Holy guacamole - this book is intense! I know we’ve all read in reviews before that “this book had me on the edge of my seat” and we all kind of eye roll because really? But really! This book had me on the literal. edge. of. my. seat.

I know less than zero about nuclear power. But I do know that a plane crashing into a nuclear power plant is probably not a good thing. I appreciated when one of the characters asked for the situation to be explained to him like he was 5 because I knew they would be breaking this down to my level. I quickly realized I didn’t need to understand much of the technical stuff because things were moving so quickly and the tense action was paired with emotional moments throughout.

Racing heart, teary eyes - this book was such a great read.

I had both the print and audio versions of this book. Both are great but the audio is next level.

4.5 rounded up

Another high octane, edge-of-your-seat thriller from TJ Newman. While this one is quite a bit different from her others, as it doesn't occur in a plane, it takes place *because of* a plan crash, and is just as suspenseful! The only thing preventing this from being a full five star was the large cast of characters that I struggled to keep track of. Though I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook format, as the narrator is spectacular, I do wonder if I'd have gotten as lost if id read the print. That minor criticism aside, this was fantastic and I'd absolutely recommend it

Huge thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ALC. My review will be posted to my socials in the coming days.

Can I give this more than 5 stars?!
This is the third book by T.J. Newman and I couldn't put it down. It is so well written, the characters are well developed and the plot is well thought out and flows perfectly. The book opens with distress on a flight over the rural Midwest. When the plane crashes near a power plant in Minnesota, the lives of a small town and the nation are impacted. The debris blocks roads. The power goes out and communications go down. Residents, emergency responders, teachers, children, and power plant workers are all tested as they maneuver through this catastrophic event. The Worst Case Scenario.

the setup…
The pilot of commercial airliner Delta Flight 224 suddenly has a widow-maker heart attack at 35,000 feet while his first officer is out of the cockpit. The plane plunges to the ground, crashing into a nuclear power plant in Waketa, Minnesota. That small town becomes the epicenter for the most catastrophic event the world has ever faced…categorized as a Level 8 on the International Nuclear Event Scale, which only has 7 levels.

the heart of the story…
The people in Waketa were used to drills living in a town with a nuclear plant. But when they felt the impact of that plane throughout the town, nothing went according to plan as communications were cutoff or disabled. There’s a heartbeat in small communities and this one beat strong as in the middle of all the confusion, the residents rose to the occasion. Ordinary citizens brought their skills, resources and common sense to the table as they sought to do the right things and take care of each other while the brightest and smartest minds worked to resolve the catastrophe at the nuclear plant. It was riveting and scary stuff that kept me breathless.

the narration…
Joe Morton was just a brilliant choice to tell this story. That voice brought all the right emotions, tension and poignancy to create vivid images of the scenes and characters. I can still hear him.

the bottom line…
There’s a lot of science here that went over my head but it just wasn’t important as the President (the kind you dream of having in these situations) demanded plain speak. I was drawn into the separate dramas going on outside of the nuclear disaster as you can imagine the wide range of devastation when a jet falls from the sky. But it was the spirit of the community that captured my heart and imagination with heroes rising from unusual places, risking their lives to save not only their town but potentially the world. Newman strikes gold yet again. I’ll always read whatever she wants to write.

Worst Case Scenario by TJ Newman is oh so edge of your seat good. If you like suspense, action, fast paced, planes, what goes on behind the scenes of a nuclear crisis then you will like this book.

Newman takes you on an airplane as it crashes down into a nuclear power plant in Waketa, Minnesota, that cuts off communication from the rest of the world. He made you feel like you were a part of this story. You along with the characters that are in a race against time to stop the destruction the nuclear power station could cause if it exploded. You feel the urgency to stop the explosion and to save lives. The story, characters, the sacrifices, and the stress kept me engaged from the minute I started this audiobook. He knows how to play into people’s fear of flying. He did such an amazing job with all of the characters especially Dawson. There were so many characters and storylines that tied into each other.

Worst Case Scenario is a fantastic unputdownable ride. Joe Morton did an amazing job narrating, so many voices and making you feel the urgency of all of the evens taking place. It was a wild ride!! Thank you to Little, Brown, & Company and NetGalley for letting me listen an audiobook ARC for my honest thoughts and opinions.

Written by a previous flight attendant, Newman has come up with a "worst case scenario" regarding a plane crash. What the plane crashes into can be completely devastating, even beyond the life and damage to those on board. This was a full throttle book that kept the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat. There were a few times that the details of story were a bit laborious and confusing, but I was able to dismiss them and catch the overall point of the book. The audiobook had some exterior sounds that made it immersive. For example, when characters were talking on the radio to each other the sound was different.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hatchette Audio for the gifted ALC.

I had reservations when the intro of the book summarized Newman's effort to come up with a new plot, which apparently consisted of her constantly hounding pilots about their greatest fears until one of them finally identified something she felt she could write about. Things just went downhill from there.

You'd think a female author would have more female main characters, especially women in power, especially in a "thriller" involving the White House, a nuclear power plan, several federal and state agencies, and a handful of pilots. You'd be wrong in that thinking!

While there are a LOT of characters here, hardly any are female, and certainly not in any position of power. The president? A white male. All the pilots are male. The firefighters? Male. The police officers? Yep, they're men too. What about the heads of agency, you ask? Yes, they're alllll men.

To add insult to injury, the few women we ARE introduced to are clearly classified as mothers or not-mothers. The not-mother identifies so strongly as being a not-mother, she mentions it in her introduction to the President. All mothers and not-mothers spend all their time thinking about offspring, even during a literal nuclear meltdown. Non-mother's legacy is a potential love interest that could have made her a mother.

The technical aspects read like Newman copied and pasted the passages, or attended a recorded lecture and wrote the information out verbatim.

None of this felt thrilling, authentic, or enjoyable, and I could not recommend a book less.

Newman has an incredible talent for creating tension in a story. However, while Newman's previous novels took place inside the plane itself, this one was more about the impact of a plane crash. For me, this made the story a bit less unique and memorable. As usual, the characters were compelling and I was invested in everyone's story arc. The characters fit together well, so even if they were part of different elements of the plotline, they all still fit together. In Newman's novels, every hero doesn't make it out unscathed, so it's harder to guess what will happen next. That being said, this one was rather more predictable than the previous ones. I read this one on audio and it was excellent. On the whole, another win from Newman.

A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

When a commercial airliner crashes into a nuclear power plant, the countdown is on to prevent disaster on an unthinkable scale. In this new aviation thriller from T.J. Newman, we follow along with those responsible for managing and dealing with this new disaster... before it's too late.

Similar to Newman's previous books, this story is fast-paced and high adrenaline. It's a binge-able read with an interesting plot, technical details that are well-researched, and a cast of everyday heroes to root for. And while Worst Case Scenario didn't quite hit the same level of suspense or emotion for me as her previous book (Drowning) it was still a non-stop action read.

I listened to this one on audio and really enjoyed the style of narration. There was a lot of conversation that took place over the radio and I thought it was fun (and unique) to see that integrated into the audiobook.

3.5 stars rounded up for the narration! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance audio copy!

Thank you @netgalley and @littlebrown for my ALC!

3,5 stars to the story but 5 stars to the narration of this audiobook!

But for those wanting to know more get ready for Newman’s latest page-turner where she takes us on a heart-pounding journey that starts at 35,000 feet and then plunges straight into chaos.

The story is as terrifying as it is gripping: a pilot suffers a heart attack mid-flight, sending a commercial airliner on a collision course with a nuclear power plant in Waketa, Minnesota.

In a high-stakes race against time, ordinary heroes—power plant employees, firefighters, teachers, and families—find themselves facing an unimaginable crisis that pushes them beyond their limits. It's a wild mix of human spirit and sheer anxiety that’ll keep your heart racing!

While Newman excels at crafting an emotionally charged, high-stakes plot, the story sometimes gets bogged down in technical details. For those who love disaster movies, the scenarios here have all the makings of a blockbuster. However, the heavy use of technical jargon, especially surrounding the nuclear disaster, occasionally slows the pace and detracts from the emotional depth of the characters' experiences.

I also felt that some of the more poignant moments felt slightly overdone, crossing into melodrama. But that’s just my personal opinion.

While this book delivers its share of electrifying moments, it doesn't quite capture the raw, relentless tension that made her first book ‘Falling’ a standout.

When all is said and done, Newman’s talent for creating dramatic, high-stakes situations definitely shines through, making this a thrilling read for those who enjoy exploring the limits of human resilience.

Newman’s books are action-packed and tense and this was no exception. When a plane crashes into a nuclear power plant, the small town races to contain the damage before it results in Chernobyl-level disaster.

I know nothing about nuclear energy but was still on the edge of my seat as we follow different characters navigating different elements of the crisis across town. We see a community come together as they are faced with the ultimate test.

I highly recommend the audiobook narrated by Joe Morton (Olivia Pope’s dad from Scandal!). His narration was perfect and kept you wanting to listen and find out what happened.

Unless you’re flying soon, I’d recommend picking this up! Thanks NetGalley and Hachette Audio for my complimentary copy.

I’m just blown away & don’t want to give it away.

As I sat down to listen, I thought it was going to be a plane catastrophe story set exclusively on a plane, boy was I wrong.

Super fast paced! High octane thriller that starts with a bang & will have you in tears by the end.

The characters are well written & multiple storylines are unfolding at once. Characters are multilayered, from all ages & walks of life. Some characters are asked to do things outside of their comfort zone due to the current emergency circumstances.

World ending disaster movie set in the US.

I realize I’m not sharing specifics but there’s a lot going on and I personally enjoyed the surprise of finding out on my own.

Edge of your seat! Can’t put it down!

Thank you NetGalley & Hachette Audio. I read a lot of books and this is in contention for thriller of the year! I’m excited to read more books by T.J. Newman!

Worst Case Scenario by TJ Newman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The small town of Waketa must work together to prevent a level 8 nuclear disaster. Wow! This story was gut-wrenching, thrilling and packed with suspense. I felt connected to the characters and did not want the story to end. The character development was great and story fast paced.

Thank you TJ Newman, NetGalley and publishing team. The audiobook was top notch & i enjoyed it very much.

A commercial plane crashes into a nuclear power plant off of the Mississippi River in Minnesota. The clock starts counting down as teams of experts, politicians and regular citizens work together to avert a global disaster.

I am old enough to remember the epic disaster movies of the 70’s and 80’s. I am talking about Earthquake, The Poseidon Adventure, Airplane among others. This book reminded me of those classic stories. It was filled with great characters, heroism, determination and sacrifice. The people and how they overcome obstacles during a crisis is the best part of the story. This has that and so much more. Maybe I was a little nostalgic but I loved this story. It delivered a heart stopping thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed. My favorite by the author so far and I have enjoyed them all!!


5 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

TJ Newman is a great action/suspense writer. This book kept me listening with so many things that go wrong. I enjoy the character development and the heroic acts that compel us to believe humanity is worth saving! The narrator does a great job in this audio.

I don't enjoy the F words throughout the novel.
No sex--no time...they have to save the world!

Have you ever wondered what would happen if a plane crashed into a nuclear power plant? T.J. Newman lets readers into just that scenario in this new non-stop novel. Told through several points of view, including first responders, power plant workers, and even the President of the United States, readers are ensconced in the terror and the heroics resulting from a catastrophic event. The narrator of the audiobook expresses this sense of urgency and inflicts emotion into every situation. The audiobook also employs the crackly echoing of the continuous radio chatter necessary because cell service is down. The result is a truly immersive reading experience!

Like her previous novels, this book is action packed from the beginning to the end. However, I didn’t really connect with the characters this time and had a harder time following this story.

When I read @tj_author books, I feel like I am sitting in the front row of a major action packed blockbuster movie. 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼, her newest thriller, definitely upholds Newman's reign as the best in this genre. This is a gripping thriller that will take you on a heart-pounding journey through a potential nuclear disaster in a small Midwestern town. I finished it in ONE DAY! We start here with a heart pounding description of an aviation crash, but from there Newman crafts a story that is both intense and emotionally charged. ⠀
⠀
The plot centers around a commercial airliner that crashes into a nuclear power plant in Waketa, Minnesota, triggering a catastrophic crisis with global implications. The narrative follows ordinary people—power plant employees, firefighters, teachers, and families—who are thrust into extraordinary circumstances. Their courage, ingenuity, and determination are put to the ultimate test as they strive to prevent a meltdown that could devastate millions.⠀

Newman’s storytelling is masterful, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with relentless suspense and well-developed characters. The book’s pacing is impeccable, making it difficult to put down. The realistic portrayal of a nuclear disaster and the human response to such a crisis adds a layer of authenticity that enhances the overall impact of the story. I cannot thank @hachetteaudio for the amazing audiobook version of this narrated by the incredible Joe Morton. This book is MEANT for audio!!

𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰 is a must-read for fans of thrillers. T.J. Newman continues to prove her prowess in the genre, delivering a novel that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. Pick this one up for a big Summer thrill!

This book read exactly like how I expect then movie version to go. If you like reading disaster movies, you will like this book!
I appreciate how fast moving Ms. Newman keeps her books. There are a lot of main characters so I was not sure this would work well but it does. Keep with it and it's worth it. Rounded up from 4.5 stars
The narrator was great and animated when needed.. The production is good but there were times when the 'bullhorn would be REALLY loud so I would turn it down, but then I could not hear the narrator well. Maybe a mixing issue?
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A full speed ahead thriller in the air (and on the ground) from T.J. Newman. What's the worst thing that could happen on a plane? Well, crashing into a nuclear power plant would have to be right up there. The author imagines the unimaginable in a super fast paced, scary, compelling narrative with a racing pace of suspense that never lets up. There are a cast of compelling characters, including first responders and a young President who is being tested for the first time. The pages (or in my case, the audio) practically turn themselves. Recommended!