• Viral Influencers • Dysfunctional Families • Tropical Destination Wedding • Secret Agendas • A Double Homicide • 


What happens when the biggest wedding of the year gets called off because someone murders the bride and groom? The wedding party and most of their guests have already arrived at Blush- an exclusive resort in Cabo- when the bride and groom's bodies are discovered. Everyone is shocked- but someone had to do it? Who is lying and why?

SC Lalli writes a thrilling mystery following Shay (the "plus one") as she tries to uncover what happened to the idolized couple on what was supposed to be the best week of their lives. I had theory after theory on who was behind the murders, but I couldn't completely predict this one! There were so many twists and unanswered questions to keep the reader engaged. The plot did drag at times (especially in the beginning), and I never formed a connection with any of the characters. The unsolved mystery kept the book's momentum and I found myself flying through the second half.

S.C. Lalli’s The Plus One is a gripping, suspense-filled mystery that deftly blends family drama, secrets, and a murder investigation against a lavish, high-stakes backdrop. Set against the glamorous wedding of Radhika Singh and Raj Joshi at a luxury resort in Cabo, the story follows Shaylee "Shay" Kapoor, who finds herself embroiled in a world of wealth and excess as she accompanies her boyfriend, Caleb Prescott III, to the high-profile event.

But what begins as a celebration of love soon spirals into chaos when the bride and groom are found dead, each with a gunshot to the head. The investigation reveals a web of secrets, lies, and possible motives, all set against the opulent yet tense atmosphere of the resort. As the police investigate, suspicion falls on a small group of people with access to the couple’s room, including Shay and those closest to the bride and groom.

Lalli masterfully develops a cast of complex, multi-dimensional characters, and Shay is particularly compelling as an outsider with her own secrets, who may be the only person able to piece together the fragmented puzzle. Her outsider perspective and critical thinking make her both relatable and resourceful, driving the investigation forward with insight and determination.

With its mix of personal betrayals, cultural dynamics, and high-society drama, The Plus One is a fast-paced, page-turning thriller. Lalli keeps readers on edge, twisting the plot with unexpected revelations and a jaw-dropping finale. This debut is a standout, offering a delightful combination of suspense, intrigue, and rich storytelling that will satisfy fans of both mystery and contemporary fiction.

I could not get into this book. I read it and re-read the beginning several times and it did not grab my attention. I love murder mysteries and read 100+ books a year for my library and unfortunately the lack of character development and loose plot left me hanging.

A murder at a wedding, a plus one who's not who she says she is. This book had very strong White Lotus vibes, and I'm a sucker for an unreliable narrator who's keep all her secrets close.

Quick, easy, read with some twists and turns, but ultimately an easy to guess ending. Characters weren't very likeable, but the affair sounded amazing and I enjoyed reading about the details of this magnificent wedding to be.

Quick and easy read with unreliable narrator and dual timelines. The beach/resort setting has been a little overdone for me lately but I would still recommend this book for anyone looking for a popcorn thriller.

So, I just finished The Plus One by S.C. Lalli, and I have to say—it was fine. Not bad, not amazing, just… fine. It’s the kind of book where you can see the potential for something really great, but it doesn’t quite stick the landing.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this title.

When can anyone have a posh, exclusive destination wedding without a murder? I’m going to say…. Not very often. This book was full of twists and turns but it was a bit predictable. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters but it was a quick read.

Thank you netgalley for the arc of the plus one in exchange for my honest review. I did not get to this one before the release date unfortunately. The beginning of this book is good but the pace slows down considerably. Set in Cabo with the backdrop of an lavish Indian wedding a double murder and investigation takes place. There are not many twists and turns and there is a semi happily ever after for Shay our main character. Pick this one up if you like a bollywood whodunit but lots of family issues

This was a great read! I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was hooked and read the whole book in three days! Loved it

This book started out with a bang, giving off The White Lotus vibes. I was really enjoying the locked room mystery build-up until the cartel suggestion. I wish there was more about the character's hidden secrets than the back and forth of ethics and cartel, but I enjoyed the story overall. Shay's character felt a bit immature and naive to be doing some of the things she was doing, but I appreciate her efforts to right the wrongs. Overall, this was a great read and I'd definitely recommend it!!

A very well done mystery thriller. The main character is relatable and he story line moves swiftly. Thanks for sharing with us.

"The Plus One", at the heart, is a murder mystery steeped in culture. When Shay and her boyfriend, Caleb, travel to Cabos to attend the wedding of a couple involved in two high-profile businesses, the start of the festivities ends quickly after the couple is murdered. Shay and Caleb both have secrets of their own and work to keep those while also keeping themselves from danger.
Overall, this was a fun book. I enjoyed getting to explore more of different cultures and the reasoning behind the actions of various characters. However, I believe there was a little too much explanation in terms of suspects, which led to several outcomes being possible. The end answer as fine but nothing spectacular for me.
S. C. Lalli does put together a mystery that keeps the reader engaged, as well as adding in dual timelines for some more background information, but I feel there was too MUCH background information for me to stay focused on the mystery on hand.

I really struggled to finish this book. The story seemed like it was going to be very interesting but I found it to be boring. There was no build up and the book just dragged on. The characters weren’t my favorite which can make or break a book for me. I really wanted to like this book but it didn’t have me ok the edge of my seat. Thank you NetGalley, S.C. and William Morrow for the ARC!

4.75 stars rounded up to 5 stars ⭐️
It has been a long time since I have stayed up into the middle of the night reading a book because I HAD to know what was going on, but I finished this book in one sitting because I was dying to know what was going on. I am a sucker for a well done alternating timeline and this one was *well done*. I subtracted .25 star only because I kind of saw the big twist coming but it really didn’t take away from the story much. One thing that made me laugh several times throughout the book were the nicknames the author used for characters, like “Brown Hulk Hogan” or “The Backstreet Boy”. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy a fast paced thriller with alternating timelines, some humor, and diversity.

The wedding of scions of very wealthy Indian-American families at the ultra-luxury Los Cabos resort gets off to a rocky start when both bride and groom are murdered.

This story moves along at a good pace with things happening constantly which I enjoyed. Although the point of view was from a single perspective, the storyline was still handled well. There were plenty of twists and turns, and I have to admit that I did not really care for quite a few of the characters, but that did not detract from the story at all. Thank you to S.C. Lalli, William Marrow Publishing, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book.

This was my first time reading S.C. Lalli, and I received The Plus One as an ARC from NetGalley. The novel presents an intriguing premise with its blend of luxury, suspense, and mystery. The plot is engaging, with several twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. The Plus One by S.C. Lalli is a twisty thriller set at a luxury resort in Cabo, Mexico. The story revolves around the wedding of Radhika Singh and Raj Joshi, a weeklong affair that promises to be the event of the season, uniting two influential Indian-American families. Shaylee "Shay" Kapoor, an outsider dating Raj's best friend Caleb Prescott III, finds herself entangled in this world of wealth and excess. However, the festivities take a dark turn when Radhika and Raj are found murdered in their hotel room. As chaos descends, Shay must navigate a web of lies and secrets to uncover the truth behind the murders. The character development is a mixed bag. Shay is a relatable protagonist, and her perspective as an outsider adds an interesting dynamic to the story. However, some of the secondary characters felt underdeveloped, which made it harder to fully connect with the broader narrative. The interactions between the characters are filled with tension and drama, but at times, the motivations behind their actions seemed a bit forced. The pacing of the novel is generally good, though the first half felt a bit slow. The setting of a luxurious resort adds a glamorous backdrop to the unfolding mystery, enhancing the overall atmosphere. The ending, while surprising, left a few questions unanswered, which might be frustrating for some readers. #netgalley #theplusone

Do you ever really want to be THE PLUS ONE? How ‘bout at the week-long union of two powerful, rich families? S. C. Lalli starts off making you wish to be there, but oh, it wouldn’t be good unless something happened!

The marriage of Raj Joshi and Radhika Sangh promises to be the event of the season. The Joshi family builds and runs top hotels worldwide and the bride is a social influencer with her sister being the brains behind an international company. On the day the festivities are to begin, the bride and groom are found dead in their rooms. What could possibly have happened and who is responsible for the deaths? And why did all the guests have to sign a nondisclosure agreement?

Shay Kapoor is THE PLUS ONE of the best man, Caleb Prescott III and sets out to try to find out what happened to the two celebrates. How did someone enter their rooms without a key card? There were very few given out to others in the wedding party. Caleb and the other best man, Sean suspect each other in the killings. But what was Raj doing travelling to Cabo monthly? And what of the drug cartels and are the deaths related to them? What’s going on with the suspicious fires at the Joshi work sites? And what is Caleb hiding?

As Shay searches for answers, she enlists the help of events director, Daniela who helps her stay on the island to investigate. Putting the pieces together with so many jagged edges will not be an easy task.

There were a lot of twists and turns in this novel. While I have dreamt of visiting a luxury adults only resort, I don’t think I’ll start with this one. The jagged edges take shape slowly but do eventually form a full picture as Shay was able to connect all the pieces. I could feel the tension ratchet up with each turn of the page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

Thank you Netgalley, author and William Morrow Paperback for the ARC.

💍✨ Glam, Secrets, and Murder ✨💍

A week-long destination wedding in Cabo, Mexico, of socialite Radhika Singh and millionaire heir Raj Joshi—two Indian-American elites—is tragically derailed when the would-be bride and groom are found dead, shot in their room just a day before saying “I do.” What begins as a glamorous celebration turns into a shocking nightmare of murder, secrets, and mayhem.

Shaylee “Shay” Kapoor, girlfriend of the best man and someone with her own mysterious ties to the couple, isn’t buying the story everyone’s accepting. With flashbacks revealing hidden truths and dangerous alliances, Shay dives into a web of lies surrounding the families, their history, and a potential drug cartel connection. But as the layers of deceit unfold, Shay realizes the biggest question isn’t just who did it—but whether she’ll survive uncovering the truth.

✔️ Destination wedding drama
✔️ Uber-rich families with skeletons in their closets
✔️ Murder, mayhem, and Bollywood-style twists
✔️ Popcorn-worthy entertainment

If you’re in the mood for a quick thriller that’s equal parts over-the-top and jaw-dropping, this one fits the bill. Think red herrings, gasp-worthy reveals, and a finale dripping in drama. While it’s not without its flaws, it’s the perfect “don’t-think-too-hard” kind of read.

⭐ My Rating: 3/5