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