Thanks to Netgalley & St. Martin's Press for the
E-ARC! Very fast-paced & fun characters. Cool setting too. Will definitely read more from this author.

This book moved quickly with short chapters, twists and turns.

The plot revolved around two sisters who were pouring their hearts out for an ideologized band member from the 80s. It started in 2010, in the San Diego area and back tracked to 1986 in London when the band was high up on the charts.

I was intrigued with the youngest sister who was so in love with this popular star, willing to do whatever she could get away with to be next to him. Then something crucial occurred changing the family dynamics.

There was a lot of complex feelings with this family giving it the full-dramatic effect. However, I had a difficult time connecting with the characters and questioned the timing of events. Yet, this is fiction and anything is bound to happen.

My thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of March 25, 2025.

This was my first read from Jones and it won’t be my last. I loved the mystery of the story. It kept me intrigued and curious to see what was going to happen next. I found the POVs between the different time periods to bit a little confusing at times but at the end everything made sense. I also enjoyed the writing style.

Please note that I received this via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.

Trigger warning: Rape

This was just....not good. I have given Jones 4 stars before, and everything else has been 3, but this one I could not give more than a 1 star rating to. Most of this book makes no sense, it's people being really really dumb, and just twists for twists. That ending was some Lifetime Movie thing. I wish Jones had added a "camera moves away from the house and all you can hear is the sound of X screaming." It was just a mess. I think we needed more insight into the character of Cassie. There was too much happening there in her scenes for me honestly.

"I Would Die For You" follows two women in separate time periods.

Time period one takes place in 2011 with a woman named Nicole Forbes. Nicole lives in CA with her husband and 8 year old daughter. One day, a young woman shows up asking her questions about someone named Ben Edwards who was a member of the biggest band (fictional) in the UK in the 1980s. Nicole refuses to discuss it and then starts to panic when she realizes her young daughter is missing.

Time period two is London in 1986. We mostly follow Cassie, a 16 year old girl who is obsessed with said fictional band and the singer Ben Edwards. Cassie is in love with him and wants to be with him. However, her sister, Nicole, is the one in the family who can sing and when Ben hears her, he starts to pursue her.

I don't know what to say here beyond both Nicole and Cassie are messy people. Both Nicole and Cassie are written poorly IMHO and just selfish. I can see parts of Cassie in the 1980s, but even with some of the things going on, I got really tired of her point of view. Jones also did not develop Nicole's husband or Ben to me at all. They just are stand-ins to keep the plot moving.

The flow between the two time periods did not work. I think because we have Nicole in one, and Nicole and Cassie in the second one. Maybe it would have worked better if it stuck strictly to Cassie's POV so when we get twisty and reveal-ly later it would have worked? Jones usually takes her time setting a scene, but I think starting off with BIG SECRET that takes forever to reveal killed the flow of the book.

The ending was a mess. It just didn't read as finished to me.

I've been a fan of Sandie Jones since I read The Other Woman in 2016. Suffice to say, anytime I see her name on NetGalley, I instantly request an ARC (usually without even reading the description). I always know that I can count on her to deliver an exceptional domestic thriller, with complex characters and a few unexpected twists and turns -- and I Would Die For You hit the mark on all accounts!

As I've said before, what I love most about Sandie Jones books it the way she writes her characters. The reader is able to truly connect to them and relate on a personal level. I also appreciated the 1980s rock star nostalgia.

What a good, twisty mystery/psychological drama about obsession with famous people & bands in particular. I never knew quite where the story was headed, which to me is a good thing. Though I wish the ending was different I can appreciate why the author chose to end it the way she did. I especially liked the dual POV that kept you going back & forth from the present to the backstory.

I found the story well written with great character development. She did an excellent job flipping between the two timelines without confusion. This was a really good book.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Press for the advance reader copy.

I Would Die for You by Sandie Jones - A Thriller That Hits All the Right Notes

Remember the wild days of Duran Duran and neon everything? Sandie Jones's new thriller takes us there and back, bouncing between 1980s London and modern-day California like a perfectly crafted mixtape.

Meet Nicole Forbes, living her best quiet life by the California coast - until a nosy writer shows up at her door. Suddenly, the past she's spent decades burying threatens to surface. We're talking teenage obsession, dark secrets, and the kind of fandom that gives you chills.

Jones knows how to keep you hooked. She splits the story between sixteen-year-old Nicole in 1986 London, caught up in the intoxicating world of rock stars and teenage dreams, and present-day Nicole, whose carefully built life is starting to crack like an old vinyl record.

The book isn't perfect - some twists you'll see coming like a bass line in a pop song. But Jones nails the atmosphere, making the '80s feel alive without drowning in nostalgia. She turns what could've been just another thriller into something deeper: a story about how far we'll go to protect our secrets, and what happens when those secrets start playing their own tune.

If you're into psychological thrillers with a beat, complex characters, and enough suspense to fill a stadium, this one's worth your time. Just don't blame me if you stay up late turning pages.

3.5/5 - A solid hit with a few B-side moments

I Would Die for You was just one more book from Sandie Jones that I completely devoured and loved every minute of it!

Nicole has a secret past that involves the downfall of one of the largest British bands of the 80's, Secret Oktober, and when a strange young woman suddenly knocks on her door asking about it, she's brought right back. The same day, someone claiming to be her daughter's aunt shows up at school and takes her daughter, yet Hannah has no aunt.... So who took her and why? And does it have to do with her past?

The story flashes back and forth between the present day (2010) and 1986 London where a younger Nicole first meets Ben Edwards, lead singer of Secret Oktober. But what she isn't aware of is her younger sister, Cassie's recent run-in with Ben which left her dreaming of a life with him and the two sisters know nothing about the other's involvement with him. As you can imagine, things get ugly when they do.

This book was twisty and kept me hooked from page one! I love a book with musical influence/characters and this one was engaging and original. Also, as someone who grew up in the 80's, it made it that much more fun for me! Highly recommended book and author!!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book started off slow for me then it got better when the mystery part kicked in. I liked the past and present POVs but the ending was left open for me and it was very frustrating.

Sandie Jones delivers an emotionally charged thriller in *I Would Die For You*, intertwining past secrets with present dilemmas and the fragile bond of family.

The story follows Nicole Forbes, who has escaped her tumultuous past for a quiet life in a small Californian seaside town. Her world is turned upside down when a writer arrives, probing into her connection to the downfall of a legendary British band. Things take a darker turn when her daughter goes missing, forcing Nicole to confront her haunting past to uncover the truth.

Jones skillfully builds suspense, weaving Nicole’s backstory with her desperate fight to protect her family. The novel explores themes of fame, betrayal, and the heavy cost of secrets, with a gripping pace that keeps readers engaged. Nicole is a relatable protagonist, wrestling with guilt and fear while showcasing a fierce maternal instinct.

Though some twists may feel predictable, the emotional depth and urgency of Nicole’s journey make these flaws easy to overlook. *I Would Die For You* is a thrilling read that lingers long after the final chapter, reminding us that the past has a way of catching up with us.

This was a slower read for me compared to the authors other novels. It goes back and forth from 1986 and 2010. I was not overwhelmed with the story but it was a nice read and I thank St Martins Press for the early copy. Be sure to read the authors note, as it tells how and why she chose this to write about. Very interesting.

Circling between California in 201 and London 1986, the story flows between the past and present life of Nicole. Living in Colorado, the story starts by showcasing the idyllic life of Nicole and her family. Everything seems perfect until two things happen: someone from her past arrives at her door and then Nicole's daughter Hannah goes missing.

Weaving between the past and the present, Nicole has to share parts of her life she's kept hidden to help her find the answer to what's happening in the present. Can she figure out what is happening and why things are coming up now? Or will her life as she knows it fall apart at the seams?

I really need to check if author's have been recommended by Reese Witherspoon, because we have very different takes on books. I love a band story, I grew up on VH1 but this one didn't have likable characters and there wasn't really any one to root for, even in a fun go with the villain kind of way.

Nicole Forbes — LaJolla seal protector, living with her husband Brad who works at the nearby naval base, has a surprise visit from a smirking reporter/author who wants to know about what happened 25 years ago when Nicole’s involvement with British rock star blew up (a tidbit she never shared with Brad). On the same day, Nicole’s 8 year old daughter Hannah isn’t on the returning school bus — an “aunt” supposedly picked her up. Except, in this version of Nicole’s life, neither she or Brad have a sister.

Two timelines — 2010 and London 1986: the version of her life when twenty something aspiring singer Nicole does have a teenaged sister, Cassie, who’s obsessed with pop star boy band Secret Oktober. Cassie does the obsessed groupie stalking of the band’s lead singer and relinquishing her body and common sense to the entire band scene; Nicole actually meets the primary guy under different circumstances when he visits the club where she sings part time. But even with both sisters whitewashing their experiences, the three guys in Secret Oktober, Ben, Michael, and Lukas, are absolute predators regarding women.

Nicole’s current life is turned upside down by mysterious women suddenly appearing with knowledge of her hidden past. Her marriage is put to the test when Brad learns Nicole was a suspect in the death of one of the band members. But he’s also been meeting with a woman that he failed to ask Nicole about. Brad and Nicole do not have much respect for each other — immediately distrusting each other instead of working together even when their daughter is in danger. Who took Hannah? What does this have to do with the band that rivaled Duran Duran in the 80s? Oh, yeah — who really did kill the guy?

The pop star obsession part with rival sisters is fascinating, but the present day drama is frustrating. I wish Nicole and Brad had been better developed and just talked more to each other. But their faults lead to a longer time for the story to unfold. The action all seems to take place in the last 15% of the book. And then the ending: abrupt and confusing. I reread it multiple times, but maybe the characters are in the know, but not me. For that cliffhanger, the undeveloped relationship between Nicole and Brad, and the uneven pacing, I can only give this book 3 stars. There was so much potential to give the reader a clearer narrative, but it didn’t happen.

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO No eye colors are mentioned.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO No plants or flowers are included.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5/5, psychological thriller)

My first ARC!!! 🥹😭
Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for this eARC!
Pub date: March 25th, 2025

Listen. I was hooked!! Whenever I read books about a dreamy leading man in a rock band falling in love with a “regular normal girl” I am living out a teenage fantasy thinking Joe Jonas would see me and instantly fall in love with me LOL. 😂🤭

Told in two timelines. 1986 England & 2010 California. I enjoyed the jumping back and forth between the decades to keep the pacing fast and intriguing. The characters were well developed and I got so mad at some of the stupid decisions that they made.

1986 England: Nicole’s sixteen year old sister, Cassie is the biggest fan girl of the hottest British rock band, Secret Oktober. Cassie has an intense overly obsessive crush on the lead singer, Ben Edwards and would do anything to capture his attention. When Ben sees Nicole singing in a local bar one night he can’t help but notice her. Their whirlwind relationship sets in motion the destruction of their family and ultimately their lives.

2010 California: Nicole lives a quiet life with her husband and daughter. When her daughter goes missing after school one day Nicole calls the school for information, they tell her that her daughter’s aunt picked her up. The only problem is that her daughter doesn’t have an aunt.

I thought that the author’s notes at the end of the book were really cool. She said that she used to follow the rock group Duran Duran around and that gave her a little bit of inspiration for this book (minus all of the crazy things that happen!)🤘🏽🎸

I WOULD DIE FOR YOU by Sandie Jones was a bit of a disappointment for me, but it might be the ideal read for another reader.

It’s 2010, and Nicole Forbes is focused on saving the beach with her husband Brad and 8 year old daughter Hannah. When a woman named Zoe comes to her door, it forces her to confront what happened back in London with the band Secret Oktober back in 1986.

This dual timeline takes the reader back to 1986 where teenage Cassie is obsessed with Ben Edwards from Secret Oktober, and she and her friend Amelia become immersed with the band.

I had a problem with the characterizations. Everyone had such a superficial lens on them, including Cassie, and I wanted to know more than the superficial. Especially when Cassie is dealing with a mental disorder, I thought the author could have done more than just paint her in an unfavorable light. The problem bled into other characters as well, with many not formed as multi-dimensional as I think they deserved to be. I didn’t “get” Nicole and Brad’s marriage. And who was Hank? He was mentioned several times, but I didn’t understand who he was.

Thankfully, the mystery didn’t have twist after twist, which I appreciated. I liked that the reader could see how plot points were building.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

I am a huge fan of Sandie Jones ! Love all of her books ! And this one did not disappoint ! The main character, Nicole, has the perfect life. She left behind a troubled past and fled to the US, leaving it all behind her. Married the man of her dreams, beautiful daughter, well respected in the community. Until there is a knock at the door and suddenly her past is right in her face She tries to ignore it. She tries to avoid it. But her daughter goes missing. And one thing after another goes wrong as her past comes back to haunt her. And it is shocking ! Great from beginning to end. Lots of twists.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "I Would Die For You" and all opinions expressed are my own. The ending - WHAT!?!? I don't understand it. I did finish the book but I didn't like it.

I had no idea where this book was headed but it was fun that way! There are a lot of characters so sometimes I got a little confused but overall a fun thriller! The fictional boyband was fun to read about and I love things set in London.