The Vacation by John Marrs (Review by Amelia Bowes)

Rating: 3/5 Stars

The Vacation centres around the residents of Venice Beach International Hostel in Los Angeles. Although they’re visiting from around the world, they have one thing in common: secrets. As is often the case with the communal atmosphere of hostels, the residents gradually get to know each other and, in some cases, intertwine their lives. When long-hidden secrets come to the surface, it’s anyone’s guess as to just how far they’ll go to keep them.

All in all, I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The pace was fast, and there were many twists and turns when it came to what the characters were hiding from one another. Treachery and deceit aside, the depictions of backpacking and meeting new people brought back fond memories of my own experiences studying abroad in the UK. The only thing that bothered me was the author’s tendency to over-explain how the characters were feeling. Their thoughts and actions are usually all the reader needs to deduce said feelings themselves.

I would recommend this book for The Gloss. The characters all had interesting back stories, and there was enough mystery to keep thriller lovers turning the page. It’s a good choice for anyone looking for an easy, engaging read.