The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia was a story about two different women, Stephanie and Jasmine, who board the same flight, but for very different reasons. Once the plane lands, everything goes sideways, which is exactly what the author intends! What a great read, with lots of mystery and suspense. I very much enjoyed this read and look forward to future books by this author! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

There are some crazy twists & turns in this book! It starts off following the two main female characters, which I assumed was going to be the whole book. I was so wrong, in the best way possible! The many different viewpoints really let you enjoy the mystery. This has a Harlan Coben kind of vibe (which is a huge compliment) as he is one of the masters of characters secrets slowly being unveiled. This book will make you flip flop your feelings for certain characters, they are multifaceted & nothing is as it seems. There were some aspects I felt were a little undone at the ending but overall I’d say it’s a decent thriller.

✈️

Read if you like:
* Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
* The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
* Harlan Coben books

The premise of this book sounded really interesting. The start had me quickly turning the pages but as time went on, it got too far fetched at times. Towards the end, it was more so wanting to know how it wraps up, rather than being really invested in the story still. While I didn’t love it, I definitely liked it. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Pub day was 1/14/25 - it’s out now!

Two women, seemingly involved with the same man, disappear under mysterious circumstances. As friends and colleagues begin investigating, layer upon layer of shady behavior comes to light. And just when I thought I had it all figured out, there was another twist to throw my theory out the window. Very suspenseful!

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this copy of "The Business Trip."

This book keeps making the lists of 2025 most anticipated books and I can see why.

I couldn't believe that this is author Garcia's debut as a novelist - it was so cleverly and intricately plotted.

I thought I had some of it figured out, but the twist at the end was mind-blowing!

And I couldn't decide if I was rooting for Jasmine or not. I would have liked to see a little more of her inner rage - at times it seemed like it came out of nowhere.

But overall, very impressive and I can't wait to read more from author Garcia!

Kudos to Jessie Garcia for this well done fast paced
keeps you engaged debut! The Business Trip follows the story of two strangers, Stephanie and Jasmine, who meet on an airplane where lies, jealousy, desperation, and murder follows! This is told through multiple POV from various characters, which was really well done to help build the quick moving suspenseful plot. This moved along really quickly and definitely left you questioning how everything would play out... the twist at the end also came out of left field! Cant wait to read more from this author!
Thank you to NetGalley, Jessie Garcia and St Martin's Press for originally providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Business Trip is a captivating exploration of relationships, ambition, and the complexities of modern life. The story follows the protagonist as she navigates a work trip that quickly transforms into a journey of self-discovery
. Garcia’s writing is both relatable and poignant, capturing the nuances of personal and professional dilemmas. The characters are well-developed, and their interactions reveal deeper truths about love, career aspirations, and the choices we make. With a perfect blend of humor and introspection, this novel resonates with anyone who has ever faced the challenges of balancing work and personal life. It's an engaging read that leaves a lasting impression.

This is a solid popcorn thriller that keeps you guessing and wanting to figure out what exactly is going on. While it was twisty, nothing was super shocking or mind-blowing although fun. I was entertained the entire time and was genuinely curious about would happen next.

The Business Trip is a captivating and pulse-pounding debut thriller from author Jessie Garcia, offering a masterclass in tension, manipulation, and suspense. The novel opens with a seemingly innocent premise: two women, Stephanie and Jasmine, are on the same flight, but with vastly different reasons for being there. Stephanie is traveling for a business trip, while Jasmine is escaping an abusive relationship. What follows is a twisted tale that draws readers in and never lets go.

Garcia expertly builds the story around the mysterious Trent McCarthy, a man whose presence seems to loom over the two women in ways both subtle and alarming. As the narrative unfolds, we learn that Stephanie and Jasmine, despite having no initial connection, begin texting their friends the exact same messages—messages about Trent. But the tone shifts as the messages grow increasingly erratic and strange, leaving readers questioning the true nature of their experiences. Are they victims? Are they perpetrators? Or is there a far darker game at play?

The novel is a brilliant exercise in suspense, where the lines between victim and villain blur, and nothing is quite as it seems. Garcia’s writing is sharp and layered, with every page filled with questions, red herrings, and plot twists that keep the reader on edge. The mystery deepens with each passing chapter, as we are drawn into a high-stakes psychological game, where power dynamics, manipulation, and trust are central themes.

The tension peaks when both women disappear, leaving behind their strange messages and a trail of confusion. The plot spirals into a complex web of intrigue, with authorities and loved ones scrambling to understand what happened. Garcia does an excellent job of keeping the reader guessing, never allowing the mystery to fully unravel until the final moments. The revelations are not just shocking, but deeply unsettling, forcing readers to reconsider everything they thought they knew about the story.

One of the most compelling aspects of The Business Trip is its exploration of psychological manipulation. Garcia delves deep into the human psyche, illustrating how easily someone can be influenced, controlled, and ultimately broken by a mastermind manipulator. The characters are flawed and real, and their motivations are not always clear, which only adds to the suspense and intrigue of the novel.

Ultimately, The Business Trip is a book that demands your attention from the first page to the last. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and shocking twists, Jessie Garcia’s debut is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. It’s a story about trust, power, and the dangerous games people play—and it will keep you second-guessing until the very end.

Jessie Garcia is a great writer and I really enjoyed The Business Trip! If you're looking for something to read (maybe even on a business trip of your own) this is a good one!

This story had so many unexpected twists and turns that kept me intrigued. I liked how it had the story is told in different point of views.

With its attention-grabbing setup and its constant twists, The Business Trip makes for a gripping thriller—the kind that will keep readers guessing...and re-guessing...as it continues to shift its perspective. But while it’s an often riveting journey, readers may feel dissatisfied in the end.

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery.

The Business Trip is an engrossing thriller by debut author Jessie Garcia. The story takes place over a short time period and has multiple narrators. It feels like a James Patterson story with the easy-to-read compelling story divided into short chapters.
The Business Trip begins in January in Madison, Wisconsin. 40ish Jasmine Littleton has had a hard life: abusive mother, living in her abusive boyfriend’s trailer, working at a bar, and no car. The only thing she has going for her is her looks and Anna, her lifelong best friend, who also works at the bar. Jasmine has been hiding money and waiting for the perfect opportunity to leave Glenn, her abusive boyfriend. Early one morning she gathers up her dirty laundry off the floor, stuffs it in Glenn’s suitcase, and sneaks outside to call an Uber to get a ride to the airport. She pays cash for a plane ticket to Denver.
45-year-old Stephanie Monroe is Jasmine’s opposite in life. Stephanie is the News Director at a Madison TV station, where she works very hard and earns a large salary. She is universally liked and respected by all of the staff because of her professionalism and dedication. She has been divorced for three years from Jason, and has a young adult son, Evan. Stephanie loves in a townhouse with her cat, and has a wonderful neighbor, Robert, who she regularly socializes with. Stephanie isn’t thrilled about being sent on another business trip, this time to a national conference in San Diego. She arranges for Robert to care for her cat while she is gone.
Jasmine sends Glenn a text to let him know that she will make him a nice steak for dinner, in an attempt to delay him finding out that she has left him. Once he comes home to an empty trailer, he immediately begins sending her nasty texts. Then he starts contacting her best friend and co-worker, Anna. Anna knew that Jasmine wanted to leave Glenn, but she had no idea when it would occur or what her plans were.
Stephanie send Robert a text saying that she has met a man at the conference and she will be traveling to his home in Atlanta to spend another week with him. This is so unlike Stephanie that Robert is alarmed. When she doesn’t show up to work on Monday, Bruce, her Assistant News Director, texts her and she tells him that she’s taking the week off. Bruce tells another employee, Nora, before notifying Dave, the station’s General Manager. When Lucy, another employee, texts Stephanie a joke and she doesn’t respond appropriately, Lucy sends a second message to test if it’s really Stephanie using her phone. Then Lucy, Nora, and Bruce go to Dave and beg him to call the Atlanta Police. Lucy and Robert travel to Atlanta together to visit the home where Stephanie is supposedly staying but encounter police working a crime scene.
Thew reader is left to figure out what is going on. Stephanie and Jasmine are the same age and blonde and were on the same flight from Madison to Denver. How did Jasmine encounter Trent McCarthy and wind up in Atlanta with him? Where are their bodies? How did both ladies get fooled by Trent’s sleazy slime ball personality?
I couldn’t put The Business Trip down! Each chapter has a different narrator, and the day is indicated at the beginning of each chapter, in order for the reader to keep the chronology straight. The story is engrossing, and the reader gets invested in the characters early on. This is a spectacular debut novel and I can absolutely see it being made into a movie. I highly recommend this book!!
I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I had a hard time believing that The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia was a debut novel. It's a propulsive thriller that kept me guessing.

It's one to read for fans of The Last Flight by Julie Clark.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Switched identities, missing persons, and murder? This was a fast paced thriller that you won’t be able to put down! I sped through this book and was shocked by the ending.

I found this book very interesting. The premise was unusual. The two women are on the same plane for different reasons. Stephanie Monroe, on her way to a conference and Jasmine Littleton trying to run from an abusive partner. They are seated in the same row. They have casual conversation that changes their lives forever. Turns out the last few messages they text their close friends mentions being charmed by a man by the name of Trent McCarthy.

I found the story slow in the first half with a better pace by the second. It was drawn out and I could not connect to any character. It’s written in four parts. I felt it rambled in many places.

I was surprised by the ending but I had known something wasn’t falling the way the writer was trying to point the reader.

I was given an advanced readers copy by Netgalley and these are my opinions.

This is a debut novel, and I absolutely cannot wait, and really hope, there are more to come!

Stephanie and Jasmine are on the same plane, and this is all they have in common or so you think. jasmine is currently on the run and trying to get away from an abusive boyfriend. Stephanie is a news director, she's divorced, and her son has little to do with her. She just wants to disappear while traveling to a conference to just maybe help with her and her son's relationship.

But how can different women, be involved with the same man, from the same area and both of them are missing?!

This book is a page turner. lots of twists and turns. I absolutely did not want to put this one down! If you're a fan of thrillers, I would highly recommend picking this one up! I thought I had guessed the ending a few times... and I was wrong. Cannot express enough how much I enjoyed this book. Pick it up and hope Jessie Garcia has another book in the works soon!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for the ARC copy.

The way the book was told through others view points made it like a documentary, which was a cool way to tell a story. I did feel it jumped a lot. I could not guess the ending and felt there were some good twists.

This book grabbed my attention right away! It was fast-paced, and I was dying to find out how Stephanie and Jasmine's disappearances were connected! And who the heck was this Trent guy? I couldn't wait to find out what was happening!! However, once I got past the halfway point, things got way too unbelievable for me, and I wasn't as invested in the story.

This was a debut novel, and I'll definitely be interested in reading the author's next book!

Thank you, @netgalley and @stmartinspress, for the #gifted e-arc!

This book strongly veered towards the implausible. While the plot had a few intriguing 'gotcha' moments that kept me momentarily engaged, the overall storyline was hard to buy into. The main character's sudden transformation—from being unable to escape an abusive relationship to plotting and executing multiple murders within a short time frame—was simply too far-fetched. It overly stretched believability, leaving me feeling more exasperated than entertained. Despite some suspenseful elements, the implausibility of the character’s arc ultimately undermined the story's potential.