"The Private Jet" by Sarah Goodwin is an intense story of survival played out against a vast, unforgiving jungle. Having read one of Sarah Goodwin's books before, I knew I was in for one hell of a ride. And boy, a wild ride it was! I’ll never look at a flight the same way after reading this book.
Told in the first-person point of view and alternating between timelines, the story follows Lila Wilde, a lifestyle influencer and daughter of a famous rock star. Spoiled and accustomed to luxury, Lila travels to Thailand with her wannabe DJ boyfriend, Bryce, for a vacation. When he proposes in a nightclub - far from the romantic setting she imagined - Lila impulsively invites a mix of celebrities and strangers to her father’s villa, only a short flight away.
While flying on her father's private plane, it encounters rough conditions and crashes in the Thai jungle, with only a few survivors left. They must face venomous snakes and countless dangers while waiting for a rescue that might never come. Pretty soon, divisions arise between the "haves" (the rich and famous) and the "have-nots" (the common people), forcing Lila to choose a side. Thus begins a gripping tale of survival where every person is for themselves, and only the strongest have a chance of making it out alive.
Though the start is a bit slow, it lays the groundwork for the nail-biting tension that follows. The story has "Lord of the Flies" vibes and was a quick, enjoyable read. The blurb was a bit misleading - I thought it would be about a vacation gone wrong aboard a plane - but it turned out to be more of a survival game, and just as compelling. I found the novel addictive, largely because the characters are so human, with believable strengths and flaws. I was so emotionally invested I couldn’t stop turning the pages to find out who would survive.
The true nature of people is revealed in times of danger, as was the case here. As resources dwindled, the characters' real personalities came to light, not a pretty sight. Lila transformed from a spoiled and spineless heiress into a capable woman, and I grew to like her. In contrast, Bryce's true colors emerge during the crisis, rendering him utterly despicable. While it’s tempting to judge Lila for some of her actions - or inaction - we can’t truly know how we’d react in similar situations.
One aspect I didn’t love was the overuse of drugs and drinking, which led to several reckless decisions. The portrayal of all wealthy characters as drug users felt a bit stereotypical, and Lila’s casual attitude toward certain substances might send the wrong message. I was especially irritated by the scene where a character gave his girlfriend a spiked drink without her knowledge; instead of confronting him, she chose to avoid a fuss, which felt disappointing.
The author expertly builds tension and atmosphere throughout the book. The vivid descriptions make the setting come alive, making the story feel frighteningly real. I felt like I was right there with the characters, foraging for food and struggling to survive against the elements.
On the surface, this is a thrilling survival story, but at its core, it explores how far people will go to survive and how quickly they can lose their humanity. Another takeaway is the reminder not to take anything for granted. I loved the book and highly recommend it to fans of suspense and survival tales. The pages couldn’t turn fast enough to keep up with the engrossing plot!
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* For more info about the book: "The Private Jet" by Sarah Goodwin
