I have had the pleasure of reading several of Sandie Jones previous books in the past. I was so excited to read her latest book I would Die For You. This was a twisty, gripping book from the very beginning all the way through until the end. It definitely did not disappoint. I was quickly flipping pages to find out what happened next in this fast-paced, captivating psychology thriller. A huge thank to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the advanced digital copy of the book.

The exciting premise of this suspenseful story is one of love, obsession, jealousy, rivalry, revenge and ultimately consequences. Told from dual timelines and perspectives (Cassie in London, 1986 and Nicole in California, 2011).

When a writer comes knocking at Nicole’s door asking questions and looking for her insight into a band that broke up in the 80’s, it’s honestly the last thing she is expecting. Then her daughter goes is missing from her school. Nicole is informed that her daughter has been picked up by her aunt. But holdup what aunt? Her daughter doesn’t have an aunt. Nicole suspects these two occurrences are linked. She will have to return to the past if she wants to figure it out, protect her family and the life she so treasures.

The nostalgic flashbacks to the 80’s with the music and lifestyle was such a great time. I Would Die For You is a completely addictive, intense page-turner that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

This was so fast-paced with plenty of twists and turns along the way. I was immediately invested in this story from the start.

I really liked the author’s writing style as a whole though - the switch between timelines felt very smooth and never felt like there was an abrupt switch.

My only complaint is that as everything started to come together at the end it felt rushed. It did quite feel finished / open ended so I was left unsatisfied.

Overall, I had a fun time with this book and plan on checking out the author’s backlist as this was the first book of hers I’ve read.

The synopsis drew me in, and I thought I'd love this book with its missing child, secrets, obsession, and sisters. While enjoyable, it didn’t fully wow me. I appreciated the exploration of groupies, obsession, and the two timelines, along with the theme of lasting consequences. The drama, twists, and tension were great, but my main issue was the lack of connection with the characters.

I would have rated this book four stars if the ending had been stronger. Unfortunately, it felt underwhelming and didn’t live up to the excitement of the buildup.

This book presents a twisted mystery along with some very compelling and relatable characters. The story is centered around a rock band and its groupies, one of whom is part of the mystery of what happened to the band and what happened to a young girl named Cassie. Nicole is a talented musician in her own right but has fled from that part of her life, leaving England far behind as she moves to the U.S., gets married and starts a family. She is an active environmentalist, a fact that seems to muddy the waters when she and her family start being threatened. The pace was moderate, just right for the story that needed to be unraveled methodically. There were plenty of clues and foreshadowing about what was really happening and what was coming, and I enjoyed guessing what would happen next. I liked the characters and how they were believable and original. With the challenge of overcoming her past, Nicole was the most relatable and presented a fascinating character study. The timeline was a dual one, the past and the present, all converging neatly as the story progressed. The story itself was brilliantly written with clever tension and well-crafted misdirection built in. This is a tale that is multi-layered, with the layers slowly being peeled back as more revelations about the past are made. I enjoyed the believable drama and the tight plot and I was totally engrossed in the story because I really wanted to know what secrets Nicole was keeping and what those secrets would do to her present circumstances.
Disclaimer
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

I Would Die for You by Sandie Jones is a slow burn thriller in which a woman’s past comes roaring back. Is she prepared to fight back? Nicole Forbes lives a quiet life in southern California with her husband and daughter. It is shattered when a journalist comes to her door and asks her for information about the downfall of Secret Oktober, the biggest British band of the 1980s. The same day, her daughter is picked up from school by her aunt. The only thing is her daughter doesn’t have an aunt! Nicole is faced with the threads of her life and hidden past that is quickly becoming unveiling. In 1986, sixteen year old Cassie is obsessed with Secret Oktober with an intense crush on Ben Edwards. She is determined to do anything she can to capture his attention among the cheering fans and groupies. What she doesn’t count on is Ben meeting her older sister, Nicole. What happened to Secret Oktober? What does Nicole know?
Sandie Jones is a new author to me and I was intrigued by the synopsis of this book. A dual timeline story with multiple POVs as Nicole searches for the person behind the events of today and Cassie as her obsession with Secret Oktober and Ben grows taking her down a dangerous past. As events of today and yesteryear begin to shine light on the truth, the twists and turns were interesting and kept me hooked. However, as the mystery was revealed, the ending was confusing and a bit abrupt. My first thought when I closed the book was “what?!?” Throughout the story, I liked the character of Nicole and the mystery about who was bringing up the past and why was engaging and kept me guessing. Overall, I enjoyed the story. The mystery was engaging, the ending was just abrupt. If you like dual timeline, multiple POVs stories with a bit of suspense and mystery, I recommend I Would Die for You.

I Would Die for You is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

I've really enjoyed Sandy Jones's writing in the past, so I was excited to read this one as well.
I Would Die for You by Sandie Jones is an absolutely gripping and addictive psychological thriller that kept me turning the pages late into the night. Jones’ masterful storytelling and chilling premise drew me in from the very first page, and I was completely enthralled by the twists and turns of this suspenseful tale.

Although I have enjoyed other novels by Sandie Jones, this one missed the mark for me. Told in dual timelines and POVs (one of Cassie in London in 1986, and the other of Nicole 25 years later), the novel’s main theme seems to be fame and the obsession that often comes with fame, an obsession that can sometimes be dangerous. Although this novel has a good share of twists and turns, the plotting seemed a bit off, and the ending was confusing — it seemed to just happen. I also was not all that enamored with any of the characters, so this was a decent but definitely not a great read for me.

Every book that Sandie Jones writes is my new favorite, and I Would Die for You is no exception. I loved everything about it, from the dual-timelines to the sister love/rivalry between Nicole and Cassie. It's thoroughly entertaining from the first sentence to the last, and this is one that I will be recommending to all my thriller-loving friends.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I typically enjoy Sandie Jones,but this one was a bit off for me. It was a quick read with some nostalgia involved, but kinda missed the mark.

Review of I Would Die for You by Sandie Jones

Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐

Sandie Jones' I Would Die for You is a fast-paced thriller that weaves together obsession, secrets, and the darker side of fame. The story jumps between two timelines: London in 1986, where teenager Cassie is caught up in the rockstar frenzy surrounding the band Secret Oktober, and 25 years later, when Nicole—now living a quiet life in California—finds her past catching up with her in terrifying ways.

The novel hooks you early with its exploration of 80s music culture, teenage naivety, and the manipulations of the entertainment industry. Nicole's past and present collide when a journalist comes knocking, determined to uncover the truth about the band's downfall. The tension escalates when Nicole’s daughter goes missing, raising the stakes in an already suspenseful narrative.

The book does an excellent job of capturing the nostalgia of the 80s, and the depiction of obsessive fandom feels authentic. However, some characters felt underdeveloped, and the ending left me wanting more closure. While the dual timelines are engaging, I found myself more drawn to the present-day mystery rather than the past storyline, which at times felt predictable.

Overall, this is an entertaining read with solid twists, though it doesn’t quite pack the punch of Jones’ best thrillers. Fans of Lisa Jewell and Ruth Ware will likely enjoy it, especially if they love a mix of psychological suspense and rock ‘n’ roll drama.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Long-buried secrets are about to resurface

In London in 1986 the band of the moment is Secret Oktober, its three members driving female fans crazy. Mobs flock wherever they go and it seems like they can have any girl they want, anytime they want. SIxteen year old Cassie is a huge fan and is obsessing about them, willing to go to any lengths to meet her idols...which to her is far better than dwelling upon her reality, a strict father who tried to make it as a musician himself but never really made the cut and a mother losing her battle with cancer. Her older sister Nicole has musical aspirations herself but is paying her bills by working in a diner. Both Cassie and Nicole attract Ben's attention, Cassie by hanging out with groupies and getting sucked into the sex/drugs/rock and roll scene with her new friend Amelia while for Nicole it is her musical talent that catches Ben's eye. Secret Oktober's future abruptly ends when tragedy strikes one of its members, and the two young women's lives are forever altered when they are drawn into the investigation and subsequent trial.
Twenty five years later, Nicole Forbes is married and living in Coronado with her husband Brad, who works on the nearby naval base, and their young daughter Hannah. Nicole has never told Brad much about her past and has purposefully omitted her connection to the crashing of one of he biggest bands of the 80's. But then Zoe, a young woman writing a book about that period in British music, rings her doorbell...she knows who Nicole is, or was, and is determined to interview her about it. Nicole kicks her out of the house and hopes she's dodged the bullet, but then Hannah doesn't come home on the school bus. The school says Hannah was picked up by her aunt with Nicole's permission, but that isn't true...there is no aunt in Hannah's life. A frantic search ensues, and although Hannah is found safe it is clear that someone is determined to bring Nicole's secrets to light. What really happened all those years ago, and who is looking for vengeance now? Nicole and her family will be in danger unless she can identify and stop her harasser.
In the mid 80's I was in college, and the music and the fashions of that time will always strike a chord with me. I wasn't hopping fences and crashing after hours parties, but who amongst us didn't have a period when they read all about the members of their favorite bands, feeling like they really knew these people....and maybe even hoping that maybe someday they might meet someone in the band and even form a connection? Cassie takes that a bit too far, but is still relatable in her naive teenage dreams. The characters in general are a bit underdeveloped, but I enjoyed the narration popping back and forth between the dual timelines as what happened in the past spools out and the current day suspense and drama ramp up. The premise hooked me early in the book and carried me through to the end (which wasn't quite as surprising as I'd hoped it might be). I did enjoy the story overall, and would rate it at 3.5 ⭐️ (rounded up to a 4 for the trip down memory lane). Readers of Lisa Jewell, Ruth Ware and Hank Phillippi Ryan may want to give this a try. My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for allowing me access to this twisty trip to the 80's and back in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this story and right up to the end I was on the edge of my seat! Nicole is in the present timeline. He peaceful life is disrupted when a reporter starts asking about a band that broke up in the 80’s. Then her daughter gets picked up from school from her aunt, but wait, she doesn’t have an aunt!
This book is filled with characters that you love to hate and nonstop action. There was so much going on.!
Many thanks to the author, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Wait, what? That's it? Have you ever been completely invested in a story, and you're getting towards the end, thinking there's at least ten to twenty more pages to go and it just ends? That was my feeling here. I wanted more from both timelines after certain events and was left feeling stranded with so many questions. It's hard to rate this because aside from that, I really liked this one. We see so many stories about obsessed fans, and this one shows how far some will go with their delusions. I felt for the entire family, making me even shocked as things spiraled. This was intense, tragic, and page-turning. I can't help but to not give it my original four stars because of the ending. Maybe others will like it, but it felt unfinished to me. Three and a half stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

Sex, drugs, and rock and roll are major themes in this book.
Nicole’s hidden history comes roaring back as someone is determined to out her.
Flashbacks to the 80s scenes were nostalgic but revealing.
Both sisters are proficient at lieing but which one lied the most?
The ending was sort of a cliff hanger and I’m not sure if I guessed correctly.

3.5/5 🌟 this was my first Sandie Jones novel and I had a lot of fun! I loved the concept of the book and the 80’s music and lifestyle throwback was fun to read! Some of the twists I thought I had figured out and I was totally wrong, which I love. There were times I caught myself being confused on all of the characters (especially in the 80’s past timeline), and although there were a lot of twists, they didn’t seem to go really go very far. I wish I was able to read a little more of Nicole’s present timeline versus the past, too. All in all a fun quick read with twists we thriller readers all love!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books, and the author for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

- Pub date: March 25, 2025 -

Thank you to Netgalley, Sandie Jones, and Minotaur Publishing for providing me this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This novel follows Nicole at two points in her life, the present and 25 years before in the 80s. In present day, Nicole leads a quiet life in a small Californian town with her husband and their young daughter. In the 1980s, Nicole was a struggling singer with a younger sister named Cassie, who is obsessed with Ben, a musician and part of the hottest London band Secret Oktober.

In present day, a writer shows up asking Nicole if she can interview her about the band and its downfall all those years ago. For all of these years, Nicole has been trying to escape the events that occurred with the band and her family and is surprised that she has been tracked down. Is it coincidence that the same day this woman shows up, Nicole’s daughter doesn’t come home from school? She was picked up from school by her “aunt”. However, Nicole does not have a relationship with anyone locally who would be considered an “aunt”. Who has her daughter? What happened all those years ago? Why has Nicole been running and lying about her past for nearly 25 years.

I would rate this 3.5 stars. I was able to read the book in one full day. It kept me intrigued with dual timelines, complex characters, toxic relationships, manipulation and mystery. There were some very WILD aspects of this story, shocking twists, and a cliffhanger of an ending.

A propulsive and pretty quick-read thriller with two engaging timelines that work well together. The storyline that follows the present day mom and her daughter is really compelling; I could feel the love that she had for her child in a very visceral way. I would have liked to see the adult relationships built out more, these felt a bit light on details, but overall I enjoyed this read.

I Would Die for You
by Sandie Jones
Pub Date: Mar 25 2025

I Would Die for You is told in two different timelines, the current timeline and in 1986. The story is mainly about Nicole, who is living a new life in California. We have flashbacks from Nicole’s life in London, 1986 to now in California, 2010. It's a gripping, fast-paced read you will want to put on your to be read list!

Synopsis: Infused with the sounds of the 80s, this thrilling new novel from the inimitable Sandie Jones will captivate her readers, as she explores what the frenzy of fandom can lead to in this shocking blockbuster.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #StMartinsPress for providing me with an E-ARC of this exciting book!

This was okay, I liked the English boy band parts but left a little confused with the other timeline.

I wanted to love this so badly, but this was a bit of a miss for you. I loved the present tense plot and wish there was more of it!