I Would Die for You: A Novel

by Sandie Jones

Now: Nicole Forbes lives a quiet life in a small seaside Californian town with her husband and daughter. She is not expecting a writer to knock on her door asking for her personal insight into the downfall of the biggest British band of the 1980s—unveiling the threads of a life she put behind her years ago. The same day, her daughter goes missing and the school claims her aunt picked her up . . . but she doesn’t have an aunt. Convinced of a link between the two, Nicole is forced to revisit long-abandoned memories from her past to protect everything she now holds dear.

1986: Sixteen-year-old Cassie is obsessed with the hottest band in London, Secret Oktober. Harboring an intense crush on the leading man, Ben Edwards, she will do anything she can to capture his attention among the throngs of groupies at the band’s scandalous backstage parties. But when Ben discovers her older sister Nicole singing at a local bar one night, he can’t help but feel drawn to her, setting in motion a collision course that could tear their family apart.

Infused with the sounds of the 80s, this thrilling new novel from the inimitable Sandie Jones will captivate her readers, as she explores what the frenzy of fandom can lead to in this shocking blockbuster.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Suspense, Historical Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 2024

About the author

Sandie Jones has worked as a freelance journalist for over twenty years, and has written for publications including the Sunday Times, Woman’s Weekly and the Daily Mail. She lives in London with her husband and three children. The Other Woman is her debut novel.

Reviews

[Rachel Hanes · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my fourth read by Sandie Jones, and my least favorite. In fact, I couldn’t wait for this book to finally be over. If I wasn’t reading and reviewing this book for NetGalley, I probably would have put this book in the DNF pile, as it was a complete waste of my time. All the characters were unlikable (and not in a good way), there was absolutely zero substance to this story, and every “twist and turn” was unnecessary and totally not shocking.

This story is mainly about Nicole, who is living a new life in California. We have flashbacks from Nicole’s life in London, 1986 to now in California, 2010. Nicole has a younger sister Cassie, who is a complete whack-job. Cassie is deplorable and delusional, and chases a rock band around town called “Secret Oktober”. How does this famous band change the course of their lives forever? Especially Nicole’s?
Well, if you would like a bunch of eye-rolling moments, then I suggest you read this book and find out!

As I mentioned above, this my least favorite by this author. In fact, I feel like this was written by a totally different author (who kidnapped Sandie Jones? And can we please have her back?!). Maybe others will enjoy this more than I did if you enjoy reading about young groupies, and twists that really don’t go anywhere…

I would still like to thank NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, and the author for an ARC of this book.
Publication date is: March 25, 2025
Genre~ Mystery & Thrillers

[Kaceey · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5🌟
Nicole is living a quiet life with her husband and daughter. Suddenly the peace she so desperately sought is about to come crashing down. A stranger appears at her door, questioning her about a breakup of one of Britain’s biggest bands from the 80’s. But what does that have to do with her? Hmmm… Nicole, I do believe you may be keeping secrets!🤔

But Nicole’s strange day isn’t over yet. Her daughter was picked up from school by her aunt. Odd… her daughter doesn't have an aunt!😱

Meanwhile, we have a completely separate storyline regarding this 80's rock group, and the fans that will stop at nothing to be part of that circle.

Sounds like a lot? It was! I enjoyed the present timeline with Nicole and wish more time was spent on that story line.
But the past was simply a bit too messy for me. And found myself less than enthusiastic to read those chapters.

I’ve been hit or miss with this author and sadly this fell into the latter category. But I’ve read all her books and will continue to do so!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins press

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a whirlwind!
This gripping, fast-paced read will leave you breathless, as though you're racing through a heart-throbbing readathon. It’s the kind of story you devour until your eyes ache and your heart pounds.

I thoroughly enjoyed this twisty mystery with its perfect blend of psychological thriller vibes and deeply flawed, mentally disturbed characters. The story dives into the dark side of celebrity fandom, offering a chilling perspective on groupies and obsessive fans that will make you rethink the nature of idol worship.

The dual timelines are masterfully intertwined, with puzzle pieces falling into place as the story unfolds. While some plot points stretched believability and veered into absurdity (earning a few eye-rolls from me), they didn’t diminish the overall experience.

However, I did have a few gripes. The pacing felt rushed, and the emotions came across as a bit one-dimensional. I struggled to feel the depth of Nicole’s relationships—her supposed devotion to Ben or her connection with her husband, Brad, didn’t quite land for me. The breakneck speed made it feel like I was reading a summary rather than fully immersing myself in the story. The rapid-fire events left little room for character engagement, and the only strong feeling I had was my growing dislike—eventually turning to outright hatred—for Cassie by the end.

Quick Plot Recap:
The story begins in 2011 in Coronado, California, where Nicole Forbes seems to be living an idyllic life with her ex-Army officer husband, Brad, and their nine-year-old daughter, Hannah. That is, until a young writer, Zoe, shows up at Nicole’s door, digging into the downfall of an ‘80s British band, Secret Oktober, and Nicole’s connection to its lead singer, Ben Edwards. The name alone sends Nicole into a panic, and she kicks Zoe out of her house.

But that’s not the worst part of her day. Shortly afterward, Nicole discovers that someone has taken her daughter from school, claiming to be her aunt. Nicole knows Brad doesn’t have a sister, which means Hannah has been kidnapped. But by whom? And why? Could this be tied to her past?

The second timeline takes us to 1986 London, where a younger Nicole works as a bartender and sings at open-mic nights. She’s recently left home, though she feels guilty for abandoning her 16-year-old sister, Cassie, and their cancer-stricken mother under the control of their authoritarian father, John. Cassie, meanwhile, falls in with a dangerous crowd, befriending a thrill-seeking groupie, Amelia, and becoming obsessed with the bad boy of Secret Oktober, Michael.As Amelia's toxic relationship with the group's bad boy Michael grows, Cassie becomes obsessed with Ben Edwards, the lead singer.When Nicole enters the picture and Ben falls for her, things spiral out of control, setting off events that will have devastating consequences.

What happened in 1986 to tear this band apart? Who died? Who’s to blame? And how will these secrets resurface to upend Nicole’s life in the present day? Buckle up, grab your popcorn, and dive into this wild ride!

Final Thoughts:
While I had issues with the rushed pacing and underdeveloped characters, the mystery was undeniably gripping. The twists and turns kept me hooked, and I devoured this book in one sitting. My only other complaint is that the ending felt a bit abrupt.

Still, I’m rounding up my 3.5 stars to a solid 4 for its sheer entertainment value and engaging mystery. This is a page-turner you won’t want to put down!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing a digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

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[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, I Would Die for You, by Sandie Jones, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Nicole is all about saving the seals, until her daughter goes missing. In the 80's Cassie is in to music. This book tells the story about Nicole and Cassie. You never really know who people are, people are so good at hiding their true self. A good read.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Would Die for You is the first Sandie Jones novel I've read, but it won't be the last. I enjoyed the story and the characters, and in the end, it had a super balanced tone between memories and live action. Multiple POVs give the reader cause to question who is really speaking, and you get to play the guessing game of which sibling is the focal point. As the true history of what happened all those years ago come together, you're left with an open-ended choice of which characters to love and which to hate. Readers will easily fall into some traps, which writers love.... thru the trickery of words, changing POV, and playing a bit of a guessing game, you think you understand but then you learn about some of the other situations in the background and it all feels like a house of cards that eventually, like all dramatic moments, come tumbling down. Intrigued by the writing style enough to see if the author recreates that magic in other novels.

[CarolG · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dual timeline book taking place in London England in 1986 and in 2010 in California USA. In London, 16-year-old Cassie is obsessed with the frontman of the biggest pop group of 1986, Secret Oktober. She can’t believe it when she manages to make it into the hotel where the band is staying and Ben actually singles her out to talk to her. In 2010 a young woman appears at Nicole Forbes' door asking Nicole about her part in the downfall of the biggest band in the 1980s. Nicole is floored, especially since no one, not even her husband, knows about that part of her past.

After a few unsatisfactory experiences with books about the world of popular music, what am I doing reading another one?! Fortunately, I'm happy to report that I enjoyed this one more than the others I've read. Maybe it was the fact that the events in the past were mostly from the viewpoint of a 16-year-old superfan and I mostly felt sorry for her until she crossed a line. I'm sure many of us had daydreams about being discovered by a music/movie star and that star falling madly in love with us. Or was it just me?! There are many twists in this little mystery and I found myself quite confused more than once. I think I was expecting the story to go one way and when it didn't, my mind was in a mess. As enjoyable as the book is, it's a little light on character development plus the ending is rather abrupt and leaves many questions unanswered. Still, I'm rounding my 3.5 stars up to 4 because it was easy reading and kept me interested.

TW: Sexual assault, drug use.

This is the first book by Sandie Jones that I've read and I hope to find time to read some of her backlist.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press, via Netgalley, for the invitation to read an advance copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: March 25, 2025

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to most of this one on audiobook but did switch for the last 20% or so because I wanted to finish and see if my hunches were right on how everything came together. The narrator did a great job with the story. The story is told in two timelines and I enjoyed the 1986 timeline much more than the 2010 timeline. The characters didn’t feel fully developed and nothing really made sense to me in the 2010 storyline. (For instance if a child is kidnapped there is more follow up by all of the professionals that this book depicted). Even in the more interesting timeline there was a lot of leaps of faith the reader had to take, but overall it was an entertaining book. Overall I gave this one 3.5 stars which I rounded up because it did grip me enough to finish in one day.

[Constantine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery Thriller

This mystery thriller is told in a nonlinear way in a dual timeline. In California in 2011, we follow Nicole, a married woman with a young daughter. Her daughter goes missing the same day when a writer visits her at home, asking her about a British band from the 1980s. The school informs her that her sister came and took her daughter. Things of the past will have to open up, and Nicole will have to face them.

Then, the past timeline goes to the 1980s, following Nicole’s 16-year-old sister, Cassie. Cassie’s obsession with the lead singer of a British band makes her take some drastic steps just to catch his attention, but when the singer gets drawn to Nicole instead, things get complicated between the sisters.

Nicole’s present timeline is narrated in the first-person style, while the past timeline is narrated in the third style. This was my first time reading a book by the author, and I liked her writing style. The story has many interesting themes, which I enjoy, especially those involving family dynamics. The sibling relationship was quite interesting, too. The narrative concentrates a lot on how past decisions affect your future life.

I usually don’t enjoy love triangles, but surprisingly, the two sisters being in a love triangle did not bother me in this story. I would have given this book a four-star rating if the ending had been stronger. Unfortunately, I feel the ending was somewhat underwhelming and didn’t match the excitement of the buildup. This is a personal opinion; you might think differently if you read the book. Maybe you would like how the story wraps up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.

[Sandra Hoover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I WOULD DIE FOR YOU by Author Sandie Jones is a psychological thriller highlighting what can happen when deadly secrets buried in the past come knocking on your door. It's a story of a woman who's agonized for years with guilt and regrets over an impulsively, life-altering decision that changed the course of lives. It's a story of a woman with ugly secrets and ghosts, constantly looking over her shoulder . . . a woman whose time is up.

In the present, Nicole Forbes enjoys an ordinary life with her husband, Brad, and young daughter, Hannah, until the morning a writer, Zoe, knocks on her door asking questions about her connection to a 1980's British rock band and the tragic, mysterious death of lead singer, Ben Edwards. Unnerved, Nicole refuses to comment but her feeling of impending doom deepens when Hannah doesn't arrive home from school at her normal time. Contacting the school, Nicole's informed Hannah was picked up by her aunt as prearranged . . . except there is no aunt. A search ensues with questions from the police Nicole can't or won't answer, claiming to have no clue as to who would take Hannah. Secretly, her gut tells her it's connected to the mysterious writer who showed up on her doorstep. Who was she? Why show up all these years later? Nicole’s world is imploding . . . is it payback time?

In the past, Nicole makes ends meet working at a bar and singing at open mic nights while caring for her terminally ill mother and trying to keep her rebellious sixteen-year-old sister, Cassie, on a straight path. The young teen is infatuated with a 1980's British band known as Secret Oktober and as she follows them from venue to venue, she becomes obsessed, convincing herself there's a relationship blossoming between her and lead singer Ben Edwards. A friend has an inside source feeding her information about parties and events where the group will be, and the two girls manage to slip in. Typical to the time and bands, loud music, alcohol, drugs and sex are openly indulged. Cassie is out of her league, but she'll do anything to grab Ben's attention. She doesn't yet know Ben has met Nicole and is falling fast for her. When Cassie discovers their secret affair, jealousy and an overwhelming sense of betrayal quickly morphs into uncontrollable rage and a burning need for revenge. When the dust settles, who will be left standing?

I WOULD DIE FOR YOU unfolds in past/present chapters through multiple points of view. The story highlights the complicated relationship of sisters and how they affect family dynamics. Readers also gain insight into the complex lives of boy bands in the 80's, including the jealousy and vindictive backstabbing that tore bands apart along with the measure’s young, besotted groupies would take to connect with their idols. At times, I found these characters hard to like, hard to find empathy for, leaving me with a need for more from them than I received. However, the mystery of what really happened in the past as well as who was behind the escalating events unfolding in the present kept me flipping pages in search of answers. I know some readers will find the ending a bit too open-ended, but I've come to anticipate and appreciate Jones' signature endings where she challenges readers to step onto the scene and "read between the lines" to form their own conclusions.

Jones flawlessly weaves the mystery of a tragic event that shocked the music world in the past with the present-day nightmare of a woman on the brink of having her world destroyed a second time in this riveting mystery. I WOULD DIE FOR YOU is a character-driven thriller with all the right elements for a highly entertaining read. A missing child, a woman whose past comes calling, rock idols, groupies, estranged sisters, obsession, lies, secrets - all entwined in an intriguing mystery that's hard to put down. Highly recommended to fans of suspense thrillers and fans of 80's bands.
Minotaur Books gifted me a complimentary arc for review. Release date is scheduled for March 25, 2025. This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is now available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.

[Shruti morethanmylupus · Rating 1 out of 5]

NetGalley ARC

I am honestly struggling to find a single nice thing to say about this one. Every single person in this story was absurd.

This book was a recipe for nonsense:
- 2 Delulu teens who think their rockstar idols are in love with them, and seem to think that matters more than family or ethics
- 1 Teenager with zero faith in her boyfriend
- 1 Oblivious husband who never noticed that his wife has been dying her hair for years (!) - does his wife not have roots she has to dye? c'mon.
- 1 Overbearing father
- 1 Enabling mother
- 1 Poor child who through no fault of her own was apparently never taught not to talk to strangers for her entire 8 or so years
- 1 Police force who bought a poorly staged crime scene
- An entire cast of characters who may well be compulsive liars
- Random occurrences of things being in American measurements instead of British, which, I'll admit, is mostly just a pet peeve of mine

I was bored out of my mind. Nothing in this story made sense, the POV transitions were confusing because everyone sounds the same, and every single twist beggard belief to the point that I was starting to worry I'd sprain my eyeballs with all the rolling they were doing. This is my third Sandie Jones book. I didn't like the other 2 that I read any more than this one, and I think it's time I admit that Sandie Jones' books are simply not for me.

Often times the audiobook narration helps lift a book like this for me, but it wasn't enough here and the accent switching just didn't work for me.

A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for sending me over this ARC.

This is the first book I’ve read by Sandie Jones, and I thoroughly enjoyed many aspects of it. From the very beginning, I was captivated by the story. I appreciated the plot, the characters, the gradual buildup, and how each secret unfolds.

The writing flowed well; however, I found the abrupt ending to be somewhat unsatisfying. It felt a bit ambiguous and left a small cliffhanger. I would rate this book a 3.5, but I’m rounding up, as overall it was a pleasant reading experience that I truly enjoyed. ✨

As always, all thoughts are my own. 🖤

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The present, the past, a British band, and siblings all take center stage in I Would Die for You. Sometimes taking a walk down memory lane isn't as enjoyable as one might think. In the beginning of the book, Nicole Forbes has been asked about a British Band she had ties to in her past. Adding to that shocker, she learns that her daughter has been picked up at school by her aunt - an aunt she doesn't have!

The synopsis sucked me in, and I thought I would love this book. It had all the right elements - a missing child, a blast from the past, secrets, obsession, lies, and sisters. While enjoyable, this one failed to completely wow me. I did enjoy the look at groupies, obsession, the two timelines, and how actions have long lasting consequences. This book has drama galore mixed with nice amounts of twists, turns and tension. My big issue is with the characters and my lack of connection from them.

I had both the book and the audiobook. I thought the audiobook was very well done.

Thank you to Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Sandie Jones' books, they usually keep my attention without taxing my brain too much. I enjoyed this one, but not as much as some others I have read by her.

Description:
Now: Nicole Forbes lives a quiet life in a small seaside Californian town with her husband and daughter. She is not expecting a writer to knock on her door asking for her personal insight into the downfall of the biggest British band of the 1980s—unveiling the threads of a life she put behind her years ago. The same day, her daughter goes missing and the school claims her aunt picked her up . . . but she doesn’t have an aunt. Convinced of a link between the two, Nicole is forced to revisit long-abandoned memories from her past to protect everything she now holds dear.

1986: Sixteen-year-old Cassie is obsessed with the hottest band in London, Secret Oktober. Harboring an intense crush on the leading man, Ben Edwards, she will do anything she can to capture his attention among the throngs of groupies at the band’s scandalous backstage parties. But when Ben discovers her older sister Nicole singing at a local bar one night, he can’t help but feel drawn to her, setting in motion a collision course that could tear their family apart.

My Thoughts:
The story is told in two timelines, now and 1986. Secrets that have been hidden seem to come back to haunt us, and that is what is happening here. I was fascinated by the story of the band and all that happened with it, but the fangirl stuff with Cassie and her friend got a little tedious. The band's debauchery was over the top. The missing daughter was a mystery and was scary. Any time a child goes missing, terror strikes for the family. This was a good mystery and I think most would enjoy it.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.

[Delaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately this one felt disjointed for me for the majority of the book. And while I am all for being unsure and on the edge of my seat during a thrilling read…this one took it a bit too far for me in feeling more confusing than anything. The time jumps and various POVs were a lot, and I don’t feel we really got any sort of full explanation. The ending was very abrupt, without a clear conclusion.

Overall, I would not discourage the read if you’re a fan of the author or the sound of the synopsis. But it isn’t one I’ll add to my list of regular recs.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

[megs_bookrack · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.5-stars**

I Would Die for You is a story told via two timelines: 1986-London and 2011-California. We get Nicole Forbes perspective in 2011, and her younger sister, Cassie's, perspective in 1986, when Cassie was just 16-years old.

This novel also features one of my favorite things: musicians. I've been so excited for this story as it revolves around a super popular, yet fictional, band from the 1980s.

In fact, the 1986 timeline definitely stole the show for me. There's something about the vibes of the 1980s music scene in London that I just find so compelling. And I did feel like this captured the fan-side of that moment really well.



I did enjoy the back and forth throughout the story, learning more about the sisters, and trying to figure out what happened between them. Closer to the end, however, the timelines started to feel less distinct, and I honestly had to relisten to the last 1/2-hour of this audiobook 3x.

It did have me invested though. This was a 4-star read for me right up until the very last bit. Seriously, the last few paragraphs, I was like, that's it!?

I never mind an open-ended story, one that leaves a bit up to the Reader's imagination, but this wasn't like an 'evil grin on your face' last moment twist, it was more a, 'you're seriously going to end it right there', kind of thing.



Nevertheless, I still found this an overall entertaining story about sisters and all the twisted drama involved in their relationship.

Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I have a lot of fun with Sandie Jones stories, and will happily continue picking up all her new releases!!

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one hot mess. I have seldom met a cast of characters I liked less than this one. From the first few pages the angst literally dripped off the pages and I didn't like Nicole almost from the moment I met her. Her reaction when her past has finally found her out is unbelievable. I enjoyed the audio by Imogen Wilde, but even her excellent narration couldn't overcome the whiplash I got from the dueling timelines and POVs. Following everything on audio was a problem for me.

Nicole is living a normal, suburban lifestyle with an adoring husband, Brad, and eight-year-old daughter, Hannah, when a knock on her door changes her life and drags her into a past she had long ago shut the door on. While still reeling from the appearance of Zoe, a free-lancer doing a story on the tragic British boy band from the 80's, “Secret Oktober”, Nicole finds out her daughter has been taken from her school by a stranger claiming to be her aunt.

From there the story travels back in time to the 80's and the part Nicole, her sister, Cassie, the boys from the band, Michael and Ben, and the other groupies and hangers on had in the tragic downfall of the group and what really happened.
3 1/2-Stars

My thanks to the Publisher and the Author for providing a complimentary audio Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

[Marina Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good read, it was really full of suspense. BUT that ending? That was a dirty ending 😤 I needed more than just that and now I’m left on a cliffhanger 🤣

[Dona's Books · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finished Reading
DNF @ p116

Pre-Read notes

I was offered a widget of this ARC and don't have any expectations for it. The only thing I know about it is that it's a thriller about a girl who goes missing. Expecting a fun read!

Final Review

Review summary and recommendations

I really wanted to like this one, but it started out labored and it just got worse from there. Once the author added a far-fetched and sensationalized depiction of mental illness, I was out.

Writers in general need to learn how to write about characters with all kinds of disabilities, including mental illness.

Reading Notes

Four things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. Sure, he always volunteers to lend a hand when there’s trouble or when there’s something practical that needs doing; he’s spent many a weekend taking our eight-year-old daughter, Hannah, down to the beach at dusk to tidy up after inconsiderate day-trippers and nosey tourists have left the life-threatening remnants of their picnics for the seals to navigate. p6 The author's syntax is needlessly complicated in many places. This sentence is 67 words long, but it only needs like ten of them.

2. I'm 30 pages in and I can't tell if this book is adult fiction or YA. Maybe NA?

3. The plot has so many problems. Plus, every character behaves in an unnatural way so it's impossible to trust any of their perspectives.

4. And a not-great depiction of mental illness. Sorry everyone, but it's a DNF for me!

Rating: DNF @ p116
Recommend? no
Finished: Mar 15 '25
Format: accessible digital arc, NetGalley

Thank you to the author Sandie Jones, publishers Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of I WOULD DIE FOR YOU. All views are mine.
---------------

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve read all of the authors books and this was by far my least favorite. I should’ve DNF it but I kept thinking it would get better and if anything it got worse. It actually seemed like a completely different author, even the style was a huge departure and the lack of character development as well as the lack of tension and excitement left me beyond underwhelmed. ​There was nothing thrilling or surprising here and the ending was a letdown too so overall a huge miss for me.

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Would Die for You by Sandie Jones
Thriller. Dual time line past (late 1980’s) present (2011).
2011 - Nicole Forbes lives an unassuming life in Coronado, CA with her daughter and husband. Unexpectedly a woman knocks on the door and asks Nicole for an interview about her knowledge of the famous boy band and the death of one of the members in 1986. Nicole is shocked. She doesn’t talk to anyone about her past and refuses to answer any questions. Later that day, her daughter doesn’t get off the bus as usual. An “aunt” has picked up her up and there is a record at the school that it was prearranged a week prior. There isn’t such a relative.
1986 - Secret Oktober has exploded onto the music scene and fans are obsessed with the band and trying to get access to the outrageous backstage parties filled with liquor, drugs and sex. Thousands of young women are obsessed with the band, following them everywhere. Sixteen year old Cassie hooks up with another girl that seems to know where the band will be next and get them in the doors.

From each time jump, there is a little more revealed of the famous men, the fans, and consequences of obsession.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook and audiobook which is narrated by Imogene Wilde. The performance is chilling and will keep you on the edge. The tempo is smooth as the twists keep coming and the emotions of sorrow, and horror can’t be denied.
I always try to read and listen at the same time. It allows me to catch the nuisances I may have otherwise missed. Both formats here are equally explosive.
I listened between 1.5 and 1.75 with 1.5 being the preferred to match my reading and conversation speed.

Utterly absorbing as the twists keeps me reassessing both what actually happened and what that means in the current timeline. The overindulgence of the 80’s? Fame? Innocence and manipulation mixed with delusion?

Incredible suspense and thrills.
Not sure I loved the ending.

I was gifted a copy from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan Audio

[Julie (JuJu) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve always loved dual timelines and enjoyed several of this author’s previous books, so I was looking forward to diving into this one!

"I Would Die for You" twists together the present day with the exciting rockstar scene of the 1980s, and I have to say, the 80s sections were my absolute favorite! They brought so much fun and upbeat energy to the story. In contrast, the current day focuses on Nicole, who has a lot on her plate—her daughter is missing, her mother is dying, and she’s trying hard to keep some old secrets hidden. It definitely adds a darker tone to the story. I enjoyed some of the characters and their development, but I found the pacing a bit slower than I enjoy.

I was lucky to get early copies of the audiobook and ebook from Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio. Following along with the ebook while listening to the audiobook is a great experience! The narrator brought the story to life in such an amazing way, making it a fantastic journey. If you’re considering how to enjoy this book, I’d highly suggest the audiobook; it kept me engaged.

The plot is good, but I wanted more excitement to hook me. It’s receiving many positive reviews, so feel free to take my opinion with a grain of salt!

All opinions are my own and left voluntarily.

[Monica Hills · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars-"I Would Die for You," takes fan obsession to a whole new level. In 1986, Cassie becomes obsessed with a band called "Secret Oktober." She falls head over heels for one of the singers. Her sister Nicole is an aspiring singer and also forms a tie to the same band. Both of them are also dealing with the fact that their mother is dying. Fast forward to 2010, Nicole has completely changed her identity, moved to another country, and is lying about her past to her husband and daughter. Something tragic happened in 1986 and as the book alternates between the two time periods, the reader learns just how far sisters will go to right wrongs.

This was definitely a thriller that kept me guessing until the very end of the book. It was dark, twisty, and one of the characters can only be described as evil. The writing was good and each chapter left me on a cliff hanger. I'm rating it down a half star simply because I wanted more out of Nicole and that ending was not enough.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Lisa Leone-campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Would Die for You is a twisted psychological drama told in both the past and present. But what will really draw you in to the story are the secrets. And there are so many! The anticipation in this thriller is palpable from the first page and the ending astonishing!

It's 2011, Nicole Forbes is living a great life in California trying to not only save the seals but is happily married with a young daughter. Although she is a transplant from London, England, she has lived in the states for many years. Her life is perfect.

Until a woman shows up at her door who seems to know her from her past. A past she has intentionally kept hidden from everybody. Rattled, Nicole still does not want to believe someone knows what happened back in London all those years ago but when her young daughter goes missing and she tells her mother when they discover her, she was taken by her aunt, Nicole's sister, she becomes fearful because Nicole has no sister.

As her family starts to spiral Nicole must now decide exactly what she should expose to her husband. Her first instinct is to still continue to lie. But things begin to go from bad to worse when he starts to turn on her. As her fear for her daughter grows and as we see her life in flashbacks from her days in London, we begin to have the realization that something very bad happened in her family all those years ago.

It all began in 1986 when we discover Nicole had a sister named Cassie who was 16 and became obsessed with an upcoming rock band called Secret October. Her sister became infatuated with Ben Edwards the lead singer. But unfortunately, Cassie begins to make very bad decisions and heads down a terrible path. This begins the destruction, and dark secrets which pulls them apart. But what was it that happened?

Who is this woman? What does she want with her family and why now. Nicole knows one thing and that is she is here to destroy her life.  She needs to understand what is going on and why before her life as she knows it shatters. Her daughter is her life and heart. She will never let anything happen to her.

I Would Die for You will be the obsessive beach read you will need this summer. The story leaves the reader craving the satisfaction of being in on the secrets. And then when all is revealed well, the ending is to die for.

Thank you #NetGalley #MinotourPress #SandieJones #IWouldDieforYou for the advanced copy.

[RoosBookReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first Sandie Jones novel and, while it was entertaining, I also found it a bit over the top.
Somehow two sisters find themselves entangled with the same pop superstar. Despite the fact that the band is "the next Beatles" and have a wide enough fan base to stop traffic, have basically no security and Cassie is able to get right up next to them and into several secret parties with no problems. Also, her best friend later becomes pregnant with a popstar's baby and has a secret recording that could make her a lot of money, but never tells the media this despite the fact that she could make a ton of money that she needed?
I think the novel would have worked better had the male been just some random guy that Cassie had fixated on: grocery store cashier would have been perfect and easy. The game aspect of this blows everything into wild proportions that are fairly unbelievable. Great narration and a wild ride, just hold your disbelief.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author Sandie Jones, and Macmillan audio for my advance copy of this audiobook.

[MissBecka Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was extremely captivating!
Dual timeline, intrigue abundant and a very compelling story.
I was all in on this from the very start!
Much love to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for my ARC.

[Kristy what_is_kristy_reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t a poorly written book, but it wasn’t my cup of tea. I appreciated the twists and turns. But, I wasn’t a fan of the switch in voice (1st person and 3rd person omniscient), and I am not a fan of VERY unlikeable characters. I disliked SO many of the characters - honestly all of them were unlikeable. The delusional, unhinged teenagers obsessed with pop stars in the 1980s and ruining peoples’ lives….. UGH. The pop stars who flirt unabashedly and then expect a regular girl to assume the best of them?….. UGH. The supposedly solid married couple who can’t tell each other the truth AT ALL….. UGH. I was close to DNFing it, but I NEEDED to know the secrets. I was a little disappointed that nothing was jaw droppingly shocking. Everything was foreshadowed or hinted at pretty well so when the reveal came it was like, “Yup, that makes sense.”

[taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m really torn on my feelings for this book. The beginning took me a really long time to get into, I feel like it just throws you into random perspectives and times and I had barely any idea what the book was even about. Then it got super interesting around 40% and I was addicted to it!!! The story really picked up and everything was starting to click and I literally could not put it down. Unfortunately the ending was soooo rushed I could barely keep track of what was happening. The last couple chapters didn’t really explain anything and the last page just made me kind of mad lol. I think if most (or even all) of the story was set in the past timeline this would have worked better for me but all the different things going on made it hard to follow. Still an interesting concept and a fun read though! Thank you netgalley for the early copy:)

[Monique · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book before its released date: but this was so underwhelming. I’m truly disappointed in this book. I wanted to DNF about 80% in, but was like finish it so your review will be honest. This was a really bad novel.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Would Die For You by Sandie Jones is an entertaining thriller. I enjoyed the dual timelines of California in 2011 and London in the 1980s. The whole teenage girl obsessed with a boy band aspect and the dynamics between a famous person and someone who’s infatuated was very interesting. The audiobook narrated by Imogen Wilde was well done. I was intrigued the whole way through to find out exactly what happened between Nicole, Ben and Cassie. The beginning was very enticing to find out what the secrets are. This is my third book by this author and I’m curious to read her next book too!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio via NetGalley for my ALC!

[Tiffany aka Chai Tea And Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a twisty tale told in two timelines. It was a quick read because I was trying to follow the threads. I still have a pit in my stomach after finishing because holy moley does the psychosis happening in this story terrify me. There were definitely some bits that didn’t fully add up for me, but it was definitely a page turner.

Nicole started over in California after leaving England behind. She got married and had a daughter. Now there’s a reporter on her step asking questions about the life she thought she had buried. The one her husband has no clue about. The one that is going to be revealed when her daughter goes missing.