Wildly entertaining! I’ve been a Vegas resident on and off for over 26 years and I didn’t know most of these stories. I enjoyed every one and highly recommend this novel. If you have been to Vegas, love Vegas, hate Vegas, or even dream of visiting one day, you must read this book!

*****I received this free audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I have recently traveled to Las Vegas so it made this book all the more interesting. It was about the stories that made Vegas what it is. How it evolved. It gives you a peek at the lives of many different people who worked there.

I found this book fascinating! I loved hearing about what I have experienced on my recent vacations as well as add more things on my “next visit” list.

This book is exactly what I hoped it would be! I am fascinated with the behind-the-scenes operations of any massive marketing destination. I love learning about how ideas developed, the visionary decision-making process and the successes / failures along the way. What Really Happens in Vegas presents some aspect of Las Vegas in each chapter, from Steve Wynn's casino developments, the engineering behind the Bellagio fountains, the rise of the quickie marriage, to turning Vegas into a dining mecca. The stories, ranging from things that happened decades ago to very recent, are each just long enough to give a full, but brief, picture of the topic. I really enjoyed this one, and the narration was great.

Thank you to #HachetteAudio, #LittleBrown&Company and #NetGalley for a free copy of #WhatReallyHappensinVegas by James Patterson & Mark Seal. All opinions are my own.

This book should be read by anyone who has been to Vegas. I just went for the first time this year, and hearing all of these stories made me appreciate the experience so much more. Exciting and fast paced read!

Audiobook received for free through NetGalley

I didn’t quite understand that this book was a nonfiction and although I listened to the first 5% it’s not my cup of tea. That said it was written and narrated well.

What a delightful book!!

I was not really sure what to expect with this one, as I am used to his regular books, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Told through the experiences of multiple people who work and play in Las Vegas, this gives us a birds eye view of many of the dreamers and players who populate the streets (and high rises) of Vegas.

We are brought through many, many scenarios where we visit with people.
One was the White Wedding Chapel/Drive thru marriage site! And the owner sounds just wonderful! What a personality, and a sweetie!

We also see the owner/builder of Winn Hotel/Resort... from his humble beginnings to the explosive career that he and his wife end up having...

Many, many examples...these are only a couple.
But it was such a beautiful book with so many terrific examples of good things happening in Vegas.

Thanks to #NetGalley, #HachetteAudio and #LittleBrownAndCompany for an ARC of this audiobook. it is being released TODAY, 12/4/23.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

#JamesPatterson and #MarkSeal #WhatReallyHappensInVegas.
Entertainingly narrated by #PhilMorris.

Check out all my upcoming reviews and previews on FB @ #BookReviewsWithElaine and/or on IG @ #BookReviews_with_emsr

Thanks for reading along with me! 📚📖

Thank you to James Patteron, Mark Seal, Hatchett Audio Little Brown and Company, and Netgalley. This is a non-fiction book about what really happens behind the scenes in Las Vegas. Short stories about keeping the city that never sleeps going and magical with so many options other than slot machines. I’ve only been to Vegas as a stopping point through an airport, but I plan on going this next spring. Ive seen the fountains at the Ballagio, but I didn’t realize they needed scuba divers on staff. Did you know that you can do yoga in a helicopter? This book covers how the idea of Vegas came to fruition and gives you several behind the scenes examples that keep it running smoothly.

This was an interesting nonfiction book about Vegas. Having never been, I enjoyed learning about the history of the town. The book is written in short chapters; each chapter is a new tale about the history, the people, and the entertainment.
I listened to the audio book and thought the man reading did a good job. He made it easy to listen to.

Book Title: What Really Happens in Vegas
Author: James Patterson and Mark Seal
Narrator: Phil Morris
Publisher: Hachette Audio- Little Brown & Company
Genre: Non Fiction
Audiobook Pub Date December 4, 2023
My Rating: 3.4.
Pages: 345

Living in Southern California, La Vegas is a favorite place. Many people go for the weekend- they don’t even stay in their room as there is so many fun things to do. It truly is the Land of Oz.
We have vacationed there, attended weddings, family reunions, amazing shows, additional I attend a yearly dance event. Most people don’t give a second thought to what’s behind the scenes. This non-fiction book is about what makes Vegas run so smooth- it is a 24/7 job to keep the magic magical.

Want to thank NetGalley and Hachette Audio- Little Brown & Company for this early audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for December 4, 2023.

This is more a biography of Vegas and some that have lived and worked there. Interesting but not what I expect from a Patterson book. A behind-the-scenes look into what happens in Las Vegas that you normally don’t hear about. From an initial idea to development of the drive-thru wedding venues, Elvis impersonators, yoga by helicopter ride, escort services, limos, the awe-inspiring hotels, shows, enticing celebrity chefs to open restaurants, big spenders, big losers, and more.


Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company

I received an ARC copy of this audiobook from NetGalley for an honest review in return.

I really enjoyed this compilation of short stories. I loved hearing some history of the city and how things came to fruition. The narrator has a great voice and speaks in a pleasing cadence. I definitely would recommend listening to this book!