I just love Sandie Jones’ writing, but this book left me wanting so much more. The dual timeline, while great, confused me a bit at times. Maybe if the timeline we were in was posted at the beginning of each chapter, it would have made it easier but I did get lost a time or two. I love to hate characters in a thriller. When they’re awful, I want to keep reading to see what they do next. Usually, however, there is one redeeming character that gives you the relief from hating everyone else. This book did not have that character for me. They were all just awful. AND THAT ENDING!! WHAT?!? Ugh I don’t know whether to cry or scream or laugh. It was so good yet left way too much hanging.

This was a swing and miss for me, which is such a shame. I wanted to love this one. Her first book was just magical and one of my favorites.

I was riveted throughout 'I Would Die for You' by Sandie Jones. I both listened to and read this ARC. It was excellent in both formats. It all has to do with how past mistakes affect the future and how secrets can't remain buried. There are so many twists and turns that I'll leave the reader to discover on their own. The last bombshell happening on the final lines of the book. 4.5 stars rounded to 5 here on NetGalley.

(Rounded up from 3.5 stars)

I have mixed feelings about this book; some parts were really great and others not so much. Jones kept me guessing throughout the book, and I had so many working theories - none of which turned out to be true. I enjoyed the dual timeline, but the end felt confusing to me. Think Daisy Jones and The Six with murder thrown in!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book so much! I could not put it down, I had to know what would happen. I read it in one sitting. I would definitely recommend this book.

A gripping dual-timeline thriller, The Fall blends 1980s rock-star obsession with a present-day mystery. When Nicole’s daughter vanishes in 2011, she’s forced to confront secrets from her past…ones tied to a famous British band and a love triangle that shattered her family. Sandie Jones masterfully weaves suspense, nostalgia, and family drama into a fast-paced, addictive read that keeps you guessing until the end.

3.5 stars!

In the present day, Nicole Forbes is living a quiet life with her husband and daughter when a writer shows up asking for her insight into the downfall of a famous British band from the 1980s. On the same day, her daughter goes missing under mysterious circumstances. As Nicole tries to unravel the connection between the two events, she is forced to confront her past and protect her family. The story also flashes back to 1986, where sixteen-year-old Cassie is infatuated with the band Secret Oktober and its lead singer, Ben Edwards. When Ben becomes interested in Cassie's sister, Nicole, it sets off a chain of events that could destroy their family.

The book begins with a thrilling and fast-paced introduction, setting the tone for the suspenseful journey ahead. As the story unfolded, the tempo shifted, guiding us through two timelines that enhanced our understanding of the plot.

This novel adopts a mysterious tone, with certain aspects of the story being meticulously explained to ensure clarity. The revelation of what occurred early on is complemented by a gradual unveiling of the how and why, creating a unique and engaging reading experience.

The characters in the book are flawed and slowly developed as the chapters progress. Nikole emerges as a relatable protagonist, leading us through a captivating exploration of her past. On the other hand, her sister Cassie is portrayed as a less likable character, characterized by her naivety, inexperience, and obsession.

Throughout the narrative, unexpected twists and turns keep readers on their toes, shedding light on the complexities of the supporting characters. Despite the evolving pace of the story, the author skillfully maintains clarity, making it easy to distinguish between the various personalities.
While some may find the conclusion of the book less satisfying, the audiobook version offers a well-narrated experience that keeps listeners engaged and eager for more.

Overall, this suspenseful mystery delves into themes of family history, intimate relationships, and the chilling repercussions of revenge. For those intrigued by the perilous consequences of obsession and fame, this book offers a compelling exploration that is sure to captivate and intrigue.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio and Minotaur Books, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was a thriller with several twists and turns. Nicole is living a regular old suburban mom life with her husband and daughter, until a stranger appears at her door forcing their way in asking about a hurtful past. Then Nicole’s daughter gets picked up at school by an aunt, despite her not having an aunt. And everything starts to unravel from there. I thought the story had promise, but going back and forth between the present and the 80’s was disorienting at times and I found myself not enjoying the past sections much at all. The characters were unlikable, the relationships were too surface, and the ending felt abrupt and unsatisfying. An interesting idea for a story, but it just didn’t work for me. I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it. Just ok. Predicable yet still an ok read.
Story and characters were ok but felt disjointed.

I wanted to love this book, even though the way it left me “hanging” was typical of this author, which is one of the qualities I love best, including the build-up to what’s going on. Nicole has been living her simple life in Cali until someone knocks on her door, wanting to know what happened more than 20 years ago. We get some back-and-forth action between 1986 and 2010, featuring a band that was about to be a success, Nicole’s wild younger sister Cassie, and if you read this book, you will totally get it. But the book DRAGGED! All for the ending to come crashing down and leave me with more questions. Definitely not my favorite from this author.

My feelings were all over the place for this book

It's a story about teenage obsession with a strong sense of 80's music nostalgia with short chapters and dual timelines. Sounds great, right? And it was ... until it wasn't.

Despite keeping me intrigued about the identity of one character that returns in Nicole's life and Cassie's unpredictable behaviour that creates some interesting /chaotic situations, I struggled to connect with this book.

It's more of a mystery than suspense and the modern-day storyline was easily overshadowed by the older timeline. The story soon becomes too far-fetched with deeply flawed, one-dimensional characters whose connections to each other were never explained well for the reader.

Overall, I liked the premise, the Daisy Jones kind of music vibe and how the author gradually reveals secrets to the reader which kept me turning the pages. But the disjointed storytelling and undeveloped characters who I struggled to connect with left me wanting a lot more from this suspense read.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Minotaur Books for the complimentary advanced digital copy of this book, given in exchange for my honest review.

** This review was posted on my blog, GR and socials on March 18, 2025.

This book is intriguing and holds your attention throughout. The plot is exciting and contains some interesting twists. However, although Nicole is a fairly likable main character, many other characters in the book are not likable. Rather than warm family and friendship vibes, the book is filled with families treating each other poorly and several toxic friendships. Nicole's sister, Cassie's behavior is particularly egregious putting a fantasy relationship over her relationship with her own sister because of jealousy. Even her husband doesn't completely have Nicole's back getting angry and accusatory when he finds out she lied about her past before giving her a chance to explain herself.

The book's ending is only limitedly satisfactory eluding to off-the-page happenings. Even though these events may have been hinted at in the text, it would have been nice to have more clarification rather than leaving readers wondering and unsure what exactly did occur.

I'm almost mad at myself for finishing this one -- I kept waiting for it to turn and pick up but it just didn't. I didn't like any of the characters and the story was weird and convoluted. It also wasn't thrilling, at all. Hope you have better luck!

I Would Die For You comes out next week on March 25, 2025 and you can purchase HERE.

2.5 stars - The way I just threw my earbud in rage across the room. No. That is not the ending we get after going through all the twists and time jumps. I'm so livid right now! The story was well written and the dual timeline drew you in to find out what happens, but I need answers and closure in order to sleep at night.

This is the story of Nicole. a marine biologist living in California in 2011. She is confronted by a journalist who starts asking questions regarding Nicole's past in 1986 London. Mainly, the murder that took place surrounding the band Secret Oktober. Nicole has kept her secrets close and will do anything not to revisit the past. But her daughter ends up disappearing from school, picked up by her "auntie" and Nicole realizes that her past has come for her.
The ending was WAY too abrupt for my investment into the story. I needed more closure. But it does work well with the dual timelines.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this digital e-arc.*

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In California 2011, Nicole is married with a young daughter who goes missing the same day as when a writer visits her at home, asking her about a British band from the 1980s. An aunt picked up her daughter but there is no Aunt. Things of the past are opening up, and Nicole will have to face them.

In 1986, Nicole’s 16-year-old sister, Cassie, is obsessed with the lead singer of a British band and takes some drastic steps to catch his attention. However, when the lead singer gets drawn to Nicole, things get complicated between the sisters.

I struggled with this one a bit as the 2011 storyline did not come together for me. The 1986 timeline was much better for me. Overall, the story and characters were a bit flat and I found I was forcing myself to finish this one. Just an OK read.

Well that was a trip down memory lane to the 1980's and revisiting how painful and awkward it can be to be a teenager trying to become an adult. It explores the phenomenon of teenage angst that I think most girls can identify with. How you were certain that you were in love and everyone but you can see the huge mistakes you are making. You're convinced that no one can possibly understand and that your situation is different. In this case, it causes a giant riff between two sisters whose mother is dying and whose father is just trying to do best by his children. There is a bit of a thriller aspect in the sense that Nicole, who is the older of the sisters, is currently living a life many years removed from her young adult life that is filled with secrets she has been hiding and those secrets come crashing down around her in quite a spectacular fashion. I probably would have rated this a bit higher, but I really didn't like how it all wrapped up. All in all, it's a pretty good read!!

Dual timeline thriller/mystery around two sisters and one of the biggest pop group of the 80's. I liked this story and was invested in how the story would turn out. I really enjoy Sandie Jones and her writing style and have been a fan of her books for a while, I didn't completely love how this story wrapped up but it definitely kept me guessing, 3.5/4 stars. I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Sorry, this one wasn't for me. I found the story, told over two timelines, full of convoluted subplots and a storyline that didn't really go anywhere. The one dimensional characters were never really engaging and I wound up not really caring what happened to them. Not recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced reader copy.

Full of expected and unexpected twists, this is the story of a woman who has kept her past a secret from her husband, to her detriment. For some reason, the plot and pacing on this one felt a bit pat or dialed in. Told in two timelines, this book also feel prey to my most recurring problem: enjoying one timeline so much more than the other. I really did not like the older timeline dealing with the younger Nicole and Cassie. I think that is the part that reduced my enjoyment of the overall story. But, as a regular fan of Ms. Jones' work, I hope this is the exception and I will be back loving her future books!