjoyed this book and Audrey’s storytelling of a group trip gone tragically wrong, and all the friendships that proved to be so much more important than what was lost.

Thank you Alcove Press and Net Galley for an UNBELIEVABLE book The Group Trip. I LOVED the chairs on the cover and it drew me in since I usually don't read these types of books. What a FANTASTIC READ!!!! I felt like I was right there through the years with this group. I kind of knew the ending was going to happen with one couple and I was overjoyed with the ending for ALL of them. I CANNOT say enough about this book and already 2 people are going to the library to see if they can get. I'm still crying with the emotions this brought out in me, just so, so, so good. Thank you again.

I enjoyed reading this book. I wasn’t able to relate to the characters as much as I would like but the writing and story were great and I recommend it.

As a military wife who's been moving around since she graduated high school, I have to say I'm a bit envious of the friendships in this book. It's hard to make real friends as an adult because we're all so busy with school, kids, work, extracurricular activities, responsibilities and everything else in life. This book focuses on a group of 6 friends as they transition into adulthood, leave college and begin their lives.

The group is reunited with a trip to the beautiful 30A destination in Florida. 30A is absolutely stunning and I loved that setting in the book. The author did an amazing job at describing the area and using actual places. We used to live an hour away from there so it brought back memories, it also made my mouth water for the delicious seafood that I miss more than imaginable.

The book was dual timeline, going back and forth between present day and flashbacks, this aspect really helped build the characters and give the reader more insight to their group dynamic. Audrey Ingram gives us twists and turns, life lessons, and many different emotions throughout. There's tension, secrets and a shifting group dynamic but can their friendship overcome these obstacles?

Majority of the characters were likable and relatable, Luke was my least favorite. I think the friendship as a whole was realistically portrayed and I enjoyed that they each had their own flaws & imperfections. Readers that enjoy books with strong friend groups will like this one! If Happy Place by Emily Henry was your jam, make sure to read this one too. It would be a great summer beach/vacation read too.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved the friendship between the group and how the timeline changes from the present to the past giving us more insight to the relationship dynamic between the friends. This book beautifully encompasses how one can tend to lose themselves in a relationship. It was very difficult for me to stop reading this book and I finished it within days. I loved the author's writing and will be reading more of her works.

Tried multiple times and just could not get into this book. I struggled to care about the characters.

EXCERPT: Chloe swims out as far as she can and when she finally surfaces, it's the smell she notices first.
She doesn't think much of it, assuming it's another one of the elaborate bonfires being set up. Or maybe a spill of kerosene from the tiki torches. But when she hears the shriek, Chloe knows something is wrong.
Chloe turns around and sees flames on the back deck. They spread quickly, the entire back of the house soon engulfed. She swims to shore, her heart and breath in a competition to see which one is going to give out first. Her eyes scan the shoreline, trying to count the friends running out of the house.
It happens so fast. Chloe thinks that a whole home shouldn't burn so quickly. But it does. Giant clouds of grey smoke billow up into the sky as she hears sirens approaching.
When Chloe finally reaches the sand, she's grateful for the first time this week that they've gathered close together. The water beads on her bare skin as she joins her friends, their eyes focused on the flames. Everyone's breath is ragged. No one is speaking, paralyzed by shock and fear. Chloe counts. One. Two. Three, Four.
Sloane.
Alden.
Marianne.
Wyatt.
When the house explodes, the flames having reached the propane tank in the basement, Chloe's eyes dart back and forth from the house to the beach, scanning for another person.
'Luke!' Chloe screams.
But no one answers.

ABOUT 'THE GROUP TRIP': Sloane and Alden. Chloe and sometimes Luke. Steady Marianne. Reserved Wyatt. The six friends meet in their freshman year of college and quickly become inseparable as they navigate the bumpy road into adulthood. Over the next decade, they support each other through love and heartbreak, promotions and burnouts, stupid mistakes and epic dance parties.

But when Chloe inexplicably refuses Luke’s long-awaited proposal, their breakup fractures the close-knit group. Uncertain about the future of their friendship, they all reluctantly agree to gather for a luxury getaway on Florida’s Emerald Coast. As Chloe struggles to mend what she broke, the friends discover they’ve all kept secrets from the people who are supposed to know them best. Between beach bonfires and fried seafood dinners, the friends confront who they’ve become while longing for their carefree past.

MY THOUGHTS: Remember your young adult years, that tight group of friends that was the nucleus of your life? For most of us, that nucleus dissolves over the years as friends move away, get married, have children . . . but in this case it was Chloe who bowed out after refusing Luke's proposal. Sloane is determined to get Luke and Chloe back together, for reasons of her own.

The plot is engaging, and I enjoyed the to and froing between the current times - in their late twenties - and their college years. For Chloe and Luke, the attraction was instantaneous, like metal filings to a magnet. I loved the story of their relationship, not all of which is told until after Chloe refuses Luke's proposal. I must admit, that stunned me! But I did come to understand and respect her reasoning.

This is another good example of outsiders looking in at someone's seemingly privileged life and making the wrong assumptions. Even close friends can do the same, as is the case here. They all have problems and secrets that they're not as willing to share as they had been in earlier years and this put a strain on the friendships. One or two of the group are quite manipulative characters which leads to all sorts of dramas.

My favorite quote: There's never a good time to follow your dreams. You just do it.

I liked, but didn't love this novel. It was a quick easy read which kept me entertained, but I doubt I'll remember it in a couple of weeks time.

⭐⭐⭐.8

#TheGroupTrip #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Audrey currently lives in Virginia with her husband and three children. When not writing, she can be found digging in her garden or hiking the Blue Ridge mountains.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Alcove Press via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Group Trip by Audrey Ingram for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

The Group Trip by Audrey Ingram was such an amazing story that highlights true friendship for a group of six people. It very much reminded me of Firefly Lane, showing the tight, closeknit bond that people create and would do anything for those they loved. Overall, this was such a great story and I am so appreciative to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Amazing friendships formed in this one. Friendships to last a life time can be rare. This book definitely resonated as I was always the friend who tried to keep everyone together - planning things, etc. This story is about life's up and downs and your circle of friendship - do they last or leave? You get some current POV's and flashback POV's - with some beach vibes, you follow this group on life's journey - with relationships, break-ups, marriages, etc. Thank you to Net Galley and Alcove Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Chloe and her friends met back in college, and they became family to one another, and then real life starts to get in the way. I enjoyed reading about Chloe and her friends with the minor quibble I could see the story resolution coming, but it was still a pleasant journey. The story is told in the present day and flashing back in time moving through the years as the real story starts to reveal itself. That storytelling mechanism works well.

All in all an enjoyable beach read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. The Group Trip is available now.

Thanks to new galley for the advanced reader copy. The Group Trip helped me round out my summer time reading. I love “a best friend group with love stories” story and this book featured everything i like best. I did feel the book was a bit longer than it needed to be in the middle. 3.5 stars

Rating: 5 ⭐️
Pub Date: August 13, 2024
How I Read It: 📱

Synopsis
Sloane, Alden, Chloe, Luke, Wyatt, and Marianne; six friends who met their freshman year of college and were inseparable, becoming each other’s family. But then Luke proposed to Chloe, and Chloe couldn’t say yes, so their world suddenly changed. A year later, Sloane is fed up and determined to get Luke and Chloe back together, so she invites them all to her home on Florida’s Emerald Coast to save their relationship and get their family back together once again.

My Thoughts
This book starts with a BANG, literally, an explosion, and you’re wondering the whole book if one of the characters is dead because somebody is missing. This book was so good! I couldn’t put it down! I loved the setting, the character development, the friendships, and the anticipation to see if one of the friends died. This book tugs on your heartstrings and you will be jealous of the friendships formed. I would have to say, my favorite character was Wyatt. I won’t say why - you will see for yourself! This is the perfect end of summer read.

❗️Of Note
Death

Themes
Dual timelines
Friendships
Family

Ratings
Characters: 4.5 ⭐️
Pace: 4.5 ⭐️
Enjoyability: 5 ⭐️

Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

GOT TO LOVE A GOOD FRIEND CIRCLE! Six friends met in college and have stuck together ever since. That is until two in the group should be celebrating a wedding proposal. Why are they not? Well that's because Chloe turns Luke down. So naturally what do you do? You get everyone together anyway and this was the exact idea Solan had when she invited everyone to Florida. Well little did they know that this trip would stir up emotions, drama, and well secrets of course.

I absolutely loved all the POVs in the book. This book was relatable and had all the feels.

Quick Summary: Sloane, Alden, Chloe, Luke, Marianne, and Wyatt are all friends who met in college. Of course they stuck together and have carried each other through the ups and downs of adulthood. However the downs really hit when Luke proposed to Chloe and she said no.
So naturally what's a better way to get everyone together than a trip.