This was a very enjoyable thriller, a debut novel from a new author.

Stephanie and Jasmine meet on a plane, Stephanie on a business trip and Jasmine escaping from an abusive relationship. A few days after the trip their friends start receiving the exact text messages from each of them, mentioning a man called Trent McCarthy. These messages don't seem right, and as the friends get concerned, both women vanish. What happened to them, and how is Trent involved?

The story is told from multiple point of view, from Stephanie and Jasmine themselves, their friends, Trent and even text messages. The first half of the book is a slow burn, but after the half way mark, every thing changes. I didn't see the major twist coming, and I found the twists and turns, while a little unbelievable, made for an exciting read. We almost repeat most of the first half of the book again, seeing things very differently the second time through. This actually worked well.

I wasn't big fan of most of the main characters, but the plot was interesting.

I listened to the book, and the multiple narrators really made the book come alive, as each character had their own voice. It made for a great audiobook, and enhanced the enjoyment immensely.

This was a wild ride!! I loved that we got the story in bits and pieces and from each of the characters’ pov. It added so much to the story. I had an inkling to what was going on but wasn’t prepared for the twist! The narrators were perfect!! I really got a feel for the the characters through the narration and their intonations.

Such an intriguing thriller!! I was hooked the entire time and wasn’t sure who was what! The twist at the ending was so shocking I would never have seen it coming. I really enjoyed every unlikable character and the author wrote the story so well! I loved that the author explained everything. There’s nothing I hate more than a leave you guessing ending when I just want to know if they got caught!

This book literally had me awake and reading until 2 a.m. until I finished! I am reeling by the twists and turns and how you can’t see them coming. New favorite author for sure.

The Business Trip was an audiobook listen for me and it was a trip. It had many narrators and it worked out excellent for this twisted psycho story. It held my attention and kept surprising me. Just when I thought someone was shocking me, BAM someone else does the unthinkable. It was entertaining and well written. The narrators were Andrew Eiden, Dylan Fitzpatrick, Fred Berman, Gail Shalan, Hillary Huber, Jennifer Pickens, John Pirhalla, Kimberly M. Wetherell, Kirby Heyborne and Tim Campbell.
Thanks Macmillan Audio via NetGalley.

This book did have the promised twists. However, most were predictable. Good story, recommended reading actual book. The voices in the audiobook version were very cheesy.

Jessie Garcia’s debut novel is filled with exciting twists that led me to finish this book in less than 24 hours.

Main characters Jasmine and Stephanie meet on a plane. Stephanie is headed to a convention for her job and Jasmine is fleeing an abusive relationship.

What happens after that fateful meeting is told through multiple points of view that are easy to follow and add depth to this thriller. The range of personalities are perfectly captured and articulate themes of audacity, jealousy, longing, dissatisfaction, and hope.

I listened to the multicast audiobook which featured an all star cast: Andrew Eiden, Dylan Fitzpatrick, Fred Berman, Gail Shalan, Hillary Huber, Jennifer Pickens, John Pirhalla, Kimberly M. Wetherell, Kirby Heyborne, and Tim Campbell.

Foreshadowing tempered some of the twists, but added a healthy dose of anticipation. The narration made the detail-heavy sections interesting and entertaining.

Given the detailed explanation of events and the modern day setting, there are two moments that felt glossed over for the sake of the story. First, someone paying cash for a flight and/or buying a one-way ticket on the day of travel would be subject to extra security screening. Jasmine seems to move through the airport with ease. Second, a character very clearly states intentions to protect themselves, but it’s missed by another character. After being so attuned and perceptive—and making changes on the fly in reaction to other people’s behaviors—missing this comment felt out of character.

The Business Trip is quite the ride. It’s gritty and diabolical. It’ll grab you from the start and not let go until the final stunning twist.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the preview copy of the audiobook.

The full cast of narrators did an amazing job. I enjoyed that each character narrated their own chapters. This was a great thriller and I never guessed the twist at the end. This is definitely a book I will recommend to patrons at our library.

ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the multi-cast narration on this book! It really helped bring the story to life and painted a very vivid picture in my head of exactly what was happening. This story was full of twists and turns and definitely didn’t turn out the way I thought it would! I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes psychological thrillers from multiple points of view!

3.5 ⭐️ rounding up to 4 ⭐️

I enjoyed this book. It was easy to listen to and to follow along with multiple POVs. Kept my attention and I did not expect all the twists and turns.

Thanks to MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to enjoy an advance copy of this audiobook.

The Business Trip is going to be huge. It's the bingeable popcorn thriller that I feel like readers have been waiting for...a book you start reading and then literally cannot put down until you figure out what the heck is going on.

In my case, I listened to the full-cast audiobook, and I was finding chores to do and places to go just so I could listen to one more chapter. Audio is the way to go with this one, if that's an option for you. The voice actors do a fantastic job of bringing their respective characters to life, and it immersed me more fully in the story than reading the physical book (which I think I just would've flown through, see explanation above) would have.

It's best to go into this one knowing as little as possible about the plot, so I'll only say this: Jasmine and Stephanie are very different women with very different lives, and they end up seated next to each other on a flight out of Wisconsin. Days later, they have both vanished. What happened to these two women, and why did their last texts mention a man named Trent McCarthy?

Jessie Garcia really swung for the fences with her debut. The plot of The Business Trip is so complex and layered, so full of twists and turns, that I'm astounded Garcia was able to keep it all straight in her own head, and to relay it all so clearly on the page. Even when you think you have things figured out...Trust me, you don't. There is definitely some suspension of disbelief required...like, a lot. But I was so entertained the entire time, the more outlandish aspects of the plot didn't really bother me all that much.

Because of the way the story is told (multiple narrators, all relaying their own versions of the same events) there is inevitably some repetition in the narrative that does slow the pace down a bit -- especially near the end. I could've done without the meticulous over-explanation of every little thing in the conclusion, and I thought the epilogue was completely unnecessary. But overall, I had a lot of fun with this book and I think most readers are really going to enjoy it. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the early listening opportunity. 3.5 stars rounded up.

The Business Trip is an absolute must-read for thriller fans—it’ll have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. This gripping story had me hooked, with goosebumps creeping up my arms as each twist unraveled and the suspense built with every page. Told through multiple POVs and shifting timelines, it’s like piecing together a puzzle while speeding down a roller coaster full of unexpected drops and hairpin turns. The layered storytelling keeps you guessing, and just when you think you’ve figured it out—bam! Another twist hits. If you love thrillers that keep your pulse racing, I highly recommend giving this one a go. You won’t regret it!

Jasmine is fleeing an abusive relationship and needs to get out of town. With money borrowed from a lifelong friend she flees Madison for San Diego. On the flight she meets Stephanie who is on her way to a conference. After a few days, they text their friends the same exact messages about the same man…and that is just the start of the bizarre texts.

The Business Trip has great twists and turns, I never was 100% sure where the story was going, and it kept me on my toes. Loved it!

Narrated by a full cast!! Andrew Eiden; Dylan Fitzpatrick; Fred Berman; Gail Shalan; Hillary Huber; Jennifer Pickens; John Pirhalla; Kimberly M. Wetherell; Kirby Heyborne; Tim Campbell. So so good.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio!

Reading challenge category - 2024 Flourish and Blotts: Charms - Wingardium Leviosa: Includes flight

Jasmine is in an abusive relationship. She sets a plan in motion to leave her abusive boyfriend Glenn and fly to Colorado to start her life over. Stephanie is a news director who has a business trip to a news conference in San Diego, but has a layover in Colorado. Jasmine and Stephanie sit next to each other on the plane from Madison to Colorado. Their lives change forever.

The blurb on the book/site for this book does not do a great job - Trent McCarthy is just a minor player in this story and there isn't a lot of mystery wrapped up in the plotline he's in, so it's misleading.

Reading this book felt a lot like watching "Lost." It started out interesting and I was invested, but as you go along, you see that the writer didn't have the story mapped out from the beginning and seemingly made stuff up as they went along, which culminated in a ridiculous ending. <spoiler> Really, doppelganger? This trope is as played out as "OMG IT WAS THE EVIL TWIN!" Eww. </spoiler> It went downhill quickly and stayed there.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC audiobook.

Two women, Stephanie and Jasmine, meet on a flight one day and their lives are completely changed. These two are complete strangers but end up talking and hitting it off. They could become friends. But then what happens next has both of their lives spiraling out of control.

I listened to the audiobook of this story and, while I like dual point of view stories, I was a little skeptical when I saw how many authors were narrating this story. That usually means several povs, which I usually find easier to keep us with when I'm reading an actual book and not listening. However I was pleasantly surprised when I was listening. Every single narrator made each character their own and it was awesome! I especially liked the way the story was written on a unique order, going to before, after, during, before and then back to after the flight and everything came together real nicely.

And then the twists! Wow! Such great storylines and unexpected twists. One twist was expected in my opinion but most were not and I loved it! I highly recommend this book. If you love twisty, dual povs and unique storylines, you should totally check this out when it is released on January 14, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio, and Jessie Garcia for the advanced copy of the audiobook! I very much enjoyed the book!! Thank you sooo much!!!

Thank you, MacMillan Audio, for providing me with this absolute gem to brighten my holiday season!

This book was everything I needed and more—the plot, the characters, and THAT REVEAL! I’m completely obsessed. I can’t wait for its release so everyone can experience it, especially my friends—they’re going to devour this one! I can’t wait to read more from Jessie Garcia, this one was definitely a banger!

Video reviews coming soon on TikTok and Instagram! 💜🫶🏾⭐️

Highly recommend! 5 stars!

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook and reader copy of The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia in exchange for an honest review. This book was full of surprises and twists and kept me guessing the whole book through. Who knew a simple business trip to San Diego could become so convoluted?

3.5 Stars. This book was fast paced and had a lot going on. There are a lot of characters, which started to feel difficult to follow in an audiobook. The narration was excellent, but at times the writing felt a bit juvenile. The ending felt too far-fetched for me. Overall I enjoyed it and would be interested in other books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

I liked this creepy thriller! Once that twist happened I had to double-check what I had read/listened to! Jasmine and Stephanie meet on a plane, they also look like they could be doppelgängers! Stephanie is going on a business trip to a conference and Jasmine is escaping a toxic relationship. However, soon both their friends/coworkers receive a text from the women about meeting a guy and following him back to Atlanta. While Jasmine's friend is a little annoyed with her for leaving her abusive relationship without giving her a heads-up that she was leaving. However, Stephanie's work starts trying to get ahold of her and her friend and cat sitter are getting suspicious they finally get ahold of the police and the guy is a dirtbag type of guy and he is arrested with evidence on him.
However, while this seems to be a hook, line, and sinker type of mystery this is just the beginning and nothing is as it seems! There is this SHOCKING twist that you'll be on the edge of your seat, unable to put the book down until you find out what happens! Guys this should definitely be on your TBR in January! I listened to the audiobook and read the ebook too! The audiobook was phenomenal! The narrator was incredible and her voice fit the storyline and was engaging to keep my attention!
I'm really grateful for the chance to read and listen to this book. It was a real treat, and I thoroughly enjoyed all the twists and turns in the story!

Holy moly, this book had me guessing the whole way through! I thought I had it figured out, but Garcia threw so many curveballs, I was constantly wrong. The multiple POVs were a bit confusing at first, but I got the hang of it quickly.

If you're a dual reader/listener like me, the audiobook is a MUST. Each character has a unique voice actor, making it incredibly easy to follow who's who. Plus, it's just plain engaging to listen to!

Sure, some parts might be a tad far-fetched, but hey, that happens in a lot of good thrillers. This is Garcia's debut, and I'm seriously excited to see what she comes up with next!

Thank You to both MacMillan Audio and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC and ALC via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and listened and gave an honest review.