Cover Image: The Pink Hotel

The Pink Hotel

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

In "The Pink Hotel," Liska Jacobs crafts a scathing social commentary set against the backdrop of a wildfire-ridden Los Angeles. Through the lens of a young couple caught in the opulence and chaos of an exclusive Beverly Hills hotel, Jacobs delves into themes of class disparity and the fragility of relationships, ultimately delivering a provocative exploration of greed and love in a city on the brink of collapse. With sharp wit and incisive prose, Jacobs keeps readers riveted as tensions mount within the luxurious confines of the Pink Hotel, offering a blistering critique of society's darkest impulses.

DNF'd this book at 10%, could not connect to the characters and did not love the style of writing.

Was this review helpful?

Hard to really root for any of the characters, but a nice, almost satirical, story of the upper class californians hiding away in luxury while the rest of the world burns.

Was this review helpful?

I was not a fan of this story but I can think of serval people who would be. This is a niche read and for those looking for something I was not

Was this review helpful?

"The Pink Hotel" by Liska Jacobs is a captivating and gritty debut novel that follows the journey of a young woman named Ariel as she escapes her troubled life in California to visit her estranged father in London. Set against the backdrop of the vibrant and often seedy world of London's nightlife, the novel explores themes of family dysfunction, self-destruction, and the search for identity. Jacobs' writing is raw and unflinching, drawing readers into Ariel's turbulent world as she grapples with her past and struggles to find her place in the world. With its vivid imagery and complex characters, "The Pink Hotel" is a compelling read that will linger in the mind long after the final page is turned.

Was this review helpful?

I love books about drama surrounding rich people and them doing terrible things.

This was a wonderful look at class struggles and what happens when rich people are bored. This was a slow burn and the writing was atmospheric.

That ending was insane and explosive!

Loved this one!

Was this review helpful?

I couldn't get through this title. It ended up not being for me, but I hope it finds a hope with other readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I was really into the synopsis of this one, but that is where the intrigue ended. The POVs switched so quickly it gave me whiplash and I hated all the characters. That said, I did finsih it very quickly, so it did have some entertainment value.

Was this review helpful?

This book really wasn't for me. I found it really hard to read and all the characters ware unlikable. I didn't care about a single person in this book and mabey that was intentional but it didn't work for me. It might have worked if there were things happening in the book that would have carried the story forward but nothing really happened.

Was this review helpful?

I was intrigued by the premise of The Pink Hotel, expecting a story with interesting characters in a locked-door setting. And while the setting *is* beautifully written, the plot felt almost secondary. I was torn because I loved all of the descriptions, but that was mostly what this felt like — lush imagery with no narrative. Unfortunately, this ended up in my DNF pile, but I hope that some readers connect with it more than I did.

Was this review helpful?

This was an extremely pretentious novel. It felt like it was trying to do something but it missed the mark completely. Every single character sucked so much and I just wanted to sucker punch every one of them.

Was this review helpful?

"The Pink Hotel" by Liska Jacobs is a novel that has left me with mixed feelings. While it certainly has its merits, there are certain aspects of the book that fell short of my expectations.

One of the strengths of the novel is its unique premise. The story revolves around a young woman who returns to Los Angeles for her estranged mother's funeral and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. The setting of The Pink Hotel itself adds an intriguing and mysterious backdrop to the narrative, creating an atmosphere ripe for exploration.

Liska Jacobs' writing style is undeniably vivid and evocative. She has a talent for painting scenes and emotions with words, which makes the book engaging on a sensory level. The prose is often beautifully poetic, and there are moments when the author's descriptive prowess shines.

However, despite its strengths, "The Pink Hotel" has its share of shortcomings. The protagonist, while clearly struggling with inner turmoil, can be difficult to relate to. Her choices and actions sometimes come across as erratic and impulsive, making it challenging to fully invest in her journey.

The plot also tends to meander, and at times, it felt like the story lacked a clear direction or purpose. This made it difficult to stay fully engaged, as I found myself searching for a more cohesive narrative thread to follow.

Furthermore, some of the secondary characters in the book are underdeveloped, and their motivations remain unclear, leaving me with unanswered questions about their roles in the story.

In conclusion, "The Pink Hotel" by Liska Jacobs is a book that offers a unique premise and beautifully crafted prose but falls short in terms of character development and plot cohesion. While it may resonate with readers who enjoy introspective and atmospheric novels, it might leave others wanting more in terms of a well-defined narrative arc and relatable characters. It's a book that sparks curiosity but may not fully satisfy those seeking a more structured and immersive reading experience.

Was this review helpful?

I really wanted this to be White Lotus in novel form, so maybe it is my fault going into it with the wrong expectations. To be honest, I was bored but this and just kept hoping it would turn around for me but no luck. I think it was supposed to be satirical but that just didn't translate well for me!

Was this review helpful?

I’ll be honest, I just read the first chapter and knew the writing style wasn’t for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy.

Was this review helpful?

Just finished this well written book and am eager to check out the author’s other books. Her writing is so descriptive, I could imagine the characters and the settings so well. Loved it!

Was this review helpful?

I'm sorry to say this, but I DNF'ed this book after trying to read it for a past few months. I gave this book one chances after another, always thought that maybe I was just not in a right mood for it. But finally I understud, that it is just not for me.
The synopsis was very promising and at first I was very intrigued, but after few percent of it, my interest dwindled. It's sad, but the characters bored me to death, I don't even remember their names, thats how forgetable they are.

Do not recommend.

Was this review helpful?

I started reading this book over a year ago, and lumbered through it. From what I have read so far (more than 1/3rd), it still seems the stage is being set.

Was this review helpful?

A good story! The juxtaposition of different the characters and the backdrop of the fire made for a compelling story.

Was this review helpful?

Lisa Jacobs’ The Pink Hotel gives off absolute The White Lotus vibes, which is why I was so eager to pick it up. As someone who couldn’t get enough of the hit HBO series, I was excited to read a book with a similar setting and atmosphere. Everything kicks off swimmingly in The Pink Hotel with its lush setting and comparisons of staff and guests, but this novel quickly loses its way … and its readers. This book had the potential to be brilliant - the elite class locked inside a posh Beverly Hills hotel while the city burns down around them due to protestors who want to “Eat the Rich” - but the way it is written is all wrong. It takes an odd, standoffish approach, letting the narrative live inside the minds of its various characters, constantly switching perspective at a dizzying pace, and never letting the readers connect with anyone. Not to mention all of the drugs and debauchery - without there being any connection between the characters and readers, all of the depravity just becomes a ridiculous freak show that you can’t help but scoff at. I really gave this book a try because I wanted to love it, but sadly it was so poorly executed. I’m frankly just glad it is over.

Was this review helpful?

Dreamy and atmospheric, this book was an engaging read on class, resentments, secrets, and how to move forward. A solid read.

Was this review helpful?

I could not finish enough of this book to be able to leave a comprehensive review, but I hope it finds its audience and I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

Was this review helpful?