This book was a little slow for me. While the chapters were very short the timeline in each jumped around a little too much. By the time I got to the plot twists had already mostly figured them out. I usually enjoy John Marrs books but this one wasn’t my favorite.

This book was super slow to get into and then i found out it is a re-release. I sadly did not finish.

I was fortunate enough to receive an advance reader's copy (ARC) of "The Vacation" by John Marrs, and it was nothing short of an electrifying literary journey. From the very first page to the heart-pounding conclusion, this novel kept me on the edge of my seat, craving more with every chapter.

John Marrs has proven once again why he is a master of the psychological thriller genre. "The Vacation" is a mesmerizing exploration of human nature, deception, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. Marrs artfully crafts a narrative that blurs the lines between right and wrong, leaving you questioning your own moral compass.

The characters in this book are incredibly well-developed, each with their own hidden agendas and vulnerabilities. You'll find yourself both empathizing and despising them in equal measure, as Marrs peels back the layers to reveal their true motivations. This complex web of characters adds a layer of depth and intrigue that keeps the plot engaging from start to finish.

One of the standout aspects of "The Vacation" is its setting. The secluded and picturesque island backdrop serves as the perfect stage for the unfolding drama. The isolation intensifies the tension and paranoia among the characters, making you feel like you're right there with them, experiencing their fear and desperation.

Marrs' writing style is sharp and immersive, with a knack for delivering shocking twists that will leave your jaw on the floor. The pacing is relentless, with every chapter ending on a cliffhanger, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. It's a true page-turner that will have you racing through the story, eager to uncover the next shocking revelation.

While I absolutely loved "The Vacation," I did find a few minor plot points a tad predictable. However, Marrs makes up for it with his exceptional storytelling and the sheer audacity of some of the narrative choices.

In conclusion, "The Vacation" is a gripping and thought-provoking thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. John Marrs has once again delivered a mesmerizing tale of deceit and desperation that will linger in your thoughts long after you've turned the final page. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers that challenge your perceptions and keep you on the edge of your seat, this book is a must-read. I wholeheartedly recommend it, and I can't wait to see what John Marrs has in store for us next.

This was my first read by John Marrs… the book started slow with 8 different characters landing in the same hostel on Venice Beach, each with their own secrets. As unique as the cast of characters was, that’s what they felt like to me - a cast of actors. I don’t know why I couldn’t quite get invested in them. Having said that, it was still a fun and evocative read, which all came together nicely in the end. I’m looking forward to reading more books by John Marrs.

Thanks to NetGalley + Hanover Square Press for the gifted copy!

I found the premise of this book really interesting. The continuous back and forth between past and present made it difficult to keep up with which characters were which until midway through the book. Once I had I grip on the characters the book was much more enjoyable.

Short and easy chapters to read. Overall, I enjoyed this book.

My more patient students will enjoy this slow burn story of a group of interconnected strangers staying at a hostel. Lots of characters and povs which got confusing at times, but if you/they stay with it, the payout at the end will be worth it. I, as an adult did enjoy it. I did prefer others of his books more

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
Publication date: December 19, 2023
This is the first title I have read by this author, and he did not disappoint.
The story takes place in a rundown hostel in Venice Beach, CA. The first half of the book you get to know each individual character and a bit of their background stories. You begin to like or dislike them, feel empathy, etc. On to the second part, and you better hold on to your seats! There were so many twists and wtf moments that just kept coming right up to the superb ending. You need read this one NOW!

John Marrs always has great character development and this one will not disappoint either. Fast passes novel

John Marrs is the master of suspense and creepiness. This book is no different. It’s about a group of strangers staying in a hostel and the different secrets they have. There are a lot of characters to keep track of and it was a little confusing at times. Still, it’s a solid read. Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

A bunch of strangers are staying in a hostel in Venice beach. All have secrets, what will they do to keep the others from finding it out??

This was my first John Marrs book. While I did enjoy it, I didn’t keel my attention very well and took me a little longer to read it as my normal reading speed. I kept getting bored, put it away, pick it up again, repeat repeat.

First I would like to say a huge thank you to NetGally, Harlequin Trade Publishing and John Marrs for my ARC of The Vacation!

Eight strangers staying in a beach front hostel on Venice Beach in Los Angeles. All of them running from something in their past. They all have secrets they don’t want anyone knowing. How far will they go to keep those secrets? This was my second John Marrs book and I loved this one more than the first! It was definitely a crazy ride and I couldn’t put it down! The characters were well developed and the unique narration made this an easy read. The more I read the more I found myself needing to know what happened next. I was so invested in each character and how they were involved in the story line! I wish this one had a sequel! John Marrs is an amazing author and I can’t wait to read more of his books :)

A bunch of strangers meet at a run down Hostel in California. Everyone is running from something. Relationships form and dark secrets are revealed.
This was a great read and I really enjoyed all the different characters. I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC that will be re-released December 19, 2023!

Get your shades and sun-block on! We’re off to California!

First stop…a rundown hostile on Venice Beach that attracts people from all over the world. Their reasons for being there are vastly different. Everyone with a story and past that lead them there. Ready to find out all the juicy details?

Get comfortable, pour a glass of Sonoma wine and grab your bag of popcorn.🍷🍿 Here we go!

Those who have entered the doors of this hostile come from all across the globe. Australia, England, Ireland and even one from the Deep South. Visitors hoping to meet their Hollywood idols. Some running from their families. Others looking for their piece of the golden pie.

Can we trust any of these travelers?

It’s a large cast of characters but at no time did I have any difficulty keeping them and their storylines apart. And of course, how they all eventually intersect. Brilliantly done!

Don’t expect one huge explosive twist. John Marrs carefully and craftily scatters little bombs all throughout the book. So don’t get too comfortable. You’ll be rocked by these mini explosions from beginning to end. Enjoy!📚

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing.

I have liked the two previous books I have read by John Marrs but I wasn't so keen on this one. I liked the premise of the novel - that disparate characters for a variety of reasons end up in a run down hostel in Venice Beach. However, first of all I thought there were far too many characters. It's fair to say that several of those were really interesting but I felt like I was dipping my toe in rather than fully immersing! Secondly, the principal fault in my opinion was that in every chapter on every character you would get another chunk of the present day story and then that would halt so a bit more of their back story could be told over the last year or so. This technique was deployed throughout the book and I just found the whole thing way too disjointed and irritating . I also found some the dialogue seemed very unnatural and it struck a discordant note. For example, some of the early dialogues between Savannah and Reverend (misnamed) Devereux and actor Zak and his adoring fan Ruth.
There were some really good moments in the novel, for instance, the final scene between Zac and Ruth is an absolute doozy. Talk about ...'And its five, six, seven, Open up the purly gates...'!!! Sorry if you haven't read it - that will mean nothing!
The point of the novel is that everyone is hiding something and a bit like Janus presenting one face to the world and hiding the real face. Most of them are running from something or hiding from someone or something or covering something up. The unlikely character of Peyk, who is a sort of handyman, turns out to be the only one who sees people and events as they really are and it turns out he's a bit of a philosopher albeit aided by weed! The novel ends on an optimist note for some of the characters. For instance, Tommy seems to be recovering from the traumas that happened to him, Declan is finding happiness with Nicole who appears to have a better future in front of her having bought and renovated the hostel.
I will continue to read books by John Marrs but for me this one is far from his best.

I had a really hard time following this book. I’m not sure if it was because it was an ARC version or the story itself. The formatting was strange on the version I read. I had to keep re-reading and remind myself what was going on. There were a ton of characters I just could not keep straight. John Marrs is a favorite author of mine, so maybe I’ll re-read it when it’s published and see if my feelings change.

4.5 stars. Welcome to wherever you are.

The lives of eight travelers intersect at the Venice International Hostel, never sharing much from their pasts. The stranger in the next bed may turn out to be a drug dealer, a murderer, a stripper, a hired goon, a former celebrity, a pervert, a treasure hunter, or someone with days or weeks left to live. Some of these tourists begin to form friendships, even as they carefully guard their secrets, and it won't be long until some of them lose their lives or freedom.

In The Vacation, John Marrs weaves together these stories and more in a masterful way. Each character's storyline is distinct and easy to follow, and the anticipation was palpable from the very beginning. The Vacation was 100% fun, if not 100% believable, with never a dull moment.

The Vacation follows the lives of guests staying at a hostel in Los Angeles. Although the plot has potential, I struggled to follow the different characters' lives and the timeline jumped all over the place. There were far too many characters and all of their timelines jumped from past to present. It was too much to follow.

Sadly, I didn't love this book, and I tend to really enjoy John Marrs' books. I look forward to reading his next novel. Thank you NetGalley for an arc of The Vacation.

This is not your typical John Marrs thriller. It was more like a collection of stories. Eight separate characters running from their past are staying in a Californian backpacker's hostel, where the story takes place. Yes, there is a murder. There are some exciting action scenes. All of the characters have a mysterious vibe. The problem is that the stories get kind of boring in a print format. I think this would make an interesting tv miniseries and offer actors the opportunity to show rather than tell. The stories eventually all come together for a decent ending, but it's difficult getting there. I don't see myself recommending the book.

This book was really hard to get through the Arc because John's books have lots of diverse characters and you keep track of this through the tops of the chapters where they let you know who is speaking. In the Arc copy they did not do this do you never knew who was point of view you are reading.
I will be trying to re-read this again when it comes out so that I can give it the attention it deserves.