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The Plus One
White Lotus meets The Guest List in international bestselling author S. C. Lalli’s next thrilling novel, where two business moguls were set to be married in the biggest event of the year—until they’re both found murdered the day before the wedding—and a social outsider must unravel the mystery before her own hidden agenda is revealed.
The wedding of Radhika Singh and Raj Joshi, a weeklong affair at a luxury resort in Cabos, isn’t just going to be the event of the season—it will also mark the union of two highly influential and wealthy Indian-American families. No expense will be spared for what Radhika and Raj have coined “R&R,” a week of rest, relaxation, and celebrating their love.
Shaylee “Shay” Kapoor is just an outsider, but she just so happens to be dating Raj’s best friend, Caleb Prescott III, and is sucked into this world of wealth and excess. But on the morning the wedding festivities are supposed to begin, the resort’s wedding coordinator Daniela makes a frightening Raj and Radhika are dead, gunshots to the head.
Chaos descends on the hotel as the guests are turned away or sent home. Shay stays by Caleb’s side as the investigation starts to unfold, family and close friends grieve, and accusations run wild. The police believe the murders are a drug cartel hit.
But even if it was a cartel hit, even if the murderer somehow got past the resort’s security, the hotel room doors have state-of-the-art locks. There was no way for the murderer to slip into the room without a key. And only the sister of the bride, Zara; the best men, Caleb and Sean; and the wedding coordinator, Daniela, have keys.
Shay may be an outsider—and she definitely has secrets of her own—but she may be the only person with enough perspective to untangle everyone’s lies, and discover why anyone would want the bride and groom dead. . .
The wedding of Radhika Singh and Raj Joshi, a weeklong affair at a luxury resort in Cabos, isn’t just going to be the event of the season—it will also mark the union of two highly influential and wealthy Indian-American families. No expense will be spared for what Radhika and Raj have coined “R&R,” a week of rest, relaxation, and celebrating their love.
Shaylee “Shay” Kapoor is just an outsider, but she just so happens to be dating Raj’s best friend, Caleb Prescott III, and is sucked into this world of wealth and excess. But on the morning the wedding festivities are supposed to begin, the resort’s wedding coordinator Daniela makes a frightening Raj and Radhika are dead, gunshots to the head.
Chaos descends on the hotel as the guests are turned away or sent home. Shay stays by Caleb’s side as the investigation starts to unfold, family and close friends grieve, and accusations run wild. The police believe the murders are a drug cartel hit.
But even if it was a cartel hit, even if the murderer somehow got past the resort’s security, the hotel room doors have state-of-the-art locks. There was no way for the murderer to slip into the room without a key. And only the sister of the bride, Zara; the best men, Caleb and Sean; and the wedding coordinator, Daniela, have keys.
Shay may be an outsider—and she definitely has secrets of her own—but she may be the only person with enough perspective to untangle everyone’s lies, and discover why anyone would want the bride and groom dead. . .
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 13, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
May 11, 2024
ARC Review- 3 Stars
Publishing Date- Aug 13,2024
What To Expect-
🌞Unreliable Narrator
🌞Luxurious Resort Vibes
🌞Drug Cartels
🌞Dual Timelines
My Thoughts-
A classic whodunnit thriller. This was a quick and easy read. I really enjoyed the juicy gossip. The murder mystery occurred at a luxurious resort in Cabo. The writing flows smoothly, transitioning between present scenes and past flashbacks. I didn’t guess who the killer was though I wasn’t surprised. Everyone was a suspect in my eyes. I think this book would have benefitted with multiple POV’s.
Overall- I would recommend this book to anyone that likes domestic thrillers.
✨Thanks to NetGalley, The Author, & William Morrow Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ✨
Publishing Date- Aug 13,2024
What To Expect-
🌞Unreliable Narrator
🌞Luxurious Resort Vibes
🌞Drug Cartels
🌞Dual Timelines
My Thoughts-
A classic whodunnit thriller. This was a quick and easy read. I really enjoyed the juicy gossip. The murder mystery occurred at a luxurious resort in Cabo. The writing flows smoothly, transitioning between present scenes and past flashbacks. I didn’t guess who the killer was though I wasn’t surprised. Everyone was a suspect in my eyes. I think this book would have benefitted with multiple POV’s.
Overall- I would recommend this book to anyone that likes domestic thrillers.
✨Thanks to NetGalley, The Author, & William Morrow Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ✨
March 1, 2024
"The Plus One" by S.C. Lalli is a twisty thriller set at a luxury resort in Cabo, Mexico. Told from the first-person perspective, it follows Shaylee “Shay” Kapoor, a South Asian woman with her own agenda.
The wedding of Radhika Singh and Raj Joshi unfolds at this opulent resort. As the offspring of two business moguls, no expenses were spared for this extravagant event. Caleb Prescott III, the groom's best man, is dating Shay, thus earning her an invitation to this lavish weeklong affair. The plot thickens when the bride and groom are found shot in their bed in a locked room at the beginning of the wedding festivities.
While the police suspect a drug cartel hit, the hotel's stringent security measures suggest the possibility of an inside job. With access to the room in question limited to the bride's sister Zara, the best men Caleb and Sean, and the wedding coordinator Daniela, suspicion falls heavily upon them. Shay launches into an investigation, quickly realizing she's in over her head with a murderer on the loose and everyone's safety at risk.
Overall, I enjoyed the tale, although I found Shay's character unlikable. Her hypocrisy and occasional condescension, along with her radical tendencies, didn't resonate with me. In fact, I found most of the characters unlikable; while the author adeptly fleshes them out, they lack the charm to make them endearing. They possess a believable depth but lack the qualities that would make me genuinely care about them. Their moral compasses are skewed, exacerbated by their indulgence in alcohol and drugs. I didn't like their entitled approach and their treatment of less fortunate people. Wealthy they might be, but they're not the sort of people I'd want to associate with. However, I appreciated the interactions between the characters, the exploration of cultural nuances, and the vivid setting.
The narrative flows smoothly, transitioning between present scenes and past flashbacks. While these flashbacks provide valuable backstories for the main characters, I found them somewhat dry. The pacing is sometimes quite fast but at times, it dragged. Overall, the story maintains a swift momentum, carrying the reader along effortlessly. I was pleasantly surprised by the twists, which kept me engaged until the final pages. Therefore, I rate the book 4 out of 5 stars. If you enjoy smart thrillers featuring a strong female lead and flawed characters, this book is worth your time.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review in my Blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2024...
The wedding of Radhika Singh and Raj Joshi unfolds at this opulent resort. As the offspring of two business moguls, no expenses were spared for this extravagant event. Caleb Prescott III, the groom's best man, is dating Shay, thus earning her an invitation to this lavish weeklong affair. The plot thickens when the bride and groom are found shot in their bed in a locked room at the beginning of the wedding festivities.
While the police suspect a drug cartel hit, the hotel's stringent security measures suggest the possibility of an inside job. With access to the room in question limited to the bride's sister Zara, the best men Caleb and Sean, and the wedding coordinator Daniela, suspicion falls heavily upon them. Shay launches into an investigation, quickly realizing she's in over her head with a murderer on the loose and everyone's safety at risk.
Overall, I enjoyed the tale, although I found Shay's character unlikable. Her hypocrisy and occasional condescension, along with her radical tendencies, didn't resonate with me. In fact, I found most of the characters unlikable; while the author adeptly fleshes them out, they lack the charm to make them endearing. They possess a believable depth but lack the qualities that would make me genuinely care about them. Their moral compasses are skewed, exacerbated by their indulgence in alcohol and drugs. I didn't like their entitled approach and their treatment of less fortunate people. Wealthy they might be, but they're not the sort of people I'd want to associate with. However, I appreciated the interactions between the characters, the exploration of cultural nuances, and the vivid setting.
The narrative flows smoothly, transitioning between present scenes and past flashbacks. While these flashbacks provide valuable backstories for the main characters, I found them somewhat dry. The pacing is sometimes quite fast but at times, it dragged. Overall, the story maintains a swift momentum, carrying the reader along effortlessly. I was pleasantly surprised by the twists, which kept me engaged until the final pages. Therefore, I rate the book 4 out of 5 stars. If you enjoy smart thrillers featuring a strong female lead and flawed characters, this book is worth your time.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review in my Blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2024...
August 2, 2024
I received a free copy of, The Plus One, by S.C. Lalli, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The wedding of the year is here, Radhika Singh and Raj Joshi are getting married, all the in crowd are invited. Unexpectedly the loving pair are found murdered. Shaylee who is dating the grooms best friend, decides to investigate. Wow, what a wild ride this book is. I enjoyed this book, and finding out who the killer is.
July 6, 2024
A double murder at the wedding of the year.. I had to know more!
This was a wild one, set in an exclusive resort in Mexico, celebrity wedding that never was. Shay is thee as the Plus One, the girlfriend of the best man. But there is so much happening under the surface with these 2 families. It was to be the most lavish and expensive wedding ever, with days of celebration. Now there are only questions, and fingers being pointed. Who wanted them dead and why?
A locked room murder mystery with plenty of twists. Certainly kept me turning the pages. A fun read full of unlikeable characters.
Thanks so much to William Morrow for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on August 13th. 3.5 ⭐️
This was a wild one, set in an exclusive resort in Mexico, celebrity wedding that never was. Shay is thee as the Plus One, the girlfriend of the best man. But there is so much happening under the surface with these 2 families. It was to be the most lavish and expensive wedding ever, with days of celebration. Now there are only questions, and fingers being pointed. Who wanted them dead and why?
A locked room murder mystery with plenty of twists. Certainly kept me turning the pages. A fun read full of unlikeable characters.
Thanks so much to William Morrow for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on August 13th. 3.5 ⭐️
August 4, 2024
This was an enjoyable summer thriller set at a wedding in Cabos gone wrong when the bride-and-groom-to-be end up murdered & "the plus one" launches her own investigation to get to the bottom of what went wrong.
The direction of the mystery spends a lot of time with the cartel theory as detailed in the synopsis which wasn't my favorite. Personally I enjoy more contained mysteries with our main cast of characters keeping secrets from one another (which was in this story, but was a bit overshadowed in my opinion). Overall a good time and I'd check out more from this author again in the future.
Thank you to the publisher for granting me access to an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions remain my own.
The direction of the mystery spends a lot of time with the cartel theory as detailed in the synopsis which wasn't my favorite. Personally I enjoy more contained mysteries with our main cast of characters keeping secrets from one another (which was in this story, but was a bit overshadowed in my opinion). Overall a good time and I'd check out more from this author again in the future.
Thank you to the publisher for granting me access to an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions remain my own.
July 21, 2024
The Plus One is a twisty novel that follows “Shay”, (Shaylee Kapoor), as she joins her wealthy boyfriend to the destination wedding of the century! Two business moguls coming together in matrimony, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico! Until both the bride and groom are found dead and everyone is a suspect.
This novel was definitely a heavier read than my usual, involving the Mexican cartel, dirty business practices, drugs, and murder. I didn’t go into this book expecting it be as in-depth as it was, or I would’ve adjusted my expectations. That’s not to say it was a bad story or anything, just know it’s a very involved story with lots of branches to sprout off from.
The storyline itself was likable! I enjoyed how the characters were from all different backgrounds and didn’t fit into a “mold”. I found the details to be precise and very well thought out. There were a lot of details to lead the reader astray, but also plenty to keep them clued in too. Overall an unpredictable read that is worth 4.5⭐️!
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for this ARC. Release date: 8/13/24
This novel was definitely a heavier read than my usual, involving the Mexican cartel, dirty business practices, drugs, and murder. I didn’t go into this book expecting it be as in-depth as it was, or I would’ve adjusted my expectations. That’s not to say it was a bad story or anything, just know it’s a very involved story with lots of branches to sprout off from.
The storyline itself was likable! I enjoyed how the characters were from all different backgrounds and didn’t fit into a “mold”. I found the details to be precise and very well thought out. There were a lot of details to lead the reader astray, but also plenty to keep them clued in too. Overall an unpredictable read that is worth 4.5⭐️!
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for this ARC. Release date: 8/13/24
March 20, 2024
Super thrilling and decadent, The Plus One truly is" White Lotus meets The Guest List," as it is promoted!
Shaylee is the plus one at a very, VERY exclusive wedding - the merger of the children of billionaire empires. Her boyfriend is great but they just started dating and she is not sure she passes muster in the goings on of this multi-day event. When Radhika and Raj, the betrothed end up dead, all hell breaks lose and Shay has only herself to count on. Is this a mob hit? Drug Cartels? Or something closer and much more sinister?
Join Shay at the scrumptious Blush resort as she tries to make sense of the rules of wealthy engagement, solve the murder and stay alive! Each chapter begins with the invite information for the theme of each wedding celebration day, setting the stage for a perfect get-away novel for armchair detectives. I so wish I could attend!
#williammorrow #sclalli #theplusone
Shaylee is the plus one at a very, VERY exclusive wedding - the merger of the children of billionaire empires. Her boyfriend is great but they just started dating and she is not sure she passes muster in the goings on of this multi-day event. When Radhika and Raj, the betrothed end up dead, all hell breaks lose and Shay has only herself to count on. Is this a mob hit? Drug Cartels? Or something closer and much more sinister?
Join Shay at the scrumptious Blush resort as she tries to make sense of the rules of wealthy engagement, solve the murder and stay alive! Each chapter begins with the invite information for the theme of each wedding celebration day, setting the stage for a perfect get-away novel for armchair detectives. I so wish I could attend!
#williammorrow #sclalli #theplusone
May 7, 2024
I’m not certain what I was expecting here – probably your standard mystery where it’s ‘Let’s go to a resort’ followed by, “Oops! Someone is dead and one of YOU killed them!”
And, really, it is that. But it’s also clever and compelling. I loved the Crazy Rich Indians feel to it mixed with morally ambiguous characters and what was simply a good mystery.
Almost all the characters are a bit ‘bent’ in one way or another, but they’re still extremely readable. I even liked our plucky MC – and plucky usually makes me want to gag.
This was a thoroughly entertaining read and I enjoyed every bit of it!
• ARC via Publisher
And, really, it is that. But it’s also clever and compelling. I loved the Crazy Rich Indians feel to it mixed with morally ambiguous characters and what was simply a good mystery.
Almost all the characters are a bit ‘bent’ in one way or another, but they’re still extremely readable. I even liked our plucky MC – and plucky usually makes me want to gag.
This was a thoroughly entertaining read and I enjoyed every bit of it!
• ARC via Publisher
July 7, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Thank you for the ARC from the Goodreads Giveaway! This was a decent whodunit mystery but it wasn’t really a page turner for me. I feel like I could have been missing clues in the beginning because I wasn’t as glued to the pages as I wanted to be. However, toward the middle / end of the book, it did get more suspenseful which I liked, I just wish there was more suspense throughout. I loved the resort setting of the story.
It also kind of seemed like the main character was trying too hard to push certain views at some points throughout the book and was hypocritical in those views. Had the book not tried too hard to be a bit political, it would probably have another half star. The main character just wasn’t very likable to me.
It kept me interested enough to keep reading, but it wasn’t gripping. There were some good plot twists, and I’d recommend this book to people who love whodunnits.
Thank you for the ARC from the Goodreads Giveaway! This was a decent whodunit mystery but it wasn’t really a page turner for me. I feel like I could have been missing clues in the beginning because I wasn’t as glued to the pages as I wanted to be. However, toward the middle / end of the book, it did get more suspenseful which I liked, I just wish there was more suspense throughout. I loved the resort setting of the story.
It also kind of seemed like the main character was trying too hard to push certain views at some points throughout the book and was hypocritical in those views. Had the book not tried too hard to be a bit political, it would probably have another half star. The main character just wasn’t very likable to me.
It kept me interested enough to keep reading, but it wasn’t gripping. There were some good plot twists, and I’d recommend this book to people who love whodunnits.
July 6, 2024
Wow. This is my favorite book I’ve read so far this year. And might be my favorite for the entire year.
With a single POV throughout the book and beachy luxury vibes, this was such a fun read.
It was so well written and pulled me in straight from the start. There’s enough twists that you’re the perfect amount of intrigued, but not too confused and it never felt like it was “too much”.
This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I’m already dying to pick up another title of hers.
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for this ARC.
With a single POV throughout the book and beachy luxury vibes, this was such a fun read.
It was so well written and pulled me in straight from the start. There’s enough twists that you’re the perfect amount of intrigued, but not too confused and it never felt like it was “too much”.
This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I’m already dying to pick up another title of hers.
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for this ARC.
May 22, 2024
Fun way to start off my vacation to Mexico.
Could have definitely been better. Some of my comments + critiques are included below:
🏖️ Felt a little underdeveloped + the “suspected” cartel involvement felt both like low hanging fruit + a little racist and cliche
💍 The narrator (Shay) annoyed me
🏖️ Caleb’s drug use was the big secret?!That was never a secret!!!
💍 Radhika’s takedown of Shay and her moral superiority was the cathartic moment I needed + some of the points I thought about throughout the book
🏖️ Shay’s internal moral conflict that she wasn’t doing her watcher group stuff for the good of humanity was annoying
💍 I really don’t think Mr. Joshi would allow Shay to live
🏖️ No surprise that Mr. Joshi killed his brother
💍 Zara’s dialogue and chasing after Shay at the end seemed unrealistic
🏖️ The pretty bow ending, tie everything up at the end seemed unrealistic + a bit cliche
Could have definitely been better. Some of my comments + critiques are included below:
🏖️ Felt a little underdeveloped + the “suspected” cartel involvement felt both like low hanging fruit + a little racist and cliche
💍 The narrator (Shay) annoyed me
🏖️ Caleb’s drug use was the big secret?!That was never a secret!!!
💍 Radhika’s takedown of Shay and her moral superiority was the cathartic moment I needed + some of the points I thought about throughout the book
🏖️ Shay’s internal moral conflict that she wasn’t doing her watcher group stuff for the good of humanity was annoying
💍 I really don’t think Mr. Joshi would allow Shay to live
🏖️ No surprise that Mr. Joshi killed his brother
💍 Zara’s dialogue and chasing after Shay at the end seemed unrealistic
🏖️ The pretty bow ending, tie everything up at the end seemed unrealistic + a bit cliche
Want to read
June 25, 2024ARC received! Thank you, William Morrow!!
If you comp a book to The Guest List, I'm gonna read that, and I'm gonna judge that! I'm looking forward to getting to this one. It sounds like a great Summer Thriller!
If you comp a book to The Guest List, I'm gonna read that, and I'm gonna judge that! I'm looking forward to getting to this one. It sounds like a great Summer Thriller!
January 14, 2024
I liked the Los Cabos, Mexico setting for this lavish wedding and the plot was riveting. The wedding couple are found dead the day of the wedding and plus-one guest Shaylee must find out if her boyfriend, the best man Caleb is involved.
She singles out other suspects and decides to investigate on her own, reluctant to fly back home and leave Caleb with the horribly messy situation. The murderer was a surprise at the end. An entertaining and suspenseful read.
She singles out other suspects and decides to investigate on her own, reluctant to fly back home and leave Caleb with the horribly messy situation. The murderer was a surprise at the end. An entertaining and suspenseful read.
May 27, 2024
I feel like books like these work best if the main character is unreliable and unlikable, and this excels at that. I didn't care for Shay, didn't understand her reasonings and decisions, and found her firm moral stances on certain things and not so firm morals on others to be confusing. I also felt like Lalli attempted to cover a lot of ground with the social commentary, and while this wasn't at all annoying or misplaced, I would have preferred reading about them from a more likable main character. But that's what's fun about thrillers—you never have to like a single character in a book!
The Plus One is compared to The White Lotus, but I also found similarities between this and "You're Invited" by Amanda Jayatissa, another South Asian thriller author. This novel handles the "what happened to the lovely couple" intrigue part extremely well, and I enjoyed peeling back the layers of the relationship between (and to) Raj and Radhi. However, it was very obvious to me from the beginning who was guilty and what their motivation was. This was not completely a bad thing because Lalli clearly has fun squeezing every part of the story out little by little, and that is enjoyable in a thriller, but the sudden slowing down of the pacing was jarring.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for providing an ARC!
3 ⭐️s
🚨 Pub Date: 8/13/24
The Plus One is compared to The White Lotus, but I also found similarities between this and "You're Invited" by Amanda Jayatissa, another South Asian thriller author. This novel handles the "what happened to the lovely couple" intrigue part extremely well, and I enjoyed peeling back the layers of the relationship between (and to) Raj and Radhi. However, it was very obvious to me from the beginning who was guilty and what their motivation was. This was not completely a bad thing because Lalli clearly has fun squeezing every part of the story out little by little, and that is enjoyable in a thriller, but the sudden slowing down of the pacing was jarring.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for providing an ARC!
3 ⭐️s
🚨 Pub Date: 8/13/24
March 25, 2024
The Plus One by Sc Lalli ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Two wealthy influential Indian families are merging with the Singh and Joshi wedding. Until the bride and groom are found murdered the morning of the wedding.
My favorite part of this was the culture. I loved the descriptions of this lavish Indian wedding (more the description of plans since the bride and groom were murdered before the wedding could occur). It would make a great movie for that reason. If you’re into amateur journalism and investigations, you may enjoy this. I didn’t get very invested in the mystery itself but I did enjoy the characters.
“Good or bad. Virtuous or evil. Whatever choice anyone makes, there will always be consequences.”
The Plus One comes out 8/13.
Two wealthy influential Indian families are merging with the Singh and Joshi wedding. Until the bride and groom are found murdered the morning of the wedding.
My favorite part of this was the culture. I loved the descriptions of this lavish Indian wedding (more the description of plans since the bride and groom were murdered before the wedding could occur). It would make a great movie for that reason. If you’re into amateur journalism and investigations, you may enjoy this. I didn’t get very invested in the mystery itself but I did enjoy the characters.
“Good or bad. Virtuous or evil. Whatever choice anyone makes, there will always be consequences.”
The Plus One comes out 8/13.
March 9, 2024
This was a pretty quick and easy read, but it never had me completely hooked or on the edge of my seat. It was just kind of a basic mystery with a basic narrator; I wanted to keep reading to find out the ending, but I wasn't super excited to pick it up and keep reading.
I think this book would have benefitted from Shay having a little bit more of a backstory in the beginning. The story starts off with the engaged couple getting murdered, so you're kind of thrown into that without really getting to learn much about who is telling the story. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if I knew/liked Shay more.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
I think this book would have benefitted from Shay having a little bit more of a backstory in the beginning. The story starts off with the engaged couple getting murdered, so you're kind of thrown into that without really getting to learn much about who is telling the story. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if I knew/liked Shay more.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
April 8, 2024
Everything I want in a thriller!! This one is fast paced and hooked me from the beginning! I love reading about rich people drama and influencers and this book has PLENTY of that. All the characters have just enough sketchy things about them to make them all suspicious throughout the book, which made me want to keep reading to find out more! I really loved this book, it was fun and exciting and shocking all at once!
April 28, 2024
I won this ARC through the Goodreads Giveaway. I really enjoyed this story. I was nice to have a Indian/East Asian MC and the Indian culture to make this a more interesting read. The story was interesting and I enjoyed the playout to see who killed the couple and the secrets of the Joshi Group. Fun read.
May 16, 2024
Thank you to the author and publisher for this ARC via a Goodreads giveaway. This is truly a beach read for the summer. Grateful for my copy!
May 20, 2024
A book that unfolds ans has all the twists and turns. Definitely recommend it.
July 28, 2024
3.75 ⭐️ Great summer read! This book was really easy to get into and it picked up pretty quickly. It was full of twists, lies, betrayal and turns that kept me guessing! Some parts did feel a bit drawn out and repetitive but I’d definitely recommend.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
March 7, 2024
This is the first book I've read from this author. I received an advanced copy. Oh my goodness, it was so good. Twists and turns throughout. Loved the writing style. I am looking forward to reading more from this author!
March 7, 2024
You’re invited to a beautiful destination wedding with all the glitz, glam and luxury money can buy....
We follow Shay the somewhat reluctant plus one to the best man of a wedding happening at a luxury resort in Los Cabos Mexico. Arriving a couple days after the wedding party and their families her reunion with her boyfriend is cut short.... by the murder of the bride and groom. They are found murdered in their bed and the investigation quickly identifies 3 persons of interest. The best friend, the cousin and the sister aka Caleb, Sean and Zara. Only they had the ability to access the villa where the murders took place. Shay, feeling guilty for a few secrets she’s keeping from Caleb feels like she can’t just abandon him in his time of need. Despite everybody telling her that she should probably go home she sticks around. One of these three people are a killer but how could the people who loved them most be at fault for their deaths?
Driven to find the truth and knowing that everybody is keeping secrets and even lying Shay does some investigating. She needs to know if she’s been sleeping with a killer? Could this be something to do with one of the two families prominent businesses? Is it personal? Who could possibly want to kill the happy couple on the eve of their big day?
The investigation takes some twists and turns but Shay is determined to get to the truth. And the truth is that everybody is hiding something and the secrets revealed are only adding up to half the truth...
I really like this book I spent my whole day reading it because I really wanted to know what happened. I didn’t guess who the killer was though I wasn’t surprised by how their murder plot went awry. The last reveal at the end I guessed early on so I wasn’t surprised. Glad Shay decided to get her life together in the end and that she wasn’t as too stupid to live as I thought she might be when she didn’t go home the million times that people told her to go home. This was definitely a good read.
We follow Shay the somewhat reluctant plus one to the best man of a wedding happening at a luxury resort in Los Cabos Mexico. Arriving a couple days after the wedding party and their families her reunion with her boyfriend is cut short.... by the murder of the bride and groom. They are found murdered in their bed and the investigation quickly identifies 3 persons of interest. The best friend, the cousin and the sister aka Caleb, Sean and Zara. Only they had the ability to access the villa where the murders took place. Shay, feeling guilty for a few secrets she’s keeping from Caleb feels like she can’t just abandon him in his time of need. Despite everybody telling her that she should probably go home she sticks around. One of these three people are a killer but how could the people who loved them most be at fault for their deaths?
Driven to find the truth and knowing that everybody is keeping secrets and even lying Shay does some investigating. She needs to know if she’s been sleeping with a killer? Could this be something to do with one of the two families prominent businesses? Is it personal? Who could possibly want to kill the happy couple on the eve of their big day?
The investigation takes some twists and turns but Shay is determined to get to the truth. And the truth is that everybody is hiding something and the secrets revealed are only adding up to half the truth...
I really like this book I spent my whole day reading it because I really wanted to know what happened. I didn’t guess who the killer was though I wasn’t surprised by how their murder plot went awry. The last reveal at the end I guessed early on so I wasn’t surprised. Glad Shay decided to get her life together in the end and that she wasn’t as too stupid to live as I thought she might be when she didn’t go home the million times that people told her to go home. This was definitely a good read.
July 27, 2024
A beautiful resort in Los Cabos, Mexico should be the perfect destination for the lavish wedding of the year…but it quickly turns into the location of the double murder of the bride Radhika and groom Raj.
Shaylee “Shay” Kapoor, girlfriend of the best man and undercover reporter, is on a mission to uncover the truth about a deadly fire and how the groom’s billionaire father, Mr Joshi, may be involved. Little did Shay know she’d soon be working to uncover who the murderer of the bride and groom is as well; and that the 3 main suspects are to close to home: Caleb, the groom’s best friend & best man,
Zara, sister of the bride or Sean, brother of the groom.
The Plus One wasn’t a thriller in the way where there’s a lot of action but it’s definitely suspense driven, which is nice, but there was a lot going on within the plot. First the corruption of Mr Joshi (Groom’s father) and his involvement in a fire killing multiple people, his company’s possible involvement with the Mexican cartel, and then of course the death and the whodunnit aspect of it.
As you’re reading you’re trying to solve the murder with Shay. The author did a great job of moving the focus from one suspect to another, to where you really believe any of the 3 suspects could have killed the bride and groom. If you read enough suspense/thrillers, or constantly watch ID channel like I do, I think you start developing a sense of figuring things out in books and I’m happy to say, this book kept me guessing until the reveal! There’s a lot happening here which sometimes makes it feel a bit drawn out and you don't end up loving any specific character (they are all flawed as we humans are). This was my first book by this author and it kept me interested!
Thank you to NetGalley, Williams Morrow Books and S.C Lalli
for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Shaylee “Shay” Kapoor, girlfriend of the best man and undercover reporter, is on a mission to uncover the truth about a deadly fire and how the groom’s billionaire father, Mr Joshi, may be involved. Little did Shay know she’d soon be working to uncover who the murderer of the bride and groom is as well; and that the 3 main suspects are to close to home: Caleb, the groom’s best friend & best man,
Zara, sister of the bride or Sean, brother of the groom.
The Plus One wasn’t a thriller in the way where there’s a lot of action but it’s definitely suspense driven, which is nice, but there was a lot going on within the plot. First the corruption of Mr Joshi (Groom’s father) and his involvement in a fire killing multiple people, his company’s possible involvement with the Mexican cartel, and then of course the death and the whodunnit aspect of it.
As you’re reading you’re trying to solve the murder with Shay. The author did a great job of moving the focus from one suspect to another, to where you really believe any of the 3 suspects could have killed the bride and groom. If you read enough suspense/thrillers, or constantly watch ID channel like I do, I think you start developing a sense of figuring things out in books and I’m happy to say, this book kept me guessing until the reveal! There’s a lot happening here which sometimes makes it feel a bit drawn out and you don't end up loving any specific character (they are all flawed as we humans are). This was my first book by this author and it kept me interested!
Thank you to NetGalley, Williams Morrow Books and S.C Lalli
for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 29, 2024
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from William Morrow via NetGalley.
This book promised a thrilling weeklong wedding extravaganza set in a luxurious Cabos resort, culminating in a shocking murder mystery. However, I felt the reality fell short of my expectations.
The story centers around the opulent wedding of Radhika Singh and Raj Joshi, an event meant to unite two influential Indian-American families. The week, coined "R&R" for rest, relaxation, and celebration, quickly spirals into chaos when the bride and groom are found dead with gunshot wounds to the head.
Enter Shaylee “Shay” Kapoor, an outsider dating Raj’s best friend, Caleb Prescott III. Shay finds herself amidst the unfolding drama, staying by Caleb’s side as the investigation begins. The police suspect a drug cartel hit, but with the resort’s state-of-the-art security, it seems impossible for the murderer to have entered without a key. With only a few people having access to the room, Shay must untangle a web of lies to discover the truth.
Despite the intriguing premise, the book failed to deliver on its promise. The plot, heavily laden with drug references, felt disconnected and poorly paced. I found myself struggling to stay invested in the story, largely due to the lack of compelling characters. Unfortunately, none of the characters were likable or relatable, making it difficult to root for anyone or care about their fate.
Overall, this book was a disappointing read for me. The excitement and suspense promised in the blurb were sorely missing, replaced by a tedious and unengaging narrative. This book didn’t live up to its hype, leaving me feeling underwhelmed and uninterested in the outcome.
This book promised a thrilling weeklong wedding extravaganza set in a luxurious Cabos resort, culminating in a shocking murder mystery. However, I felt the reality fell short of my expectations.
The story centers around the opulent wedding of Radhika Singh and Raj Joshi, an event meant to unite two influential Indian-American families. The week, coined "R&R" for rest, relaxation, and celebration, quickly spirals into chaos when the bride and groom are found dead with gunshot wounds to the head.
Enter Shaylee “Shay” Kapoor, an outsider dating Raj’s best friend, Caleb Prescott III. Shay finds herself amidst the unfolding drama, staying by Caleb’s side as the investigation begins. The police suspect a drug cartel hit, but with the resort’s state-of-the-art security, it seems impossible for the murderer to have entered without a key. With only a few people having access to the room, Shay must untangle a web of lies to discover the truth.
Despite the intriguing premise, the book failed to deliver on its promise. The plot, heavily laden with drug references, felt disconnected and poorly paced. I found myself struggling to stay invested in the story, largely due to the lack of compelling characters. Unfortunately, none of the characters were likable or relatable, making it difficult to root for anyone or care about their fate.
Overall, this book was a disappointing read for me. The excitement and suspense promised in the blurb were sorely missing, replaced by a tedious and unengaging narrative. This book didn’t live up to its hype, leaving me feeling underwhelmed and uninterested in the outcome.
April 21, 2024
Thanks very much to the publisher for the invite to read and review this book in through NetGalley.
I'm a little conflicted about my feelings towards this book. The cover immediately caught my eye and premise was was simple and great: the day before their lavish Indian wedding at an exclusive Mexican resort, Raj and Radhika are found dead. Unlikely guest Shay is determined to get to the truth behind their murders, but she's hiding plenty of secrets of her own. And those secrets might make her the killer's next target.
Honestly? This was ultimately a mixed bag for me. I was more than willing to put aside the absolute unbelievability of the plot itself (isn't Shay in her early 20s? She's going to single handedly take down the Mexican Cartel?) and the overall unlikability of the characters (holy red flags on all the males and Shay's over the top moral superiority and her "I will change the world" naivety was so off putting), because the last quarter of the book was a heart-in-your-throat twisty thrill ride. Unfortunately, what largely preceded it was...a bit boring. I really enjoyed Raj and Radhi's wedding descriptions--it did sound like they had something truly magical planned. But once they're killed off--and it's very early on and very abrupt, it doesn't leave much room for excitement or tension. Until about the 75% mark, things get repetitive (I don't think I could take another reference to "Brown Hulk Hogan") and I skipped large chunks just trying to find out who was ultimately behind the murders and why.
So while I'm bumping up my final score on account of a really great finish, I normally don't have the patience to push through to get that far.
I'm a little conflicted about my feelings towards this book. The cover immediately caught my eye and premise was was simple and great: the day before their lavish Indian wedding at an exclusive Mexican resort, Raj and Radhika are found dead. Unlikely guest Shay is determined to get to the truth behind their murders, but she's hiding plenty of secrets of her own. And those secrets might make her the killer's next target.
Honestly? This was ultimately a mixed bag for me. I was more than willing to put aside the absolute unbelievability of the plot itself (isn't Shay in her early 20s? She's going to single handedly take down the Mexican Cartel?) and the overall unlikability of the characters (holy red flags on all the males and Shay's over the top moral superiority and her "I will change the world" naivety was so off putting), because the last quarter of the book was a heart-in-your-throat twisty thrill ride. Unfortunately, what largely preceded it was...a bit boring. I really enjoyed Raj and Radhi's wedding descriptions--it did sound like they had something truly magical planned. But once they're killed off--and it's very early on and very abrupt, it doesn't leave much room for excitement or tension. Until about the 75% mark, things get repetitive (I don't think I could take another reference to "Brown Hulk Hogan") and I skipped large chunks just trying to find out who was ultimately behind the murders and why.
So while I'm bumping up my final score on account of a really great finish, I normally don't have the patience to push through to get that far.
March 18, 2024
This thriller stood out with its departure from the common middle-class white people drama of the genre with a largely South Asian main cast (including the MC) and a setting catering to the ultra-ultra-rich. It gave me what I wanted from a good murder mystery, which is a fast-paced plot with some decent characters and a satisfying resolution, but I struggled somewhat with the main character, who frankly felt kind of pitiful with her lack of real friends and weird blind spots about the people in her life. Kind of a bold move on her part to want to be a journalist when she is cripplingly unobservant and also seems to have no idea how journalism works when it comes to blithely passing along information.
It also felt like the author/this novel was trying to make some kind of point here about how nobody can POSSIBLY dedicate themselves in a real way to trying to make the world a better place, and that people can't actually have genuine meaningful principles. That all of us would secretly do anything to get ahead, and if we hold ourselves and others to a better standard well that's just because we're jealous of people who'll step on anyone to succeed and we're just mad we didn't get the opportunity to do so ourselves. Aside from the fact that I, um, disagree, it all came off as very author mouthpiece-y and defensive. This would have been a solid four star but I gotta dock one because the conservatism jumped out here and soured me a bit on the whole experience.
My thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC.
It also felt like the author/this novel was trying to make some kind of point here about how nobody can POSSIBLY dedicate themselves in a real way to trying to make the world a better place, and that people can't actually have genuine meaningful principles. That all of us would secretly do anything to get ahead, and if we hold ourselves and others to a better standard well that's just because we're jealous of people who'll step on anyone to succeed and we're just mad we didn't get the opportunity to do so ourselves. Aside from the fact that I, um, disagree, it all came off as very author mouthpiece-y and defensive. This would have been a solid four star but I gotta dock one because the conservatism jumped out here and soured me a bit on the whole experience.
My thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC.
March 27, 2024
The Plus One is a mystery/thriller where a young woman is inexplicably caught up into an unexpected drama. Shaylee Kapoor has been dating Caleb for a couple months before he invites her along to the wedding where he will be best man. The wedding happens to be the wedding of the century, the celebration of the marriage between a famous influencer and her famous businessman fiancée. The mystery begins when the couple is found murdered in their room before their wedding ceremony could commence. Shay seeks to find answers, all while questioning who she can really trust.
This story was unique and fresh. I really enjoy reading books about people from other cultural backgrounds and this book added many layers to that. It was also just a fun, juicy story with almost a gossip-like feel to it. It was reminiscent to Crazy, Rich Asians for me. However, this book is primarily a mystery. It is all told from Shay's perspective but does include different timelines of her story. It gives you glimpses of what is happening in the present while slowly revealing that Shay may not be the reliable narrator you came to love and root for.
There wasn't anything too objectionable in this book although the cast of characters do have very questionable morals. The ending is very satisfying and also leaves the door open for more interesting topics to be explored in a future book.
I highly recommend this book!
This story was unique and fresh. I really enjoy reading books about people from other cultural backgrounds and this book added many layers to that. It was also just a fun, juicy story with almost a gossip-like feel to it. It was reminiscent to Crazy, Rich Asians for me. However, this book is primarily a mystery. It is all told from Shay's perspective but does include different timelines of her story. It gives you glimpses of what is happening in the present while slowly revealing that Shay may not be the reliable narrator you came to love and root for.
There wasn't anything too objectionable in this book although the cast of characters do have very questionable morals. The ending is very satisfying and also leaves the door open for more interesting topics to be explored in a future book.
I highly recommend this book!
July 8, 2024
Attending a wedding at a resort in Cabo as the plus one to a VIP guest sounds amazing on paper. What could be better than a luxurious and all-inclusive suite? It has all the makings of a dream vacation…until the future Mr. and Mrs. turn up dead.
That’s a fast and effective way to put a damper on a weekend getaway.
When Shaylee “Shay” Kapoor accepted the invitation to attend the extravagant wedding of the very influential Radhia Singh and Raj Joshi, she anticipated it would mean a few days of pretending to fit in with the social elite her boyfriend Caleb is so seamlessly a part of. When R adhia and Raj turn up dead in Raj’s bed, things take a darker turn than Shay could have imagined.
While everyone seems quick to blame the couple’s death on drugs, Shay knows there is more at play due to the secrets she has been keeping.
This fun, fast-paced thriller is guaranteed to create a solid choice for a beach read for any genre fan. Shay, while flawed, is an intelligent and intriguing protagonist; it is refreshing to have someone who isn’t blonde and blue-eyed leading the way. Shay is complicated, interesting, and smart – a perfect combination when it comes to a protagonist. The best thing about her is that she is open about her flaws, creating a sense of trust with the reader. This makes it easier for the audience to feel invested in the story, and, as a result, will make for a fun read for fans of smart thrillers.
That’s a fast and effective way to put a damper on a weekend getaway.
When Shaylee “Shay” Kapoor accepted the invitation to attend the extravagant wedding of the very influential Radhia Singh and Raj Joshi, she anticipated it would mean a few days of pretending to fit in with the social elite her boyfriend Caleb is so seamlessly a part of. When R adhia and Raj turn up dead in Raj’s bed, things take a darker turn than Shay could have imagined.
While everyone seems quick to blame the couple’s death on drugs, Shay knows there is more at play due to the secrets she has been keeping.
This fun, fast-paced thriller is guaranteed to create a solid choice for a beach read for any genre fan. Shay, while flawed, is an intelligent and intriguing protagonist; it is refreshing to have someone who isn’t blonde and blue-eyed leading the way. Shay is complicated, interesting, and smart – a perfect combination when it comes to a protagonist. The best thing about her is that she is open about her flaws, creating a sense of trust with the reader. This makes it easier for the audience to feel invested in the story, and, as a result, will make for a fun read for fans of smart thrillers.
July 23, 2024
I enjoyed S.C. Lalli’s first thriller, so I jumped at the chance to read her next one. The Plus One is just as solid as the first one, chock-full of suspense and complex characters. I particularly liked the atmospheric feel of this one, with it set in Cabo San Lucas at a luxurious resort with a seedy reputation. I was also further drawn into the narrative by the constant use of interstitials, capturing the juxtaposition between the plans for the wedding festivities and the current high-stakes murder-mystery.
None of the characters are particularly likable, and I feel like Lalli made that work for her story here. All of them, including Shay herself, are messy and have secrets that reflect badly on them, but they’re also fairly compelling to follow in their mess. Shay also makes for a compelling protagonist, as while she is connected to the others, she’s also more of an outsider to the glitzy world the others occupy, and the distance she has from their world proves to be an asset throughout the book.
The plot has a lot going on, sometimes a little too much, as it got a bit overwhelming at times. But it all translates into a multilayered plot that takes time to unravel, keeping my attention throughout the book. The buildup to the reveal was satisfying and surprising, as well.
This was a solid read, and I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy thrillers with messy characters.
None of the characters are particularly likable, and I feel like Lalli made that work for her story here. All of them, including Shay herself, are messy and have secrets that reflect badly on them, but they’re also fairly compelling to follow in their mess. Shay also makes for a compelling protagonist, as while she is connected to the others, she’s also more of an outsider to the glitzy world the others occupy, and the distance she has from their world proves to be an asset throughout the book.
The plot has a lot going on, sometimes a little too much, as it got a bit overwhelming at times. But it all translates into a multilayered plot that takes time to unravel, keeping my attention throughout the book. The buildup to the reveal was satisfying and surprising, as well.
This was a solid read, and I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy thrillers with messy characters.
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