Member Reviews

I really enjoyed The Private Jet. It was fast paced, full of unlikeable characters which unusually I actually cared about and was so atmospheric I could actually feel the fight for survival.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my ARC.

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ooo i enjoyed this was gripped from start too end its interesting how people react in the situation that they were thrown into and i wont understand the we are better than them mentality cos to me we are stuck we need to get along and help each other out. Its interesting how it all played out and its a good thing for people who are influencers and put on a shoelw for the camera to read i think and see how they would react in these situations like a reality check for them...

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This book became as irritating as the critters in the jungle. The story seems to move from one calamity to the next, to the point that I began trying to predict what disaster would befall the survivors next.

I don’t think the writer intends for readers to like the protagonist. Lila is presented as a spoiled “daddy’s girl” whose goal in life is ensuring her social media followers see the very best of her. Lila cares for her sponsorship, her image, and very little else. Quite why we have to observe such brattish behaviour made for a disappointing read; I don’t think there were many moments where I stopped to admire Lila’s actions, or felt that she had learned anything from her ordeal.

Lila’s wealth means she can be very popular, very quickly. When her private jet crashes somewhere in a Thailand jungle, she soon discovers that these are simply leeches, using her for her money and her contacts. Even her fiancé shows a new, disturbing side to him and I could not believe how disgusting his behaviour becomes. In such a high-pressured environment where rescue seems days away, the group of survivors break down into factions, and this lot of youngsters definitely don’t know what “teamwork” means.

The jungle is massive and full of threats. From the wildlife to the lack of supplies, from potential poachers to threats within the group, it is clear that no one is safe from the elements (and each other). I disliked how the characters responded to their situation and found I did not care less about their fate. I don’t think it helped that they all seemed quite similar – shallow, selfish etc. – so it made it difficult to discern the different backgrounds. I would have preferred the writer to have used a broader range of characters as I think this would have brought more to the plot.

As the novel progressed, I grew frustrated by the leap from one disaster to the next. At times I felt that Goodwin really pushes on what is realistic and I struggled to understand how the characters survive for so long with minimal food and drink, as well as exposure to deadly diseases. This really impacted my enjoyment of the story and I found I was as relieved as the characters were when a rescue team appears.

In my opinion, this book follows a group of faceless wannabes who are only interested in fame and fortune. Perhaps Mother Nature was doing society a favour by having their plane crash in the middle of nowhere…

With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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A spoilt daughter of a rockstar, a plane full of inebriated strangers and a flight that goes horribly wrong. I felt that this like Lord of the Flies but with grown ups; where someone's true personality is revealed under extreme pressure.

I really enjoyed the unravelling of certain characters and how they revealed themselves. Also, the suspense of the flashforward of knowing certain characters survived but then flashing back to the incident itself and trying to work out what was going to happen next. A really gripping and suspenseful story full of twists and turns. 3. 5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

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I love Sarah's books, they really pack a punch and generally once I've started reading I find it hard to stop. I got sucked into the action on this one straight away. Worst nightmare realised through the story of this plane crash and the unfolding horrors that follow. This has a great cast of characters, some more likeable than others and it really kept me gripped from start to finish. Definitely recommend for an easy quick thriller.

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Wasn’t able to read this one digitally but I did order a copy of the book so will be reviewing it after I’ve read it. I’m really excited for it as I’ve only heard great things about it.

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Read if you like-
-Rich people
-survivalist
-Unlikeable characters
-Suspense

When an influencer Lila Wilde and her boyfriend, Bryce, decide to use her private jet for a private party. Inviting a bunch of strangers along side, the last thing anyone expected was it to go down in the jungle.

The characters are rich and unbearable and self-centred. However, I loved Lila by the end I really think that she redeemed herself! The experience was truly life altering for her!

I enjoyed how the survivalist story was told from a mixture of past and present, being a talk show! The past was truly my worst fear, but I loved how we were taken on a journey about what happened to the others!

It’s definitely a page turner, however I would have loved more twists and tension.

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Imagine being plucked from obscurity by Lila Wilde, a famous influencer and rock star royalty, to join her exclusive entourage on a private jet. Wilde, true to her larger-than-life persona, lives up to her namesake with an invitation to continue the party at her opulent mansion in Thailand. Over 30 people, caught up in the glamour and allure, eagerly join the spontaneous adventure.

But the dream quickly morphs into a nightmare when the private jet crashes in the heart of an unforgiving jungle. Stranded, disoriented, and with no way of knowing if rescue will ever come, the group faces the terrifying reality of survival. The black box is likely miles away, and so are their chances of salvation.

Sarah Goodwin’s The Private Jet is a masterclass in tension as she methodically ratchets up the fear. The jungle itself becomes an antagonist, with every conceivable terror—diseases, dehydration, dangerous wildlife, and even poachers—lurking in the shadows. With no one and nothing to trust, the survivors must navigate a perilous balance between cooperation and self-preservation, and the question remains: how many will make it out alive?

This thriller had me absolutely hooked from start to finish. Goodwin’s vivid descriptions and relentless pacing kept me on edge the entire way. My only critique? The most sinister character didn’t quite get the comeuppance they deserved. But that’s a minor qualm in an otherwise electrifying read.

If you’re ready for a pulse-pounding tale of survival, betrayal, and the primal instincts that emerge when the comforts of modern life vanish, this is the book for you!

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Tense survival thriller, setting influencers against "normals" when a private jet crashes deep in the Thai jungle.

Daughter of a famous rock star, Lila thinks nothing of inviting a group of people she has barely met to a party to celebrate her engagement after her boyfriend proposed in the middle of a night club, or of using her father's private jet to take them.

It wasn't the dream proposal she had wished for, but it wouldn't do for her sponsors to see any bad publicity if she doesn't go along with vibe.

But unforseen circumstances leave the group of near strangers stranded and competing with each other for scarce resources and their survival.

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The Private Jet is a suspense-filled, need-t0-survive thriller that takes place in the wilds of the Thai jungle. Lila Wilde and her boyfriend are vacationing in Thailand - the perfect place for her to highlight her meditation posts on social media and for him to secure some DJ-ing gigs. After he proposes to Lila during one of his sets, the night turns into a wild celebration. When Lila invites everyone at the club to join her on her private jet, she has no idea what the night has in store. After the plane crashes, the group finds themselves deep in the Thai jungle with very little to help them survive. The remaining passengers will not only need to survive the dangers of the jungle but also have to fight off each other.

The Private Jet is a well-written, suspenseful thriller that demonstrates just how far humanity can descend when faced with unexpected dangers and their survival is at stake. This is one of those books that you keep thinking about long after you finish reading. This book truly highlights the beauty and perils of the jungle. The jungle, and more generally nature, is its own character in The Private Jet. The way the author paints the scene and describes each obstacle leaves the reader feeling like they are actually one of the stranded passengers living a nightmare. I was completely engrossed in the story from page one. The Private Jet is an easy five stars! I will absolutely be reading more by Sarah Goodwin.

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i loved this- it’s not something i shall read but i abjwolelrt loved the premise - think hunger games meets gossip girl rich people - i loved Lila’s character growth - she’s so strong!!!

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Now that Lila's boyfriend just proposed, she feels like this is the best night of her life. She decides to keep the night going by bringing friends, strangers, influencers, celebrities on a private jet to her villa. It's just a short flight - over the jungle in Thailand.

When everything goes wrong people's true colors start to show. What a ride!

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I enjoyed “The Private Jet” way more than I anticipated. What I thought was going to be a plane crash mystery, turned out to be a full season of “Survivor” with a dark twist. Incredibly thrilling and excitingly fast-paced.

The story starts when rich Lila Wilde and her boyfriend Bryce go on a holiday. On this holiday, during a wild party, Lila invites everyone to her private jet to continue the party. What no one expects to happen is for the plane to crash in the middle of the jungle.

The character building and development is incredible. Especially with Lila, whilst she discovers people’s true nature and herself having to do some gruesome things to survive. It was amazing to see how the team dynamic changes and what people are willing to do to survive. It reminded me of the Hunger Games a little bit. Everyone that survives a plane crash very soon shifts into a survival mode, and very soon they realise that the jungle is a dangerous place to be stuck in, but not the only enemy. Suddenly, it no longer matters who has the most wealth, but who is the strongest in the group.

I couldn’t help but wonder what I might do if I were in Lila’s situation. It’s quite scary to think it’s a possibility, especially in this day and age where we are used to the comfort of the modern world. After the first half of the book, I couldn’t put it down. It gripped me and kept pleasantly surprising me. The ending was satisfying, and I love the idea of the book asking the reader a question. This book would make a perfect choice for a book club, I am already anxious to speak to someone about it. The most satisfying part is that one character that receives their karma back. Chef’s kiss. Would I recommend it? Absolutely! It’s too good a thriller not to. Definitely worth your time.

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A super-rich girl, Lila, whose dad's a famous music guy, gets engaged in Thailand. She's having a blast and doesn't want the fun to end. So, she's like, "Hey, anyone who wants to, hop on my jet! We're going to my secret island place."

Big mistake.

The plane goes down. Hard. Nobody knows where they are. The important bits of the plane, like the thing that records everything, are gone. They're lost in the middle of nowhere.

Now, it's a fight. They're battling the jungle, each other, and just trying to stay alive. It's a crazy mess. Who makes it? Nobody knows.

This author, Godwin, writes really wild stories. This one's no different. It's like you're right there with them, stuck in the jungle, hoping they make it out. It's a real trip.

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This was my first Sarah Goodwin book and will not be my last. This story was tense, atmospheric and had me on the edge of my seat, needing to know what happened next to this group of people.

A lot of these characters are unlikeable but it just adds to the story, seeing the social divide still take place when survival is at its lowest. Goodwin did an amazing job at showing how people change, for better or for worse, when placed in these situations.

I'm definitely interested in picking up more books from Sarah Goodwin in the future!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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A party in Thailand goes very, very wrong in this immersive survivalist adventure.

Lila, a young socialite, is at a party in Thailand to celebrate her DJ boyfriend getting a set in a club there. When the party ends, she decides she's not ready for it to be over, and impulsively invites everyone in earshot to take her private jet to continue partying in her father's mansion. It's the best night of her life. Until the plane goes down, killing most of the group, wounding others and leaving only a few survivors, deep in the jungles of Thailand.

I admit I won't know much about Thailand specifically, but I know enough about jungles to know that being lost in them is never good. Sarah does an excellent job at explaining the specific dangers through a couple of surviving Thai natives, discussing the illnesses, the creatures and the environmental dangers without making it come off as a lecture. Watching the characters, none of whom are equipped for survival, degrade over the days and weeks without rescue is very compelling.

Thanks to an occasional flash-forward to a post-rescue interview with Lila, we can figure out some of what's happening, but watching it happen is still fascinating. Decisions made by Lila and other characters were heartbreaking. I have no idea what I'd do in that situation!

This is a really compelling read for anyone who enjoys characters thrown far out of their comfort zones.


Book recommendation: The River by Peter Heller is another high-stakes survival tale that mixes adventure with introspection. Set in the wilds of Canada, it focuses on two friends lost in a dangerous and uncharted wilderness, where the elements and their own tensions start to take their toll.

Movie review; As a contrast to the searing jungle heat, Alive centres on a plane crash high in the frigid Andes. The difficult decisions and dangers faced by the survivors will strike a chord with this one.

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Lila private jet is party central with music and champagne and the lure of an after-party in Thailand. Things quickly go wrong trust is lost and the party turns deadly. The higher you fly. The harder you fall.
Sarah Goodwin is one of my favourite authors and this story did not disappoint. Go in blind and enjoy the ride I had no idea what to expect and it was a thrilling and tense ride from start to finish. Highly recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books UK and Sarah Goodwin for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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This is a page-turner survival thriller that lacks depth but keeps you reading. I would have preferred if it was more socialite than influencer. Thank you, NetGalley.

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I loved this, I couldn't put it down and it wasn't what I was expecting.
It didn't take long to get through as I couldn't wait to see what happened next.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Oh wow! The Private Jet by Sarah Goodwin was so good! Incredibly suspenseful and utterly captivating, I felt like there was no shortage of drama in this book. I loved the glitz and glamour of Lila's socialite lifestyle combined with the stunning location of Thailand, combined with the propulsive twists throughout the story.

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