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Member Reviews

This has me hooked from the moment I started! It kept me guessing and trying to figure it out. When I was so certain I had it figured it out it had me second guessing myself and throwing in other twists. It had a couple slower moments but I was still invested in getting answers. It was filled with family drama, murder and rockstars!!! The audiobook was done really well and kept me going on a run! Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for a thriller to keep you guessing!

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This was a really great book. Plenty of surprises. Multiple timelines and points of view. Some major twists as well.
I enjoyed this story about sisters and family and all the twisted things that can come between them. So many surprises in this book. Great narration and a super creative plot. Great book

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I am prefacing that this is my first book by the author, but am an avid thriller reader.  I was not impressed and would be hard to recommend this specific book.
The good - it is fast-paced.
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SPOILERS:
The bad - Ouch. I hate to give bad reviews, but I'd rather be honest.  The writing of the characters is so uneven and eye-roll-inducing.  
I can somewhat believe that during the past timeline, no one realized what a horrific psychopath Cassie was since she was young.  But no one realized in the how many years since?  For her to go on at this level of mustache-twirling?  
Nicole has hidden who she is from her loving husband for years because she may or may not have had an unknowing part in a famous musician's death.  And the part was just he may have died by drugs she secured, but did not give him?  She knew her sister had a very unhealthy fixation at the time, but did not suspect of her of anything else?
Her husband is so one-noted that he is just set to blow up and have no sympathy or trust in his wife.  Not curious at all about an obvious stalker in their lives?
The abduction of her daughter was just passed over in days.
And the cliff-hanging ending?

I have to hope this was just a blip in the author's collection.

Thank you for the advanced listening copy Netgalley and MacMillian Audio.  All opinions are my own.

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This was a great, fast paced book! I loved the 80s references. The the fact that you didn't quite have a handle on what was going to happen was both a blessing and a curse. It had a few plot points that I am not sure really were necessary but other than that a solid story!
The audible version was fantastic!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

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3.5 stars!

In the present day, Nicole Forbes is living a quiet life with her husband and daughter when a writer shows up asking for her insight into the downfall of a famous British band from the 1980s. On the same day, her daughter goes missing under mysterious circumstances. As Nicole tries to unravel the connection between the two events, she is forced to confront her past and protect her family. The story also flashes back to 1986, where sixteen-year-old Cassie is infatuated with the band Secret Oktober and its lead singer, Ben Edwards. When Ben becomes interested in Cassie's sister, Nicole, it sets off a chain of events that could destroy their family.

The book begins with a thrilling and fast-paced introduction, setting the tone for the suspenseful journey ahead. As the story unfolded, the tempo shifted, guiding us through two timelines that enhanced our understanding of the plot.

This novel adopts a mysterious tone, with certain aspects of the story being meticulously explained to ensure clarity. The revelation of what occurred early on is complemented by a gradual unveiling of the how and why, creating a unique and engaging reading experience.

The characters in the book are flawed and slowly developed as the chapters progress. Nikole emerges as a relatable protagonist, leading us through a captivating exploration of her past. On the other hand, her sister Cassie is portrayed as a less likable character, characterized by her naivety, inexperience, and obsession.

Throughout the narrative, unexpected twists and turns keep readers on their toes, shedding light on the complexities of the supporting characters. Despite the evolving pace of the story, the author skillfully maintains clarity, making it easy to distinguish between the various personalities.
While some may find the conclusion of the book less satisfying, the audiobook version offers a well-narrated experience that keeps listeners engaged and eager for more.

Overall, this suspenseful mystery delves into themes of family history, intimate relationships, and the chilling repercussions of revenge. For those intrigued by the perilous consequences of obsession and fame, this book offers a compelling exploration that is sure to captivate and intrigue.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio and Minotaur Books, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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'I Would Die For You' was a good, quick read that kept me guessing. The author handled the dual times very well which kept me reading on to unfold the next part of the 2010 mystery through the events that occurred in 1986 around the fandom of the successful British boy band, Secret Oktober. I read this one pretty quickly. I think I might have liked this book more without the thriller/mystery aspect. I think the premise of the story definitely could have gone somewhere, but the story just felt rushed while simultaneously taking forever to get anywhere.

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Nicole is living a new life in California. After Nicole's daughter is kidnapped, the timeline shifts to a dual narrative with flashbacks from Nicole’s life in London in 1986 to now in California in 2010. Nicole has a younger sister, Cassie, who is seemingly unstable. She is deplorable and delusional, chases a rock band around town, and expects Nicole to do whatever she asks. How does this famous band change the course of their lives forever? And how does this fit into the mystery of the disappearance of Nicole's daughter?

I enjoyed the book but didn't care for the ending, which seemed to be just for shock value.

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I read the excerpt in the Minotaur sampler and was excited to read this mystery thriller.
The story unfolded quickly, drawing me into a tense narrative filled with suspense, however, it was lacking in some character development affecting my ability to be fully engrossed.
I loved the narration and enjoyed the author’s previous books so this wouldn’t deter me from reading her future work.
Thank you to the author/publisher for the opportunity to listen to this advanced audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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I love everything I have ever read by Sandie Jones. This was no exception. What a fantastic audiobook. The narration was top notch. I was so invested in the story and the characters. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook.

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Thank you NetGalley and MacMillian Audio for allowing me to listen to this ALC.
I would Die for You by Sandie Jones will be released on March 25th and the audiobook is narrated by Imogen Wilde.
In 2011, Nicole Forbes’ quiet life in Coronado is upended when a writer digs into her past with a famous '80s British band—on the same day her daughter mysteriously vanishes. In 1986 London, teen Cassie is obsessed with the band’s lead singer, but it’s her older sister Nicole who catches his eye, setting off a dangerous chain of events. As past and present collide, Nicole must confront long-buried secrets to protect the life she’s built.
I enjoyed this story, but I found the present-day timeline much more thrilling than the past. In the audiobook, I sometimes struggled to keep track of the timelines since there were so many characters. Having an additional voice might have made it easier to differentiate between them.

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I listened to this audiobook and finished it within a day. I did struggle to connect with the characters, finding them unpleasant overall but felt invested enough to want to know what happens. Though I enjoyed the book, I'm not sure how I feel about the ending; that's a personal preference. I'd possibly recommend this book, but I'd have to know more about the person's likes and dislikes.

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This book had a little bit of everything - past to present perspective, missing person, a secret past! Cassie is confronted by a journalist about her past where she was close with a famous British boy band. The same day, her 8 year old daughter goes missing, the school claiming she was picked up by her aunt. The only problem? She doesn't have an aunt..

Her past is full of obsessive fan girl behavior, especially towards the leader of the band - Ben Edwards.

I first discovered Sandie Jones with The Other Woman, and while I didn't like this one quite as much, it was still enjoyable and kept me engaged. It has a unique plot to it with the boy band past. Fast paced, fun time.

Narration was great and expressive.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. Release date 3/25.

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This was not my favorite. I wish I had enjoyed it more because I felt like the set up for the book was great. Sadly the story just lost steam, and was actually really annoying throughout. I was pretty happy when it ended, totally not like me.
It wasn’t my cup of tea, but maybe it’s yours.
Thank you netgalley for the AAC!

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This book took me back to my teen years! I loved the characters and the story. I was torn in the sister relationship as I've never had a sister but if I did, I surely wouldn't treat her like that!

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Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This is the 1st book I've read by Sandie Jones. It was a heart pumping thriller that made me want to keep reading... But then it just kinda ended.

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It started off a little slow, but then it really picked up, and I was completely hooked and couldn't put it down until I finished.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC.

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2.5 Stars – A Mixed Experience

This book had a lot of potential, and there were elements I really enjoyed. The writing style was engaging, and the plot had a steady pace that kept me turning the pages. I typically love dual timelines, but in this case, they didn’t quite come together in a satisfying way. The transitions between past and present felt a bit disjointed, making it hard to fully invest in either storyline.

One of the biggest struggles for me was the characters. I never felt truly connected to them, which made it difficult to care about their journeys.

As for the ending—I’m still not sure if it was abrupt by design or meant to set up a sequel. Either way, it left me feeling unsatisfied rather than eager for more. Overall, while the book had a strong premise and solid writing, it just didn’t fully come together for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Told through a dual time line Brittian (mid to late 1980's) and California (2011). The story of Nicole and her younger sister Cassie. Cassie is obsessed with the lead singef of British boy band Red October (Ben). 2011 Nicole is being "stalked" by a report who is attempting to upend her attempt to get funding to protect seals at a local beach. The stories are interwoven with a great twist at the end. I loved all the 80's pop star references.

The narrator Imogen Wilde was phenomenal.

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Thank you to Macmillan Audio for this gifted ALC!

I Would Die For You was a freaking blast. I’ve read a few of the author’s books here and there, but this one captivated me from go. Brilliantly written and quick witted, it was easy to inhale in two sittings.

Told in alternating timelines, 1986 and 2011, it’s hard not to be curious how the two worlds connect. But once the strings begin to stitch together… wow. Knocked it out of the park.

This book brings a whole new meaning to keeping your enemies closer, because one of the main characters is truly one of the most diabolical and genuinely evil people I’ve read about. Her actions astounded me in their ruthless heartlessness. I don’t care that those two words don’t necessarily even go together, it’s the only way to describe how nuts this storyline was. I loved it!

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You can’t choose your family, and this book really makes that sentiment hit home. As the story flips back and forth between 80s London and 2010s San Diego, it’s hard to determine at first how the stories might be intertwined. Howvwer, it seems that the secrets that Nicole Forbes has spent decades trying to hide have finally crossed the Atlantic when a woman name Zoe knocks on her door and asks questions about her past.

This book took me a couple of reads to get into, but once I made it about a quarter of a way through I was hooked. I have to say that Cassie is as normal of a sociopath as one could write for much of this book. Stick with it to the end for some surprising twists and an expected ambiguous Sandie Jones ending.

I have to add that I didn’t love some of the seal abuse in the book - it made me sad. Does this happen in real life?!

I have really been loving Imogen Wilde as a narrator lately and am requesting what I can when I see her! Such a good listen.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced audio copy.

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