Thank you Macmillan and netgalley for an advanced copy for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️3.75 stars

Synopsis: the hostel is located steps away from Venice beach which draws people from all across the globe. The guests and employees lives are all brought together in a few weeks

What I liked: this was my first John marrs novel and although it is not a typical fast pace thriller, I really enjoyed it. The story gives you context and does have a lot of twists that I didn’t guess. The slow build really allows you to get to know the characters and their stories. I really like Nicole and her journey. She is a nurse from England that starts on a trip down Route 66 with her friend Eric. This story has many layers and depth that made for a rich story. I really liked how the initial views of characters changed through the story. I personally preferred the slow gradual build up and community throughout the book

I would recommend this book

This was a quick read. The characters are compelling and I liked that most chapters left you wanting to read on. The resolution was also effective at wrapping up all the loose ends. However, I went into this thinking it’d be a mystery. Some reviews I saw said it’s a thriller. It’s really neither, so I kept expecting some big mystery to unfold, but it never did.

The Vacation by John Marrs is being rereleased in an updated version. I had not read the original so the storyline was all new to me. Set in California at a hostel we get to know the workers and the guests. We also discover how intertwined the two groups are and how this affects everyone. Loads of secrets and fast-paced action keep the lot moving right along. This was an enjoyable book. Read and enjoy!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press for an e-arc in exchange for an honest opinion. I really enjoyed the book and the plot twist

What a unique read. I am not really sure what to write on this one so I don’t spoil it. It is a little of a slow burn at the start. There are a lot of characters to remember and the timeline is nonlinear so you need pay extra attention to put where you are reading in the timeline and if you are still reading my review LOL there is a nice payout in the second half of the book. I was quite surprised over and over when the twists were revealed. I have to say, I did not see any of that coming. What seems random fits into a much bigger picture.

I wasn’t really sure if I liked any of the characters, but they were complex and strongly developed. They all have things in their past they are running from and have connected at a hostel in California. They are so vastly different but share a temporary home. When I mention not liking them, I should add that there were moments I did but many I did not. It was interesting that I could sympathize with them and then so quickly dislike them again.

It really is a book that is setup for the long haul. The present and past of all the characters are woven together without leaving anything dangling at the conclusion. If you are looking for an immersive read that will keep you wondering what comes next, you need to check out this one.

The Vacation by John Marrs centers on a Los Angeles hostel and the group of travelers who find their lives intersecting there. I've read all of Marrs' works set in the fictional world of The One, and just like those, The Vacation follows a whole cast of characters...perhaps a few too many for my preferences. This version is an edited, re-release of a novel he wrote earlier in his career, and it didn't feel quite as developed and polished as his other books. But still fun, and I raced through the last quarter of the book as we discovered how everyone was connected.

There are a lot of characters to keep track of in this book and at first I had a hard time keeping up. But once you put everyone in place, the story just rolls. Little by little, you get peeks at how they are connected. I did not expect to shed tears in this book, but I did. Tommy,l and Savannahs stories were the ones I was invested in, I needed them to be happy! I personally love short chapters so this book was amazing in that regard. This book did surprise me in how much I ended up enjoying it, will definitely be recommending!

Thank you to NetGalley, John Marrs and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This isn’t what I expected from this novel - usually his writing is more dystopian that thriller alone. This was good and loads of twists, but also lots of characters to remember and it takes a bit. Not my favourite, but Marrs is still a favourite of mine.

Intriguing-it's my understanding that this is a re-release of a novel with a new title. Not really sure why that is the case....but, this gives me Nine Perfect Stranger vibes. Interesting enough to keep reading, but you feel like the pace of the novel could be quicker and that there are so many plot lines that you could get easily confused. In a nutshell, a group of random travelers meet in a hostel outside of LA and each are running from something. We slowly learn each character's individual story--most of the circumstances that led to their running are pretty dark/grim. Not my favorite, but perfectly readable. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read! I think this would actually be a great audiobook and I could easily see it translating to TV-with each episode featuring a different character.

3.75

This book was a lengthy one, but the very short chapters were definitely a bonus. I felt like it took me forever to finish this book. It’s a very very slow start. There are also a lot of characters, who each have their back story and why they’re staying at the Venice Beach International Hostel in LA. Everyone has their secrets, and they will kill to keep them.

Did I mention this book is long? 😂

I wish we could have got to the point a little quicker, because I lost interest about 65% in.

It is a great story, I just wish it was a little shorter and a little more attention grabbing throughout the whole book.


Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a DRC. The Vacation is available now!

5 stars - The Vacation by John Marrs

My huge Thanks to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for the Ecopy of The Vacation, 2023 by John Marrs. I have not read the original "Welcome To Whevever You Are," published in 2015. I know the cover, title and other minor changes were made. I loved this story, A 5 star novel to me is a gift in the drought of 5 stars in 2023. The novel was muti-layered with a large number of characters,plus time flips; but I never felt lost and that is great character development! I got so invested in all the stories that it was easy to remember the storyline and root for the underdog. A hostel in California was the setting for this novel and that was a character itself.

The chapters are short, sometimes just a page, and that is a plus for me. Another plus was the characters' past lives and current lives used excellent dialogue to move the story along to the point where I really did not want to put it down. For me, lengthy descriptions of the landscape or the indidual character can bog down the flow. I enjoyed the twists, the cliff-hangers and I cried at the parts that broke my heart. What more could you ask from a 5 star novel.

A wild ride! At first I found there was a lot going on- there are lots of characters and POVs, but as things went on I settled into it and really enjoyed it.

This novel follows 8 separate characters who flee bad situations around the world and mingle inside a Venice Beach, California hostel. The chapters are extremely short, around 4 pages average. The story constantly goes back and forth from the past to the present. The first 75% of the book was decent. Pretty boring though. The last 25% finally picked up and tied all the characters ending together.

The Vacation was my first book by John Marrs but it won’t be the last! It was a really engaging book that I found I hard to put down once I started.

It takes place at a hostel in Venice Beach and the chapters alternate POV from the travelers staying at the hostel. The chapters are super short and I found myself really invested in each character’s story! It also takes place in present time while giving glimpses into each traveler’s past each chapter. It is layered, with each chapter giving you a little more.

I really enjoyed how all the character’s stories intertwined. It did get a little ridiculous at the very end but overall it was a really fast paced, enjoyable read! Highly recommend.

Thank you netgalley for the arc!

Thank you to HTP for sending me a copy of THE VACATION by John Marrs. This book is available now.

I really love Marrs' writing and was super excited to dig into this one. There's a lot that really meets his usual style. Lots of characters and how they're all connected. However, with eight different main characters its hard to keep up sometimes. Not only that, I found this story to be quite dull. There were moments of flash that felt like they were thrown in to keep me reading, and granted, they were thrown in at the exact right time, but this one still left me wanting more in the end. It also felt kind of old, but little random changes were made to update some parts but not all. Not my favorite John Marrs book but, I still have so many he's written that I love.

All around a good read. But to be honest.. there was alot of different people to keep track of and kinda got lost doing some of their back stories.. but in the end it came together.

Eight strangers all staying in a hostel on Venice Beach in Los Angeles. It’s the perfect vacation spot complete with a beach. However, things aren’t so perfect for these strangers. They all have secrets, and all are trying to escape their past. They will do whatever it takes to get away from it all.

The author does a great job of painting the scene. The hostel can be both dark and menacing for some, but paradise for others. Each character is complex and their growth from beginning to end is very well portrayed.

I did find it a bit slow in the beginning, but when it picked up, I was totally addicted. I couldn’t put it down. Usually with so many characters involved in the story I get a bit confused and have a hard time keeping it all straight. Not with this one. Not only did it bounce between characters, but it also alternated between the past and present day. It did not bother me at all. The story flowed and I had no trouble at all keeping pace with it.

The author dropped all kinds of bombshells throughout the book. The ending was truly jaw-dropping. I did not see that coming. I wanted more. I hated to leave these characters. I felt like I knew each one.

It’s my first time reading anything by this author, but it won’t be my last. He’s won over another fan.





FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

With The Vacation John Marrs delivers another wonderful thriller. Featuring a large intriguing cast (8 characters each with their own story, their own secrets), multiple POVs and timelines, this is definitely a story that requires the reader to pay close attention. But as long as you do you won’t be disappointed. In typical Marrs fashion, he’s crafted a wonderfully intricate plot with twists you’re not likely to anticipate This is a ‘vacation’ you won’t soon forget. 4.5 stars out of 5. I’d like to thank Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of The Vacation.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1Z5QUCSI786AR/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Tommy, front desk guy, and leaving behind a tragedy in England, Eric and Nicole, also from England and searching for something, Savannah, running from her past, living at the hostel and a dancer with a heart of gold, Peyk, a maybe shady jack of all trades performing repairs for owner Ron, Ruth, Australian in love with celebrity Zak Stanley, Jake, Londoner with a secret identity and Declan and Matty two Irish blokes on the run. This is the crew at the Venice Beach hostel on vacation.

A bit of a soap opera and over long I still enjoyed more than I thought I would.

Wow, the more John Marrs books I read, the more I want to read MORE John Marrs books! Every character in this book was fascinating, with their own story to tell and all of them were intriguing and left you anxious to pick it back up when it switched to the next character. I think I need a sequel to this book to see where everyone ended up. Can you make that happen, Mr. Marrs?
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for my review. Reader of books, you’re gonna wanna read this one! Recently re-released on 12/19/23 - pick it up! You can thank me later.