The Vacation (or The Holiday in the UK) was a pretty good little "closed room" thriller dealing with hidden secrets, family ties, lies, and scandalous secretes! I liked getting to know all the characters and each of them were different enough to bring a bit more to the story. The writing was easy to understand and follow along with and I really enjoyed the occationsl flashbacks to add some background and additional hints at the "big secret" coming during the story.

The main gripe I had with this story, was the structure. We spent about 73 chapters before we finally got to the big reveal and there were many different occasions that the main character could have confronted her husband about that was going on, and she chickened out (so much so that I got really annoyed with her lol). The big secret was a doosy and created quite the ending to the story, but I would have loved to have seen that secret revealed sooner so that the characters had more time to deal with that revelation and make the end of the trip that much more harrowing and exciting. I think if we could have had the main character uncover this secret 1/2 way through it would have created opportunities for some really exciting developments to the story.

I REALLY loved the finale to the story as well and thought it was so clever.

TM Logan always keeps me on my toes. This one was intriguing from the very beginning. While of course it’s a little unbelievable, Logan finds a way to make your heart pound!

"The Vacation" by T.M. Logan is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that takes readers on a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns. The novel follows Kate, Sean, and their two children as they embark on a much-anticipated vacation to the beautiful French countryside. However, tensions simmer beneath the surface as secrets and betrayals threaten to unravel their idyllic getaway.

Logan expertly builds suspense from the outset, setting the stage for a series of shocking revelations and unexpected developments. As the vacation takes a dark and sinister turn, Kate and Sean find themselves caught in a web of deceit and danger, with their very lives at stake.

The characters are well-drawn and multi-dimensional, each harboring their own secrets and motivations. Kate's desperation to protect her family and uncover the truth drives the narrative forward, while Sean's hidden agenda adds an extra layer of intrigue.

The setting of the French countryside provides a picturesque backdrop to the unfolding drama, with Logan's vivid descriptions immersing readers in the beauty and tranquility of the surroundings.

With its fast-paced plot, relentless suspense, and jaw-dropping twists, "The Vacation" is a page-turner that will keep readers guessing until the final pages. Logan's skillful storytelling and expert pacing ensure that the tension never lets up, making for an exhilarating and satisfying read.

Overall, "The Vacation" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and suspense fiction. T.M. Logan delivers a chilling and pulse-pounding tale of betrayal, deception, and the dark side of paradise that will leave readers breathless and eager for more.

3.75 stars

I do really enjoy this author's books. He writes stories that are outside of the norm and highly unpredictable. The Vacation enveloped both of these characteristics.

Four university best friends, now turning 40 years old, decide to vacation together in France with their families.. Jen and Allistair, with their two teenage boys. Rowan and Russ with their precocious 5 year old daughter. Kate and Ryan and their teenage daughter and 9 year old son. And Izzy. Kate is ecstatic to be spending the week with her besties. Life has been so hectic. The four of them haven't spent time all together in years. Upon arriving, Kate is getting ready when she spots some unusual texts on Ryan's phone. Secretly unlocking his phone, she sees there are a string of seemingly intimate messages between Ryan and "coralgirl." The shocking part is the last message from the unknown account indicating they will talk more about what to do while in France. Kate can't believe it! One of her besties is having an affair with her husband! As the week goes on, Kate becomes increasingly obsessed with figuring out which of her friends it is. Meanwhile, other dramas are going on between both adults and kids.

This was a bit of a slowburn start. Plus, Kate's initial reaction to the texts was so different from what mine would've been that it was hard to believe it would've played out that way. However, the clever plot far outweighed these shortcomings. I kept trying to figure out how it would all come together but wasn't able to. The ending floored me!! Not at all what I was expecting! So good!!

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There is something that I didn't enjoy about the story, quite a few times Kate would be on the verge of learning something important from someone, so many times, as the person was on the verge of blurting out what was going on, spilling their guts, telling on someone, a catastrophe, big or small would occur in mid sentence and off everyone would go, sentence unfinished. I was okay with it a few times but it seemed to happen way too often within about a five day period. But otherwise, I enjoyed the story even if I didn't really like the characters. I even would get a chuckle because of the little five year old red headed brat that would act out...I would not have wanted to be around that kid in person but from this side of the page her tantrums made me laugh.

Due to St. Martins Press refusal to address the remarks made by their employee regarding Palestine, I will not be reviewing this book.

This in no way has anything to do with the author. But I refuse to support anything from SMP because of their refusal to address a major issue at hand.

The Vacation by T. M. Logan
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It was supposed to be a fun holiday with friends that haven’t met up together in awhile. But secrets abound and dangers are present. Until there is no going back.
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What I liked:
-The first secret in this book was just perfect because it immediately hooked me and kept hold of me because it was not uncovered till basically the end of the book and I was DYING.
-I thought this was a fantastically put together cast of characters, with all sorts of suspicious behavior. I didn’t trust anyone, it was awful, but also I could not stop.
-The ending was crazy, but I liked it.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I thought this book was very well done, I am impressed. The audio was great!

A great setting is key for all perfect mystery novels, this riveting thriller has that in abundance.

As this secluded but familiar setting is the perfect modern take on a genre, as Kate and her friends and families week long holiday to the south of France is about to turn into a trip from hell.

For university friends Kate, Rowan, Izzy and Jennifer reunite to celebrate turning 40 this year, this novel introduces an interesting dynamic of people who’ve got a tight bond but slightly different lifestyles now.
With Kate it’s her sixteen year old daughter Lucy transitioning into adulthood, whilst Izzy is the single one of the group - there’s a nice blend of characters.

But when Katy discovers some anonymous messages on her husband’s phone, she starts to wonder if he is having an affair.
‘Does K Suspect Anything?’
‘We’ll Decide When We’re in France’
Which one of her long trusting friends could be behind the texts?

I loved how everyone was a suspect as little hints are dropped through the book, Lucy wanting definitive proof and cast a suspicious eye on all her friends.
The story is littered with plenty of red herrings and great chapter cliffhangers that makes this addictive reading.
I’m glad that even the tiny misdirects were resolved during the conclusion.

This perfect summer thriller really slowly racks the tension as each day passes on their week long stay!

Wow! This book was amazing! I loved Kate and her family The villa in France the 3 families plus Izzie visit was a fabulous setting for this story to unfold in. I was horrified with Kate as she found the messages on Sean’s phone but I was not entirely convinced of an affair. I thought maybe they were planning a surprise party or something else they didn’t want to tell Kate about. I liked that Kate investigated but didn’t get completely crazy. The ending of the story was so crazy. I was ready to get really upset then the story twisted and, while still sad, was not as bad as I was expecting.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the chance to read this book.

I was very excited to read this after reading "29 Seconds". I was looking for the suspense and the tension. I really didn't feel that when reading this book. Half of the storyline read like a soap opera from my childhood. It was a real let down to me since the authors previous books left me on the edge of my seat.

I loved every page of this book. I'm a sucker for books about terrible vacations, so this book is right up my alley. There are lots of characters, but it was instantly easy to follow. When you think you've figured it all out, the plot goes deeper and deeper. I recommend it to anyone looking for a thriller about complicated familial relationships. Thanks for the advance review copy.

This was an exciting read! It literally keeps you guessing til the bitter end. I love all the intertwined stories that brings the mystery around full circle.

Thank you Netgalley for my copy of this book! This review is unbiased and my own.

A group of four girlfriends decide to continue their tradition of vacationing together. This time they are bringing their spouses and children to a luxurious villa in France to celebrate their 40th birthdays. The main character, Kate, sees messages on her husband, Sean’s, phone which lead her to believe he is having an affair with one of her friends. This book is all about Kate trying to figure out who is having an affair with her husband. Secrets come out in which Kate has given her friends reason to won’t her. Throughout the book, their children continue to get themselves in trouble as a result of the lack of supervision. The book goes back and forth between the drama of cheating spouses and misbehaving children- both creating dangerous situations. The synopsis of this book was promising, but it fell short and was a pretty boring read.

DNF - Did not finish. I did not connect with the writing style or plot and will not be finishing this title. Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher for the early copy!

4 stars

When Kate and 3 of her friends from college take a vacation with their families, things will never be the same.

I enjoyed reading this book. I liked the unpredictability of the characters and enjoyed the different settings. Thank you for the chance to read this book.

My friend ended up with a hard copy.of this book and loaned it to me to read after I had technical difficulties downloading my copy. And I am happy she did!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The mystery and intrigue kept me reading way too late at night! I enjoyed the characters and how they were introduced, and feel the author did a good job spanning the years these ladies have been friends even with the differences their lives have taken since they first met as school chums.
The dynamics with the girlfriends and their families is also relatable to many. The main character is also easy to relate to, jumping to conclusions as she does throughout, as I think a lot of wives would. The reader (me) wants to shake her and tell her to get the facts before jumping to conclusions!
The book did start to drag out towards the end, but I still enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others who enjoy a good mystery.

The setting is France and Kate is minutes away from meeting her three college friends for a long overdue joint vacation with them and their families. They were the best of friends and roommates in college and spent vacations together every year until they drifted away from the tradition five years ago. She’s looking forward to it, her husband Sean, teenaged daughter Lucy and 10-year old son Daniel all in tow. Soon after their arrival, Kate notices her husband being overly protective of his phone. When he’s otherwise occupied, she checks it and finds a cryptic message that leads her to believe he’s involved with another woman. And it has to be one of her friends based on what’s said. Is it Rowan, the wealthy host of the fabulous vacation villa who owns her own business, or Jennifer the full time helicopter mother of two teen-aged sons or Izzy the single one who is constantly moving around the globe.

This would have driven me crazy and it was doing the same to Kate since she opted not to confront Sean. The vacation devolves into suspicion and intense scrutiny of every move her friends make, especially when interacting with Sean as she tries to figure out the who. I could identify with Kate’s paranoia and it gets even more complicated by her daughter’s odd behavior where she’s clearly weighed down by something. Everything takes on more meaning and suspicion shifts to all of the friends at some point.

The psychological aspect of this story was off the charts. It had a wonderful start, pulling me in immediately.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and give an honest review

I loved the setting of this book and the unpredictability from each character! The writing style left just enough to be wanted at the end of each chapter to keep me reading. Definitely look forward to more from this author!

Kate and her husband are gathering for a week at a French villa with three other families. Even before they have all arrived the tensions begin to mount and Kate realizes her husband is probably having an affair with one of the women that will be vacationing with them. But, Kate wants to figure out who it is before she confronts her husband with her suspicions.

While it has a good premise, The Vacation fell flat for me. On the whole, the characters were unsympathetic and don’t even get me started about the children. The story is based on the fact that no one communicated with each other and, for me that was very frustrating and irritating.

T.M. Logan is a good writer and The Vacation could of, would of, should of been a great book. As it is, it was just ok. It had all the right elements, including a variety of interesting characters and the atmosphere of a luxurious villa in the French countryside, and that helped to keep my attention to the end.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.