I thought this was a pretty standard but entertaining thriller. The setting was fun and the chapters were short, which is always a plus with this kind of book. I didn't really care about any of the characters, but the plot was pretty twisty. I don't think it'll end up being one that I find particularly memorable, but it was a decent popcorn book.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

A tourist’s worst fears come to fruition in this novel as a group of friends face a series of misfortunes on their vacation in Thailand that turn more and more dangerous as the days progress.

Four friends go on vacation to Thailand and strange things keep happening. They all feel like someone is watching them but who could it be? They meet a new friend who seems odd at times and they wonder why he keeps joining them.
3.5 stars

Phoebe Morgan’s The Trip promises intrigue, tension, and suspense but delivers a reading experience that may test the patience of even the most devoted thriller fans. Touted as a slow-burn psychological drama, it lives up to its “slow” descriptor a bit too well, with the central event of the story delayed until almost 80% of the way through the book. By the time the much-anticipated twist occurs, it feels less like a shocking revelation and more like a relief that something is finally happening.

The first three-quarters of the book are painstakingly drawn out, focusing on character relationships and dynamics that, while well-written, ultimately feel repetitive and overworked. This extended buildup detracts from the tension rather than amplifying it, leaving the reader begging for the story to progress. While Morgan’s smooth prose and skillful descriptions are commendable, they alone aren’t enough to sustain interest through the overly long prelude to the main event.

The structure of the narrative feels backward. The time spent setting up the relationships could have been better utilized exploring the fallout of the central event. The book’s blurb suggests this is the heart of the story—how relationships unravel in the wake of a life-altering incident—but instead, it leaves many of its own questions unanswered and skips over what could have been the most compelling aspect of the plot.

The open-ended conclusion is another letdown. Instead of feeling thought-provoking or ambiguous, it comes across as unfinished, leaving the reader with a sense of “is that it?” rather than meaningful closure. The twist, while competent, lacks impact, likely because the long buildup robs it of momentum.

Despite these criticisms, Morgan’s writing style is polished and engaging, which is perhaps the most redeeming quality of the book. It’s what kept me reading to the end, even as I grew increasingly frustrated with the pacing and structure. However, the story itself falls short of delivering the taut, suspenseful experience it promises, leaving me hesitant to pick up another book by this author.

Overall, The Trip is a missed opportunity. With tighter pacing and a stronger focus on the aftermath of its central event, it could have been a gripping exploration of fractured relationships and human fragility. Instead, it meanders too long in setup, squandering the potential of its premise. For readers with a high tolerance for slow burns and a love of elegant prose, it may still hold appeal, but for those seeking a fast-paced, twisty thriller, this one might be better left on the shelf.

Theo and Saskia. Holly and Lucas. Two couples that are going on a luxurious vacation to Thailand. Theo and Saskia are wealthy and have no worries unlike Lucas whose strapped for cash but he’s determined to enjoy this exotic holiday. Holly is unaware of Lucas money problems made a spreadsheet to watch their money since their saving for a bigger place so they can move into together. So right away their trip is starting on lies. But when they arrive it gets off to rocky start, the hotel shows no booking. They head to a hostel for the first evening. During the first night, a sinister feeling of being watched looms, and when a strange photo is left in their room it shocks them. But then along comes Caleb. A mysterious traveller who helps them. Then won’t stay away or get the hint to leave. He becomes a bit overly friendly and it creates tension and friction among the group. Soon the trip turns deadly But all four know how to keep a secret. And they’re all guilty of something…

Full disclosure I got to 52% in and decided this book wasn’t going to be for me. I don’t enjoy books where the plot is so dependent on all the characters keeping secrets from each other. I read in another review where the reader said she isn’t a big secret keeper, so it makes it hard for her to get into a plot that relies on the characters all keeping secrets. That is the same with me, for better or for worse. ;)
I think someone else might have read this book and enjoyed it. It just wasn’t for me.
Did anyone else keep picturing the two couples vacationing together from The White Lotus season two?
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this as an ARC.

3.5 rounded up. I enjoyed this book overall. The plot is original and there was a decent blend of likable and unlikable characters but the story felt drawn out at times. The ending while it contained a twist I did not expect, it was kind of unsatisfying.

I really enjoyed this book. I think the author, Phoebe Morgan, did an excellent job with being descriptive and laying out the plot of the story. This book was a thrilling ride from the beginning with a plot twist that is shocking. I loved the alternate points of view, and the way the story was laid out. I thought the characters were well written. I can't wait for more from this author. I definitely recommend this to the thriller/mystery readers.

Thank you Net Galley ARC, William Morrow, and Phoebe Morgan

I like that this book took place in Thailand. I’ve not yet read a book in this setting, so it was interesting to get bits and pieces of the culture throughout this story.

I liked the unsettling vibes as the trip proceeds, and I felt that it led to a decent conclusion. That said, I feel that this book dragged on for too long and tried to rush an ending.

This one was just okay. I’d be open to reading more from this author based on her choice of a unique setting.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thrilling pact story, plot twist pop up. The alternate POV were nice, in some chapters it would confuse if I read too fast.
Would love to read more from this author.

I can still feel the anxiety each character had. It pretty much jumped off each page. I had to read this book in one setting because I had to know how it would end. I was not disappointed.

A quick thriller read. I did enjoy the plot twist even though I called it 20 pages prior but it was still good. The only let down to this book is the first half is very sloooooww burn. Once I hit a little over a quarter of the way mark it picked up significantly. I still enjoyed this book very much though.

A dream trip that turned into anything but that. Multiple POV chapters which I love. Secrets that were unexpected. It is a fast read once you get through the first quarter of the book.

Thank you to the Phoebe Morgan, Netgalley, and William Morrow for the opportunity to review this book.

A tropical escape turns into a nightmare in this sizzling thriller packed with secrets, lies, and betrayal. Set against the lush backdrop of Thailand, The Trip follows four friends whose dream vacation takes a deadly turn when a brutal murder rocks their paradise.

Phoebe Morgan masterfully peels back the layers of her characters, revealing that everyone has something to hide. As the tension builds, the dynamics between the friends unravel, creating a web of suspense that will keep you guessing until the jaw-dropping twist at the end.

With its sun-drenched setting and relentless pace, this book is the perfect companion for your own vacation—or a reminder of why secrets and paradise don’t mix.

This book kept my attention the entire time, but the ending fell a bit flat for me. I dislike when thrillers end SO fast that you're left trying to piece it all together and make sense of what was weaved together. That being said, I loved that this took place on the beaches of Thailand and the small group of friends who went together from London. I didn't really find this twisty at all, but again it was quick and kept my attention. Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this ARC.

4 friends (2 couples) embark on a trip from the UK to Thailand. Buoyed by excitement, the anticipation turns to dread as horrible things happen and dark secrets are revealed.

I really liked the premise and the vibes of this book, but I had some trouble with the head hopping. Having 2 POVs in one chapter was a bit confusing for me. I also didn't like how the tense changed based on who was talking. I think if that had been straightened out, I would have enjoyed it more. The bouncing around pulled me out a bit too much.

Told from alternating POVS, this was a twisty domestic suspense vacation thriller that sees two British couples travelling to Thailand only to have secrets from their past come back to haunt them in lethal ways. I thought this was good on audio, kept me guessing, had a great shock ending and was one I would highly recommend for fans of authors like Roz Nay! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Phoebe Morgan’s The Trip is a suspenseful getaway gone terribly wrong. The Trip follows four friends on vacation in Thailand, with the story escalating quickly from a dream escape to a nightmare.
I found the pacing in the first half of the book sluggish, & the plot seemed to drag on without delivering any surprises. By the time the twists began to roll out, they felt more expected than shocking, undermining the suspense that was so carefully constructed.
That said, the atmosphere of the book is one of its strongest points. The setting is lush & vibrant, providing a backdrop that adds to the sense of dread building throughout the story. The dynamic between the four friends is a central focus, & the exploration of their relationships added layers of tension to the narrative, even if the plot itself sometimes faltered.
The book’s conclusion, unfortunately, falls flat for me. After an entire book’s worth of tension & anticipation, the ending feels somewhat lackluster & doesn’t deliver the emotional punch or the shocking twist I usually expect from a thriller. While the resolution provides closure, it doesn't offer the cathartic payoff that the mounting suspense deserves.
Ultimately, The Trip is an enjoyable, fast-paced read—especially for those looking for suspense—but it doesn’t break new ground in the genre. For readers who enjoy a story rich in atmosphere & drama, it might hit the mark, but if you’re looking for a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat with unexpected twists & turns, you may find The Trip a bit too predictable.
Thank you @williammorrowbooks for allowing me access to an ARC via @netgalley All thoughts are entirely my own.

This was a fun thriller to read. I enjoyed this book a great deal. I thought this was a very enticing thriller. I definitely would consider reading more by Phoebe Morgan in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. 4 close friends go on vacation to Thailand. Were secrets come out and there are twist and turns the whole way.

Thank you to NetGalley, Phoebe Morgan, and William Morrow for the ebook. This captivating thriller is filled with secrets from the past that resurface to haunt the characters, keeping you hooked from start to finish.