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A review by meghan_readsbooks
The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia
4.0
Thank you to SMP and MacMillan Audio for the review copies of The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia.
TL;DR: An impressive debut! The audiobook is particularly noteworthy, featuring a multi-cast performance that enhances the experience. Recommended for fans of quick, twisty escapes—perfect for readers who enjoyed last year's First Lie Wins.
Content Warning: Readers sensitive to the treatment of women or themes of abusive relationships should approach with care.
Full Review:
The Business Trip is a fun, twisty escape read that delves into cat-and-mouse dynamics and examines women's lives and mistreatment by men. The story boasts complex, memorable characters, making it an impressive debut. I’m excited to see what Jessie Garcia writes next.
The plot is thoughtfully executed and engaging, particularly through the use of multiple characters’ perspectives. This approach shines in the audiobook format, with its excellent voice performances. The pacing is strong overall, and I found myself fully immersed in unraveling the plot and discovering where the story would lead.
Audiobook Highlights:
The voice performances are outstanding. I initially found the portrayal of the main male character a bit over-the-top, but I came to realize it was entirely intentional—and effective. The narrators for the female protagonists were nuanced and engaging, adding depth to their characters. I highly recommend this book in audio format, especially for road trips or holiday travel.
A Few Notes (Spoilers Ahead):
While I enjoyed the plot and pacing overall, some elements felt repetitive in the middle and later sections. Although I understand the intent behind these moments, I found the repetition a bit distracting, as the dual POVs didn’t always add much new information (e.g., texts remain the same regardless of perspective).
Additionally, I wasn’t entirely convinced by the full arc of the story. Why this particular set of crimes instead of a direct escape from the toxic relationship at home? A bit more development of the protagonist’s motivations and the triggering events could have made the story even more compelling.
TL;DR: An impressive debut! The audiobook is particularly noteworthy, featuring a multi-cast performance that enhances the experience. Recommended for fans of quick, twisty escapes—perfect for readers who enjoyed last year's First Lie Wins.
Content Warning: Readers sensitive to the treatment of women or themes of abusive relationships should approach with care.
Full Review:
The Business Trip is a fun, twisty escape read that delves into cat-and-mouse dynamics and examines women's lives and mistreatment by men. The story boasts complex, memorable characters, making it an impressive debut. I’m excited to see what Jessie Garcia writes next.
The plot is thoughtfully executed and engaging, particularly through the use of multiple characters’ perspectives. This approach shines in the audiobook format, with its excellent voice performances. The pacing is strong overall, and I found myself fully immersed in unraveling the plot and discovering where the story would lead.
Audiobook Highlights:
The voice performances are outstanding. I initially found the portrayal of the main male character a bit over-the-top, but I came to realize it was entirely intentional—and effective. The narrators for the female protagonists were nuanced and engaging, adding depth to their characters. I highly recommend this book in audio format, especially for road trips or holiday travel.
A Few Notes (Spoilers Ahead):
While I enjoyed the plot and pacing overall, some elements felt repetitive in the middle and later sections. Although I understand the intent behind these moments, I found the repetition a bit distracting, as the dual POVs didn’t always add much new information (e.g., texts remain the same regardless of perspective).
Additionally, I wasn’t entirely convinced by the full arc of the story. Why this particular set of crimes instead of a direct escape from the toxic relationship at home? A bit more development of the protagonist’s motivations and the triggering events could have made the story even more compelling.