This is my third novel by T.J. Newman. I have been anxiously awaiting the release of this book since I learned about it. She is the queen of giving her readers a wild ride. This book takes off running right away and you never get a chance to catch your breath. I really loved this book! My heart broke for these characters I fell in love with in this intense situation. I was able to get my hands on both the audiobook and the digital copy for Worst Case Scenario. The audiobook was fabulous! I could not finish this book fast enough. I still love her second book the best, but cannot wait to continue reading more from T.J. Newman.

This book will be released on August 13, 2024.

Thank you to Hachette Audio and Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Hands down probably one of the best books I have read this year.
Stop reading this review and get your hands on this action packed Thriller.

Be prepared to be totally entertained, to the point where your apple watch ask you if you are okay (True story! Granted I listen to this while I was running, but my heart rate and pace were significantly higher than usual!) I have often heard books referred to as white knuckle finch clenching, but this is the text book example. I had no idea action and stressful situations Newman would put me in when I started this book.
From page one you will find yourself scooting to the edge of your seat as a Plane careens downward into a nuclear power plant in a small town. The International Nuclear Event Scale tracks nuclear disasters. Level 7 is a Major Accident(Think Fukushima and Chernobyl)...This crash is a level 8.
I am not familiar with the ends and outs of Nuclear energy so maybe that is partly what made me a captive audience (Innocence is bliss?) I bought right into how the scenario played out-if you are a nuclear physicist you may find flaws, but I would imagine given TJ Newman's previous books she knows her stuff.
But don't be fooled this is not a totally mindless book full of "heroes" and valiant displays of strength this is a surprisingly beautiful dive into the power of community, love for your neighbor and sacrifice. At the start of the book I was a bit overwhelmed by the large cast of characters , but by the end you will be cheering hard for each one. I am not a crier but wow, this one will pull at your heart strings. If you are not a stone ahah I can even imagine you reaching for the box of tissues.
As a side note I believe this would make a fantastic movie/series on the screen (Of course we all know the book will be better!)

TJ Newman you have written a great book! I am going ahead and calling it now (and it is only August) this book will be in the top 5 of my books for the. year!

Thank you SO much to TJ Newman and Net Galley for allowing me to review this advanced audio book of Worst Case Scenario. I was not influenced or paid in exchange for this honest review. All thoughts are my own -Can't ya tell?

Seriously stop reading this review and GET THIS BOOK

Wow! This book not only had me biting my nails but crying my eyes out. The story has so much heart.

When a plane crashes into a nuclear power plant, a group of scientists and first responders literally have to find a way to save the world in under 24 hours.

From science nerds to firefighters - the women and men in this book display acts of true selflessness and heroism in ways that are expected and unexpected.

This book had me on the edge of my seat and wondering what I would do in the same situation.

I highly recommend it for readers who like page-turning action, thought provoking scenarios and emotional drama.

The audiobook narration by Joe Morton is superb.

Thank you to Hachette Audio and Net Galley for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5)

My fav by this author was Falling, then Drowning and then Worst Case Scenario. In that order.

I liked learning more about how a nuclear exposure would impact the body. It’s truly terrifying. The author definitely does drive home terrible situations.

However, I couldn’t get into this one as much as her others and never really connected with any of the characters.

I did think the way the audio was done with the special effects from time to time was cool.

It wasn’t bad I just didn’t like it as much as the others.

When a plane flies into a nuclear power plant, humanity must prepare for their first potential Level 8 Disaster.

This book has unlocked a new fear/ fascination for me. Just when I thought this author's books couldn't get anymore action-packed and intense than the first two, I was surely proven wrong. This book had it all. While I didn't precisely understand the scientific mechanisms of what was going on, I did enjoy the descriptions and the story and it didn't take away from me feeling the buildup of tension and the sense of doom throughout this book. The themes of restored faith in humanity, heroicism, and community in this book were exquisite. I experienced so many different emotions throughout and I was on the edge of my seat until the end. There is so much I want to say about what loved about the conclusion, but I can't without spoilers, so you'll just have to check it out for yourself! I listened to the audio version and really enjoyed the narrator. He did a great job. I also liked how certain aspects (radio calls, etc) came through a little better on audio.

4.5/5⭐

Rating: 4 ⭐️
Pub Date: August 13, 2024
How I Read It: 🎧

Synopsis
An airplane pilot has a medical emergency and a series of unfortunate events occur after, with the plane crashing into a nuclear power plant.

My Thoughts
The opening of this book made me never want to get on a plane again. Holy agita. I think I stopped breathing at times while I read this. This is definitely not the book for those with anxiety or for the faint of heart. The stories from the aftermath will make you want to cry, especially with one of the characters, Connor; you will be holding your breath during this poor little boy’s story. The author will make you feel stuff you’ve never imagined feeling before. What a terrifying, emotional roller coaster of a story that’s filled with heart-stopping action and scenarios. I was a little lost with all the details on the workings of a nuclear power plant and its emergency protocols. It made it hard for me to envision what was going on at times, but the narrator was phenomenal, and it was read and produced in a cinematic way, keeping you engaged and feeling every moment each character felt during the intense catastrophic event.

❗️Of Note
Death
✈️ Crashing Plane

Themes
👥 Multiple POV
🫣 Suspense
🏃‍♂️ Fast-Paced
💥 Action Packed
🤯 Mind-blown

Ratings
Characters: 4 ⭐️
Pace: 3.5 ⭐️
Enjoyability: 4 ⭐️
Narrator: 5 ⭐️

Thank you to Hachette Audio | Little, Brown & Company, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

Wow! I didn't think Newman could pull it off a 3rd time, but this kept me in the edge of my seat for most of the book. I loved Drowning and Worst Case Scenario is another firecracker of drama and tension.

I learned more about nuclear power plants and reactor meltdowns than I ever wanted to know and can only hope my usual tendency to forget a book soon after finishes kicks in. Because I do not want to be constantly thinking about what could go wrong.

But even more incredible was how Newton also wove in all the great parts of small town America and the benefits of smaller communities.

This is a rollercoaster of a ride, but still heartwarming and uplifting at the same time.

The narration by Joe Morton was also excellent. Normally I don't always go for the full production audiobooks, but I did like the added sound effects here. It made me feel like I was right there on scene.

"It's not a movie, just reads like one."

🛬 First few chapters introducing the flight crash is amazingly graphic and equal accolades to audio book narrator who paints the complete picture as if a movie is playing. The thrill and panic as the flight goes down, the wings crashing on cars on a highway, President being locked down into high security in anticipation of terrorist attack, is outstanding.
🛬 The story soon transforms about the first responders and nuclear plant manager. The plot which was evident that it is eventually going to have a happy ending. It was a convenient plot line and research on nuclear power plant was superficial . The story is spread across the town to create sense of impact and chaos, but it results in huge cast of characters, making it difficult for reader to keep trac
🛬 This is an amazing Audio narration by Joe Morton. I was literally in the flight alongside the narrator when the fictional flight started crashing. The static sound when characters are communicating over radio, immensely adds to the mood. Maybe it could have been tried during the pool and rescue scenes in the lake.

Fasten your seatbelts...TJ Newman's latest book, Worst Case Scenario, is a nail-biter. This time, the story revolves around a commercial passenger plane that crashes into a nuclear plant. I learned a lot about the subject through the author's words. Newman has a unique talent for explaining a complicated topic in a simpler, intriguing way. The most challenging part of finishing this book is knowing I will have to wait until next year for her next fascinating rollercoaster of a thriller.

I've become such a fan of TJ Newman and especially love the audiobooks of his stories. They are so fast moving that I have to devour them in one day or I won't be able to sleep!! This keeps you on the edge of your seat. Hot tip: listen while you're on a plane!! haha


Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

WHAT A RIDE. I’m pretty sure I was holding my breath for the entirety of this novel…it pulls the reader in and doesn’t let go until the last page.
Following the pilot’s sudden deadly heart attack, a commercial plane filled with passengers crashes into a small town in Minnesota, the debris causing its own vast destruction across the town, but the biggest problem of all: part of the plane crashed into the town’s nuclear power plant and its bringing the threat of a crisis worse than Chernobyl. It’s a race against time to save their town and prevent a global catastrophe and every member of this small town is proof of the power of community in crisis.
This was such a powerful story throughout every part - from the gut-wrenching terror and destruction scenes to the bravery and sacrifice from characters. Newman has finely crafted a unique thriller better than any murder mystery on the shelves. Highly recommend! The narrators were also fantastic at bringing these tense moments to life.
Thank you to Hachette Audio and Little, Brown and Company for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Combo of book and audio. Audio was excellent¡ Recommend way to go on this one. Would give audio 5 stars.

Her other two books were 5 stars for me. Would say this one was 3.75. Somehow slow but too much happening all at the same time. For that reason ended up finishing with the book to read faster

I loved this audiobook! There are parts where it switches and it sounds like the narrator is coming out through a radio and I absolutely loved it it really made the audiobook seem like you were right there in the disaster!

𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 5⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: mystery/thriller📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
Not to be dramatic but this might be my favorite book of the year! This book unlocked so many new fears for me but I loved it!

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Suspenseful thrillers
Action packed survivals
Terrifying yet heartwarming reads
Fast paced and intense plots
Realistic characters
Themes of community and resilience
Small town setting
Unique storylines
Books that keep you on your feet

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
The narration was great
Binged it in one day

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
This book gave me so such much anxiety but I loved every minute of it lol

TJ Newman decides to crash a plane into a nuclear power plant in her latest novel - Worst Case Scenario.

"A commercial airline pilot suffers a heart attack at 35,000 feet and his plane filled with passengers crashes into a nuclear power plant in Minnesota. Soon everyone from the President down to neighbors and friends are fighting to save their community and the world."

Newman is known for non-stop action and she never lets up. She goes from the events on the plane to wrecks on the Interstate to power outages in town to keeping the tension high at the nuclear power plant. People die and people are saved. First responders have to make critical decisions about who can be or should be saved. There are several moments where you're holding your breath, wondering what comes next. And hoping certain characters will make it (many won't)

The audio narration by Joe Morton is excellent. Probably one of the best produced audiobooks this year. The radio effects put you in the story.

One thing that I thought bogged the story down was the detail on Nuclear Disaster levels and disaster procedures and processes - too much overexplaining.

Another good action story from Newman.

Whoa! What a ride! Worst Case Scenario by flight attendant-turned-author T.J. Newman is intense and unputdownable. I was fortunate to obtain a review copy of the audiobook from NetGalley. It is brilliant in that format. The narrator, Joe Morton, told the story with a sense of urgency and the tension was palpable. There were some great special effects added as well, such as the sounds of people talking over emergency radios. I have read all 3 of Newman's books and each one is better than the last.

Worst Case Scenario starts out with a plane full of passengers crashing into a nuclear power plant in Minnesota after its pilot suffers a fatal heart attack during the flight. What follows is a fast-paced story of ordinary citizens springing into action and risking everything to save humanity from extinction. I loved every minute of it!

Big thanks to Hachette Audio, Little, Brown & Company, and NetGalley for a review copy of this audiobook.

What a wild ride! Literally!!

Worst Case Scenario (apt title) asks the question: what if a plane crashed into a nuclear power plant? and what if the infrastructure of that plant was already under-funded and falling apart?

I have never been so stressed but so interested while reading a book. T.J. Newman writes so cinematically you can see it playing in your head clear as day. I thought the different story lines were both extremely well done and can't wait to read more by her! (especially since I already own Falling and Drowning... book worm problems)

The audiobook added some really neat details too like radio voices and effects for people speaking through the CB radios!

Worst Case Scenario
T.J. Newman
The International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES) is a tool for communicating the safety significance of nuclear and radiological events to the public. It is used to enable prompt communication of safety significant information in case of nuclear accidents. Each increasing level represents an accident approximately ten times as severe as the previous level. The scale has 7 Levels. Chernobyl and Fukushima were Level 7.
This is a Level 8.
A commercial airliner, a 757 with 295 souls on board, was flying at 35000 feet. The pilot suffers a widow maker heat attack. The First Officer is in the bathroom when the plane plumets. There is no time to warn the passengers. The flight attendant cannot get to the radio. The plane nose dives, headed toward the Clover Hill Nuclear Power Plant.
Could it get any worse?
It Does.
When we face a Worst-Case Scenario the best of us shines through.
Steve Tostig, Joss Vance, Dani Allen, Ethan Ross and President Dawson and others forced to make impossible decisions. Innocent victims.
This is the tale of ordinary people, firefighters, teachers, power plant employees, families, neighbors, and friends facing an extraordinary situation. This was a life and death situation. Ordinary people demonstrate extraordinary courage, ingenuity, and determination to save the people they love, their community, the country and the world. Ordinary people, HEROES!
I could not turn this book off. I had to listen to the very last word. Joe Morton is a superb narrator. The tension is this book keep building in this tale. The characters came to life on the pages of this tale, and I wanted them all to live. If I could give this book 10 Stars I would. Publish Date is August 13, 2024.

Thank you NetGalley for providing a review copy.

Thank you to NetGalley, T.J. Newman & Hachette Audio for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review is wholly my own & may not be reproduced.

So far with T.J. Newman – I liked Falling, LOVED Drowning and sadly, wasn’t a huge fan of Worst Case Scenario. This was my least favorite yet. I never got invested until literally the very end when it got super tense. The first 90% was just “blah.” The inner-workings of a nuclear powerplant bored me to tears.

I just never really felt the suspense like I did with the first two books. I LOVE doing audio of T.J.’s books because the narrators do such a fantastic job of pulling you in and making it feel real. They did do that here, but not until the very end.

While this one was not a favorite of mine, I still love T.J.’s writing & stories & will absolutely read future books of hers.

Why do I read TJ Newman’s books? Every single time I get anxiety, high blood pressure and can’t concentrate on anything else. I mean, it’s incredibly hard to listen to her books while working. I get so caught up in the story, in the nonstop action, that my limbs dont want to function. I only have control over my ears. It makes life very difficult. But it is totally worth it!!!!
In Falling and Drowning, Newman gave us the horrors of being trapped inside a commercial plane, in really really bad scenarios. It couldn’t possibly get any worse, right? Well… Now Newman has taken us up in the plane again, but the horrors are what happen once the plan has crashed.. we are no longer dealing with saving passengers, now we are trying to save the world.
Newman has experience, but does her research. She knows everything about planes, has friends that pilot them. But how the heck did she get all of her information on nuclear reactors? Holy crap it’s so much to absorb. It all seems so freaking possible, which is terrifying.
I’ve only ever listened to TJ Newmann’s books. I don’t think I’ll read the print, even though I own them. The audio version is way to good. The narrator nails multiple voices and emotions. You are in the story, a part of the disaster, and you can escape. Something about having the book read to you is more terrifying, a whole experience. So yeah, if you want extra stress, listen to the book.