I LOVED this one! What a fun ride! I thought I knew where we were going with this one early on but I was so wrong. I binged this one in two days because it was so entertaining. I also really liked that it was a full cast of narrators (10 of them!). That usually makes me nervous thinking it will be a hard story to keep up with on audio but I didn’t have that issue at all. Highly recommend this popcorn thriller!

I loved that there were multiple narrators, there were several characters POV that we were privy to for 'The Business Trip', sometimes multiple POVs can be confusing, but with the variety of narrators, it helped keep them straight and separate their thoughts and experiences.

As a debut book, this was so well done! The story was twisty and unexpected, the first half of the book was a lot of groundwork but didn't come off as boring or tedious. I felt invested in the informational development even when I wasn't sure where things were headed at that point. The last half of the book felt slightly rushed in comparison to the first half. There were a couple of twists that happened, that I did not see coming! Just when I thought that was the twist, another one came, and then another! However, the last portion landed confusingly to me. It feels like I'm missing something.

All in all, a very interesting and enjoyable concept of a mystery thriller!

3.5 ⭐️'s!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC!

I enjoy reading different types of thrillers and this creative story is nothing like I’ve read before. It would be a challenge to add anything to the “blurb” without spoilers so I will just add that almost nothing in this book is as it seems. Both protagonists can be considered victims and the horrible misogynistic Trent really is a jerk but hang on for the whiplash! This is a book that drops little hints that many readers may pick up on but I found lots of “ah-ha” moments and then remembered the hints. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and plot creativity and the character development was better than I usually see in thrillers. The book is quick paced and engaging and hard to put down. I will definitely look forward to future books from Ms. Garcia. This is an outstanding debut!
I listened to the audio version of this book and it was so well done with several narrators who did excellent jobs with the voices. I was really drawn in and listening to the book was better than watching a movie!

The Business Trip
by Jessie Garcia
Narrated by Andrew Eiden; Dylan Fitzpatrick; Fred Berman; Gail Shalan; Hillary Huber; Jennifer Pickens; John Pirhalla; Kimberly M. Wetherell; Kirby Heyborne; Tim Campbell

I really enjoyed this book! This was a story that really kept me guessing until the end. It was a fun ride, trying to figure out exactly what happened and whodunit. Is it necessarily the most realistic story? Absolutely not-that's why it's fiction. You have to just enjoy the story and not look at the total believability of it all. Stephanie, Jasmine, Trent...what in the world happened and how did it all come about? This story really kept me listening and guessing until the very end. I loved how everything came together. I don't want to give away any spoilers (the read is worth the wait), but if you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary as far as the normal flow of most novels, this one is for you. There are multiple POVs and I found it pretty easy to follow along since there were multiple narrators. Overall, a great listen!

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and the author for this fun ARC!

In her interesting take on a mystery/thriller, Jessie Garcia's The Business Trip is a fast-paced ride into domestic difficulties and secrets kept. Two women are brought together on a flight out of Madison, Wisconsin, both with very different motivations for traveling. Our main character, Jasmine, is trying to flee an abusive relationship to start anew in Colorado and Stephanie is headed to Colorado as a layover to her final destination to San Diego for a newscaster conference. Their two very contrasting lives are highlighted - a more privileged life for Stephanie - single, head of a newsroom, financially comfortable, versus a struggling Jasmine - living in a mobile home, working at a bar, stuck in a relationship with an abusive boyfriend.

The first half of the book switches between narrators - Jasmine, Stephanie, and various people in their lives. The story quickly becomes fast-paced as we learn about the fate of both women - who go missing shortly after their flights. The narration is provided by so many great voice-actors including Andrew Eiden, Dylan Fitzpatrick, Fred Berman, Gail Shalan, Hillary Huber, Jennifer Pickens, John Pirhalla, Kimberly M. Wetherell, Kirby Heyborne, and Tim Campbell. All of these voices really added to the experience of listening to this book. I felt much more invested in the characters when listening versus just reading this book.

The second half of the book is almost solely one character - Jasmine. Unfortunately for me, I didn't particularly like her as a character. Much of her inner dialogue included a victim mentality, as she frequently felt jealous towards others better off than her, making assumptions about their lives, and feeling sorry for herself without taking much action to improve her life. Without giving too much away, I did feel better about Jasmine as a character by the end of the book, but this was NOT because I eventually liked her.

Overall, I found The Business Trip entertaining, but definitely felt a bit held-back by some of the details of the book that felt far-fetched. (SPOILER - namely a fairly weak/small woman picking up 50 lb dumbbells without much difficulty and proceeding to lug around 200+lbs....). I also had difficulty really connecting to or liking any of the characters, which made me feel less invested in what happened to them.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, the author, Jessie Garcia, and all the wonderful narrators including Andrew Eiden, Dylan Fitzpatrick, Fred Berman, Gail Shalan, Hillary Huber, Jennifer Pickens, John Pirhalla, Kimberly M. Wetherell Kirby Heyborne, and Tim Campbell for an ALC of The Business Trip in exchange for an honest review!

I’m not sure I still fully understand the end to this one!! Not that it matters much, I still think it was brilliant! This story follows a woman who’s been let down by everyone in her life and is fleeing an abusive relationship (no TW, it’s not specific). She meets a woman on a plane who seems to effortlessly have it all- and she wants it. What lengths will she go to, to take what isn’t hers?! 4/5 ⭐️!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC!

I so enjoyed this audio. It had a wonderful cast that depicted the characters perfectly. This is a very tense and thrilling book. I loved how each character had a chapter. Alternating between them until the very end.

I despised Trent and Glenn. Trent was a horrible person. He treated everyone like they were so inferior to him. Glenn was a very abusive man. Both were despicable.

The women were likable. Jasmine I felt so bad for. Up to a point. She went off the rails in places and did what she thought she had to do to get away from Glenn. Stephanie was a news anchor and I really liked her. I thought she was strong and independent. She seemed to get along with others and the people she worked with. Her friends loved her too. These two women were so very different
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The whole book was good until the ending. The epilogue. I didn't like that part. To me it was just not necessary. I wish it would have been about Diana instead. I would have loved seeing some closure with her.

Overall the book was great. Well written and heartfelt. With a few twists and a lot of edge of your seat.

For a debut it was very good. Kudos to this author. I look forward to reading more by her.

Thank you #MacMillanAudio and #NetGalley for this ARC.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

This was exactly what I needed after a streak of thrillers that leaned more toward slow burns than I’d hoped. The Business Trip delivers a fast-paced, twisty ride that keeps you guessing. Was it over-the-top and even absurd at times? Absolutely—but it more than makes up for that with its gripping plot and constant surprises.

Told from multiple perspectives, the story revisits the same scenes as new details emerge. While this approach added depth and intrigue, it occasionally felt repetitive. That said, the payoffs were worth it. And trust me—you won’t see the ending coming.

If you’re looking for a wild, entertaining thriller that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this is a solid pick!

On the narration front, I appreciated ALL the different narrators that gave the POVs a more authentic feel. Very well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing advanced access to the audiobook in exchange for my honest review. I binge-listened to The Business Trip by Jesse Garcia, and it was absolutely amazing! The multiple narrators did a phenomenal job, each bringing their character to life with such personality and flair.

Publication Date- January 25, 2025
#NetGalley #TheBusinessTrip

This book was just one of those thrillers.
At first I was extremely intrigued by the plot.
A woman’s escape from her controlling and abusive boyfriend, and another woman’s work trip collide on the airplane. I was totally in it at first. And then, after the first reveal, I wasn’t.
This book just felt a bit far fetched for me.
I didn’t like the ending.
And the characters had one dimension.
Wish this would have gone another way, and I could be raving about it now. Oh well. 2.5⭐️
Thank you netgalley for the AAC!

The Business Trip - Jessie Garcia
Pub Date - 1/14/25
Rating - 3/5
Page Numbers - 352
Media - Audio

Summary - Two strangers - Jasmine, fleeing an abusive relationship, and Stephanie, going to a conference, end up sitting next to each other on a flight to Colorado. A few days later, both send texts saying they've met the same man before suddenly going dark altogether. What do these two have in common? And who is this mystery man they both seem to be with?

Thoughts - Thank you to Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for this advanced reader audiobook in exchange for my honest review. I liked this book - the writing was well done, the narrator did a great job and kept me engaged, and the story took a turn that I definitely wasn't expecting. It was a very entertaining story, but I will say, it was far fetched and at one point, I didn't feel like some of these things were possible? I guess that's why the story is fiction. Regardless, great story and entertaining read.

4.5 stars rounded up.
Listed to the audiobook and it was phenomenal. All the narrators fit their role perfectly. Just when I thought I knew where this story was going, I was shocked. And then I was shocked AGAIN at the end. You really don’t know where it’s going at all. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley for this audiobook ARC. This book hits the shelves on January 14, 2025. Make sure you pick up a copy!

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the fiction debut by Jessie Garcia, with the audio narrated by a fabulous cast. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Jasmine is fleeing an abusive partner and Stephanie is headed to a conference for work when they meet on the plane. After a few days, both women text their friends and coworkers the same message about meeting the same man - Trent. But the texts start sending red flags and then the two women disappear. Who is Trent and what did he do to these women?

I love having both the audio and digital versions of books for a totally immersive experience, but once I started listening to the audiobook, I was hooked. The cast is fabulous and I could picture all the characters from the voices, especially Trent. The book is told from multiple POV and different timelines but it was never confusing. You may have to put aside your realism radar a bit, but this was pure escapism on all levels, and isn't that why we read fiction? While I thought I had a clue of how things would end up, I couldn't have been more wrong. So many twists and turns perfectly played out. Wonderful debut and looking forward to more from this author.

Huge thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC!

Well, to start off this book was absolutely bonkers. I should have known it would be since it was blurbed by Freida McFadden on the front cover. The Freida wild and crazy vibes were strong with this one. There were a couple times I GASPED; Jessie really went there!

This was one of those books that you know you won't be able to put down the second it starts. Just when I felt like I knew what was happening, I was thrown for another loop. The twists kept coming and coming. Some of the twists were a little unbelievable/over-the-top in my opinion, but that's what makes reading fiction fun; it doesn't have to be believable.

The narrators were so good! It was a full-cast and some of there were downright CREEPY (very fitting for their character)! 10/10 on audiobook production!

I think this book will be a huge hit!

This one was not for me. The storyline didn’t flow well and I could not connect with the characters.
****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Business Trip
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Jessie Garcia
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: January 14, 2025
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⇥ I flew through the first 40% of the book at lightning speed. The pacing is incredibly engaging.
⇥ The multiple POVs were a standout feature, adding depth and intrigue to the mystery. Despite my usual struggle with keeping track of multiple characters, this book made it easy.
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐝:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⇥ It definitely went off the rails at the end. Some elements felt unnecessary and detracted from the overall experience, which is why I lowered my rating.
⇥ One character labeled as a villain felt cliché, relying on stereotypical traits like racism and sexism. The story might have been stronger if the character’s faults were portrayed in a less predictable way.
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
★★★★☆
I was immediately hooked by the storyline and the alternating POVs, even though my memory isn’t the best. It was effective in piecing together the complex narrative, and I was genuinely intrigued by where the story would lead. I felt a strong connection with Jasmine and Steph, particularly Steph, and enjoyed the book up until the 50% mark when things started getting WILD. After that, while I was still invested, I felt a bit disappointed with the direction the story took. Overall, this was a fast-paced, addictive read and provided the perfect dose of suspense and thriller that I needed during the worst reading slump ever.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 @netgalley 𝘢𝘯𝘥 @stmartinspress 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.

This was quite an interesting and unique book!

There were a lot of twists, but none were too shocking until the very end! The premise initially had me so excited to listen to this audiobook, but I will say it felt way too far fetched and some things didn’t make a lot of sense.

The multiple narrators made this audiobook. I also liked each of the perspectives. Some of the perspectives were a bit useless to the story, but the narrators did a great job. I listened at 2x

All in all, it was entertaining and kept me listening throughout.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Pub Date: 1/14/2025
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The Business Trip is the story of Jamine and Stephanie, two women who are complete opposites who meet on a plane. But then both go missing, the craziest part? They both were seeing the same man.
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Listen, I binged this book in a matter of hours. I was literally hooked to this story from start to finish. Were parts of it a bit far-fetched? Sure... But I devoured every single second of the drama, deceit and pure insanity of this book.
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The entire story is told in multiple parts, some parts are before the flight, some are during and then after. It is also told from multiple POV's which was really awesome to really get everyone's perspective on the situation at hand. I absolutely loved how this was written, I loved the split in timelines and the change in POV, I feel like it gave this such a fresh and unique vibe. Some are the characters are easy to love, others are easy to hate. They are easily distinguished and you will have no problem following along with a fairly decent size character list.
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This is such a fast-paced book that you will not be able to put this one down. It's addicting. Not to mention the twists that had my jaw on the ground. I loved them. Also, everything was explained so perfectly in the end, that left me feeling so satisfied.
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I listened to this one via audiobook while simultaneously reading my ebook. This had a full cast of narrators - Andrew Eiden; Dylan Fitzpatrick; Fred Berman; Gail Shalan; Hillary Huber; Jennifer Pickens; John Pirhalla; Kimberly M. Wetherell; Kirby Heyborne; Tim Campbell and they were all phenomenal! Listening to this audio really made me connect with the story and its characters. The audio was amazing and I highly recommend it!
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Overall this is a totally diabolical, twisty and fast-paced psychological thriller that you need in your life. I highly recommend this book. I loved it. Be sure to check this one out! Huge thank you to NetGalley, Jessie Garcia, MacMillan Audio and St. Martins Press for the ALC and eARC in exchange for my honest review.

More like a 3.5 but it being the debut novel I bumped it up a little because it really is just small things that kept it from a 4 star. I think the way the book had me thinking it was going one way and went in a totally different direction was really refreshing. I do think it got a little silly with the ending but it seemed like a well thought out plot. This book did a good job keeping you guessing and the different povs were really nice to be able to get all the sides of the story. After reading this I’m super excited to see what the author has in store for us next!

This is a fast paced thriller that will have you asking yourself “what the heck is going on?” multiple times. I am honestly so torn with this review. On one hand I enjoyed the build up with the multiple POVs and trying to piece together this puzzle, but I actually hated the ending. The timeline of the events just didn’t make sense to me and left me a little frustrated.

I did really enjoy the full cast, each POV had a different voice and I felt that made it easier to track which character was speaking.