The Vacation by John Marrs #NetGalley @johnmarrs1 @panmacmillan #TheVacation

 

The Vacation by John Marrs

(previously released as Welcome to Wherever You Are)

Published by Pan Macmillan

Publication Date: 24th June 2021

Genre: Mystery & Thriller

My thanks to Panmacmillan for approving my request to read this book ahead of publication in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description:

How far would you run to escape your past?

Venice Beach, Los Angeles. A paradise on earth.

Tourists flock to the golden coast and the promise of Hollywood.

But for eight strangers at a beach front hostel, there is far more on their mind than an extended vacation.

All of them are running from something. And they all have secrets they’d kill to keep…

My Thoughts:

As one of my 'buy without reading the blurb' authors, I was delighted to be approved by the publisher to read this re-release from John Marrs.  Fortunately I hadn't read the previous incarnation so it was nice to go in with an open mind.

We are introduced to quite a diverse selection of characters which I suppose reflects a backpacking hostel perfectly. There are quite a few names to get to grips with at first but the way they are presented doesn't overwhelm the reader. The story is presented in two time frames, individual to each character's story,  which explains each person's reason for arriving at the hostel. It sounds complicated but honestly, it really flows well.

There's an evangelist's pole dancing daughter, a pair of Irish armed robbers, a failed boy band member, and the winner of a competition who is desperate to meet her idol. These are just a few of the individuals who have washed up in Venice Beach, each seeking to escape their past and build the foundation for a better future.

I loved this book and felt like I was another guest at the hostel, people-watching and discovering their stories. It's a bit like a soap opera crossed with Love Island but much, much better! It would be absolutely great if there were a sequel to this book for us to find out 'What happened next' for at least some of the characters. 

Once again John Marrs has secured his place on my 'guaranteed to buy' list.

About the Author:

John Marrs is an author and former journalist based in London and Northamptonshire. After spending his career interviewing celebrities from the worlds of television, film and music for numerous national newspapers and magazines, he is now a full-time author.  Follow him at www.johnmarrsauthor.co.uk, on Twitter @johnmarrs1, on Instagram @johnmarrs.author and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/johnmarrsauthor.