The novel starts out with an emotional beginning and then we are in NM as our character moves to Los Angeles. There are unexpected developments, which is what kept me turning the pages to find out how it played out in the end. This is a gripping read. That will keep you on the edge of your seat! This novel plot is excellent in the way if you don’t know who to trust, who to believe, who is the architect, and who is taken for a ride!
The Exchange by Nadija Mujagic is a psychological thriller about Sam Crawford, a small-town high school grad that goes to L.A. to pursue her dreams of being an actress. While Sam has trouble making it she meets a man named Corey who will open doors for Sam in exchange for her giving him a child. This book has a very interesting premise and I was very excited to jump into it. I have to say this story really has you going. There are so many twists and turns and not all that easy to figure out. Sam is a very naive character and as you go along this journey with her you really root for her. I found myself unable to put this book down. The author is very good at holding your interest. This was a very entertaining story.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00La Toya Lewishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLa Toya Lewis2023-02-25 17:54:342023-03-02 08:53:21The Exchange by Nadija Mujagic – Review by La Toya Lewis
Haunting. Bizarre. Suspenseful. Twisted. Tormenting. Sad. Hollow.
These are a few words to describe this novel as well as how it left me feeling at the end. This one will grip you from the first page and leave you possibly doing a happy dance and throwing a victory fist in the end.
Samantha “Sam” has had enough of her mother and living in New Mexico. Her sights are set on the big lights of California and the dream of becoming a well-known actress. Once she gets confirmation of an audition, Sam sets the wheels in motion to find an apartment and get herself out to California. When the audition doesn’t go as planned, Sam looks for work and has to look no further than a local coffee shop. She’s given a warning the first day of work to never be late and has no intentions of doing so. Her co-worker Michael is giving her some weird vibes and her boss…well he’s a bit of a creep but he’s given her an opportunity to work while looking for her big break.
Then Corey enters her life. He has a nice car, a huge house with a pool, and seems to be on the right track in life. Afterall, he has a friend who is going to introduce Sam to the right people and get her the auditions she’s been after. Corey isn’t around much though. He’s flying important people all around the world.
Things start to get weird for Sam and she finds out she’s pregnant, although she doesn’t remember doing anything that would cause that for her. That’s when Corey drops the bomb on her that she’s to exchange her baby for her acting career. Sam starts to find out that she really can’t trust anyone she knows and something isn’t sure she should trust herself.
This book isn’t going to be for everyone. There are several issues that could be triggers for certain people. I did find this book enjoyable though and was a bit intrigued as to how it all happened right up until the very end. There were parts of the story that did seem to drag some but overall, a recommended read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Julie Johnsonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJulie Johnson2023-02-23 17:43:302023-02-25 12:27:41The Exchange by Nadija Mujagic – Review by Julie Johnson
The Exchange by Nadija Mujagic is the first book that I have read by this author. It popped up on my recommended book list and after seeing the cover and reading the blurb, I was intrigued. I picked up a copy and jumped right in. The premise promises a thrilling suspense, with a psychological edge, mystery, drama, twists, manipulation, intrigue, an ‘exchange/bargain gone wrong, and more. And for the most part it was a gripping read. But, I had anticipated being on the edge of my seat the whole way through- and that wasn’t the case here. It was definitely intriguing, and had some gripping, twisted moments- but I felt the story was much slower and more predictable than I had expected. I was hyped up for an intense read, so it fell a little short, for me. There were a few unexpected developments which were what kept me turning the pages to find out how it all played out in the end. I was a little frustrated throughout the story, as I really think this has so much more potential to be a stellar story, but just missed the mark. It didn’t help that I found the transitions to be quite abrupt, which disrupted the flow of the story (for me) as I had to ‘settle’ back into the groove every time. Sam Moves to L.A. looking for her big break- but the doors to success remained shut. So when she’s offered help to realise her dreams- she thinks things are finally looking up for her, then things take an interesting turn. A bargain is reached, an ‘exchange’ agreed upon. But things go a bit awry along the way. What happens? You’ll need to read all the dramatic developments for yourself… Happy Reading…
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2023-02-22 23:04:232023-02-25 12:13:55The Exchange by Nadija Mujagic – Review by Angela Hayes
Sam is young and naive. She moves to LA to pursue an acting career. When she loses her job unexpectedly, she trusts Corey to help her. Her life takes a turn and she must try to save herself. Her decisions have consequences for years to come.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Paula Sayershttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngPaula Sayers2023-02-21 15:50:072023-02-25 11:55:04The Exchange by Nadija Mujagic – Review by Paula R Sayers
I don’t know if I have ever wanted to shake a character I just met so much in my life!!! There’s gullible and then there’s just dumb. Sam Crawford was definitely not blessed with the brains even if she thinks she can act. The ending of this book definitely had me doing a quick double take. I did not expect the last chapter, so that was cool twist to a very dark book. The writing was good and the book was easy to read – the character is just mentally exhausting to follow.
This was a really gripping read. The twists and turns in this book had my head spinning and completely took me by surprise. The author writes in a way that you really get to feel every emotion that the lead character goes through. Her childhood is traumatic and she seems easily taken advantage of. Sam’s naivety really leads her into some dangerous and scary situations as she finds her way in life. I also like how the author starts at the present day with her little boy going missing before going back and telling us the tale of how she got to this situation in the first place. Sam leaves her past behind her and moves to LA to become an actress. However her plans aren’t working out how she wants. That is until she meets Corey. Corey is a charmer, he sweeps her off her feet and promises her everything she desires in return he wants her to have a baby. And so begins the twisted tale but when she is left alone but imprisoned its not the dream she imagined. Fast forward 4 years later and her little boy goes missing. Is this Corey finally making the exchange complete? Who is really the bad guy in this tale? This book was great in that you don’t know who to trust, who to believe and who is the actual mastermind and who is the person dragged along for the ride.
Nadija Mujagic’s The Exchange will have you on the edge of your seat wondering what twists and turns it will take next! I could not put this book down, right from the very beginning you are thrown into a mystery that will keep you asking, what happened to Jake? I love how the author starts chapter 1 with what is happening right NOW and then in chapter 2 she takes you back to the past 4 years prior and leads you back to the present to finish the book. Be prepared to be shocked at all the things that Sam goes through in her life before she gets back to her search for Jake. You will fall in love with several of the characters and others you grow to despise, beware that not everyone is who you think they are! There are parts that will have you in tears, and other times that you will be gnawing at your fingernails, anxious about what is going to happen next. @BrandyRymer 2/2023
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Brandy Jo Rymerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBrandy Jo Rymer2023-02-15 16:04:052023-02-20 09:15:19The Exchange by Nadija Mujagic – Review by Brandy Rymer
The novel begins to pull you in and explain to you the storyline and the next thing you know you are there living everything with Sam aka Samantha. Once you get into the story you wonder where it is heading and then bam you run into a wall because it wasn’t what you expected. Excellently written to keep you captive and entertained. Nadija brings up many world issues and shows us this under the bed problems.
The Exchange is definitely what the title states: A Gripping Psychological Thriller and an Incredible Twist. Every time I thought I had it figured out, I was very wrong. Same moved to LA to become an actress, like many before her. Once she got there, she finds out that the actress life is much harder than it seems and finds it impossible to even get an audition in the big city. I did find the main character, Sam, to be very naïve and seems to constantly put herself into questionable situations. Insert Corey, a charming man who quickly wins Sam over, and then abandons her completely. There are so many questions asked throughout this book, but they do get answered. This was my first read from this author and while I did find a couple spots to be predictable, it was an easy and twisting read that I enjoyed.
This was such an amazing suspenseful book! I was completely unable to put this book down until I finished it. I literally lost sleep over this book and I do not regret it one book. This book had such an interesting premise but it also focused on how many people make decisions they regret if they are in Los Angeles trying to find their big break. I truly don’t want to give too much information as I don’t want to risk spoiling this book for anyone. The premise is this – Sam flees to L.A. escaping her small town and her past. This is where she meets Corey, who woos her and charms her. He also offers her a big break. But it comes with the agreement to do some questionable things. Corey takes her and the reader on an absolutely insane psychological ride. I definitely recommend this book, just make sure to start it when you have time to finish it. I can guarantee you won’t put it down.
Such a twisted and bizarre novel. I didn’t love it but I still couldn’t put it down either. The Exchange is definitely an experience. The author makes you feel the negative feelings projected. The author makes you root for the lead female character. Those two things are what kept me invested. Everything I was thinking was going on when I first started was definitely wrong. A fre of the minor details were right, but the rest I was far off. It’s nice when the author can artfully surprise you. Well I was definitely surprised. Sam had big dreams. Moving to LA and becoming an actress. So much belief in herself, till she got there. She couldn’t get an audition, she couldn’t get an acting job. She had no choice but to answer a classified, little did she know that classified would change her life forever. Corey’s a charmer. It took him very little to woo Sam. Take her on dates, convince her to move in just to make things easier for them. Once he has her in his mits he abandons her. Ceases contact and leaves her stranded with no wifi, cell, or phone service. Was that his intention? Did Corey really abandon Sam? Those questions are few questions, when this book causes millions. Though it also answers every single, which is what keeps one interested and intrigued. A psychological thriller at its best! Can be a slight trigger warning but definitely worth the read!
3.5 stars There are things that may be a trigger to some readers. What a Psychological Thriller it is. I love psychological thrillers but I’m not sure how I feel about this book or where to start this review. There is so much pain, and emptiness to the main character. Her naivety is overwhelming at times with the situations she finds herself in. Hoping for a life full of dreams she sets off for LA however she finds herself in situations none of us want to find ourselves in. A stranger promising her things turns out to be the devil himself. Nadija has given us an original tale with an interesting premise. There were times when I could see things coming but there are enough twists and turns the biggest being the ending that was a surprise. It is one of those stories that the pages keep turning because you have to know how it ends.
This was quite the suspenseful story. I found it a quick read. There were a few predictable spots. It’s an original story that will have you feeling the suspense. The characters are young and modern, so they are fairly relatable. The story flows well. I enjoyed it. I loved the suspense and it kept me glued till the end
A high-school grad, Sam Crawford, moves to Los Angeles to pursue acting and leaves the small town with a big secret behind.
After several failed prospects, her world continues to crumble. She meets Corey, a man who promises to help with her acting with one caveat she does not expect: an exchange. He will fulfill her dream career if she gives him a child. While being held captive until the baby is born and the exchange complete, she hears and sees things that lead to her escape.
When the child goes missing four years later, does the exchange finally happen? And does Sam become a mastermind of Corey’s organized crime?
The Exchange is a twisty read that will have you glued to the pages late into the night.
Nadija Mujagić was born and raised in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, what used to be the former Yugoslavia back in the late 1970s. In 1997, she moved to the United States shortly after the end of the Bosnian War and has lived in Massachusetts since. In her spare time, she enjoys playing sports and electric bass guitar.
Visit her website for more information: http://nadijamujagic.com
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