Out August 3rd and cannot come soon enough! Sandie Jones does it again with a book full of twists and emotions and has you chomping at the bit to find out what is happening.

Rachel, Jack, Noah, and Paige are off to Portugal for the wedding of Will and Ali. The group has quite an intertwined history with Rachel and Noah being long time college best friends, Jack and Will being brothers, and Ali having been previously employed by Jack; quite the smorgasbord wouldn't you say? With the trip emotions are running high as trust begins to fade between the friends/couples all amounting to a horrific accident at the end of what should be a joyous wedding.

I have to say, the writing in this is fabulous! The in depth internal dialogue you have with Rachel on her past and present gives you a sound protagonist and an instant liking to her. It makes you wonder do you ever truly know who your friends are? Thank you to Sanie Jones, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4000060391
Blog link: www.instagram.com/whataginger.reads

The Guilt Trip is about two couples (Rachel and Jack; Paige and Noah) who are attending the wedding of Jack's brother Will and Ali. Ali is a dramatic person and it seems like everyone has an issue with her except for the groom and Noah. What should be a memorable wedding in Portugal leads to disaster as secrets are revealed and latent animosities come to a head.

The Guilt Trip was, unfortunately, not a good read for me. I thought it would be suspenseful and thrilling, but it was more of a domestic drama (think The Dilemma by B.A. Paris). I found the book riddled with cliches that are often found in that genre. Miscommunication. Marriages with secrets and affairs. And a lot of repetition. As a result, the problems seemed trivial because I felt like I've read them so many times before in other novels.

It seemed like all of the characters asked the main character Rachel if she was okay every five pages. Rachel, as a character, was bland and used avoidance to deal with her issues. Thus, she felt weak and wasn't a strong protagonist that you felt like rooting for. The other characters were not much better and were so bitter from the very beginning that I wondered how Ali seemed oblivious to all of the negativity. I understand the wedding invitation to Rachel and Jack because of family ties, but including Paige and Noah because they are friends with the two seemed like a stretch especially for a destination wedding.

I deduced the twist very early on and, so, there was nothing exciting that unfolded over the course of the novel. Overall, this book was a disappointment. It was not a gripping read as promised and was more of a very very slow burn.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3

THE GUILT TRIP by Sandie Jones revolves around 6 friends - 3 couples - as they head to a villa for a destination wedding that’s filled with drama, misdirection, affairs, and...murder?

At the start of this book, I was quite excited. The pace was fast-moving, and it was clear right away who these characters were and what could be expected of them. That quickly deteriorated when these 40-something adults (and one 20-something who was way more mature than all of them) got into drama that was so petty I had to keep reminding myself that these were FULL-GROWN adults and not angsty teens.

The lead character, Rachel, is also so dim and self-obsessed, that I found myself wanting to get through her inner monologues as quickly as possible. This book could have easily been half as long if all of her repetitive thoughts and questioning were cut out completely. The final few chapters were also just so quick and randomly thrown out there that I wouldn’t even consider it a twist.

Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me.

Publication Date: August 03, 2021

*** special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review ***

Posted to Goodreads and The StoryGraph: 05/18/21
Posted to Instagram (Bookstagram): 05/20/21

I enjoyed this intriguing domestic suspense novel where nothing is as it seems when three couples attend a destination wedding together in Portugal, and major drama ensues.
Not many likeable characters, but very compelling with constant twists and turns that revolve around anger, infidelity, trust, friendship, buried secrets, betrayal, and jumping to conclusions.
Big thanks to NetGalley, Sandie Jones, Minotaur Books and St. Martin’s Press for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a page turner; I feel like I am out of breath and my head spinning. So much going on so fast. What a twist! The characters were so visible in my mind. I am still thinking about this and putting pieces together a day after reading it. Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC

I thoroughly expected this to be a murder mystery a la The Hunting Party or The Guest List and those expectations left me feeling disappointed.

This book started off strong and the character development was wonderfully done. I love that it was told through the perspective of just one of the group, Rachel, because we learn as the book goes how incorrect her assumptions and her trust in certain members of the group really are. This sets up a delicious unfolding of events that culminates at Ali + Will's wedding.

This was a great drama piece that left you desperately wanting answers to the questions hanging over the group, and I loved Ali's redemption arc as we learned more about who she really is. But the "final misunderstanding" felt so rushed and so starkly different from the rest of the book that all I could do in the end was close the book and audibly ask "wtf was that."

I'd give the first 75% of the book a solid four stars but the ending ruined it for me sadly.

This book had me sucked in from page 1. 6 friends, 3 couples and SO many twists and turns. I was team Rachel from the beginning, she was definitely my favorite character and I loved to hear from her point of view. The reason I gave this 4 stars was because the last 10% or so was so unrealistic to me. It was just a bit too much and not fully necessary. I still highly recommend!

I really wanted to love this book. St. Martin's Press is my go-to publisher for wonderful novels, but The Guilt Trip simply wasn't for me. I understand the ARC of the book is an uncorrected proof, but the awkward dialogue tags, tense shifts, and grammatical errors contributed to my lack of enjoyment. I wish I could offer more enthusiasm, but do appreciate the opportunity to read and review the story. Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley.

The Guilt Trip is a fast paced book that kept my attention. I read it quickly because I needed to know how it ended. The majority of the book was simply trying to uncover all the secrets between the characters. It wasn’t until the very end that a murder mystery is thrown into the mix. At that point the book picks up speed and then it ends. It was nice to have the secrets revealed at that point but the murder aspect caused some confusion. I’m still not exactly sure what the ending means. The book was pretty strong early on but didn’t wrap up well. There weren’t enough details and lots of holes. I liked the story and the mystery but I think it needed more. I’d rate it 3.5 ⭐️.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

Sandie Jones never disappoints! The Guilt Trip is such an intriguing, twisty story. A fast paced thriller full of secrets and the unexpected. I loved the character bonds and friendships, along with the detailed group dynamics that the author provides. Full of drama and betrayal, this novel is a must read!

Wow oh my drama! I was so excited to be approved for this ARC because I LOVED the author’s other book “The Other Woman.”

Before diving into this one, keep in mind it’s more of a slow burn drama. I went in expecting a murder mystery/thriller, and left me feeling a little disappointed. For all the drama and build up, the ending wrapped up too quickly in my opinion. Honestly, I was left with a lot of unanswered questions.

Several parts of this story felt well written, but some parts felt a little wordy. It had my attention once the secrets started to spiral, I just wish the ending wasn’t so rushed!

Thank you Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for this advanced copy!

I can’t say that I feel guilty about not liking The Guilt Trip. The story is devoted to three couples and the interplay and doubts that enter into their relationships as they spend time together leading up to and immediately after the marriage of one of the couples. As they spend this time together the two couples not getting married keep finding reasons to get mad and doubt each other’s fidelity. Is it horrible that a quarter of the way into the book I was hoping one of the characters would end up dead and they’d spend the rest of the book trying to figure out who did it? No such luck. Just ongoing drama and increasing paranoia by Rachel, the narrator, about the affair she’s convinced her husband is having with Ali, his future sister-in-law, and at the same time worrying that her husband and best female friend will find out exactly the depths of her relationship with her best friend from university. It doesn’t help that Jones makes these characters inconsistent – they’re going to call people out for who they really are! No wait, don’t say anything until after the wedding! But we need this out in the open as soon as possible! Make up your bloody minds about what you’re going to do and quit annoying me because any sympathy I had for any of you disappeared about twenty pages into the story. I couldn’t help but feel the need to rush through the book to just get away from these whiny, obnoxious, drunk people that at the slightest provocation allow themselves to spiral out of control. The ending was unexpected and satisfying, but it just wasn't enough to save the whole book.

This was a fast-paced read, though I couldn't help but think that a lot of the issues between these characters would have been solved by asking the right questions and just talking to each other, rather than jumping to conclusions. The book primarily centers on Rachel, who, along with her husband Jack and 2 best friends Noah and Paige, travels to Portugal to attend the wedding of her brother-in-law, Will. Will is marrying Ali, who is over a decade younger than Rachel's crew, and tends to get on their nerves.

Once the group is ensconced in their fabulous cliffside retreat, secrets begin to come out and Rachel becomes suspicious not only of Ali, but of others around her. There are also some unanswered questions related to her relationship with Noah, who was her best friend in college and is now married to Paige. Rachel drove me crazy for most of the book by constantly making snap assumptions and being skeptical of almost everyone.

Even though Rachel questioned lots of things, not all of her accusations were unfounded, and I did enjoy following the constant twists and turns as the book unfolded. While I felt that some of the suspicions were clear red herrings, there were other revelations that truly surprised me. There is not break in action throughout the entire book.

Overall, I liked the story despite my annoyance with Rachel, and appreciated the suspense and surprises. I also thought the ending was tied up nicely, which I know some people don't find realistic, but I always appreciate. I'd recommend the book to those who enjoy thrillers and domestic suspense. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

THIS is the exact book I am looking for after reading something super heavy and serious. I had so much fun with “The Guilt Trip.” It gave me “The Guest List” vibes, but with many more troublesome, twisty character plots. It made me think “wow, how well does anyone know their partners and best friends?” I enjoyed the rapid-fire clues and indiscretions, and would definitely put this in my 2021 beach bag! Travel, surfing, sand, and crazy people: perfect summer book.

Wow! I loved The Guilt Trip! Oh what a tangled web we weave! In the Guilt Trip I quickly learned I needed to ferret out who is lying more and who was lying less. And if there is anyone left standing...will that person be a liar or a truth-teller? This fast moving destination wedding story will pull readers in and not let go until the very end.

I love stories about vengeful, conniving and gossipy women and this one did not disappoint! Rachel and Jack are married, with one grownup son, Josh. Paige is married to Noah, a lifelong friend of Rachel’s. Will is Jack’s brother engaged to Ali. They have all gathered, along with others, at a tropical location for the wedding of Will and Ali. There were so many twists and turns and an unexpected turn of events which gripped me. So many questions, is Josh Jack’s son, are Noah and Rachel really just friends, is Ali a pathological liar? I loved it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Six friends--three couples--are travelling to Portugal for the destination wedding of two of them: Will and Ali. Accompanying them are Will's brother Jack and his wife, Rachel, and Noah and Paige. Noah and Rachel go way back--to their university days when they might have been something more than friends. But old feelings die hard and secrets among the group make things spin out of control, especially when Rachel learns something about Ali that could destroy them all.

I've enjoyed all of Sandie Jones's books and The Guilt Trip (love the title--it captures the plot perfectly) is no exception. This offers plenty of twists and you'll be left guessing what's going to happen until the very last page. I thought I knew where this was heading many times, but Jones surprised me until the end. Highly enjoyable and reads quickly, this would be the perfect beach book.

Thank you to Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for granting me this copy to review.

What a fun read! It’s a high drama story between three couples and the deceit that lays between them. It is definitely a lot of back and forth in regards to adultery and a spectacle of relationships. So who is telling the truth and who are the guilty?

Jack and Rachel are a couple. Will is Jack’s brother and he is engaged to Ali who is adorable and spunky and the young one and loud and also used to work for Jack. Noah and Paige are the final couple and Noah and Rachel have been best friends for years. So many dynamics so of COURSE there will be raised brows on what is really going on and with who.

3.5 stars for me- it was a super easy read and entertaining through the end. Sure it was a little cheesy but either way it was amusing with an enjoyable end.

Thank you netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

it was amazing
Wow, this book was amazing. I typically don’t read thriller books, but I could not put this down. You never knew what was going to happen next and just had to keep reading to find out what was going on. And the twist at the end?! Totally unexpected. I figured everything out...right when the cops did. That’s how good this book keeps you guessing! A brilliant read!

I could barely put this book down there was so much going on and I wanted to find out how it ended!! Even though there were a lot more characters to keep track of I think it was pretty easy once they were all introduced and I really liked Noah and Rachel. I was on the fence about Ali but then found a liking to her especially at the end. The story of Rachel and Noah and how it unfolds told from Rachel kept me interested and how she chose Jack and went what seemed to be the "safe" route but still maintained her friendship with Noah while developing one with his wife Paige. This was a little les thriller through most of the book and more suspenseful with the drama unraveling. I wished the ending had been a little more grandiose I was a little disappointed that the suspense didn't match as much as how the vibes did throughout the rest of the book. The book did keep m engrossed to find out what happened next and what side Ali was on and who she was loyal to in the end! Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the copy to read and review.