Jasmine has spent years serving drinks and making small talk as a waitress at a local bar, but behind the easy smiles, she’s been planning her escape. At 44, she’s stuck in a suffocating relationship with Glen, a younger man who started out charming but turned possessive and controlling. Every day, she pockets a little extra cash, tucking it away like a secret lifeline. And then, finally, when the moment is right, she takes it—sneaking out in the dead of night, her heart pounding as she leaves behind the life that’s been holding her prisoner. Her destination? Denver, where she hopes for a fresh start, a new identity, and maybe even a chance to finally breathe.

Meanwhile, Stephanie is living a completely different kind of life—or so it seems. A successful news director, she’s built her career on discipline, precision, and a tireless work ethic. Divorced and with a grown son, her life is all about the newsroom, deadlines, and control. So when she heads out of town for a conference, no one thinks twice—until she starts texting her neighbor about a mysterious new man she’s met. Her messages grow more surprising: she’s skipping the conference altogether, heading to Atlanta with this guy. Her co-workers are floored when she casually announces via text that she’ll be out for the whole week. This is *not* the Stephanie they know—the woman who practically lives for her job, who would never just disappear like this. Something doesn’t add up.

Two women. Two disappearances. But are they running *to* something—or from something far more dangerous?

This was an engaging read that drew me in slowly but surely. It was thrilling and possessed what I love most about the genre - the twist I didn't see coming! As Jessie Garcia's debut novel, this was a solid four stars for me. I look forward to seeing what she writes next!

Note: this published on January 14th meaning readers can go secure their copy now!

Thank you NetGalley, Jessie Garcia, and St.Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

More Than Just a Business Trip: A Novel of Ambition and Change

Thank you NetGallary for an early review copy of The Business Trip!

The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia is a refreshing take on corporate life, ambition, and personal transformation. The story follows a group of professionals on an overseas business trip that turns into an unexpected journey of self-discovery, ethical dilemmas, and corporate intrigue.

One of the book’s strongest aspects is its character development. The protagonist (or key characters) evolve in a way that feels authentic, shaped by their interactions and challenges on the trip. Novel does an excellent job of balancing humor, tension, and introspection, making the story both engaging and thought-provoking.

The book also sheds light on workplace dynamics, office politics, and the blurred lines between personal and professional life. The setting of the business trip serves as a perfect backdrop for these themes, offering moments of cultural exploration and professional growth.

While the pacing is generally well-handled, there are moments where the narrative slows down, particularly in the middle. Some readers might also find certain plot points predictable, but the execution keeps the story enjoyable.

Overall, The Business Trip is a compelling read for anyone interested in corporate drama, career aspirations, and the unexpected twists that come with professional travel. It’s an entertaining and insightful novel that resonates with professionals navigating their own workplace journeys.

This book is great for readers who enjoy corporate fiction, workplace dramas, and character-driven storytelling.

Rating: ★★★★☆

The business trip by Jessie Garcia follows two strangers who meet on a plane and both their lives take a crazy, unexpected turn.
This is an interesting, very well-written, fast-paced, psychological thriller. The twists and turns were so unexpected, i really enjoyed it.
I didnt like the ending though, but still solid 4 stars, highly recommend.
​​Thanks NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this eARC!

This book was so good. When Stephanie and Jasmine meet on the plane it sets the scene for the story to unfold. As for this being a debut novel for the author, she really kept me guessing all throughout the book. The twists and turns are crazy, but the ending will leave you shocked. Great psychological thriller. I can't wait to see more from this author in the future.

This book was such a fun, addictive read! It’s the perfect mix of workplace drama, unexpected romance, and just the right amount of tension to keep you hooked. The characters felt real and relatable, and the chemistry between them was so good. I loved the humor, the banter, and the way the story kept me flipping pages late into the night. If you’re looking for a smart, entertaining romance with a little spice and a lot of heart, this one is a must-read!

Absolutely mind blown!! I was shocked and surprised and one twist would happen and my jaw would drop to the floor then BAM another twist pops up!!! I was hooked immediately when Jasmine was leaving her loser boyfriend. Thrilled to see this book blowing up in my social media feeds! Jessie Garcia, I cannot wait to see what you come up with next!

Stephanie and Jasmine have seemingly nothing in common, except for them both being on a flight to Denver and both wanting to flee their lives. This was a twisty and engaging read. It’s clear early on that Jasmine has lived a hard life but despite that she is such an unlikable character. While I can relate to wanting to get away she went about fleeing her abusive boyfriend in all the wrong ways and didn’t stop at any cost. That aside I enjoyed this book.

Such a great book and was pleasantly surprised with the ending. This author has made it on my author watch list and I look forward to more of this style writing.

bookscoffeebrews Book Review: The Business Trip
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Jessie Garcia @jessiegarcia_author
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press @stmartinspress
Thank you @netgalley for my ARC.

This book was thoroughly engrossing, a genuine
mystery that maintains readers' interest as the plot
progresses. The twists and turns were so captivating
that I found myself vocally reacting on multiple
occasions and, I must confess, possibly uttering a few
select words at certain characters. The narrative
revolves around two women, Jasmine and Stephanie,
who meet on a plane and subsequently disappear,
leaving behind only cryptic clues and a trail of
suspicion. Jasmine, fleeing a life of poverty and abuse,
and Stephanie, a recently divorced workaholic
estranged from her son, seem to have nothing in
common except their chance encounter on the plane.
As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that both
women had been in contact with a man named Trent
McCarthy, who becomes the prime suspect in their
disappearance. The story is expertly crafted, with a
building sense of tension and suspense that
culminates in a shocking climax. While the final twist
may have been slightly implausible, it was nonetheless
jaw-dropping. My only criticism lies with the final line
of dialogue, which felt somewhat incongruous.
Nonetheless, the conclusion was satisfying, and I
would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking
a thrilling page-turner that will keep them on the edge
of their seat.

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#readersgonnaread #readersofinstagram

The Business Trip is an engaging read that i couldn't put down. The plot is fast-paced, making it a compelling story about ambition and loyalty. A few characters could use more depth, but overall, it’s an intriguing and enjoyable book.

Thank you to netgalley for this advanced read. I really like the way the author switched between POV's and covered events from different perspectives.

Stephanie and Jasmine have little in common except for being on the same flight. Stephane is head of a newsroom headed to a conference and Jasmine is running from her abusive boyfriend. So how have both women been presumed dead, killed by the same man? The man, Trent, swears not to know either of them.

This was a crazy book and once you think you have it figured out, guess again. While it got to be a little far fetched for me near the end, I still enjoyed it and will recommend to others.

Overall, I couldn’t predict how everything would unravel. Good mystery and the audio was also good. Enjoyed the multiple POVs!

Wow - big thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. I went into this book blind and devoured it almost in one sitting. When I thought I figured out the big twist, it turned out to be the tip of the iceberg. Great story with great (and terrible) characters. Cant wait to see what else this debut author puts out!

I can't recommend it enough! I really enjoyed this book, I couldn't put it down, I finished it in a couple of days!

4.5/5 Got sucked right in to this psychological thriller and I just had to keep frantically turning the page! I didn’t see the ending coming at all and was genuinely satisfied with the conclusion. Great debut! Will be happy to read any other works from this author.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Wow! This is a debut novel and I am still trying to wrap my head about that! I absolutely loved that this book had more of a psychological intrigue to it as it kept me flipping the pages and moved the book along at a fast pace! There are some twists that were so good, but you do need to suspend reality a bit for them! Overall, this was a wonderful debut and I am excited to see what else the author has in store for us!

The fact that this is a debut is mind blowing and I have to applaud Jessie Garcia for the wonderful story telling she provided here!
I’m not usually a fan of multi POV because it can get unnecessarily mixed up, but she did such a good job with this. I was immediately invested in this mystery and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this author.

THE BUSINESS TRIP is Jessie Garcia’s debut thriller - and i was SO shocked that this was a debut. It’s fast paced, engaging and perfect for readers who love a domestic thriller. The multiple POVs helped me stay invested in the characters and the story. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

I have not been mindf*'d like this by a book in quite a while. The Business Trip starts in full panic mode, raising your anxiety along with one of the FMC's, as she sneaks out in the middle of the night from a bad situation. This wild ride starts on page one, leaving you holding on to see what in the world is going to happen next. I can't even continue on without giving anything away. I have no idea how to summarize what I just read. This book keeps you wondering how everything is connected and I was SHOCKED at the end. I normally can figure it out and just love being along for the ride. That I was taken by surprise alone leaves me impressed.

The writing is well done and the characters all unique in their own ways. Garcia manages to show us the full personality of each player in this game in their own short early chapters. These initial chapters are the building blocks to one of the craziest psychological thrillers I've read in a long time. I loved reading as it all came together, with breadcrumbs you didn't even realize were being left for you.

This is quite the thriller from Garcia. I only hope she brings us more. ...Please bring us more?

I received an advanced copy of this book, all opinions are my own.