T.J. Newman once again had me hooked from the get-go. Worst Case Scenario is the third of T.J. Newman's books and just like her past airplane related thrillers, this one had me on the edge of my seat.

When a pilot has a heart attack while flying, the plane crashes into a nuclear powerplant in a small town. The disaster results in ordinary people being asked to do extraodinary thinks.

Thank you Hachette Audio and NetGalley for my copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

A disaster story of mammoth proportions! The list of challenges to overcome are endless but wow what a way to portray it!
The writing I found comfortable without being over the top and created just the right amount of atmosphere.

Worst Case Scenario is even more gripping and death defying than I expected.. I thought it would be the worst case scenario in a plane but this story went way beyond that. In the first few minutes the pilot suffers a widowmaker heart attack and the plane crashes into a nuclear power plant. And things go downhill from there. There are some gruesome details in the crash, deaths and injuries that occur, but the story isn't overly graphic. TJ Newman is fantastic at creating suspense, combined with loveable and relatable characters who you don't want to lose.
The audiobook narration by Joe Morton really captured the urgency and drama and also contained realistic sound effects and radio transmissions, I almost felt like I was watching a movie unfold.

After eagerly reading Newman’s first two books, I couldn’t wait to get to this one. The fact that it was a departure from the strictly plane-based setting was one of the things I was most interested in seeing, because honestly, how many nightmare plane scenarios can we read without having an impact on the travel industry? Also, I was approved for the audiobook version of this, narrated by Joe Morton, and these seem like just the right kind of story to be read in audio format.

The action starts immediately in this book. It starts out with the pilot having a massive, fatal heart attack at 35,000 feet, while the copilot is in the lavatory. The plane crashes into a nuclear power plant in rural Minnesota, creating an immediate catastrophe of immense proportions. Part of the power plant is damaged, and parts of the plane have landed across the town, creating blockages and traffic accidents, in addition to the impending potential for a nuclear meltdown that has the capacity to surpass Fukushima and Chernobyl in terms of severity.

Joe Morton, the narrator, does a wonderful job of telling this fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat kind of story. There are CB radio transmissions interspersed with the story, and plenty of sound effects, and I was pulled into the action right from the beginning. Newman keeps the tension high throughout the story, but she also has a talent for creating storylines that draw in my emotions—there’s the single dad and his son who are struggling to connect, a small boy who is in a tough spot to save, and then the whole town full of people who are trying to avoid the same fate as the people of Pripyat, Ukraine. However, it was incredibly frustrating to realize early on in the book that the narrator mispronounced “nuclear” as “nuc-u-lar” every time, which took me out of the story.

Each chapter starts with a countdown to the zero hour, keeping the story tense for nearly the entire time. The pace was consistently fast, but the ending felt a bit rushed. I loved the way that the characters were developed and we got to know each of their storylines to add an emotional investment to the book. Each of the characters was stuck in a tough situation, and everyone did what they had to do, regardless of what they wanted to do. While each of her stories are terrifying in a different way, this one was less claustrophobic and more far-reaching. I would suggest that if you plan to read this, to read a hard copy or e-book, and avoid the audiobook, especially if mispronunciation of simple words bother you.

I think this author is extremely talented, I just don't think this book was for me.

When it comes to thrillers I try to go in as "blind" as possible to the details of the plot and I think I was just expecting something different from this book. I think it would be great for a lot of people, especially if you are into reading about disasters/ possible global catastrophic events.

I was able to listen to the audiobook and I do recommend this format. I enjoyed that at times it really sounded like the characters were talking on the radio, which added to the listening experience.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to listen to the audiobook in advance

T. J. Newman has another bestseller with this thriller. As I am listening to the book and explaining to my husband what it’s about, he said that’s a bit far fetched. However, later that day while watching the nightly news, we watched the Brazilian Airline plane crash killing everyone. My husband turned to me and said, I guess the story could really happen. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was so well done. I especially liked the sound effects. They added to the story.

Thank you #NetGalley, #HachetteAudio, #LittleBrown&Company, #T.J. Newman and #TheWorstCaseScenario for the advance audiobook for my honest review.

Worst Case Scenario starts immediately with a situation to get your pulse rising and it never stops. T.J. Newman takes terrible situations and brings life to them through her lived experience, research, and writing. This was no exception.

Following a crash, a small town in Minnesota loses power and isn't sure what's going on - but as we learn with them, the tradeoffs, their choices, and what happens in between is sobering and impactful. This isn't a book I'll easily forget!

I read it in audiobook format. I found I couldn't do much other than listen since the material kept me so engaged.

Thank you to Netgalley, Hachette, and Little Brown & Company.

Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is a NetGalley Audiobook approved ARC!
A little over 8 hours normal speed I was glued to my headset the whole time and binged this to completion in one sitting.
The narrator does an amazing job keeping you on the edge of your seat as the tension mounts. And I really liked the difference with the radio calls sounding almost real.
The multiple POVs were easy to follow and even as fast as this audio breezed by I found myself emotional on several occasions! This was a phenomenal thriller and I will be backtracking to more of her works in the future.
If you've seen the Korean film Pandora this is some of the same scenario but that didn't detract from the story at all.

What a book! This one grabbed me from the very beginning and did not letup.
This one started out with the pilot of a commercial airliner as the victim of a heart attack, and the plane crashed into a nuclear power plant in the small town of Waketa, Minnesota. This becomes ground zero for the disaster, and the rest of the story is a roller coaster. The tale is told from multiple perspectives, and I was afraid for the fate of most of them.

This one has heartwarming instances when the townspeople came together, tense and dangerous scenes in the power plant, crises with the firefighters who were trying to rescue a little boy, teachers directing children to safety, and families and neighbors huddling together and hoping to help. It was a really good book! Other reviewers have commented that there were too many characters, and admittedly there were a lot, and they were sometimes hard to track. That’s the only negative for me.

I switched back and forth between the ebook and the audiobook. The narration was really good, and the different voices were believable and easily remembered.

Five great stars for this one!

How many ways can a passenger plane accident happen? T.J. Newman showed us two already with Falling and Drowning, and she’s back with a 3rd installment. This one is a little different in that the story doesn’t take place on the plane, it focuses on the small town and the nuclear power plant that the plane crashes into – very Chernobyl.

I’ve gone back and forth on how to review this book and the audio production. I’ve decided to be really transparent and honest in my review: I DNF’d at 84%. Why? I realized that I just didn’t care about this story – it has all the same drama and action as her previous books, and mentioned/borrowed several elements we’ve already seen in the previous books. There were a lot of characters to keep straight, one of whom was a fictitious president of the US of A. The dialogue was very forced and unrealistic. The narrator’s pronunciations of several words just irked me to no end and took me out of the story.

On a positive note, the audio production (other than weird pronunciations) was really good. Joe Morton delivers a clear and smooth narration and I enjoyed the change in tone for the bull horn and CB Radio transmissions – I thought they brought some depth to the story.

2/5 for the book
4/5 for the audio production

Thank you to Netgalley, Hachette Audio for this audiobook. All opinions above are my own.

5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to @hachetteaudio & @netgalley for the audio ARC!

From the first page, this book had me in knots and then I cried through the final chapters!

The high anxiety, heart stopping narration from multiple POVs was able to convey the urgency & the potential outcome of a horrific tragedy playing out minute by minute, while also showing the humanity of everyday heroes.

Equally brave, some of them stepped up to try to save the world, while others were focused on saving just one life.

#WorstCaseScenario #TJNewman #5StarRead #5StarReview #ARCReview #HachetteAudio #Netgalley

Thank you @tj_author and @littlebrown for this finished copy, @hachetteaudio and @netgalley for the ALC 💖.

✨What it is about:
A pilot suffers a heart attack at 35,000 feet, and the crew cannot get back control of the commercial airliner.The aircraft filled with passengers crashes into a nuclear power plant in the small town of Waketa, Minnesota, which becomes ground zero for a catastrophic national crisis with global implications. ✨
 
💭My thoughts:
I was thrilled when @tj_author contacted me letting me know I won a copy of her newest book. This was absolutely one of the most intense stories I have ever read, and the action starts right on page one so be ready! T.J. Newman knows how to execute a story full of chilling details and mid-blowing scenarios, supported by great characters, in circumstances that are beyond your wildest imagination. She gets your blood pumping and your mind racing with stories full of suspense and tension that keep you turning the pages.

🎧Listening to the audio book while reading the physical book was such an amazing experience. Narrated by Joe Morton, the audio made me feel like I was right there in the middle of it all! The characters were voiced with the emotion and intensity pertinent to the different situations, and I was fond of all the audio enhancements done to portray the different methods of communication that were used throughout the story: phone calls, intercoms,radios etc…they made everything sound so realistic.

The book follows multiple perspectives and characters dealing with different situations all happening simultaneously, and all brought by the plane crash. It was a lot to wrap up, and the end did leave me wanting more details. However seeing the sacrifices made by so many, and a whole community come together to save the world was very touching.

4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Read if you like:
✈️Fast paced page turners
✈️Multiple POVs
✈️High stakes
✈️Non-stop action
✈️Suspenseful thrillers
✈️Compelling and emotional stories

⚠️CW: Plane crash,death,graphic injury details,car accident,death of a parent,grief, death of a spouse,mentions of terminal illness.

Get ready for the ultimate adrenaline rush because T.J. Newman has absolutely outdone herself with "Worst Case Scenario!" After being blown away by her first two novels, I wasn't sure how she would top them! This heart-stopping thriller had me hooked from the first page.

There's no putting this book down, even for a second. The non-stop action captivated me, and I snuck away every chance I had to squeeze in one more chapter. The action starts immediately and doesn't let up. The book begins so intensely that I didn't think Ms. Newman could maintain the level for the remainder of the book. I was anticipating the moment of letdown (or a break to catch my breath), but it didn't come!

I couldn't resist immersing myself in this gripping story, even ignoring my husband on his day off. Once I started, nothing could tear me away. The relentless pace and suspense hooked me, and I had to devour it in one go.

T.J. Newman's exceptional talent shines through on every page of "Worst Case Scenario." While she may churn out books slower than some authors, her quality-over-quantity approach has paid off. With three incredible novels, she has established herself as a master of phenomenal thriller novels. I have my popcorn ready for the movie adaptations and eagerly await her next masterpiece. Maybe I'll even brave flying again one day!

Sincere thanks to Hachette Audio/Little, Brown & Co. for this spectacular advanced audiobook copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#WorstCaseScenario #TJNewman #HachetteAudio #littlebrownandco #audiobookreview #ARC #pageturner #reader #read #honestreview #thriller #bookreviewer #thrillerbooklovers #thepulse #pulsepoint #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #ReadersOfTheLateArc #TalkWordyToMeTeam #lovetoread #lovebooks #booknerd #readaholic #bookstagrammer #booktok #booktoker

With this her third thriller, T.J. Newman has secured her position at the top of the adventure/ thriller genre. Nobody writes high energy, non stop action, thrillers with high drama, heart as deftly or realistically like she does.
Just like her previous two novels, this is heart poundingly addictive reader. Drawn in from the opening chapter, the author grabs your attention instantly and the book sets off at a lightening pace that lasts throughout.
Unlike her other two books, the action on the plane only takes place at the beginning of the book, the devastating and potentially world changing events take place after the plane is no longer in play.
This story ricochets from one high drama moment to another with a cast of well drawn characters. High emotion, high energy, a non stop ride.

I listened to this in a day. Could not stop listening. Loved it. Bravo T.J. Newman. Roll on Summer 2025, I cant wait for book number 4.

4.5 star

** The audio was excellent and the narration was top class.

I am in awe at this author's ability to have your heart pounding within the first few sentences of a book! This is the third book I've read by this flight attendant turned author, and they have all been stellar! While the first two took place primarily on an airplane, this one is more what happens after an airplane crashes....into a nuclear power plant!! Be sure to catch the author's note with how she came up with the story, fascinating look into airline pilot thoughts. This book was consumed in almost one sitting, I was that invested in what was going to happen. There were two plots going on simultaneously, one at the scene of the crash, and the other at a bridge where one of the plane's wings landed upon impact. Both were super compelling and fast paced. I learned something about nuclear power plants, but it wasn't written in a way that was text book-y. If it sounds like this is only a plot driven story, the characters were so well done! There are quite a lot of them, but you will definitely know who is who by the end. Not only did I experience the pulse pounding emotion, but I also cried at a point toward the end (if you read it, you'll know!).

If you are looking for an edge of your seat, adrenaline inducing thriller, that also has great characters and people who rally during the worst of scenarios (see what I did there?), pick this one up. At this point I'm ready to read the phone book if it's written by this author!

I listened to this book on audio, and I highly recommend that format if that is a format you like. The narrator was phenomenal! He added drama and emotion to the scenes and characters, and I will seek out other books he narrates in the future.

4.5. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Newman's latest novel is just as thrilling and immersive as her previous works of fiction. The narration was excellent and I found myself at the edge of my seat throughout. While I didn't expect to get emotionally involved given the many characters and several simultaneous crises, ultimately, I felt the emotional impact of the story - there were tears.

I enjoyed the narration and felt it added to the emotional nature of my experience.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Little Brown & Company, and Hachette Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by TJ Newman, with the audiobook narrated by Joe Morton. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

When a pilot suffers a heart attack at 35,000 feet, a commercial airliner filled with passengers crashes into a nuclear power plant in the small town of Waketa, Minnesota, which becomes ground zero for a catastrophic national crisis with global implications. The International Nuclear Event Scale tracks nuclear disasters. It has seven levels. Level 7 is a Major Accident, with only two on record: Fukushima and Chernobyl. There has never been a Level 8. Until now.

Wow - TJ Newman has done it again! This book was gripping from beginning to end, tension ratcheting up throughout. We get to see how this event affects the people in town - power plant employees, teachers, firefighters. Each chapter leaves us with a cliffhanger from a different vantage point, and my heart was pounding the entire time. This book showcases how people step up when they need to, becoming heroes for the rest of us. I loved being able to go between both book formats so I didn't have to put this one down, and the audio was fabulous with sound effects making it even more chilling., As with all TJ Newman's books, this is a must read!

Well paced and very smart thriller ... but can be tricky on audio. I had to listen with extreme focus and sometimes still rewind because the book switches gears so frequently. That said, this book reads like a movie and gave me the racing heart moments that I enjoy with thrillers! As a former flight attendant, this hit close to home and was a reflective read in addition to an exciting one.

Quality of Writing 4/5
Pacing 4/5
Plot Development 4/5
Character Development 3/5
Narration 4/5
Overall Enjoyability 4/5

T.J. Newman did it again! The real-life fear that this could actually happen is wild! I listened to the audiobook of this one and I highly recommend! The tension and the worry I felt for this small town was so intense. I loved that it felt so realistic, though I have no real idea what would happen in this happened in real life. The tension and fear keep me listening straight back in my chair just waiting for what would happen next. The thought of a nuclear event is absolutely terrifying and what those in the plant have to try to do to save everyone they can! The small-town community vibes are exactly what I wanted. I love her book because they just make you feel so much. You quickly feel for all the characters and what they have to go through. By the end I had tears in my eyes! I highly recommend! Newman has been and will be an auto buy author for me!


Thank you, Hachette Audio, and Netgalley for my #gifted copy!

3.5 STARS - T.J. Newman has taken her years of experience as a former flight attendant and made a name for herself as an author who can deliver quick moving, action-packed, edge of your seat stories featuring airplane settings that also include poignant, human elements.

Worst Case Scenario, her third novel, strays a little bit from her previous books (Falling and Drowning) because it focuses not on people stuck on plane, but on the aftermath when a commercial airliner hits a nuclear power plant.

This disaster thriller hits the ground running and includes a very large cast and a few side stories t'boot. Narrated by Joe Morton (from TV's Scandal), the story has many characters' POVs, each of whom are trying to survive and/or manage the crisis on the ground.

To be honest, it was hard to keep track of who was who and I could have done without a couple of side stories that interrupt the action. But I appreciated how Newman includes background to her characters which make certain scenes all the more poignant for the reader. There's a lot of research that went into this book so if you enjoy more technical descriptions of nuclear power plants, then you'll enjoy the detail Newman provides.

Vivid descriptions, tension and outlandish scenes, this entertaining and well-researched story reads like a Hollywood disaster movie (enter Ben Affleck and Bruce Willis). I enjoyed this book but not quite as much as the first two, but I look forward to Newman's next book and hope that it strays a bit farther from the disaster stories she's becoming known for.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Little, Brown and Company for the digital audiobook which was given to me in exchange for my honest review.