This was a really good read, it was really full of suspense. BUT that ending? That was a dirty ending 😤 I needed more than just that and now I’m left on a cliffhanger 🤣

Wow! What a whirlwind!
This gripping, fast-paced read will leave you breathless, as though you're racing through a heart-throbbing readathon. It’s the kind of story you devour until your eyes ache and your heart pounds.

I thoroughly enjoyed this twisty mystery with its perfect blend of psychological thriller vibes and deeply flawed, mentally disturbed characters. The story dives into the dark side of celebrity fandom, offering a chilling perspective on groupies and obsessive fans that will make you rethink the nature of idol worship.

The dual timelines are masterfully intertwined, with puzzle pieces falling into place as the story unfolds. While some plot points stretched believability and veered into absurdity (earning a few eye-rolls from me), they didn’t diminish the overall experience.

However, I did have a few gripes. The pacing felt rushed, and the emotions came across as a bit one-dimensional. I struggled to feel the depth of Nicole’s relationships—her supposed devotion to Ben or her connection with her husband, Brad, didn’t quite land for me. The breakneck speed made it feel like I was reading a summary rather than fully immersing myself in the story. The rapid-fire events left little room for character engagement, and the only strong feeling I had was my growing dislike—eventually turning to outright hatred—for Cassie by the end.

Quick Plot Recap:
The story begins in 2011 in Coronado, California, where Nicole Forbes seems to be living an idyllic life with her ex-Army officer husband, Brad, and their nine-year-old daughter, Hannah. That is, until a young writer, Zoe, shows up at Nicole’s door, digging into the downfall of an ‘80s British band, Secret Oktober, and Nicole’s connection to its lead singer, Ben Edwards. The name alone sends Nicole into a panic, and she kicks Zoe out of her house.

But that’s not the worst part of her day. Shortly afterward, Nicole discovers that someone has taken her daughter from school, claiming to be her aunt. Nicole knows Brad doesn’t have a sister, which means Hannah has been kidnapped. But by whom? And why? Could this be tied to her past?

The second timeline takes us to 1986 London, where a younger Nicole works as a bartender and sings at open-mic nights. She’s recently left home, though she feels guilty for abandoning her 16-year-old sister, Cassie, and their cancer-stricken mother under the control of their authoritarian father, John. Cassie, meanwhile, falls in with a dangerous crowd, befriending a thrill-seeking groupie, Amelia, and becoming obsessed with the bad boy of Secret Oktober, Michael.As Amelia's toxic relationship with the group's bad boy Michael grows, Cassie becomes obsessed with Ben Edwards, the lead singer.When Nicole enters the picture and Ben falls for her, things spiral out of control, setting off events that will have devastating consequences.

What happened in 1986 to tear this band apart? Who died? Who’s to blame? And how will these secrets resurface to upend Nicole’s life in the present day? Buckle up, grab your popcorn, and dive into this wild ride!

Final Thoughts:
While I had issues with the rushed pacing and underdeveloped characters, the mystery was undeniably gripping. The twists and turns kept me hooked, and I devoured this book in one sitting. My only other complaint is that the ending felt a bit abrupt.

Still, I’m rounding up my 3.5 stars to a solid 4 for its sheer entertainment value and engaging mystery. This is a page-turner you won’t want to put down!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing a digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED!!! How could this book end like that?? Ever had a crush on a musician? This book takes it to a whole other level. I was dying to put the pieces together the entire time. But if I read the words “jaw spasm” one more time im going to scream.

This felt very familiar to me, and I was okay with that! I devoured this book. The story goes from one time period to another and continues that way throughout the story. Jones has done an excellent job with the characters and action. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

*The True Story of Secret Oktober* by Sandie Jones is a captivating blend of nostalgia, suspense, and dark secrets that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Set in two timelines—California in 2011 and London in 1986—the novel takes readers into the heart of a family's unraveling past, intertwined with the explosive world of 80s rock ‘n’ roll. Nicole Forbes, living a quiet life in California with her husband and daughter, is pulled back into a past she thought she’d left behind when a writer shows up asking about the downfall of a famous British band. The same day, her daughter goes missing under suspicious circumstances, and Nicole is forced to revisit painful memories to uncover a connection between the two events. Meanwhile, in 1986, the story of Nicole's younger self and her entanglement with the band’s lead singer, Ben Edwards, unfolds—complete with the chaos of fandom, obsession, and the dark side of fame. Infused with all the drama and thrills of the 80s music scene, this novel is a rollercoaster of twists, secrets, and emotional highs and lows. If you're a fan of music-driven suspense with a rich, complex family dynamic, *The True Story of Secret Oktober* will have you hooked from start to finish!

Arc review - pub date 03.25.25

So this is my first from this author and I thought it was pretty good. I’ll read other books by her.

Nicole is haunted by her past after a reporter knocks on her door asking about a band from the 80’s and how Nicole was involved in their downfall…

Dual timeline and lots of flashback to the 80’s. I enjoyed the story and it’s a pretty fast paced read with a few twists. I wouldn’t discourage the read.

3.5⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for my ARC.

I Would Die for You
By: Sandie Jones
Pub Date: March 25, 2025
Publisher: Minotaur Books

I look forward to Jones books and this one was another fun thriller/mystery. A duel time line, from the 80’s to current day.

In the 80’s rock bands were popular and sixteen-year-old Cassie is fixated on Ben Edwards, wo is the lead singer of Secret Oktober. Girls are constantly surrounding him. The groupies will do just about anything to be notices, and Cassie is in the mix. Little does Cassie know, but her older sister Nicole is more his type.

Current day brings a reporter asking Nicole about her past and the fateful night that changed her life forever.

I could envision these girls lives and how their hearts desires were driving their crazy decisions.


Thank you, Minotaur Books, for the gifted e-ARC.

Sandie Jones weaves an intricate weave with this dual timeline novel, alternating between present time and the musical scene of the eighties. Loved every page of this excellent thriller!

This definitely was a great psychological thriller - had me guessing entirely throughout the book to try to figure out what was going to happen. Would recommend for thriller fans!