I really wanted to like this book. It started off strong and peaked my interest. And overall, I never really lost interest. But there were just a couple big things that made me not fully enjoy this book. The first was that there were just way too many characters’ POVs at the beginning. I feel like a couple could have been eliminated, and just portrayed the same things through word of mouth of other characters. The second thing was I felt it was unbalanced that the second half or so is just primarily one person’s POV. And the last thing that just didn’t wow me was the ending. Did I see it coming? No, but it was about as interesting as my husband’s updates on his fantasy football team.

Since this book did keep me listening to it from beginning to end, I am giving it an extra half star. If thrillers are your pizza, as in you will enjoy it just because it’s pizza alone, then I’d say pick this one up. But just don’t expect gourmet toppings.

𝘼 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: This book had a lot of different narrators, so I’m not sure who all is who. I appreciated they had so many narrators, though, since there were so many POVs in the first half. It made things easier to keep track of, and I thought they were all great.

I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN. Wowza. I was absolutely GRIPPED.

I really thought I knew where this book was going and I couldn't have been more wrong. I was surprised over and over and kept thinking to myself, WHAT IS GOING ON?!

I listened to this novel on audio and it was excellent. I enjoyed ALL the narrators - and there were a lot! - and the acting was on point. With so many different viewpoints, I was worried there would be a lot of fluff but every character brought something significant to the story and really pushed it along.

I really can't believe how much this book surprised me in the best way. Admittedly, I could have done without the final twist but it was definitely a jaw dropper so I'll enjoy it all the same.

If you are looking for a book that will shock and delight you, The Business Trip is it! It was a super-fast listen and I really think I could have listened to the entire novel in an entire sitting had my schedule allowed it!

A big thank you to St. Martin's Press and MacMillan Audio for the copy. Don't miss this one!!

Thank you to Jessie Garcia, Netgalley, and MacMillan Audio  for the ARC audio of this book.

This is an engaging thriller, with surprise twists. Jasmine and Stephanie cross paths on a plane ride to Colorado, Stephanie catching a connection and Jasmine fleeing an abusive relationship. But when they meet, both their lives change forever. As friends and coworkers begin to receive weird responses from both women, things get tense. When a man comes into the picture, Trent, and the whole plot flips.
This book will have you second guessing what you thought you knew in the story. And the twist at the end, really shocked me! I would recommend this book for anyone who likes thrillers that take you on twist after twist.
The audio was really good, I enjoyed the narrator and found it easy to follow.

You should read this if you like ❤️
-thrillers
-shocking end twists
-unreliable narrator

Warnings ⚠️
-none that im aware of

When Lisa and Frieda recommend a book, you know you’re going to be on your toes and it’ll be a good one! This was fabulous! Highly recommend.

I read the kindle format of this and loved it so much I just had to request the audio for reread. The audiobook brought it to a whole new level. I loved it so much!!

This book took a little time to get started as the two main characters are introduced, but once it takes off - buckle up! Twists upon twists that honestly floored me, and an ending that had my jaw dropped. I liked the multiple point of views, even though I did want to shake each of these women!

The multiple narrators took the story to another level, really bringing it to life. They all did a fantastic job and helped me connect more with the characters. I throughly enjoyed this book!

Thanks for the opportunity to listen!

I love a good mystery that has me thinking I know what’s going on, but finding out there is so much more to the story.

There were some things that happened in here that made me hate some of the characters, but I still needed to find out what the hell was going on. I was mad about it, but the suspense had me coming back on for more! It made me want to get back to this every chance I had. So even though I was irritated with the characters, I still give this 3 stars for keeping me interested enough to want to finish it.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC.

Very twisty mystery/thriller. A little Scooby-Doo-ish towards the end, but overall very gripping and entertaining.

Jasmine escapes an abusive relationship in Wisconsin. She sneaks out in the middle of the night and boards a plane to Denver. After a few days, she contacts a friend and tells her that she met a man and after that no one is able to contact her. Stephanie is a news director at a television station in Madison and she boards a flight to attend a news conference. After a couple of days, when she doesn't return when expected, her friends and colleagues receive a series of odd texts from her saying she has met a man and is going to spend time with him. Then she vanishes as well. What happened to these two women?

I listened to the multi-narrator full cast audiobook production of this novel and it was fantastic. It really helped to get immersed into the story and involved in what was happening. It allowed me to feel the emotions of the characters and get to know them better than I would have on the page.

The narrative moves between the present day, the near past, and the past. The story unfolds deliberately and I was absolutely captivated wanting to know what was going on with the situation. It's difficult to know who to believe--if anyone! Just when I thought I had it all figured out, another curve ball is thrown and I was surprised yet again at the turn of events.

Although the ending felt a bit dumbed-down due to the over-explanation of every single detail of how everything transpired, this was still a completely entertaining mystery thriller that is sure to please readers of the genre. There's a bit of suspension of disbelief needed, but overall if you just relax into the story you are sure to enjoy the experience.

It isn't that this wasn't fun in a vaguely lifetime movie kind of way, it's that the characters were so flat and myopic that it became distracting.

Stephanie and Jasmine are strangers that meet on a plane by chance. Both of them go their separate ways and then begin texting their families about a man. Shortly after that, they both go missing. Is this man to blame or is there something more sinister going on? EVERY SINGLE TIME I thought I had the story or a situation figured out, I was slammed with another twist. It was an amazing read. I cannot wait to read more from Jessie Garcia!

I believe that the several narrators in this ALC are what made the story so special. Each narrator played their characters seamlessly so that there was never any confusion about who was who. They embraced the both the positive and negative qualities in there characters and played them beautifully! Jessie, you have a new fangirl! Thank you NetGalley, MacMillian Audio, and Jessie Garcia for this ALC. All opinions are my own.

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

This audiobook hit the spot regarding a compulsive listen that I didn't want to push pause on! As the listener we hear from two women's POV's, one is escaping and one is attending a conference. It's not clear what is happening at the beginning, but the two different stories are interesting to follow.

The story gets a bit crazy and twisty in a really fun way! While it's not a really smart thriller and it's not a popcorn thriller, it lands right in the middle with an entertaining read.

Early reviews on this book are mixed, so I started it with some trepidation and low expectations. I found myself drawn into the story immediately and, while not perfect, it exceeded my expectations. I did not realize until halfway through that the author is the same Jessie Garcia I watched for years as a sports anchor on our local CBS station. The many Madison, Wisconsin references piqued my interest and were an unexpected bonus throughout the book.

Jasmine and Stephanie have nothing more in common than being on the same flight to Denver. Jasmine is fleeing an abusive relationship and Stephanie is attending yet another work related conference. Both women appear to vanish after claiming to be with the same man, an Atlanta news director who also happens to be a major sleaze bag.

The plot is twisted and has some obvious holes, but ultimately it didn’t bother me. The full cast, multiple POV narration kept me engaged until the end. The narration built tension and contributed to my enjoyment. The main characters - all of them - were lacking in morals and decency which was perfect for the plot. I definitely think the audio version is the way to experience this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for access to an advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Whooo boy this book was a wild ride! The story introduces us to Jasmine, a woman in a tough situation and I was immediately invested in her situation. I started listening to the audio and I didn't want to put it down. I read almost all of it in one sitting I was that engrossed. The story is split between multiple povs and that really helped increase the tension for me because each perspective included information that added to the intrigue. I 100% recommend the audio for this book! I don't think I'd have love it as much if I read it with my eyes. The full cast narration was a smart choice for this book. All the narrators did a fantastic job creating distinctive voices to help differentiate between all the perspectives. Despite all the characters I was never confused because the narrators made it clear who was speaking. I will say the final plot twist lost me a little bit. That's where it stretched the bounds of belief a bit. I was on board for all the twists and turns up to that point though and I still had a great time. I'm so glad I picked this book up! I'm very excited to read more from this author.

Garcia's debut novel tells the tale of two women who meet casually on a plane. Stephanie, the news director of a local tv station in Madison, Wisconsin, is headed to a conference in San Diego and Jasmine, who works in a bar in Madison, is fleeing an abusive relationship and on her way to Denver, where she knows no one. Consumed by anger at not only her current situation but about her entire hard life, Jasmine becomes entwined with Stephanie, who has some fantasies of her own of trying a different life. The story unfolds from there and also features Trent McCarthy, the news director of a tv station in Atlanta. For the most part the many twists and turns of the story work well, and although the ending is clever and unforeseen, it produced a little bit of a let down in this listener. The book's strength is its plot. Character development seems to rely as much upon stereotypes as upon a fleshed out picture. Trent is a good example of an almost unbelievable stereotype. But this is a nitpik. The publisher's choice of multiple narrators was a wise one. They were all excellent and they helped to enhance the novel. The Business Trip will appeal to readers who like mysteries that are not solved easily.

Wow! It’s little slow to get going and it seemed to drag a bit initially- on top of all the characters- but keep going and hang on to your hat! Things start twisting and speed up quickly, as everything falls into place. The chapters are mostly short and very fast paced. I quite liked it!
The narration of the audiobook is done by a team voices. With so many characters to keep track of, having different narrators, rather than someone doing all the voices, really enhances the audiobook.
Thank You to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook version of this ARC.

The cover of this debut thriller immediately caught my attention, and after seeing the rave reviews pouring in, I knew I had to read it.
I received ebook and audiobook copies from St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio. There's something so enjoyable about reading along while listening to the audiobook, and this particular gem features multicast narration that truly elevates the experience. It's easy to keep track of the many characters while listening, and I can't recommend it enough!

The story revolves around two intriguing women: Stephanie and Jasmine. Stephanie is navigating life after her divorce and works as a TV executive for a news station that takes advantage of her. On the other hand, Jasmine has a difficult past marked by emotional and physical abuse. Fate brings them together when they find themselves seated next to each other on a flight—Stephanie reluctantly heading to yet another uninspiring conference and Jasmine escaping her abusive boyfriend. Just days into their trip, their friends start receiving strange texts about a man named Trent, which marks the beginning of their real adventure! I found myself completely engrossed in their story.

This tale is packed with twists and unexpected surprises, making it challenging to share many details without giving away juicy spoilers. If you prefer realistic fiction, you might find some aspects of the story a bit far-fetched, but "The Business Trip" completely surpassed my expectations. I'm a fan of wild plots that leave me breathless, and this one definitely delivers! The ending is exhilarating, but be prepared to keep an open mind as you navigate this chaotic adventure.

Jessie Garcia's The Business Trip is a thrilling and suspenseful audiobook, a debut that has captivated listeners with its intricate twists and compelling characters. Narrated by a full cast of talented voice actors, including Fred Berman and Hillary Huber, the performance elevates the story's tension and drama, keeping you hooked from start to finish.

The plot revolves around two women with seemingly unrelated lives until a chance encounter on a flight sets off a series of shocking events. Garcia’s ability to weave an unpredictable narrative has been praised, with reviewers highlighting the "wickedly clever" twists and the addictive, fast-paced storytelling. The audiobook balances character-driven moments with gripping suspense, making it impossible to pause. Fans of psychological thrillers will appreciate its originality and the seamless blend of mystery with emotional depth.

Listeners have compared the storytelling style to works by Lisa Gardner and Julie Clark, emphasizing the tight pacing and unpredictable plot. If you’re in the mood for a rollercoaster ride of a story, this audiobook comes highly recommended

3.5🌟 (rounded up)

The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia is a debut thriller that feels like trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle without all the pieces—you’re confused for a while, but once you find those extra pieces that fell on the floor, you can’t help but admire how well it all fits together.

Two women, Stephanie is on a business trip, and Jasmine is fleeing a bad situation. They seem to have nothing in common (or so it seems). Until they both go missing after sending bizarrely identical texts about the same guy, Trent McCarthy.

I went into this book completely blind and I’ll be honest: the first half had me questioning my ability to follow a plot. There are a lot of characters, and the narrative structure feels a little disjointed like it’s running on caffeine and chaos. But if you hang on through the first act and trust the process, everything starts to make sense—well, as much sense as it needs to. Hey, it’s fiction—let it be wild and messy. That’s half the fun!

Now, about that ending—let’s just say it wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but it was bold, unexpected, and will definitely have a lot of people buzzing.

Despite not being perfect for me, this book is definitely memorable and an unforgettable ride. When it comes down to it, I think most people will enjoy the process of piecing it all together. I rounded up to 4 stars because it kept me on my toes and had an ending I don’t think anyone will see coming.

It’s a yes for me!

DeAnn 🖤
@deannsdailydrop

The first half of this book was good. Lots of intrigue and character development. however, the second half of the book where it was describing everything that happened felt like everything was too good to be true. Like everything worked out perfectly for Jasmine until it didn't. One plot hole that I noticed was wondering how Stephanie (Diana) would have checked into the hotel without an ID. I work for hotels so that is something I noticed, but wouldn't be noticed by the general public.

I also would have liked to see some of the reactions to how Jasmine was caught up to. what was Anna's thinking? Or the ex boyfriend? What about Lucy and Bruce? Or even Drake and his friends and family? we saw a lot of repetitiveness in the story from getting the same scenes from a couple different points of view, but it left out other perspectives when we were already getting multiple points of view.

Definitely a good narrator as well.

I was intrigued by the story and before things fell into place, I was definitely wanting to know what was going on.

I plan to share this story with spoiler free edits on my instagram on Sunday, Jan 12.

This debut novel absolutely blew me away! Jessie Garcia has delivered a gripping and suspenseful story that had me hooked from start to finish. I devoured the audiobook in a single day - I just couldn’t stop listening!

One of the standout features of this audiobook is its full-cast narration. With multiple perspectives woven into the story, I was initially worried it might be confusing and overwhelming. But the format is perfection. The story is divided into parts, each told from different characters experiencing the same situation. The chapters are clearly labeled with POVs and timelines, which made the transitions seamless, even with so many voices.

The full cast brought these characters to life in a way that completely immersed you into the story. The narration flowed so effortlessly, mirroring Garcia’s writing style, which is sharp, suspenseful, and easy to follow despite the complexity of the plot. The unpredictable twists kept me guessing until the very last chapter.

This book gave me Freida McFadden vibes - it’s dark, twisty, and filled with tension. The unique concept of two women whose lives collide in terrifying ways made this story unforgettable. Every twist left me eager to uncover the ending.

It’s hard to believe this is Garcia’s fiction debut because it’s executed so well. From the brilliant structure to the compelling character dynamics, I am first in line for whatever she writes next.

If you’re a fan of binge-worthy, suspenseful thrillers, I highly recommend adding The Business Trip to your tbr!

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗽 𝗯𝘆 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟭𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱!

⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an arc in exchange for my honest feedback!