alyh2000 's review for:

The Group Trip by Audrey Ingram
4.0
emotional reflective tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Chloe, Luke, Sloane, Alden, Marianne, and Wyatt- they are the best of friends since getting thrown out of a Waffle House their freshman year in college. In the ten years since they met, Chloe and Luke were not just friends, but they were a couple. After living together and building a life together, nothing shocks this sextet more than when Chloe turns down Luke’s marriage proposal. When the group gets together for their first trip since the big breakup, secrets are unearthed that could forever change their relationships. 

This was my first book by this author, and she truly drew me into the story right from the beginning. I enjoyed that it was told from a dual timeline, as it helped to create an air of suspense and intrigue as to the backstory of these dynamic relationships. In this character driven plot, I found myself empathizing with each of these friends as they struggled to maintain the good times of the past while dealing with the challenges and successes that life throws at them along the way. As with any friend group, I had expected there to be hurt feelings and misunderstandings that would drive the action forward. I did not, however, expect to become so emotionally invested in these fictional people who made me both love them and hate them throughout the course of the book. 

The Group Trip is an emotional, intense, and engaging story that will have readers longing to reach out and hug their friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an advanced copy of this book!