Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for the ALC!

How well do you know your significant other? Keith and Kit Collins go on the honeymoon of a lifetime - at least, that's what Kit thinks. Little does she know, they were invited to The Pink Hotel as a bid to hire Keith. Wildfires hit nearby, the hotel closes its doors, and chaos ensues.

I was immediately drawn in by the book cover - it's absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, the actual book did not hold up for me. It may have been better to read the physical book, but I felt as if not much was going on.

While this one wasn't for me, I'll give the author another try in the future.

While I really liked the premise of this book I found it boring and not enjoyable. I really didn’t care for the majority of the characters. While I appreciate the opportunity to.listen and review the book it’s hard finding many positives to share. However I did enjoy the narration.

Liska Jacob's latest— THE PINK HOTEL, exuberantly lively and amusing, is a satire of the überwealthy and an inside look at the haves and the have-nots.

Keith and Kit Collins work in California managing Keith's uncle's small town restaurant and inn. At a hotel conference, the couple, the Belmonts, invite them to honeymoon at their renowned Beverly Hills' The Pink Hotel.

They, of course, are out of their element at the opulent hotel with guests rich and famous.

Keith is enamored with the hotel, and the lifestyle and desperately wants to be a part of the finer things of life. His wife is happy with what she has. Keith decides to extend the honeymoon to try and snag an assistant manager job at the hotel.

Not much of a honeymoon for Kit with Keith working and sucking up, she spends time with a partying young socialite who's also staying at the hotel. Keith wants to break through his middle-class title and jump into the elite, and Kit is happy to return home and stop pretending.

Keith is a jerk and develops a crush on Richard's mistress, Coco. Sean, a construction worker, helping with the hotel expansion at the hotel, likes Kit after she faints and lands in his arms.

Meanwhile, outside the hotel gates, wildfires have taken over California. The hills are burning, riots are breaking out, and gas masks and lockdown are mandated.

The hotel closes its doors to outside guests, and everyone is stuck inside. The staff must work harder to contend with all the wealthy clients and cater to their every extravagant wish and demand.

As the fear and anxieties heighten, the hotel, guests, and staff are pushed to their breaking point, and tensions run high. Outside, the world is aflame.

Like The Great Gatsby, a close look at class, privilege, class disparity, greed, social status, money, love, and relationships. As in F. Scott Fitzgerald's Gatsby, an outsider looking in to attain status no matter the cost.

From eccentric characters to the wealthy, sarcastic, wit, and snarkiness—an entertaining romp.

There are also parallels between what is happening inside the celebrity hotel and the outside world with climate destruction, much like our world today. A story of socio-economic divisions and environmental impacts.

I listened to the audiobook, which was somewhat nerve-wracking with the grinding, high-pitched, drama-filled voice to match the character's storylines. I did not find the audio enjoyable. I believe the reading copy would have been a better choice. I would recommend the reading copy versus the audio. The audio was narrated by Tavia Gilbert—I usually enjoy her narrations; however, in this case, not so much.

The novel would be for those who enjoy satire (humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in contemporary politics and other topical issues) and Hollywood hotel drama-filled stories. #CoverCrush

Thank you to #MacmillanAudio and# NetGalley for an ALC to listen to, enjoy, and review.

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@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 3 Stars ✨✨✨
Pub Dat: July 19, 2022

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen.
This is kind of a hit or miss for me. I didn’t mind listening to it and found the complaints of the inconvenienced rich pretty amusing. And there was a story line behind it with Kit and Keith. But it wasn’t amazing either.
I found it more amusing than anything. I was expecting a bit more antics I guess and not a lot of exotic animals running around (random). But all in all it was amusing and an easy listen. The narrator was good as well.

I was expecting (hoping) for something along the lines of Crazy Rich Asians but, while this novel is full of rich people problems, it doesn’t quite work as well.

I was so excited to read this book and was excited by the cover. But “The Pink Hotel” was a seemingly satirical random piece of fiction where I found it difficult to focus on the story. I think this book was a little too meta for me. It analyzes class and wealth and shocking displays to show contrast between the haves and the have nots, but it was lacking in a traditional plot to follow and ultimately I think the book suffered for that. Perhaps I’m not the right audience for this, but I didn’t enjoy this one much. 2 stars ⭐️ . Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy for review.

I listened to the audiobook version.

The newly married Collins' travel to the The Pink Hotel for a luxurious stay, while Keith is hoping for a new job.

I could not get into the book nor the characters. Somewhat boring and uninteresting as characters, I did not see why Keith and Kit were married.

However, the cover was gorgeous and I enjoyed the narration.

I’m one of those readers who doesn’t search for info about a book prior to starting - and, gasp, generally select books based only on title and cover. That’s what happened with The Pink Hotel when I requested it from Netgalley. It’s a pretty cover and listed as general fiction. Of course, given my age and memory, I immediately went to Goodreads to add the audio book and braced myself for the worst. At the time I added the book, Goodreads had it rated 3.22 with over 200 ratings as an ARC. Yikes. That’s when I started rethinking my criteria for book selection.

I was pleasantly surprised to realize the earlier reviewers saw the book in a completely different way than I did as a nearing 60’s reader who grew up reading the classics. The Pink Hotel is deeper than you think and deserves a read.

It’s basically a modern day version of The Great Gatsby - a book I loved in high school (and since) based on the deep discussion it evokes. There are rich and poor (always have been), but the obscene wealth and privilege in America 2022 is disgusting. Liska Jacobs wrote a novel where the rich dance and drink and wear designer clothes as the world burns both figuratively and literally. The guests/aka rich refugees are enjoying the life of the wealthy as the hills around the hotel suffer wildfires. The privilege and expectations that they be entertained by the workers who serve them, including fights arranged for their pleasure, while elsewhere the poor are looting, is a shocking view of a lot currently happening in 2022. I can see why some readers didn’t enjoy this book - it’s hard to acknowledge current circumstances.

Newlyweds Keith and Kit Collins honeymoon well above their means in the opulent Pink Hotel near Beverly Hills. Kit believes this to be an actual honeymoon, but readers learn early that husband Keith is actually there for a job interview, hoping to elevate his status from average to elite by surrounding himself among the rich. It’s clear from the start that Keith is desperate to be accepted by the elite and Kit was selected (at least partly) based on her beauty, a thing other men want.

There is far too much to unpack in a book review, but I can easily say that The Pink Hotel is a thinker. I enjoyed it and truly fear for the current generation. As dogs of the rich are dressed in designer clothing, while schools and libraries fight for funding, we all need to think about choices.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen in advance of the July 19, 2022 release.

Kit and Kieth are recently married and spend their honeymoon in the famous The Pink Hotel, an LA staple and an old hollywood royal in its own way. While there they dine and party with a cast of regulars and staff that end up showing the cracks in their relationship right from the beginning.
Kieth has lied about why he wanted to stay at the Pink Hotel- he's actually there on a trial run for a job as General Manager. And so begins the worst honeymoon ever. There's death and fire, and riots. There's also a. bunch of rich people with no idea how to be normal people in even the slightest way. 
Keith was immediately the worst character of them all, because while the twins for example were terrible human beings, or other characters were cheating, he had no idea he was doing anything wrong. He regularly spoke about his wife in ways to make her seem less. He thought about the ways she would show their poor roots instead of thinking she was great. Even after she turns out to be a bigger hit than him among the clientele of the hotel, he only ever thinks about what her new connections can do for him or a constant fear she'll embarrass him. He was insufferable and I pray she chose Coco's cousin in the end.
And that ending, I won't spoil anything, but when I say this book needs to be made into a movie- it's mainly for the enjoyment of that scene on the big screen,

I had such high hopes for this one but just could not get on board. I am guessing I overlooked the fact that it was a dark satire, not my thing. The overt classism and extreme narcissism portrayed by most of the characters was mind boggling to me. I did love reading about the opulence of the hotel in general which is why I gave 2 stars.

The narrator did a great job! As always thankyou to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC.

Solid read, completely opposite in tone from what I’ve read from this author before. Reminded me a lot of Leave The World Behind in an “impending doom” vibe sort of way complete with unlikeable classist characters who are reaaaaaallly fun to hate. I liked this one!

3.5 Stars
I want to start off by saying the good in this book, 1. The cover is absolutely gorgeous and what originally intrigued my interest in requesting this Audiobook. 2. The synopsis was also interesting as I have always wanted to go to hotels that Marylin Monroe frequently stayed at. 3. The begining was nice because it described the couple and their experiences interacting with these "rich" people.
However, once the wildfires hit town and riots started, I felt the book fell flat for me and I was slowly losing interest.
The ending confused the hell out of me, BTW I am not a big fan of open endings, I am the type of person that feels if I have invested my time in the story I need conclusions, but that's just me.
Thank you for allowing me to listen for a honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for gifting me with an ALC of The Pink Hotel. In exchange I offer my unbiased review.

Keith & Kit Collins are given the chance to honeymoon at the iconic Pink Hotel, an infamous establishment set in the heart of Beverly Hills even though they know the hotel & it’s guests are out of their league. What should be a dream getaway turns into a nightmare when wild fires start spreading throughout the city of Los Angeles. Riots, looting & general chaos slowly seep into the lush enclave of this gilded world as all hell breaks loose between the guests and the staff.
I’m sure readers will either loathe this book or love it, since it’s nothing more than rich people behaving BADLY but I was all in! Narration by Travis Gilbert was outstanding 🙌🏻 This was my first time reading author Liska Jacobs, but now I’m eager to explore her back catalogue. Her scorching insights and unflattering portrayal of the rich & famous felt authentic and held my attention as I entered their privileged and pampered world.
Available July 19, 2022!!!!

Keith and Kit are newlyweds and are invited to stay in an opulent Beverly Hills hotel, the Pink Hotel. But soon after their arrival, wildfires force them to be confined in the hotel with very different people.
This a a dark social satire, where the wildfires bring the worst in people, causing riots and people emptying the shelves in stores, and wearing masks not to inhale the smoke... does this remind you of anyting? The audio book couldn't much hold my attention. It was OK, but I would be curious to read the physical book, because the premise is very interesting.
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and MacMillan Audio, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Oh man… I really wanted to love this one… I mean that cover… the synopsis also piqued my interest it had multiple themes I love in books I was actually really enjoying it in the beginning and then the whole plot went sideways for me. I wanted to DNF multiple times but kept going because I was intrigued by how it was all going to end. The author really placed you in the scene which I loved and almost think maybe reading in print would work for me better haha I’m not sure it was a wild listen.

was so-so on this book. I loved the LA setting, that part was really enjoyable. However, sometimes the characters fell flat or turned me off. Keith was an unlikable character for me, and Kit was just okay.

Eeekk this book was just not for me. I was so excited to read it, based on the description and the gorgeous cover. Unfortunately, it was just blah. The characters annoyed me, very little actually happened, it was just blah. Honestly, it felt like chaos, but not in a good way. The changing point of view did not work in this story and made it kind of confusing - despite the fact that little seemed to actually happen.

Newlyweds are stuck at the fancy Beverly Hills Hotel during a raging wildfire. Keith, the husband, is being wooed to work for the hotel, despite Kit, his wife’s desire to stay in their small town. Chaos ensues when the wildfires surround Los Angeles, trapping the newlyweds with a bunch of extremely wealthy and bored guests.

It may be a good escape book for some, but it just didn't work for me. The reviews are ALL OVER the place, so honestly if it sounds interesting, maybe you will like it more than I did?

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy!

Keith and Kit Collins are thrilled when the manager of the swanky Pink Hotel invites them to stay for free in an effort to hire Keith. But their stay is extended when wildfires sweep through the area and the Hotel closes its doors and the Collins are closeted in with the rich and spoiled and the increasingly unhappy staff. As conditions outside deteriorate, tempers inside flare and the divide between the have and have nots becomes inevitable and dangerous. Jacobs book is very relevant as the gap between the rich and the poor in the US continues to grow at an alarming rate