Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown and Co. for an advanced copy of " Worst Case Scenario". T.J. Newman has become one of my favorite popcorn thriller authors.. the type of book you can read in a day. " Falling" and" Drowning" were BONKERS, and I think they were so believable because she was a flight attendant and knows the risks and ways to fix potential disasters on airplanes. I hate that this new novel fell short for me. The book starts with a plane immediately crashing into a power plant in a small town, and immediately goes into all the things that COULD go wrong if they cant contain the radiation to the plant.. While I was entertained. this one fell short for me.

A pilots heart attack in the cockpit. The co-pilot in the lavatory. The flight attendant on the flight deck can only get out the basics and screams for help. As the plane careens out of control, it comes down in the worst place it could...over a nuclear power plant. As security systems at the nuclear power plant malfunction due to the crash, the players have to figure out how to mitigate the disaster. Now if that doesn't get your blood pumping, I don't know what will.

What follows is the countdown to a disaster of possibly biblical proportions.

What a seat of the pants thriller. As each chapter passes, the countdown clock continues. Will the reactor core melt down? Who can fix it and how? Who will risk their lives to help neighbors and complete strangers? Whew...so much happening...so quickly! The coda was emotional and I admit to tearing up as we learned the fate of some of the rescuers and the posthumous awards they were given...OK...I ugly cried. I loved it!

I have never read anything by T.J. Newman before and I absolutely will run out or log on and grab her first two novels! I so enjoy trying a new to me author and end up finding a winner!

I do not recommend ever reading these books before going on a vacation, like I have done the last several times I’ve gone on vacation. That being said… I love everything T.J. Writes and look forward to my normal anxiety attack before vacation next year due to her books 😂

As a former flight attendant T.J. Newman asked all her former colleagues about their worst fears - which culminated into this book - aptly titled “Worst Case Scenario”. Now, I am good for reading a thriller every now and then, but also, I am a scaredy-cat! I have a fear of flying and have intrusive thoughts about how everyday things can go wrong…so why this book? Well, I was intrigued by the nuclear power plant aspect after reading “Nuclear War” earlier this year, and I am a glutton for punishment! This book was a RIDE. I had to put it down once because it was making me feel physically ill. But I enjoyed it?? In its own crazy way, it is a love letter to small-town America, the heart & soul of our country. I cried! I also laughed and almost threw up! It was pretty unputdownable (except for 1 scene where I had to!!)😖) and propulsive - I had to know what happens! Highly recommend this if you love edge-of-your-seat thrillers! Thank you so much to @netgalley and @littlebrown for the advanced copy!! HAPPY PUB DAY @tj_author !!!

I can’t believe this is only TJ Newman's third novel and that she hasn’t been writing all her life. She writes the most amazingly cinematic thrillers. She knows how to bait the hook, snag you, and then reel you in to the point that it’s near impossible to put her books down until you've finished them. I am so looking forward to the film version of Drowning, which I have no doubt will be a massive success. And I hope Worst Case Scenario will get optioned for a film version as well.

Worst Case Scenario has a killer opening, with a pilot having a heart attacked at 35K feet, sending the plane spiraling down…where it slams into a nuclear power plant! Not being confined to a plane (like Newman’s previous novels) WCS has a larger cast of characters. And Newman uses this new ‘open world’ to her advantaged. There are multiple storylines here (all with connection to the incident of course) meaning there are more characters for us to care about…and more characters for her to put seriously intense situations. And though we have the overarching big picture possible plant meltdown storyline, there are several more more personal stories happening, which are every bit as intense and emotional. Newman is fast becoming one of my favorite thriller writers. Characters you'll care about, a great plot, and some insanely intense story beats make this a book you can't miss. My only complaint…wish she wrote faster, lol. Sorry but one book a year just isn’t enough. If are even remotely a fan of thrilling stories, don’t wait, grab this one ASAP! And to Ms. Newman…keep up the excellent work and bring on the next. I’d like to thank Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review TJ Newman’s Worst Case Scenario.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2PJQ0DKQRX8I0/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

"Mr. President, a plane has crashed into a nuclear power facility."

With one bone chilling sentence, the emotionally intense Worst Case Scenario, by the phenomenal bestselling thriller author T.J. Newman, begins a very scary story that unfortunately highlights how inadequately unprepared we are for such a cataclysmic world ending event.

Thoroughly researched, we are given simplistic explanations, as the President says, "talk to me like I'm five. I'm a smart guy but I'm no nuclear engineer." But understanding what is happening doesn't make it any less horrific. What makes it a turn paging thriller is this writer's ability in just a few short chapters to make us care about the heroic everyday characters, from brave widower fire chief Steve and his teen son Matt, Ethan who gives all as the plant manager, and Joss, a scientist, who beyond all odds will do everything to keep her promise to the president that he, that everyone, will have a future...well almost everyone.

I never heard voice actor Joe Morton
perform before, and now I need him on every audiobook. Between the author's words and his breathtaking emotionally draining performance I was just a sobbing puddle of tears. Reading and listening was almost too immersive an experience for my nerves.

The author's previous books, Falling and Drowning, both 5 Star reviews, have been optioned for the movies. For me, this latest of her thrillers, will be the blockbuster in Hollywood. The last chapter will have even the heartless feel broken but still smiling, with a glint of hope, and that's the best case scenario when finishing a T.J. Newman catastrophic event thriller.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review.

Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman is a very highly recommended adrenaline-packed, heart-stopping, nail-biting thriller that starts out at a lightning-fast pace and doesn't let up until the end. WOW! This is an un-put-downable, must-read thriller!

A pilot suffers a widow-maker heart attack at 35,000 feet sending a commercial airliner filled with passengers crashing into a nuclear power plant in the small town of Waketa, Minnesota. This catastrophic accident is a national crisis that has global implications. "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."

This is the best thriller of the year. The writing is perfect, the pace is fast, the action non-stop, and the fear and terror is palpable. There is a large cast of characters but the focus is on preventing the potential spread of radioactive material across the Midwest. All the characters are working together on different parts of the complex disaster.

Chapters start with a countdown to disaster, starting at 16 hours and 38 minutes and heading to 0. The point-of-view alternates between various characters dealing with different situations. Every part and situation of the crisis is equally compelling. Every character is portrayed realistically. Just like Newman's novels Falling and Drowning, Worst Case Scenario will make an excellent movie.

For those who love thrillers: read Worst Case Scenario! Thanks to Little, Brown and Company for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Worst Case Scenario is one of the scariest books I've ever read, because it's completely plausible. T.J. Newman has not yet written a book that I could read without biting my nails to the quick. After the smash hits Falling and Drowning, I was so excited to see where the next book would take me. The answer? It's terrifying! Run, don't walk, to pick up your copy today, everywhere you buy books! Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Books for the review copy.

Worst Case Scenario was my first book by TJ Newman and the first book I have ever read in this subgenre. The whole survival suspense novel with political undertones is much more of my partner's thing than mine. He is actually the reason I read this. I saw Worst Case Scenario on NetGalley and my partner asked me to request it as he had read her previous novels and loved them. I was doubtful my request would be approved, but to my surprise it was! Now, keep in mind throughout this review - this book is not my normal read.
Worst Case Scenario had many great qualities, but it also had some drawbacks for me.

THE GOOD
This book is jam-packed with action. It has three distinct plotlines all with their own drama. It also made me sob uncontrollably. There are several parts of this book that tug at your heartstrings. Make sure to check your trigger warnings as this book has graphic depictions of death and drowning. It is amazing how Newman could write such an array of distinct characters. Each character has their own traits that make them easy to distinguish from one another in such a busy plot.

THE BAD
I think Newman may have watched too much 911 on Hulu because some of the scenes are so longwinded and mind-boggling. There were multiple points where I screamed to myself "Just get to it!".It felt like at times she was trying to figure out anything to continue on plot lines just to get the book to a certain length. With such a complex plot and too many characters to count everything would have to be so defined to be able to tell it all apart. Unfortunately, Newman missed the mark on this several times. The plotlines would switch and it would take me a moment to catch back up, it was also hard to remember who was related to who with everything somehow so intertwined.

I just don't think Worst Case Scenario was my cup of tea. It was a hard book for me to get into regardless of the great writing and jam-packed plot.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of Worst Case Scenario in exchange for an honest review!

TJ Newman is a pro at writing airplane thrillers. She hooks you in from the beginning and keeps you sucked in till the very last page.
When the pilot suffers a fatal heart attack, a plane with 295 souls on board crashes into a nuclear power plant in the small town of Waketa, Minnesota. On a scale of disasters this one compares to Chernobyl, but worse. The book follows members of the town, and how they come together to avoid a massive disaster, and trying to save their town.
This book gave me all the feelings, and not going to lie even had me crying at the end. TJ Newman has become a favorite author of mine, and this one is just as good as her other two. I'm already looking forward to her next novel, and hopefully seeing them on screen.
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company, TJ Newman and NetGalley for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Nonstop action, rollercoaster twists and turns, and new fear unlocked. This book is PHENOMENAL!!
I’ll be recommending to all and have already added it as our book club read.

Thanks so much for the opportunity to read in advance!

“𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘢𝘭? 𝘐𝘧 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯, 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨?”

Happy pub day!! Thanks Netgalley and Little Brown for the advanced reader copy! TJ Newman has been a hot buy author these last few summers with her aviation-themed suspense thrillers. She holds back no punches in her previous two and this latest is no exception, starting off with a bang! And as the title states, just when you think it couldn’t get worse, it does.

But it isn’t just a seat-gripper; there’s always some emotional element, not to mention also the science. I can guarantee you’ll be engrossed, moved, and educated. Newman sucks you in with the intensity but keeps you with what ultimately is the heart of the story: the people. When tragedy strikes, the things people do, the risks they take, to protect and keep their loved ones and strangers safe, is the most powerful thing. So if you don’t tear up while reading this…

Warnings include a plane crash and details regarding the damage the debris causes, deaths by multiple accidents and exposure, talk of cancer, some profanity, a character’s spouse dies (off page), and mentions of miscarriage.

With each book she’s written I find myself more invested, more connected, and if she writes more, I guarantee it’ll be an autobuy. Between the thrills and feels, it gets a well-deserved full five stars.

This was quite a wild ride of a thriller. It had so many twists and turns and many I did not see coming. This was my first book by this author and I am excited to read her other books. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
336 pages
Releasing today August 13th, 2024

A pilot suffers a heart attack while 35,000 feet in the air, causing a commercial airliner filled with close to 300 passengers to crash into a nuclear power plant in Minnesota, leading to a national crisis. Power plant workers, firefighters, and those in the community surrounding the power plant must work together to do the unthinkable & make extremely hard decisions to save their friends and family.

What an emotional and tense ride!!!! T.J. Newman knows how to catch you & pull you in right from the start. Her descriptive writing style allows me to envision everything & make me feel like I’m there. The characters in this book all are faced with the unthinkable & have to make extremely hard decisions in a short amount of time. Each chapter started with “___ hours remaining” which made my emotions heighten. A thrilling ride!

Read if you like:
✨Intense storylines
✨Emotional reads
✨Multiple perspectives
✨On the edge of your seat feeling

Thank you @tj_author @littlebrown & @netgalley for an eARC & ALC!

#tjnewmanauthor #tjnewman #thriller #suspense #netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #arc #alc #littlebrowncompanypublishing

“Worst Case Scenario,” by T.J. Newman, Little, Brown and Company, 336 pages, Aug. 13, 2024.

When a pilot suffers a heart attack at 35,000 feet, and the copilot is barricaded in the restroom, a commercial airliner filled with 295 people crashes into a nuclear power plant in the small town of Waketa, Minnesota.

Ethan Rosen is the manager of the Clover Hill Nuclear Power facility. Since Sept. 11, 2001, he’s known that a plane crash into the plant would be catastrophic.

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. This incident has the potential of being the first ever Level 8: an extinction level event.
 
When the plane crashes, the Rev. Michaels, pastor of United Grace Church in Waketa, is conducting a Good Friday service. Steve Tostig, who is in the church, is fire chief of the plant’s on site fire department. He rushes to the plant. Dr. Joselyn Vance, the regional nuclear emergency support team contact person, is on her way.

Power plant employees, firefighters, teachers, families, neighbors and friends are thrust into an extraordinary situation. With roads closed by vehicle crashes caused by the plane crash, the people of the town must come together.

This is a very intense, stressful, fast-moving disaster scenario with multiple storylines. Yes, it is about a plane crash, but it is more about the community coming together after the plane crash. The unforgettable characters are like people you know in your hometown. Have a box of tissues nearby: The ending is very emotional.

I rate it five out of five stars.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

When a pilot suffers a fatal heart attack, his plane crashes into a nuclear power plant outside of a small town in Minnesota, and the countdown to global cataclysm has started. Can the specialists at the plant and the town itself work together to avert disaster?

TJ Newman has readers in the palm of her hand as they turn page after page, hanging on every word, clinging to the hope that things will be okay on both a micro and macro level. That is one of Newman’s great gifts. She not only makes the reader care about the high-concept stakes but also the people involved. If you enjoyed her two previous thrillers, then this is a must-read. If you haven’t had the pleasure of reading a TJ Newman book, this is a great starting place.

Thank you Little, Brown and Company for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Wow. Just wow. I've been a fan of T.J. Newman since her debut novel, Falling, and two books later I'm even more of a fan. Worst Case Scenario grabbed me from the first chapter and left me riveted until the last chapter.
The story starts with a bang and the action only continues from there. The first chapters, where Newman sets the scene--airline pilot suffers a fatal heart attack that sends the plane plummeting into the ground, which then sets off catastrophic events on the ground--were so intense I literally gasped out loud more than once.
In her previous books Newman used her knowledge of aviation safety protocols and the airplanes themselves to build the tension and construct a realistic setting for the thriller. I was initially sad when she stepped away from an aircraft setting for this novel, but after a couple of chapters I didn't care because I was so invested in the unfolding drama at the nuclear facility. The stakes were higher than in her previous books, and I admired both her execution of the plot and her willingness to step outside of her comfort zone for this. It definitely paid off!
Although she left the airplane to focus on a nuclear reactor, there were still some recognizable elements in her story. Newman writes great characters, especially her female heroes. They're plucky and resourceful, strong and independent women who are intelligent and compassionate. These are characters I would absolutely follow in a disaster, and I love seeing them on the page!
I also just love that Newman sees heroes in the Everyman. Yes her cast of characters includes experts in their fields working to save the day, but she also has regular people alongside, working the problem and being every bit as heroic as they go along. So many scenes in this involve regular people acting for the good of the community, it constantly left me incredibly stressed out, worried about these characters and their survival, and completely in tears at the goodness Newman lets shine through her characters. I loved all of it, the anxiety and the emotion.
I think it was around chapter four or five that I texted my friends to say I was hooked already and had mentally cleared my calendar. Sorry plans, the only plan now was to finish this book and see how it all ends. Did I stay up past midnight to finish it? Yes. No regrets. This was fantastic and I can't wait for the next!

My heart is racing just thinking about this book. I've read T.J. Newman's other books, Falling and Drowning, and thought they were both wildly entertaining (and stressful and intense and emotional!) Worst Case Scenario was just as good (if not better). I literally could not put this down - the action starts in the first few pages as a plane crashes into a nuclear power plant and the author really doesn't give you a chance to breathe for the rest of the book. It's suspenseful and scary but also incredibly emotional (I cried at multiple parts). This would make a great movie!

Joss Vance, a brilliant engineer and the regional Nuclear Emergency Support Team representative, lives in Wateka, Minnesota. This is a small town in which a nuclear power plant, Clover Hill, is seriously damaged when a passenger jet flying overhead crashes into the facility. If Ms. Vance and her fellow experts cannot come up with a viable plan to handle this crisis, a significant portion of the United States could be exposed to dangerous levels of radioactivity.

T. J. Newman's "Worst Case Scenario" is an adrenaline-fueled thriller in which the author is not content to present us with one or two shocking events. The perils multiply as the story proceeds and, unfortunately, the people in charge do not agree as to what should be done. Even the most knowledgeable among them is terrified of making a critical mistake.

The plot is engrossing, but Newman exhausts us with scenes of tremendous angst that grow more intense as the situation deteriorates. Although we glean basic information about the personal lives of the central characters, the novel's focus is less on their relationships than it is on their desperate attempt to stave off widespread devastation.

I have loved both of T.J. Newman’s books and this one was no different! For someone who flies as much as I do, I should really stop reading her books but they are SO captivating from start to finish, I just can’t look away. This book was about a pilot that has a heart attack in the air, resulting in the plane crashing into a nuclear power plant 😳 it then follows members of the town as they all work in different ways to stop the radiation from leaking out and killing them all. It is such an intense book, every page was a cliffhanger as you switch from different perspectives. I definitely shed some tears and fell in love with these characters as they pushed themselves to breaking points to save those they loved and the town around them. I would definitely recommend this book if you like thrillers! It is nonstop thrills from start to finish, and the writing is so beautiful! Both her other books, Falling and Drowning, are set to hit the big screen, and hopefully 🤞🏼 this one will as well, it would translate so well to a thrilling movie!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this ARC copy!