
Member Reviews

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. I don't typically go for thrillers and I was a little spooked to be reading about a plane disaster in between travel plans, but Worst Case Scenario kept me on my toes in the best way possible throughout this short and speedy book. I loved the various story lines that provided a great amount of depth and emotion to an already harrowing tale of nuclear disaster and a modern tragedy that feels very possible. I was particularly entrapped by Connor's story line and the distances the fire crew was willing to go to save the life of one child.

Drowning and Falling are two of my all time favorite books. I couldn’t out them down! When I saw that TJ Newman had a new book I couldn’t wait to read it. Unfortunately this one wasn’t on the same level as the first two. I’m still glad I read it, but it just wasn’t what I was hoping for.
The first 25% of the book was really slow. I had a hard time connecting to the characters and getting in to the storyline. The first two were tragedies that everyone hopes they never experience, but can understand. This book being about a nuclear power plant came with a little more science and concepts that aren’t as easily understood.
As the book progressed I did get to know the characters better and build connections with them, rooting for their survival. By the last 15-20% I couldn’t put the book down. There were many tears! TJ Newman does a great job of telling the story of one event through the perspective of so many people in different positions. I love that style of writing and she does it phenomenally! I am glad I read this book, but do highly recommend readers start with her other two books first.

Worst Case Scenario details the chaos after a commercial plane crashed into a nuclear power plant, the effects this has on the small town where the power plant is located, and how to resolve the situation before it becomes catastrophic
The third person writing often made certain statements or sentences confusing in regards to who said what. This book flipped between so many different characters that side character’s comments led to a difficulty understanding who said what through the use of “they”
I really liked the way that the author explained things in a way that made sense to those with little knowledge on nuclear power. She seamlessly provided technical information and an explanation so readers understood.
It was hard to get into but the characters had a lot of depth to them. It was a bit confusing and i had to go back to remember who some of the characters even were but overall it was a decent read.
I think maybe it just wasn’t the type of story for me but there are so many readers i know will love it.

DNF at 50%. The storyline was boring and failed to catch my attention. I found myself skimming through passages before giving up around the halfway mark. Thank you Netgalley and Little, Brown, and Company for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I wanted to read this book because I loved Drowning but this one fell short for me :/ the book was very heavy on the procedural aspects of the accident

WOW! When the unthinkable happens, the fallout from it is just traumatic!!
When a plane goes down towards a nuclear power plant, some amazing characters go to great lengths and sacrifice to save the world. This is the first book I have read by T.J. Newman. Excuse me while I go get the others, Falling and Drowning!
This book was well told, and had you from the start!
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!!!!

I loved Newman’s previous books. This one was the weakest for me. The story was riveting, a plane crashing into a nuclear power plant and the ensuing rush to secure the area. There were some great smaller story arcs too like the car on the bridge. For me this was just a little too cheesy and the dialogue came across as very cliched at times, which I didn’t notice in the other books. Still a great read but not the five star read the others were.

What a wild ride! Loved, loved, loved this one! T.J. keeps getting better and better. I never know what to expect and loved the whole thing.

I liked the character exploration and the writing was propulsive. I would read more from this author.

TJ Newman does it again! Heart rate up, mind blown, I just couldn’t turn those pages fast enough! Highly recommend!!

Don’t panic. I didn't read this a week before flying. This really was yore literally the worst case scenario book. From your pilot getting a heart attack. To the plane crashing near a nuclear sight and a boy trapped in a crashed car on a bridge. What could go wrong? Do you risk the boys life to save the town from blowing up. Can you do both missions? I was so stressed this whole book and I really enjoyed it.

Started strong, but there were just SO many characters, it was hard to connect with all but a few. Still enjoyable and I devoured it all over just a couple days.

Another fantastic book by TJ Newman. Her ability to keep you in suspense is unreal. I love her books because I cannot put them down. With all the instability in the world, reading about a nuclear disaster was even more nervewracking. I love how Newman manages to introduce so many characters and their various storylines without it feeling overwhelming. I genuinely want to know what is happening to each character and love how each one shapes the story. Worst Case Scenario was fantastic!

Thanks so much to Little, Brown and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Another stunning, gripping, and emotional novel by T.J. Newman. There is no doubt that she is at the forefront of action-packed disaster books. I could have read this book in one sitting if I didn't have other responsibilities, which I desperately wanted to shirk in order to keep reading.
Newman knows exactly how to pace her stories to keep you on the edge of your seat so that you keep saying "just one more chapter." She creates characters that you want to get to know and then cheer on or mourn when they make a selfless sacrifice to save others.
This book read like a movie in my head. I was able to easily imagine the settings and events, which really added to my reading experience. I
I unequivocally recommend this book to any and everyone!

4.5 stars
I've read every book by Newman, and they never disappoint! This one was no exception. Newman has quickly become a go-to author for me. Her books are so vividly detailed that they are like watching a movie unfold, and I love how the chapters have cliffhanger endings. This page turner will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Newman's books are so well researched and realistic, even though they are about events that will hopefully never be something we truly have to encounter outside of the pages of her books. I can't wait to read her next book.

In "Worst Case Scenario," a terror attack occurs in the United States. A plane carrying a powerful and dangerous prisoner has been hijacked by his accomplices, and it is heading toward a major city. The stakes are dire, and the authorities have two choices: let the plane reach its target and cause catastrophic damage or shoot it down, sacrificing innocent lives on board to save many more on the ground.
The book delves into the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by the decision-makers, the passengers who are unaware of the impending doom, and the terrorists' motivations. Newman’s writing is known for its high-stakes scenarios, compelling characters, and ethical quandaries, and this book promises a complex narrative that explores humanity, fear, and survival in the face of seemingly impossible choices.
Love this author and what he puts out! The only confusing piece was the "Countdown" at the beginning of each chapter. Chapter 23 had about 12.5 hours left and then for a few chapters (I think 24-27) there was no countdown listed. And then chapter 28 it all of a sudden went down to 55 minutes left. The reader is left wondering what happened in those 12 hours?

The Worst Case Scenario, by TJ Newman. whew, this high intensity thrill ride will keep you up late turning those pages. When a commercial airliner filled with passengers crashes into a nuclear power plant in a small town in Minnesota, it becomes ground zero for a catastrophic national crisis. I don't know how she does it, but this author makes you feel like you are in this situation. It will give you both palpations and a severe case of book hangover. Well written, well researched, characters you cling to and root for and the heartbreak of loss. This book is five stars and beyond. Thank you #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this thrill ride!

What’s worse than a plane crash? A nuclear accident caused by a plane crash. Worst case scenario is a fast-paced, action packed suspense novel that follows the moments after a plane crashes into a nuclear power plant. This novel is an absolute page-turner. It is well written and well researched. T.J Newman continues to outdo herself with every new novel!

Review of Worst Case Scenario by TJ Newman
Oh my goodness. That’s really all I can say about this book. I’ve loved the previous two books, but this one took the cake for me. I literally could not stop listening to the audiobook for one second. I was so engrossed in the story. It’s literally nonstop action pack the entire time and I sobbed like a baby at the end. What more can you ask for? The writing is impeccable, the characters all held my heart. You must read this book.
Synopsis:
When a pilot suffers a heart attack at 35,000 feet, a commercial airliner filled with passengers crashes into a nuclear power plant in the small town of Waketa, Minnesota, which becomes ground zero for a catastrophic national crisis with global implications.
The International Nuclear Event Scale tracks nuclear disasters. It has seven levels. Level 7 is a Major Accident, with only two on record: Fukushima and Chernobyl. There has never been a Level 8. Until now.
In this heart-stopping thriller, ordinary people—power plant employees, firefighters, teachers, families, neighbors, and friends— are thrust into an extraordinary situation as they face the ultimate test of their lives. It will take the combined courage, ingenuity, and determination of a brave few to save not only their community and loved ones, but the fate of humanity at large.

Having enjoyed the author's previous work, "Falling", I was excited to dive into this new novel after receiving an ARC. The author’s note at the beginning, where she explains how the idea for this book came about, was a nice touch and set the stage for what I expected to be another gripping story.
The novel is set in a small town near a nuclear power plant, and the plot kicks off with a dramatic event: an airplane crash that sends debris scattering for miles. While the premise is intriguing, the execution had its challenges. The story unfolds with each chapter gradually introducing a large cast of characters. However, the sheer number of characters made it difficult to keep track of who was who, and I found myself struggling to connect with them.
The writing is interspersed with detailed technical descriptions that disrupt the flow at times. For readers with an interest in technical details, these sections might be more engaging, but I found myself skimming through them.
In the end, while the book had its moments of suspense, the choppy plot and overwhelming number of characters made it a bit of a slog for me. Despite this, I’m still a fan of the author and look forward to her future works.
Thank you to T.J. Newman, NetGalley, and Little, Brown and Company for an advanced eBook in exchange for my honest review.