“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.
—


Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

********


If you are interested in seeing more of my reviews and other content feel free to connect with me here <3:

https://linktr.ee/bookreviewsbyjules (links to my Instagram, Goodreads, TikTok, Storygraph, My blog and Substack newsletter, etc)

If you are a publisher or author who has questions about my reviews (as well as questions about my stats, reach or engagement), please free to email me. I am also open to requests for book reviews from authors or publishers. Thank you again for taking time to read my review, and I hope you have a wonderful day!

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.

I enjoyed reading The Group Trip by Audrey Ingram. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

I recently read this book thanks to Netgalley and Alcove Press. It's a story with multiple timelines about a group of college friends and the various trips they take together. The story jumps back and forth, focusing on Chloe, who breaks up with her seemingly perfect boyfriend Luke at the beginning. This threatens the dynamic of their friendship group consisting of Chloe, Luke, new mom Marianne, Wyatt, and the married couple Sloane and Alden.

What I loved about this book is the authentic portrayal of friendships and the impact relationships can have. It resonated with my own college experiences and felt like a nostalgic peek into the past. I connected with Chloe's fears of abandonment and self-worth, having been in her shoes. The characters were all hiding something from each other, but most secrets stemmed from genuine love for each other. Going back in time and understanding why Chloe would reject the 'love of her life', and the introspection on how one can lose themselves in a relationship, was insightful and well done.

While the ending is overall cheerful and perhaps a bit too sunny, it makes for a great summer read.

This was cute - I read it at the airport and on the plane and honestly it was a delightful plane book.

It;s the story of a group of college friends and their journey through the years - particularly the romances that bloomed and ended and how they defined the group.

I had a pretty idea of where this was going from the jump, but still enjoyable!

Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove for the ARC

The Group Trip by Audrey Ingram was such a captivating story!
The relationships that were formed and written in this book was utterly amazing.
This story, the heart of it is a beautiful journey!
This is a fabulous book, it will center you and remind you of what is most important once you strip everything back ……. Love, family and laughter.

Thank You NetGalley and Alcove Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I absolutely adored this book. I knew it was going to be a five star read before I even finished which is always exciting. It delves into the deep, relatable challenges that friend groups face as they journey through adulthood. Each character and their individual story captivated me completely.

The narrative alternated between the characters' college years and their late 20's, a storytelling technique that I always appreciate, especially when the plot is as compelling as this one - I didn't want to put it down.

By the time I finished, I felt like I was part of the group, or at least I had grown to love these characters as if they were my own friends. If only all college friendships endured as theirs did.

This novel is a reflection on the highs and lows of life and the impact it has on close friendships. It's like Happy Place, by Emily Henry, but in my opinion, even better.