by Cynthia Chow
This week we have a review of The Sweetest Getaway By Sasha Preston, along with an interesting interview with Sasha. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it from Amazon.
The Sweetest Getaway by Sasha Preston
Review by Cynthia Chow
Thirty-something Jennifer lives in a world of comic book heroines and dreams of owning a surf shop in Hawaii, but she’s always admired her roommate’s ability to jump into money-making schemes that fall on the illegal side. That’s how Jennifer finds herself accompanying Nari Park as they infiltrate the Paws and Promises Gala under assumed identities, eventually fleeing out the back just ahead of security when they are caught. That doesn’t slow Nari down though, as she quickly hooks up with her ex-boyfriend Sumeet in a plan to steal millions of dollars’ worth of high-demand artificial sweetener alternative when it’s in short supply. That it would also stick it to the company that is exploiting its women workers is a bonus, and this helps to lure in Jennifer into both getting closer to her dream and helping women in general.
It doesn’t take long for them to realize that this isn’t a two-woman job, so they enlist several local businesswomen with particular sets of skills. Nari also reluctantly brings in her mother Hana, a million-dollar level scammer with whom she has a complicated relationship. Hana and Nari moved frequently as their fortunes were made and then lost, and Nari still hopes to impress the mother who cut her off once she became an adult. It’s Jennifer who is tasked with bringing in a police officer to be a mole, while at the same time she finds romance with another man, the attractive Amir Haddad. As the chapters count down to the day of the heist, tension is ratcheted up when the police get a tip from a possible betrayer, their plans are jeopardized, and the women risk getting caught.
It would be difficult to avoid making comparisons to Ocean’s 8, a movie that teamed up women for a heist taking down a billionaire. Here more emphasis is placed on the unexpected friendships and bonds that form between the women though, as they have all struggled to support both themselves and their families. Halfway through the novel chapters are introduced from the viewpoint of the investigating police officer, and it’s difficult to not root for her even though it would come at the expense of our heroines. By making the Omaha Essentrix Lab responsible for the Sorbelate sweetener linked to the exploitation of women workers in the Congo, the lab becomes an easy target to hate, allowing Nari and Jennifer’s caper to be one that is justified and less “criminal.”
The plot speeds along quickly to the day of the heist, and the conclusion is as rewarding for readers as it is for the crew. This is a fun thriller that includes food festivals, tasty Korean barbecue restaurant meals, and women supporting women.
Interview with Sasha Preston:
KRL: How long have you been writing?
Sasha: I started writing as a kid. I furiously wrote fiction during school and in my spare time. As I got older, I started to write more nonfiction and professional pieces. I love that kind of writing, but I started to feel like something was missing for me creatively.
A few years ago, a friend of mine suggested we write short stories together. Each week, we took turns coming up with a theme. The only rule was we had to write a story on the topic, any length. It was so exciting to see how wildly different her stories were from my own each week. This got my creative muscle going. Soon it became easier to write, and I started to feel sparks of inspiration throughout the day. When a few friends suggested I join them in writing contests, it felt like a sign. I could write a full-length novel. I was ready.
Sasha Preston
KRL: When did your first novel come out, what was it called, and would you tell us a little about it?
Sasha: The Sweetest Getaway came out in August 2025.
Here’s the blurb:
They’ll need the sweetest getaway ever to escape this mess as the cops are closing in…
Jennifer used to be a wholesome daydreamer who’d never broken a law in her life. Then her bold roommate, Nari, ropes her into a money-making scheme that isn’t exactly…legal. To Jennifer’s shock, stealing from bad guys is actually fun.
However, their joyride comes crashing down when someone tips off the cops. Now Jennifer and Nari must team up with a crew of seasoned criminals for one daring heist that could set them up for life…or land them behind bars.
Add in a charming stranger who tempts Jennifer’s heart, and suddenly her double life is more complicated than ever. Can she find a happily-ever-after that doesn’t include an orange jumpsuit?
Fans of heist rom-coms, found family crews, and laugh-out-loud women’s fiction will love The Sweetest Getaway.
The Sweetest Getaway is a no spice, cozy heist novel with laughs and the smartest heroines since Ocean’s 8.
KRL: Have you always written mysteries/suspense and if not, what else have you written?
Sasha: I wrote A Sweet Scheme, which is the standalone prequel that comes before The Sweetest Getaway. It is also a cozy crime caper/heist/mystery. Both are playful women’s fiction books with themes of found family. I am currently working on book three in the series, which is in the same genre.
KRL: What brought you to choose the setting and characters in your latest book/series?
Sasha: I wanted to write about two close friends who are also very different from each other because I think these friendships can be super fulfilling and exciting. I love the idea of friends pushing each other to grow.
Jennifer is a wholesome daydreamer who has never broken a rule in her life. She has plenty of dreams but is scared to follow through on them.
Nari is a freewheeling entrepreneur who is always coming up with new–legally questionable–ways to make money. She convinces Jennifer to join her in a heist against a bad guy that Jennifer knows all too well. Throughout the journey, Jennifer learns to be bolder, take more risks, and believe in herself enough to follow her dreams. In turn, Jennifer has a wholesomeness that Nari craves. She grounds her, helps her to be more centered, and gives her a sense of home. I really enjoyed writing this contrast between these friends.
For the setting, I wanted the story to take place in the Midwest. The Midwest and its people are often underestimated. There are tons of diverse, fascinating people in the region with great stories to tell. I wanted to show that exciting things happen in the Midwest and loveable, multi-layered people choose to live there. When I was looking for a setting, my coworkers went to a leadership retreat in Omaha. That was all the inspiration I needed. Even better, Omaha is a completely unexpected setting for a multi-million-dollar heist.
KRL: Do you write to entertain or is there something more you want the readers to experience from your work?
Sasha: Both. My goal is to give readers a sense of joy, escape, and playfulness. I think that’s a huge gift to people, since people don’t always give themselves permission to just feel pure joy for no reason. I also want to encourage readers to feel bolder and take more risks in their daily lives. If they’ve been wanting to try something that scares them, I hope to inspire them to believe in themselves, step outside of their comfort zones, and take the (legal) leap they’ve been dreaming about.
KRL: Do you have a schedule for your writing or just work whenever you can?
Sasha: Both! I write every morning and also fit it in whenever I can. I have the Google Docs app on my phone so I can write during free moments throughout the day, like if I’m waiting in line somewhere or walking on my lunch break. I also try to make time in the evenings and on weekends.
KRL: What is your ideal time to write?
Sasha: I love to write in the morning while I’m eating breakfast, and my brain is fresh. But honestly, I love to write anytime.
KRL: Do you outline? If not, do you have some other interesting way that you keep track of what’s going on, or what needs to happen in your book when you are writing it?
Sasha: I’ve started to outline recently, but I like to keep it flexible and evolving. I have a document where I keep notes about what I’d like to cover, and I also place a bunch of notes in brackets inline in the text. When I’m ready to edit, I search all brackets and make sure each note that I still agree with is reflected in the story.
KRL: Did you find it difficult to get published in the beginning?
Sasha: I think you can get overwhelmed with the publishing process, but you only need to deal with your immediate goals one at a time. As you go, you’ll discover what you should be focusing on, and you can always learn more about what you need to do next. It’s very exciting and entrepreneurial.
KRL: Most interesting book signing story-in a bookstore or other venue?
Sasha: I have my first one coming up outside of Los Angeles, California on January 31, 2026! I would love to see readers there if they can make it. blackcatfables.com/products/01-31-2026-the-sweetest-getaway-with-sasha-preston
KRL: What are your future writing goals?
Sasha: I want to keep The Sweet Escape series going for as many books as feel right for the storyline. Then, I’d love to write more series in the crime-caper/cozy heist genre.
KRL: Who are your writing heroes?
Sasha: Jhumpa Lahiri.
KRL: What kind of research do you do?
Sasha: Tons! For example, for The Sweetest Getaway, I researched nonviolent weapons that the characters could use to defend themselves during the heist. I had to learn how you’d need to train to use the weapons, how to deploy them effectively, which precautions you’d need to take, and more. I had to do a lot of incognito Google searches!
KRL: What do you like to read?
Sasha: I love many different genres, but I’ve recently gotten more into romcom and crime caper books. I love getting pure entertainment and joy from my books.
KRL: Have you any advice for aspiring or beginning writers?
Sasha: The most important thing you can do is write. Don’t worry about how good it is. You can edit endlessly, and your story will evolve beyond what you can imagine in the beginning. You have a beautiful, unique voice and your story needs to be told.
KRL: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
Sasha: My first work experience was working in women’s microfinance in rural southern India. I’m extremely passionate about women’s financial empowerment, and that’s why it’s such a strong theme in my books.
KRL: Where can people find you online?
Sasha: Website: sashapreston.com/the-sweetest-getaway, Instagram: instagram.com/sashaprestonwriter, and Facebook.
You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.
To enter to win an ebook copy of The Sweetest Getaway, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “getaway” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen January 17, 2026. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.
Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify.
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