The Business Trip follows our two main characters, Stephanie and Jasmine, who both are looking for changes in their lives. We follow Jasmine's journey as she attempts to escape a terrible childhood followed by an abusive relationship. Stephanie is a successful news room manager whose two best friends are her neighbor and her cat, Fred. These two strangers end up on the same flight. The rest is a story worth reading.

I went into this novel without any expectations. I never read synopses before reading books. I find that it really adds to the "unknown".
Garcia's novel was written in a fashion that left me on edge. I stayed up way too late reading because I simply could not put this book down. I loved the writing style, I loved the characters, and I loved the suspense. This is one of the most suspenseful books I've read in a while.

Not only did I enjoy the main characters, but the supporting characters were wonderful as well. I found that this book really had everything for me: wonderful writing, lots of suspense, enjoyable reading, excellent characters, and a good plot. Although I do wish the ending was a bit different, it's really just my personal preference that influences that. I give this book 4 bright and shiny stars!

Special thank you to Jessie Garcia, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

My Thoughts
The oldest advice “Don’t talk to strangers”that all parents should give their children is ignored by these characters and it created a storyline that proved we should heed its warning.

There is a reason why we have personal boundaries, why we don’t tell others our secrets, why we should be careful when sharing information even with our closest friends, and why this story setup worked from page one.

The Business Trip has multiple points of view but boils down to how easily one person can use existing technology to help them commit crimes while simultaneously remaining anonymous.

A page turning work with many twists and turns that ultimately lead you to an entirely different conclusion than you previously imagined when you started reading this book.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
[EArc from Netgalley]
On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

Jasmine is a waitress escaping an abusive relationship and heading to Denver and will figure out what to do from there.
Stephanie is a news director and her station is sending her to San Diego for a conference with other news directors.
The two will cross paths on an airplane and what unfolds is a mystery.
Jasmine and Stephanie are texting their friends that they met a guy, Trent, and are heading to Atlanta with him, The plot twists and turns revealing the depths of a mastermind manipulator.
I think the author did a good job with switching the between the characters as the different POV's.
A good psychological thriller that keeps touching guessing.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the invite to read this ARC in exchange for my review.

Release date January 14, 2025

The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia is a tightly wound coil that keeps tightening until it finally snaps. The question seems to be whether the snap was warranted.

Most of this novel will keep readers guessing and wondering about who is doing what, or has done what, to whom. When everything starts to resolve is where some readers will jump ship while others will enjoy the thrill ride. I don't want to get into any details simply because it would be too easy for me to slip up and give something away. The book blurb is sufficient. What I will discuss is what we, as readers, often expect from our thrillers and where we draw the line.

As any reader knows, everyone has their own point at which they feel a story rewarded them for reading. A large part, and the part I think will divide readers here, is how much disbelief you're willing to suspend. I know a few readers personally who might accept a premise in one book but think the same premise in another book is too unrealistic or unbelievable. They aren't being disingenuous, I think it just means that more goes into it than simply whether a situation, or string of situations, is believable. I'll offer my own feelings. I am willing to go along with a lot of coincidence and poor decision making, and even dislikable characters won't make me skip their part of the story. Every thriller has things that might seem unrealistic or unbelievable, we wouldn't have very many books to read otherwise. How many we accept is what matters, even to those who claim a single such instance fit the bill but not the others. Because this is fiction, I don't expect every character to make rational decisions (I also don't expect it in real life) and I accept that some unlikely coincidences will occur. After Katrina I had to relocate with my company. I went from Louisiana to Indiana, to the same town as a junior high school girlfriend from our school days in Maryland. Some readers, seeing this in a book, would claim it was too farfetched and unrealistic. As long as I don't think the resolution showed up ex nihilo, I can accept it. It might not be as satisfying as some other solution, but I didn't write the novel, so...

All of that is to say that, for me, the final twists here weren't too much for me to handle, though I can easily see why some readers might feel the accumulation of events might lower their enjoyment of the book. In fact, the star deduction was because I would have preferred something different that didn't require extending my suspension of disbelief almost to its breaking point. If you prefer your thrillers to more closely resemble the life you experience every day, this might not be your cup of tea. I don't want to live in the worlds of most thrillers, not as the characters are experiencing it, so I am fine with this.

Sorry I didn't get into particulars but I have been writing some critical essays recently where readers are familiar with the works and I kept finding myself here doing that very thing, so I changed gears. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy edge-of-your-seat thrillers, just know going in that the twists do push you to accept a lot.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

Okay this book is going to stick with me for a VERY long time! I can not even begin to explain how well done this book was. Like wow! Highly recommend.

Outstanding for a debut novel. Read in 48 hours, did not want to stop until I finished. Twist and turns keeps you guesting until the end. The ending is predicable but it doesn't take away the joy I had of reading it. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy.

3.5/5

Dang, this book just reaches out and grabs you.

There are a lot of points of view so know that before going in.

Some of the characters feel a bit one dimensional but each viewpoint does help the story feel more whole.

Just when you think the book is winding down, WAM, a surprise sucker punch. What is going on is only slightly hinted at, so the surprise is indeed shocking. The ending definitely makes it worth a read.

Title: The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: January 14, 2025

🍻 Multiple POV
✨️ Domestic Thriller
🪢Twisty Mystery
☠️ Dark Secrets
📹 News Anchors

My Review:

The Business Trip is an unputdownable fast-paced psychological thriller ft. multiple POV, short chapters, and unexpected twists galore!

Initially, I was concerned that I might get confused from all the POV, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well written each viewpoint was, and how they all added a unique piece to the puzzle. 🧩 As a mystery thriller enthusiast, I live for the moment when everything starts to come together. I guessed one of the plot twists but I couldn't have guessed the final one!

Thank you so much, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the digital review copy ❤️

You may never look at text messages the same way again. "The Business Trip" tells the story of two women who fly on the same flight. Both send text messages saying they've met a wonderful guy named Trent McCarthy and they're going to his house.

Stephanie works for a TV station and travels a good bit for her job. Jasmine is escaping an abusive relationship and is afraid Glenn will somehow find out where she is.

Things go south quickly and Stephanie's co-workers are worried why she hasn't come back to work. It isn't like her.

Also unlike Stephanie are the text messages the TV station is receiving. I found myself wondering, how do I really know who has sent me text messages.

This is a highly readable book and I recommend it. Each chapter is narrated by a character and reveals his/her viewpoint on the situation. Author Jessie Garcia has added quite a few twists to the story, making it unlikely a reader would figure out who did what to whom.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy. This is my honest review.

This is just feedback for the publisher and won't be published externally to Goodreads, etc. I didn't love this book - I found the plot line too hard to believe (especially the part where Stephanie hired someone in her place to dress as her and go to the business conference). I also wasn't following the part of the plot where Diana texted "Stephanie" (Jasmine had Stephanie's phone and was intercepting the texts) and wrote "Ready to meet up? I"ll be there in an hour". This was a gap in the plot for me as Jasmine had killed Diana back at the conference, so how could Diana now be texting Stephanie to try and meet up?

Wow! Just, WOW! This book was addicting and I simply could not put it down! I’m speechless at the twists and the diabolical protagonist.

Thanks NetGalley for the free ARC! In my opinion this was an entertaining read. It started out extremely good, but then tapered into reality show fiction. It was still engaging and very entertaining. It was good, but not great. I would recommend reading and I look forward to reading more from Jessie Garcia in the future.

This kept me going as I needed to get to the ending!!!
It was a good book and I did enjoy it , however after reading another authors books (no name mentioned) I expected a twisty crazy ending which
never came.
The book really was good and it had a good ending but I just expected something really twisty coming and it never came.
Definitely enjoyable book.

The Business Trip follows the disappearance of two women: Jasmine, who is escaping an abusive relationship, and Stephanie, who is wearily attending yet another work trip. Although their lives are very different, their disappearances begin in the same way- with a string of texts about a mysterious man named Trent McCarthy.

I enjoyed this book! It’s very quick and readable- I was engaged in the story the whole time, and the author does a great job of shifting perspectives without making the story choppy or confusing. There were several twists and turns, and while I was able to predict most of them, a few really did catch me off guard. I will admit the book starts to lag about 3/4 of the way through, when the author provides far too much explanation about what was happening toward the beginning of the book. However, the ending picks the pace back up in a satisfying way

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

This was a read I was so excited for !! It was just highly unbelievable to the point where I was rolling my eyes. It fell really flat and there are so many plot holes. That ending was absolutely way too over the top for me.

What an exciting treat! I was a giveaway winner on Goodreads of the new paperback novel “The Business Trip” by Jessie Garcia. It was filled with unexpected characters and plot twists. An ordinary business trip to a seminar in San Diego results with an international search for two women. This story reminds me why I never get friendly with seatmates on a plane. That chance meeting just may change your life. The air pressure in my chest sure dropped as this story of a chance meeting on a plane morphed into indescribable turbulence. Stephanie is divorced, middle age, owns a cat and has a small group of friends. Jasmine is an emotional wreck, fleeing an abusive relationship, running to Denver for freedom and a new beginning. The women have little in common. It’s an uneventful flight until several days later their employees and friends receive text messages. Each woman separately sends texts about the new, exciting man whisking them to Atlanta. I wasn’t expecting the sudden dark and deadly transformation as years of feeling “less than”, “not deserving “ turns one of the women into someone unrecognizable. She’s filled with rage, jealousy, believes she deserves nice things like money in the bank, jewelry, designer clothes, etc. A theme that puts an interesting spin on class disparity. Pushed to her limit, this woman would do anything to have the perfect life and all it’s trimmings. This debut author kept me guessing and fooled me several times. Thanks so much to St. Martin’s Press and Jessie Garcia for the opportunity to read “The Business Trip” prior to publication expected 01/14/2025.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Straight up a gripping thriller! The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia pulls you into a whirlwind of suspense and emotional depth that’s hard to shake off.

The book is structured around two intertwining narratives—Stephanie’s corporate life and Jasmine’s harrowing escape from an abusive relationship. This dual perspective not only heightens emotional engagement but creates a rich tapestry of experiences that reflect the complexity of female resilience. The alternating chapters build tension, drawing readers into a world where every decision could lead to salvation or disaster. There’s a palpable sense of urgency and dread that permeates the pages, making it impossible to put down.

In terms of writing quality, Garcia displays a strong command of pacing and suspense. The dialogue feels natural, and the settings are vividly described, immersing readers in the story. However, at times, the plot twists can feel a bit contrived, which detracts from the overall realism. Still, the gripping nature of the story often overshadows these moments.

<b> ✅ Pros: </b>:

○ Engaging dual narrative that deepens emotional connection.
○ Strong pacing that maintains suspense throughout.
○ Vivid descriptions that create an immersive reading experience.

<b>❌ Cons </b>:

○ Some plot points feel a bit far-fetched.
○ Character development could be deeper in places.
○ Occasional heavy-handedness in addressing serious themes, which could have benefited from subtlety.

<b>TLDR: </b>
The Business Trip has the potential to resonate with a broad audience, especially fans of thrillers that feature strong female leads and intricate plots. While it has its flaws, the engaging storytelling and emotional depth make it a worthwhile read. I’m giving it a solid 4 stars for its compelling narrative and character dynamics.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝙎𝙩-𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣'𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸. 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆.

What a great debut thriller. Jasmine is running away from an abusive relationship. Stephanie is on a business trip that she does not want to go on. She needs a break from life. They end up sitting together on an airplane and strike up a casual conversation. A decision is made and one of the women won’t be going back home. An unstable devious plan is put into action. Who is the strange man Trent both women become involved with? This book is full of twists and turns with nothing being as it seems. I could not put this book down until I finished it in the middle of the night. Great read.

Twisty and addictive! This reminded me a lot of a Freida McFadden book- slightly predictable but very bingeworthy. Fans of fast paced thrillers will enjoy!

My original thought as I read the fist third of The Business Trip was that this was a women's novel detailing how crude men could be to women. But author Jessie Garcia wasn't going to stop there, and we soon saw Jasmine try some crude tricks on her own. Poor Stephanie though!
Readers will relish this story, and it isn't just for women.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.