3.5 rounded down

This book started off strong and was fast-paced and engaging with a few twists and turns that kept me on my toes. Also, the very last line of the book had me really thinking and questioning things and I love when authors do that, so that was a win for me!
However, overall the story was too far-fetched and convenient for my liking. At around the 50% mark, it also became more explanation than action and it wasn’t really necessary to have that much of the book explained. I would have preferred the story to unfold naturally.
I didn’t love it, but I would recommend for a unique and quick read to pass the time!

Thank you to SMP for the gifted book
Thank you to Macmillan audio for the gifted audiobook

3.5 stars rounded up. Jasmine and Stephanie are on the same flight out of town. Jasmine is fleeing an abusive relationship and Stephanie is going to a work conference. These two women are strangers, but one thing they have in common are the texts they send their friends and family about a man they met - Trent McCarthy. The texts all seem fine at first, until the women share they are extending their trip. After further communication, the text recipients begin to suspect they aren’t really texting Jasmine or Stephanie.

I absolutely loved the first half of this book. I was invested and determined to figure out what was going on with the texts. I knew a twist was on the horizon, but hadn’t placed it yet. The first twist pops up about halfway in and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. That plus the final twist made it a bit unbelievable for me, but it was still a good time along the way!

The Business Trip by debut author Jessie Garcia is a thriller perfect for a weekend reading binge.

This novel focuses on the disappearance of two women from different walks of life as they fly out of Madison, Wisconsin. Jasmine is leaving behind an abusive relationship and Stephanie is heading out for a news director conference in San Diego.

A few days later, both women text their friends about meeting the same man, a news director from Atlanta. When the texts become suspicious and then both women stop replying, their friends and coworkers begin to worry. How did both of these women meet the same man, what happened to them, and where are they now?

This was a great weekend thriller binge for me! The pace is quick, with multiple points of view. The narrative starts out with Jasmine and Stephanie’s individual POVs, but then expands to include their friends and coworkers, as both circles try to piece together the puzzle of the women’s mutual connection and what happened to them. I flew through this book, trying to figure it all out, and I admit that I did not see a few twists coming, which surprised me. There are a lot of POVs to keep track of, but it does keep the pace moving. I’m not sure how realistic some of the twists were towards the end, but I was entertained for sure.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC, in exchange for my honest review.

3.5/5 stars

This was my last read of 2024, and OMG. WOW. What a surprise. I LOVED IT.

I could not stop reading it. Fast-paced and well-written, and the plot and the story are unique.

I must say, though, Trent McCarthy is one of the worst characters I have ever encountered, but also BRILLIANT. I can definitely see why this is needed in the story.

I am so happy I got to read this book. It is so good, and I definitely recommend it.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley, for the Free Advanced Copy in exchange for an honest review.

What. A. Trip. Literally. A fast-paced, keeps your mind spinning, thriller of a read! Would highly recommend. Many thanks to the publishers and to NetGalley, for the ARC. (4.5!)

First of all, I think this is a good debut. This book will be perfect for readers who love psychological thrillers, mysteries, or multiple POVs. I think for the most part this book kept me entertained. I truly wanted to know what would be next for Stephanie and Jasmine. Sadly, I didn't like many of these characters and if I don't like the characters, I might not connect well with the book. Overall, this is a quick read because it will keep you guessing and twists are involved. I do not want to give much away, but I will suggest this book to readers looking for a thrill.

Thank you, Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for this eARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

If you have Kindle Unlimited right now, this book is free to borrow.

Wow! If you like twisty plots and red herrings with unbelievably intricate endings, this book is for you!

As they say, Karma can be a *itch. For the book's first half, you become enmeshed in Jasmine's and Stephanies lives. One is leaving her abusive boyfriend, and the other is getting ready to go to a news broadcasters conference. They meet on a plane, and this is the beginning of things going in a much different direction.

I have to admit I really did not like Jasmines' idea that the whole world owes her. She was a character that was pathetic one minute and hateful the next.

I never once thought the book would end the way it did, and I am so glad; otherwise, I don't think I would have been so enthusiastic, nor would I have enjoyed it so much.

Geez, this author can really write---both plot and believable characters.

I highly recommend this book; if you are in a book club, this will be perfect.

I am going to be buying my own copy, and it will be going on my comfort-read bookshelf!

*ARC supplied by the publisher St. Martin's Press/ Macmillan Publishers, the author, and NetGalley.

The Business Trip is a fast paced, binge worthy, debut thriller with a large, diverse cast of unpredictable characters and a wide range of settings. Told through short chapters and several character’s POV, this multi-layered story is full of twists and turns and had me guessing till the very end. I was so invested in this story that I binge read the entire book in one sitting. There was no way I could put it down without knowing what was going to happen next.

Debut novel? Debut author? I can’t imagine that the intricate details and planning for this story were a small feat but then to have several well developed complex characters and a multi-layered plot and I am nothing short of impressed!

The audiobook has a full cast of narrators whose voices are clear, precise and easy to follow. With impeccable tones and inflections that help set the mood and atmospheric settings, the narrators enhance the experience, bringing multiple characters and the story to life. They delivered a remarkable performance from start to finish.

📚: The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia
⭐️: 3.5/5 (rounding up on #goodreads)

Stephanie and Jasmine are strangers on a plane. One is off to a work conference, the other is escaping an abusive boyfriend. They have nothing in common, until their friends both get text messages about Trent McCarthy. When the two women are nowhere to be found, it begs the questions - who is he, and where did these women go?

A seriously twisty ride that left my stomach churning at moments and my conscious wondering who to root for. It’s hard to say too much without spoiling - but expect twists, turns, and an ending that (maybe) one could see coming. (I had a feeling it would end how it did.)

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press via @netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Business Trip is out tomorrow (1/14)!

The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia is very much a page turner. It was a very thought out suspenseful book. Many twists and turns which I did not see coming. I didn’t really like the characters; none of them were very nice people. I‘m not sure the story line is very plausible however, it kept me engaged and it was an easy read although the ending came out of nowhere all of a sudden.

1⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of The Business Trip.

Jasmine is on her way to Denver escaping from her abusive boyfriend. Stephanie is on her way to San Diego for a business trip. Both women end up missing texting friends saying they have met a man named Trent and are going to stay with him. Who is this man and what has he done to these women.

The plot of this book was absolutely outrageous. There were way too many characters introduced and it was hard to keep them straight. I was not a fan of the writing style or the characters. This book was not for me.

"The Business Trip" is a psychological thriller that grabs you from the first page and refuses to let go. Stephanie and Jasmine couldn’t be more different—one a career-driven businesswoman, the other a desperate survivor fleeing an abusive past. Strangers on the same flight, their lives spiral into a shared nightmare after they encounter the enigmatic Trent McCarthy.

What begins as eerie, cryptic text messages quickly descends into chaos, leaving readers questioning who to trust and what’s real. When both women vanish without a trace, the story dives into a labyrinth of manipulation, secrets, and power plays that will keep you guessing until the very end. Who is Trent McCarthy? What connects these women? And most importantly, who is playing whom?

This book is a masterclass in suspense, delivering twist upon twist that subvert expectations and challenge assumptions. Every revelation peels back another layer of a deeply tangled web, exposing the depths of human ambition, fear, and deception.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Well, this was a page-turner that had some very surprising and unexpected twists at the end. I thought I had it figured out but I got it sort of half wrong. Went a completely different way than I was thinking. It might have been a bit unrealistic but it certainly didn't stop me from reading. Can't say too much about it as I do not want to give anything away. I have to say that I didn't care much for the characters, although I did like Robert, the neighbor and cat sitter, but it made for a very interesting thriller. I thought this was a very good debut novel and look forward to reading more by Jessie Garcia.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy!

The Business Trip is a psychological thriller that follows Jasmine, who is leaving an abusive relationship & then intertwines itself with another woman, Stephanie, when the two meet on the same flight.

Jasmine & Stephanie’s stories intertwined in ways that I didn’t see coming, and provided a bunch of twists that kept me wanting to read more and more! Jessie Garcia does a great job weaving in threads of deceit, secrets, manipulation & revenge, all while leaving readers wondering who the characters TRULY are.

The audio narration was incredibly well done by Andrew Eiden; Dylan Fitzpatrick; Fred Berman; Gail Shalan; Hillary Huber; Jennifer Pickens; John Pirhalla; Kimberly M. Wetherell; Kirby Heyborne; and Tim Campbell. The book is split into four parts, which I find super helpful in audiobooks, especially thrillers, due to trying to keep all the characters straight. Not only that but each character in the book had their own narrator, making them easily distinguishable from one another while also bringing their unique personalities to life.

Overall I did enjoy this book, however, I struggled at the end because the ending really fell flat for me…🤷🏻‍♀️ It seemed a bit rushed & not as thorough as the rest of the book, which left me feeling a bit unresolved. Regardless, I did enjoy Jessie’s writing style, character development and the way in which she kept me guessing while reading.

“The Business Trip” is a suspenseful thriller that takes readers on a path to answers through several characters. The premise is that two women who don’t know each other are gone and possibly tied to one person who could be the one behind it all. The story is told in a way that keeps readers guessing. Author Jessie Garcia writes “The Business Trip” to help readers look through a different lens or angle, leading us to the end.

I did enjoy “The Business Trip”. Some parts of the story felt like it had lost momentum, but things did pick up. Overall, it was entertaining.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Netgalley, and Author Jessie Garcia for the gifted Advance Reader Copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3 ⭐️ quick easy bingeable read, but nothing show stopping. If you like phycological mysteries with multiple POV’s, fast paced easy writing, dark, unlikable characters with a couple of twists then I’d recommend it, but it wasn’t my personal favorite.

content warnings: r@pe, SA, murder, cheating, swearing.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for review.

Read If You Like:
- Psychological thrillers
- Multiple perspectives
- Unreliable narrators
- Stories involving disappearances
- Twists and suspense

The Business Trip is a psychological thriller that intertwines the lives of two women, Stephanie and Jasmine, who unknowingly cross paths on a flight to Denver. Stephanie is a successful news director attending a business conference, while Jasmine is fleeing an abusive relationship, seeking a fresh start. Despite their differences, both women find themselves entangled with the enigmatic Trent McCarthy shortly after their arrival.

As days pass, Stephanie and Jasmine send eerily similar messages to their friends about Trent, with their communications becoming increasingly erratic. Then, both women vanish without a trace, their texts go silent, and concern escalates among those who know them. The narrative delves into the ensuing investigation, raising pressing questions: Who is Trent McCarthy? What happened to Stephanie and Jasmine? And what secrets lie beneath the surface of their interactions?

The novel is structured through multiple perspectives, providing a comprehensive view of the events leading up to and following the disappearances. This approach allows readers to piece together the mystery from various angles, enhancing the suspense. The author skillfully crafts a tale filled with twists and turns, keeping readers guessing about the true nature of each character and their motivations.

While the plot is engaging and fast-paced, some readers may find certain developments to stretch plausibility. However, the unexpected twists and the exploration of complex psychological dynamics contribute to a compelling narrative that holds attention throughout.

The Business Trip is a gripping read for fans of psychological thrillers who appreciate intricate plots and character-driven stories. Its exploration of manipulation, identity, and the unforeseen consequences of chance encounters makes it a noteworthy addition to the genre.

Thank you so much to the publisher for my ARC and ALC!

This is a magnificent debut novel with all of the twists and unexpected revelations that I love in thrillers! Jasmine is escaping an abusive relationship while Stephanie is on yet another business trip for her news network. Both women are on the same flight and both mysteriously disappear and both mention having met the same man on their trips. The mystery is compelling, but I really had no idea who was telling the truth. There are multiple narrators, the women themselves, their friends and coworkers and Trent, supposedly the last man who saw them. I really loved how the story unraveled around the central idea of the women’s disappearances and told a riveting backstory about them and their previous relationships. I enjoyed getting to know each of the minor characters, especially Stephanie’s neighbor Robert who seemed so personable and someone whom I would like as a neighbor. He was just nosy enough to get concerned when Stephanie didn’t return from her trip on time. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of Stephanie and Jasmine since they became almost invisible after they vanished. They were the focus of the story but they weren’t in the actual story. The twists just kept coming all the way to the end, and there is no way I would have been able to guess that conclusion. Bravo to the author for a book filled with surprises and red herrings!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Publishing for the ARC of "The Business Trip" in exchange for an honest review.
I'm torn in two different directions trying assign a rational, sensible rating to this book.
As a fast, fun read, I got a huge kick out of it. It reads like the wind and its major twists did in fact had me picking up my jaw when it dropped. to the floor..The pull-the-rug-out-from-under-you twist the occurs halfway through the book staggered me with its cleverness. and clockwork precision. And the final twist is almost its equal in surprise. I swiped pages through my Kindle at 60 miles an hour.
But having said all that, I cannot avoid saying that there's not one of these whopper reveals that's even remotely credible, believable or come within 100 miles of reality. The twists, clever and outrageous, are also absurd, eye rolling and borderline laughable.
Not much detail I'd dare to share about the plot, which involves two disparate women who cross paths on a flight to San Diego. Jasmine's a waitress escaping a miserable trailer park existence and an abusive boyfriend. Stephanie's a successful local TV news manager on her way to a conference for her fellow TV journalists. Somehow, through texts to their friends, they speak of encountering and being charmed by the same man, Trent McCarthy. And shortly thereafter, nobody hears from them again. And then we're off and running to Twist-landia.......
The first Big Twist left my mouth truly agape and the book eats up a lot of time and chapters laying out how it was accomplished. Impressively detailed yes, but it also had me muttering 'you gotta be kiddin' me' all the way through. By the time the second off-the-rails, nutso Big Twist comes along, I could only chuckle and shake my head.........but to author Jessie Garcia's credit, I never wanted to stop reading either.
That's why I'm calling "The Business Trip" a 3 star Very Guilty Pleasure. Sure, it's untethered to common sense, and ridiculous, but I still gobbled it up like that tub of buttered popcorn you just know is not good for you.

I really enjoyed the story for this book and thought that the twists were really well done, however I feel like this book really needed some serious editing. The way it was written felt a little too casual for the type of book, and it also got really repetitive towards the end, with some scenes being fully repeated almost word for word just from a different point of view. I think with some editing this could've been a great book, but it was just ok as is.