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The Trade Off
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Reese's Book Club Pick The Other Woman comes The Trade Off , an electrifying new novel of suspense that begs the Would you tell a story, if you knew it was a lie? Or tell the truth and sleep at night?
For Stella, deputy editor of The Globe , the choice has always been clear. It doesn’t matter how low she has to stoop―getting the best story is what she’s built her reputation on.
For Jess, The Globe ’s rookie reporter, the story stops when the truth does. But she knows that the dirty tricks of the tabloids will be hard to overturn.
And when a celebrity is hounded by The Globe and pays the ultimate price, Jess wonders just how much Stella and the paper are responsible.
Determined to show the world what the tabloid is capable of, Jess will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth, but she needs to watch her back, because someone else is prepared to kill to bury it.
RISK or REWARD. JUSTICE or REVENGE. INNOCENCE or GUILT.
For Stella, deputy editor of The Globe , the choice has always been clear. It doesn’t matter how low she has to stoop―getting the best story is what she’s built her reputation on.
For Jess, The Globe ’s rookie reporter, the story stops when the truth does. But she knows that the dirty tricks of the tabloids will be hard to overturn.
And when a celebrity is hounded by The Globe and pays the ultimate price, Jess wonders just how much Stella and the paper are responsible.
Determined to show the world what the tabloid is capable of, Jess will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth, but she needs to watch her back, because someone else is prepared to kill to bury it.
RISK or REWARD. JUSTICE or REVENGE. INNOCENCE or GUILT.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 2023
184 people are currently reading
26162 people want to read
About the author
Sandie Jones
18 books3,328 followersSandie 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 620 reviews
February 18, 2024
I loved the news angle, tossing up questions about ethics while also being entertaining, suspense mounting slowly. I also liked the main characters, with consistent personalities who had their attitudes tested.
April 5, 2023
How far would you go to get the story you want to publish, even if it doesn't reflect the whole truth? Welcome to the merciless, competitive, dog-eat-dog universe of tabloid journalism! This is a realistic workplace thriller that questions ethics, crosses lines, threatens the private lives of celebrities, fabricates stories, and explores the several faces of truth.
Stella is a 40-year-old, thick-skinned, ambitious deputy editor of the Globe, whose eyes are on the prize. She aims to climb to the top by stooping lower and publishing the most scandalous stories that could earn her more success, even at the expense of ruining people's reputations.
Jess, on the other hand, is a 25-year-old rookie reporter who left her local newspaper to work at the Globe. However, she soon realizes that the dirty tricks of tabloid journalism are unethical and wonders if she's in the wrong place.
The book starts off slow and doesn't pick up until the second half, where we learn more about our two POV characters, Jess and Stella, and their differing perspectives on journalism. We also get to know about their personal lives until one of the celebrities pays the ultimate price when a story they publish ruins her entire life. She commits suicide, and Jess realizes that she has to do something to stop the people at the newspaper before they destroy more victims' lives, even if it means risking her own life.
The second half of the book is definitely more interesting, with a faster pace, more mystery, twists, backstabbing moves, and intrigues.
Overall, this book takes a realistic approach to tabloid journalism, reflecting its ugly face and emphasizing how compelling it is to survive in this industry. You have two choices: become the hunter or the prey.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sharing this well-written corporate thriller's ARC copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
Stella is a 40-year-old, thick-skinned, ambitious deputy editor of the Globe, whose eyes are on the prize. She aims to climb to the top by stooping lower and publishing the most scandalous stories that could earn her more success, even at the expense of ruining people's reputations.
Jess, on the other hand, is a 25-year-old rookie reporter who left her local newspaper to work at the Globe. However, she soon realizes that the dirty tricks of tabloid journalism are unethical and wonders if she's in the wrong place.
The book starts off slow and doesn't pick up until the second half, where we learn more about our two POV characters, Jess and Stella, and their differing perspectives on journalism. We also get to know about their personal lives until one of the celebrities pays the ultimate price when a story they publish ruins her entire life. She commits suicide, and Jess realizes that she has to do something to stop the people at the newspaper before they destroy more victims' lives, even if it means risking her own life.
The second half of the book is definitely more interesting, with a faster pace, more mystery, twists, backstabbing moves, and intrigues.
Overall, this book takes a realistic approach to tabloid journalism, reflecting its ugly face and emphasizing how compelling it is to survive in this industry. You have two choices: become the hunter or the prey.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sharing this well-written corporate thriller's ARC copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
August 9, 2023
How far will one go to have a hot story? What tactics would one use to get the "story" before anyone else does? What if that story is a lie?
This book explores the ugly side of the tabloid press utilizing two journalists. Stella is a seasoned journalist who will do whatever she needs to do to come out on top. Jess is a new journalist who questions the ethics of reporting and believes in telling the truth.
When a celebrity pays the ultimate price after being hounded, Jess is determined to uncover the truth....
This book was slow, and I struggle with slower paced books. It does pick up but never fully won me over. I didn't care enough about any of the characters and found myself being bored at times.
I had both the book and the audiobook and mainly listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration. It is a shame that the narration could not win me over. Too slow for me, but I did appreciate how the author showed the ugly side of tabloid journalist and the tactics utilized to hound celebrities to break the news first.
I have enjoyed other books by Sandie Jones and was shocked that this one didn't work for me. We can't love them all. As I have enjoyed her previous books, I will happily read what she writes next. Others have enjoyed this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well.
Although this book did not work for me, It was well written and I enjoyed that she showed the perspective of both Jess and Stella.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books 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
This book explores the ugly side of the tabloid press utilizing two journalists. Stella is a seasoned journalist who will do whatever she needs to do to come out on top. Jess is a new journalist who questions the ethics of reporting and believes in telling the truth.
When a celebrity pays the ultimate price after being hounded, Jess is determined to uncover the truth....
This book was slow, and I struggle with slower paced books. It does pick up but never fully won me over. I didn't care enough about any of the characters and found myself being bored at times.
I had both the book and the audiobook and mainly listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration. It is a shame that the narration could not win me over. Too slow for me, but I did appreciate how the author showed the ugly side of tabloid journalist and the tactics utilized to hound celebrities to break the news first.
I have enjoyed other books by Sandie Jones and was shocked that this one didn't work for me. We can't love them all. As I have enjoyed her previous books, I will happily read what she writes next. Others have enjoyed this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well.
Although this book did not work for me, It was well written and I enjoyed that she showed the perspective of both Jess and Stella.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books 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
August 16, 2023
The tabloid setting of this new release from Sandie Jones made me want to take shower. Why four stars? Here are four reasons:
🌟 Jess, the new hire, and her boss, Stella, show the two sides if a slippery slope. Is it too late for Stella?
🌟 There is quite a cat and mouse game going on in many ways. But the identities of our players flip and change.
🌟 Girl power
🌟 The examination of what makes a story news. How many stories we see in real life have been engineered by "journalists" to get the eyes and the clicks and ultimately the $$$?
This one definitely made me think about how I as a consumer could be contributing to the problem. Very well done on audio.
Happy pub week!
🌟 Jess, the new hire, and her boss, Stella, show the two sides if a slippery slope. Is it too late for Stella?
🌟 There is quite a cat and mouse game going on in many ways. But the identities of our players flip and change.
🌟 Girl power
🌟 The examination of what makes a story news. How many stories we see in real life have been engineered by "journalists" to get the eyes and the clicks and ultimately the $$$?
This one definitely made me think about how I as a consumer could be contributing to the problem. Very well done on audio.
Happy pub week!
August 16, 2023
3⭐
Publication date ~ August 15, 2023
Page Count ~ 300
Audio length ~ 9 hours 56 minutes
Narrators ~ Nathalie Buscombe, Sofia Engstrand
POV ~ single 1st & 3rd
Featuring ~ tabloid reporters, suicide, se*ual assault, #metoo
Stella is a seasoned powerhouse of a reporter for The Globe and Jess is the rookie who wants to make a difference. They both have very different ways they go about their jobs.
I've been a reader of Sandie's for years and this one is coming in as my least favorite. It just didn't grab me at all and my ears were a drifting. I don't know if it was the slow pace or the plot, but I just wasn't feeling it. I didn't like how that poor lady was pushed to take her own life, however I do feel like this is something that probably happens more often than we realize, which gives it a realistic feel. Happy the chapters were short. The cover is vibrant.
I was lucky enough to have a kindle and an audio copy. I mostly listened, but either was as fine as it could be.
Narration notes:
I thought they both did a good job. They expressed proper emotion when necessary.
*Thanks to the author, St Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC and audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Publication date ~ August 15, 2023
Page Count ~ 300
Audio length ~ 9 hours 56 minutes
Narrators ~ Nathalie Buscombe, Sofia Engstrand
POV ~ single 1st & 3rd
Featuring ~ tabloid reporters, suicide, se*ual assault, #metoo
Stella is a seasoned powerhouse of a reporter for The Globe and Jess is the rookie who wants to make a difference. They both have very different ways they go about their jobs.
I've been a reader of Sandie's for years and this one is coming in as my least favorite. It just didn't grab me at all and my ears were a drifting. I don't know if it was the slow pace or the plot, but I just wasn't feeling it. I didn't like how that poor lady was pushed to take her own life, however I do feel like this is something that probably happens more often than we realize, which gives it a realistic feel. Happy the chapters were short. The cover is vibrant.
I was lucky enough to have a kindle and an audio copy. I mostly listened, but either was as fine as it could be.
Narration notes:
I thought they both did a good job. They expressed proper emotion when necessary.
*Thanks to the author, St Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC and audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
August 22, 2023
Pacing was too slow for my taste.
I wasn't able to immerse myself in the story and I didn't care about any of the characters.
Overall not for me.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Sandie Jones, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
I wasn't able to immerse myself in the story and I didn't care about any of the characters.
Overall not for me.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Sandie Jones, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
September 1, 2023
I think the thing I love best about Sandie Jones books is that they are never what I am expecting and especially with a thriller that is so refreshing. I wasn’t sure about this one when I started but the story quickly sucked me in and I read the whole thing in one evening because I just needed to know what would happen next. This look at tabloid reporters and their seedy business was a horrifying but thrilling ride. Jess is a green reporter with big dreams and a good sense of morals. Stella, her boss, is hardened and willing to do whatever it takes to get the story. As Jess sees how tabloid journalism really works she will be forced to decide what decisions she can live with in this dirty and sordid business.
April 17, 2023
This one took me a looooonnngggg time to finish because I couldn’t get invested. The first half of the book is very uneventful and spends way too much time establishing the characters, who aren’t very likable. I don’t consider this to be a “thriller” it’s definitely more of a dramatic fiction story. A very superficial, exaggerated world that doesn’t really hook you. The last bit of the book was more interesting, but by that point I just wanted to be done reading it.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC.
August 13, 2023
Review coming soon.
July 21, 2023
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: August 15, 2023
How far would you go to break the story first? Would you compromise who you are? Would you be ableto sleep at night if you spent your days manipulating, lying and cheating to keep your spot at the top?Stella is the deputy editor of The Globe, U. K’s tabloid-style newspaper, with big dreams of becoming lead editor. To do that, Stella has never been afraid to pull punches, to dig deep, to compromise her standards and her morals to be the first one to tell the story. But then first-time journalist Jess gets hired at The Globe, reporting directly to Stella, and Jess wants to tell the truth and make a difference in the media world. Although both Jess and Stella clash in every way, when a big story breaks they must work together to make sure that the truth gets told, and the real voices get heard.
I am a fan of Sandie Jones, having first being introduced to her through her debut novel, “The Other Woman”. I love her unique style and her addictive plots, and “The Trade Off” completely fits in to this mold. “Trade Off” not only delves deep in the dark and disturbing side of journalism and media reporting but it also touches on the modern and relevant #metoo movement.
Stella has the powerhouse boss vibe that Miranda Priestley carries in “The Devil Wears Prada”, and she is every bit as likable and unlikable as the fashion maven. It isn’t until she finds herself in a vulnerable situation that she completely changes her attitude and begins to team up with Jess in order to help overtake the medial mogul behind their magazine. Jess is charming, albeit naïve and inexperienced, but I immediately bonded with her and wanted to see her succeed and take the journalism world by storm.
As is typical with novels of this genre, there was a twist at the end, but it wasn’t completely unexpected. That being said, the novel ended exactly as I wanted it to, and I was completely satisfied with the outcome. “The Trade Off” is thought-provoking and modern, and its uncompromisingly honest plot will leave an indelible mark. Jones has delivered once again!
Expected publication date: August 15, 2023
How far would you go to break the story first? Would you compromise who you are? Would you be ableto sleep at night if you spent your days manipulating, lying and cheating to keep your spot at the top?Stella is the deputy editor of The Globe, U. K’s tabloid-style newspaper, with big dreams of becoming lead editor. To do that, Stella has never been afraid to pull punches, to dig deep, to compromise her standards and her morals to be the first one to tell the story. But then first-time journalist Jess gets hired at The Globe, reporting directly to Stella, and Jess wants to tell the truth and make a difference in the media world. Although both Jess and Stella clash in every way, when a big story breaks they must work together to make sure that the truth gets told, and the real voices get heard.
I am a fan of Sandie Jones, having first being introduced to her through her debut novel, “The Other Woman”. I love her unique style and her addictive plots, and “The Trade Off” completely fits in to this mold. “Trade Off” not only delves deep in the dark and disturbing side of journalism and media reporting but it also touches on the modern and relevant #metoo movement.
Stella has the powerhouse boss vibe that Miranda Priestley carries in “The Devil Wears Prada”, and she is every bit as likable and unlikable as the fashion maven. It isn’t until she finds herself in a vulnerable situation that she completely changes her attitude and begins to team up with Jess in order to help overtake the medial mogul behind their magazine. Jess is charming, albeit naïve and inexperienced, but I immediately bonded with her and wanted to see her succeed and take the journalism world by storm.
As is typical with novels of this genre, there was a twist at the end, but it wasn’t completely unexpected. That being said, the novel ended exactly as I wanted it to, and I was completely satisfied with the outcome. “The Trade Off” is thought-provoking and modern, and its uncompromisingly honest plot will leave an indelible mark. Jones has delivered once again!
August 3, 2023
•What To Expect•
British Tabloid
New reporter
Not as it seems
•Rating•
⭐⭐⭐ 3 stars
Not for me, but maybe for you.
•Similar Recommended Reads•
Miracle Creek
Stone Cold Fox
An Anonymous Girl
British Tabloid
New reporter
Not as it seems
•Rating•
⭐⭐⭐ 3 stars
Not for me, but maybe for you.
•Similar Recommended Reads•
Miracle Creek
Stone Cold Fox
An Anonymous Girl
July 19, 2023
Sandie Jones prior books have been hit or miss for me and I was unsure about The Trade Off given some early reviews, however, I was pleasantly surprised. I loved this take on the harm the media can do and how it ties into the #MeToo movement. I always enjoy a dual perspective book took. I would say this is more of fiction with some light suspense than a thriller - so be sure to temper your expectations accordingly!
Thank you to St. Martins Press for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to St. Martins Press for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
August 26, 2023
The Trade Off is another outstanding thriller by Sandie Jones author of The Other Woman, a Reese’s Book Club pick. It’s intriguing plot and in-depth portrayal of the cutthroat goings on at a tabloid newspaper, something Jones herself is very familiar with will shock the reader. Along with characters you will love/hate and a story which will both infuriate and surprise, The Trade Off is a must read.
Jess finally gets her big break as a reporter for The Globe, a tabloid paper. She is both nervous and excited. She wants to make a difference. She is also very, very naive.
Stella is the deputy editor of the paper. She and Max, the editor of The Globe have a long history of breaking unbelievably insane stories. It’s Stella’s dream to become the editor of the paper. Stella will do anything for a story…even by helping it along to make it much more sensational. Years before she and Max actually put someone in jail.
During Jess’s first assignment, she witnesses just what lengths the paper will go to assist a story along and she is shaken. She can’t forgive herself for the part she played. She realizes The Globe builds stories out of thin air.
But when Jess is promised it will never happen again, she agrees to another story. Unbeknownst to her she is once again used and this time the outcome is tragic. There was no reason for Stella to do what she did.
So, Jess begins to investigate Stella and what she discovers puts her not only in the line of fire but opens up a long-buried hornet’s nest. But even with what Jess knows, she can’t believe what is truly happening and that she is in danger. All she ever wanted to do was fight the good fight for those who couldn’t and now she is the target.
The Trade Off is an intense psychological thriller with incredible twists in the story lines and an exceptionally powerful ending.
Thank you #NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #SandieJones #TheTradeOff for the advanced copy.
Jess finally gets her big break as a reporter for The Globe, a tabloid paper. She is both nervous and excited. She wants to make a difference. She is also very, very naive.
Stella is the deputy editor of the paper. She and Max, the editor of The Globe have a long history of breaking unbelievably insane stories. It’s Stella’s dream to become the editor of the paper. Stella will do anything for a story…even by helping it along to make it much more sensational. Years before she and Max actually put someone in jail.
During Jess’s first assignment, she witnesses just what lengths the paper will go to assist a story along and she is shaken. She can’t forgive herself for the part she played. She realizes The Globe builds stories out of thin air.
But when Jess is promised it will never happen again, she agrees to another story. Unbeknownst to her she is once again used and this time the outcome is tragic. There was no reason for Stella to do what she did.
So, Jess begins to investigate Stella and what she discovers puts her not only in the line of fire but opens up a long-buried hornet’s nest. But even with what Jess knows, she can’t believe what is truly happening and that she is in danger. All she ever wanted to do was fight the good fight for those who couldn’t and now she is the target.
The Trade Off is an intense psychological thriller with incredible twists in the story lines and an exceptionally powerful ending.
Thank you #NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #SandieJones #TheTradeOff for the advanced copy.
July 26, 2023
3.5/5
In my review of the authors last book I said maybe it was time for me to move on but dammit, I can’t seem to quit her! This one was better for me than some of her previous books, which is great because I have been super disappointed in the past. This one also had a totally different vibe to it than some of her other books, it starts off pretty slow and then about halfway things pick up but I wouldn’t classify it as a true thriller. Maybe more of a suspense with a few thriller type scenes. The dark side of the media and the tactics they take to get a story, even if most of it is fabricated was interesting so there was definitely parts I enjoyed I just wanted to be a little more entertained in the end.
In my review of the authors last book I said maybe it was time for me to move on but dammit, I can’t seem to quit her! This one was better for me than some of her previous books, which is great because I have been super disappointed in the past. This one also had a totally different vibe to it than some of her other books, it starts off pretty slow and then about halfway things pick up but I wouldn’t classify it as a true thriller. Maybe more of a suspense with a few thriller type scenes. The dark side of the media and the tactics they take to get a story, even if most of it is fabricated was interesting so there was definitely parts I enjoyed I just wanted to be a little more entertained in the end.
August 13, 2023
Two seemingly very different journalists perspectives tell this story and the exploitation that occurs in journalism and the media. Jess, new to journalism and has a moral compass, then there is Stella who has been around for awhile and appears she will stop at nothing to get a story, even fabricating most of it. Max the editor and Peter the owner are pulling strings from the sidelines but you won’t believe the why behind it until the end.
I didn’t enjoy the first 50% or so, didn’t relate to the characters, or enjoy the storyline, moves pretty slow. The ending is a whirlwind of action and activity. Really wouldn’t classify this a a thriller myself—more drama with some mystery. Not my favorite by this author but definitely will be looking forward to more of her work and grateful for the electric advanced reader copy, all opinions are my own.
Thanks to Netgalley and St Martins Press!!
I didn’t enjoy the first 50% or so, didn’t relate to the characters, or enjoy the storyline, moves pretty slow. The ending is a whirlwind of action and activity. Really wouldn’t classify this a a thriller myself—more drama with some mystery. Not my favorite by this author but definitely will be looking forward to more of her work and grateful for the electric advanced reader copy, all opinions are my own.
Thanks to Netgalley and St Martins Press!!
August 8, 2023
A slow burn that ramps up about mid book. Dual POVs. A look into the world of tabloid publishing.
The Trade Off depicts the dark side of the journalists/media, and boy is it ever ugly! It's hard to believe the tactics some reporters will go to in order to sell the best and most over the top stories. It's bad enough readers believe the bs these reporters spew. The damage and toll it takes on those in the harsh spotlight can sometimes be deadly.
My thanks to Minotaur Books for my gifted copy!
The Trade Off depicts the dark side of the journalists/media, and boy is it ever ugly! It's hard to believe the tactics some reporters will go to in order to sell the best and most over the top stories. It's bad enough readers believe the bs these reporters spew. The damage and toll it takes on those in the harsh spotlight can sometimes be deadly.
My thanks to Minotaur Books for my gifted copy!
March 18, 2023
This was a fast and action packed read, centered on 2 tabloid reporters: rookie Jess and hardened Stella. Stella will do whatever it takes to get to the top and Jess wants to breathe a little morality into the world of celebrity reporting.
The action starts pretty much right away and doesn’t let up. Jess’s naïveté is kind of endearing, though it helps create the mystery because literally everyone she works with might be taking advantage of her. Stella is somewhat likable for a character with that much ambition and doing what she does, though sometimes her actions didn’t necessarily match the type of person I was led to believe she was. The book does cause you to need to suspend your disbelief, as celebrities share things they shouldn’t share with strangers and multiple characters have dizzying changes of heart, but it’s fun overall, and the ending is thoroughly satisfying.
Overall, this was a light and enjoyable read- may not pack the punch of a standard thriller but I think it’s a perfect beach read. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The action starts pretty much right away and doesn’t let up. Jess’s naïveté is kind of endearing, though it helps create the mystery because literally everyone she works with might be taking advantage of her. Stella is somewhat likable for a character with that much ambition and doing what she does, though sometimes her actions didn’t necessarily match the type of person I was led to believe she was. The book does cause you to need to suspend your disbelief, as celebrities share things they shouldn’t share with strangers and multiple characters have dizzying changes of heart, but it’s fun overall, and the ending is thoroughly satisfying.
Overall, this was a light and enjoyable read- may not pack the punch of a standard thriller but I think it’s a perfect beach read. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 20, 2023
Stella is an accomplished editor of The Globe in London. She has a reputation for getting the story at all costs. Jess is a rookie reporter at The Globe and sees things differently. She is troubled when the truth of a story starts to falter and is not interested in spreading lies. Jess is getting concerned that some of The Globe’s big stories are build on lies. When a celebrity is hounded by The Globe and then pays the ultimate price , Jess has to wonder if this story was even true. She has to get to the bottom of this one, and fast.
THE TRADE OFF was quite the story. It was a unique thriller and I really enjoyed it. It was filled with lies and deception and made me think about all the things I see on social media or elsewhere about famous people. I can't imagine having my life constantly viewed for others to judge, but sadly this story does end up with innocent people being portrayed in a false light. If you're a thriller fan and have enjoyed her other novels you'll like this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to pub day.
THE TRADE OFF was quite the story. It was a unique thriller and I really enjoyed it. It was filled with lies and deception and made me think about all the things I see on social media or elsewhere about famous people. I can't imagine having my life constantly viewed for others to judge, but sadly this story does end up with innocent people being portrayed in a false light. If you're a thriller fan and have enjoyed her other novels you'll like this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to pub day.
June 26, 2023
Big thank you to the publisher for my ARC of 'the trade off'! I found this was a fast paced book and I liked the main characters Jess and Stella's work dynamic and relationship. I thought the twists were clever in the plot but I did see the ending coming. I found at a few points in the book I was kinda lost at what was going on or the relevance to the plot. Overall, it was worth the read for me but just was not a fav of the summer!
April 26, 2023
DNF at 62 percent. I just couldn’t get into this one, and I couldn’t make myself finish it.
August 25, 2023
TW: Language, sexism, bullying, family drama, sex scenes, sexual assault, cheating, drugs, drinking
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:For Stella, deputy editor of The Globe , the choice has always been clear. It doesn’t matter how low she has to stoop―getting the best story is what she’s built her reputation on.
For Jess, The Globe ’s rookie reporter, the story stops when the truth does. But she knows that the dirty tricks of the tabloids will be hard to overturn.
And when a celebrity is hounded by The Globe and pays the ultimate price, Jess wonders just how much Stella and the paper are responsible.
Determined to show the world what the tabloid is capable of, Jess will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth, but she needs to watch her back, because someone else is prepared to kill to bury it.
Release Date: August 15th, 2023
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 304
Rating: ⭐
What I Liked:
1. I enjoyed the writing style
What I Didn't Like:
1. Plot line got a bit boring
2. Very heavy on the reporter side
3. Pretty dry and boring
Overall Thoughts:
This book reminded me so much of Apple's The Morning Show. Two women go head to head; old vs new.
I liked getting the side of the reporters that talked about how stars would need them. Also how celebrates owed it to them to talk to them. The entitlement was so crazy. Getting the side of the Brittish Media and what they are allowed to do.
I did find it a little on the less exciting side of books. I didn't care enough about the characters to pay attention to who was who. I was bored.
Final Thoughts:
I dnfed this at page 100. I kept reading and I could not believe I was only on page 100. I felt like I had been reading this book and got so much further. Unfortunately I just didn't end up caring about the subject.
Recommend For:
• Stories about stars
• Reporter pov's
• Multiple pov's
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:For Stella, deputy editor of The Globe , the choice has always been clear. It doesn’t matter how low she has to stoop―getting the best story is what she’s built her reputation on.
For Jess, The Globe ’s rookie reporter, the story stops when the truth does. But she knows that the dirty tricks of the tabloids will be hard to overturn.
And when a celebrity is hounded by The Globe and pays the ultimate price, Jess wonders just how much Stella and the paper are responsible.
Determined to show the world what the tabloid is capable of, Jess will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth, but she needs to watch her back, because someone else is prepared to kill to bury it.
Release Date: August 15th, 2023
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 304
Rating: ⭐
What I Liked:
1. I enjoyed the writing style
What I Didn't Like:
1. Plot line got a bit boring
2. Very heavy on the reporter side
3. Pretty dry and boring
Overall Thoughts:
This book reminded me so much of Apple's The Morning Show. Two women go head to head; old vs new.
I liked getting the side of the reporters that talked about how stars would need them. Also how celebrates owed it to them to talk to them. The entitlement was so crazy. Getting the side of the Brittish Media and what they are allowed to do.
I did find it a little on the less exciting side of books. I didn't care enough about the characters to pay attention to who was who. I was bored.
Final Thoughts:
I dnfed this at page 100. I kept reading and I could not believe I was only on page 100. I felt like I had been reading this book and got so much further. Unfortunately I just didn't end up caring about the subject.
Recommend For:
• Stories about stars
• Reporter pov's
• Multiple pov's
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 19, 2023
Intricate, crafty, and suspenseful!
The Trade Off is an engrossing, ominous tale that transports you into the lives of two main characters, Stella, the deputy editor of The Globe who will do whatever it takes to get the story, and Jess, the new rookie reporter who believes that the only story that should be printed is the truth, especially when that story can lead to devastating consequences.
The prose is tight and tense. The characters are secretive, ruthless, and driven. And the plot unravels quickly into a gripping tale full of twists, turns, lies, deception, power, abuse, corruption, greed, indulgence, revelations, ambition, and violence.
Overall, The Trade Off is a sinister, entertaining, intense thriller by Jones that explores the ethical and moral fine line between right and wrong. And even though it isn’t my favourite novel by this author, it does do a wonderful job of combining the morally questionable, somewhat sleazy atmosphere of tabloid journalism with unsavoury characters, poor choices, and eerie motivations.
Thank you to Minotaur Books - St. Martin’s Press for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Trade Off is an engrossing, ominous tale that transports you into the lives of two main characters, Stella, the deputy editor of The Globe who will do whatever it takes to get the story, and Jess, the new rookie reporter who believes that the only story that should be printed is the truth, especially when that story can lead to devastating consequences.
The prose is tight and tense. The characters are secretive, ruthless, and driven. And the plot unravels quickly into a gripping tale full of twists, turns, lies, deception, power, abuse, corruption, greed, indulgence, revelations, ambition, and violence.
Overall, The Trade Off is a sinister, entertaining, intense thriller by Jones that explores the ethical and moral fine line between right and wrong. And even though it isn’t my favourite novel by this author, it does do a wonderful job of combining the morally questionable, somewhat sleazy atmosphere of tabloid journalism with unsavoury characters, poor choices, and eerie motivations.
Thank you to Minotaur Books - St. Martin’s Press for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 10, 2023
2.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSantum https://bibliosanctum.com/2023/09/28/...
Well, not everything Sandie Jones writes is a winner, but there is something to her style that keeps me coming back. Her latest psychological thriller called The Trade Off lays bare the ugly, cutthroat world of tabloid reporting, and what you’ll read will enthrall you but quite possibly also confuse you (not to mention make you feel a little dirty as well).
The story revolves around the careers of two women, Jess and Stella, who both work for The Globe. Stella is a seasoned reporter now serving as deputy editor, but she’s not done rising and won’t settle for anything less than the top job. That means she’ll stop at nothing to get the latest scoop, and certainly isn’t beneath pulling a few unscrupulous strings to get the jump on publishing the latest and biggest scandals. On the other hand, Jess is a newcomer who left her previous position at a small local paper in order to pursue her dream of making it as a big-time journalist. Despite her inexperience, she is hired The Globe editor Max Forsythe who believes Jess’ strong morals and work ethic will eventually help steer the paper away from the celeb gossip sphere and into more respectable and topical news reporting.
Stella, however, is not on board with this new direction or the latest hiring decision made by Max. She will continue to do what has always worked for her, dirty tricks and all, which is also in line with the sentiments of the paper’s owner, who only wants to sell more copies. But when Stella’s latest machinations to entrap an up-and-coming young actress in a fake drug bust leads to disaster, it is Jess who feels broken and guilt-ridden for the part she played in it. Things only get worse when another TV star ends up dead. With her eyes newly opened to the reprehensible nature of her profession, Jess decides to turn her efforts towards uncovering the corruption running deep at the heart of The Globe.
Despite its scintillating premise, The Trade Off was a decent novel by Sandie Jones but it was certainly not the greatest or her best. The book’s only clear strength is its pacing; Jones is a master at keeping readers’ attention by relentlessly revealing new layers of mistrust and deception. Between Stella and Jess’ chapters, there were plenty of intriguing developments that kept the tensions high, making it difficult to stop reading.
However, the novel lost me when it came to almost everything else. In terms of characterization, Stella was wholly unlikeable, and Jess was bland and lacking in depth. The ruthlessness and ambition of the former felt contrived while the latter’s motivations came across as shallow and overly simplistic. When the two ultimately teamed up near the end to take down the corrupted elements at the paper, it was hard to overcome the distaste to actually bring myself to root for them or even care. I found it particularly irksome that I was supposed to forget all the shitty things Stella had done just because the villain they decided to take down is an even shittier person. It doesn’t work like that.
There’s also a lot driving this story, and inspiration from the current discourse like issues surrounding privacy, exploitation, misinformation as well as movements such as #MeToo can clearly be discerned. But whatever point, if any, the author was trying to make was unfortunately lost in the confusion of ideas and a narrative that doesn’t seem completely sure of what it wants to be. That might be the real trade off here—a book that unambiguously starts off as a thriller, but by the second half, that becomes debatable as the plot veers off into something that more resembles drama and workplace suspense. In the end, this shift resulted in the final message being diluted and robbed of its impact.
In short, The Trade Off was not my favorite book Sandie Jones due to the fact its story didn’t seem as well told or put together. However, I do praise the narrators for the audiobook edition for delivering great performances, though not even the superb narration of Nathalie Buscombe or Sofia Engstrand could help me overcome the novel’s shortcomings.
Well, not everything Sandie Jones writes is a winner, but there is something to her style that keeps me coming back. Her latest psychological thriller called The Trade Off lays bare the ugly, cutthroat world of tabloid reporting, and what you’ll read will enthrall you but quite possibly also confuse you (not to mention make you feel a little dirty as well).
The story revolves around the careers of two women, Jess and Stella, who both work for The Globe. Stella is a seasoned reporter now serving as deputy editor, but she’s not done rising and won’t settle for anything less than the top job. That means she’ll stop at nothing to get the latest scoop, and certainly isn’t beneath pulling a few unscrupulous strings to get the jump on publishing the latest and biggest scandals. On the other hand, Jess is a newcomer who left her previous position at a small local paper in order to pursue her dream of making it as a big-time journalist. Despite her inexperience, she is hired The Globe editor Max Forsythe who believes Jess’ strong morals and work ethic will eventually help steer the paper away from the celeb gossip sphere and into more respectable and topical news reporting.
Stella, however, is not on board with this new direction or the latest hiring decision made by Max. She will continue to do what has always worked for her, dirty tricks and all, which is also in line with the sentiments of the paper’s owner, who only wants to sell more copies. But when Stella’s latest machinations to entrap an up-and-coming young actress in a fake drug bust leads to disaster, it is Jess who feels broken and guilt-ridden for the part she played in it. Things only get worse when another TV star ends up dead. With her eyes newly opened to the reprehensible nature of her profession, Jess decides to turn her efforts towards uncovering the corruption running deep at the heart of The Globe.
Despite its scintillating premise, The Trade Off was a decent novel by Sandie Jones but it was certainly not the greatest or her best. The book’s only clear strength is its pacing; Jones is a master at keeping readers’ attention by relentlessly revealing new layers of mistrust and deception. Between Stella and Jess’ chapters, there were plenty of intriguing developments that kept the tensions high, making it difficult to stop reading.
However, the novel lost me when it came to almost everything else. In terms of characterization, Stella was wholly unlikeable, and Jess was bland and lacking in depth. The ruthlessness and ambition of the former felt contrived while the latter’s motivations came across as shallow and overly simplistic. When the two ultimately teamed up near the end to take down the corrupted elements at the paper, it was hard to overcome the distaste to actually bring myself to root for them or even care. I found it particularly irksome that I was supposed to forget all the shitty things Stella had done just because the villain they decided to take down is an even shittier person. It doesn’t work like that.
There’s also a lot driving this story, and inspiration from the current discourse like issues surrounding privacy, exploitation, misinformation as well as movements such as #MeToo can clearly be discerned. But whatever point, if any, the author was trying to make was unfortunately lost in the confusion of ideas and a narrative that doesn’t seem completely sure of what it wants to be. That might be the real trade off here—a book that unambiguously starts off as a thriller, but by the second half, that becomes debatable as the plot veers off into something that more resembles drama and workplace suspense. In the end, this shift resulted in the final message being diluted and robbed of its impact.
In short, The Trade Off was not my favorite book Sandie Jones due to the fact its story didn’t seem as well told or put together. However, I do praise the narrators for the audiobook edition for delivering great performances, though not even the superb narration of Nathalie Buscombe or Sofia Engstrand could help me overcome the novel’s shortcomings.
October 3, 2024
The Trade Off is my favorite Sandie Jones novel to date, and I can't believe it took me so long to read it! I listened to this in basically one sitting because I couldn't put it down, and I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen. The viewpoints alternate between Stella and Jess, and I don't think I had one I preferred over the other. They each added something different to the storyline and while I can't say I loved either of them, they were interesting and flawed characters. This turns into a search for the truth/uncovering of something quite despicable, so I would be sure to check triggers prior to entering.
The audiobook was fantastic, and I loved both Nathalie Buscombe & Sofia Engstrand. They perfectly fit their respective characters, and I have zero complaints about any part of their narration. Tone, pacing, and pitch all were on point, and they further pulled me into the story, so I would recommend the audio as the way to go. I also appreciated that the author herself read her note at the end, and it gave me a better understanding of the reason she wrote this. The Trade Off had some great twists and an explosive ending that I didn't see coming. While it deals with some very current and upsetting topics, it is also very suspenseful, and I loved every minute of it.
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
The audiobook was fantastic, and I loved both Nathalie Buscombe & Sofia Engstrand. They perfectly fit their respective characters, and I have zero complaints about any part of their narration. Tone, pacing, and pitch all were on point, and they further pulled me into the story, so I would recommend the audio as the way to go. I also appreciated that the author herself read her note at the end, and it gave me a better understanding of the reason she wrote this. The Trade Off had some great twists and an explosive ending that I didn't see coming. While it deals with some very current and upsetting topics, it is also very suspenseful, and I loved every minute of it.
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
August 12, 2023
A solid mystery/thriller about the power of the press to destroy lives mixed in with a #metoo scandal. Fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable, this was definitely one of my favorites by this author and good on audio too!
CW: sexual assault, suicide
CW: sexual assault, suicide
August 15, 2023
The Trade Off is a psychological thriller that focuses on tabloid journalism. It is my sixth book by this author.
This book is set in the UK and focuses on two female main characters Stella and Jess. Stella is a deputy editor/journalist at a tabloid. Jess is a rookie journalist hired by the editor to work under Stella.
The story started off a bit slow for me. The things that these people did to get their stories was horrifying. The book did pick up towards the end. And it did get quite interesting. But I just wasn't super invested in these characters. And most of them were extremely unlikable.
Thanks to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this book.
This book is set in the UK and focuses on two female main characters Stella and Jess. Stella is a deputy editor/journalist at a tabloid. Jess is a rookie journalist hired by the editor to work under Stella.
The story started off a bit slow for me. The things that these people did to get their stories was horrifying. The book did pick up towards the end. And it did get quite interesting. But I just wasn't super invested in these characters. And most of them were extremely unlikable.
Thanks to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this book.
August 19, 2023
Thank you @netgalley and @minotaurbooks for my ebook! This one came out Aug 15!
➡️THOUGHTS:
In this book, we learn what goes on behind the scenes of popular newspapers and tabloids. The lies, deceit, cunningness of the reporters. The manipulative nature they use to get stories and share the “facts” about celebrities. I found the extremely interesting! This one was just ok for me though, I definitely enjoyed the last 20% of the book the most when the action really picked up and people got what they deserved!
➡️THOUGHTS:
In this book, we learn what goes on behind the scenes of popular newspapers and tabloids. The lies, deceit, cunningness of the reporters. The manipulative nature they use to get stories and share the “facts” about celebrities. I found the extremely interesting! This one was just ok for me though, I definitely enjoyed the last 20% of the book the most when the action really picked up and people got what they deserved!
August 14, 2023
Buckle up book friends! If you had any thoughts that certain sectors of the news media may use unscrupulous, highly unethical methods to get a story, The Trade Off by Sandie Jones is not going to disabuse you of those ideas. An exploration of tabloid-esque news through the eyes of an idealistic reporter who thinks she can be the change, make a dent in the system. I experienced this in my favorite way to read through dual ebook/audiobook thanks to my friends Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio via Netgalley. The Trade Off is available today, 8/15/23.
Jess is thrilled to be The Globe’s newest editor. When she begins to understand not just how people are coerced into giving interviews, but are set up into situations to create news stories to report. She is determined, with support from higher up, she can begin to shift how things are done. The deeper Jess gets, the more she realizes she has no idea where anyone’s loyalty stands, and where her own safety lies.
Sandie Jones serves up a dishy tale with unlikeable players, a main character who is principled but flawed, and a boys club full of misogyny and privilege. I’m here for every naughty bit of it! I loved seeing Jess’s journey, her stumbles and triumphs. Keep an eye on Stella, she’s far more interesting than I’d anticipated!
The audiobook is narrated by Nathalie Buscombe, Sandie Jones, and Sofia Engstrand. These narrators did a fantastic job and adding a layer to the story that really worked. I highly recommend the dual book/audiobook reading experience that allows you to carry your story along when you’re walking, driving, or folding laundry. It truly maximizes reading time.
You’re going to want The Trade Off on your priority TBR for mystery thriller and suspense reading.
Jess is thrilled to be The Globe’s newest editor. When she begins to understand not just how people are coerced into giving interviews, but are set up into situations to create news stories to report. She is determined, with support from higher up, she can begin to shift how things are done. The deeper Jess gets, the more she realizes she has no idea where anyone’s loyalty stands, and where her own safety lies.
Sandie Jones serves up a dishy tale with unlikeable players, a main character who is principled but flawed, and a boys club full of misogyny and privilege. I’m here for every naughty bit of it! I loved seeing Jess’s journey, her stumbles and triumphs. Keep an eye on Stella, she’s far more interesting than I’d anticipated!
The audiobook is narrated by Nathalie Buscombe, Sandie Jones, and Sofia Engstrand. These narrators did a fantastic job and adding a layer to the story that really worked. I highly recommend the dual book/audiobook reading experience that allows you to carry your story along when you’re walking, driving, or folding laundry. It truly maximizes reading time.
You’re going to want The Trade Off on your priority TBR for mystery thriller and suspense reading.
August 19, 2023
𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪
Thank you #partners @minotaur_books & @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳
𝗕𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝟴/𝟭𝟱/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📖 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁: When Jess gets hired on at The Globe, she thinks her dreams have finally come true. Little does she know, the nightmare is only beginning. Jess is about to find out the lengths reporters go to get a story, and the dangerous repercussions it can have on everyone involved.
💭 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: What a book!! The Trade Off is a clever, addictive, unputdownable #metoo-ish thriller. It's suspenseful, twisty, and so absorbing, I found myself thinking about these characters and this story when I wasn't reading it.
And though this isn't something you'll often hear me say about books in this genre, The Trade off is also incredibly relevant, as it's based in part on the author's own experiences and observations from her time in journalism. I really appreciate the way Jones uses this heart-pounding thriller to shed a light on an important issue.
🎧 Nathalie Buscombe and Sofia Engstrand impeccably co-narrate, and were perfectly cast into their respective character roles; they *became* Jess and Stella! Very well done! 👏🏻
Thank you #partners @minotaur_books & @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳
𝗕𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝟴/𝟭𝟱/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📖 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁: When Jess gets hired on at The Globe, she thinks her dreams have finally come true. Little does she know, the nightmare is only beginning. Jess is about to find out the lengths reporters go to get a story, and the dangerous repercussions it can have on everyone involved.
💭 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: What a book!! The Trade Off is a clever, addictive, unputdownable #metoo-ish thriller. It's suspenseful, twisty, and so absorbing, I found myself thinking about these characters and this story when I wasn't reading it.
And though this isn't something you'll often hear me say about books in this genre, The Trade off is also incredibly relevant, as it's based in part on the author's own experiences and observations from her time in journalism. I really appreciate the way Jones uses this heart-pounding thriller to shed a light on an important issue.
🎧 Nathalie Buscombe and Sofia Engstrand impeccably co-narrate, and were perfectly cast into their respective character roles; they *became* Jess and Stella! Very well done! 👏🏻
September 18, 2023
This was an interesting delve into tabloid journalism and the lengths that some journalists go to capture a story. The book alternates between two perspectives - Stella, a seasoned and ambitious journalist and Jess, a new journalist with strong ethics and a keen desire to do good in her role.
The plot started off slow for me and I found it difficult to know where it was going. Was it a drama about journalism? Was it psychological? Was it cat and mouse? It seemed like the plot arc kept changing directions.
At about the 65% mark, it began to take shape and the pace picked up. However, the relationship between the two MC's remained confusing to me. It fluctuated between bullying, mentoring, competitors, enemies and co-conspirators. It was hard to understand, which made some of the plot elements somewhat unrelatable to me. There was also an element of the #metoo but it was underdeveloped so didn't work very well for me.
However, there was a twist at the end that I didn't see coming. And the audiobook performance was dynamic and engaging.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The plot started off slow for me and I found it difficult to know where it was going. Was it a drama about journalism? Was it psychological? Was it cat and mouse? It seemed like the plot arc kept changing directions.
At about the 65% mark, it began to take shape and the pace picked up. However, the relationship between the two MC's remained confusing to me. It fluctuated between bullying, mentoring, competitors, enemies and co-conspirators. It was hard to understand, which made some of the plot elements somewhat unrelatable to me. There was also an element of the #metoo but it was underdeveloped so didn't work very well for me.
However, there was a twist at the end that I didn't see coming. And the audiobook performance was dynamic and engaging.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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