Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. Wow! What a ride! This book kept me on my toes and reading wya past my bedtime. Very suspenseful with great twists!

Now this is the type of mystery/thriller that keeps you on your toes and turning the pages to see what happens next. This book is a whirlwind for sure. I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending but overall it was quite the read!

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I Loved how this was told in chapters with each characters POV. This allowed the plot to progress doling out a little more information with each characters recounting of events through their perspectives. Telling the story this way makes for a slow start but with each new perspective there is a moment that the reader is left wondering if they really know what is going on. You are left rethinking what you thought you knew with the addition of new information. The ending of this book was a true surprise for me because it never crossed my mind that it was even a possibility. Once I was truly hooked by the plot, I simply could not put the book down. I usually can see the end coming but this one was a real shock and I loved that the author was able to do that.
I will for sure be using that security lock at all future hotels that I stay at because I will forever more think of this book every time I stay at one. That scene will haunt my memory for the rest of my life!
Anyone who enjoys trying to predict the end will certainly love this book!

📚: #thebusinesstrip
👩: @jessiegarcia_author / @stmartinspress / @netgalley
📆: January 14, 2025
✍️: "The Business Trip: A Novel" by Jessie Garcia is a psychological thriller that follows two women, Stephanie and Jasmine, who meet on a plane and then mysteriously disappear. Both women have been in contact with a man named Trent McCarthy before vanishing, leading to questions about his involvement and the nature of their disappearance. The story unfolds with twists and turns, exploring themes of manipulation, secrets, and the complexities of human relationships.
💭: One word describes this book - WILD. I swear I was like WTF is going on the entire time! I had no idea who was who, and this is one of the most fun thrillers I have read in a LONG time. It kept me super invested the entire book, and the ending was 🙌🙌🙌. Justice was served 💯. Loved the full cast of characters that helped build the confusion and suspense. Such a quick and fast-paced book - perfect for the beach! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you, #Partner @stmartinspress and @netgalley, for my #gifted (free) copy. Available now!

I literally can not believe this is a #debutnovel because it reads like a seasoned author wrote this! It was so freaking good, and the twists and turns had my jaw on the floor multiple times! I had a hard time putting this one down. If you haven't read this yet, I definitely recommend this wild book.

Stephanie and Jasmine meet on an airplane. Stephanie is on a business trip, and Jasmine is fleeing an abusive relationship. The two women start chatting, and Jasmine has an idea that can solve all her problems, so she steals Stephanie's ID. A couple of days later, both women are reported missing. The lies and manipulation will have you guessing and guessing, and you won't have a clue what is actually happening! 4.5 stars.

I totally underestimated Jessie Garcia's steller debut The Business Trip as yet another story about two women that get involved who they think is the perfect man, but turns out to be a nightmare. Jasmine, a waitress, goes on the one the run from her abusive boyfriend. Stephanie, a news director, is on her way to a conference given by her peers. They meet sitting next to each other on a plane then end up having a plesant exchange of words. Both of their sets of friends recieve texts that they met a man named Trent and decided to spend a couple of extra days a way to be with him. Their friends become suspicious when both women stop responding to their texts. Trent is arrested for Stephanie's murder which causes an unexpected shift in the second half of the story. Garcia has come up with a story with genuine shocks and surprises. The plot doesn't have contrivances that are there just to try to throw the reader off. The only thing that kept Garcia's debut from being steller is its abrupt ending. Jessie Garcia is off to a fine start with The Business Trip. She definetly has a bright future in Thrillers.

If you're looking for a debut novel to add to your reading list, this mystery and suspense thriller offers a gripping storyline told through multiple points of view, and it does not disappoint. I love a multi POV!
Just when you think you have it all figured out, the author throws in another twist, keeping you on the edge of your seat. The suspense is palpable, and the story's complexity makes it an absolute page turner.
This is a fantastic read that balances mystery and suspense. A solid four stars and a highly recommended addition to your bookshelf.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3.5
Mode of Reading: NetGalley Digital ARC Courtesy of Jessie Garcia & St. Martin's Press in exchange for my honest review...
It's an ARC... When does it Release? Out Now!! (January 14 2025)
How did I pick this up: I love myself a good ARC to find new authors especially with a thriller because I find new great books this way all the time! This book was in the "Read Now" section so I snagged it
Short Yet Sweet Review: My review of this book is going to have to be vague on purpose; I can't share much without spoiling anything! Two women who seemingly have nothing in common yet meet on a plane both suddenly go missing. Who is this mystery man that they are both talking about? What happened to them? Who's guilty?

Jessie really had me feeling all types of ways about this book. I think I liked it? I think I didn't like it? I think the twists were almost tooooooo twisty that it became unrealistic but also, I couldn't stop reading it? I wanted more? I think everyone should read this book to help determine if you like twisty chaotic thriller or not!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC for review purposes.

This novel has so much promise; a twisty story line, interesting locations, a writing style that kept me reading. Unfortunately it did not deliver fully on those promises. The plot was too twisty to be believed and the final reveal felt like a shark jump.

I would be interested in reading other works by this author since, even with the disappointing points this novel was a fun read, which explains the 3 stars.

Very disappointed in this book. Though it started out well, I quickly lost interest and it felt like a chore to complete it.

My cousin and I did this book as a buddy read! I was thankful for the review ebook when she suggested it! We both LOVED it. I have never read any of Jessie Garcia's other books, but I'm definitely interested now. This was a good thrilling, twisty read with several "OH" moments. I gave this one 4 stars and will be recommending it to fellow thriller lovers!

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC to review!

3.5-Star

Jessie Garcia’s debut thriller, The Business Trip, is a twisty and layered psychological mystery that starts with a compelling premise and delivers a suspenseful narrative, though it occasionally stretches plausibility.

The story revolves around two women, Stephanie Monroe and Jasmine Littleton, who meet on a flight to Denver. Stephanie is a television producer on a business trip, while Jasmine is fleeing an abusive relationship. After their encounter, both women send eerily similar messages to their friends about a man named Trent McCarthy, then vanish without a trace.

Garcia’s background in journalism is evident in her crisp prose and attention to detail. The novel explores themes of identity, trauma, and manipulation, offering a nuanced look at how past experiences shape present actions. The pacing is generally strong, with well-timed twists that keep readers engaged.

However, some plot developments require a significant suspension of disbelief, and certain character decisions may seem forced or underdeveloped. The final act, while maintaining momentum, feels somewhat rushed compared to the carefully constructed earlier chapters.

Overall, The Business Trip is an impressive debut that offers a gripping, if occasionally implausible, psychological thriller. Fans of twisty narratives and complex character dynamics will find much to enjoy here.

I wasn't sold on the title of the book, but the summary left me intrigued. As I flew through the pages, my mind would let me think one way and the suddenly, a twist would change it all. The concept of this is very interesting - two women meeting on a plane, sending identical messages to their families, and these families realizing they are both going through the same thing. It allows plenty of time for shenanigans to occur.

The ending was unexpected, which I love. This was more excitement than I thought it would be.

This is a fast paced and twisty thriller. I couldn't put this one down, each page I turned made me want to keep turning them to find out what happens next. The big reveal at the end had my jaw on the floor! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc in exchange for my review.

A fast-paced read with lots of twists & turns. The book is told in separate POVS and follows the story of two women, Stephanie & Jasmine, who both meet the same man. But all is not as it seems - not for them, and not for him, either. Kept me guessing until the end!

Fun and quick read! There was a time where I got confused about what was going on, but overall-fun read!

This was a gripping story with a lot of twists and turns. I would think I knew what was happening only to be blindsided by another twist. It was an extremely easy, enjoyable read and I highly recommend.

I really enjoyed this book…for the most part. The first half started off well - I was into the story, the pace was great, I enjoyed the switching POVs. And then in the second half, I felt like it was a retelling of the first half from one POV. That slowed it down a bit for me, but overall I enjoyed the book. 3.5 ⭐️

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This debut is a fast paced read that can be read in an afternoon. Good pacing throughout and I wanted to find out what happened. I liked that there was some unreliability in one particular character. It was interesting and well done. Would definitely pick up future books by this author.