Thanks very much to the publisher for the invite to read and review this book in through NetGalley.

I'm a little conflicted about my feelings towards this book. The cover immediately caught my eye and premise was was simple and great: the day before their lavish Indian wedding at an exclusive Mexican resort, Raj and Radhika are found dead. Unlikely guest Shay is determined to get to the truth behind their murders, but she's hiding plenty of secrets of her own. And those secrets might make her the killer's next target.

Honestly? This was ultimately a mixed bag for me. I was more than willing to put aside the absolute unbelievability of the plot itself (isn't Shay in her early 20s? She's going to single handedly take down the Mexican Cartel?) and the overall unlikability of the characters (holy red flags on all the males and Shay's over the top moral superiority and her "I will change the world" naivety was so off putting), because the last quarter of the book was a heart-in-your-throat twisty thrill ride. Unfortunately, what largely preceded it was...a bit boring. I really enjoyed Raj and Radhi's wedding descriptions--it did sound like they had something truly magical planned. But once they're killed off--and it's very early on and very abrupt, it doesn't leave much room for excitement or tension. Until about the 75% mark, things get repetitive (I don't think I could take another reference to "Brown Hulk Hogan") and I skipped large chunks just trying to find out who was ultimately behind the murders and why.

So while I'm bumping up my final score on account of a really great finish, I normally don't have the patience to push through to get that far.

My freshly painted manicure has been destroyed . I managed to subconsciously bite my nails down to the beds . My breath was held, and my insides were shattered .

I loved loved loved this book.

Sometimes, when I see “read now” on netgalley I fear it’s an “oops” and I have to instantly download the book before anyone figures out their mistake .

This one worked out in my favor .

The Plus One

This is a fast paced, under 400 page, suspenseful domestic thriller. The secrets and deceit were just down right awful (in the best way possible) . My jaw was permanently hanging out on the floor. I just could not get enough of this book. It was as if I became addicted to swiping the page .

The ending is not only twisted but juicy .

Just pre-order the book before I spoil everything for you . Here is a little teaser below 👇

White Lotus meets The Guest List in international bestselling author S. C. Lalli’s next thrilling novel, where two business moguls were set to be married in the biggest event of the year—until they’re both found murdered the day before the wedding—and a social outsider must unravel the mystery before her own hidden agenda is revealed.

The wedding of Radhika Singh and Raj Joshi, a weeklong affair at a luxury resort in Cabo, isn’t just going to be the event of the season—it will also mark the union of two highly influential and wealthy Indian-American families. No expense will be spared for what Radhika and Raj have coined “R&R,” a week of rest, relaxation, and celebrating their love.

Shaylee “Shay” Kapoor is just an outsider, but she just so happens to be dating Raj’s best friend, Caleb Prescott III, and is sucked into this world of wealth and excess. But on the morning the wedding festivities are supposed to begin, the resort’s wedding coordinator Daniela makes a frightening discovery: Raj and Radhika are dead, gunshots to the head.

Chaos descends on the hotel as the guests are turned away or sent home. Shay stays by Caleb’s side as the investigation starts to unfold, family and close friends grieve, and accusations run wild. The police believe the murders are a drug cartel hit.

But even if it was a cartel hit, even if the murderer somehow got past the resort’s security, the hotel room doors have state-of-the-art locks. There was no way for the murderer to slip into the room without a key. And only the sister of the bride, Zara; the best men, Caleb and Sean; and the wedding coordinator, Daniela, have keys.

Shay may be an outsider—and she definitely has secrets of her own—but she may be the only person with enough perspective to untangle everyone’s lies, and discover why anyone would want the bride and groom dead. . .

loved the setting. loved the whole investigation of guests to figure out who the suspect really is.

The murderer was not who you maybe thought it was. Twisty and suspenseful

If you like a story with vivid characters and many, many twists and turns then you will love this book. It is set in a scenic upscale resort with amenities that we mere mortals can only imagine exist. The characters are not perfect but it blends together to a perfectly “hard to put down” story.

I actually really enjoyed this book. I love a good mystery with a rich family that always gets away with everything and a girl who is determined to not let that happen anymore. I also loved how there was like only 1 white person in this book lol. I loved learning about a different culture. I also loved the little invitations that were included from the bride and groom that explained the daily activities leading up to the wedding. It was both explaining to the reader how an Indian wedding would be celebrated but is also a natural part of the story without feeling forced. I will say that the main character seemed to be a little weird in that she's very oblivious in some ways but yet she's supposed to be a journalist? I did think the book was a bit predictable at times, but also I was guessing some things that never happened. At one point I wondered if Sean and Caleb were gay. Because I didn't understand why Sean hated him. There were other little things too that I was trying to assume but didn't pan out. In the end it all made sense and wrapped up in a little bow. Caleb's drug problem was upsetting because he had told Shay that his family had those issues, so he didn't want to fall under the same trap, however I can see how that would naturally happen anyways if that's all he knows too. Also I think all of the business talk went a little over my head (the shares, the 15%, the voting stuff, etc.).
I think this would make a GREAT movie honestly. So ... you should really try to make that happen lol.

This book follows "outsider" Shaylee Kapoor on her lavish trip to her boyfriends best friends wedding. On the morning of the wedding, both groom and bride are found murdered. Guests are turned away and sent home, and as the investigation starts it seems like those closest to the bride and groom are the top suspects in their murder. Police aren't sure if the murders are personal-or a cartel hit-and things only get more complicated as both wealthy families begin to question each other and all seem to fall under suspicion. Shaylee has her own reasons for wanting to stick around, but finds herself thrown into the middle of an already horrible situation. I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to a friend. It kept me entertained and it was nice to read about the lives of the rich and famous-as it reminded me that money doesn't always equate to happiness.

Money does not create happiness, nor life…. Sometimes it brings death. Who can you trust if you can’t trust family? You will not be able to put this one down. Just when you think you have it all figured out, you don’t, or do you? Suspense at its finest!

I received a free copy of, The Plus One, by S.C. Lalli, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The wedding of the year is here, Radhika Singh and Raj Joshi are getting married, all the in crowd are invited. Unexpectedly the loving pair are found murdered. Shaylee who is dating the grooms best friend, decides to investigate. Wow, what a wild ride this book is. I enjoyed this book, and finding out who the killer is.

THE wedding event for two well-known and big business names is quickly derailed when the bride and groom- Rhadika and Raj- are found murdered at the luxury resort in Cabo that was meant to host their elaborate wedding events- a week long wedding affair. As the guest of best man Caleb, Shay is certainly an outsider to the wealth and influence these families have. They are surrounded by secrets, including ulterior motives for Shay herself. So of course, Shay dives on in and works to figure out who killed the bride and groom, and why. Unfortunately, there are quite a few possibilities. She is feeling the pressure to not only solve the crime, but do so before her own hidden agenda is uncovered. Wading through an ocean of secrets, while trying to keep her own, is not without danger, especially since the limited access means someone close to the bride and groom is the guilty party. Jumping between before and after the murder, we untangle the lives of the couple and those closest to them and delve into what could have led to murder.
An enthralling read with complex characters and a few mysteries to solve. This one hooks you early and is hard to put down until you have all the answers.

The Plus One
by S.C. Lalli
Pub Date: August 13, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
White Lotus meets The Guest List in international bestselling author S. C. Lalli’s next thrilling novel, where two business moguls were set to be married in the biggest event of the year—until they’re both found murdered the day before the wedding—and a social outsider must unravel the mystery before her own hidden agenda is revealed.
Good book but I really didn't enjoy the unlikeable characters.
My favorite part of this was the culture. I loved the descriptions of this lavish Indian wedding (more the description of plans since the bride and groom were murdered before the wedding could occur). It would make a great movie for that reason. If you’re into amateur journalism and investigations, you may enjoy this. I didn’t get very invested in the mystery itself.
“Good or bad. Virtuous or evil. Whatever choice anyone makes, there will always be consequences.”
3

I have now read both books written by S.C. Lalli and this one is just as good as the first one. I enjoyed the characters and the plot of this latest book. This is a great murder mystery.

I really enjoyed this book. Shay goes to a destination wedding with her boyfriend, Caleb. The couple getting married are quite wealthy and the man works for his father. The couple is found dead the day before their wedding. I don't want to give anything away, so I don't want to go into details. However, the book had many twists and is quite interesting to find out who did it. I didn't care for the ending that much, it seemed like the author was setting up for a sequel.

Everything I want in a thriller!! This one is fast paced and hooked me from the beginning! I love reading about rich people drama and influencers and this book has PLENTY of that. All the characters have just enough sketchy things about them to make them all suspicious throughout the book, which made me want to keep reading to find out more! I really loved this book, it was fun and exciting and shocking all at once!

Absolutely loved this!! Had me hooked from the very beginning! I instantly fell in love with the characters! It was hard to put down!

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. A wedding should be a happy affair especially at a destination wedding. Shay is their as a guest. This book was ok.

The Plus One follows the wedding of the union of two very wealthy Indians. It is set in a fabulous resort in Cabo, Mexico. All is wonderful until the bride and groom are found dead.

It is up to a friend, who has the most information about the couple, to try to solve the crime.

There is a great deal of privilege amongst the characters, as they are quite wealthy. It made the characters harder to like for me - but that is just me as the book is clearly about the upper echelons.

This was a fun thriller. Shay is a guest at the wedding of the year in Cabo. Sadly, the bride and groom wind up dead. The bride’s sister and the groom’s best friend and cousin are the main suspects. Shay just so happens to be dating the best friend. She also isn’t honest but who she is.

I enjoyed the little twists throughout the book where Shay is trying to figure out who was behind the murders. It’d make a good limited series if you ask me.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

S.C. Lalli is proving to be an excellent writer, like her first book, Are You Sara, (which is also great) her writing is excellent and fluff free. The Plus One is a great read taking on twists and turns from almost the first page. You really never know where she is going and you never know who is “the bad guy” until the very end. Well written and keeps you guessing. My favorite kind of book.

I was given an advanced readers copy from the publishers via NetGalley for The Plus One in exchange for my honest review.

This book had quite a few plot twists! From start to finish you were wondering whodunnit?!
I think Lalli mixed perfect amount of intrigue and suspense in this book. 10/10 would recommend

It was a quick and easy read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The murder mystery occurred at a luxurious resort in Cabo, and I wanted to keep reading to uncover the ending. I particularly enjoyed the use of flashbacks and the glamorous setting of the story. There were a few moments where there was a lull and I needed a refresher of what was going on, but overall I enjoyed the plot and the twists.