What a whirl win of a story
A story that goes between 1986 and 2010. A woman who has built her life up around a story she has concocted to hide the truth. Suddenly comes crashing down when someone comes in search of her. And back in 1986. A young girl so engrossed in a teenage crush of a boy band finds her self in a web of lies, deception, sex, drugs and rock and roll.
2 sisters so far apart yet so close.
I enjoyed the 1986 storyline but the more present one just didn’t seem to catch to me. I did enjoy the twists that it had. It almost had a YA feel to me.
I felt like it was rushed yet a slow burn if that make any sense. I couldn’t really feel anything for the characters they kinda just were there for me. I don’t know I hope other ppl take the time and give it a try and maybe find it a bit more for their liking.

It's 1986 and Cassie is obsessed with Ben Edwards, the lead singer of London's hottest band, Secret Oktober. Along with her new friend and groupie, Amelia, she schemes her way into parties just for a chance to get close to the singer. In the meantime, Ben comes across Cassie's older sister Nicole singing in a bar and there is an instant attraction between the two. As you can imagine, this scenario doesn't end well and the reader is transported to 2010, where Nicole is leading a new life until a reporter shows up at her door.

I like the concept of this story but I didn't like any of the characters. The women were either mentally disturbed or emotionally weak. Also, a little communication between the characters could have saved a lot of heartache and wasted time. I did feel bad for Nicole's husband Brad. He was subjected to many lies and omissions and deserved better.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing a digital review copy.

This is the story of two sisters, Nicole and Cassie, who fell in love with the same man, Ben He was in a band and Cassie was a groupie. She had fantasized about being in a relationship with him and she finally got her chance. Her best friend, Amelia, was in love with Michael, who was also in the same band.

This story takes place in 1985 when the relationships occurred, and in 2010 when Nicole has a family of her own: Her husband Brad and her daughter Hannah. In 1985, Nicole was a musician in her own right and she played in guitar in pubs. One night Ben came to the pub and listened to her play a song that she had written for her mother who had died. Ben fell in love with the song and decided to record it with Nicole. Eventually, they found themselves in a relationship. It turns out, Ben didn't really like Cassie the way she wanted him to. He saw her as merely a groupie. But he was in love with Nicole. One day, Ben called the house to talk to Nicole and Cassie listened on the extension. She heard them making plans to get together. Cassie was devastated and decided that if it was the last thing she did, she was going to get even with Nicole.

Cassie showed up at the hotel where the band was staying and went straight to Ben's room. But he didn't want her there. Michael showed up in his room and he asked Michael to take her away. Michael took her to a deserted area where he raped her. She was able to get away from him and she phoned Nicole to come and get her. She eventually told Nicole what Michael had done to her and Nicole was determined to get back at him. But Cassie had her heart set on destroying both Nicole and Ben.

Michael had a horrible drug habit and was constantly putting the band in jeopardy. Cassie got her hands on some bad heroin and went to the hotel to see Michael. It was then that she gave him the heroin and he died. Her father showed up at the hotel looking for her and found her in the hallway outside Michael's hotel room. He found his way inside and found Michael dead. Cassie was able to implicate Nicole and Ben. And she got her father to lie on the witness stand. Nicole got away scot-free, but Ben got 5 years.

2010. Nicole fled England immediately following the trial and ended up in the United States where she met her husband. Brad. She never told Brad about her past. A woman named Zoe showed up on her doorstep saying that she was a journalist and wanted to know the truth about what happened. It was through. Zoe that Brad ended up finding out. Of course it was devastating for him to learn that his wife had been a suspect in a murder. He left her for a few days but then he came back. Their daughter Hannah had been kidnapped from school by someone claiming to be her aunt. It turns out it was Cassie, whom Nicole hadn't seen in 25 years. Cassie was angry with Nicole because their father had left her his estate and Cassie felt that she was the one that deserved it. So she wanted to wreak havoc in Nicole's life. Also. Their father had written Nicole a letter. Todd, his attorney delivered to her. In the letter he told her the whole truth about what had happened around Michael's death.

The author told a compelling story and was able to keep me coming back for more. There was a time or two when it seemed The saga was a little off base, nevertheless, I very much enjoyed it, So much so that I gave it five stars.

I have read and enjoyed all of Sandie Jones’ books. They are all vey entertaining. I Would Die for You is no exception. I would call this a total guilty pleasure; a rock band, a murder, past and present, groupies, London, California! What more could one want. Addictive!

I Would Die for you is the latest thriller/suspense novel by author Sandie Jones.

The main character, Nicole has been living in Coronado, California for the twenty or so years, she is formerly from the UK. The story is told in dual time lines, present day 2010 in California and 1986 London. In 1986 Secret Oktober is a band that is very popular and draws big crowds of people, especially young girls who have crushes on members of the band. I just loved this time period. As a Gen-xer, it was fun to read and brought back a lot of nostalgia.

Nicole’s sister, Cassie becomes obsessed with Ben Edwards from Secret Oktober. She shows up everywhere he is and her 16 year old mind thinks they are a couple. One night Nicole is singing at an open mic night and captures the attention of Ben Edwards. He loves her song and wants to help her get it recorded. They make music together and develop feelings for each other. Oh boy!

What happens is a downward spiral affecting the band and Nicole/Cassie’s family and others.

This book really kept me turning the pages into the night. It is fast paced, full of twists and turns and just pure fun. There are lots of hints and speculation about what broke up the band and other events. Ms. Jones gives us little breadcrumbs until we find out the cataclysmic event. The pacing was perfect and the length of book was just enough to tell the story without making it unnecessarily longer. I did find the ending to be a little abrupt and the characters were mainly unlikable but the writing and storylines made up for that.

I really enjoyed the 80s vibe of the story and how it intertwined with the current timeline. I Would Die for You will be released on 03/25/25. Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur books for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

“I Would Die for You” is by Sandy Jones. This book is told in two timelines - present day and the past. This book follows two sisters - Nicole and Cassie. Present day Nicole is shocked that her past (from 25 year ago) is rearing its ugly head. Back when Nicole was in her early twenties, her sister - Cassie - was obsessed with a band called Secret Oktober. While Nicole was trying to make it as a singer, Cassie becomes obsessed with the front man, Ben. Cassie’s groupie path isn’t a good one. Nicole tires to help out Cassie, but ends up falling for Ben herself after a meeting following one of her gigs. Things happen … and not for the best. While I’ve enjoyed Ms. Jones’s plot twists and storylines in the past, for me this one seemed a bit too all over the place. There’s a lot going on and the pacing (sometimes fast, sometimes dragging) didn’t add to my overall enjoyment. I found the parts about Cassie’s obsession with the band interesting, but Cassie’s actions made me think “obsessed teenage girl actions - not my favorite.” Overall I think this book was okay - some parts were really good, some points I think should either have been dropped or else fleshed out a bit more, but this book wasn’t my cup of tea.

This book is full of suspense with secrets and lies. Sisters betrayed each other. You never get to feel like you know the true real person. They have so much crazy in their heads! Then we are left hanging on what happens next!

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?