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.

This review is for the audiobook. Ever heard the saying too many cooks in the kitchen? This audiobook has too many narrators in the audiobook. And for a book that isn't that good. The number of narrators for this book was unnecessary, to the point that it was annoying.

Two women who don't know each other, but on the same plane, end up texting about the same man, and seemingly they both disappear. From there an investigation ensues.

The problem with this book is that the FMC is completely unlikable, and there is no explanation for her behavior. She is whiny, and jealous, and thinks she is the smartest person in the room when she is not. The "mystery" is lazy, has inconsistencies, and lacks creative effort. It is clear that no research was done into basic criminal investigation and procedure. Events that take place make no sense and defy logic.

Listening to this audiobook was not enjoyable, due to the narration and the storyline.

I listened to this thriller and thought the characters were well-described and matched the storyline perfectly. A fast-paced thriller, it was also a fun, intense read, with lots of twists and turns. The ending was completely unpredictable and jaw-dropping! I look forward to more thrillers by this author! Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this!

The Business Trip is a fast-paced thriller that grabs your attention right from the start. I thoroughly enjoyed the unlikable characters and watching the story unfold. It’s surprising to think this was a debut novel! If you’re a fan of unique thrillers with unexpected twists that keep you engaged from beginning to end, I highly recommend this read.

This was a popcorn thriller at its finest. It was fast-paced and I kept thinking I knew what was going on, It turns out I was wrong. I recommend this especially if you need a palette cleanser! I listened to this, and every character has its own narrator. This made it a lot of fun! 4 stars.

I appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.

4 out of 5 Stars! Thank you, Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this audiobook of The Business Trip by Jessie Gracia. Narrated by Andrew Eiden; Dylan Fitzpatrick; Fred Berman; Gail Shalan; Hillary Huber; Jennifer Pickens; John Pirhalla; Kimberly M. Wetherell; Kirby Heyborne and Tim Campbell.

What a narrating cast! I really enjoyed this audiobook! My first book by this author and she delivered! I did not expect the ending of this and it was a different one for me. It was a little slow at first in the beginning but it definitely picked up. I listened to this during my business trip and may have been a little paranoid during it LOL.

Overall, this was unique, great narrator cast, and my first audiobook/review for 2025. Thanks!

The Business Trip: 🧳🔪🎫⁣
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Thank you @macmillan.audio and @stmartinspress for my gifted copy!⁣
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This is a short but jam packed book, l’ll tell you this much. So many wild twists and turns. Two women are off go out of town for two separate reasons. Both have their IDs found in Atlanta, presumably dead with the arrogant News Director as prime suspect. But everything really isn’t what it seems, is it? ⁣
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I liked the book. Definitely not likable characters are you want everyone to get in trouble. You have to suspend belief for this to work, but it was entertaining. The ending was satisfying, but I felt like a large part of the book was repetitive and not providing additional help to connect pieces. ⁣
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This is a full cast narration, so I’m definitely recommend the audio if you’re an audio person. Some of the POVs I felt were excessive as it was a retelling from their side. We already knew the story and it didn’t really fill in gaps.⁣
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Anywho, we’re on our last day of our anniversary trip and woke up in @mammothcavenps to the beautiful snow dropping. Honestly, a dream to wake up and have my coffee every morning. Back to the real world we go.

Wow this one was wild - I really enjoyed the first half as the mystery came to a boiling part. It sort of went downhill once the perspectives changed becuase it felt like all the thrill was gone. Then there was a final twist that I definitely didn’t see coming - but it actually sort of made it worse? I really liked the writing style though and the initial twists and turns were engaging - I will definitely read the next author’s books