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.

“Twenty years from now, she wonders what version [of themselves] they’ll be on. She hopes they will have tried on several, because watching your friends turn into adults is a privilege.” This poignant quote from Audrey Ingram’s The Invisible Thread perfectly captures the essence of this remarkable novel, which takes readers on a heartfelt journey through the evolving dynamics of a close-knit group of friends.

The novel deftly explores the lives of six friends—Chloe, Luke, Sloane, Alden, Wyatt, and Marianne—whose deep connections begin during their college years and continue to shape their lives into their late twenties. Told through a dual timeline format, the story alternates between their college days and the present, allowing readers to witness the complexities and growth of their friendships over time.

Ingram's narrative style is both engaging and immersive, making it easy to become deeply invested in the characters. The flashbacks enrich the story, offering valuable context and depth to the present-day conflicts. The portrayal of the group’s dynamics is refreshingly realistic, capturing the genuine ups and downs that come with long-term friendships. It’s like a modern, nuanced version of the camaraderie found in shows like Friends, but with a more sophisticated take on the challenges of adulthood.

Chloe’s decision to turn down Luke’s proposal becomes the central conflict that brings the friends back together in Seaside, Florida, where they confront their past and present issues. This reunion sparks a series of revelations and self-discoveries, as each character grapples with their own secrets and struggles. The setting in Seaside adds a charming backdrop to the story, with familiar locations that resonate with many readers.

Thanks to NetGalley, Alcove Press, and Audrey Ingram for providing the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The story of college friends that progress over a decade makes for a bumpy ride when complicated relationships emerge.

I really enjoyed the author’s use of the dual timeline to tell this story. I enjoyed reading in the past of Chloe and Luke’s relationship and their current situation. It really came together nicely three quarters in when Wyatt makes a revelation and things become even clearer on reflection.

The ending did feel a bit rushed but perhaps it’s because I wasn’t quite ready for the story to end.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this delightful read. The opinions expressed are truly my own.

I loved this book!!! I feel like I knew how it would end from the very first mention of Wyatt’s name. But I loved how the story evolved and how it all ended. Perfect character development, and I loved how the characters created a family.

5 star read for me!!

The Group Trip was interesting. I wouldnt say it was great, but it had its moments of just dense writing. I didnt love it but it was ok. I dont plan on posting about it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the eARC.

This gave me major Happy Place by Emily Henry vibes, but in the best way. Really loved the relationships and character arcs we saw for these individuals. So good.

This was such an enjoyable read! I love all of the characters and their friendships. I loved the dual timeline it really added to the enjoyment factor for me. I love the beach setting it reminded me of two of my favorite books The Summer I turned pretty and Happy Place.

I was intrigued by the premise and the cover of this book, but sadly, it just didn’t work for me. It wasn’t bad, but I doubt it’ll stick with me for long.
The character dynamics felt off, and I couldn't see how these friendships would survive without some serious compromise. One friend's over-the-top demands, in particular, left me wondering how the others tolerated it. Honestly, she needs to do some serious self-reflection.
Maybe it's just my own experiences influencing my perspective, but I couldn't connect with the messiness of these relationships. That said, if you enjoy stories that follow long-term friendships, with all the ups and downs that come with them, this might be more your thing. For me, though, it just wasn’t the right fit.

⭐️4
It was supposed to be a day of celebration for six college bff’s. But it wasn’t. Chloe turned down the proposal from Luke and all hell breaks loose.

One year later they all decide to go to the beach even though relationships are not what they once were.

My only beef was that I wish we could have found out why Chloe made her decision much earlier. This was fast paced and a perfect beach read. If you liked happy place by Emily Henry, pick this one up.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6680160415

Pub date: August 13, 2024

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

I felt like this book had a really good buildup. The dynamic between all the different friends & lovers felt realistic, and definitely kept me interested.

Until the "big event" (no spoilers) that is. What came after that seemed like a letdown. So much buildup, and then kind of nothing. I don't know, maybe that's just me.

I'm on the fence about recommending this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I went into this book not expecting much. It reminded me of "Happy Place" by Emily Henry but without the fake dating. While it does give that same beach with a group of friends vibe, it deserves praise of its own without comparison.

This was an intricate story with many levels of relationship and conflict between the characters. I have said before that I love a good dual timeline, and this gave me that. It gives you a good sense of the background of the characters and the depth to the relationships between them. I could really relate to the main character being so unsure of herself and just wanting to make everyone else happy.

I enjoyed the writing and the banter between the characters. I'd recommend this one for sure!

A sentimental southern novel about growing up and hopefully, growing together rather than apart. For fans of Firefly Lane and Kristy Woodson Harvey.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.


This book was a pretty good beach read. It kept me interested. It may not be as popular as something by Elin Hilderbrand, but I can still see this book making it in to some book clubs.
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Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

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I absolutely loved The Group Trip by Audrey Ingram which follows a group of best friends who met in college and are getting together for a catch-up trip, except they are dealing with the fallout of a refused proposal/break-up between two of the members. Alternating between past and present timelines, The Group Trip tells the story of how the group came to be, how it fell apart, and what happens to it in the future. This book had definite Happy Place vibes, but I actually liked it even more. The characters felt more raw and imperfect, and I was deeply invested in the story.

This was my first read from this author and I enjoyed it. For me it has a womens fiction vibe and there’s lots of relationship dynamics and time jumps to keep track of.

Overall it’s a story of complicated friendships and ultimately finding love with the person who is best for you, who loves you the best way, not just the person you think you love. The person who actually deserves to share your life.

Love a book about enduring friendships. It was lovely to see the development of these friendships over ten years and the roles they all played in each other’s lives through all the ups and downs. The romance in this one was pretty lovely too.