I could not put this book down for a single minute! T. J. Newman's latest novel is an intense, action-packed thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page. The gripping storyline, involving a plane crash into a nuclear power plant, is both catastrophic and captivating. It's clear that Newman invests heavily in pre-research, adding authenticity to the harrowing plot. This novel would make a fantastic action movie. After reading this, you might think twice about getting on a plane anytime soon. A must-read, especially for fans of Newman's previous two books.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company, and T. J. Newman for the opportunity to read and review “Worst Case Scenario” prior to its publication date.

T.J. Newman has quickly become an auto buy author for me. I love how action packed and emotional her books are. This one features a plane, just like her other books, but this time the plane crash is the beginning and a much smaller part of the story. This focuses on the aftermath of a plane crash at a nuclear plant and the surrounding town. How would it affect the world if we had a disaster bigger than Chernobyl and what would the people involved do to prevent it? It was fast paced (I read it in just a few hours), emotional (I definitely cried a few times), and felt so real. I loved every single character and the journey of what sacrifices a person will take for the greater good really pulled on my heart strings. This honestly may be my favorite so far of her books and I highly recommending this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

📖: Worst Case Scenario
✍️T.J. Newman
📝: Little, Brown and Company
🗓️: August 13th 2024

Genre:
Thriller
Series or standalone:
Standalone


💭 Summary 💭
A commercial aircraft is carrying 300 people when the worst case scenario happens. They crash. But they don’t just crash anywhere, they crash into the location of a nuclear power plant. Everyone around is giving everything they can so this does not escalate into a tragedy.

Location:
Waketa, Minnesota, USA o

Fluency/Writing:
Her first two books take place in planes. While we witness the plane rash in the very beginning, everything else takes place after the crash.
I like that we get different points of views and this keeps the tension up really well. there are almost too many different perspectives, but i still could keep up.
This is so different to her other books but it’s just as spectacular. You’re sitting on the edge of your seat the whole time, biting your nails. This is an excellent thriller.
The book does play with your emotions, because it is so real. all of this could happen and it’s a very scary thought. This book had me exhausted after finishing it, and that doesn’t happen often. She truly played with my fears and emotions. A job well done!

⭐️Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced copy. All opinions are my own, I was under no obligation to review.

4.25 stars

T.J. Newman's latest WORST CASE SCENARIO brings all the action you have come to expect from her that doesn't let up until the last page. This novel publishes August 13, 2024.

The author's first two books FALLING and DROWNING both take place on airplanes. In Newman's third novel, only the prologue does. Unfortunately, the plane crashes into a nuclear power plant in small town Waketa, Minnesota. This event is so high stakes that the middle swath of the United States is at risk if the radiation leaks into the air and water. Chernobyl was a Level 7, and this could be a never-before-seen Level 8.

While those in charge at the nuclear power plant negotiate with a wise, young fictional President Dawson about the ramifications of a nuclear radiation leak of mammoth proportions, firefighters focus on rescuing a small boy from a van that is stuck. The juxtaposition of the focus on saving one boy's life versus saving all of society brought up interesting thoughts, but there's only so much time that can be spent on rescuing the boy without pulling down the rest of the story. I did choose to take the time spent with rescuing the boy as a bit of a pause between the rest of the non-stop action at the nuclear power plant.

The ending was a nailbiter, and, while it's not exactly what I wanted and I did have a few remaining questions (mostly about the character of Matt), it did bring a tear to my eyes.

If you like a lot of plot in your books and can cope with elevated blood pressure, then definitely check this one out!

After a commercial airline carrying nearly 300 souls aboard crashes into a small town in Minnesota, it sets off a series of events that will be likely to change the entire country. Waketa, Minnesota is home to Clover Hill nuclear plant, and this is the location where the plane came down. With lives at stake not only within Waketa’s city limits, but throughout the entire Midwest and the country, employees of the plant, it’s own fire station and that of the fire station in town, work tirelessly to ensure that a nuclear disaster could be avoided.
Told through varying points of view, including that of Ethan, the plant manager; Joss, a member of NEST and one of the few female nuclear engineers; Carla, a schoolteacher and wife of Levon, the chief of the fire station in town, and Steve, the chief of the fire station located on Clover Hill’s campus, a recent widower and single father to his almost teenage son, Matt as well as Dani, a single mother who works as a fire fighter in the town, just trying to save lives and raise her little girl. Through these varying perspectives, we read about terrifying situations that nobody could ever prepare themselves for.
Throughout this story, I found myself cheering on when the characters in the novel cheers; cried when characters in the novel cried; and felt unabashedly proud of each and every single characters willpower and the sacrifices that so many of them had to go through in order to make sure that the country and the world didn’t experience the first Level 8, an extinction level event.
Well done to TJ Newman on ensuring the reader felt everything the characters were feeling, no matter what that feeling may have been. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to have once been a flight attendant, to writing books about various issues with airplanes, as each of her novels now has dived deep into absolutely everything that could wrong when flying on a plane. While I know these incidents are few and far between in the real world, it still makes me hesitant to want to fly anywhere for any extended period of time, because you just never know what might happen. I will forever be a fan of T.J.’s writing, and their ability to keep my attention, as well as make me cry in the same instance…sometimes even to the point of tears.
Thank you to Little, Brown; T.J. Newman and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The opinions stated above are my own.

Wow, I was already in suspense just from the prologue alone! T.J. Newman knows how to get your blood pressure up, there’s no question about that. This book was a one sitter for me. I was afraid if I put the book down there would be consequences for one of the characters, that’s how wrapped up in this story I was. It was fantastic, Perfectly written just like her other books! Probably even more as I’m sure a lot more research had to go into this one.. Definite 5 ⭐️

In live with T.J. Newman's writing she knows how to write a story that tells a story and pulls you in. Totally different from her other books but I still couldn't put it down. And one point near the beginning wasn't sure I was liking it much as comparing to her other books. But that ending had all the feels happening.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book and.

Another intense, pulse pounding masterpiece by Newman that readers won't want to miss! After reading Falling and Drowning, I never wanted to fly in a plane again. Now, I'm having extreme anxiety over simply existing on this planet. Can you imagine if we experienced a disaster worse than Chernobyl? This book was terrifying! My heart was racing the entire time while I flew through this captivating page turner. Newman is immensely talented at painting pictures with her vivid descriptions. I felt like I was right smack in the middle of this life-or-death scenario. Not only did I experience panic and fear, but I also felt deep emotions towards many of the characters. Their heroism and bravery were so touching that I actually cried a little. I absolutely loved this non-stop action thriller and look forward to Newman's next book as well as the movie premieres for her first two books. I highly recommend this one! 

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for granting me digital access in exchange for my honest review!

I travel by air a lot, and I love TJ Newman’s writing, but I have to make sure I don’t have flights scheduled for the near future when I start one of her books. Luckily I checked my travel schedule as soon as I downloaded this and was in the clear for a few weeks! Thanks to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for early access in exchange for my honest opinion.
According to the author’s note, Worst Case Scenario stemmed from asking pilots what their personal worst case scenario would be. The book begins with a commercial pilot suffering a widow-maker heart attack while alone in the cockpit. Once the copilot comes to, after being knocked around while in the restroom, there is nothing he can do to stop the plane from crashing into the small town of Waketa, Minnesota, and its nuclear power plant. What follows is a massive national crisis, handled by the town’s fire department and the plant’s leadership in conjunction with the US President.
If you like suspenseful reads that cause your blood pressure and anxiety to spike, this book is for you! I had to take big breaks when reading Worst Case Scenario because of the intensity. While the plot is terrifying, the characters are realistic and I found myself more stressed for their survival and well-being than worried such an event may ever happen and affect me. Themes of community, triage decision-making, survival, and sacrifice are showcased beautifully. By the end, I was physically exhausted from the adventure I had taken while reading the book. Bravo, TJ Newman - I can’t say that’s a typical reaction after I finish a book!
A few things didn’t sit well with me, but to address those without context would not make sense and within context, I would spoil key parts of the story. That being said, I definitely recommend you check this book out - and the audiobook will be narrated by Olivia Pope’s father (that’s how I refer to actor Joe Morton - I’m in the middle of a Scandal rewatch!) who I imagine will do an excellent job. Worst Case Scenario will be available on August 13th!

Thanks NetGalley and Little, Brown for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Wow! TJ Newman always writes incredible books, but this might be the best one yet. You are constantly sitting on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. I was not prepared for some of those twists. I rarely cry when reading books, but this book had me bawling more than once. Highly recommend! Newman tugs at your heart strings while delivering a great story as well. Definitely check this book out when it hits bookstores in August. ❤️❤️❤️

4.5 Stars rounded up to 5!

I have absolutely loved T.J. Newman's two previous books. Her writing style grips you immediately and pulls you in with her powerful human connections. Was this a thriller with lots of twists and turns that leaves you with whiplash? No, it was a thriller that leaves you with goosebumps and a racing heart because of how realistic and raw it was written.

The prologue itself made an impact on me. T.J. Newman continues asking pilots, “What is your worst case scenario?” until she gets the answer, “A plane crashing into a nuclear power plant.” As a former flight attendant, I remember that in each pre-flight briefing we would talk about potential emergency scenarios to get our minds thinking about how we would handle them. It is a theme that is common in the airline industry, so I was immediately hooked on this book's premise!

In this disaster novel, we follow a small town as they face nuclear destruction. The story weaves through the lives of multiple characters, from firefighters and their children to the president and the people working inside the plant. The amount of research put in to make this feel so realistic and eerie is truly impressive.

The themes in this book focuses on first responders and the sacrifices they are willing to make for the greater good, along with the theme of one person's life in comparison to many. The depth of these themes adds layers of emotional intensity to the narrative. The book also highlights the stark realities and moral dilemmas faced by first responders. The detailed and poignant portrayal of their bravery and the high stakes they navigate is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.

T.J. Newman delivers an emotional, in-your-face thriller that pulls from real life in a way that draws the reader in and never lets them go. I loved the multiple POVs, the tense, running-out-of-time feeling that permeates the entire book, and the raw glimpse at how different kinds of people handle different kinds of situations. The characters are richly developed, and their struggles and triumphs feel incredibly authentic.

By the end of the book, you feel as though you've lived through the crisis alongside the characters. T.J. Newman has a knack for creating vivid, pulse-pounding scenes that leave a lasting impact. This is a stunning thriller that not only entertains but also makes you think deeply about the human spirit and our capacity for resilience in the face of unimaginable odds and how you yourself would react in these scenarios.

I can’t wait to see what T.J. Newman comes up with next. If you’re looking for a thriller that’s both gripping and deeply human, this book is a must-read!

In the Author’s Note at the start of Worst Case Scenario, TJ Newman continues asking pilots “What is your biggest fear?” until she gets this answer “My biggest fear is a commercial jet slamming into a nuclear power plant.” Fasten your seat belts and here we go!

Waketa, Minnesota, population 900, is a small town that happens to be near the Clover Hill nuclear power plant. So when a dark shadow streaks across the sky and corkscrews into the ground just out of sight of the center of town, the residents fear that the worst may have happened - a plane crash near the nuclear plant. They may be right but that isn’t the worst that can happen. What is to come could be the end of the world.

In less than 24 hours, there are deaths, miracles and a lot in between. A disparate group of scientists, engineers, fireman, teachers and community leaders unite to save the power plant and protect their town. How they accomplish this will keep you turning the pages as fast as you can. Newman is a master at creating strong characters that you want to succeed. The action in Worse Case Scenario never stops and the research into exactly what would happen in this situation is terrifying. This is her third 5 star thriller for me and I can’t wait to see what she thinks of next!

Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company and TJ Newman for this ARC.

Without a doubt TJ Newmans most chilling story yet. In this disaster novel we follow the small town of Wiketa as they face nuclear destruction. A plane has succumbed to the worst case scenario, a fatal crash into a nuclear plant. Through the story we follow multiple characters in this small town from the firefighters, their children, the president, and the people working inside the plant.

This had me on the edge of my seat from the get go and I could not put it down! I loved the amount of research put in to make this feel so realistic and eerie.

I did have a couple of personal preference gripes with this though. The storyline following the young boy stuck in a car felt too Hallmark and drawn out for me. It didn’t seem to match the intensity or realistic nature of the rest of the events happening. As a childfree woman I was also highly disappointed by the narrative that an unmarried and childfree woman would not be missed and thus is a fair sacrifice to make. Single childfree woman are some of the MOST loved people I know. Having kids does not guarantee care or someone to miss you when you’re gone.

That aside I still very much enjoyed this book and the characters we get to meet! Haven’t had a thriller suck me in this hard in a long time.

Worst Case Scenario
by T.J. Newman
Pub Date: August 13, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
When a pilot suffers a heart attack at 35,000 feet, a commercial airliner filled with passengers crashes into a nuclear power plant in the small town of Waketa, Minnesota, which becomes ground zero for a catastrophic national crisis with global implications.

#1 internationally bestselling author T.J. Newman is back with Worst Case Scenario, following her explosive debut thriller Falling and its harrowing follow-up Drowning. I recommend this book if you liked her other books or enjoy high tension fiction.
I particularly liked these books after I heard Newman talk about her research in writing these thrillers. Very well done! Newman never fails to create an intense, action packed, distressing, terrifying situation that is somehow also a good time for the reader. She didn’t waste any time with it here, either. I was hooked from the first page, struggling to put down this riveting read.

I love that she created characters I could invest in. I cared about them and wanted everyone to come out on the other end of this okay. If something were to happen to them, I knew it would be devastating. So, does Newman play fair with our hearts in Worst Case Scenario? You’ll have to read it to find out. Despite the tension and stress, there were some feel-good moments as people came together and rose to the occasion.

T.J. Newman grips you by the shirt collar and grabs you tight with this novel! In the premise Newman explains that the worst case scenario a pilot had shared with her was if a plane were to crash into a nuclear power plant. That's the premise of this thrilling plane story as a commercial airliner hits a small plant in Minnesota.

Like an old time thriller, this book has non stop obstacles and issues. Unlike old time-y thrillers, Newman fills out the cast with pov's from woman, regular citizens and children. Newman's characters are all complex and real and so well written. There are multiple story lines here and I was distracted by the Dani line but enjoyed hearing fromt he president, and the townspeople.

I can't imagine the level of research that went into this story and I just hope it really, really REALLY can never come true. Hang on to your hats! Grab your snacks and turn on your nightlight- you will be up until you finish this whirlwind of a story.#littlebrown #worstcasescenario #tjnewman

Ooh so intense! The anxiety ramps up with bits like trying to radio for one person and instead broadcasting to the whole plane. Not really a spoiler, but the plane section is over relatively quickly and we get into the small town with a nuclear plant setting. Overall, a compelling book, but it did feel longer to me, as I was not as drawn into the Dani/Connor/Levon storyline. I could certainly see this be made into a movie, but it was not my favorite Newman book. Regardless, a five star read with lots of drama and suspense!

The scream that I scrumpt when I got the ‘your request has been approved’ email from NetGalley probably concerned my neighbours. Drowning was my favourite book of 2023 so the moment I saw the announcement of Worst Case Scenario, it shot straight to the top of my list of most anticipated releases of 2024. And I loved it! Of course I loved it.

I find it so intriguing that almost on the surface level, this seems like it could have a lot of similarities with Drowning - a plane crash leading to a group of people all working together for survival. But the storylines could not be more different, and both are incredible and fascinating and I love that. This was so different than anything I’ve ever read and I truly could not put it down. I ate dinner reading this. I took my kindle on a walk. I couldn’t look away and that’s such a fun feeling, when a book hooks you in like that.

~Technically~ this probably was closer to a 4.5 than a full 5 for me because I didn’t really love the storyline with Dani. I liked her and I liked the way that storyline and those characters tied into everything else - this book really was so great at having everything connect to each other in really smart ways. But I was just so into everything that was happening at Clover Hill and everyone there that I just could not get enough of that. So when some of the ‘side stories’ were focused on instead, while I do think they were important to the storyline and I did like them, I was eager to get back to the ‘main’ story.

I feel like I need to write a paragraph just for the characters. Jose is my favourite character I’ve read about in a long time. I adored Steve. And Ethan! I liked George more and more every time he was mentioned. And Dawson?! I need that man to be real and on the presidential ballot for 2024, please. I was obsessed with him right through to the end.

Anyway. Buy this. Or borrow it from the library. Either way, just make sure you read it, because I cannot recommend it enough. Maybe make sure you have a tissue nearby. But TJ Newman is absolutely an auto-buy author for me, and I can’t wait to see what more she comes out with in the future.

Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book! I voluntarily read this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

T.J. Newman's novels are a must read for lovers of top-notch suspense-thrillers. Worst Case Scenario hooks you in from the beginning and the tension never lets up. Great characters and "what if" scenarios that will have your heart pounding. Highly recommended! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. Pub Date: Aug 13, 2024.

#WorstCaseScenario
#NetGalley

T.J Newman did it again.. I am so happy I got an early copy of this book.. (I will be running to the bookstore when it comes out to get a physical copy)
I will buy everything that this author will published! The way she has with words and how she can make a story so intense, and full of action, with a very distressing and terrifying situation and have you so hooked that you can’t stop reading til you finish the book!
I read this in one sitting. From page one, I needed to know what was going to happen til the very last page. And this is her second book that I sobbed through the ending of the book!
The characters in the book were very well written. My heart literally broke for a few of them. And I know I will be thinking of them for a very long time!!

Thank you!! Thank you to T.J Newman and Little, Brown, and Company for my copy. All my opinions are my own

Are you ready for another thriller in the sky from TJ Newman? If so, Worst Case Scenario should be the next book that you read If you enjoyed her last two, you will enjoy this one as well.