The perfect summer (or anytime) read is one that is thrilling and so hard to put down that you want to finish it in one sitting. THE TRADE OFF by Sandie Jones certainly fits that bill, but it's also a story that, at its core, is about the deceptive practices and outright lying that go on in today's media. And while the book is set in the United Kingdom, those of us on this side of the pond can very well substitute some of our media outlets that use fictional "fake news" and other outlandish stories to keep viewers hooked.

"The perfect summer (or anytime) read is one that is thrilling and so hard to put down that you want to finish it in one sitting. THE TRADE OFF by Sandie Jones certainly fits that bill..."

THE TRADE OFF is told from a dual perspective. Jess is the newbie to the hectic newsroom at The Globe, one of the most popular (and salacious) newspapers in England. She is hired by Max, the editor, ostensibly to focus on corruption and help the paper find its moral compass by investigating and publishing real news, not click bait. Jess' point of view is told in first person, and we can tell from her narrative how passionate she is about justice and doing the right thing.

We also hear from Stella, albeit in third person. At first glance, Stella seems to be the polar opposite of Jess. The deputy editor of The Globe, she is ambitious and appears ruthless in doing whatever it takes to get the story that will sell the most papers. Although she and Max had worked closely together before rising in the ranks, it rankles her that he's the editor instead of her.

When a popular cookbook writer won't grant The Globe an interview, owner Peter Kingsley dangles something in front of her --- Tiffany diamonds, on loan for an important event --- to get what he wants. She's tricked into it, but Jess is also tricked into lying and helping con people into sharing secrets that the paper can spread across its front pages to sell more copies. There's also the title phrase, "The Trade Off," which is when the paper uncovers something horrible that they then hold over the person's head to demand an interview in which they hope to uncover something just as shocking.

When, because of Jess and Stella's machinations, someone dies by suicide, they both are shaken. Jess is hellbent on getting justice. Stella begins to wonder to what lengths she should go to get the hottest story. Is it worth someone's life? And that's when we begin to wonder what exactly is going on. We slowly come to understand precisely what is at stake in this novel that, like a mountain road, twists and winds around until we don't know what direction we are going.

Corruption, lies, revenge, hunger for power, women hiding crimes that they have been a victim of, and the power of the media are all fodder for thoughtful reflection as we turn the last page. If you were duped into committing a crime against someone, or even a hurtful act, does the fact that you didn't really know what you were doing exonerate you? Do intentions matter? Or the devastating results?

Definitely put this one on your TBR list. It's a quick read, but again, that's because you don't want to put it down. Seemingly so opposite, the two women are --- at heart --- reporters out for the truth.