The Vacation by John Marrs Not a dream vacation to be sure. A slow burn story told with multiple POVs of dubious characters and deviously subtle twists and turns. Interesting read.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

So I just figured out this is a rewrite! Somewhere about 75% of the way through the long lost back of my mind started to tingle. I felt like I’d read this before…but that would be impossible….so thank goodness I’m not going crazy haha!

Anyways, I enjoyed this book and all of its twisty, both happy and sad endings. It didn’t feel like the traditional thriller style that he normally writes, but it kept me engaged throughout. Sometimes there was a lot to unpack and follow with all the integrated story lines but they all wrapped up nicely. Overall, an enjoyable read.

The Vacation is a multi-narrative in which each character is well flushed out and I came to care for each one. Going the distance between unlikable to likeable each character reveals that they are not who they seem to be.

There is a difference between travelers and vacationers and these characters generally fit into the first category. They all intersect at a run down hostel.

From killer to caretakers they drive this book quickly and I could not put it down.

I almost didn't request this book because of the cover. I don't think blue goes well for a thriller. I like John Mars books - I was excited to pick this one up but it was bad. 5 characters POV with alternating timelines was beyond confusing. Nothing even happened at the hostel - 70% of the book was the characters pasts and secrets which were so dull. 400 pages of no drama, character growth, or thrills.

This was definitely a fun read and my second book from John Marrs. The book was a little slow at times but then picked up in other places.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

4 stars

This was a bit more of a slow burn than I was expecting, however it was worth it. I loved the way this was written and the twists were perfectly paced.
Definitely going to look into more books by Marrs

Interesting and fun to binge, but a bit too slow at times. I liked the ending a lot, it was a worthwhile read for sure. Fans of the author won't be disappointed.

Thanks @netgalley for read number 76 of 2023. @johnmarrs.author is one of my favourite authors, and I really enjoyed this fast-paced read. I knew very little about this book before I started it, and at first, I wasn’t sure where things were going. Well, the twists kept coming. You do need to keep track of many different characters, but it’s worth it. A little love and a whole lot of mystery/suspense, with a few very sad moments sprinkled in. A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read in my books!

Oooohhhh this book was sooo much fun to read! I love how every chapter has part of the story today and then something that happened in the past. Totally well executed nonlinear timeline! I looove all of the different characters and watching how they interact and how they may or may not have intersected in their pasts. But the best part, besides the fabulous writing, was how things were revealed a little at a time throughout the book rather than dumped at the very end. It kept me intrigued and desperate to know more more MORE every time a chapter ended! I just needed to know what happens next! Maximum stars from me on this one!!!

I’m a huge fan of John Marrs. This book is unique in that it’s more of a slow burn rather than his typical twisty, heart pounding thrillers. In this book you’ll meet various characters staying at a hostel all seem to have something in common. They’re running from something. This is an excellent book as always the ending is a surprise.

Lala Land, or more precisely, Venice Beach, is the place to be and to be seen. A vacation paradise for many, but not the members of a local hostel, who are not there to have a good time, but rather to hide from their very unsavory pasts. This book is a slow burn and readers will need to be patient to see how fiendishly clever Marrs has been