I had some technical difficulties with the download of the ARC, but eventually was able to check out the book.

I like reading books set it places where I am traveling, so this fulfilled that for a Vegas trip. The humorous, behind-the-scenes stories show a lesser-known side of Las Vegas. It is easy to see the massive hotel casinos and get hypnotized by the bright lights, but - like every place - the popular tourist destination is of course the home for many people. Their stories strike me as more entertaining and interesting than many others.

Note for James Patterson fans: This is certainly different than other James Patterson books.

Bring this along on a Las Vegas trip, or stay at home pretending you are under the bright lights of the Vegas strip.

From the inception of Vegas, to the rebranding, to the now, this book has it all! I found myself laughing at some of the stories and in awe at others. I recommend this title to anyone interested in travel or history of a location reads.

I was given the opportunity to listen to this title by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Finally, the Vegas book I've been looking for! What Really Happens in Vegas: True Stories of the People Who Make Vegas, Vegas pulls back the curtain on Sin City, exploring all of its trademark quirks, including Elvis impersonators and wedding chapels, hotel empires and celebrity restaurants, mobsters and chauffeurs, magicians and acrobats, and yes, topless bars and exotic dance clubs. (Gambling, perhaps the most famous thing about Vegas, functions less as its own topic and more as an ongoing motif that pops up repeatedly along the way.) Writing with a light tone and a quick pace, James Patterson and Mark Seal profile people from all walks of life, whether that be the young emergency room nurse who decided to try her hand at bartending or real estate moguls Steve and Elaine Wynn. It makes for a read that is as fun as it is informative, and my only complaint is that they were unable to cover more territory.

Quick, fascinating book with many stories about a side of Las Vegas many of us don't see. I liked the short stories, the little moments the stories told us about.

But I couldn't help but think about the Vegas I knew. I remember the gold ashtrays still in the bathrooms as the Wynn casino. The story about the Bellagio fountain got me thinking instantly about how all the trees along the strip were recently removed for the racing show. It was hard to tie the lucky driver who drove around the famous with the Vegas I know - but I did like learning about the other side.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

You've never seen Vegas like this before. Stripped down, showing her underbelly, secrets, and hidden coves, authors James Patterson and Mark Seal create a read like you've never experienced. Opening with the immaculate, intricate and fine tuned Bellagio Fountains to the Las Vegas Airport, the marketing for Sin City and all the intricacies in between. A fascinating read for anyone remotely curious about Las Vegas.

I found this book interesting. I learned some about the history of Vegas. But much was about the rich and famous. Not my favorite read but still interesting. Thanks to the authors, netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun, behind-the-scenes look at Las Vegas. Although I enjoyed the book immensely, I did find that the author and I differed in what we considered lucky (the mother who won a jackpot while gambling away her babysitter's pay check, for example). There was also a significant focus on the Wynn family, while other casino owners were noticeably left out - perhaps could have been more balanced when discussing casinos and their stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

What really happens in Vegas!
By James Patterson and Mark Seal

Who wouldn’t love this book? If you have ever been to or want to go to Las Vegas this book gives you an in-site to who and what Las Vegas is all about.
From the early beginnings of how Las Vegas was started to how Las Vegas became what it is today, this is what the book is about.

I loved everything about this book. I always enjoy reading stories about places I have been and this was no exception. Completely out of my reading genre but amazingly interesting.

I enjoyed learning more about Steve Wynn who was also getting his nails done with his wife once while my friend and I were getting ours done at the Wynn nail salon.

If you have ever wondered how Las Vegas became what it now is, this is a great book to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hatchett audio for the ARC of this audiobook, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Fascinating, I learned a lot that I hadn’t discovered on a 4 day stay on The Strip and 2 flights into Vegas. I thought this was well narrated too, both the author and narrator held my attention. I very much enjoyed hearing about its history and the interesting people connected in some way to Las Vegas. Now I want to visit again :)

I loved this book! I’ve been to Vegas once and this book has me wanting to go again! I was fascinated by the history and reality of it all! I’ve heard the lore & this was the backstory. Fun!

If you’ve ever wondered about this town you need to get this book! It was fantastic.

I received an ARC of this audiobook from Netgalley.

I really had to struggle to listen to this book. I have lived in Las Vegas for over 25 years and I can say I learned a lot about things I didn’t know before. Mostly, I learned about the rich, the famous, the happy, the successful, and the political movers and shakers and ultimate decision makers. A better title would be “What really happens in Vegas if you’re a mover and shaker on the Las Vegas Strip”

This book in no way reflects the reality I have had living here. There’s no mention of how horribly the homeless are treated, our rampant violence, or any of the other true realities of living in Las Vegas for the regular person.

There are so many of us that live by “I can’t afford” as in - I can’t afford the parking, the show, the concert, the meal, the glitz or the glamor.

Vegas was great for poor people when the poor were accepted by the establishments with $2.99 steak & eggs, Free attractions like the volcano and white tigers at The Mirage, the pirate show at Treasure Island, the lions at MGM - all of which are gone now.

This city has never embraced the down and out locals. If you can’t afford the goodies - you aren’t welcome.

There’s a whole other behind the scenes life here that has nothing to do with the strip.

These stories and anecdotes are nice and informative, and basically have no impact on the lives of the Las Vegas locals without cash to spare.

I love a little non-fiction mixed into my life and wild stories of Vegas are fun! This is lighthearted and fun to read plus to hear some of the wild stories are exciting. It did take me down rabbit holes and googling some of the things to find out more.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advance read!

This was an easy listen and the narrator did an excellent job! The story itself was interesting for the most part, but I felt as though it could have been more all encompassing of Vegas. In addition, I wasn't as "hooked" as I could have been throughout the duration of the book

*I received the audiobook via NetGalley *

So to start off, I thought this was going to be a fictional story, it’s fine either way. It’s pretty interesting to hear about the history of Las Vegas and some cool fact that I wouldn’t have otherwise known.

I particularly liked hearing about the landmarks and being able to be like “oh I’ve been there”.

The story was pretty good.
Also the narrator did a good job

I haven’t been to Vegas in years. But this book was so interesting to me! It highlighted all of the parts of Vegas that I don’t see. It was eye opening! Honesty and amazing stories of the people you don’t get to meet or talk to in Vegas. It was fantastic. Read-this-book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I've been to Vegas many, many times but there were still many facts I didn't know. It was fascinating to hear about some of the things that happen that the public generally doesn't hear about.

The narrator was excellent and made listening to the book even more enjoyable.

A fun, quick read on the people who made Vegas into the glittering entertainment mecca that it is today.

This is divided into a series of vignettes about different aspects of what makes Vegas Vegas, and while some are more interesting than others, the book flows well as a whole and ranges around various facets of its tourism industry in a way that feels fairly all-encompassing.

The chapters on hoteliers, restauranteurs, and the gaming commission are a lot more interesting than those about things like, for example, a local yoga instructor, and it paints a pretty accurate picture of the city, and most specifically the Strip.

I would have preferred that the book diversify a bit away from the Wynns so that the reader gets a greater variety of information on the hotels (which, to me, are the best part of Vegas. I also would have preferred more inside-y, how the sausage gets made kinds of content than personal stories, but in all it’s a solidly entertaining book.

I got to read this book through NetGalley ; it was not the typical James Patterson book that I have read before. This book was filled with stories of real life people and the lives they live in Las Vegas. Some of the stories were very interesting, but others I found to be quite boring and mundane. Overall this book was alright but not really my style of reading .

Thank you #netgalley and #JamesPatterson and #MarkSeal for the ARC audiobook.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. When I first agreed to review it, I wasn’t quite sure what to think. This isn’t your typical James Patterson novel.

This is a telling of how many things came to be in Las Vegas. The narrator did a wonderful job. The information was written in such an intriguing manner. I’ve never been to Las Vegas, but I certainly can’t wait to go now.

n “What Really Happens in Vegas” by James Patterson and Mark Seal, the authors vividly explore the multifaceted allure of Las Vegas, from its luxurious lifestyle to unexpected jackpot tales. As a frequent Vegas visitor, I resonated with the book’s captivating chapters, delving into the city’s evolution and highlighting the diverse experiences it offers.

The narrative skillfully weaves through stories of famous chefs, the impact of Steve Wynn, VIP treatment for high-rolling gamblers, and intriguing tales like the slot machine mishap to name just a few. I appreciated the book’s engaging style and its ability to uncover the city’s unique history and entertainment scene.

I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook narrated by Phil Morris. His enthusiasm for the subject enhances the overall experience. The easy flow of each chapter and the wealth of information make it a delightful read for Vegas enthusiasts or those curious about the city. I wholeheartedly recommend this book, especially in audiobook format, for an entertaining and informative journey through the glittering world of Las Vegas.

I received an ARC of this audiobook from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

4.5 stars (rounded up to 5).