What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
6 days and 22:04:11
100 copies available
U.S. only
The Trip
Not yet published
Expected 6 Jan 26Win a free kindle copy of this book!
6 days and 22:04:11
100 copies available
U.S. only
From USA Today bestselling author Audrey J. Cole comes a locked-room thriller at sea about image and influence, guilty secrets that won’t sink, and the lies we cling to in the storm.
A luxury sailing trip is the perfect escape from Palmer’s shattered marriage. Until the Pacific Coast cruise—a chance for old friends to mend old wounds—descends into a harrowing fight for their lives.
Twenty years ago, the five of them were inseparable. But after a rafting accident their senior year, only four of them returned. Volleyball captain Courtney’s body was never found. And their lives were never the same.
Now Palmer, her ride-or-die Beth, and home renovator Emma are on an all-expenses-paid trip with mega-influencer Gigi. But a mysterious note and a violent storm soon push them dangerously off course. The radio’s down, the captain’s missing, and the first officer’s woefully inexperienced. And in a chilling echo of the past, Gigi gets swept away. Perhaps on purpose.
Someone doesn’t want them to make it back. Palmer’s not sure who to trust, but she knows the truth lies in the murky depths of what really happened that day on the river.
A luxury sailing trip is the perfect escape from Palmer’s shattered marriage. Until the Pacific Coast cruise—a chance for old friends to mend old wounds—descends into a harrowing fight for their lives.
Twenty years ago, the five of them were inseparable. But after a rafting accident their senior year, only four of them returned. Volleyball captain Courtney’s body was never found. And their lives were never the same.
Now Palmer, her ride-or-die Beth, and home renovator Emma are on an all-expenses-paid trip with mega-influencer Gigi. But a mysterious note and a violent storm soon push them dangerously off course. The radio’s down, the captain’s missing, and the first officer’s woefully inexperienced. And in a chilling echo of the past, Gigi gets swept away. Perhaps on purpose.
Someone doesn’t want them to make it back. Palmer’s not sure who to trust, but she knows the truth lies in the murky depths of what really happened that day on the river.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 6, 2026
4890 people want to read
About the author
Audrey J. Cole
22 books1,179 followersAudrey J. Cole is a USA TODAY bestselling thriller author. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children. Before writing full time, she worked as a neonatal intensive care nurse for eleven years. She’s also a pilot's daughter.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
December 27, 2025
The Trip written by Audrey J. Cole was thrilling, harrowing, heart stopping, ferocious, and bone chilling. I don't know how to describe this book, it felt like when something bad happened everything would settle down, and then the next bad thing would just happen causing your heart to bottom out because you weren't expecting that said thing to just jump out at you. Audrey J. Cole writes some crazy thrilling thrillers, let me just say that after finishing The Trip I had bitten all of my nails off because of all the harrowing experiences. I was instantly hooked from the very first page, I just couldn't stop reading until I knew that everything was settled and wrapped up. When I first read Missing in Flight, I knew I had to get my hands on anything Audrey writes, and after enjoying two of her books now, my statement still stands; I WILL READ WHATEVER AUDREY J. COLE WRITES NEXT!!!!!! If you are looking for a fast paced thriller to start off your new year with, then mark your calendars for January 6th, 2026 and look no further than The Trip. I was honestly on the edge of my seat the entire time, one bad thing after another would just cause you to jump to your feet and scream "I'm never going on a boat in the middle of the ocean ever again".
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND THOMAS & MERCER FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!
"💗😭How did this trip go so disastrously wrong?💗😭"
"👿🔪What kind of monster wishes for someone to be dead?👿🔪"
It doesn't matter how many years ago by, Palmer, Beth, Emma, and Gigi will always be married by that horrible trip. Memorial Day Weekend in 2005, a group of five friends took a three day camping/rafting trip when one of the girls who was also the captain of the volleyball team, Courtney fell from her raft into the Sol Duc River and was never seen again. This group of girls were inseparable, but after losing Courtney, their lives were never the same again. Some suffered from guilt, grief, and anger while trying to finish out their senior year of high school. Courtney Vance was mean but she was also incredibly compassionate, she always had to make everything about her. Courtney was one of the most generous people, but she was also the most cruelest person you could have ever met. Knowing this information about Courtney, was this rafting trip an accident or was she murdered? You will definitely have to read this book to find out. Now, Palmer is a mother to two daughter- Abagail and Emily, her marriage is in crisis because her husband is having an affair with a woman way younger than him and after Courtney disappeared, Palmer sees her everywhere. After that tragic rating accident- Beth and Palmer were the only two that kept in touch. Emma is a home renovator, Beth is the president of Elliott Bay University and Gigi is a lifestyle influencer.
Twenty years later, Palmer, Gigi, Beth, and Emma take a sailing trip from Seattle, Washington to San Diego, California as a tribute to their friend Courtney and it's also a chance for old friends to mend old wounds....until the Pacific Coast Cruise descends into a harrowing fight for their lives. This trip is payed for by Gigi's sponsor for social media views/posts. The members consist of the four women and two crew members- a captain and a first officer/chef who is also woefully inexperienced. The Nautical Nirvana is a white vessel with navy blue trim. The only thing required for the women- they have to wear life vests with a whistle attached to them just in case anything bad happens. Everything instantly starts going wrong when Gigi has to take a group selfie for social media according to her media managers. Let's just a give a few examples of what goes wrong, on Day Four of this trip they find a note tapped to a bathroom mirror that says "I know who killed me, and it's time for you to confess"- xo, Courtney. Another incident on Day Four- Captain Nojan goes missing, and Adam- the first officer might be a chef, but he's not a good sailor by any means. Then there's a storm out in the middle of the ocean with big waves which causes the power to go out- so that doesn't help their situation. On Day Five- Gigi is the next one who goes missing. That's just a few examples of what happens on the sailing trip, but there's so much more that happens- but you will definitely need to pick up The Trip to find out what happens, and experience the harrowing misfortunes while the women try to pay a tribute to their old friend- Courtney Vance on a three day sailing trip.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND THOMAS & MERCER FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!
"💗😭How did this trip go so disastrously wrong?💗😭"
"👿🔪What kind of monster wishes for someone to be dead?👿🔪"
It doesn't matter how many years ago by, Palmer, Beth, Emma, and Gigi will always be married by that horrible trip. Memorial Day Weekend in 2005, a group of five friends took a three day camping/rafting trip when one of the girls who was also the captain of the volleyball team, Courtney fell from her raft into the Sol Duc River and was never seen again. This group of girls were inseparable, but after losing Courtney, their lives were never the same again. Some suffered from guilt, grief, and anger while trying to finish out their senior year of high school. Courtney Vance was mean but she was also incredibly compassionate, she always had to make everything about her. Courtney was one of the most generous people, but she was also the most cruelest person you could have ever met. Knowing this information about Courtney, was this rafting trip an accident or was she murdered? You will definitely have to read this book to find out. Now, Palmer is a mother to two daughter- Abagail and Emily, her marriage is in crisis because her husband is having an affair with a woman way younger than him and after Courtney disappeared, Palmer sees her everywhere. After that tragic rating accident- Beth and Palmer were the only two that kept in touch. Emma is a home renovator, Beth is the president of Elliott Bay University and Gigi is a lifestyle influencer.
Twenty years later, Palmer, Gigi, Beth, and Emma take a sailing trip from Seattle, Washington to San Diego, California as a tribute to their friend Courtney and it's also a chance for old friends to mend old wounds....until the Pacific Coast Cruise descends into a harrowing fight for their lives. This trip is payed for by Gigi's sponsor for social media views/posts. The members consist of the four women and two crew members- a captain and a first officer/chef who is also woefully inexperienced. The Nautical Nirvana is a white vessel with navy blue trim. The only thing required for the women- they have to wear life vests with a whistle attached to them just in case anything bad happens. Everything instantly starts going wrong when Gigi has to take a group selfie for social media according to her media managers. Let's just a give a few examples of what goes wrong, on Day Four of this trip they find a note tapped to a bathroom mirror that says "I know who killed me, and it's time for you to confess"- xo, Courtney. Another incident on Day Four- Captain Nojan goes missing, and Adam- the first officer might be a chef, but he's not a good sailor by any means. Then there's a storm out in the middle of the ocean with big waves which causes the power to go out- so that doesn't help their situation. On Day Five- Gigi is the next one who goes missing. That's just a few examples of what happens on the sailing trip, but there's so much more that happens- but you will definitely need to pick up The Trip to find out what happens, and experience the harrowing misfortunes while the women try to pay a tribute to their old friend- Courtney Vance on a three day sailing trip.
December 29, 2025
Like always, Audrey Cole knew just how to keep my eyes glued to the pages with the plot and the characters in her newest novel, The Trip. Brilliantly combining the best parts of a popcorn thriller with the feel of
And Then There Were None
, the blindingly fast pace, locked-room thrills, and suspicious characters made it into a one-sitting read. You see, not only were there toxic friendships, long-buried secrets, and oodles of lies, but the open-ocean setting came alive for me on the page as they sailed the raging seas. Trust me when I say that this means quite a bit coming from me. A water-loving sailor down to my bones, I can attest that Cole not only got all the lingo right but the feeling of being one with the wind spot-on as well. Combined with the tension, it was an utter home run.
All said and done, despite a slightly over-the-top vibe here and there, I was far more impressed with how deliciously unhinged it all felt as things spiraled out of control. From the unsettling claustrophobia to the early aughts nostalgia in this dual timeline plot, there was very little to fault as I sped through this read. The amazing characterizations, though, were easily the best piece of all. Thanks to a small cast—including the narrator—that I side-eyed at every turn, complex group dynamics, and one person I absolutely loved to hate, they were everything I love about this type of novel. After all, when the bodies began dropping like flies, I didn’t have a clue about who the right suspect was. So if you love this kind of book too, grab a copy as it was quite the fun, wild ride. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
A luxury sailing trip is the perfect escape from Palmer’s shattered marriage. Until the Pacific Coast cruise—a chance for old friends to mend old wounds—descends into a harrowing fight for their lives.
Twenty years ago, the five of them were inseparable. But after a rafting accident their senior year, only four of them returned. Volleyball captain Courtney’s body was never found. And their lives were never the same.
Now Palmer, her ride-or-die Beth, and home renovator Emma are on an all-expenses-paid trip with mega-influencer Gigi. But a mysterious note and a violent storm soon push them dangerously off course. The radio’s down, the captain’s missing, and the first officer’s woefully inexperienced. And in a chilling echo of the past, Gigi gets swept away. Perhaps on purpose.
Someone doesn’t want them to make it back. Palmer’s not sure who to trust, but she knows the truth lies in the murky depths of what really happened that day on the river.
Thank you Audrey J. Cole and NetGalley for my complimentary physical and digital copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 6, 2026
Content warning: bullying, fat-shaming, gaslighting, drowning, drug overdose, gun violence, infidelity
All said and done, despite a slightly over-the-top vibe here and there, I was far more impressed with how deliciously unhinged it all felt as things spiraled out of control. From the unsettling claustrophobia to the early aughts nostalgia in this dual timeline plot, there was very little to fault as I sped through this read. The amazing characterizations, though, were easily the best piece of all. Thanks to a small cast—including the narrator—that I side-eyed at every turn, complex group dynamics, and one person I absolutely loved to hate, they were everything I love about this type of novel. After all, when the bodies began dropping like flies, I didn’t have a clue about who the right suspect was. So if you love this kind of book too, grab a copy as it was quite the fun, wild ride. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
A luxury sailing trip is the perfect escape from Palmer’s shattered marriage. Until the Pacific Coast cruise—a chance for old friends to mend old wounds—descends into a harrowing fight for their lives.
Twenty years ago, the five of them were inseparable. But after a rafting accident their senior year, only four of them returned. Volleyball captain Courtney’s body was never found. And their lives were never the same.
Now Palmer, her ride-or-die Beth, and home renovator Emma are on an all-expenses-paid trip with mega-influencer Gigi. But a mysterious note and a violent storm soon push them dangerously off course. The radio’s down, the captain’s missing, and the first officer’s woefully inexperienced. And in a chilling echo of the past, Gigi gets swept away. Perhaps on purpose.
Someone doesn’t want them to make it back. Palmer’s not sure who to trust, but she knows the truth lies in the murky depths of what really happened that day on the river.
Thank you Audrey J. Cole and NetGalley for my complimentary physical and digital copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 6, 2026
Content warning: bullying, fat-shaming, gaslighting, drowning, drug overdose, gun violence, infidelity
August 7, 2025
A group of friends went on a camping/river rafting trip as teenagers and one didn’t make it back. Was it an accident? Was she murdered? Now years later they are all reuniting on another trip on a sailboat.
I will never be getting on any sailboat after this. Everything starts off fine, but slowly goes downhill as people start disappearing. I honestly had no idea what was going on and who was doing all the crazy things to them. Also the storm they went through made me never want to go on a boat again. 🤣
I was suspicious of every one at one point, but I think there are a few clues along the way as to who isn’t so trustworthy. But really there were so many twists and turns, it was hard to be sure.
Overall, I think this was a good thriller. I could almost see this one having a sequel as there are some things that aren’t fully tied up in the end in my opinion.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I will never be getting on any sailboat after this. Everything starts off fine, but slowly goes downhill as people start disappearing. I honestly had no idea what was going on and who was doing all the crazy things to them. Also the storm they went through made me never want to go on a boat again. 🤣
I was suspicious of every one at one point, but I think there are a few clues along the way as to who isn’t so trustworthy. But really there were so many twists and turns, it was hard to be sure.
Overall, I think this was a good thriller. I could almost see this one having a sequel as there are some things that aren’t fully tied up in the end in my opinion.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2025
20 years ago Palmer and her 4 friends go on a rafting trip and one doesn’t return. Present day they all go on a sailing trip on the Pacific Coast. They start being bumped off one by one and they have to fight for their lives.
This was a fast paced thriller full of action. There was never a dull moment and full of twists and turns.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this eARC that will be released January 6, 2026!
This was a fast paced thriller full of action. There was never a dull moment and full of twists and turns.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this eARC that will be released January 6, 2026!
August 19, 2025
ARC for review. To be published January 6, 2026.
2 stars
Honestly, this thriller with old friends trapped in a boat was just plot holes connected by silliness. I would give it a pass.
2 stars
Honestly, this thriller with old friends trapped in a boat was just plot holes connected by silliness. I would give it a pass.
November 14, 2025
4.25 stars - locked room, vacation gone wrong, confronting dark past
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTM3347n7/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTM3347n7/
August 12, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley, and for the heads up from Audrey, for this ARC. This author always writes books that are different than other books in her genre. That’s why I immediately read her books when they come out. Besides the intriguing plot, I love how she brings up songs, actors, etc from the era she is writing about. I read this book in a morning. Her research on sailing was fascinating plus I like hearing about the forest animals in the NW.
August 10, 2025
If it came down to saving yourself or saving a friend, which would you choose?
Palmer & her old friends go on a luxurious Pacific Coast sailing trip, hoping to recover from her broken marriage. Twenty years earlier, a tragic rafting accident during their senior year claimed the life of their friend Courtney and left deep scars on the group. When a storm hits, the captain goes missing, the first officer is inexperienced, and then someone disappears under suspicious circumstances. Palmer must navigate dangerous waters and unravel long-buried secrets about what really happened all those years ago.
I became a fan of Audrey J. Cole after reading The Last Flight, so I was extra excited about being approved for an ARC of her upcoming book, The Trip. This was quite the wild ride- which is ironic to say given the cruise was also a wild ride. I wasn't too sure how I'd like the "girl's trip" vibe bc I know girls can be mean so it's not always my favorite plot line, but this one worked so well. I appreciate that Palmer, as the main character, was the most level headed. Though as we dove deeper into the story, we learn that no one is safe and everyone is hiding something.
The book alternates between two timelines: a senior-year rafting trip that ended in tragedy and the present-day cruise. Cole expertly weaves them together, each revealing just enough and had me questioning every character’s motives. Literally everyone could be the killer and the entire time you're skeptical.
This was a true game of whodunnit, but also who's-the-killer-now.
Anyone who enjoys a locked room mystery will enjoy The Trip!
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The Trip publishes January 6, 2026.
Trigger Warnings: death of a friend, drowning, storms at sea, violence, betrayal, grief, gaslighting.
🩷🩷🩷
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plottwistsa...
Follow me on Goodreads:
www.goodreads.com/plottwistsandpurpose
Follow me on Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile...
Follow me on Fable and join my bookclub!
https://fable.co/valerie-845011235983
Palmer & her old friends go on a luxurious Pacific Coast sailing trip, hoping to recover from her broken marriage. Twenty years earlier, a tragic rafting accident during their senior year claimed the life of their friend Courtney and left deep scars on the group. When a storm hits, the captain goes missing, the first officer is inexperienced, and then someone disappears under suspicious circumstances. Palmer must navigate dangerous waters and unravel long-buried secrets about what really happened all those years ago.
I became a fan of Audrey J. Cole after reading The Last Flight, so I was extra excited about being approved for an ARC of her upcoming book, The Trip. This was quite the wild ride- which is ironic to say given the cruise was also a wild ride. I wasn't too sure how I'd like the "girl's trip" vibe bc I know girls can be mean so it's not always my favorite plot line, but this one worked so well. I appreciate that Palmer, as the main character, was the most level headed. Though as we dove deeper into the story, we learn that no one is safe and everyone is hiding something.
The book alternates between two timelines: a senior-year rafting trip that ended in tragedy and the present-day cruise. Cole expertly weaves them together, each revealing just enough and had me questioning every character’s motives. Literally everyone could be the killer and the entire time you're skeptical.
This was a true game of whodunnit, but also who's-the-killer-now.
Anyone who enjoys a locked room mystery will enjoy The Trip!
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The Trip publishes January 6, 2026.
Trigger Warnings: death of a friend, drowning, storms at sea, violence, betrayal, grief, gaslighting.
🩷🩷🩷
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plottwistsa...
Follow me on Goodreads:
www.goodreads.com/plottwistsandpurpose
Follow me on Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile...
Follow me on Fable and join my bookclub!
https://fable.co/valerie-845011235983
August 5, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for having this title available for me to read!
the book started off a little slow with getting to know everyone. It’s hard for me to remember characters especially groups of characters in books since I’m so bad with names lol. But the story itself was extremely entertaining! Made me think of the show pretty little liars at times which was hilarious but I also got some creepy vibes also which is what I was really expecting mostly. I loved the setting of being stranded on a boat in the middle of the ocean with all this happening. Made it a lot more crazier. I don’t usually like when we go back and forth with times in the book but the author did a good job with this. At times I became annoyed with some of the characters and their dumbness but it was entertaining at least!
the book started off a little slow with getting to know everyone. It’s hard for me to remember characters especially groups of characters in books since I’m so bad with names lol. But the story itself was extremely entertaining! Made me think of the show pretty little liars at times which was hilarious but I also got some creepy vibes also which is what I was really expecting mostly. I loved the setting of being stranded on a boat in the middle of the ocean with all this happening. Made it a lot more crazier. I don’t usually like when we go back and forth with times in the book but the author did a good job with this. At times I became annoyed with some of the characters and their dumbness but it was entertaining at least!
November 22, 2025
There’s a good reason I tend to have just one close friend at a time. Have you ever noticed what happens when a group of girlfriends gets together? It seems like something always goes awry, feelings get bruised, and drama often unfolds. Do people actually end up dead? Oh, wait, that’s just in stories, right?
A luxury sailing trip turns into a nightmare for Palmer and her friends, who are seeking to reconnect after a traumatic past. Twenty years ago, their friend Courtney went missing during a rafting accident, leaving the group fractured. Now, Palmer, Beth, and Emma join influencer Gigi for an all-expenses-paid cruise. As a mysterious note and a violent storm complicate matters, they face danger when Gigi disappears, mirroring Courtney's fate. With the captain missing and trust issues rising, Palmer must confront the dark truths of their shared history to survive.
This tale unfolds across two timelines, gradually revealing how past events cast a long shadow over the present. The author skillfully builds suspense, revealing just enough information to keep readers on the edge of their seats. I really appreciate this approach because I found myself eager to reach the moment when everything falls into place, yet the full picture doesn’t come together until the very end. Honestly, this book will definitely test your patience!
The backstories for each character are richly crafted, so you’ll find some you can relate to immediately, while others might not connect as much. Each character feels distinct and memorable, and the pacing strikes a perfect balance. Given the number of characters, a faster pace could easily have become overwhelming, making it tough to keep track of everyone.
This book is a great pick for anyone with a taste for adventure, especially those who are curious about toxic friendships and dark secrets from the past. Reading it feels a bit claustrophobic, especially with the tension building aboard a boat that ultimately leads to a tragic and unexpected conclusion. It’ll have you questioning everything and trusting no one. I’m a huge fan of this author, particularly since I lived in the Pacific Northwest for four years! I highly recommend picking up this book and diving into Audrey's other works—her storytelling always leaves me wanting more!
Thank you, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A luxury sailing trip turns into a nightmare for Palmer and her friends, who are seeking to reconnect after a traumatic past. Twenty years ago, their friend Courtney went missing during a rafting accident, leaving the group fractured. Now, Palmer, Beth, and Emma join influencer Gigi for an all-expenses-paid cruise. As a mysterious note and a violent storm complicate matters, they face danger when Gigi disappears, mirroring Courtney's fate. With the captain missing and trust issues rising, Palmer must confront the dark truths of their shared history to survive.
This tale unfolds across two timelines, gradually revealing how past events cast a long shadow over the present. The author skillfully builds suspense, revealing just enough information to keep readers on the edge of their seats. I really appreciate this approach because I found myself eager to reach the moment when everything falls into place, yet the full picture doesn’t come together until the very end. Honestly, this book will definitely test your patience!
The backstories for each character are richly crafted, so you’ll find some you can relate to immediately, while others might not connect as much. Each character feels distinct and memorable, and the pacing strikes a perfect balance. Given the number of characters, a faster pace could easily have become overwhelming, making it tough to keep track of everyone.
This book is a great pick for anyone with a taste for adventure, especially those who are curious about toxic friendships and dark secrets from the past. Reading it feels a bit claustrophobic, especially with the tension building aboard a boat that ultimately leads to a tragic and unexpected conclusion. It’ll have you questioning everything and trusting no one. I’m a huge fan of this author, particularly since I lived in the Pacific Northwest for four years! I highly recommend picking up this book and diving into Audrey's other works—her storytelling always leaves me wanting more!
Thank you, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 10, 2025
Rating: 4.5⭐️
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, I loved the dual timelines and it was giving a mix of Mean Girls and And Then There Were None. We follow a group of old friends sailing the pacific when things start to go wrong and the past comes back to haunt them.
Would absolutely recommend!
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, I loved the dual timelines and it was giving a mix of Mean Girls and And Then There Were None. We follow a group of old friends sailing the pacific when things start to go wrong and the past comes back to haunt them.
Would absolutely recommend!
December 4, 2025
Locked room on a boat?! Talk about nightmares. This book cemented why being on a vessel for long periods of time in the sea are terrifying and absolutely NOT for me.
I loved that this novel centered on guilt from a dark past. Everyone had a motive; I wasn’t exactly sure “whodunnit” and I was hooked. The setting added to the tension and was well researched. The alternating timeline helped give the vibes of the ghost of their past and rounded out all the characters nicely. I don’t really want to say too much because this is a good one to go into blind.
Listen-I am convinced that Audrey Cole has magical powers. She continuously pumps out stories that are completely bingeable, entertaining and literally unputdownable at a rapid pace. They are all unique, engaging and freaking wild. I could go on and on-if you haven’t checked out one of her amazing books, do yourself a favor and grab a comfy seat because you aren’t moving!
I loved that this novel centered on guilt from a dark past. Everyone had a motive; I wasn’t exactly sure “whodunnit” and I was hooked. The setting added to the tension and was well researched. The alternating timeline helped give the vibes of the ghost of their past and rounded out all the characters nicely. I don’t really want to say too much because this is a good one to go into blind.
Listen-I am convinced that Audrey Cole has magical powers. She continuously pumps out stories that are completely bingeable, entertaining and literally unputdownable at a rapid pace. They are all unique, engaging and freaking wild. I could go on and on-if you haven’t checked out one of her amazing books, do yourself a favor and grab a comfy seat because you aren’t moving!
December 10, 2025
This dual timeline follows a group of friends in high school and then again 20 years later. In 2005 five friends went on a camping/rafting trip, but only 4 returned. In present day, the group has mostly lost touch, but agree to set sail together in honor of their friend. What should be a relaxing reunion ultimately turns deadly. Is there a murderer on board, and if so, did that same person play a role in their friend’s disappearance?
This is mysterious and full of drama. The single POV keeps the reader wondering what’s going on through the other characters’ minds and who can be trusted. But I often found my attention wandering and losing focus. I found descriptions to be repetitive at times and overall plot unlikely. The ultimate reveals that tie all the loose ends made me a bit sad/disappointed.
Pub Date Jan 06 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
This is mysterious and full of drama. The single POV keeps the reader wondering what’s going on through the other characters’ minds and who can be trusted. But I often found my attention wandering and losing focus. I found descriptions to be repetitive at times and overall plot unlikely. The ultimate reveals that tie all the loose ends made me a bit sad/disappointed.
Pub Date Jan 06 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
August 25, 2025
•Audrey J. Cole’s latest, The Trip, was absolutely incredible. I was left guessing until the very end.
•When five friends go on a camping trip but only four come home, rumors begin to swirl. It seems everyone has a motive to kill Courtney, but the other four girls insist it was a freak accident.
•Fast forward years later, the four friends reunite on a sailing getaway, but once again, things don’t go as planned. Secrets among the friends are revealed and the truth about what happened on that camping trip all those years ago is uncovered.
•I believe everyone should read Audrey J. Cole, and if you haven’t yet, I highly recommend starting with this one. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC. It will become available on January 6, 2026.
•When five friends go on a camping trip but only four come home, rumors begin to swirl. It seems everyone has a motive to kill Courtney, but the other four girls insist it was a freak accident.
•Fast forward years later, the four friends reunite on a sailing getaway, but once again, things don’t go as planned. Secrets among the friends are revealed and the truth about what happened on that camping trip all those years ago is uncovered.
•I believe everyone should read Audrey J. Cole, and if you haven’t yet, I highly recommend starting with this one. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC. It will become available on January 6, 2026.
August 26, 2025
Look I did not realize this thriller doesn’t drop until 2026 — I’m sorry.
I’m also sorry you have to wait because it was SO GOOD.
In a shock that surprises absolutely no one- I enjoyed a thriller about a group of friends getting stuck somewhere with no communication and getting picked off one by one!
This one is special though, it’s set on a boat 🤣
When it drops I’m going to buy a shelf trophy (I never do this with thrillers) because I rated it 5 stars.
Are there plot holes? Probably— I didn’t notice though because I was having too much fun. The deaths are spectacular in this one 🫣
I was able to read this early on NetGalley!
I’m also sorry you have to wait because it was SO GOOD.
In a shock that surprises absolutely no one- I enjoyed a thriller about a group of friends getting stuck somewhere with no communication and getting picked off one by one!
This one is special though, it’s set on a boat 🤣
When it drops I’m going to buy a shelf trophy (I never do this with thrillers) because I rated it 5 stars.
Are there plot holes? Probably— I didn’t notice though because I was having too much fun. The deaths are spectacular in this one 🫣
I was able to read this early on NetGalley!
October 29, 2025
The trip.
Audrey j cole.
Four best friends, fresh out of high school.Take a trip because wanting to stay close.Not everyone makes it home.
Jump ahead.Twenty years later, another trip on a sailboat. i definitely was suspicious of everyone on the boat. someone is out to get revenge.Someone wants to know what happened in the past. was it revenge Is someone getting even. some friends remain friends for life. But some friends, well, they have other plans.
This story goes back and forth between when the girls were eighteen and twenty years later. Such a good story . This is a well written story that I could see as a movie.It's that good. absolutely phenomenal.
Audrey j cole.
Four best friends, fresh out of high school.Take a trip because wanting to stay close.Not everyone makes it home.
Jump ahead.Twenty years later, another trip on a sailboat. i definitely was suspicious of everyone on the boat. someone is out to get revenge.Someone wants to know what happened in the past. was it revenge Is someone getting even. some friends remain friends for life. But some friends, well, they have other plans.
This story goes back and forth between when the girls were eighteen and twenty years later. Such a good story . This is a well written story that I could see as a movie.It's that good. absolutely phenomenal.
September 8, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy of The Trip by Audrey Cole. As a big fan of her Final Hunt series, I was excited to dive into this new story. I enjoyed the dual timeline format, weaving together a past and present trip gone wrong, and how everything ultimately tied together. There were plenty of “who done it” moments that kept me turning the pages, and I appreciated that all questions were wrapped up by the end.
That said, I sometimes struggled to keep track of the many characters and their individual storylines, which made certain parts feel a bit confusing. Overall, though, this was an engaging read and a solid thriller that fans of Cole’s writing will likely enjoy.
That said, I sometimes struggled to keep track of the many characters and their individual storylines, which made certain parts feel a bit confusing. Overall, though, this was an engaging read and a solid thriller that fans of Cole’s writing will likely enjoy.
December 3, 2025
4.5/5
Thank you @audreyjcole @amazonpublishing #partner for the gifted copy of this book!
I always get so excited to dive into an Audrey J. Cole book because they just keep getting better and better! The Trip is one of those twisty fast paced thrillers that does not let up until the very last page.
In this story, we follow a group of women heading out on a sailing trip each of them trying to make sense of their broken pasts and the struggles they’re facing in the present. They’ve been friends since high school forever bonded by a camping trip that ended in a terribly dark night when one girl went missing never to return home. Since that fateful night, their relationships have carried the heavy weight of that night leaving each of them carrying guilt and secrets.
This new sailing trip is supposed to bring them closure and maybe a fresh start for some. But of course this is an Audrey thriller and things don’t go THAT smooth. HAHA. The tension between the women in the isolated sailing setting and the sense that something bad is going to happen kept me flipping through pages at breakneck speed. Truly I could not stop reading. Audrey is so good at creating that sort of suspense where you’re not sure who to trust and everyone feels just a little skeptical. Let me tell you...these women were easy to despise! Thank goodness I’m never been friends with people like this because...they were brutal! This book is mean girls at its finest with jealousy, spite, viciousness and nastiness all put together. Woof.
I loved the complicated friendships and the emotional baggage each woman carried. I also think Audrey did a great job bleeding the past into the present. There were just so many explosive twists that I simply did not see coming.
If you’re looking for a compulsively readable thriller about friendship, secrets, and survival, The Trip absolutely delivers. Audrey J. Cole strikes again!
Thank you @audreyjcole @amazonpublishing #partner for the gifted copy of this book!
I always get so excited to dive into an Audrey J. Cole book because they just keep getting better and better! The Trip is one of those twisty fast paced thrillers that does not let up until the very last page.
In this story, we follow a group of women heading out on a sailing trip each of them trying to make sense of their broken pasts and the struggles they’re facing in the present. They’ve been friends since high school forever bonded by a camping trip that ended in a terribly dark night when one girl went missing never to return home. Since that fateful night, their relationships have carried the heavy weight of that night leaving each of them carrying guilt and secrets.
This new sailing trip is supposed to bring them closure and maybe a fresh start for some. But of course this is an Audrey thriller and things don’t go THAT smooth. HAHA. The tension between the women in the isolated sailing setting and the sense that something bad is going to happen kept me flipping through pages at breakneck speed. Truly I could not stop reading. Audrey is so good at creating that sort of suspense where you’re not sure who to trust and everyone feels just a little skeptical. Let me tell you...these women were easy to despise! Thank goodness I’m never been friends with people like this because...they were brutal! This book is mean girls at its finest with jealousy, spite, viciousness and nastiness all put together. Woof.
I loved the complicated friendships and the emotional baggage each woman carried. I also think Audrey did a great job bleeding the past into the present. There were just so many explosive twists that I simply did not see coming.
If you’re looking for a compulsively readable thriller about friendship, secrets, and survival, The Trip absolutely delivers. Audrey J. Cole strikes again!
November 23, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.
A group of friends went on a rafting trip their senior year of high school, and one never made it back. Now, the survivors are reuniting for a sailing trip in honor of the 20th anniversary of their original trip, and not everyone will make it back this time either.
I loved the atmosphere of this book, with both timelines - the high school trip and the present - feeling equally eerie and ominous. I'm not sure if there is a more unsettling setting for a thriller than the characters being trapped on a sailboat in the middle of a storm.
However, most of this book felt predictable. There wasn't a moment that shocked me or that I didn't see coming. The characters also felt underdeveloped, which made the closed-door mystery/whodunnit also fall flat. The narrator kept saying this group was best friends, but there was nothing that actually showed that. Without these bonds, the reveals didn't feel like the betrayals they were meant to be.
I still enjoyed reading The Trip and the premise of it. The details just don't make this mystery stand out.
A group of friends went on a rafting trip their senior year of high school, and one never made it back. Now, the survivors are reuniting for a sailing trip in honor of the 20th anniversary of their original trip, and not everyone will make it back this time either.
I loved the atmosphere of this book, with both timelines - the high school trip and the present - feeling equally eerie and ominous. I'm not sure if there is a more unsettling setting for a thriller than the characters being trapped on a sailboat in the middle of a storm.
However, most of this book felt predictable. There wasn't a moment that shocked me or that I didn't see coming. The characters also felt underdeveloped, which made the closed-door mystery/whodunnit also fall flat. The narrator kept saying this group was best friends, but there was nothing that actually showed that. Without these bonds, the reveals didn't feel like the betrayals they were meant to be.
I still enjoyed reading The Trip and the premise of it. The details just don't make this mystery stand out.
December 1, 2025
An isolated thriller will always grab my attention, and this one didn’t disappoint. A luxury sailing trip is the setting for this tense story, with four friends reuniting twenty years after a tragedy marked them for life. Dual timelines gave the reader a full perspective of the previous disaster trip and what’s going on currently. This one felt unique and kept me hooked! Recommended for fans of locked door mysteries/old friend drama.
Thank you to the author for the gifted ARC
Thank you to the author for the gifted ARC
August 4, 2025
Palmer and her old schoolmates are reuniting for a sailing trip to commemorate the loss of their friend, Courtney, who never made it home from their rafting trip senior year, twenty years ago. Gigi’s an influencer whose sponsor is paying for the entire trip. Emma is the tomboy who now works in home renovation. Beth is Palmer’s best friend and the newly appointed president of a university. And Palmer is the main character dealing with a failed marriage, and the only one of her friends with kids to come back to.
You know how this goes: the trip goes south almost immediately, and it’s all going to tie back to the event from decades ago. This is a popular type of mystery that I’ve read several of, but this story is one of the best! The author’s writing is addictive; I read this almost all in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down. There are only so many characters that could be responsible for it all, so it’s just a matter of trying to read between the lines and figure out who could be behind everything that goes wrong.
There’s quite a bit about sailing, too, and I know nothing about it, but I appreciated how detailed it was, making the actions of everyone more realistic. These details are often glazed over, but in this story, you can see how much work it is to keep sailing in bad weather, and how someone in charge should know what to do in the situations that occur. And just how a person can go overboard, even with all the precautions in place.
The only thing that niggled at me was the fact that Courtney was a terrible person, and everyone acknowledged that she was, but they still stayed friends with her. You read about these terrible things she did when they were at school, and you don’t feel bad that she disappeared. Am I the only one who had actual friends at school and not frenemies? You wouldn’t think so, according to stories nowadays, but I guess it spices things up. Anyway, it’s a great story and one that everyone should check out!
You know how this goes: the trip goes south almost immediately, and it’s all going to tie back to the event from decades ago. This is a popular type of mystery that I’ve read several of, but this story is one of the best! The author’s writing is addictive; I read this almost all in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down. There are only so many characters that could be responsible for it all, so it’s just a matter of trying to read between the lines and figure out who could be behind everything that goes wrong.
There’s quite a bit about sailing, too, and I know nothing about it, but I appreciated how detailed it was, making the actions of everyone more realistic. These details are often glazed over, but in this story, you can see how much work it is to keep sailing in bad weather, and how someone in charge should know what to do in the situations that occur. And just how a person can go overboard, even with all the precautions in place.
The only thing that niggled at me was the fact that Courtney was a terrible person, and everyone acknowledged that she was, but they still stayed friends with her. You read about these terrible things she did when they were at school, and you don’t feel bad that she disappeared. Am I the only one who had actual friends at school and not frenemies? You wouldn’t think so, according to stories nowadays, but I guess it spices things up. Anyway, it’s a great story and one that everyone should check out!
September 13, 2025
4 stars
Nothing can mess up a person like a frenemy. This is a person who knows you well and can use all of those details about your idiosyncracies and insecurities to terrorize you to the fullest. What makes this frenemy situation worse? High school girls.
For obvious reasons, the terrors one experiences in high school may just shape the flow of rest of their lives, and that issue is at the center of the absolutely wild events of this novel, which takes place among a friend group 20 years ago and in the present day.
Palmer, the m.c., and her four friends have a rather tumultuous relationship in high school, and a lot of their drama is facilitated by Courtney. When the five young women go on a senior trip, only four come back. Courtney never makes it out alive, and the remaining group members are forced to deal with that. As expected, their relationships grow and change over the years, but the remaining four still have some connection: enough to end up on a commemorative trip. As any seasoned thriller reader knows, this trip is likely destined for disaster in more ways than one, but there will also be opportunities for secrets of all kinds to finally be exposed.
I've read several books by this author and appreciate that they are generally engaging and uncomplicated, and that's exactly what I experienced on this trip, too. These characters are all iffy enough to make for a fun thriller, and they all provoke strong feelings. This trip is a nightmare for the travelers and just enough action for the reader: a good time (for some of us)!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Nothing can mess up a person like a frenemy. This is a person who knows you well and can use all of those details about your idiosyncracies and insecurities to terrorize you to the fullest. What makes this frenemy situation worse? High school girls.
For obvious reasons, the terrors one experiences in high school may just shape the flow of rest of their lives, and that issue is at the center of the absolutely wild events of this novel, which takes place among a friend group 20 years ago and in the present day.
Palmer, the m.c., and her four friends have a rather tumultuous relationship in high school, and a lot of their drama is facilitated by Courtney. When the five young women go on a senior trip, only four come back. Courtney never makes it out alive, and the remaining group members are forced to deal with that. As expected, their relationships grow and change over the years, but the remaining four still have some connection: enough to end up on a commemorative trip. As any seasoned thriller reader knows, this trip is likely destined for disaster in more ways than one, but there will also be opportunities for secrets of all kinds to finally be exposed.
I've read several books by this author and appreciate that they are generally engaging and uncomplicated, and that's exactly what I experienced on this trip, too. These characters are all iffy enough to make for a fun thriller, and they all provoke strong feelings. This trip is a nightmare for the travelers and just enough action for the reader: a good time (for some of us)!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
September 2, 2025
This was such a fun read, i devoured it in a matter of days.
The Trip follows 4 friends Palmer, Beth, Gigi and Emma but they were once 5, Courtney has been presumed dead after she was never found from their senior rafting trip. After that event, they were never the same and each went into different professions but all have their own secrets they keep from one another. Not as close as they once were, they reunite on a luxury sailing trip hosted by Gigi who is now an influencer in honour of Courtney but along the way everything goes wrong and you begin to wonder if someone on board is trying to dig up what really happened on that eventful day.
The characters all had different personalities and you begin to understand what sort of person Courtney was and how it affected all the girls as they go into adulthood, i did feel sorry for some of them after what they went through but sometimes i was annoyed that they weren't sticking up for themselves. Each have their own secrets and problems which soon we delve into.
I thought i knew what really happened on that senior trip but each time something new had instead happened and i was shocked and didn't expect what really happened at the end that it caught me off guard. Overall the setting, plot, characters and the past and present timelines kept me engaged. The secrets and twists were well thought out and i really enjoyed this read and would definitely recommend. I look forward to what the author will come out with next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Thomas & Mercer for the copy of this arc in exchange of my full honest review.
5*
The Trip follows 4 friends Palmer, Beth, Gigi and Emma but they were once 5, Courtney has been presumed dead after she was never found from their senior rafting trip. After that event, they were never the same and each went into different professions but all have their own secrets they keep from one another. Not as close as they once were, they reunite on a luxury sailing trip hosted by Gigi who is now an influencer in honour of Courtney but along the way everything goes wrong and you begin to wonder if someone on board is trying to dig up what really happened on that eventful day.
The characters all had different personalities and you begin to understand what sort of person Courtney was and how it affected all the girls as they go into adulthood, i did feel sorry for some of them after what they went through but sometimes i was annoyed that they weren't sticking up for themselves. Each have their own secrets and problems which soon we delve into.
I thought i knew what really happened on that senior trip but each time something new had instead happened and i was shocked and didn't expect what really happened at the end that it caught me off guard. Overall the setting, plot, characters and the past and present timelines kept me engaged. The secrets and twists were well thought out and i really enjoyed this read and would definitely recommend. I look forward to what the author will come out with next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Thomas & Mercer for the copy of this arc in exchange of my full honest review.
5*
December 2, 2025
⛵️ T R A P P E D T U E S D A Y review ⛵️ featuring “The Trip” by Audrey J. Cole!
Twenty years ago, 5 best friends went on a rafting/hiking/wilderness trip during their senior year. Courtney, Emma, Palmer, Beth and Gigi were inseparable best friends, until the trip changed everything for them. One of them did not make it out of the woods … and the truth about what happened that day will haunt them all forever. That and the fact that the body was never found …
Now in present times, the group is getting back together again for a sailing yacht trip to rekindle their relationships and pay respects to their deceased friend. But once the ship reaches open water and a nasty storm approaches, all hell breaks loose aboard! Can these “friends” trust one another and are the secrets from their past back to drown them (literally) for their sins?
💭 This book is totally WILD .. picture Below Deck, but gone to Hell! I have read a couple locked room thrillers lately and love the use of a boat and not being able to escape the depths of open water. With themes of toxic friendships, dark haunting secrets and revenge, this book is full of twists and turns and nasty jabs at one another as the truth begins to hit the surface. There is never a dull moment with this crew and all the tension between them and claustrophobia from the boat will literally make you feel like you are treading water as you read!
Thank you kindly to @audreyjcole @thomasmerceruk @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This book releases on January 6, 2026!
Twenty years ago, 5 best friends went on a rafting/hiking/wilderness trip during their senior year. Courtney, Emma, Palmer, Beth and Gigi were inseparable best friends, until the trip changed everything for them. One of them did not make it out of the woods … and the truth about what happened that day will haunt them all forever. That and the fact that the body was never found …
Now in present times, the group is getting back together again for a sailing yacht trip to rekindle their relationships and pay respects to their deceased friend. But once the ship reaches open water and a nasty storm approaches, all hell breaks loose aboard! Can these “friends” trust one another and are the secrets from their past back to drown them (literally) for their sins?
💭 This book is totally WILD .. picture Below Deck, but gone to Hell! I have read a couple locked room thrillers lately and love the use of a boat and not being able to escape the depths of open water. With themes of toxic friendships, dark haunting secrets and revenge, this book is full of twists and turns and nasty jabs at one another as the truth begins to hit the surface. There is never a dull moment with this crew and all the tension between them and claustrophobia from the boat will literally make you feel like you are treading water as you read!
Thank you kindly to @audreyjcole @thomasmerceruk @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This book releases on January 6, 2026!
Read
December 19, 2025I liked this entertaining mystery that is a combination of locked room and revenge plot. The current adventure has its roots in one twenty years ago. We get an immediate sense there are secrets around the disaster long ago. The narrative alternates, revealing facts from that historical event and then following the current action of the remaining women on a sailboat cruise. People start dying on the boat. Secrets are revealed.
This is an entertaining locked room type of mystery with the added layer of the past death influencing the current events. We can narrow down the murderer to those remaining alive but there was a twist at the end I did not anticipate. The focus of the mystery includes a study in the personalities of the teens then, women now. Ones appearing loyal might be devious. Acts that appeared to be of kindness turn out to be back stabbing. In that sense, the book is more about relationships than a mystery.
Cole plots suspenseful novels and this is another good one. A sailboat, a storm and a murderer make for an exciting novel.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
This is an entertaining locked room type of mystery with the added layer of the past death influencing the current events. We can narrow down the murderer to those remaining alive but there was a twist at the end I did not anticipate. The focus of the mystery includes a study in the personalities of the teens then, women now. Ones appearing loyal might be devious. Acts that appeared to be of kindness turn out to be back stabbing. In that sense, the book is more about relationships than a mystery.
Cole plots suspenseful novels and this is another good one. A sailboat, a storm and a murderer make for an exciting novel.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
October 11, 2025
fter senior year went on a rafting trip and only 4 returned and the body of Courtney was never found. Who killed her? 20 years later and the 4 of them up for a 2 week sailing trip, each of them with their individual struggles and secrets A mysterious note and an awful storm push them off course. The radios down, the captain missing, and the first officers inexperienced. And someone disappears under suspicious circumstances. Someone distant them to make it back but who?
I really enjoyed reading this book and read it so quickly. I was shocked. I was suspicious of every one T one point. There was so many twists making it hard to guess who was behind it all. The storm made it eerily. Also loved the flashbacks to what happened that day in the river 20 years ago
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley, Author Audrey J.Cole and Thomas & Mercer for the ARc in exchange for my honest review
I really enjoyed reading this book and read it so quickly. I was shocked. I was suspicious of every one T one point. There was so many twists making it hard to guess who was behind it all. The storm made it eerily. Also loved the flashbacks to what happened that day in the river 20 years ago
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley, Author Audrey J.Cole and Thomas & Mercer for the ARc in exchange for my honest review
September 13, 2025
The prologue sets up the suspense for the rest of the book-Memorial Day 2005 5 friends go on a camping trip and leave Courtney behind (presumed dead but no body is found). Twenty years later these four women Palmer, Beth, Emma and Gig reunite to embark on a sailing trip from Seattle to San Diego. Told from Palmer's pov with flashbacks from the trip 20 years ago I was quickly turning the pages as the drama unfolded.. What really happened to Courtney, who's the mysterious co-captain, who is "picking off" the people on the sailboat, who to trust? The biggest question I had is why would anyone be friends with someone as despicable as Courtney? Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress for the arc. for an honest review All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 25, 2025
Addictive and binge worthy!
Twenty years ago, Palmer, Beth, Emma, Gigi, and Courtney were inseparable friends. On their Senior trip, a rafting excursion down the Sol duc river in the Olympic National Park goes seriously wrong when Courtney falls out of the raft and is never seen again. The girls who returned are haunted by their decisions, or lack of decision making, to help Courtney. Now, Gigi has another adventure to offer the group. She has been sponsored to take a brand new sail boat from the Seattle area to San Diego and she wants to take her friends with her. Two weeks of sun, sailing and reconnecting. But soon after the set sail, things take a dark turn; a terrible storm hits and the captain goes missing. The girls begin to turn on each other, dredging up the painful memories of the rafting trip. Someone on the boat is a killer. But who? No one can be trusted because all of them have secrets worth killing for.
I love an adventure thriller and this one, told in two timelines, contains two! This was riveting and suspenseful, I loved every word of it!
Thank you Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on January 6, 2026
Twenty years ago, Palmer, Beth, Emma, Gigi, and Courtney were inseparable friends. On their Senior trip, a rafting excursion down the Sol duc river in the Olympic National Park goes seriously wrong when Courtney falls out of the raft and is never seen again. The girls who returned are haunted by their decisions, or lack of decision making, to help Courtney. Now, Gigi has another adventure to offer the group. She has been sponsored to take a brand new sail boat from the Seattle area to San Diego and she wants to take her friends with her. Two weeks of sun, sailing and reconnecting. But soon after the set sail, things take a dark turn; a terrible storm hits and the captain goes missing. The girls begin to turn on each other, dredging up the painful memories of the rafting trip. Someone on the boat is a killer. But who? No one can be trusted because all of them have secrets worth killing for.
I love an adventure thriller and this one, told in two timelines, contains two! This was riveting and suspenseful, I loved every word of it!
Thank you Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on January 6, 2026
November 27, 2025
I am a huge fan of Audrey J. Cole, and at this point she’s an auto-buy author for me. The Trip is a locked-room thriller packed with suspense, secrets, and the kind of tension that grabs you from page one and refuses to let go.
Told through shifting timelines between past and present, this story is relentlessly entertaining—mysterious, heart-pounding, and utterly addictive. I truly couldn’t put it down. At its core, The Trip is about friendships, loyalty, and the dark secrets that bind people together, keepingyou guessing until the very last page.
Audrey once again delivers a knockout thriller. Her writing is so smooth and immersive that I frequently forgot I was reading a book at all; it felt like I was living it right alongside the characters.
Thank you so much to Thomas & Mercer and Audrey J. Cole for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Highly, highly recommend.
Told through shifting timelines between past and present, this story is relentlessly entertaining—mysterious, heart-pounding, and utterly addictive. I truly couldn’t put it down. At its core, The Trip is about friendships, loyalty, and the dark secrets that bind people together, keepingyou guessing until the very last page.
Audrey once again delivers a knockout thriller. Her writing is so smooth and immersive that I frequently forgot I was reading a book at all; it felt like I was living it right alongside the characters.
Thank you so much to Thomas & Mercer and Audrey J. Cole for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Highly, highly recommend.
December 28, 2025
Twenty years ago, five best friends took a senior camping trip, but only four made it back. Now, the group of friends take a luxury sailing trip to commemorate their late best friend's life. But secrets abound on this boat, and no one knows who to trust or who might die next.
This was like Mean Girls on a sailboat! The Trip was a page-turner that had me locked in (😉) from page one. With a dual timeline - one complete with early 2000s vibes - this thriller could be a one-sitting read! I loved the storm scenes on the boat, which was truly a unique setting for a locked-room thriller. It did get slightly over the top and unhinged toward the end, but I was invested.
You already know I'll go wherever Audrey goes, but... maybe I wouldn't follow her on a trip if these particular characters were on it! 😂 I'd fear for my life!
This was like Mean Girls on a sailboat! The Trip was a page-turner that had me locked in (😉) from page one. With a dual timeline - one complete with early 2000s vibes - this thriller could be a one-sitting read! I loved the storm scenes on the boat, which was truly a unique setting for a locked-room thriller. It did get slightly over the top and unhinged toward the end, but I was invested.
You already know I'll go wherever Audrey goes, but... maybe I wouldn't follow her on a trip if these particular characters were on it! 😂 I'd fear for my life!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews