Thank you St. Martin's Press & Minotaur Books for an ARC of Sandie Jones' newest novel.
I'll start off with what I enjoyed about "I Would Die for You":
-Sister dynamics (and dysfunction) between Nicole & Cassie
-Cassie's unconventional relationship with a stranger was intriguing to see what kind of mischief they'd get into together by following Secret Oktober
-Cassie's obsession with the band. (who didn't have a band member they loved?!)
-The mystery aspect (especially with her daughter..)
-Behind the scenes of Secret Oktober
-Although sometimes confusing, I did enjoy the dual timelines

What I didn't like:
-The sisters mother's storyline
-Things got a little repetitive
-Ending felt rushed

Overall, I really enjoyed the story! I kept wanting to come back for more to see what would unfold.

The dark side of fandom rears its ugly head in I Would Die For You, the latest from Sandie Jones, author of The Guilt Trip, The Other Woman, and more fast-paced thrillers. It’s entertaining as hell and moves at a rapid clip, unraveling a broken relationship marred by unforgivable betrayal between two sisters over the course of nearly three decades. We’ve got a two-timeline set-up, with one in and around 1980s London, filled with the sights and sounds of the era — men in heeled boots, Duran Duran blasting from cassette tapes, a thick fog of hairspray clouding every conversation — and the other flashing forward across the pond to San Diego, California circa 2011.

The more contemporary timeline revolves around Nicole Forbes, who has made a quiet, fulfilling life for herself as a marine biologist on the west coast, getting married and building a family in Coronado. When a strange woman knocks on her door one day asking for her personal opinion on the downfall of Secret Oktober, the biggest British band of the 1980s, for a book she’s writing, Nicole is mentally dragged back to a past she’s tried so hard to forget. Her young daughter, Hannah, goes missing later the same day, and the school claims that her “aunt” picked her up. The only problem? Nicole’s husband doesn’t have a sister, and neither does she — well, one she acknowledges, at least — and she just knows the two events must be connected.

Back in 1986, the story largely centers on Cassie, Nicole’s 16-year-old little sister and Secret Oktober superfan, who has convinced herself that lead singer Ben Edwards is her one true love. Her increasingly reckless attempts to capture his attention drive Cassie deeper and deeper into delusion, especially once she discovers her older sister, an aspiring singer, has a genuine connection to Ben that she can’t possibly measure up to. Jealousy, grief, and obsession set in motion a collision course that threatens to destroy everything Nicole, Cassie, and Ben hold dear.

What I loved about ‘I Would Die For You’:

Jones pulled inspiration for this novel from her own life as a Duran Duran groupie in the 80s, when she’d travel all over the UK to see them perform. That experience clearly adds authenticity to Cassie’s experience following Secret Oktober, from being front-row at concerts to sneaking over fences at BBC headquarters to get a glimpse of her idols up close. Cassie is clearly off her fucking rocker, but Jones grounds her scenes in details that make it feel like you’re by her side in matching acid wash denim.

Speaking of Cassie’s particular brand of crazy — the feeling that something is off about her simmers just beneath the surface of her teeny bopper exterior, as if she’s one cross word away from snapping like a twig. Jones makes sure she doesn’t start off as a full-blown bunny boiler, but slowly works her way up to it with each perceived transgression against her involving both her sister and the band. That evolution is fun (in a messed up kind of way) to watch play out .

Who is responsible for the Secret Oktober tragedy that derails everyone’s life? I’m not going to spoil it here (duh), but I love how the story sets up so many possibilities — Nicole’s vindictive ex? Cassie’s unhinged new bestie? Or maybe one of the volatile members of Secret Oktober themselves? Although I don’t love how it all wraps up, the journey to get there is an exciting ride.

Nicole’s chapters in the late 80s are my favorite part of the book (I can so see this as a miniseries.) My only complaint is I wish there were more of them.

What I wasn’t crazy about in ‘I Would Die For You’:

Speaking of Nicole’s POV chapters — why are her present-day ones such a drag?!

Actually, scratch that, I know why: her husband. In short, her husband suuuuuucks. Their relationship seems . . . sweet-ish, initially, including a meet-cute at a San Diego bar. We don’t see all that much of him, to be fair, but what we do see only confirms that this man immediately thinks the worst of his so-called beloved wife in any and all situations. Her life is falling apart in front of him, and his first reaction is to throw her under the bus? And scream at her?! And threaten to take away their child?! Nicole, girl, stand up.

The Husband Issue™️ is further exacerbated by a potential affair plotline, which is annoying as hell since it seems pretty clear from the get-go that it’s a case of miscommunication. (One of my least favorite tropes.)

The ending. Given how twisty this book is, I don’t want to say more and risk spoiling all the fun for you. Let’s just say my eyes rolled all the way back into my skull after finishing the final few pages. Sigh.

TL;DR — As I said earlier, this is solid! Despite some inconsistencies here and there, Sandie Jones keeps you engrossed in Nicole and Cassie’s tragic cycle of destruction from the very first sentence. Ultimately I wasn’t a fan of where things ended up — I could’ve done with an additional chapter or two about what a certain character has been doing all these years — but it’s the kind of thriller you can devour in one sitting. (Ideally while wearing as much neon, hair gel, and spandex as possible.)

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars. Not bad, not great. It was decent. Not super twisty or exciting but wrapped up well in the end.

This was very interesting. It gained an extra star from me simply due to the boy band aspect hahaha. I thought this was super twisty and unpredictable!

I generally love Sandie Jones, but this one didn't hit the mark for me. The dual timelines had me rather confused and the story line didn't keep my attention. I sadly had to DNF this one.
I hope other thriller readers enjoy it.
Thank you to Sandie Jones, St Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Nicole lives a quiet life with her husband and daughter until one day a writer knocks on the door asking to interview concerning the downfall of a popular British band in the 80's. The same day her daughter goes missing from school, picked up by an aunt that she doesn't have. We then go back and forth between present time and the past when Nicole and her younger sister Cassie gets involved with the rock band Secret Oktober. This was one of those quick fun thrillers perfect for vacation where you don't want to think and can handle some eye rolling plot.

I Would Die for You is a twisted psychological drama told in both the past and present. But what will really draw you in to the story are the secrets. And there are so many! The anticipation in this thriller is palpable from the first page and the ending astonishing!

It's 2011, Nicole Forbes is living a great life in California trying to not only save the seals but is happily married with a young daughter. Although she is a transplant from London, England, she has lived in the states for many years. Her life is perfect.

Until a woman shows up at her door who seems to know her from her past. A past she has intentionally kept hidden from everybody. Rattled, Nicole still does not want to believe someone knows what happened back in London all those years ago but when her young daughter goes missing and she tells her mother when they discover her, she was taken by her aunt, Nicole's sister, she becomes fearful because Nicole has no sister.

As her family starts to spiral Nicole must now decide exactly what she should expose to her husband. Her first instinct is to still continue to lie. But things begin to go from bad to worse when he starts to turn on her. As her fear for her daughter grows and as we see her life in flashbacks from her days in London, we begin to have the realization that something very bad happened in her family all those years ago.

It all began in 1986 when we discover Nicole had a sister named Cassie who was 16 and became obsessed with an upcoming rock band called Secret October. Her sister became infatuated with Ben Edwards the lead singer. But unfortunately, Cassie begins to make very bad decisions and heads down a terrible path. This begins the destruction, and dark secrets which pulls them apart. But what was it that happened?

Who is this woman? What does she want with her family and why now. Nicole knows one thing and that is she is here to destroy her life.  She needs to understand what is going on and why before her life as she knows it shatters. Her daughter is her life and heart. She will never let anything happen to her.

I Would Die for You will be the obsessive beach read you will need this summer. The story leaves the reader craving the satisfaction of being in on the secrets. And then when all is revealed well, the ending is to die for.

Thank you #NetGalley #MinotourPress #SandieJones #IWouldDieforYou for the advanced copy.

this book was MESSY. I found myself very confused for most of the book and had trouble understanding how the different timelines connected (even when it wrapped up in the end) This is my least favorite Sandie Jones book and the twist just wasn't really twisting.

Nicole is living a normal family life when one day someone knocks on her door and asks her what part she played in the breakup of a famous band in the 1980's. Secrets have been kept that not even Nicole's husband knows about.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars

[ thank you to the publisher for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own! ]

Honestly, I liked this thriller!! I’ve been fading from this genre over the last few years as nothing really grabs my attention anymore. But I really liked the dual timelines happening and the mystery! I was reading quick to find out how it was going to end.

I just don’t see myself remembering this book for years to come to suggest it..

I Would Die for You is the story of two sisters; Nicole and Cassie, and their involvement with a member of a popular rock band at the start of the bands fame. The plot hops from the 2010"s and 1980's. Both sisters are in a relationship with the band leader. Drama ensues and has an impact on the sisters realtionship. I found the characters to be underdeveloped. unrealistic and unlikable. The story felt contrived and hard to believe in both timeliness. Nicole's character narrated and came across as paranoid, delusional and repetitive. The ending felt incomplete. The book was just not for me. Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review

Living in California, Nicole is content with her daughter, husband, and mission to save the seals. Until one day, her daughter is missing from school, only to be found telling the story of a mysterious auntie who came to pick her up. The story flips back a few decades to Nicole and her sister, who are both deeply involved with a famous band. But what does the band have to do with Nicole and her daughter?

Overall, this was a great thriller that I flew through in a day and a half. Sandie Jones is a master at writing about marital deceit and family drama. Anyone who loves live music and knows that following bands is a true-to-life experience would likely enjoy this book. It's thriller meets Daisy Jones and the Six, and I would recommend!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love stories where a character, in this case, Nicole, manages to step out of their lives and create a new one without being found out. Poof - they just disappear. It’s a wild concept. Escape your past and create a new narrative for yourself, but the best part is when it all comes out. It has to be hard to always be looking over your shoulder, wondering who might know or guess that your story is a big lie. Who might make your now designed and well ordered life fall apart. It was fun trying to guess why her past is catching up to her and who is out to get her. Fun, sometimes dark and twisty read.

I Would Die for You takes place in California 2010, but flashes back to London 1986. The main character, Nicole has started a new life in California with her husband and daughter. When a stranger picks up her daughter from school saying she is her aunt, Nicole’s world explodes. She is brought right back to 1986, and a time in her life she would like nothing more than to leave there. Nicole’s nightmare is her estranged younger sister Cassie, and at the same time, a writer shows up at her house and starts asking questions about 80’s rock band, Secret Oktober, a band her sister was obsessed with. The tragic ending of the band is tied directly to Nicole and Cassie, which is also what caused the downfall of their family. The story unravels the twisted past of what really happened in 1986, and the reason Nicole never looked back.

I was not a fan of this book. The characters are flat and unlikeable, every one of them. The story itself was boring and predictable. It was a struggle to get through it. It was a slow burn that never got better.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Netgalley, Minotaur books and Sandie Jones in exchange for an honest review.

This fast paced thriller kept me hooked till the end . In this book we follow two timelines one in present day with Nicole who has someone kidnap her daughter and start asking questions about her past. We also follow Cassie her sister in the 80s when all the drama unfolds. This book was entertaining but felt a little rushed, the ending was so abrupt I kept looking for the next chapter. The story and plot were interesting but it felt like the intentions of Cassie could have been explored more and I really did not care for the ending. With that said I would still pick up more from this author in the future! I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

There's something about a mystery set around the music industry that makes me want to drop everything and read. So when I read the premise of "I Would Die For You" by Sandie Jones, I was in.

Nicole's daughter vanishes, and at the same time, a reporter reaches out asking for a comment on a decades-old scandal involving a famous British rock band. She was involved in the band's downfall back in 1986 and is convinced that the two events are connected, which is an excellent setup.

Unfortunately, despite the premise, I just couldn't get into the book the way I wanted to. There were moments - some that definitely sparked my interest - but overall, I couldn't connect with the story. I kept waiting for that can't-put-it-down magic to kick in, but it never quite happened. I finished it mostly because I needed to, not because I couldn't wait to find out what happened.

That said, this was my first time reading Sandie Jones, and even though this particular book didn't click for me, I really liked her pacing and writing style. I'm definitely planning to check out more of her work; sometimes, it just comes down to the right story at the right time.

If you love rock-and-roll drama and family secrets, "I Would Die For You" might be a good match. Even though it wasn't the one for me, I still think there's something worth exploring.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced reader's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The beginning of this book was so captivating and it had me eager to continue reading. I love how we get to see a different side of fandoms and the parasocial relationships people develop with celebrities. This book has obsession, delusion, and unlikeable characters. I will continue to read anything Sandie Jones releases!

I Would Die for You by Sandie Jones is a dual timeline novel, set in the 1980s in England and 2010 in Coronado, California. We start with Nicole, who is happily married with a young daughter. A reporter knocks on her door, asking questions about a band, Secret Oktober, that she was a fan of in the 80s and what happened back then. We are whisked back to the 80s with Cassie, Nicole and their life. Back in 2010, Nicole's daughter is kidnapped and all of the lies that Nicole has told since leaving England and that dark time in her life surface, and the plot thickens!

Although I enjoyed the premise of the novel, I found the characters to be a little flat, not very compelling. Also, I thought it odd that Nicole and her husband immediately blamed each other for their daughter's disappearance, rather than being unified in an effort to get her back, considering how much they loved and trusted each other.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

A woman has been living her best life with her husband and daughter in Coronado, California. A knock at the door changes everything, and her world spirals out of control in a frightening and shocking way. Told through dual timelines, this is great for fans of domestic suspense.

In I Would Die For You, two sisters get entangled with a very popular British boy band in the 1980s when a tragedy occurred and it comes back to haunt them 25 years later. This was a twisted psychological thriller where we knew something bad happened but we didn’t know what for most of the book. Since Harry Styles is my most favorite person ever, I loved the little glimpse into the boy band life and having it tied up in a thriller made it more fun. It kept me on my toes and was entertaining to see it all unfold.