This was a unique premise, but it fell a little flat for me - I would recommend to lovers of the genre, but I don't think it was particularly memorable.

The first half of this book was good. Lots of intrigue and character development. however, the second half of the book where it was describing everything that happened felt like everything was too good to be true. Like everything worked out perfectly for Jasmine until it didn't. One plot hole that I noticed was wondering how Stephanie (Diana) would have checked into the hotel without an ID. I work for hotels so that is something I noticed, but wouldn't be noticed by the general public.

I also would have liked to see some of the reactions to how Jasmine was caught up to. what was Anna's thinking? Or the ex boyfriend? What about Lucy and Bruce? Or even Drake and his friends and family? we saw a lot of repetitiveness in the story from getting the same scenes from a couple different points of view, but it left out other perspectives when we were already getting multiple points of view.

I was intrigued by the story and before things fell into place, I was definitely wanting to know what was going on.

I plan to share this story with spoiler free edits on my instagram a few days before publication.

Jasmine and Stephanie have nothing in common: Jasmine is fleeing an abusive relationship while Stephanie is on a business trip for news directors. The two women meet when they're on the same flight. A few days later, they each text their respective friends about the same man, but something seems off.

I can't say too much else without giving anything away, but this was a very fun and fast paced read. After initial chapters from Jasmine's and Stephanie's POVs, we then switch to a rotating cast of characters from each of their lives, who are trying to piece together what has happened along with the reader. I felt like that was a really effective way to tell the story and the first half of the book was really strong. The second half was a little weaker, with what felt like a lot of coincidences/conveniences to explain some things, but the twist at the end was jaw-dropping and I did not see it coming. The epilogue was unnecessary but at least short. Overall, though, a great read for fans of suspense.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This thriller grips readers from the first page with a suspenseful plot and characters whose motives are as layered as they are chilling. The author crafts a vivid, dark atmosphere that heightens the tension, making every twist and revelation feel both shocking and inevitable. Full of unexpected turns, this book keeps you on the edge of your seat and lingers long after the final page.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This book was okay. I found myself hooked in the first half, but the second half really lost me. I liked the multiple POVs of the situation. I felt like the story was a little unbelievable especially the ending. Overall this book was okay.

This was a fast paced quick read for me. It keep my interest and I thought overall it was really enjoyable.

This book kept me entertained throughout, and it was a pretty easy read. I do feel like the twist came out of no where at the end, and I wish it would have been something more believable with how the story ended.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Jessie Garcia’s debut novel, The Business Trip, is a riveting psychological thriller that masterfully intertwines suspense and emotional depth. The story follows two women, Stephanie and Jasmine, whose lives intersect in unexpected and chilling ways during a seemingly ordinary business trip.

Stephanie is a corporate professional on a routine business trip, while Jasmine is fleeing an abusive relationship. Their paths cross on a flight, and what begins as a chance encounter quickly spirals into a gripping tale of mystery and danger. After a few days, both women send identical, increasingly erratic text messages to their friends about a man named Trent McCarthy. Then, they vanish without a trace.

Garcia’s narrative is fast-paced and filled with twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The dual perspectives of Stephanie and Jasmine provide a rich, layered storytelling experience, allowing readers to delve into the complexities of their lives and the sinister events that unfold. The author skillfully builds tension, making it nearly impossible to put the book down.

This novel explores the psychological manipulation and control exerted by Trent McCarthy. Garcia delves into the minds of her characters, revealing their fears, motivations, and the impact of their pasts on their present actions. This psychological depth adds a chilling realism to the story, making the characters’ experiences all the more harrowing.

The setting of the novel, from the corporate boardrooms to the shadowy corners of unfamiliar cities, enhances the sense of unease and suspense. Garcia’s descriptive writing brings these environments to life, immersing readers in the story’s atmosphere.

The Business Trip is a commentary on the vulnerabilities and strengths of women navigating dangerous situations. Garcia’s portrayal of Stephanie and Jasmine is both empathetic and empowering, highlighting their resilience and resourcefulness in the face of adversity.

Jessie Garcia’s The Business Trip is a standout debut that promises to leave a lasting impression. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and relentless suspense, this novel is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. Garcia has set a high bar with her first novel, and readers will undoubtedly be eager to see what she delivers next.

I had high hopes for this book. It started out slow for me, like I felt there was too much character fluff. But, as it got to the main part it grabbed my attention. There weren't many twist in my opinion. But the one at the end was very shocking!

🧳 Book Review 🧳

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Publication: January 14, 2025

Rating: Not for me!

The plot had a lot of potential but I think what didn’t work for me as a reader were all the different POVs. They all started to sound too similar to our two main women, Jasmine and Stephanie.

I think if the chapters were shorter and we focused more on the two FMC rather than getting our information from side characters, then this book would have been a knock out of the park.

For fans of:
🧳 First Person POV
✈️ Multiple POV
🧳 Descriptive writing
✈️ Character study
🧳 A few twists

This was a really fun and twisty read that gave me all the similar feels of Julie Clark's thriller The Last Flight. The Business Trip is a quick read that kept me guessing until the very end. While there were a lot of points of view, the narrative was laid out in an interesting way, slowly and purposefully peeling back the layers of this thriller. There were some clues that felt overly obvious in the story, and yet, even then, I still didn't piece together the ending -- and I love it when an author manages to surprise me. For readers looking for a page-turner (and okay with suspending disbelief) this was a bingeable and entertaining thriller.

This book was a wild ride. Not knowing what was going on in the book kept me engaged in the beginning. Then the twists started to happen. I didn't predict any of them. I'm glad it didn't end the way I thought it would.

Stephanie and Jasmine happen to be on the same flight. One has everything and one has nothing.

This book is not to be missed.

Wow! Fantastic read, felt like I was reading a Freida McFadden book.

Twisty and not at all what I expected at the end!

I gave this book the whole 5 stars. I could not put it down. I was hooked by the first chapter. I am not familiar with this author but will definetly be looking for more books!

Thank you so much for a copy. Unfortunately this was just too much description and slow moving for my taste. I couldn't stay interested

I want to preface this by saying there are more than five POVs that may be a pain point for some. However, they don’t really take anything away from the story overall.

I have no idea how I feel about this story. To say I was captivated seems like an understatement. I was immediately drawn in and I was completely slack-jawed when the final plot twist was dropped. The ending was slightly underwhelming after everything the reader experiences but I still really enjoyed the book as a whole.


This book is being voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of NetGalley, the Publisher, and Jessie Garcia.

The Business Trip was probably one of my favorite thrillers of the year! It was such a fun book, and it left me thinking about it even when I was not reading and wanting to come back to finish the book. One thing I really enjoy about thrillers is when you think you can predict the twist and then it goes a completely different direction or the twist has another added layer to it after I thought the twist was over, and this book did both of those things!

Stephanie and Jasmine meet on a plane, and from there, the story unfolds into more than just an on plane meeting. They both text people they know weird things that don't really sound much like them to their loved ones. The loved ones try to figure out what happened in their travels and is it really them on the other side of the phone? Who is this Trent guy they both say they are with? Are they in danger? I really liked how they had the different sections of the story at different points in time, covering for the time being what actually occured in the middle. I also enjoyed the different perspectives of people. I didn't much like the epilogue, but the rest of the book was great.
I will definitely be on the look out for future Jessie Garcia thrillers!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy of this book.

I can confidently say that is a twist I have never encountered before. It was well executed and caught me completely off guard. This was a solid thriller. I thought we were going to get a strangers on the train type situation but I couldn’t have been more wrong. I love being wrong!! The alternating POVs really helps the reader get deeply immersed into the story. Trent’s character caused some visceral reactions from me. We’ve all encountered a Trent sadly lol

OBSESSED!! Fans of Freida McFadden would devour this book so easily! The twists and turns made it such an enjoyable ride!

Wow what a GREAT read! It was super easy to get engulfed in Garcia’s story telling. However, I will say if you have a hard time keeping up with multiple character POVs that this book might throw you. I had to start writing them all down but I loved the perspectives and seeing all sides of this story unfold!

The Business Trip starts off with our two main characters, Jasmine and Stephanie, and quickly goes in to where they’re currently at in life. Jasmine is in a pretty rough situation: dating a controlling and abusive man, barely any money to her name, and very isolated from friends and family. She needs to escape and fast. Stephanie is a very successful high-end news director at a very noble company. She’s divorced and has a son named Evan. Although she has what most would consider everything she needs, she desperately needs a break from work. Instead, her boss sends her to a work conference in San Diego.

Soon enough you find out how the lives of Jasmine and Stephanie intertwine. Through many twists and unexpected avenues the story builds upon itself until the very end right when you think you have it all figured out. Like I said before, I really enjoyed how we got a bunch of perspectives and the order of which the author told the story was very well planned out and purposeful.

Look out for this book come January 2025, I’m sure it’ll be a big hit!

Thank you to Jessie Garcia and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.