The Girls Trip by Ally Condie

From the author of  The Unwedding comes a novel of suspense and friendship as three friends decide to disappear from their lives for a few days while on a trip to a national park—only to have one of them vanish.

Hope, Ash, and Caro met at an online book club. Over the past two years, they’ve been there for each other in every way—except in person. When each of their lives reach a crossroads, they decide to meet in real life at the gorgeous Sonnet Resort at Eden National Park.

Hope, an actress, has become entirely too famous and needs to get away from it all. Ash, a successful online entrepreneur, isn’t sure what has happened to her marriage. Caro, a doctor, has lost a patient and doesn’t know if she wants to carry on or start all over.

Kindle Edition, 320 pages

Expected publication April 7, 2026

by Grand Central Publishing

2.75/5 stars

The Girls Trip was my first time reading Ally Condie,  the premise hooked me immediately. Three friends vanishing from their everyday lives for a few days. With no phones, no explanations and no one knowing where they’ve gone, felt like the perfect setup for a tense, escapist read. The opening delivered on that promise, I was genuinely intrigued about what was taking place.

As the story moved, things began to feel a bit disjointed. It wasn't until the last third or so that personal histories and background layers really come into play. But unfortunately by that point, I found myself wishing those elements had appeared earlier to deepen connections and give the twists more impact. There are also several red herrings sprinkled throughout, some more effective than others.  

While the concept is compelling and the early chapters pulled right me in, the uneven pacing and later structural shifts held this one back for me. But I did finish since I was intrigued enough to know what was going on.

My thanks to Grand Central Publishing (via Netgalley) for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.