The Vacation

Product Information

Wow there are so many unexpected surprises, twists and deranged characters. Most of these guests are running away from something in their lives.

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 book was previously released as Welcome to Wherever You Are– a sign the owner of the hostel has displayed at reception and Marrs references a Aldous Huxley quote: I found this book – at various times – to be annoying, obvious, frustrating and alluring. And weirdly I’d recommend it for all of those reasons. DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Pan Macmillan via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Vacation by John Marrs for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. 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!

Advance Praise

There are so many twists and turns that I felt as if I were on the world's biggest roller-coaster. ' 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? The Vacation by John Marrs is a difficult book to write about. It’s certainly an addictive read as I was desperate to see how it ended – or more accurately – how our characters all fared. A terrific novel that should appeal to anyone who enjoys complex, character-driven, suspense novels.' Building and supporting a community of self-published authors dedicated to both sharing experiences and le Officially 15k Members Strong & Climbing!!

But for eight strangers at the beachfront hostel, there is far more on their minds than an extended vacation. All that said, I loved the ending and Marrs does a superb job of typing up all the stories to a strong conclusion. The book has still stayed with me months later, so that says something! His books always seem to do that to me! The Author Resource Round Table on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_folder/116489?group_id=26989Feel free to invite some friends to join our Round Table community!http://www.goodreads.com/group/invite_members/26989-goodreads-authors-readers

The intricate character development in this book stands out as truly remarkable. Each character possesses a depth that brings them to life, making their stories and struggles palpable. From Tommy, who works at the hostel reception, to Savannah, the daughter of a TV Reverend in Alabama, and childhood friends Matty and Declan from Ireland, every character is intricately woven into the narrative. Nicole and Eric, friends and work colleagues from the UK, Ruth, the solitary traveler from Australia, and Jake, who changed his name before leaving the UK, all contribute to the rich tapestry of the story. Welcome to Venice Beach, Los Angeles. Home of Muscle Beach and the Venice Beach International Hostel. 8 strangers from around the world, all hiding secrets and wanting a fresh start are all guests at the hostel. They are all trying to escape from their past and at first glance are so different. As we get to know the guests, we learn of their secrets and the possible connections to each other.In The Vacation we are introduced to eight characters who are staying at the same hostel in Venice Beach. Their stories move between the current time and the past, as the reasons behind their travels are slowly revealed. It is all a bit disjointed in the beginning, and it doesn't really come together cohesively until two thirds of the way through the book when things begin to get really interesting. So be patient. After working as a journalist for 25-years interviewing celebrities from the world of television, film and music for national newspapers and magazines, he is now a full-time writer. I normally get the kindle version of a book, along with the audiobook so that I can listen at work, and read at night. That was almost impossible to do with this book because the audiobook and the kindle book were different from one another, which was very frustrating. Given the fact that I was already invested, I ended up still trying to do both because I was curious about the differences, so I feel like I actually read this book twice. Thank you so much to Tracy Fenton and to Anne Cater of Random Things Blog Tours for inviting me on this tour and organising it. I kindly received a copy of the book from the publisher. My review is entirely my own honest opinion.

Rerelease of ‘Welcome to whoever you are’ which I enjoy much more second time around - go figure!!! The novel has a good premise with a disparate bunch of people from various corners of the world ‘washing up’ at a rundown hostel in Venice Beach. Every single one of them is faking in in some way shape or form, most are running or hiding from something which is often huge. I would actually love to see this on the screen and I know that one of Marrs’s previous books The One was made into a Netflix series. In fact I can’t help but wonder if this book would fare better with episodic fast-paced visual treatment than it does in written form. What sets this book apart is the author's daring creativity. The plot, though intricate and occasionally challenging, showcases Marrs' readiness to explore uncharted territory in storytelling. It's a puzzle, a maze of twists and turns that will test your comprehension and intrigue you, pushing the boundaries of the literary experience. Building and supporting a community of self-published authors dedicated to both sharing experiences and learning as equals.

Customer reviews

Nicole & Eric - friends and work colleagues from the UK. What are they searching for and do they have an agenda? This huge cast of characters descend on Venice Beach International Hostel. Each with their own stories to tell. Ranging from fame, domestic abuse, death, crime, obsession and just a sprinkling of love. Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Libra Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Librarians Group is the official group for requesting additions or updates to the catalog, including: The Vacation" is a testament to the power of unique storytelling. While it may not offer an easy, straightforward read, it leaves an indelible impression. If you're up for a challenge and seek something refreshingly different in your reading, this book offers a compelling exploration of complex characters and innovative storytelling.