this unpredictable story has lots of twists and turns, wonderful complex interesting characters and an entertaining story that will keep you wanting more! the question: Who is Trent McCarthy? A real page turner and a must read!

This book was crazy but I enjoyed it. I was disappointed a bit by the twist but it def kept my attention. A fun twisty storyline makes this a good read for domestic thriller lovers. Def need to suspend belief here.

I would read this author again for sure!
Thanks for the early copy.

I truly don't know how to feel about this book.
While I liked the premise, I couldn't stand the main Character.
It had a good storyline, but fell short

The Business Trip by Jesse Garcia is one of my favorite reads so far this year! I literally read this book in one sitting! This is such a fast paced story with different narrators, and you simply cannot finish a chapter and not go to the next one. Full of likable and unlikable characters, this book left me breathless until the final conclusion. I absolutely hated for this book to end.I cannot wait for this author to put more books out!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

“𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝? 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐈 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬? 𝐌𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐧𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥.”

The Business Trip is the definition of a popcorn thriller: it is SO much fun.

The less known about going into this book, the better. The premise starts with two women boarding the same flight, but as the days pass and mysterious text messages are sent, those who know Stephanie and Jasmine suspect that all is not okay. I loved the structure of the different parts; part 1 involves both Stephanie and Jasmine’s points of view, with both mentioning different characters. Part 2 highlights those same mentioned characters but now the reader gets their points of view, which I thought was very creative. Jessie Garcia shows a knack for making characters that you love to hate (looking at you, Trent), but I also loved the news team that Stephanie works with, and the way they banded together alongside her neighbour when they had a hunch something wasn’t right; I would’ve loved more time with them. Garcia keeps things moving - I couldn’t put the book down and read it in two sittings, partly because I was kept guessing throughout. Do you have to suspend some belief (like who can just buy a plane ticket at the airport counter these days!?), and did I wish the epilogue had a bit more punch? Sure, but none of that diminished how much fun I had with this story.

The Business Trip is a complete blast from fast-paced start to finish. I hear the audiobook, with its multiple narrators, adds another layer to the absolute fun of this book. Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 4.5⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: mystery/thriller📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
A fun thriller with unexpected twists

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Multiple POVs
Popcorn thrillers
Unexpected twists and turns
Complex characters and plot development
Suspenseful and drama-filled reads
Fast paced, binge worthy thrillers
Text messages
Unlikable characters

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
I was hooked in from the start
The twists were so good

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
Some of the character motivations felt unclear at times

𝙵𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚀𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚜:
★ “The truth is always lurking in the background, waiting to be uncovered when you least expect it.”

I was super into the storyline of this book but the writing seemed very young. I hated the twist at the end. Felt unrealistic.

The twistiest thriller I've read so far this year! The Business Trip had my attention the ENTIRE book, and I binged it. Two women from different worlds meet on a flight - then both go missing. The main suspect is a narcissistic co-worker of one of them.

The layers involved in this were nothing short of extraordinary. I believe Jessie Garcia is going to give Freida McFadden a run for her money if she keeps writing like!!
If you do audio, it was SO VERY WELL done!!

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc in return for my honest opinion.

Pub date: 14 January 2025

Special thank you to NetGalley, Jessie Garcia and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this incredibly twisty thriller! What a great book. Sooo many twists throughout, a great story and interesting characters. Absolutely loved this book and would strongly recommend.

This is such a twisty story with the greatest characters! Sometimes you read a book that hits every element: great characters, tense plot, unreliable yet relatable characters, and the suspense? DIVINE!

I went into this blind but by the title and small blurb, I thought it was going to take a ‘Strangers on a Train’ narrative but nope!

Again, repeating myself, but this story is layered with twists and the edgiest of plots that kept me guessing.

Well done, Ms. Garcia! Well done!

My thanks to St. Martin’s Press for this gifted DRC!

The Business Trip is one intense ride. When the story first started I was thought to myself "okay, just another story about a woman escaping her abusive partner." Boy was I wrong. This book will have you guessing until the every last page.... not even joking. I devoured the story and literally couldn't put it down. I read it while sick with the flu, and it kept me so entertained that I forgot how awful I felt.

The Business Trip is definitely one to check out and I can't wait to see wat Jessie Garcia writes next.

Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
4.5/5 stars

I really enjoyed the first half of this book but about 20% left of it I started to loose interest. It was falling apart. It just started to seem sloppy and forced.

The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia. I received a Kindle copy from Netgalley for a honest review.

Two women with absolutely nothing in common are seated next to each other on the same plane. When they disembark, their lives with be forever linked.

Summary -

Stephanie is a professional who works for a television news station. She has a grown son and a cat with no current romantic prospects. She is on the plane to take part in a work conference. One of many she is often sent on and rarely wants to go to. But it seems she is constantly called on to go. She feels her life is at a crossroads and if she doesn't do something soon it will never change. But how far is she willing to go to change it?

Jasmine is a waitress whose life could not be turning out worse. Her live in boyfriend is controlling and abusive. She needs to find a way out. A way to a new life that he can't follow.

Two very different women with nothing in common. Until neither one returns home and they both begin to text their friends and coworkers about the very same man.

"...Hey! Sorry I didn't get back to you. Really busy day here at the conference. He's amazing. His name is Trent McCarthy and he's from Atlanta. We really hit it off and I just need to roll with this. Can you give me a week? I'm going to go back to Atlanta with him. I'll send you some pictures..."

For Stephanie it is completely out of character and for Jasmine, her friends find this as a great stroke of luck. A way out of the abusive relationship she was trapped in. Until the text messages begin to change.

"...I'm typing this while Trent is sleeping. I think I might come home earlier than expected. Remember how I said he was bossy? Well he actually yelled at me. It scared me. His anger came out of nowhere. He doesn't like it when I contact people from home. I'll call you when I can..."

When the text messages go silent, their friends begin to panic. it seems the two women have just vanished.

Trent McCarthy is a jerk. A misogynistic caveman who runs the news station in Atlanta. He meets Stephanie at the conference and thinks he's hit it off with her. But she disappears and he goes home alone. He doesn't think any further about her until the police show up at his door. There are two women missing and he's quickly becoming the prime suspect.

Review -

The Business Trip begins slowly, but it quickly builds momentum and takes off. The characters are intricately structured and the mystery layered so well that you will not see the curves until you are on them.

Jessie Garcia does a great job of changing perspectives and pacing as the story builds. There are so many twists and turns and through a great deal of the book it is the supporting characters who are narrating.

The mystery of the story is what happened to the two women. For Jasmine, you learn midway through the tale but for Stephanie, the truth of what happened to her lingers gently on the periphery. The real mystery of the Business Trip is who is killer and will they ever be caught.

A terrific read.

This was a really captivating fast-paced thriller about how far one will go to ensure career advancement to secure safety. Following two women, Stephanie and Jasmine, who happen to be on the same plane and both text their friends about the same man shockingly go missing. As red flags and panic spread, there is an urgency to solve the mystery that goes through layers of twists and shocking reveals!

Reader who love multiple POV thrillers with masterful manipulation will love this well executed debut! The writing is sharp and vivid, and explores themes such as gender imbalance in corporate culture, and the sacrifices required for success.

Jasmine and Stephanie have a chance meeting on a flight. Both women are looking for something, neither happy in their lives. This one flight changes everything.

I don’t want to give too much away but this one was very fun. There were so many POVs that I never truly knew what to believe until the very end. This was a one sitting read. The pace was perfect and there were just enough questions to keep you wanting more. Highly recommend!

Thank you St. Martin's Press for the gifted copy.

First of all, this is a DEBUT - WHAT?????

Secondly, I had a lot of fun reading this book. It caught my attention from the get go, and threw me for a major loop towards the end.

I really don't want to say too much, but I just texted my mom to get this from her library because it was such a fun twisty read. The beginning is a bit of a slow burn because it's setting everything up - you'll be wondering how are Jasmine and Stephanie connected? And how are the both connected to this Trent dude? But then it all starts coming completely unglued, pieces start falling into place, and I was like "STOP IT WHAT?????"

I can not wait for this author's next book! WELL DONE!

4.5 stars rounded up.

Full of twists and turns, the business trip was exhilarating and full of adventure. There were more twists that I didn’t see coming throughout the book. I did enjoy reading the business trip!

Thank you to St Martins Press for providing a copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

"The Business Trip" by Jessie Garcia centers around Stephanie and Jasmine, two women with seemingly nothing in common, other than being on the same flight. But suddenly, a few days later, both women disappear. The only evidence family, friends, and law enforcement have to go off of are erratic and strange text messages, and one name - Trent McCarthy. As the search continues, secrets unravel and after a few twists and turns, readers are left grappling with a revelation no one saw coming....

Except, I did see it coming. However, that did not take away from the story! The author keeps you on the edge of your seat during the first half of the story. Readers are left confused, yet intrigued attempting to find out what happened to these two women. Stephanie was only supposed to go on a business trip, while Jasmine was fleeing an abusive relationship. How did they both manage to just disappear?

Even though I had an idea of the person behind all this, I still wasn't completely sure and that was as frustrating as it was entertaining. This author weaved an intelligent, captivating story of jealousy and lies and a game of manipulation. Even when the person was revealed, I had no idea how that person made this whole thing happen. But Garcia expertly lays out how plans came into fruition and how this person almost gets away with it.

As other readers have pointed out, the story did start to drag out, after a while. And the ending left much to be desired. But I have to agree with the majority that the final "twist" was not at all necessary. It seemed way out of left field and instead of seamlessly fitting into the overall storyline, it seemed like the author wanted to have one more "gotcha" moment and it just did not land.

Overall, an entertaining read - readers while either love or hate those final pages. Though this story was not my favorite, I am keen to read more from this author.

Many thanks to the NetGalley, the publisher, and author for the advanced read. All opinions are my own.

It’s hard to put into words how I feel about this story without major spoilers.

Overall, it was unbelievable and kind of cringe worthy. There’s a twist at the end that I truly didn’t see coming, and I dig that; but that was about the only reason this book even got a second star.

Jessie Garcia’s "The Business Trip" is a gripping debut novel that masterfully blends suspense, intrigue, and emotional depth.

The story revolves around Stephanie Monroe, a hardworking television producer, and Jasmine Littleton, a young woman fleeing an abusive relationship. Though their lives couldn’t be more different, their fateful encounter on a flight to Denver sparks a chain of events that spirals into a tantalizing mystery. The novel takes an inventive turn by shifting perspectives after the women vanish, as their friends, colleagues, and acquaintances wrestle with cryptic texts and the growing fear that something sinister has occurred.

Garcia’s strength lies in her ability to craft compelling characters and maintain an unwavering sense of tension throughout. Stephanie and Jasmine are deeply relatable, each navigating their own struggles with resilience and vulnerability. The supporting cast, from an overbearing boss to an enraged ex-boyfriend, adds layers of complexity to the narrative, enriching the mystery. Trent McCarthy, the enigmatic man tied to both women’s disappearances, becomes a haunting presence that drives the story forward and keeps readers guessing.

The pacing of "The Business Trip" is impeccable, with Garcia deftly balancing heart-pounding twists and quieter, character-driven moments. While some of the plot developments may stretch plausibility, the relentless momentum and expertly crafted suspense ensure an enjoyable reading experience. This is a novel that hooks readers from the start and doesn’t let go until its shocking conclusion. This is a standout psychological thriller that showcases Garcia’s knack for storytelling and leaves readers eager for her next work.