Talk about suspenseful, with twists and turns. When two random women meet on an airplane, you would never expect the events that follow.

If you love a book with good unreliable narrator, this one is for you. Lots of twists and surprises kept me guessing! Two women meet on a plane. Stephanie is headed to San Diego via Denver to represent her news station at another conference that she doesn't have the time or the desire to attend. Jasmine is headed to Denver in order to escape from an abusive boyfriend. They strike up a conversation on the plane and someone points out that they could be sisters, they look so much alike. How far would you go to escape suffering? What would you do to find time and space for yourself? This story has you thinking about these things and more.

The story twists around itself so many times that you don’t even realize it’s happening when it’s happening, but everything matches up and makes sense! A great thriller.

While this was another quick, entertaining read bordering on "popcorn thriller," it had a little more depth to it than that. I love when books make you think outside the box, and without giving spoilers, this one revolves around assumptions. If you're not a fan of many, many characters, this may not be for you. I, however, enjoy it when done right, and it adds to the story, which this one did. This was clever and shocking, and for those who are able to suspend disbelief, will love it. Three and a half stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

Readers do not even get settled in to read before the first twist happens and the adventures unfold. There's no doubt that with a debut this good, Jesse Garcia is going to land on my TBR list often.

A good 'popcorn' thriller! Not a new or unique premise, but a fun one. If you like twist and turns and tales of two women then this one is for you.

Jessie Garcia’s The Business Trip is a psychological thriller that thrives on tension, deception, and the dark undercurrents of human nature. With an unsettling premise and a narrative that refuses to take the expected route, this novel masterfully pulls the reader into a labyrinth of manipulation, danger, and mind games. It is a high-stakes tale where two seemingly unconnected women—Stephanie and Jasmine—find themselves ensnared in the same chilling mystery, their lives converging in ways neither could have foreseen.

The novel's structure adds to its immersive nature. Stephanie, a corporate professional on a routine business trip, and Jasmine, a woman desperate to escape her abusive past, seem to have little in common. Yet, when both women send increasingly bizarre and alarming text messages about the same man—Trent McCarthy—before abruptly disappearing, the novel takes off at breakneck speed. What initially appears to be a story of two women in distress quickly morphs into something far more intricate and insidious.

Garcia masterfully plays with the perspectives of victim and perpetrator, forcing readers to question everything. Who is Trent McCarthy? Is he a charming but dangerous predator? A master manipulator who preys on vulnerable women? Or is there more to the story—something darker, something entirely unexpected? The novel thrives on misdirection, leading readers down one path only to yank the ground from beneath them. The question of agency—who is controlling whom—becomes a driving force, keeping the tension taut and the reader perpetually off-balance.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its dual narrative approach. Stephanie and Jasmine are not passive victims but layered, complex women with their own secrets, fears, and motivations. Their experiences are distinct yet eerily similar, creating a sense of inevitability that makes their disappearances even more unsettling. As their fates intertwine, Garcia crafts an escalating sense of dread, balancing psychological depth with pulse-pounding suspense.

But the true brilliance of The Business Trip lies in its exploration of power, control, and the nature of truth. Garcia forces the reader to reconsider assumptions about guilt, innocence, and the roles people play in their own stories. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the novel pivots, revealing yet another layer of deception. The twists are expertly executed—not just for shock value, but as organic revelations that make perfect, chilling sense in hindsight.

The writing is sharp and propulsive, with short, gripping chapters that demand to be devoured. Garcia has an uncanny ability to turn ordinary interactions into moments of suffocating tension, making even the most mundane details feel loaded with hidden meaning. The psychological manipulation at play feels disturbingly real, drawing parallels to real-life cases of coercion, gaslighting, and the terrifying ease with which a person can disappear.

By the time the final twist is revealed, the reader is left reeling—questioning not only the story but their own perceptions of control and manipulation. The Business Trip is more than just a thriller; it is a deeply unsettling study of how easily trust can be weaponized and how dangerous it is to underestimate the power of deception.

The Business Trip is a spine-chilling, masterfully plotted thriller that grips from the first page and never lets go. With its relentless twists and deeply unsettling psychological depth, The Business Trip is a must-read for fans of Gillian Flynn, Lisa Jewell, and psychological thrillers that refuse to play by the rules.

This book was quite entertaining to read. While a lot happened that kept the story interesting, some of it was almost not believable. The main character seemed to change completely from a person stuck in an abusive relationship to suddenly being able to come up with such a sophisticated plan. The first part of the book contained a lot of POVs, if that is not something you like this book is not for you. I was really looking forward to seeing how this ended but there were almost too many twists that made the story far fetched. I will say though that I did not see any of the twists coming. I’m giving this one 3 stars. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for this eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book! I gave it 3.5 because it was different and I honestly did not expect the major twist at the end at all!

Sometimes I was confused but I think that may have been my own doing. I did not mind the narrator at times i felt her choices were frustrating and insane but that’s what made it fun to read. The ending twist came out of no where and I was shocked.

I will be recommending to my friends and in my facebook group as well!

Thank you netgalley for the Arc!

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me hooked at the beginning. I had NO idea what was going to happen. The chapters were fast and the book was well paced. I would recommend this mystery to anyone who likes Freida McFadden. The only complaint was that you had to keep track of character names because it alternated between a ton of POV's.

Overall, I would highly recommend this read or listen to any mystery lover.

This one started out very suspenseful.
I did find it a bit predictable about halfway through, some of the twists managed to surprise me. In the end it fell a bit flat and the characters didn't feel very well rounded.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the copies to review.

I enjoyed this entertaining and fun read. You have to suspend belief a bit and the ending was wild, but once I started this I finished in a day, it was addicting. I liked the multiple POVs and the twists, they were great and some I did not guess. The best thing was the audio, the full cast was fantastic and why I enjoyed it so much. I love a full cast and each narrator was excellent with their character.

This book was nothing great but not bad either. It was kind of run of the mill. I liked the writing but I kind of found it to be boring in spots.

When I go to my Kindle to read my next ARC, I often decide which to read by their publication date. If that date is soon, I want to be sure and read it. I seldom read a synopsis after being offered a book and plunge right into the story.
‌
I don’t know what was going through my mind that I thought this book was a romcom. the Business Trip by Jessie Garcia isn’t remotely romantic nor funny. What it is is a shocking thriller that grabbed me immediately, made me feel empathy and kinship to the two women protagonists, and spun me around so that I feel like I have been through a wringer in all the best ways.
‌
This was such a great, unexpected surprise, instead of the laughs I was expecting, I had anger, anxiety, and shock when some twists came. I read this book in an afternoon. This afternoon, I am still a little shook.
‌
This new to me author gave me quite a ride with Jasmine and Stephanie, two women who had nothing in common. Yet when they sit next to each other on a flight bound for Denver, they begin a connection no one would ever suspect. The side characters, who all get chapters of their own to facilitate the story, are great. I loved some, hated others, and loved how none of them seemed to take things at face value. You shouldn’t either.
‌
This new novel from St. Martin’s Press goes on sale this Tuesday. If you enjoy a good story that has you wondering what in the world is going on, grab this one!

This book was so FUN! I was hooked from page one, and absolutely devoured the whole thing in one sitting.

The multiple POVs kept me on my toes, and I’m not usually an audiobook girlie, but this one had a full cast and I actually ended up listening to a majority of it and reading along. That ending had my jaw ON THE FLOOR. So unexpected and I loved it!!!

If you are looking for a good audiobook, a fast paced thriller, with shocking twists, definitely give this one a try! It’s also available on Kindle Unlimited.

This was so fun and twisty! The premise is a little out there, but it's worth suspending your disbelief. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

The Business Trip is told in multiple POVs. It seems like nothing fits or makes sense, but trust me, it all comes together in the end. There's a lot going on and so many moving parts, and the characters are, for the most part, unlikable. It also has a final twist that you won't see coming. Overall, this book is utterly ridiculous and so very entertaining!

I read a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thanks NetGalley & St Martin's Press for the ARC!

Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this book. The plot started off strongly but mid-way through, the twists were desperately brought in & the building of the storyline felt amateurish.

There were just too many characters & POVs to keep track of & that added to the clumsiness. Some were also unnecessary & again were just red herrings for the sake of it.

I couldn't help by roll my eyes towards the end, as we are thrust with try hard surprises which were simply too over the top be realistic.

I prefer thrillers which have a believable plot & even likeable characters.

My best wishes to the debut author though as I am sure other readers would appreciate this book. Will definitely try her next book.

What I liked: I could not figure out what was going on as I read this book and I thoroughly enjoyed that! I kept trying to figure out how these two women were connected and how Trent played into it. It had a good amount of twists and I sped through the pages.

What I didn’t like: There were about 4 too many POVs. It would have been way more successful and less confusing if the author would have cut down on these. I think having the multi POV worked for this plot line, but it just ended up confusing. I wasn't super thrilled with the ending either. It felt like a little thrown together to me and not as satisfying as I hoped.

Read if you like: Multiple character POV and plots that make you scratch your head
Would I recommend?: yes!

Star rating: 3 stars

Woah!!! This one was TRULY JAW-DROPPING.. expect the complete utterly unexpected thing to happen, to happen.

This book, the *trip* setting, and the characters were all phenomenal and felt very real life.

This book will probably become highly talked about because it was just that good!

If you are a thriller / psychology book lover... GRAB THIS!

THANK YOU NETGALLEY AND PUBLISHER FOR AN ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR MY HONEST OPINION.

The Business Trip is a story that took me on a wild ride! I definitely wasn't expecting all those twists and turns! I did enjoy the different POVs and trying to guess what was happening between the two main MCs. The ending is something I didn't see coming, which I love a shock factor when it comes to thrillers! I'd definitely read more from this author!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC, in exchange for my honest opinion.