The Koh Sang Resort is famous for being a party island. When Cass becomes a Permanent, along with some other expats, she thinks she’s finally left her old self behind. When one of her dive students turns up dead, no one’s past can stay buried.

THE RESORT by Sara Ochs was an atmospheric, dual POV, destination thriller.

I found myself really enjoying this one up until around the halfway point. The author randomly throws in mentions of the IDF and “that conflict in the Middle East,” which felt heavy handed, especially since the character those traits were attributed to just fell out of the story completely after that.

Then everyone’s backstories seemed to bring in every kind of trauma imaginable (and unimaginable), with some weird finger pointing thrown in the mix.

This one honestly went from yay to nay at the turn of a page and that really bummed me out!

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: February 6

Thank you to NetGalley, author Sara Ochs, and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

This was a standard thriller with a few good twists that was a quick read! I love any premise of an island/resort filled with secrets, and this was great. I loved how Ochs painted the setting with The Permanents, and I appreciated that the mystery was layered throughout the book. I was able to predict most of the reveals, but there was one at the end that got me! The book just didn't quite stand out to me as much as I was hoping. Both the predictability of some reveals and a structure of storytelling that is usually found in thriller novels made it a bit of a miss for me. I had fun while reading it, but it's not one that will stick with me for long. Definitely recommend for a fast-paced beach read though!

Cass Morris has run away from her old life in the USA and found refuge on the Thai island of Koh Sang, falling in with a group of expats who work for and around the resort there. She fell in love with scuba diving shortly after arriving, and now works as one of the resort’s dive instructors. She also fell in love with Logan, a handsome bar owner originally from Scotland. They’ve recently moved in together and gotten engaged. Cass feels some qualms about not telling him about her past, but is more fearful that he’ll leave her if she does. Worse, she fears that the rest of the expats, who call themselves the Permanents, would shun her, forcing her to leave the one place where she’s felt safe and accepted for the first time in years.

Her carefully crafted new life begins to fall apart when she stumbles across a corpse caught on an outcropping of coral while she’s leading a routine diving lesson one morning. Her immediate fear is that the spotlight of a criminal investigation will reveal the past she’s worked so hard to flee. But she’s not the only one who fervently hopes that the girl’s death was an accident, as Logan emphasizes to a tourist:

QUOTE
“Yes, an accident,” he says coldly. “You come to an island with strong currents and rocky cliffs, and you combine that with wee kids who don’t know how to hold their booze traveling alone for the first time in their lives, and that’s what you get. Accidents.”

My stomach muscles clench as I feel Logan’s frustration bubbling inside him. He doesn’t need to explain it. All of the Permanents understand what will happen if the police determine [her] death wasn’t an accident. The salacious headlines, the canceled bookings, the lost profits. The resort can’t afford that. And neither can we.
END QUOTE

Unfortunately for the Permanents’ peace of mind, the woman Logan is talking to is no mere tourist. Brooke might look like your typical Instagram influencer, but the captions beneath her shots of stunning landscapes and gorgeous selfies belie the depth behind the airbrushed persona she carefully cultivates. Having finished a tour of Eastern Europe, she’s now in Southeast Asia, on what looks like the typical influencer travel circuit.

Brooke, however, is really on Koh Sang with a mission. Having grown up poor and dreaming of both travel and a career in journalism, she scrapes by the best she can:

QUOTE
That was how the @BrookaTrip persona came about. People couldn’t care less about the stories I told of all the places I visited, but they will pay good money to advertise their products through a scantily clad woman with a sizable Instagram following and decent photography skills.

But this could be it. The story I had planned to write about this island just got a whole lot more interesting with [her] death. It would have emotion, suspense, everything a good story needs. It would surely get picked up on some regional–or maybe even national–outlet. This could be my big break.
END QUOTE

With a journalist’s instincts, Brooke will stop at nothing to unearth the truth about what happened not only to the girl Cass found, but to the other people who have also mysteriously perished in recent weeks. The Permanents have been more than willing to look away from the series of unexplained deaths, but Brooke will not let them lie. As her ambitions put her on a collision course with Cass’ desperate attempts to hold on to a comfortable life, will either woman realize that they just might be better off working as allies, before it’s too late?

There are sizable twists in this tale of murder in paradise, with perhaps my favorite one being a sly flourish on the subject of how deeply entitled certain expats feel when it comes to protecting the ways of life to which they’ve grown accustomed, never mind the consequences to anyone else who happens to live there. I did find it curious that the only actual Thai people in the book are never named, and are either criminals or police officers. It was fascinating, though, to see Cass and Brooke’s relationship evolve as their secrets finally came to the surface, with all the complicated repercussions thereof.

The Resort
By Sara Ochs
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Happy belated pub day! Thank you to @NetGalley and @bookmarked for an advance copy of THE RESORT in return for my honest review.

Nobody can be trusted when guests start turning up dead at a scuba diving resort on a remote island in Thailand. What starts as a slow burning, suspenseful mystery ends with a fast-paced thrill ride of twists and turns.

Ok, give me any book about a resort on a tropical island and I’m probably going to love it. I’m obsessed with this setting and the idea of a found family of expats in Thailand. While I would have loved more character development at the beginning, and I may have seen a lot of the twists coming, this is the perfect thriller to warm you up during the long cold winter.

Oh, and let’s talk about that epilogue! I LOVES a good mind bender that leaves you wanting more 🤗

Read this book if you…
🍹 Need a fun, hot thriller to warm your winter
🏝️ Have a case of wanderlust
🤫 Love characters with dark, mysterious pasts
👯‍♀️ Enjoy twisted found families
🎒 Would love to go backpacking in Thailand
🤿 Dream of scuba diving

Thanks so much to Netgalley, the publishers, and the author for this eARC!

This book starts off with background that both narrators have something to hide. It captured my attention and had me wanting to know more until about 25% through. At this point, I found myself slowing down until about 65% through then it is straight page turning right up until the very end.

The highlights of this book include multiple perspectives, a captivating writing style, and characters that have something to hide, so I was suspicious from the get go. At some points of the story, I found myself irritated that characters were trying to keep things under wraps so that the resort could continue to make $ (but I guess it’s supposed to).

I honestly thought I had it figured out but then something else happened to keep me guessing until the very end. I didn’t see it coming at all.

2 stars!! — The spoiler-free version of this review is that all of the characters are ridiculous, unlikeable, and the villain(s) win. Cass and Brooke are both absolutely insufferable, but Brooke is truly the worst. For the entire book, she ping pongs saying "This person is the killer! Nevermind. This person is the killer! Nevermind!" Every guess she makes is completely unfounded, she doesn't think about any of the actions for her consequences, has completely misplaced anger and doesn't feel any sympathy or remorse until it's too late. I couldn't stand her. Both Brooke and Cass are "hiding" something and their secrets revealed were really underwhelming and only made me dislike them even more. The reveal for the "Permanents" (stupid name) is a bit more exciting, but for the most part the book is teasing you and when it all comes out in this ridiculous, dramatic way that kind of makes it less thrilling and more ridiculous. Also, am I really supposed to believe Amani and Brooke had a full saga storytelling in the middle of a brutal storm, but just because they're under a tree it's fine?

Honestly I had been planning on giving this book only a 3 star rating due to it being so slow going in the first half as well as jumping around so much it was somewhat confusing. But the second half absolutely made up for it, I was stunned. Then that epilogue 🤯 (mind blown).

On a resort island off of Thailand there resides a group of friends/found family who all work and live on the island. Within this group everyone has secrets, and some of them prove to be deadly. When a woman is found off the rocky cliff of a hiking trail it is ruled as an accident but new omer to the island, Brooke, find that hard to believe. When two more tourists end up dead questions start to get asked, but what won't they do to cover their tracks.

Brooke also has another reason for visiting the island other than her travel blog and she may be on the search for some revenge and inner justice.

This dark, twisty, atmospheric novel had me hooked from the beginning! Somehow, Ochs blends found-family, trust-issues, unreliable narrators, and wanderlust into one big, dangerous story.

Cass, a young woman hiding from her past, thought she found the family she'd love forever.... Until Brooke arrives to Koh Sang. Brooke, a seemingly wealthy travel influencer, befriends Cass and her friends at first, but when a series of unfortunate events occurs, the two women find themselves pitted together to find answers.

Read this book if you like:
- found family
- unreliable narrator(s)
- dual POV
- tropical atmosphere
- morally grey characters

While the writing did get graphic at times, I was able to overlook that in favor of the many twists. Please see the following content warnings before reading:
- underage drinking
- violence
- SA
- self-harm

Overall, I am glad I read this book. It was vastly entertaining, full of twists, and a wanderlust-y atmosphere that allowed me to escape to another place.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the eARC!

Set in Thailand at a resort.

Cass is a dive instructor who has lived there for two years along with a group of tight knit friends.

Brooke is the social media influencer who wants to be a writer. She is there to get the story that will launch her into this new career.

When of the dive students fails to arrive at the set time for their first dive, the group dives without her and later finds her body in the water. Is it an accidental drowning the authorities claim for is it foul play as Cass suspects?

A beautiful setting that is wonderfully described.

All the characters are at this remote resort town for a reason. They all have something to hide it seems. They were all portrayed well and I was interested in what led them to move there.

Some of the twits had me saying What?? Really? You will know what I mean if you read it.

Thanks to netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the arc.

The Resort by Sara Ochs is a fast moving thriller that takes place on a remote island in Thailand. I liked how the author sprinkled clues and realizations for the characters throughout the book so you were putting pieces of the mystery together along with the characters. I did not foresee the twist at the end, which is always a bonus for any mystery/thriller. I think this is definitely a book for mystery readers to pick up and enjoy. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

This is a slow burn to start, but then speeds up to a million miles an hour.

Plot
- The book takes place on a resort island off of Thailand. We have "the permanents" who are the residents and employees of the resort, and who all seem to be hiding from something. There is a wide cast of characters. Our two main characters are Brooke, who is a social media influencer, visiting the island for revenge, and Cass, who is working on the island as a scuba instructor after leaving her past behind her. After the second murder on the island in a short period of time, tensions grow high.

Thoughts -
At first, I was a little bored, and had difficulty telling all of the characters apart. I would recommend making a list because there are a lot, and they all have their own secrets. As the book got going, there were a lot of twists and turns. I would have preferred to have more background and secrets revealed about each person all the way through instead of an info dump in the last few chapters, but it came together.
The only thing I will say is that I disliked the epilogue. I felt like it undid all of the great work the author did connecting the story. I won't give any spoilers, but I personally feel like that ending is kind of a cop out, and the book didn't need it at all.

Easy and quick read! Really enjoyed the characters and trying to figure out who was behind the murders. Would definitely read another one if her books again!

A thrilling ride bursting at the seams with mysteries and twists!

The Resort is a mystery/thriller novel that primarily follows main characters Cass and Brooke during their time on a secluded, Thai party island. As we experience dual POV's from both characters, we are also introduced to friends along the way, friends who may not be who they say they are...

Both Cass and Brooke hold their own, dark secrets, buried in their pasts. Seeking a way to overcome the trauma, Cass moves permanently to the island for a fresh start, and shortly after, meets Brooke and Logan (her new fiancé.) Cass works as a dive instructor and when a body is discovered lurking at the bottom of the ocean during one of her dive classes, the secrets slowly start to unravel, revealing even more hidden lies, half truths and concealed agendas.

Overall, I decided to rate this book a four out of five stars! I thoroughly enjoyed the premise and the moments of exciting action. I also found the characters very intriguing, causing me to lean into their back stories, wanting to dive deeper into their traumas and secrets they hold! It was an interesting and fun read with plenty of detail to get lost in.

As for the things I did not like as much; I felt the story was perhaps a little too long and it seemed repetitive at times. The Author was so incredibly detailed in character and situation descriptions which I enjoyed, however, I think the book could have been a little shorter overall and didn't need as many words. I was able to fully immerse myself into it, though, and it played out very easily in my mind. I also wish we could see more of the amateur detective behavior from certain characters, really get into the nitty gritty of a good murder mystery!

My favorite part would absolutely be toward the end. Without giving away any spoilers, the part with the trees had me hooked! I found myself glued to the pages throughout that, the suspense really keeping me on the edge of my seat!

I would recommend The Resort to anyone seeking a longer length novel that will absolutely keep you guessing! If you're into murder mysteries like I am, then I would highly suggest checking this one out. The ending in particular really surprised me, in a good way!

The Resort is about a group of expats living at a dive resort on a small island in Thailand. They all have secrets in the past that they have put behind them and don't want to think about again. A travel influencer with secrets of her own arrives at the island and tries to befriend the group, but often feels like an outsider.

The book is told from alternating points-of-view: Brook, the visiting social media influencer, and Cass, a newly engaged dive instructor who lives on the island. The two women don't fully trust each other, but for a time put their differences aside to look into the death of one of Cass's diving students. They think it could be connected with a prior death of another young woman visiting the island. The book does a good job mixing mystery with a glimpse into the character's lives living and working at a resort, dependent on a steady stream of tourists to continue their life there. I've never gone scuba diving, but the diving scenes seem realistic and well-done, highlighting the wonder and the potential dangers of the sport.

There are so many secrets and lies in this book, I kept changing my mind about who I was rooting for. Some of the characters make questionable decisions, but I enjoyed the suspense of the story. After a dramatic finale, things seem to be wrapped up, but I had a feeling there may be more to the story, and then the shocking epilogue reveals a big plot twist.

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

The resort is a buzzy debut thriller by Ochs. Set in a tropical paradise in Thailand, the story follows a charismatic group of expats who are there to leave their pasts and secrets behind. However, a guest on the resort is murdered and the group finds that they can’t outrun their past forever. Twists and turns occur as secrets are revealed amongst the group and a true twist at the end will leave readers blown.

Thank you to the publisher for providing this buzzy debut via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It was a fun ride!

Set in Koh Sang, this is a fabulous thriller that will keep you guessing. Full of suspense and twists, Sara encompasses everything you want in a great edge-of-your-seat ride! Nothing is as it seems in this vacation destination, and trying to outrun your past won't stop it from catching up with you in paradise. I loved every minute of this one, and it should definitely be on anyone's February TBR! Thanks so much to Sara Ochs, the publisher, & NetGalley for the opportunity to review this e-arc!

Holy cow…the ending to this one was *mind blowing*

It started a little weird for me but as it came together, I was truly blown away. The setting pulled me in immediately. Who doesn’t like a thriller vacation story. I mean it makes you second guess traveling for sure. I love when stories do this. I think this is a great thriller for anyone to start with.

Enjoy! Thanks netgalley!

Sara Ochs's The Resort is set against the stunning yet dangerous backdrop of Koh Sang, Thailand, where Cass, a scuba diving instructor with a secret past, leads her students into an adventure that quickly turns into a nightmare. This gripping narrative skillfully blends the allure of Thailand's famed island with a suspenseful story of survival, deceit, and a quest for justice. Ochs delivers a fast-paced thriller filled with unexpected twists that keep the reader engaged from beginning to end. The vivid depiction of Koh Sang's beauty and the immersive diving experience stand out, transforming the setting into a character that embodies both the promise and peril of paradise.

The novel's ambitious structure, which employs multiple perspectives and voices, aims to provide a multifaceted view of the unfolding drama. However, this narrative choice occasionally leads to a fragmented reading experience, as it can make the plot feel disjointed and dilute the impact of critical moments. Despite this, the book's complex narrative framework does not significantly detract from its overall appeal. It offers a richly layered story that explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the lengths one will go to protect a new life.

In conclusion, Sara Ochs's The Resort notably contributes to the thriller genre, offering suspense, beautiful scenery, and complex character dynamics. While the narrative's complexity might challenge some readers, its capacity to captivate and surprise renders it an unforgettable exploration of the darker aspects of paradise. For fans of thrillers that entertain and provoke thought, 'The Resort' promises a journey filled with tension, beauty, and the quest for redemption amidst the backdrop of Thailand's idyllic yet perilous shores.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing an e-Arc of The Resort by Sara Ochs for my review.

The pacing in this thriller felt off, with the pacing feeling both slow and rushed. The ending was chaotic, and for an island murder thriller, the beginning of the book felt slow moving. Not my favorite thriller, but not terrible. I do think this would be a good beach read.

Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for an E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Resort is the debut thriller from Sara Ochs.

"Brooke is a travel influencer and heads to a remote island in Thailand looking for something. She winds up with a group of expats that have decided to stay on the island. They even call themselves the Permanents. A young traveler's accidental death has made Brooke curious. And when another young girl is found dead - suddenly no one wants to talk about it. Brooke keeps pushing - but some people are willing to go far to keep their secrets hidden..."

This book was a slow start. I was glad that it wasn't the dual-timeline format that's become so prevalent. Characters had flashbacks or told someone what happened before.
It was like an "Island of Secrets" So many secrets. Felt like every character was hiding something. As a reader, you had to decide which ones were important to the story.
You know a tropical island setting will have a big storm at the end. (There's one here) And the ending is what saves this book from being average as you find out what people are willing to do to keep their secrets. Wild ending and the epilogue is even wilder - did not see that coming.
Nice debut in an exotic setting from Ochs