I really enjoyed this clever and gripping story. A terrific debut!

Jasmine is a 40 something woman who is trying to escape an abusive relationship. In her words she is a "chick in her 40s who has never really done anything in her life". She just wants to be free. Free to experience life on her own terms. Free to explore and have exciting adventures. She's both joyous and fearful of what the future will bring.

Stephanie is a news director on her way to a conference in San Diego. Stephanie is divorced with an adult child. While she doesn't have anything keeping her from travelling frequently, she's getting a little tired of leaving her cat, Fred to attend yet another conference. Thankfully, her friend and neighbor, Robert has no problem taking care of Fred while she's gone.

Jasmine and Stephanie meet when they sit next to each other on the plane. They have no idea how their lives will be forever changed after this meeting.

We hear from plenty of other characters and while it was a little hard keeping them all straight at first, I got there eventually. The audiobook has a full cast of narrators which was very entertaining. At times it was a bit far-fetched but I was still completely absorbed and excited to see what would happen next. I was positive I knew where the story was going, but it ended up being VERY different from what I expected.

This story reminds you to be careful what you wish for.

This really was a great debut novel and I'm looking forward to reading more from Jessie Garcia!

This story was entertaining and full of twists! It kept catching me by surprise, even when I felt like I had it all figured out. There was a full cast of narrators which is always makes the story even more enjoyable. It did feel like the story went on a little longer than necessary, but was entertaining nonetheless.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and Libro.fm. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

You never know who you’re going to meet on a plane. Will you talk to them and have a friendly banter or will you keep to yourself and never engage except to say excuse me to get past them?

Stephanie and Jasmine find their very different world’s colliding after one of these fateful meetings. What exactly happened to them? How did they both end up missing?

Brace yourself because Jessie Garcia is about to take you on a trip! Readers are treated to multiple narrators, shady activity, tension, and a lot of “did that really just happen?”. This book is a delight!

When I say that this book is juicy…I mean JUICY! There is so much deception from our narrators that you’re going to be glued to the pages trying to figure out what will happen next. And once it does happen? You’re probably not going to have seen it coming.

Go into this book as blindly as Stephanie and Jasmine’s friend’s were when they up and vanished!

What a debut novel! Wow, this book nailed it! It had me hooked from the very beginning right through to the end. Nothing is it appears in this fast-paced novel that is sure to have you hooked as you reach along.

Definitely recommend this one.

This book is a roller coaster ride full of twists and turns and what a ride it is!
Jessie Garcia has managed to write unlikable characters with reprehensible behavior and yet we still want them to succeed. (Except one who’s totally irredeemable) No small feat there.
The full cast narration is excellent and really adds to the story told.
Fast paced thriller lovers will eat this up.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for gifting me a copy of this audiobook to listen to.

The synopsis drew me into this story, the two missing women from the same flight. I was curious. The story started out great. I enjoyed the multiple narrators and different POV’s. The pacing was really good too. But as I was reading got to a point and it was early where the story went off the rails I had no idea where we were what was happening I was very confused. Then it came back a round and was smooth sailing until the ending, ooff and not in a good way. I could smell from a mile off the stolen identity, but the actual ending? No that is so unrealistic I was like that’s it. I was disappointed but I know lots of people did enjoy it so it could most likely just be me haha. Also I hated the guy characters, I don’t even remember their names but they were all waste of space humans. But to be honest I didn’t even like the female characters either, so unlikable all around.
I’m not sure if I would recommend this read or not.

This story is told in first person from multiple narrators and follows the story of Jasmine and Stephanie who were on a flight together but disappear under mysterious circumstances shortly thereafter. I primarily listened to the audiobook for this story which was narrated by a full cast including Andrew Eiden, Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick, Fred Berman, Gail Shalan, Hillary Huber, Jennifer Pickens, John Pirhalla, Kimberly M. Wetherell, Kirby Heyborne, and Tim Campbell. This was a great choice. It looks like a lot of characters, but it quickly had me enthralled with what had happened to these two women as their friends, family and coworkers all weigh in with what they know about them.

Stephanie is a divorced mother to an adult son who now spends more time with his father than her. She is the news director at a local TV station in Madison, Wisconsin. Her coworkers probably know her better than anyone. Jasmine works as a waitress and is fleeing an abusive boyfriend. Her responses to things are often mind-boggling. They both send texts to friends that they have met a guy named Trent McCarthy before disappearing.

This story had me on the edge of my seat. Even when some of my suspicious were confirmed, I still couldn’t figure out what was going on overall or what would happen next. It was a crazy ride full of unpredictable characters and I couldn’t stop reading or listening. I flew through this in just over a day and I loved the ending twist.

Recommended to twisty thriller readers.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for a copy provided for an honest review.

4.5 Stars

This book was a thrilling, fast-paced that kept me hooked from start to finish. Jessie Garcia's debut fiction novel and it did not disappoint! I never knew where the story was going to take me and I did not see that ending coming at all!!

The story follows Stephanie and Jasmine, two women who have nothing but everything in common. Stephanie is on a business trip, while Jasmine is escaping her abusive relationship. When the two send their friends eerily similar messages about the same man, Trent McCarthy, things quickly spiral into a mystery that ultimately leads to their disappearance. It will leave you wondering what happened to them? Who is this Trent McCarthy guy? And what secrets are they hiding beneath the surface that we do not see? The twists and turns left me wanting more at every turn.

Andrew Eiden is, without a doubt, one of my favorite narrators, and while he only played a small role, he continues to prove why in this audiobook. He always elevates my listening experience with his ability to capture the tension, emotion, and complexity of his character. His delivery adds depth to the suspense and really amplifies the psychological tension of the plot. It doesn't matter if it’s the creeping sense of fear or the dramatic twists, he nailed every moment.

The story itself is incredibly engaging, with each twist more unexpected than the last. The character development is strong, and the mysterious elements unfold at just the right pace. While the ending is satisfying, I did feel like it wrapped up a little too quickly, which is why I’m giving it 4.5 stars instead of a full 5. The journey to get to the end is absolutely worth it though.

Wow 5 ⭐️! It is rare that a book draws me in immediately from Chapter 1. Despite me being drawn in, I was still not prepared for this wild ride. I absolutely loved how Jessie Garcia kept me wondering where was this story heading, and what’s next! Initially, the multiple points of view made me a bit nervous as I felt it would be hard to navigate with so many. However, it all came together seamlessly..

This story follows Stephanie and Jasmine who ends up on the same plane. Eventually they both encounter the same man, Trent McCarthy and both women mysteriously disappear. What happened to these ladies?

Highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys well-crafted and twisty storytelling. Jessie Garcia has truly outdone herself and I am looking forward to more from this author. Although it is only January, I am very confident that this will end up in my top 5 for 2025!

Thank you Macmillan Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

THE BUSINESS TRIP is the story of Stephanie and Jasmine. They meet on a plane and find themselves in danger and both go missing. I had to finish it quickly to learn what happened.

This audiobook was especially enjoyable since there was different narrators for each of the well developed characters.
I will be watching for more books by Jessie Garcia.

Thank you to Netgalley for the audiobook of this thriller!

Holy WTF twisted and I could not get enough!!

🧳𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?

The Business Trip is an absolute train wreck that you just can’t look away from. It’s full of all that drama and tension that just keeps building and building as the story reaches the very end, and that’s all I’m saying. Trust me when I say this is a story you don’t want any more information about, and I highly recommend going to this book blind.

✔️𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:

Multiple POV
Mystery
Wild Twists
Tension

🎧𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

This is one of those audiobooks that is perfect for a commute, road trip or when you need time to go by quickly! With a full cast of narrators, this turns into a cinematic experience.

📖𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?

This story starts fast and goes at warp speed. I binged the audiobook in less than a day!

✨𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

If you are looking for an excellent escape, definitely grab this book and/or audiobook!

Thank you MacMillan Audio for this gifted audiobook in exchange for my honest opinions.

Two women -- one running from an abusive relationship and the other attending a conference for work -- board the same plane and send texts to friends about having met and fallen in love with the same man. Then, they seemingly disappear. Or do they?

My mind is blown over how Jessie Garcia thought of nearly every detail when crafting this twisted mystery. Each character practically leaps off the page (or through the speakers, in my case, as I listened to the audio version). Street-smart Jasmine. Stephanie, a professional who wants to cut loose. Trent, a slimy womanizer at the conference who reminded me of an extra douchey Ron Burgundy. And so many more characters who made this complicated but fascinating story so engaging.

I was really vibing with this book until a big reveal at the end that just felt too ridiculous even for a work of fiction. It was just too much of a stretch for me. Jaw dropping, but silly.

I loved the large cast of narrators and thought they were all well chosen for this book, especially the voice of Trent. My skin crawled as soon as he started talking.

Content warnings for domestic violence and xenophobia.

Jasmine is fleeing an abusive relationship. Stephanie is attending another business conference for her newsroom job. The two women meet on a flight, talk for a bit, then go their separate ways. A few days later, their friends receive the same texts about how they met the same man, and then suddenly they both disappear.

This book started as a slow burn, but turned into a fast-paced wild ride once it got going! It was very clever, and I had my eyebrows raised every time a new twist revealed itself.

The characters were not exactly likable, but I found myself wanting them to succeed anyway, no matter whose viewpoint was currently being read (except Trent, we hate that guy).

It does get a little far-fetched the longer you read, but if you can overlook that then you will definitely enjoy this one! Besides, part of reading is being able to use your imagination 😉

I read this as an audiobook with a full cast narration and it was fantastic! Highly recommend the audiobook version. Big thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

The Business Trip is Jessie Garcia's debut fiction novel.

Garcia introduces us to the lead character - Jasmine. She's in a really bad domestic situation and has been planning for a year to get away. When her moment appears, she doesn't look back. And then she meets Stephanie. And an opportunity presents itself...

Garcia has penned a great suspense tale. There's no lack of twists and turns to be had. Those twists will take you right down to the last pages. Garcia has crafted a 'can't put it down" tale. You might have to suspend belief with some bits, especially the ending, but just go with it. The book is very entertaining.

I liked how the book was presented from many viewpoints and supporting characters. And - a full cast of narrators! I always feel more immersed in a book when I listen it. That was definitely the case with The Business Trip. Each reader was easy to understand and their 'voices' matched the characters they were presenting. A great listen!

This was really, really fun and exactly what I needed! It shocked me a few times and I really loved what was happening. Sadly it turned a little too popcorn thriller in the ending, going a little overboard. The audiobook was also great with new narrators for each new POV. Loved the full cast.

So this one totally took me by surprise! Loved that I didn’t see it coming!
Garcia wove a story of intrigue and drama. Two single girls looking for something different and new. Thinking they found it while on a business trip (one real, and one fabricated to orchestrate her escape). Both Jasmine and Stephanie seem to be genuine and eager to change their lives for the better. Both may be approaching it in different ways, and Garcia dies a fabulous job of highlighting both their similarities and their differences.
But the twists and turns kept me glued to my seat. The audio was left running, keeping me from everything I had to do. So glad I was able to listen to this one!

This started strong with two strangers going missing after saying they were with the same man. The multiple POVs kept the pace moving and allowed for breadcrumbs to drop hints about what was the come. While I wanted to love this, it fell short as the characters made some really dumb decisions (who doesn’t latch their hotel room door!) that took me out of it. One of the MCs motivation was not it for me either which was a big part of the plot. I think others will enjoy the twisty narrative though!

The Business Trip is a captivating and pulse-pounding debut thriller from author Jessie Garcia, offering a masterclass in tension, manipulation, and suspense. The novel opens with a seemingly innocent premise: two women, Stephanie and Jasmine, are on the same flight, but with vastly different reasons for being there. Stephanie is traveling for a business trip, while Jasmine is escaping an abusive relationship. What follows is a twisted tale that draws readers in and never lets go.

Garcia expertly builds the story around the mysterious Trent McCarthy, a man whose presence seems to loom over the two women in ways both subtle and alarming. As the narrative unfolds, we learn that Stephanie and Jasmine, despite having no initial connection, begin texting their friends the exact same messages—messages about Trent. But the tone shifts as the messages grow increasingly erratic and strange, leaving readers questioning the true nature of their experiences. Are they victims? Are they perpetrators? Or is there a far darker game at play?

The novel is a brilliant exercise in suspense, where the lines between victim and villain blur, and nothing is quite as it seems. Garcia’s writing is sharp and layered, with every page filled with questions, red herrings, and plot twists that keep the reader on edge. The mystery deepens with each passing chapter, as we are drawn into a high-stakes psychological game, where power dynamics, manipulation, and trust are central themes.

The tension peaks when both women disappear, leaving behind their strange messages and a trail of confusion. The plot spirals into a complex web of intrigue, with authorities and loved ones scrambling to understand what happened. Garcia does an excellent job of keeping the reader guessing, never allowing the mystery to fully unravel until the final moments. The revelations are not just shocking, but deeply unsettling, forcing readers to reconsider everything they thought they knew about the story.

One of the most compelling aspects of The Business Trip is its exploration of psychological manipulation. Garcia delves deep into the human psyche, illustrating how easily someone can be influenced, controlled, and ultimately broken by a mastermind manipulator. The characters are flawed and real, and their motivations are not always clear, which only adds to the suspense and intrigue of the novel.

Ultimately, The Business Trip is a book that demands your attention from the first page to the last. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and shocking twists, Jessie Garcia’s debut is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. It’s a story about trust, power, and the dangerous games people play—and it will keep you second-guessing until the very end.

I was approved by NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
Two women who don’t know each other end up seated on a plane together. One woman is going on a business trip and one woman is fleeing an abusive relationship.
The book is told in alternating POV which I liked.
This book was a little slow and I wondered where it was heading at times.
I enjoyed the storyline and the narrators, but the pace was too slow for me and the twists were too drawn out to keep me interested.
Overall, this is a good read, but I think it could have been a little shorter to keep it interesting and fresh.

This book was a wonderfully immersive experience. We start out with Jasmine as she puts her plan into action to run away from her abusive husband. The action starts there and doesn't stop. We follow her flight out from the town she has lived in with her husband where she comes across Stephanie. Stephanie is a reporter who is on the same flight headed for a business trip. It appears that the two share nothing but a row on the plane until both go missing and both have texted their friends about meeting the same man.

The audio is so well done and gripped me from start to finish. I couldn't quite figure out how Stephanie and Jasmine were connected until the author began to reveal all the secrets and mysteries. It kept me guessing and wanting to read. There were plenty of twists that made me want to keep reading so I finished it in just one day. There is a satisfying ending that I did not see coming. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a suspense thriller.