I think this book could appeal to the novice reader. The reader who hasn't read hundreds of mystery/thriller novels and has to read something really special to be surprised anymore. After reading the synopsis and the first chapter and a half of the book I knew 75% of the twists. I kept reading because I was hoping the author would prove me wrong. "Surely it can't be that obvious," I told myself. I was wrong, it was that obvious. It didn't matter that Ochs tried to sprinkle red herrings throughout the book to throw the reader off, most of which were really obvious and relied on the characters' total stupidity to be believable. This just wasn't an interesting thriller. Not everything I read has to be ground-breaking or a completely new concept either. But for it to receive a high rating it must do other things well. The writing has to be well done, the characters need to be fleshed out or otherwise engaging, the pacing has to be consistent (and in a thriller, fast). None of these were present in this book. The writing was pedestrian. The characters were not well done. Every female is either a b*tch, a pushover, or evil. I couldn't care less if any of them lived. And the pacing was way off. The first 2/3 of the book was slow and boring, with all the action shoved into the end of the novel. And speaking of the end of the novel, the epilogue was by far the best part of the entire experience. Not because it was a surprise (it wasn't), but because it was finally something interesting. Finally, a character that I wanted to read more from. Someone with something exciting to say, not the same whiny girl pity party.

One star for being a debut author and everyone gets a participation trophy, another for the epilogue.

Thank you to NetGalley for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

3.5 stars. Good read to keep you turning pages and I liked the setting. The characters felt a bit one-dimensional, but thriller lovers will be entertained.

This is a perfect example of a slow burn thriller. It was slow but extremely suspenseful. The twisty ending you won't see coming! Amazing debut from Sara Ochs!

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was the perfect weekend escape read. A well-executed, twisty thriller that kept me intrigued right to the end. What a stunner of a debut!

Seldom have I found a Psychological Thriller as gloriously twisted as THE RESORT. Yes, "twisted" is usually at the very heart of this sub-genre, but this novel brings a whole new meaning. As the last season of "The X-Files" counseled, "Trust No One." Nowhere is that more true than in THE RESORT, in which everyone holds secrets, and some more than others, and will stop at nothing to maintain those secrets. Riveting!

** 3.5 stars rounded up **


The alternating POV added layers to the storytelling
I actually didn’t care for Cass in the beginning, but I really liked Brooke’s character from the start. Cass did grow on me over time
It’s a slow burn filled with so many red herrings & twists, and it’s oh so good when it all starts to come together
Beautiful setting. My dad spent time in Thailand before I was born, so it’s a place I’ve always wanted to go.
Both Cass & Brooke had impactful & mysterious events in their past that they’re keeping to themselves. Sometimes other books can go a little too hard reminding you that there’s something about this character you don’t know, but I didn’t feel like it was overdone with this book

Please read responsibly and check the trigger warnings for this book.

Thank you @bookmarked for sending me a @Netgalley widget to read this book!

The Resort is a thriller set on a fictional Thai island… that plus a few other details remind me of The Beach. This book has several twists I didn’t quite expect. The story unfolds in the alternating viewpoints of 2 main characters, a literary device I always enjoy.

The story is told in alternating chapters between Cass, a scuba diving instructor and a Permanent, and Brooke, a social media influencer on vacation who becomes involved with one of the Permanents. Although both women hide secrets, both are suspicious of everyone, and both are equally compelling characters, the story is more plot-forward than character-forward. Och’s ability to perfectly place her clues makes this an astounding crime thriller. Her twist was spectacular and was made possible by the dark, intriguing and pacey story. It definitely has Agatha Christie vibes

If I was a DNF-er I would have stopped reading The Resort by Sara Ochs at 40% in.

I'm not going to guarantee that this is spoiler free, so proceed with caution!

-the two main characters are instantly best friends, despite having only been together at the resort for a couple weeks (with not many interactions occurring during that time)
-at 33% in, one character describes the other one way (with supporting examples) and a couple paragraphs later completely contradicts the previous description (again, with supporting examples)
-I didn't like any of characters (all were surface level); one in particular kept pointing fingers, only to change their mind, instantly pointing elsewhere ad nauseam
-the twist clues were laid out so poorly, or were completely non-existent, causing the whole book to feel incredibly sloppy
-traumatic assault was broached from two different conflicting stances, neither handled with sensitivity
-mental health representation seemed convenient instead of an actual plot point to pivot around
-there is way too much going on for this book to be coherent
-although I had stopped caring, the ending mentions transporting cremated remains around to various countries in a zip-top bag (I have SO many issues with this)
-the female main character audiobook narrators had such similar sounding voices which caused me to forget which character was speaking for most of the book; there was a lack of emotion and anticipatory build up from the voice actors; pronunciations were odd or wrong at times

I have thought long and hard about what I did enjoy with this book, and I've come up with - the cover. It's pretty, sets the island tone and has a slightly hidden image. But… trigger warnings abound with rape, mental health, suicidal ideation, suicide and addiction - none of which I had anticipated by that beach resort cover!

Overall: poor execution, although I can see what the author was trying to achieve.

Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, RB Media and Recorded Books for the complimentary copies to read and review.

When Cass sets foot on the coast of Thailand's world-famous party island, she's searching for an escape. With dark secrets following her every move, Koh Sang becomes the perfect place to hide. Now, years later, she is a local dive instructor alongside the Permanents, a group of expats who have claimed the island as their own. The Permanents don't linger on who they were before the island. Like Cass, they all have something to outrun.

When a dive student is found dead and paradise comes crashing down. This isn't the first mysterious death on the island, and it won't be the last. Be careful who you trust. Someone knows who Cass is and they're ready to make sure justice is finally served.

This is a thriller full of secrets. Everyone is hiding something and everyone has their own reasons for coming to the island. None of the characters are likeable and you don't know who to trust. As things begin to happen we learn a little more about everyone's background.

The place is slow, and with so many secrets, it's a lot to get through. It's a little unbelievable with all the stuff going on, and I didn't care about any of it.. I think other readers will enjoy this more than I did. I also recommend to not skip the epilogue because it's properly twisty.

This should have been my jam, which might have been part of the problem. Two chapters in I felt like I knew where everything was going. Because of that, I couldn't stay focused on the story, so much so that I kept dozing off while reading. I know there is already a ton of buzz around this book, but for me, I just don't get the hype.

A vacation resort or a hideaway for outcasts on the run. Koh Sang in Thailand has become a perfect place to hide. Except people are still mysteriously dying. Follow Cass and Brooke, Discover their secrets. Who is guilty and who is innocent. Who is next to die. Highly recommended read!

THE RESORT is the book version of the quote "No matter where you go, there you are" in so many different ways. Cass has run away from her life and ended up at a dive resort in Thailand. She starts receiving threatening messages and is now thinking her past has finally caught up with her. Brooke is a travel influencer and has ended up at the same resort, escaping her life for different reasons. So-called "accidental" deaths have been happening on the island, and after the third, they wonder if maybe they're all connected.

I did not love Cass and Brooke. I felt like their POV chapters were too similar- unreliable, paranoid, hidden agendas. The secondary characters felt like they were just there, so there really was no one to fall back on to save the story. The story itself was intriguing enough I guess, because I did continue to flip the pages, but I think the most 'jaw-dropping' part was the epilogue and you're either gonna love it or hate it. 2.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you Sourcebooks for providing me with my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

TW: attempted suicide, rape

The Resort is an absolutely delicious destination thriller that is guaranteed to keep you glued to the page from the very first murder through the very last twisty reveal.

I am such a massive fan of books that toss you right into the action, and then never let off the gas. Give me a plot that will keep you on your toes with unreliable narrators, atmospheric tension and a perfectly paced unravelling of a mystery - which @saraochsauthor weaves together here BRILLIANTLY.

I devoured this book in one day, including reading it throughout the Super Bowl, while at a noisy party and with my goddaughter climbing all over me - THAT is how much I needed to know how the story ended. And the ending DELIVERS. This book is lose-yourself in the plot, popcorn thriller, pure, delicious entertainment. You cannot miss it.

Many thanks to @bookmarked for the copy and Sara - I am ready for whatever you dream up next!

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Summary: There are three rules to follow during a vacation at the famous Koh Sang Resort

1 – Leave the past behind.

When Cass sets foot on the coast of Thailand’s world-famous party island, she’s searching for an escape. With dark secrets following her every move, Koh Sang becomes the perfect place to hide.

2 - Always be careful of who you trust.

Now, years later, Cass is a local dive instructor alongside the Permanents, a group of expats who have claimed the island as their own. The Permanents don’t linger on who they were before the island. Simply because, like Cass, they all have something to outrun.

3 – If someone discovers who you really are, run.

But suddenly, a dive student is found dead and paradise comes crashing down. Because this isn’t the first mysterious death on the island, and it won’t be the last. Someone knows who Cass is and they’re ready to make sure justice is finally served.
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Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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My thoughts- this was a perfectly enjoyable thriller. I loved the setting in an inclusive resort it made me want to jump on a plane and travel there, until the murders started. 😂 Cass was in interesting main character, I couldn’t stop listening to this audiobook. It took a lot of great twists and turns, some predictable and some not. Overall a fun, fast paced that that would be totally perfect to lounge on the beach and read. Thank you @netgalley and @sourcebooks for the gifted audiobook!
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The weather in NJ is quite the opposite of lovely resort weather 😂 we are currently covered in snow but
QOTD- how is the weather by you today ?!

Ohhhhh this book was so much fun! Murder and intrigue and friends who aren't really your friend...all at a holiday resort on a tiny island in the Pacific. I loved the fast-paced story and the alternating perspectives. I thought the book got off to a slow start, but then it really took off and kept me guessing until the very end. What a fantastic read!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Twists and uncertainly until the very last page! This was a fun romp from two different perspectives- characters all had something to hide- and how their truth is laid bare, but at what cost? The atmosphere was palpable, character development was good, and this had just enough ‘juice’ to keep me coming back for more.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 rounded up.

Slow burn that paid off in the end.

Struggled with the beginning myself. Told from alternating point of views, Cass who lives in the island and Brooke an influencer who is visiting. Took awhile for much to happen then when it did was a bit slow to reveal how it all was going to weave together but it sure did come together nicely!! Had some surprises that I did not see coming and the epilogue…..wowzers! Not one for spoilers but definitely left my head spinning.

Liked the main characters and felt they had depth and relatable characteristics! Just don’t enjoy scenery descriptions myself 🤷🏼‍♀️

Overall enjoyed and would recommend if you can do slow burn.

Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for my electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is a very slow burn mystery. Lots of characters being introduced. I am never a fan of books that are so slow.

The cover and description both made me so excited to receive an ARC of this author's debut novel, and it did not disappoint! A beautiful resort on a remote Thai island where people keep dying... what a setting!

This was a wild ride! Multiple POVs usually aren't my favorite but I liked getting to know the characters through their own voices. I didn't particularly connect with either of them, but they were still integral to the story. Toss in a bunch of secrets, a remote setting, and some red herrings, and I could not put this book down! The beautiful but unpredictable setting really added to the story. The first half was a bit of a slow burn to set everything up, but the second half flew by. I guessed some of the twists and the ending was absolutely off the rails, but the epilogue redeemed it for me. I'd absolutely recommend this one when it comes out, and am excited to see what the author does next. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy!