Member Reviews
4.5 Stars bumped up to 5 Stars - with so much love on the bump!
This was everything I wanted to kick off my THRILLER BEACH READS as the weather is improving and we are seeing more sunlight!
It was twisted, had me guessing and then just as I thought it was coming together and it had me spun around for the last time... it sucker punched me and had my head spinning till the very end! Such a wickedly written story!
I cannot.... LITERALLY CANNOT... believe this was Sarah's debut novel.
Not to rush her or anything (but truthfully I can't waittttt) I really hope there is another novel already in the works and in final edits LOL
Sarah Ochs is already classified as an AUTOBUY author for me....
I want to thank Sarah Ochs, NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an audiobook version of this publication in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. I have so much gratitude for this copy that has been shared with me, and I thank you kindly for this opportunity.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the e-audiobook!
This setting of this book was excellent I could imagine the beach and surfing. The characters however left something for the imagination. The story was underwhelming.
This is a story about every single day being a vacation… until they aren’t anymore.
I liked this one well enough- I love it when books plot out awful things in beautiful settings. Plus, the ending was a bold move, which I always like! That being said it wasn’t a super impactful read, and a couple weeks later I’ve forgotten most of the plot points.
3.5 rounded to 4 🖤
Thank you so much @netgalley & @bookmarked & @recordedbooks for the e & audio copies!
This one was a lot of fun! The audiobook narrators made the slow burn beginning interesting, and the pacing, characterizations, and twists and turns were great. In an exotic international resort locale, many staff regulars are running from their pasts... and now, it turns out, their paradise is in jeopardy because one of the regulars may be a multiple murderer.
I loved the way the various character arcs revealed a little more each chapter until the stories intertwined in a surprising and interesting way. I was kept guessing through the whole story, and the ending was satisfying. Very well-narrated with a fun cast of characters, especially Cass. I will definitely read whatever Sara Ochs writes next! 4.5 stars rounded up, for this really fast-paced, suspenseful and enjoyable audiobook listen.
3.5 stars! While I enjoyed this book, I had trouble connecting to the characters and plot line and overall the storyline fell a little flat of me. Really hope to read the next book from this author and enjoy it more!
DNF at 45% - I just wasn't interested in the story. And after reading some more spoilery reviews, I'm so glad I stopped.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #RBAudio for a free copy of #TheResort by Sara Ochs. All opinions are my own.
This book is based in Thailand at a resort. Cass is a scuba diving instructor at the resort with a hidden secret. Running away from her past, Cass creates a new identity. Thinking she is not only in a tropical paradise but living at a secluded resort. She should be safe there...right? Mysterious deaths happen at the resort and so many things come out and unfold. This book will keep you wanting more until the very end. Was great twisted thriller!
This is an enjoyable thriller!! There is a large cast of characters and you will be guessing who the “bad character” is until the very end. I thought that I had it figured out several times throughout the book but, I had to change my mind over and over again. This book was rather well written however, I did think that the ending could have been wrapped up more neatly. It did seem to drag on a bit to muddy the waters of the plot ending.
Woah, this audiobook was absolutely fantastic! I will admit, I don’t think I’d have been so captivated if I had physically read it, but the audio was really good!
Thank you to NetGalley, Sara Ochs, and RB Media for an ALC. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
I really enjoyed the isolated setting and the full cast of narrators for the characters. However, the plot felt a little messy and I didn't enjoy the slower pacing. I still had fun and would definitely recommend the audiobook.
Wow! That was a wild ride and I didn't see those last couple of twists coming! Just about the time I thought I had it figured out another twist was thrown at me! I love that! Such a terrible group of people who were lying liars and only out to save their own hides! This was my 1st book by Sara Ochs but will definitely not be my last!
#TheResort
#NetGalley
Cass sought refuge in Thailand, seeking to escape the haunting memories of her past. As she embarked on a new life as a scuba instructor, she believed she had finally left her history behind. Yet, fate had other plans, as her past resurfaced unexpectedly. The looming question remained: would she confront it head-on?
Admittedly, the story's outset felt sluggish and bewildering with its multitude of introduced characters. However, once immersed in the narrative, I found it captivating, holding my attention until the final moments. The conclusion proved to be nothing short of astonishing! Overall, for those in search of a tale with unforeseen twists, this book is certainly worth exploring.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sara Ochs, and RB Media for generously providing the audiobook for review. As always, my opinions are solely my own.
Spring has sprung and the redbuds are blooming! 😍 Fun fact: redbuds are the state tree of Oklahoma.
I thought I’d pair a pretty book cover that matched my pretty tree. Unfortunately, that’s about all I think I want to share about The Resort. 😐 This one’s just a pretty cover, guys.
This was a fun ride! The narrators all have voices that are very easy to listen to, believable, and I was hooked from the first chapter on. There were lots of accidental deaths that were a bit hard to believe, but the twists and turns still had me needing me to keep going and find out what happened!
Thank you NetGalley and RB Media!
Sara Ochs’s debut novel, "The Resort," is a thrilling read you won't want to miss! Set against the backdrop of Thailand, this mystery takes you on a deep dive—quite literally—into a world of secrets, suspense, and unexpected twists.
The story follows Cass, a diving instructor with a mysterious past, who finds herself entangled in a web of murder. When one of her students dies during a diving trip, Cass's new life in paradise quickly turns into a nightmare. And also, someone knows who she really is, and they're not afraid to use it against her.
I loved the book's pacing—each chapter offers a new clue or twist. And let me tell you, as a seasoned mystery reader, I was pleasantly surprised by much of the plot (that rarely happens these days)! Ochs smartly steers clear of predictable twists, and keeps you guessing until the very end.
The audiobook narration did not disappoint! The team of Miranda Raison, Dakota Blue Richards, Joe Jameson, and Pema Monaghan brings this story to life with an energy that matches the book's pace. They skillfully juggle a range of characters, ensuring each one has a distinct voice. It’s an audio experience that adds depth to an already engaging story. If you’re a fan of thrillers with a dash of danger and a sprinkle of sun-soaked beaches, then this audiobook is your next escape.
Congratulations to Sara Ochs for such a riveting debut. It’s hard to believe this is just her first novel, and I can't wait to see what she writes next. "The Resort" is an exciting ride—and one you won't want to miss!
"The Resort" is a perfect concoction of locked room thriller, mixed with dating tv drama set on an island, and murder. This one was slow and boring in the beginning but it did pick up toward the end. I had trouble connecting with the characters and just couldnt get invested in the story. The narration was good, but the female narrators voices lacked differentiation which caused some confusion at times. Overall, an ok book that made for an entertaining listen. 3 stars.
This book didn't quite captivate me as much as I had anticipated. As the story unfolded and mysteries unraveled, it veered into territories that felt overly implausible to me.
While the audio version boasted an extensive cast of narrators, I found the two main female voices strikingly similar. Their resemblance made distinguishing between them challenging, with volume being the only distinguishing factor. This led to frequent adjustments in volume, which grew bothersome and detracted from the overall experience. Perhaps opting for the tangible version would have provided a more immersive experience, as the audio presentation fell short of expectations.
The Resort is a thriller with a cast of characters, all with shady pasts, that are trying to start over on a resort. This "who dun it" thriller was a quick read or listen. The premise is intriguing with a group of people staying/working at a resort when bodies start appearing and everyone may have something to hide. With alternating chapters of perspectives between Brooke and Cass, it made piecing the puzzle together that much more interesting.
There wasn't one character that I was particularly drawn to. Actually, I didn't think any of the characters had redeemable qualities. This led me to not really care who made it, who didn't, and who did it. I'm not sure if this was in part because of the narrators. I felt that both the narrators for Brooke and Cass were very monotone. Initially, I thought this was purposeful, but their inflections never changed despite the storyline picking up in intensity. It wasn't until the last couple of chapters where the story became more animated. I wish that had been the case throughout.
Overall, The Resort was enjoyable, but it seemed as if all of the histories of the characters really came to fruition in the last quarter of the book. I had wanted more hints into their pasts throughout the book so I could piece it together. I didn't feel like their pasts, and where they overlapped, were believable. This was especially the case with Greta and Alison. It just seemed disjointed.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a quick and easy read for a vacation or to get them out of a reading slump. I would love to read more Sara Ochs books in the future. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this copy!
got to the 20% mark and had to DNF this....so slow, so boring, and honestly i feel like i know the twist coming. will perhaps pick up down the road.
I was super excited to be granted access by RB Media via NetGalley to listen to Sara Ochs novel, The Resort. I was seeing it all over and put in the request on whim hoping to get it. Sometimes, my friends, wishes do come true.
For those of you who follow along with my reading journey, you know, I love an unreliable narrator and Sara Ochs nails it. Cass is about as unreliable as they get and oh my do all the characters have secrets. Quite frankly, these folks are messed up and have put all their eggs in one basket called Koh Sang, Thailand. An ex-pat community is bound to have stories, but are all the roads that led them to Koh Sang happy ones? You bet your butt they aren't!
As an audiobook, this book was propulsive and made me want to keep listening, because I had to know what would come of everyones dark messy pasts. I will say, the book got a bit weird toward the end, but I'm glad I pushed through.