Excellent use of a dual timeline. Honestly, the only likeable character in the book is the dead Mom. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Writing styles have to fit readers and now that I’ve read two books by this author, I think that this “fit” is off. I do think that other readers will connect with the style so I am being thoughtful of that. In this book, the main character, Nicole has created a mess by keeping secrets and lack of communication with her husband and others.in the dual timelines, Nicole is currently living in La Jolla under a new name and is actively involved in her community. In the past timeline, she is a young adult in England and accidentally gets involved with a famous rock star who just happens to be the object of her teen sister, Cassie’s delusional obsessions. In both timelines, the lack of communication between family members wreaks all kinds of havoc. The story is fast-paced and mostly entertaining but just not believable at all. This use of “poor communication” to create a thrilling mystery is exactly what I didn’t like in The Guilt Trip. Unfortunately, repeating this phenomenon in another book indicates some lack of creativity. I’ve rated “up” for entertainment value but I don’t think this will be a repeat author for me.

Thank you Minotaur books for the ARC

This was not good. I went into this knowing the rating was pretty low but was still optimistic. This just made absolutely no sense to me. It goes in two timelines but even when the main characters are adults, the writing and characters still felt very YA. And I can suspend disbelief for a lot of things, but a lot of this book was simply just unbelievable.

I was unfortunately very underwhelmed by this book. The concept seemed intriguing involving a British boy band and a decades-long mysterious incident. But unfortantely the execution of the story - specifically the second half - fell apart for me.

This book shines a light on the very unhealthy parasocial relationship between celebs/pop or rock stars and their fans - and the extreme measures people will go to in order to meet and interact with their idols. I liked this theme and how it was all set up - but the further the story went the more it lost me.

The whole time I was reading, I was imagining Secret Oktober as Drive Shaft from Lost (iykyk). A pretty valid representation I think.

A few reasons why this book did not work for me:
- In general, there were NO likable characters. Everyone was either manipulative, emotionally/verbally/physically/sexually abusive, or so deranged in their delusion that it was impossible to root for anyone.
- I also feel like a lot of the characters felt flat - relationships were not given enough depth (Nicole + Brad, Nicole + Ben, Amelia + the band in general) to actually care or understand how and why they existed the way they did.
- Cassie is such a caricature of a teenage fangirl. The obsession and "groupie" status could be believable (because I know these types of fans did and do exist), but the lengths of her delusion were so uncomfortable I almost didn't want to keep reading about it constantly.
- I find it hard to believe that, even in the 80s, Cassie and Amelia would have gotten away with the things they did in this story. It was a very extreme suspension of disbelief how they ALWAYS managed to sneak or bribe their way into every single location (just too convenient to feel believable). And yes, I know security was not as extreme back then, but everything was just a little TOO convenient for them to always be around.
- The pacing at which things were revealed felt very off. We spend the first half of the book building up this mystery of what or who is trying to upend Nicole's life in 2010 and what about her past is worth revealing so dramatically. Then the last 15% is where we finally get answers, and the answers are delivered so rapidly that it feels overwhelming all at once and underwhelming at what is actually revealed. Especially because we are tossed back and forth between the timelines so quickly I felt like I was holding on for dear life to actually follow the story.
- I do not like the ending. It felt rushed and unsatisfying.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc. It was really good and I enjoyed it very much. It had me thinking it was going one way and ended up going a different route. I can't wait for this book to be released.

This was such a gripping thriller! Sandie Jones did a great job of setting the atmosphere and the tension with the dual timelines, only revealing what truly happened at the shocking conclusion. This is such a captivating psychological thriller, with lots of twists and turns! And the ending was such a shock!

This one was really twisted! It gives a whole new perspective on celebrity fandom and the darker, more obsessive side of fans with major delusions.
The story is told across two different periods, which makes it quite interesting. In 2011, we follow Nicole, who lives with her husband and daughter, Hannah. Nicole's life seems normal until a journalist named Zoe shows up at her doorstep, asking questions about a murder that happened in the '80s. Nicole thought she had left that time behind, but suddenly, everything from her past came crashing into the present, haunting her. The second timeline is in 1986 in London, when Nicole was younger. She worked as a bartender and sang during open mic nights at the bar. That's where she caught the attention of Ben Edwards. Although Nicole and Ben had a complicated relationship, the real issue arose when Cassie, Nicole's younger sister, became obsessed with Ben and developed intense delusions of love. That's when everything spiraled out of control, leading to a murder. After everything that happened in 1986, Nicole left and never looked back. She cut off contact with her father and sister. But when things come to a head, she has to revisit the past and come to terms with the fact that she'll never truly escape the situation. It keeps getting worse, involving her daughter and causing a bigger rift between Nicole and her husband.
This is a thrilling and enticing read, and the audiobook is just as great! The author and narrator know how to keep you on the edge of your seat and hooked until the end. The narrator's performance was top-notch! I definitely recommend it!
Thank you Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press/ Minotaur books, and Netgalley for the exciting opportunity to read, listen and review this one!

Nicole is haunted by a murder from long ago. It is finally time for the truth to be revealed. I really tried to enjoy reading this, but it was not for me. I guess maybe I wasn’t the right audience for it. It just fell flat for me.

This was a dual timeline (1986 & 2010) story that flipped back & forth to reveal a mystery revolving around a popular rock band. Each timeline revealed just enough about the mystery to keep you on your toes. I just wanted to keep reading to figure out all of the twists & turns. And in that regard, the entertainment value put the book at 4 stars for me. But then I felt like the ending was so abrupt & left me wanting more closure. All in all, though, it was an entertaining read.

Many thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an early eARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

As a young adult, Nicole and her sister were both impacted by members of a British Pop band. Now, years later, Nicole's new life is threatening to unravel as her past catches up to her.

This was a fun read. I really enjoyed the back and forth and how the flashbacks pieced together over the course of the book. I genuinely cared about some of the characters more than I expected to in a psychological thriller. As cliche as a certain pairing in the book was, I was really rooting and wanting them to workout. I can't say much more without going into spoiler territory!

I will say my one pet peeve is an 8 year old child in this books reads like she is much younger - more like 5 or 6 - but it's not enough to take away enjoyment of the story in my opinion.

Sandie Jones’s I Would Die for You is a well-written thriller that was a fun look into 80s music culture. The plot, which intertwines the past and present of Nicole Forbes, a woman whose quiet life is shattered by a mysterious writer and her missing daughter, kept me engaged for the most part. The story weaves between the chaotic world of 1986 London and present-day California, a time split set up that works for the story really well.

The narrative is well-paced, and the writing itself is sharp, as I expected of Jones. The 80s nostalgia that permeates the story is my favorite part of the book. However, despite the strong writing, I struggled to connect with the characters, particularly Nicole. Her relationship with her past and her family seemed a little underdeveloped, which made it hard to fully invest in her. Similarly, I found it challenging to sympathize with the other characters, especially Cassie, whose obsession with the band was a bit over the top for me.

In the end, I Would Die for You is a decent thriller. Sandie Jones can be hit or miss for me, and this one was solidly in the middle.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. It was really good and I'll definitely be recommending it to friends.

The present, the past, a British band, and siblings all take center stage in I Would Die for You. Sometimes taking a walk down memory lane isn't as enjoyable as one might think. In the beginning of the book, Nicole Forbes has been asked about a British Band she had ties to in her past. Adding to that shocker, she learns that her daughter has been picked up at school by her aunt - an aunt she doesn't have!

The synopsis sucked me in, and I thought I would love this book. It had all the right elements - a missing child, a blast from the past, secrets, obsession, lies, and sisters. While enjoyable, this one failed to completely wow me. I did enjoy the look at groupies, obsession, the two timelines, and how actions have long lasting consequences. This book has drama galore mixed with nice amounts of twists, turns and tension. My big issue is with the characters and my lack of connection from them.

I had both the book and the audiobook. I thought the audiobook was very well done.

Thank you to Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Bouncing back and forth between the past and present, we learn how the smallest wrong decision can affect you for the rest of your life …

We follow the stories of Cassie, Amelia, and Nicole throughout the rise and fall of the new “it” band: Secret Oktober.

Lies, fame, deceit, drugs, sex, delusions, obsessions … these are only a few things you can expect from this story, but there is so much more to it.

——————————

Unfortunately, in my opinion, this book was a bit of a disappointment. There was a lot of buildup, for what would be expected to be an exciting/jaw dropping grand reveal … but ended up being more of a flop.
The story kept me invested for the majority of the book, but the ending just fell a bit flat and didn’t give me any sort of satisfactory feelings. I also hate how the book ended. Then again, I’m still fuming over the last episode of “The Sopranos,” so it makes sense that I wouldn’t enjoy a cliffhanger like Jones leaves us on.

I Would Die for You is a fast paced page turner. The plot quickly pulled me in as the book told the story of Nicole who is hiding her past from her husband of 20 years. When her daughter disapears, she is forced to confront the past she ran away from. Told in dual times lines, the story moves quickly and was quite enjoyable. The twists and turns kept me engrossed, however, the end left me a little dissapointed.

Thank you to NeGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Be forewarned: Once you start this book, it will be hard to put down...there're a lot of twists and secrets that will keep your mind spinning until you finally finish it! Even after it's done...the ending had me wondering why Nicole did something that changes how it ends...Great book!!

Thanks NetGalley, Sandie Jones, and Minoutar Book for this ARC! I truly enjoyed it!

This new Sandie Jones was just an ok read for me. Dual timelines and a love triangle that kept me turning pages, but slowly turning them. I was a little disappointed in the ending of the story and I was hoping for a bit more. Overall, a decent mystery read and I will continue to read books by this author.

In London, 16 yr old Cassie is obsessed with the band Secret Oktober and believes she and her friend are in relationships with two of the band members. She has an older sister Nicole, who is a singer/songwriter who is trying to make it by playing at bars. We also have the Nicole 24 years point of view when she is married and living in San Diego with a daughter who know nothing about her past in London. It is a past she wants to keep hidden.

This was definitely a thriller that kept me guessing until the very end of the book. It was dark, twisty, and one of the characters can only be described as evil. The writing was good and each chapter left me on a cliff hanger. I'm rating it down a half star simply because I wanted more out of Nicole and that ending was such a cliffhanger!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, and the author for an ARC of this book.
Publication date is: March 25, 2025

This is not the first book I've read by Sandie Jones and I hope it won't be my last, but WHAT in the WHAT? Sandie, where are you and who wrote this? Also, Reese, I would like to hang out with you and be your friend, but no book recs, please!

Basically the story flips between present Nicole and past Nicole and Cassie's life (sisters, 1986). Cassie was obsessed with a band in London called Secret Oktober and she was a little "crazy" about them. Now, Nicole is approached by a journalist asking about this band (umm ok) and she is like that's weird but also where did my kid go, she doesn't have an aunt (yes, she does).

Maybe this happened with The Beatles, Elvis...The story just didn't do it for me and it felt 😝

First off, thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book comes out on March 25th.
Admittedly, this book started very slow for me. I was also quite distracted with an upcoming trip so I ended up putting this aside to read a rom com. I picked this back up a little over a week later and then flew through it! This is why I never DNF books. I feel sometimes it’s just the headspace or sometimes it’s simply a slow burn. In this case, I think it was a bit of both. This flips back and forth between Nicole in 2010 and then both Nicole and Cassie on 1986. I, personally, much preferred the 1986 storyline and that is what kept me hooked. I wouldn’t say this is a traditional thriller but I did enjoy it in the end. I’ve read one @sandiejones_author in the past so I don’t have much to compare to in regards to the author, but it had similar domestic thriller vibes.