Unfortunately I was unable to download this book before the archive date, so I'm not able to leave a review. I look forward to reading and reviewing books by this author in the future.

From the opening line, the book seized me in its relentless grip, refusing to relinquish its hold until the final, breathtaking page. This wasn't just a good thriller; it was a masterclass in suspense, a meticulously crafted engine of anxiety that left me both exhilarated and utterly drained.

The Vacation by John Marrs is a fast-paced thriller that grabs your attention from the very first page. Set against the backdrop of a luxurious backpacker's hostel in Los Angeles, the story brings together a diverse cast of characters, each carrying their own secrets. Marrs masterfully weaves multiple storylines, creating a web of suspense that keeps you guessing who to trust until the very end.

The strength of the book lies in its ability to build tension and maintain a brisk pace, with short, punchy chapters that make it all too easy to say, "just one more chapter." The twists are clever and unexpected, and Marrs does a great job of exploring how far people will go to protect themselves.

The reason for the four stars instead of five? While the plot is undeniably gripping, some character motivations felt a bit underdeveloped, and a few twists leaned towards the unbelievable. However, these minor flaws didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment.

If you love dark thrillers packed with secrets, lies, and jaw-dropping twists, The Vacation is a wild ride worth taking!

Too many characters and flashbacks made it feel disjointed to me. It was so long and I had a hard time finishing.

John Marrs' "The Vacation" is a gripping psychological thriller that weaves together the stories of eight strangers at a run-down Venice Beach hostel. Each character carries a dark past and secrets they're desperate to escape, creating a tapestry of intrigue and suspense.

Marrs excels in character development, crafting complex and believable individuals whose stories unfold through alternating past and present perspectives. From Tommy at the hostel reception to Savannah, the daughter of a TV Reverend, each character's depth adds layers to the narrative.

The novel's strength lies in its intricate plot and Marrs' willingness to push storytelling boundaries. While the multitude of characters and their interconnected stories may challenge some readers, it ultimately creates a rich, immersive experience.

Marrs' writing style is engaging and atmospheric, effectively capturing the tension and paranoia among the characters. The Venice Beach setting adds a layer of isolation that intensifies the suspense.

The novel explores themes of identity, trust, and the human psyche, delving into issues of love, family, race, and sexuality. Marrs gradually reveals information, keeping readers guessing and engaged throughout.

While some may find the pace slow at times, the payoff is worth it. The novel's twists and turns, though occasionally predictable, are balanced by Marrs' exceptional storytelling and bold narrative choices.

"The Vacation" is a testament to Marrs' growth as an author, showcasing his ability to craft a complex, multi-layered thriller that resonates long after the final page. It's a perfect read for fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy challenging, thought-provoking narratives

John Marrs' The Vacation offers an intriguing psychological thriller that delves into the secrets and complexities of eight strangers brought together at a run-down Venice Beach hostel. The story alternates between their past and present, weaving a web of deceit, desperation, and paranoia. While the intricate character development and bold narrative choices stand out, the plot occasionally feels predictable, and the sheer number of storylines can be overwhelming. Marrs’ immersive writing style and shocking twists keep the pages turning, but the book's complexity may not be for everyone. Overall, an ambitious and thought-provoking read that, while uneven at times, still showcases Marrs' talent for psychological suspense. Three stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC.

I decided to not finish this book. I felt very disengaged from the story. There were a lot of characters and they all sounded the same. The plot just didn't seem to have much happening.

Such a great and twisted read. Couldn’t put it down, had to pace myself. Love John’s writing style, this only excites me to read more by him!

I am normally not someone who likes stories with too many twists but with this author I always make an exception.

You have a backpacker’s hostel in Venice Beach, the lives of many strangers colliding and a whole heap of secrets. Some of these secrets were fun to see unravel and others delivered its intended shock value.

I enjoyed this but can definitely see how the author’s writing improved with more recent books like The One and The Passengers

Recommended for holiday reading on the beach with a cocktail in hand.

Another solid book by John Marrs. He’s always a solid read and a go to author. Thank you for the free copy!

I love novels by John Marrs and this was kept me entertained the whole way through. I loved reading and guessing what would happen next. Definitely a recommended read.

Unfortunately, this was really hard for me to get into. I didn't finish it after about 10%. It took me forever to even get to that point. The way it was formatted, I had a hard time following.

The Vacation by John Marrs is a bit overwhelming as it challenges the reader to follow the stories of eight guests who are staying at a hostel in Venice Beach, California. Naturally, all of these strangers have secrets, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to protect them.

While I raced through the book thanks, at least in part, to the short chapters, I did struggle a bit with keeping the ever-shifting perspectives straight in my mind. Undoubtedly, this is a solid read, though not my favourite from this author. 3.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an ARC.

3.75⭐️

This book was pretty interesting and not at all what I was expecting (I usually go into books blindly). I liked the concept of this book a lot though. With so many characters, there were times I was getting a little confused and getting people’s stories mixed up though. Overall, I liked the revelations that came out at the end of the story. Made my rating a little higher! Additional points too that they mentioned multiple times one of my favorite movies of Leonardo DiCaprio which is The Beach, a very unknown movie that was based on a book. I think this might be a book that I would want to reread because I feel like I missed things and I would enjoy it more the second time around. Definitely a huge perk of this is that there are short chapters!!

DNF @34% - I’m a huge John Marrs fan, but for some reason I just couldn’t get into this book… I may attempt to pick it back up later on, but for now it’s a DNF..

I think what I struggled the most with was the characters and understanding who was who, it took me awhile to remember each character, but at that point I was just so lost and confused with the story…

I will read anything this author writes, but I’m bummed I couldn’t get into this one as of now.

When nine strangers come together at a hotel in LA, all with different reasons for their west coast trip. Each has secrets that they are trying to protect but the past never stays burried.

This is a reprint/republication of an existing novel written by this author that is now published under a different name. The chapters are short, making it ones of those books where you tell yourself just one more chapter to find out what happens next.

The Vacation by John Marrs

* Thank you to @netgalley and @harlequinbooks for providing an ebook in exchange of a honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

John Marrs really is becoming one of my favorite authors! I really like all the different caracters and how their stories were all connected in a way. It was the perfect summer thriller, with the california/beachy vibes!

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The Vacation did an excellent job at taking seemingly random characters and weaving them together intricately. While some had their own story to tell, others were entertwined in another character's story which made the outcome interesting. I appreciate how each character had an "ending" and we didn't have to wonder how anyone turned out.

I enjoy books with an ‘ensemble’ type cast of characters and plots and this book definitely had that! And despite there being a number of characters, each had interesting storylines with enough action, twists/turns, and surprising connections.

I enjoyed this quite a bit. The characters all seemed realistic and believable, and I became invested in nearly all of their stories. It was cool to see how some of them intertwined. It kept me constantly guessing and the way the chapters ended in crucial spots made it hard to put the book down!