Scan barcode
heather_renae's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
shesflippinpages's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Outing, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
kalaser's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Car accident, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
norwegianforestreader's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Rape, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
mapetiteliseuse's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
At the centre of this book is a hostel in LA, and group of travelers who have lots to learn about themselves and each other as they all embark on their own version of a “fresh start”
It sounds like a classic “murder mystery” which is exactly what I predicted but was very wrong. The “sun, sea, sex and murder” tag line on the cover sets an inaccurate tone in my opinion, and cheapens the writing. There’s a lot more to this.
The story very subtly but naturally centres on Tommy and Nicole, who find the hostel a central point in their lives for different reasons. They take the lead in shaping the plot as it unfolds from multiple perspectives (not something I often enjoy) as they meet other guests.
There are lots of surprises and minimal predictably which was really refreshing in a thriller.
Although Tommy and Nicole feature heavily in the plot in the present, we learn a lot about their pasts and the past of other hostel residents - which binds together the action into a real page turner.
This isn’t your average “who dunnit” and quite atypical of a thriller, features no crime/police procedural narrative which for me was really refreshing.
In hindsight I don’t like the title*, I think it creates a false idea of the book that could deter people (made me think “summer holiday who dunnit”) but it’s actually quite deep in parts with emotion as well as action - touching on themes of friendship, loyalty and loss.
A lot happens. Sometimes the action is so crammed into a book that it loses credibility and substance, but that didn’t happen here. The twists are plentiful and for me, happened without me anticipating them.
I found it to be unique in both setting and plot; with real character diversity on too
If you’ve enjoyed books like “I know you” (Clare McGowan) then this will be a great next read for you.
*Interestingly I’ve since discovered the book was previously titled “welcome to wherever you are” - I much prefer this.
It sounds like a classic “murder mystery” which is exactly what I predicted but was very wrong. The “sun, sea, sex and murder” tag line on the cover sets an inaccurate tone in my opinion, and cheapens the writing. There’s a lot more to this.
The story very subtly but naturally centres on Tommy and Nicole, who find the hostel a central point in their lives for different reasons. They take the lead in shaping the plot as it unfolds from multiple perspectives (not something I often enjoy) as they meet other guests.
There are lots of surprises and minimal predictably which was really refreshing in a thriller.
Although Tommy and Nicole feature heavily in the plot in the present, we learn a lot about their pasts and the past of other hostel residents - which binds together the action into a real page turner.
This isn’t your average “who dunnit” and quite atypical of a thriller, features no crime/police procedural narrative which for me was really refreshing.
In hindsight I don’t like the title*, I think it creates a false idea of the book that could deter people (made me think “summer holiday who dunnit”) but it’s actually quite deep in parts with emotion as well as action - touching on themes of friendship, loyalty and loss.
A lot happens. Sometimes the action is so crammed into a book that it loses credibility and substance, but that didn’t happen here. The twists are plentiful and for me, happened without me anticipating them.
I found it to be unique in both setting and plot; with real character diversity on too
If you’ve enjoyed books like “I know you” (Clare McGowan) then this will be a great next read for you.
*Interestingly I’ve since discovered the book was previously titled “welcome to wherever you are” - I much prefer this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
At the centre of this book is a hostel in LA, and group of travelers who have lots to learn about themselves and each other as they all embark on their own version of a “fresh start” It sounds like a classic “murder mystery” which is exactly what I predicted but was very wrong. The “sun, sea, sex and murder” tag line on the cover sets an inaccurate tone in my opinion, and cheapens the writing. There’s a lot more to this. The story very subtly but naturally centres on Tommy and Nicole, who find the hostel a central point in their lives for different reasons. They take the lead in shaping the plot as it unfolds from multiple perspectives (not something I often enjoy) as they meet other guests. There are lots of surprises and minimal predictably which was really refreshing in a thriller. Although Tommy and Nicole feature heavily in the plot in the present, we learn a lot about their pasts and the past of other hostel residents - which binds together the action into a real page turner. This isn’t your average “who dunnit” and quite atypical of a thriller, features no crime/police procedural narrative which for me was really refreshing. In hindsight I don’t like the title*, I think it creates a false idea of the book that could deter people (made me think “summer holiday who dunnit”) but it’s actually quite deep in parts with emotion as well as action - touching on themes of friendship, loyalty and loss. A lot happens. Sometimes the action is so crammed into a book that it loses credibility and substance, but that didn’t happen here. The twists are plentiful and for me, happened without me anticipating them. I found it to be unique in both setting and plot; with real character diversity on too If you’ve enjoyed books like “I know you” (Clare McGowan) then this will be a great next read for you. *Interestingly I’ve since discovered the book was previously titled “welcome to wherever you are” - I much prefer this.