This story was stupid and derivative. The writing was also pretty unimpressive.
Thanks to #netgalley and #minotaurbooks for this #arc of #iwoulddieforyou in exchange for an honest review.

A Twisty Tale of Fame, Family, and Secrets!

Sandie Jones once again proves why she’s a go-to for psychological thrillers with I Would Die for You. This dual-timeline story, set in 1986 London and 2011 California, is packed with obsession, betrayal, and long-buried secrets.

I loved how the story explored the darker side of fame and fandom, while also diving deep into sisterhood and family loyalty. The way the two timelines connected kept me guessing, and just when I thought I had it figured out—boom—another twist!

Some of the characters aren’t the most likable, but that’s exactly what made them feel so real. And while I would have loved a little more closure at the end, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment.

If you love fast-paced thrillers that keep you turning the pages late into the night, this one’s for you!

4/5 stars

I Would Die For You is a dual-timeline novel, taking place in 1986 and 2011. Nicole Forbes is living a quiet and uneventful life with her husband and daughter until her past catches up with her.

In 1986 Nicole's sister Cassie is obsessed with the lead singer of the rising band Secret Oktober, Ben Edwards. She and her friend pursue the band and shamelessly throw themselves at the band members. Cassie truly believes that Ben is as infatuated with her as she as with him, although the reality is different. Then Nicole, her older sister, meets Ben, and through a mutual love of music they bond. This is a love triangle, although one of the three members has it all in her head, but it is handled well, even though this can sometimes be a cringy subject. Nicole is dealing with the impending death of her mother, so maybe this is why she doesn't realize how crazy her sister has become.

I enjoyed the present-day story line more than the one in the past. Modern day Nicole is fighting to save her marriage and her daughter from the secrets of her past. I found Cassie so annoying that I didn't enjoy that portion of the story quite as much. However, the author used this back and forth technique to tease new clues and give slow reveals. She was actually quite good at that! I also thought the author did a good job portraying the music scene in the 1980's, and the craziness of the girl fans. In the notes, she mentions that some of this was drawn from personal experience, and the realism shows.

The author managed to keep me guessing and surprise me as the story wound down. There is one final sharp twist at the end, which I didn't see coming. I didn't love the ending, but I admired it.

I fell between three and four stars for this one, and it took me awhile to really get into the book. The last third was definitely my favorite part.

Thank you to Net Galley,

Sandie Jones never disappoints . Nicole daughter goes missing and Nicole has secrets, the past and a present storyline makes for a fast paced suspense has Nicole’s past caught up to her.

3.5 stars.

Not terrible, not great. This one is okay for a guilty pleasure or a relaxation (low pressure) read, but be prepared to suspend reality...a lot.

My top issue: this book felt like 2 completely different novels smashed together. With the dual timeline, things just didn't mesh for me. So...since it felt like two different books, I'm going to review the two pieces separately.

Piece 1: The past.
These parts of the book worked for me. A bit of a Daisy Jones and the Six flavor from the groupie perspective, plus a sisterly conflict. The characters got a little bit of feet underneath them and there was complexity surrounding their individual situations. There was character tension and some movement in the plot. While I fully admit that the character of Cassie was like nails on a chalkboard for me, this section of the book really could have stood as the basis for a full fledged novel. I'm really giving this part a lot of credit for potential. This story was what I wanted to be reading...just more.

Piece 2: The present.
What??? This section was a bit of a fever dream. Things were totally random and the characters behaved completely erratically. It was madness and far too over the top. Things were not super believable and I'm pretty sure I rolled my eyes several times. The characters that I had enjoyed being developed in the past section just became annoying and none of the situations that occurred in this timeline were really fully explained. It was constant whiplash.

Also, let's discuss the ending. I'm picky with my endings and...no. Just no. Unless this book is meant to be the start of some kind of duology or series, this is not an ending. This is cliffhanger nonsense and it left me bordering on angry. I invested time and I wanted no loose ends. I get the motivation behind thinking "hey, this is an awesome idea for an ending", but as a reader...it just pissed me off. Keep your clever ideas to the other pieces of the plot. I need me a solid ending.

This was quite the mystery novel!! I loved the dual timeline and trying to predict connections before they were revealed. If you like family drama to the max, this is definitely a read for you

This was an interesting book - I like the different points of view and the time hops between the past and present. The relationship between the sisters is a tough one and this was a unique story. I did feel like it ended a little quick but maybe that was because I wasn't ready for the story to be over.

While grieving the death of her mother, Nicole leaves England to start over in America after another tragedy happens. Years later, she has a loving husband and an 8 year old daughter who are her world. Until a strange woman shows up at her door one day and asks questions about NICOLE’s old life.

This story and premise were interesting and different enough for a thriller to keep you going. Of course lots of bad choices are made which have severe consequences. I did not like all the secrets kept and lack of communication throughout the book, but without them you wouldn’t have a story.

This is my first book by Sandie Jones. I enjoyed the story but felt it fell flat at times. I found myself really enjoying the present day time line, and more so skimming the 1980s parts. While this may not have been the book for me, i do think people will enjoy it! It goes to say you never really know who people are at what they might be hiding.

I really enjoyed this one! It was a fast paced read and I finished it in one sitting. This book is told in dual timelines, and the one from the past was super intriguing and I couldn't ever wait to see how it was going to integrate into the present day timeline. I did feel that the present day timeline wasn't as well put together as the past one, and that it seemed like the present day timeline was almost too fast paced...I felt like sometimes I wasn't quite sure what was going on because it seemed like it kind of jumped too far.

All in all, I really enjoyed the characters and loved that the dual POV perspectives made me switch from loving them to hating them every other chapter. They seemed very well written and believable to me. I give this book 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

Another good read from this author. The dual timeline of Nicole as a teen and an adult builds a story of mystery. As a teen getting involved with a popular boy-band and attempting to protect her sisters leads to confusion. As an adult crazy things start to happen that connect to the popular boy-band and her younger sister.

I felt a little disjointed for a while but it all started coming together and left a good end.

This was a great thriller. I really enjoyed reading it. Many thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy..

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, I struggled to get into this one. I was just bored and didn’t like any of the characters.

I hope others love this one.

DELAYED REVIEW!

If you are a thriller enjoyer, you should definitely check out this book! I was kept on my toes the whole time. Sometimes jumping back and forth between times confuses me but it wasn't hard to follow. I liked learning things that happened in the past and getting the AHA moments when we were in the present. It kept me on my toes and I kept wanting to know what would happen next. I ended up finishing it in a day! and THE END. I had to go reread a couple of times because I was like, "wait, what happened?!".

If you like thrillers, definitely check this book out, available now!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the e-ARC of this book!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a readers copy of this title. My reviews never contain spoilers and are freely given.

Set in the world of 80’s rock, and the present, the story alternates between two time periods. A California wife and mother hiding from her past is forced to face it when her daughter is approached by her “auntie”, who the mother told her family had died years before.

Her younger sister’s obsession with a boy band in the 80’s leads to a twisted tragedy that is now rearing its head in the present.


The story is good, but in my mind could have been a bit more suspenseful in the present storyline. Overall I found it to be a good, but average mystery.

WOW! This absolute page-turner had me whipping through pages with my jaw on the floor multiple times!

I'm still recovering from all those twists. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, BOOM - everything changes!

The way this story keeps you on your toes is insane! Every time I thought I had it figured out, Jones completely flipped the script. And can we talk about how wild this ride was? My heart was racing the entire time!

I loved this story with more twists and turns than a street in San Francisco. Told in multiple timelines, all the lies and deceptions, all supposedly for good reasons, blurred the lines of multiple relationships and threatened to destroy everyone. The major reveal was a complete surprise, but completely earned in hindsight.

This is a must read and I will be searching for more from this author.

“If you have something burning within you - a passion that you can’t extinguish - you have to at least follow that light for as long as you can.” OK, I have no idea how that’s pertains to what I read but it was very quotable. As far as the book, the characters, the whole idea was so less than meaningful. Groupies to the nth degree willing to do anything to get what they wanted. Was that the passion that couldn’t be extinguished?! I had a hard time believing that a teenager could be so wily, so devious, so treacherous and so unlikeable, yet I know this depiction is true. Now multiply all that by two or more, then take away all value, leaving me with next to nothing and that is pretty much how I felt about this story.

I am putting “I Would Die For You” in the “Not my Favorite Read” category, rating it 3 stars and assuming some of the responsibility for my lack of connection. I want to thank Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy.

I Would Die For You started strong with the suspense and then quickly fizzled out for me. I enjoy multi POV in thrillers but the flashback chapters could not hold my attention and the thrills were lackluster. I think the ending felt a little chaotic and a little unrealistic.

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This wasn’t a super terrible book but I don’t think it was for me. I found every person in this book frustrating. They were either super delusional and/or they lie a lot. I strongly disliked every single person in this book with the exception of maybe one 😅 and another particular person is just a literal psycho.
There are some decent twists and turns but it’s hard for me to fully connect and like a book with a bunch of unlikable characters. I honestly found most of the events and behaviors in this book to be wildly unbelievable.

This wasn’t for me but it was written fine. I’d be interested to try another book by this author. If you’re able to suspend your disbelief, you may still enjoy this one.