This fast-paced thriller about the world of journalism, morality, and fame is a great summer read. I find the world of tabloids to be a fascinating but scary setting and this story explores the dark side. Jess is a young reporter who finds out that getting the story trumps decency. Stella is a powerful editor who knows how the reporting "game" is played. The two women go head to head when a story takes a tragic turn. This was a quick read and although I didn't find myself completely invested in the story, it was enjoyable. Thank you to Sandie Jones, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is slow burning suspense with some hidden red herrings that are revealed at just the right time. Set in the world of a tabloid newspaper and exposing their sleazy practices of reporting the news that they create, this book was a little steamy, a little informative and highly mesmerizing. Stella is a veteran reporter who wants to be the manager but first she has to replace Max. The rookie Jess is an innocent who actually thinks that the newspaper reports the news. She quickly discovers that they create the scenario for the news and then trap people into playing out the scene that is most salacious and most likely to sell papers. None of the characters was particularly likable except for Jess and even she is too easy to lead astray. Stella seems totally unredeemable until near the end of the story so I spent much of the book hoping that something bad happened to her because she was so manipulative. The characters were realistic and well-developed. The plot was methodical and revealed the secrets of the paper and its owner and reporters slowly but regularly. I was not totally surprised by the ending but it was unexpected enough that it kept me reading and enjoying the book. This is a book not to be missed by those who enjoy books with an original premise and plenty of supporting action.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

An interesting read for me. This is my first Sandie Jones book and I can say I will look for more from this author. I was hooked from the beginning and maybe I am not as clever as some of the other readers because this one kept me guessing. Loved it.

Another author whose books are an automatic must-read is Sandie Jones, her latest is The Trade Off. I found this to be suspenseful and I couldn’t stop reading, I wanted to know what was going to happen! You know the books that keep you up late, turning the pages? That’s what this was, and I loved it.

My favorite books are those whose plots haven’t been done again and again. I like to see something that is fresh and new and this delivered.



For Stella, deputy editor of The Globe, the choice has always been clear. It doesn’t matter how low she has to stoop—getting the best story is what she’s built her reputation on.

For Jess, The Globe’s rookie reporter, the story stops when the truth does. But she knows that the dirty tricks of the tabloids will be hard to overturn.

And when a celebrity is hounded by The Globe and pays the ultimate price, Jess wonders just how much Stella and the paper are responsible.

Determined to show the world what the tabloid is capable of, Jess will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth, but she needs to watch her back, because someone else is prepared to kill to bury it.

RISK or REWARD. JUSTICE or REVENGE. INNOCENCE or GUILT.

Published on August 15.

“The Trade Off” by Sandie Jones ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Suspense. Location: London, England. Time: Present.

“So offer her the trade-off.”

Stella Thorne is deputy editor of famous tabloid newspaper The Globe. It doesn’t matter to her if she uses blackmail, entrapment, or threats—she built her reputation on getting the best story. Will a past case return for revenge?

Max Forsythe is The Globe’s editor. He fully supported every dirty trick they’ve done, but now he claims he wants The Globe back writing real journalism. Will his lofty words to Jess match his actions when his job is on the line?

Jess Townsend is The Globe’s naive rookie reporter. She believes in truth in journalism, but she’s learning tabloid dirty tricks are hard to change. When celebrity chef Yasmin Chopra is hounded to death by The Globe, Jess wonders just how much she, Stella, and Max are responsible.

Peter Kingsley owns The Globe. He cares only about his newspaper making money. He will not let anyone or anything threaten its success or his reputation.

Author Jones has written a fast-paced, action-packed book. It’s improbable, maybe unlikely, and it’s a good summer read. She captures our attention with tabloid stories, and stories of those behind the scenes. Jones splits the chapters into 2 points of view. Young, vulnerable Jess tells us her story in the intimate 1st person (I open the door) while hardened reporter Stella’s story is told in the more removed 3rd person (She opens the door).

My advice: Don’t say to yourself: Well this couldn’t or wouldn’t happen, or she couldn’t change that fast, or she couldn’t be that naive. Just sit back and enjoy this perfectly toxic tabloid of a read. It’s 4 stars from me🌵📚💁🏼‍♀️ Thank you to Minotaur Books, Sandie Jones, and NetGalley for this early ecopy. Publishes 8/15/2023.

I love Sandie Jones! Her books always have me on the edge of my seat. This was about tabloids ... something everybody vocally despises, but secretly loves to read. Sandie is very good at leaving the reader subtle clues.
Once again, I missed them! Close to the end, I began to guess who the vile person was pulling everyone strings, but I just couldn't think of a motive. Kudos Sandie for keeping me in the dark. The explosive ending was so satisfying. Readers of Megan Goldin will devour this novel.

The Trade Off by Sandie Jones delivers a gripping tale of ambition, deception, and the dangerous world of tabloid journalism. The novel follows Stella, the deputy editor of The Globe, who is relentless in her pursuit of the juiciest stories, regardless of the ethical cost. In stark contrast, Jess, a rookie reporter at the same newspaper, is determined to uphold the truth, even when faced with the dirty tactics of tabloid reporting.

When a celebrity is tragically hounded by The Globe and pays the ultimate price, Jess becomes determined to uncover the full extent of the paper's culpability. As she delves deeper into the tabloid's dark secrets, she realizes the danger she's putting herself in. In a gripping battle between justice and revenge, Jess must navigate treacherous waters and be cautious of an unknown adversary willing to go to extreme lengths to bury the truth.

The Trade Off skillfully explores the moral dilemmas faced by journalists and the lengths to which some will go to get the exclusive scoop. With a riveting plot and well-developed characters, Sandie Jones keeps readers on the edge of their seats, pondering the trade-offs between risk and reward, innocence and guilt.

The Trade Off is a thrilling and thought-provoking read that delves into the cutthroat world of tabloid journalism. Jones' adept storytelling and clever exploration of complex ethical questions make this book an enthralling and engrossing page-turner from start to finish.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in
exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: August 15, 2023
How far would you go to break the story first? Would you compromise who you are? Would you be able to sleep at night if you spent your days manipulating, lying and cheating to keep your spot at the top? Stella is the deputy editor of The Globe, U. K’s tabloid-style newspaper, with big dreams of becoming lead editor. To do that, Stella has never been afraid to pull punches, to dig deep, to compromise her standards and her morals to be the first one to tell the story. But then first-time journalist Jess gets hired at The Globe, reporting directly to Stella, and Jess wants to tell the truth and make a difference in the media world. Although both Jess and Stella clash in every way, when a big story breaks they must work together to make sure that the truth gets told, and the real voices get heard.
I am a fan of Sandie Jones, having first being introduced to her through her debut novel, “The Other Woman”. I love her unique style and her addictive plots, and “The Trade Off” completely fits in to this mold. “Trade Off” not only delves deep in the dark and disturbing side of journalism and media reporting but it also touches on the modern and relevant #metoo movement.
Stella has the powerhouse boss vibe that Miranda Priestley carries in “The Devil Wears Prada”, and she is every bit as likable and unlikable as the fashion maven. It isn’t until she finds herself in a vulnerable situation that she completely changes her attitude and begins to team up with Jess in order to help overtake the medial mogul behind their magazine. Jess is charming, albeit naïve and inexperienced, but I immediately bonded with her and wanted to see her succeed and take the journalism world by storm.
As is typical with novels of this genre, there was a twist at the end, but it wasn’t completely unexpected. That being said, the novel ended exactly as I wanted it to, and I was completely satisfied with the outcome. “The Trade Off” is thought-provoking and modern, and its uncompromisingly honest plot will leave an indelible mark. Jones has delivered once again!

The Trade Off was centered on two tabloid reporters: rookie Jess and hardened Stella. Stella will do whatever it takes to get to the top and Jess wants to breathe a little morality into the world of celebrity reporting. Stella is an accomplished editor of The Globe in London. She has a reputation for getting the story at all costs. Jess is a rookie reporter at The Globe and sees things differently. She is troubled when the truth of a story starts to falter and is not interested in spreading lies. Jess is getting concerned that some of The Globe’s big stories are build on lies. When a celebrity is hounded by The Globe and then pays the ultimate price, Jess has to wonder if this story was even true. She has to get to the bottom of this one, and fast. #NETGALLEY #THETRADEOFF

If you ever had doubted the idea of “fake news”, this book will make you question every headline you read.  The manipulation of words, photoshopping, insider payoffs, backstabbing…..there just aren’t enough adjectives to describe the seedy side of journalism depicted here.
   Guaranteed, in the real world there are newspeople who are working daily to get the truth out to the public at great costs but that wasn’t the object of this book.  The real story was to provide thrilling mystery which the author did.
   The naive ingenue with high hopes to become an outstanding journalist under the tutelage of the editor with years of experience quickly becomes caught up in the not so honest side of news coverage. She tries to maintain her principles but it ends with tragic results. From there the story gets more twisted as one expose leads yet to another biased headline. Then the characters you hated finally show some admirable traits.
   It’s a real eye opener……..not that we all didn’t know this scenario happened…..but the reader was right there involved in the big news that sell papers…….. especially those above the fold

As deputy editor of The Globe, Stella is seemingly ruthless when it comes time to get and tell a story. She will stop at nothing to her it, Jess, on the other hand, is a rookie and is committed to telling the truth s best as she can. As Jess comes to a head with Stella’s techniques she finds herself in a situation she simply wasn’t prepared for.
Good read!

* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books in exchange for my honest review

The Trade Off puts you right in the dramatic world of tabloid journalism in Britain. It is very fascinating world and the story is action packed right away and fast moving. I did feel that the character development could have been better, but overall an excellent book!

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sandie Jones prior books have been hit or miss for me and I was unsure about The Trade Off given some early reviews, however, I was pleasantly surprised. I loved this take on the harm the media can do and how it ties into the #MeToo movement. I always enjoy a dual perspective book took. I would say this is more of fiction with some light suspense than a thriller - so be sure to temper your expectations accordingly!

Thank you to St. Martins Press for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Sandie Jones' gives readers a glimpse into the tabloid world with The Trade Off. Whether or not this is how tabloids and gossip magazines get their stories and run their papers, Jones creates a high-stakes and fast-paced work place that blurs the lines of ethics.

Jess is green, she's new to the industry and comes to The Globe under the impression she's been hired because of her work and her steady moral compass. Little does she know her boss, Max, likes to talk about of both sides of his mouth. His star journalist, Stella Thorne, has made a name for herself breaking scandal after scandal. And if she has to orchestrate scenarios to get a juicy result, so be it. As she'd say herself "you can lead a horse to water but you can't force it to drink." She's just going to get every piece lined up to create a perfect storm and if a celebrity takes the bait, that's on them.

Until Jess and Stella collide. When they start working in the same department, Jess's rose colored glasses really start to hinder Stella's usual course of action. It all culminates when one of the tabloids subjects ends up dead. Blame is laid right at the journalists' feet and they both have a reckoning to deal with. What comes next is unexpected. The reader is kept guessing up until the end.

A good suspenseful read that was delightfully easy to read and something I burned through quickly!

The Trade Off
Sandie Jones
3.5-4⭐️

Would you tell a story, if you knew it was a lie? Or tell the truth and sleep at night?

If you’re in the mood for a fun, suspenseful read about corrupt London tabloid journalism, The Trade Off is for you! It took a bit to get into it, but everything picked up midway and I was all in. It was entertaining, manipulative, and I loved that I was oblivious to who the actual villain was until the end!

Read if you like;
📸 Magazines & Tabloids
📸 Suspenseful Workplace Mystery/Thriller
📸 Dual POV
📸 Suspect Characters

Pub Date: 8/15/23

Thank you so much to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

While this wasn’t my favorite Sandie Jones book, it was a fascinating read. It will make me question any news stories I read after finding out how these journalists get stories. The story is told from alternating points of views of two female journalists. Stella, the ball busting long term journalist who will do anything for a story, and Jess, the new girl on the scene who is honest and wants to find wholesome happy stories.
This book was a slow burn, which isn’t my favorite, but the second half certainly ramps up quickly. I was second guessing my opinions on every single character. The twists and turns were a wild ride. I would recommend this book for the readers who have the patience to wait for all the suspense and excitement. Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy!

Thank you @minotaur_books @netgalley for a copy of this book. If you are interested in shady practice of tabloid journalism then this one is for you. The book's pacing was a little slow for me despite all that was happening as Jess starts her job at The Globe. There's a lot of backstabbing and unethical behavior. The book picks up towards the end.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an early copy of The Trade Off. What an AWESOME book about how corrupt and ruthless tabloids are. This was sooooooo interesting. The characters were very real, I felt like I was part of the cast. Eye opening regarding what goes on behind the scenes to get a good story. Even though this was a fiction book, I hope journalists read it and really think about how they go about getting a story. I LOVED the ending and how morals won out. Thank you again.

Fabulous awesome book!! I love all this Author's books!! Her writing and the suspense gets better and better!! Add this book to your beach book pile!! You won't regret it!!

this one was tricky for me. I found the pacing to be really off; certain parts were slow, painfully slow, while other parts were so gripping and fast paced and electrifying.

I loved the journalism in tabloid aspect, I thought that felt fresh, but I got lost with all of the characters.