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.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars rounded up.

I thought this was a very realistic portrayal of friendship and life as adults. These characters went through very real things that people experience every day, so even if you don’t directly relate to the struggles personally, you can still understand how the characters were feeling. All the characters had very real and raw problems that they had to work through.

At first I liked that it went back and forth from present to past until we got the full picture of what happened. It was nice to see a build up of the inner workings of their friendship. But by the end I liked the present times better than the past because I felt some of the past scenes weren’t super necessary for the plot and I wanted to know what was going to happen in the future.

I felt for Chloe and how she always felt that she was alone or out of the group. She did it to herself sometimes, but I can see how she felt that way with them already being so close before she met them.

I really liked Sloane even though she was a little uptight. You could tell how much she cared about the people she loves even if she came across blunt or harsh at times. She was my favorite other than Chloe. I really loved Sloane and Alden’s relationship, especially by the end of the book when we got to see more of them together. They seemed like a healthy couple.

I thought Alden and Marianne weren’t fleshed out AS much, but I still liked them as characters. They all had a great friendship. Marianne was a little ruined for me when she defended Luke’s actions but I didn’t hate her. I know that’s your friend too, but it made me feel icky and that she wasn’t a girls girl like Sloane. She redeemed herself in the end when she really supported Chloe when everything was revealed.

I really liked Chloe and Wyatt together, but he SHOULD have said something to her, even if him and Luke were best friends. I know they are human so they aren’t perfect and can be messy, but it made me so angry. I’m so proud of Chloe for trusting her gut and not settling just because they were together for a while.

Luke was very charming at first, but from the beginning after the dance scene I was very put off by him. As each moment got revealed on what he did I kept saying to myself “girl why are you still with him!?” It makes me sad the friends kept pushing for them to be together even though they knew what he was doing. The amount of times they said “he’s drunk he won’t remember this” like that’s a GOOD thing made me sick to be honest. I would have dropped a man over less, maybe after one time but definitely after two.

It was hard for me to give it more than 4 stars because of how upset everything that Luke did made me. I think forgiveness is a good thing, but Luke just wasn’t a good person most of the time. People can change, but they seemed to accept him pretty quickly even before he changed. He got his happy ending pretty much right away before he made any progress, which makes me so frustrated. I know a long term friendship history might make it hard to drop him right away, but just because Chloe was able to find a happy ending doesn’t mean they can let him off the hook that easily.

This book was very descriptive, it felt like I was there experiencing it for myself. It was easy to read and enjoyable to see the characters grow and be there for each other in the hard times, even if they fought or got angry at each other sometimes. It is nice to see a group of friends and characters in their late twenties, especially because I can relate to that age range.

There were a lot of good morals in here like never settling, staying true to yourself and how you should chase your dreams and goals even if other people tell you not to. It had a nice message, even if some of it frustrated me. It was very realistic and I can’t help but enjoy reading that.

I really enjoyed this novel. I loved the friendships they had together and they stayed connected. I loved the twists and turns of the end although I felt it ended too quickly. I also felt all was forgiven too quickly. I will definitely look for more books by Audrey Ingram.

I think I may have just found my new favorite author. Audrey Ingram is a master at her craft and I feel like she is going to be big. I had the pleasure of reading this, as well as her forthcoming Zibby Books novel, and if she’s not on your TBR, add her stat!

College brings six friends together, and over the course of the next decade, they support one another through the ups and downs of adulthood. There’s love and heartbreak, promotions and burnouts, and stupid mistakes, but above all, Sloane, Alden, Chloe, Luke, Marianne and Wyatt are there for one another.

But when Chloe refuses Luke’s long-awaited proposal, their breakup sends the group into a tailspin. All reluctantly agree to meet up for a luxury getaway to mend what’s broken, but is the group beyond repair? Do the friends really know one another? Can they ever be the same?

This book had me aching to touch base with my college roomies, and had me feeling some pretty deep feels about the ways in which we lean on one another in times of need. Ingram masterfully captures the joys and pains of friendship, and I cannot wait for others to get their hands on her books. In the vein of Kristy Woodson Harvey and Elin Hilderbrand, she is one not to miss.

Thank you to Audrey Ingram, Alcove Press and NetGalley for an advance e-copy for an honest review.

This is one of those books where you start reading and it feels like picking up where you left off with old friends. I was immediately invited into the story of 6 friends and their decade long friendship of ups and downs.

Told in alternating time lines from the past and present, the writing weaved me in and out of the intricacies of friendship as well as the divide that naturally occurs as college students become young adult professionals.

The book started off strong and captivating but became a bit predictable as the story progressed. Despite that, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. This is a great summer read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alcove Press and Audrey Ingram for an advanced digital reader’s copy.

3.5 round to.a.4. Dual time lines easily followed, characters well developed and could describe some of your own high school or collefe.friends. For me, it was totally predictable and took a long.time to get around to the final results. It is an enjoyable read and if you want a slow boil, this is the book for you. I received an Advanced Reader copy of this book but was under no obligation to provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author ,publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.. Read and enjoy.