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The Vacation
One of them is missing… One of them did it…
The Thanksgiving retreat was meant to be a time for them to get away from it all, miles from the secrets that threaten to tear their family apart. But they’re each hiding something:
Rose hopes the pretty house overlooking the sea is just the break her family needs. But as she gazes at the water and remembers her own childhood, she is utterly terrified.
Brandon knows his wife Rose has barely forgiven him for his affair. He’s started drinking again, a road that led him to disaster once before.
Brianna, Rose’s sister-in-law, is recovering from her fifth miscarriage, and when she looks at her adorable niece, she can’t help but see the daughter she deserves.
Then three-year-old Lily disappears from her bed in the villa. Isolated in what should have been paradise, it quickly becomes clear that one of them took her.
As one by one their secrets are uncovered, who will be destroyed next?
A completely addictive thriller about every parent’s worst nightmare that will keep you guessing into the early hours of the morning. Perfect for fans of The Guest List, One by One and The Sister-in-Law.
The Thanksgiving retreat was meant to be a time for them to get away from it all, miles from the secrets that threaten to tear their family apart. But they’re each hiding something:
Rose hopes the pretty house overlooking the sea is just the break her family needs. But as she gazes at the water and remembers her own childhood, she is utterly terrified.
Brandon knows his wife Rose has barely forgiven him for his affair. He’s started drinking again, a road that led him to disaster once before.
Brianna, Rose’s sister-in-law, is recovering from her fifth miscarriage, and when she looks at her adorable niece, she can’t help but see the daughter she deserves.
Then three-year-old Lily disappears from her bed in the villa. Isolated in what should have been paradise, it quickly becomes clear that one of them took her.
As one by one their secrets are uncovered, who will be destroyed next?
A completely addictive thriller about every parent’s worst nightmare that will keep you guessing into the early hours of the morning. Perfect for fans of The Guest List, One by One and The Sister-in-Law.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 27, 2021
700 people are currently reading
1424 people want to read
About the author
M.M. Chouinard
13 books447 followersM.M. Chouinard is the USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon Charts bestselling author behind The Vacation, a standalone psychological thriller, and the Detective Jo Fournier series, featuring The Dancing Girls, Taken to the Grave, Her Daughter's Cry, and The Other Mothers. She loves animals, coffee, amateur genealogy, and anything to do with Halloween or the zombie apocalypse.
M.M. Chouinard's first fiction story was published in her local paper when she was eight, and she fell in love with Agatha Christie novels not long after. While pursuing a Ph.D in psychology and helping to found the first U.S. research university of the new millenium, the stories kept rattling around inside her skull, demanding to come out. For sanity's sake, she released them.
M.M. Chouinard's first fiction story was published in her local paper when she was eight, and she fell in love with Agatha Christie novels not long after. While pursuing a Ph.D in psychology and helping to found the first U.S. research university of the new millenium, the stories kept rattling around inside her skull, demanding to come out. For sanity's sake, she released them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
May 29, 2021
EXCERPT: Please, God. Please let Lily be safe. Please bring her back to us. Please forgive me - please don't make her pay the cost for my demons.
She repeats the prayers in a mantra designed to atone, and to break a cycle of obsessive thinking. How many times has her therapist told her to chase away anxiety with reason and facts? God doesn't work that way, she tells herself. This isn't because of you.
But how can it not be? It's too much. It's too coincidental.
Stop.
She short-circuits the cycle of thoughts and returns to the prayer.
But Brandon was right -
Stop.
This isn't her fault. It can't be, it just can't.
Unless it is.
ABOUT 'THE VACATION': One of them is missing… One of them did it…
The Thanksgiving retreat was meant to be a time for them to get away from it all, miles from the secrets that threaten to tear their family apart. But they’re each hiding something:
Rose hopes the pretty house overlooking the sea is just the break her family needs. But as she gazes at the water and remembers her own childhood, she is utterly terrified.
Brandon knows his wife Rose has barely forgiven him for his affair. He’s started drinking again, a road that led him to disaster once before.
Brianna, Rose’s sister-in-law, is recovering from her fifth miscarriage, and when she looks at her adorable niece, she can’t help but see the daughter she deserves.
Then three-year-old Lily disappears from her bed in the villa. Isolated in what should have been paradise, it quickly becomes clear that one of them took her.
As one by one their secrets are uncovered, who will be destroyed next?
MY THOUGHTS: I not only found it impossible to connect with any of these characters, I found it difficult to tell them apart. They were all interchangeable and unremarkable. None of them were particularly likeable or memorable.
A child going missing from it's bed is every parent's nightmare. Was Lily abducted? Did she wander off? The Vacation ought to have been taut and suspenseful. I didn't feel that. The writing felt flat, the plot predictable. None of the twists surprised me, and I figured out both the who and the why well before the end.
A lot of what occurs in The Vacation I found improbable and contrived, which is a pity. There was so much scope to develop this into a tense and chilling psychological thriller. But it was very wide of the mark for me. Even the ending was 'meh.'
I am aware that I am very much out on a limb with my feelings about The Vacation. This book currently has an average rating of 4 stars. So if you enjoyed the excerpt from The Vacation, and the plot outline appeals, please do go ahead and read it. Just because this wasn't for me, doesn't mean that you won't enjoy it.
⭐⭐.2
#TheVacation #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: M.M. Chouinard writes crime fiction (including suspense, procedurals, and cozies), and women's fiction. M.M. Chouinard's first fiction story was published in her local paper when she was eight, and she fell in love with Agatha Christie novels not long after. While pursuing a Ph.D in psychology and helping to found the first U.S. research university of the new millenium, the stories kept rattling around inside her skull, demanding to come out. For sanity's sake, she released them.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Vacation by M.M. Chouinard for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram, and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
She repeats the prayers in a mantra designed to atone, and to break a cycle of obsessive thinking. How many times has her therapist told her to chase away anxiety with reason and facts? God doesn't work that way, she tells herself. This isn't because of you.
But how can it not be? It's too much. It's too coincidental.
Stop.
She short-circuits the cycle of thoughts and returns to the prayer.
But Brandon was right -
Stop.
This isn't her fault. It can't be, it just can't.
Unless it is.
ABOUT 'THE VACATION': One of them is missing… One of them did it…
The Thanksgiving retreat was meant to be a time for them to get away from it all, miles from the secrets that threaten to tear their family apart. But they’re each hiding something:
Rose hopes the pretty house overlooking the sea is just the break her family needs. But as she gazes at the water and remembers her own childhood, she is utterly terrified.
Brandon knows his wife Rose has barely forgiven him for his affair. He’s started drinking again, a road that led him to disaster once before.
Brianna, Rose’s sister-in-law, is recovering from her fifth miscarriage, and when she looks at her adorable niece, she can’t help but see the daughter she deserves.
Then three-year-old Lily disappears from her bed in the villa. Isolated in what should have been paradise, it quickly becomes clear that one of them took her.
As one by one their secrets are uncovered, who will be destroyed next?
MY THOUGHTS: I not only found it impossible to connect with any of these characters, I found it difficult to tell them apart. They were all interchangeable and unremarkable. None of them were particularly likeable or memorable.
A child going missing from it's bed is every parent's nightmare. Was Lily abducted? Did she wander off? The Vacation ought to have been taut and suspenseful. I didn't feel that. The writing felt flat, the plot predictable. None of the twists surprised me, and I figured out both the who and the why well before the end.
A lot of what occurs in The Vacation I found improbable and contrived, which is a pity. There was so much scope to develop this into a tense and chilling psychological thriller. But it was very wide of the mark for me. Even the ending was 'meh.'
I am aware that I am very much out on a limb with my feelings about The Vacation. This book currently has an average rating of 4 stars. So if you enjoyed the excerpt from The Vacation, and the plot outline appeals, please do go ahead and read it. Just because this wasn't for me, doesn't mean that you won't enjoy it.
⭐⭐.2
#TheVacation #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: M.M. Chouinard writes crime fiction (including suspense, procedurals, and cozies), and women's fiction. M.M. Chouinard's first fiction story was published in her local paper when she was eight, and she fell in love with Agatha Christie novels not long after. While pursuing a Ph.D in psychology and helping to found the first U.S. research university of the new millenium, the stories kept rattling around inside her skull, demanding to come out. For sanity's sake, she released them.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Vacation by M.M. Chouinard for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram, and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
May 30, 2021
The Vacation by M.M. Chouinard is a thriller that is for those that like to read and book and at the end ask themselves “What the heck did I just read??” As a reader that likes to guess how things will go along the way I love to find books that even I can’t imagine a scenario that comes close to what the author has come up with and this was one of those.
The story is set in Jamaica as three different couples get together with their families for the Thanksgiving holiday. Everyone has come together in a huge rented villa and the children have been put to bed for the night with the adults having a few cocktails while playing games. The adults have taken turns checking on the children through the night but at the latest check three year old Lily has disappeared. With other children missing from the island a ransom note or call is expected but when it doesn’t come police begin to suspect one of the vacationing party.
This book is one that could have those attention grabbing taglines because it really was one twisty thrill ride. The story was told from multiple points of view from unreliable characters that will make you question every move. It also has flashbacks to build the story of all involved but despite different POVs and timelines it was easy to follow and an incredibly addictive story that I never wanted to put down with an ending that was hard to imagine even after it came.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
The story is set in Jamaica as three different couples get together with their families for the Thanksgiving holiday. Everyone has come together in a huge rented villa and the children have been put to bed for the night with the adults having a few cocktails while playing games. The adults have taken turns checking on the children through the night but at the latest check three year old Lily has disappeared. With other children missing from the island a ransom note or call is expected but when it doesn’t come police begin to suspect one of the vacationing party.
This book is one that could have those attention grabbing taglines because it really was one twisty thrill ride. The story was told from multiple points of view from unreliable characters that will make you question every move. It also has flashbacks to build the story of all involved but despite different POVs and timelines it was easy to follow and an incredibly addictive story that I never wanted to put down with an ending that was hard to imagine even after it came.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
May 8, 2021
A trip to Jamaica sounds like a fun vacation for 3 families until everything that could go wrong, does! Rose was reluctant to go there because of all the crime but they talked to her into it. Lots of twists and turns keep you guessing until the end! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
April 20, 2021
Isn’t the purpose of a vacation to get away from it all? I think that’s what this family had planned to do, too. The extended family head off to a villa in Jamaica for much-needed rest, relaxation and reconnection. They soon found out that you can’t escape your secrets - even being isolated in paradise!
Rose leaves her cocktail on the table outside and goes in to check on her 2 children. They weren’t feeling well before bed so Rose and her husband, Brandon, have been taking turns checking on them. When Rose discovers that 3-year-old Lily isn’t in her bed, the vacation suddenly turns into a nightmare. As the investigation continues, the secrets unravel and you’ll be left shocked. Each of the three couples vacationing together in Jamaica has secrets. Which one will lead to Lily?
This is my first book by M.M. Chouinard. It won’t be my last! Michelle’s Ph. D. in research psychology and her focus on what makes people tick add to the success of this psychological thriller. I probably shouldn’t have read it after bedtime, but I had to find out what happened to Lily. This is a compulsive read with plenty of twists and a family full of suspects. You’ll have to keep this standalone thriller on your radar come May 27th.
Rose leaves her cocktail on the table outside and goes in to check on her 2 children. They weren’t feeling well before bed so Rose and her husband, Brandon, have been taking turns checking on them. When Rose discovers that 3-year-old Lily isn’t in her bed, the vacation suddenly turns into a nightmare. As the investigation continues, the secrets unravel and you’ll be left shocked. Each of the three couples vacationing together in Jamaica has secrets. Which one will lead to Lily?
This is my first book by M.M. Chouinard. It won’t be my last! Michelle’s Ph. D. in research psychology and her focus on what makes people tick add to the success of this psychological thriller. I probably shouldn’t have read it after bedtime, but I had to find out what happened to Lily. This is a compulsive read with plenty of twists and a family full of suspects. You’ll have to keep this standalone thriller on your radar come May 27th.
June 1, 2021
Loved the book that began with a missing child and a hint of all not being well with the family and the suspense never let up. It was as if the author knew what I wanted and delivered it with a bang in a neat package.
A suspenseful book which was set in a family drama where the equations and things in the background kept constantly changing. It took me some time to plot the characters in my mind. But it all soon fell into place.
I loved how the author M. M. Chouinard kept pulling and pushing them to reveal their shades. It was a synchronized dance to make the scenes fit in seamlessly.
Extremely swift in its pace or it could be me who wanted to get to the end to know what happened to the missing child that I raced through the book. I loved how my need-to-know-instantly built up in me. My heart raced; I felt alive. Who wouldn’t love this rush?
Needless to say, I enjoyed this book immensely as it clicked all the points I loved in a book. Family and masks, the hidden sins and pretense, the author and her precision. They all went together beautifully.
A suspenseful book which was set in a family drama where the equations and things in the background kept constantly changing. It took me some time to plot the characters in my mind. But it all soon fell into place.
I loved how the author M. M. Chouinard kept pulling and pushing them to reveal their shades. It was a synchronized dance to make the scenes fit in seamlessly.
Extremely swift in its pace or it could be me who wanted to get to the end to know what happened to the missing child that I raced through the book. I loved how my need-to-know-instantly built up in me. My heart raced; I felt alive. Who wouldn’t love this rush?
Needless to say, I enjoyed this book immensely as it clicked all the points I loved in a book. Family and masks, the hidden sins and pretense, the author and her precision. They all went together beautifully.
February 25, 2023
This book is as eerily delicious as the case of Madeline McCan which it reflects. A toddler daughter is abducted while families are on vacation in Jamaica.
This was thrilling, captivating. I loved the tie bits of dark secrets and clues to even darker possibilities dropped throughout the story. One thing I didn't like was that it was told from several perspectives in many timelines that were difficult to keep track of yet critical to follow along.
This was thrilling, captivating. I loved the tie bits of dark secrets and clues to even darker possibilities dropped throughout the story. One thing I didn't like was that it was told from several perspectives in many timelines that were difficult to keep track of yet critical to follow along.
May 31, 2021
There is a whirlwind of emotions on almost every page of this book. Three couples are holidaying together in Jamaica. They have gone out for a meal and a drink, while the children of two of the couples sleep in their nearby accommodation. They had taken turns in going and checking on the children while they slept, and all was well. When Rose’s goes she couldn’t make sense of what she saw, her three-year-old daughter had vanished, and the window was wide open. No matter how many times she searched the room, she couldn’t find her hidden. Someone had taken her.
The police arrive, but over the next few days, the pace of the investigation had Rose reeling. The longer her daughter was missing, the less chance that the outcome would be good. Rose took things into her own hands to try and speed the investigation up. The dynamic of the couples began to change, while a tsunami of feelings fester and wouldn’t be calmed.
What a story, it makes you think if we ever really know someone. Here is one of those stories where you want to know what has happened but turn each page tentatively because you are frightened to know the truth. I liked how the characters developed and more of who they were becoming more transparent. It isn’t an easy read by any means, it is so very tense, and I wanted each page to give me that overwhelming rush of everything being alright.
It is readable easily in a day. I couldn’t stop until I knew the ending. Extremely well written. I couldn’t put it down.
The police arrive, but over the next few days, the pace of the investigation had Rose reeling. The longer her daughter was missing, the less chance that the outcome would be good. Rose took things into her own hands to try and speed the investigation up. The dynamic of the couples began to change, while a tsunami of feelings fester and wouldn’t be calmed.
What a story, it makes you think if we ever really know someone. Here is one of those stories where you want to know what has happened but turn each page tentatively because you are frightened to know the truth. I liked how the characters developed and more of who they were becoming more transparent. It isn’t an easy read by any means, it is so very tense, and I wanted each page to give me that overwhelming rush of everything being alright.
It is readable easily in a day. I couldn’t stop until I knew the ending. Extremely well written. I couldn’t put it down.
April 29, 2021
This intense thriller will break your heart and have you on the edge of your seat! Thanksgiving in Jamaica should be paradise for three adult couples and their children but things take a tragic turn when 3-year-old Lily goes missing. Every parent’s worst nightmare becomes even more horrific when the local police quickly turn their suspicions on the family.
Every one of the adults has something to hide, and I could not stop turning the pages until I found out all of their dark secrets. All of these deep-seated issues make for lots of twists and plenty of possible motives, but you won’t see this ending coming! I love when I’m surprised by the ending despite plenty of guessing.
True crime buffs will see more than a few shades of the Madeleine McCann disappearance almost two decades ago. There are enough similarities that it seems likely that this novel’s central crime was inspired by the McCann tragedy, but M.M. Chouinard’s characters and their motivations are completely original, unexpected, and very well done!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Every one of the adults has something to hide, and I could not stop turning the pages until I found out all of their dark secrets. All of these deep-seated issues make for lots of twists and plenty of possible motives, but you won’t see this ending coming! I love when I’m surprised by the ending despite plenty of guessing.
True crime buffs will see more than a few shades of the Madeleine McCann disappearance almost two decades ago. There are enough similarities that it seems likely that this novel’s central crime was inspired by the McCann tragedy, but M.M. Chouinard’s characters and their motivations are completely original, unexpected, and very well done!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2022
2.5 stars
June 20, 2021
This is a decent book, but easily the worst of Chouinard's novels. The plot itself is so implausible it strains credulity, but I'll give that one a pass, as it's somewhat of a staple in mystery fiction. The tangled web that is woven between the three couples is ridiculous, but fair enough. 4
It's also so complex that it takes half the book to figure out exactly who is who and how they're related and which character is trying to get what character to do whatever. A handy family tree with pointing arrows at the beginning of the novel would not be amiss, or simply structure the beginning of the book so the reader has a chance to breathe.
But by far my biggest complaint is the writing style. Chouinard's previous novels have rich, well-developed characters, and the writing is generally very solid. Here, the characters feel like stereotypes. We get hammered, page after page, with Rose's problems and neurosis. Periodically, the narrative is interrupted for the characters to stop and read an exposition dump by a local newspaper that is a) not written in a news style, and b) completely implausible for anyone at a news organization to find that information in the allotted time, and c) don't really add to the novel in any way.
It's also so complex that it takes half the book to figure out exactly who is who and how they're related and which character is trying to get what character to do whatever. A handy family tree with pointing arrows at the beginning of the novel would not be amiss, or simply structure the beginning of the book so the reader has a chance to breathe.
But by far my biggest complaint is the writing style. Chouinard's previous novels have rich, well-developed characters, and the writing is generally very solid. Here, the characters feel like stereotypes. We get hammered, page after page, with Rose's problems and neurosis. Periodically, the narrative is interrupted for the characters to stop and read an exposition dump by a local newspaper that is a) not written in a news style, and b) completely implausible for anyone at a news organization to find that information in the allotted time, and c) don't really add to the novel in any way.
May 13, 2021
Guys, if you're a fan of page-turning, edge-of-your-seat suspense thrillers, you CANNOT miss this book. You HAVE to read it. I'm honestly telling you that I haven't read such a good thriller in a long time. Easily one of my most fav thrillers of this year 🌠
What I'm going to say first about this book is the writing style. It is so lucid and has the perfect gripping vibes to it. The story grabbed me right from the start and my heart was hammering throughout because of the numerous frequent twists!
Never for a moment did I think that the story was getting boring or veering off its path, instead it kept me engaged throughout. I loved the ending, it was totally unexpected! I also loved the author's abilities of distracting you from guessing the actual killer, she makes sure that you guess the wrong person, and you do!
Some extra features which made the story even better:
Alternating timelines+ multiple POVs+ short chapters+ unreliable characters
I also loved the pace of the story. I'm usually a night reader and I stay up late for about 12/12:30 am just for reading. And ugh, this book made me stay up till 1:30 one day! All my sleep got vanished all of a sudden and I couldn't stop reading. So, if you are not reading this book continuously and not getting intrigued, you're not paying attention.
I know I praised it a lot, but trust me guys, it deserves all the hype. You won't regret reading it!
What I'm going to say first about this book is the writing style. It is so lucid and has the perfect gripping vibes to it. The story grabbed me right from the start and my heart was hammering throughout because of the numerous frequent twists!
Never for a moment did I think that the story was getting boring or veering off its path, instead it kept me engaged throughout. I loved the ending, it was totally unexpected! I also loved the author's abilities of distracting you from guessing the actual killer, she makes sure that you guess the wrong person, and you do!
Some extra features which made the story even better:
Alternating timelines+ multiple POVs+ short chapters+ unreliable characters
I also loved the pace of the story. I'm usually a night reader and I stay up late for about 12/12:30 am just for reading. And ugh, this book made me stay up till 1:30 one day! All my sleep got vanished all of a sudden and I couldn't stop reading. So, if you are not reading this book continuously and not getting intrigued, you're not paying attention.
I know I praised it a lot, but trust me guys, it deserves all the hype. You won't regret reading it!
May 30, 2021
Wonderful. Suspenseful. Packed with twists. I was enthralled. Absorbed
Blown away. Loved loved loved this one. A stunner of a read.
Blown away. Loved loved loved this one. A stunner of a read.
May 27, 2021
Three,related, couples on holiday in paradise yet suddenly that all goes horribly wrong when the three year old daughter of one of the couples disappears, seemingly snatched from her bed. Local children have also been kidnapped, which normally follows with a demand for money but when no such demand is forthcoming the plot thickens. We also delve into the history of the couples who were staying together and secrets start to be revealed from all concerned.
A good read that is well paced and tense in places. I didn’t really warm to any of the adults in the story, in fact they grated a little but I was curious enough to find out what happened that fateful night so was compelled to complete the story.
A good read that is well paced and tense in places. I didn’t really warm to any of the adults in the story, in fact they grated a little but I was curious enough to find out what happened that fateful night so was compelled to complete the story.
August 27, 2021
How can an idyllic vacation result in the disappearance of a three-year-old girl named Lily? A four-day Thanksgiving retreat should recharge three families, Rose and Brandon Martin and their two children, trying to recover after Brandon's affair and the fact that he often drinks a bit too much. They are accompanied by Anabelle and Mateo and their two boys. Then there is Leo and Brianna, Rose's sister-in-law, who is suffering from devastating losses. It is their home that the other two couple will be visiting in Jamaica.
Lies and secrets abound, but what possible connection could there be to Lily's disappearance? This dual timeline read is quite chilling, especially when the story shifts to the days prior to Lily's disappearance. As this is done, this presents a snapshot into each couple's lives. In any event, the suspect pool is quite small, so it should have been easy to discover who took the child? Or was it?
Considering that Rose is still reeling from something that happened when she was a child, and now that her Lily is gone, will she be able to hold up? What about Bree, considering the devastating losses she suffered? Do they play into what happened to Lily? A maelstrom of events is laid out in rapid succession as the search for Lily - and the truth - gets.
The Vacation is the perfect book if you want a fast-paced read that is rich with excellent writing and complex characters,
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Lies and secrets abound, but what possible connection could there be to Lily's disappearance? This dual timeline read is quite chilling, especially when the story shifts to the days prior to Lily's disappearance. As this is done, this presents a snapshot into each couple's lives. In any event, the suspect pool is quite small, so it should have been easy to discover who took the child? Or was it?
Considering that Rose is still reeling from something that happened when she was a child, and now that her Lily is gone, will she be able to hold up? What about Bree, considering the devastating losses she suffered? Do they play into what happened to Lily? A maelstrom of events is laid out in rapid succession as the search for Lily - and the truth - gets.
The Vacation is the perfect book if you want a fast-paced read that is rich with excellent writing and complex characters,
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
December 31, 2023
Great read!
April 23, 2021
Published: May 27, 2021
Bookouture
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.
M.M. Chouinard writes crime fiction that is beautifully crafted. She sprinkles a little bit of herself in her characters, and you will feel how passionate she is from the first paragraph. A brilliant mind, incredible researcher, and delightful human, M.M. Chouinard was destined to be an extraordinary author. She is a modern-day Agatha Christie.
“Why did people get blessings they didn’t deserve?”
Brandon announces to his wife, Rose, that his sister, Bree, and her husband, Leo, have invited them and their friends, Matteo and Anabelle, to spend thanksgiving in Jamaica. Rose is hesitant. She’s anxious. But Rose tends to be worried about everything. Especially when it concerns their two young children, Lily and Jackson. But Brandon has decided they are going, so they go. Just after putting the children down for the night, the adults are sitting in the courtyard enjoying the balmy weather and some drinks- the unthinkable happens. And now, no one's secrets are safe.
Holy cannoli Batman. I don’t even know where or how to begin this one.
Let’s start with the easy stuff, congratulations to M.M. Chouinard on what is sure to be a best seller. You tried something different, and I am here to tell you it worked. This book was incredible.
This book starts with a bang- and it doesn’t slow down for a second. The first chapter is guaranteed to hook you. I loved the way this story was told. I enjoyed the way time was used to paint the picture of things that happened. And let me tell you, M.M. Knows how to lay a crumb trail.
As we get to know each of the characters, it feels slightly overwhelming. We are meeting six adults and four children. But the distinctions quickly become evident, and pieces start falling in place.
Brandon is an alpha male; he is a successful doctor who gets what he wants no matter the cost. His wife Rose has trauma from her past, and as a consequence, she has had some mental health struggles. Together, they have two children, Lily and Jackson. From the outside, they are the perfect family.
Leo and Bree, Brandon’s sister, have been struggling for years to get pregnant. Bree is weighed down by the pain of another miscarriage. She feels defeated and broken. She wants to be a mother, wants to build herself that perfect little family- but it just won’t happen. Leo is brilliant but not savvy. He’s made some bad financial choices, which has left the couple in a tight situation.
Matteo and Anabelle have two sons and seemingly happy marriage. Sure, Matteo has secrets he would rather his wife not find out, but they are so glad. Hardworking and motivated, they decide going on this trip will be suitable for everyone. Who doesn’t love the beach?
The characters are so well done. Every aspect, trait, behavior, and habit is so intricately written. It’s obvious nothing was done unintentionally. As we get to know each of the characters, we start to realize that they each have things they have kept from the others. Or so they think.
Like the most intense game of Clue, the manipulation and willingness to protect oneself become center stage rather quickly. And as the truth comes out, the realization that no one is who they seem to become glaringly evident.
I have to be honest, and I didn’t love some of the characters. But I think that was the point. They were very human. Very selfish. And that is not something easy to write within the world of fiction. I found myself genuinely disliking these people, and as the pages turned, my emotions became stronger. That is powerful writing.
There is such a cleverly used element within this story that adds to the telling of this book. It’s fresh and raw. And it’s scary. But it’s also sincere. It was well placed and well-executed.
There is a very unexpected, emotional twist in this book that is sure to steal your breath away. I promise you will not see it coming, you will never guess it ahead of time, and as you attempt to process what you’ve just read, your heart will fall out of your chest. This is what thrillers are made of, folks.
My favorite aspect of this novel is that M.M. Chouinard clearly shows that the only truly in concern, indeed vulnerable beings, are children. And so often, they become victimized when they should have been protected. This is where fact meets fiction, which may be the most intelligently intertwined storytelling I have ever read.
Prepare yourself, this vacation is anything but refreshing.
Bookouture
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.
M.M. Chouinard writes crime fiction that is beautifully crafted. She sprinkles a little bit of herself in her characters, and you will feel how passionate she is from the first paragraph. A brilliant mind, incredible researcher, and delightful human, M.M. Chouinard was destined to be an extraordinary author. She is a modern-day Agatha Christie.
“Why did people get blessings they didn’t deserve?”
Brandon announces to his wife, Rose, that his sister, Bree, and her husband, Leo, have invited them and their friends, Matteo and Anabelle, to spend thanksgiving in Jamaica. Rose is hesitant. She’s anxious. But Rose tends to be worried about everything. Especially when it concerns their two young children, Lily and Jackson. But Brandon has decided they are going, so they go. Just after putting the children down for the night, the adults are sitting in the courtyard enjoying the balmy weather and some drinks- the unthinkable happens. And now, no one's secrets are safe.
Holy cannoli Batman. I don’t even know where or how to begin this one.
Let’s start with the easy stuff, congratulations to M.M. Chouinard on what is sure to be a best seller. You tried something different, and I am here to tell you it worked. This book was incredible.
This book starts with a bang- and it doesn’t slow down for a second. The first chapter is guaranteed to hook you. I loved the way this story was told. I enjoyed the way time was used to paint the picture of things that happened. And let me tell you, M.M. Knows how to lay a crumb trail.
As we get to know each of the characters, it feels slightly overwhelming. We are meeting six adults and four children. But the distinctions quickly become evident, and pieces start falling in place.
Brandon is an alpha male; he is a successful doctor who gets what he wants no matter the cost. His wife Rose has trauma from her past, and as a consequence, she has had some mental health struggles. Together, they have two children, Lily and Jackson. From the outside, they are the perfect family.
Leo and Bree, Brandon’s sister, have been struggling for years to get pregnant. Bree is weighed down by the pain of another miscarriage. She feels defeated and broken. She wants to be a mother, wants to build herself that perfect little family- but it just won’t happen. Leo is brilliant but not savvy. He’s made some bad financial choices, which has left the couple in a tight situation.
Matteo and Anabelle have two sons and seemingly happy marriage. Sure, Matteo has secrets he would rather his wife not find out, but they are so glad. Hardworking and motivated, they decide going on this trip will be suitable for everyone. Who doesn’t love the beach?
The characters are so well done. Every aspect, trait, behavior, and habit is so intricately written. It’s obvious nothing was done unintentionally. As we get to know each of the characters, we start to realize that they each have things they have kept from the others. Or so they think.
Like the most intense game of Clue, the manipulation and willingness to protect oneself become center stage rather quickly. And as the truth comes out, the realization that no one is who they seem to become glaringly evident.
I have to be honest, and I didn’t love some of the characters. But I think that was the point. They were very human. Very selfish. And that is not something easy to write within the world of fiction. I found myself genuinely disliking these people, and as the pages turned, my emotions became stronger. That is powerful writing.
There is such a cleverly used element within this story that adds to the telling of this book. It’s fresh and raw. And it’s scary. But it’s also sincere. It was well placed and well-executed.
There is a very unexpected, emotional twist in this book that is sure to steal your breath away. I promise you will not see it coming, you will never guess it ahead of time, and as you attempt to process what you’ve just read, your heart will fall out of your chest. This is what thrillers are made of, folks.
My favorite aspect of this novel is that M.M. Chouinard clearly shows that the only truly in concern, indeed vulnerable beings, are children. And so often, they become victimized when they should have been protected. This is where fact meets fiction, which may be the most intelligently intertwined storytelling I have ever read.
Prepare yourself, this vacation is anything but refreshing.
June 3, 2021
From the first chapter, I was hooked and the pace didn’t let up. What was meant to be a fun and relaxing way to spend thanksgiving with family and close friends quickly unravelled to expose a plethora of secrets, jealousies and bitter resentments.
Rose had been worried about going to Jamaica with her two children, but her husband Brandon assured her it would be just the break they needed. And it seemed as though he was right, until midway through the holiday, after an evening of rum cocktails under a balmy breeze, Rose went to check on her sleeping kids. Jackson was snoring softly, his arm over his head when she checked on Lily, only to find the curtain billowing across the little girl’s bed.
It shouldn’t have been billowing though; the window had been shut last time she checked … but now it was open and Lily’s bed was empty. The nightmare scenario that had usurped her thoughts prior to them arriving in Jamaica had suddenly become a reality. Her three-year-old daughter was gone, just like those other little girls she’d spent hours reading about. Lily was missing. (It would be impossible not to draw comparisons here with the true story of Madeleine McCann, which made what happened all the more heartbreakingly believable)
After raising the alarm, Rose, Brandon and the others scoured the villa but there was no sign of her. When the police finally arrived, they assumed a ransom call would soon follow. It didn’t.
Accusations of lazy policing followed as there was no news of Lily’s whereabouts. Scrawlings on the wall outside Lily’s room suggested she’d been kidnapped, so why weren’t the police pulling out all of the stops to find her? Of course, Rose’s thoughts were blinded by fear for Lily’s wellbeing, so maybe blaming the police for inaction was understandable. Yet, the others in her party seemed to be doing the same. It made me wonder if that would prove to be a convenient smokescreen for someone)
When the police did find clues to what might have happened that night, they gathered all the adults together before sharing their information, watching each of them keenly for a reaction. It was voyeuristically addictive and had me biting my nails.
The story is told across multiple viewpoints – each of the adults had their own chapters – and from both the run-up to Lily’s disappearance and the investigation thereafter. This constant swapping kept the pace up; just as I thought I might read just one more chapter, the next viewpoint character’s chapter became more compelling. Inevitably, as each character’s backstory became known, so did they seem to have a motive. But surely none of them could have harmed Lily? Or could they?
As my suspicions bounced from one character to another, so did doubts form in their minds as they started to suspect each other. Though, mainly thanks to some clever manipulation, they soon began to question one of their group more than any other.
Jeez, writing this review without giving any spoilers is super hard 😉
Just when I thought I couldn’t be more on the side of the family, in came a curveball that had me praying for the police to turn up with all the answers. Was it too late? Would the truth be covered up forever? Oh my, the ending was frantic and sublime in equal measures. The clues were all there, but the way in which the author delivered those crumbs meant it was easy to miss them.
The Vacation was a book in which everyone came under suspicion. Full of page-turning suspense and very cleverly executed, this has to be one of my favourite book of the year so far.
Rose had been worried about going to Jamaica with her two children, but her husband Brandon assured her it would be just the break they needed. And it seemed as though he was right, until midway through the holiday, after an evening of rum cocktails under a balmy breeze, Rose went to check on her sleeping kids. Jackson was snoring softly, his arm over his head when she checked on Lily, only to find the curtain billowing across the little girl’s bed.
It shouldn’t have been billowing though; the window had been shut last time she checked … but now it was open and Lily’s bed was empty. The nightmare scenario that had usurped her thoughts prior to them arriving in Jamaica had suddenly become a reality. Her three-year-old daughter was gone, just like those other little girls she’d spent hours reading about. Lily was missing. (It would be impossible not to draw comparisons here with the true story of Madeleine McCann, which made what happened all the more heartbreakingly believable)
After raising the alarm, Rose, Brandon and the others scoured the villa but there was no sign of her. When the police finally arrived, they assumed a ransom call would soon follow. It didn’t.
Accusations of lazy policing followed as there was no news of Lily’s whereabouts. Scrawlings on the wall outside Lily’s room suggested she’d been kidnapped, so why weren’t the police pulling out all of the stops to find her? Of course, Rose’s thoughts were blinded by fear for Lily’s wellbeing, so maybe blaming the police for inaction was understandable. Yet, the others in her party seemed to be doing the same. It made me wonder if that would prove to be a convenient smokescreen for someone)
When the police did find clues to what might have happened that night, they gathered all the adults together before sharing their information, watching each of them keenly for a reaction. It was voyeuristically addictive and had me biting my nails.
The story is told across multiple viewpoints – each of the adults had their own chapters – and from both the run-up to Lily’s disappearance and the investigation thereafter. This constant swapping kept the pace up; just as I thought I might read just one more chapter, the next viewpoint character’s chapter became more compelling. Inevitably, as each character’s backstory became known, so did they seem to have a motive. But surely none of them could have harmed Lily? Or could they?
As my suspicions bounced from one character to another, so did doubts form in their minds as they started to suspect each other. Though, mainly thanks to some clever manipulation, they soon began to question one of their group more than any other.
Jeez, writing this review without giving any spoilers is super hard 😉
Just when I thought I couldn’t be more on the side of the family, in came a curveball that had me praying for the police to turn up with all the answers. Was it too late? Would the truth be covered up forever? Oh my, the ending was frantic and sublime in equal measures. The clues were all there, but the way in which the author delivered those crumbs meant it was easy to miss them.
The Vacation was a book in which everyone came under suspicion. Full of page-turning suspense and very cleverly executed, this has to be one of my favourite book of the year so far.
May 31, 2021
I thoroughly enjoy M.M. Chouinard’s Detective Jo Fournier series so I was delighted to discover she was releasing this standalone thriller, The Vacation. Although I can't get enough of Jo Fournier, it was great to see what M.M. Chouinard can turn out in addition to that series and she really knocks it out of the park!
In The Vacation Brandon Martin makes an announcement to Rose, his wife that they will be travelling to Jamaica for Thanksgiving. His sister, Bree and her husband, Leo who live there, have invited them and their friends, Mateo and Anabelle, to their rented holiday villa. Rose isn't overkeen to go but Brandon has decided they will be accepting the invitation regardless. So the Martins along with their children, Lily and Jackson, arrive in Jamaica, as do Anabelle and Mateo with their two young boys, Michael and Marcus for what should be a fantastic break. However, each of the adults has their secrets or a hidden agenda stored in their luggage, and then little Lily vanishes...
Michelle M. Chouinard’s overall style wowed me again as did the wonderfully thrilling plot in this tale of secrets, suspicion and emotion. I really appreciated Chouinard's ability to not only draw me into the dark story immediately but also keep me enthralled until the very last page. The level of tension that built throughout the story was noteworthy.
For me, The Vacation has it all - a plot brimming with mystery, suspense with many twists, as well as family dynamics, characters that are real and believable and an amazing ending. Michelle M. Chouinard has become one of my favourite authors and I can’t wait to see what's next from her.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
In The Vacation Brandon Martin makes an announcement to Rose, his wife that they will be travelling to Jamaica for Thanksgiving. His sister, Bree and her husband, Leo who live there, have invited them and their friends, Mateo and Anabelle, to their rented holiday villa. Rose isn't overkeen to go but Brandon has decided they will be accepting the invitation regardless. So the Martins along with their children, Lily and Jackson, arrive in Jamaica, as do Anabelle and Mateo with their two young boys, Michael and Marcus for what should be a fantastic break. However, each of the adults has their secrets or a hidden agenda stored in their luggage, and then little Lily vanishes...
Michelle M. Chouinard’s overall style wowed me again as did the wonderfully thrilling plot in this tale of secrets, suspicion and emotion. I really appreciated Chouinard's ability to not only draw me into the dark story immediately but also keep me enthralled until the very last page. The level of tension that built throughout the story was noteworthy.
For me, The Vacation has it all - a plot brimming with mystery, suspense with many twists, as well as family dynamics, characters that are real and believable and an amazing ending. Michelle M. Chouinard has become one of my favourite authors and I can’t wait to see what's next from her.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
May 5, 2021
The Vacation by MM Chouinard
Leo and Bree live in Jamaica and have invited his step-sister Rose and her husband Brandon and their two children, and their friends Annabelle and Matteo and their two sons to join them in a rented villa in Jamaica for a holiday. However, Rose is fearful of travelling to Jamaica as she is fearful of the crime rate there; Brandon who is more forceful in character decries her worries and insists all will be well. Unknown to the others Bree and Leo have faced IVF and several miscarriages and Bree is still traumatised from the latest. Leo is hoping to persuade Brandon to make investments with him. It is clear from the outset that there are differing agendas within the group. The trip which should have been amazing sours when 3 year old Lilly is missing from her bedroom whilst the group socialise in the communal area.
From the outset I was invested in the book and I had no idea where it would go, what would happen and was quite shocked when the reality of the situation was revealed. It is impossible not to think of Madelaine McCann when reading this, and the author has given due respect to the situation and in my opinion portrayed the confusion, guilt and frustration that her poor parents experienced. This was handled sensitively and sympathetically.
As the plot unfolds we become aware of the different peoples agendas and their respective secrets and situations. I could never expect the twists and turns the plot would reveal and have great admiration for the skills required to do so.
One negative, in the early stages of the book I had to keep referring back to clarify just who was married to who, and what their relationship was which was a bit disappointing.
That said, I have no hesitation in recommending this as a thrilling mystery with great characters – some you may not like. It would make a great movie.
Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
Leo and Bree live in Jamaica and have invited his step-sister Rose and her husband Brandon and their two children, and their friends Annabelle and Matteo and their two sons to join them in a rented villa in Jamaica for a holiday. However, Rose is fearful of travelling to Jamaica as she is fearful of the crime rate there; Brandon who is more forceful in character decries her worries and insists all will be well. Unknown to the others Bree and Leo have faced IVF and several miscarriages and Bree is still traumatised from the latest. Leo is hoping to persuade Brandon to make investments with him. It is clear from the outset that there are differing agendas within the group. The trip which should have been amazing sours when 3 year old Lilly is missing from her bedroom whilst the group socialise in the communal area.
From the outset I was invested in the book and I had no idea where it would go, what would happen and was quite shocked when the reality of the situation was revealed. It is impossible not to think of Madelaine McCann when reading this, and the author has given due respect to the situation and in my opinion portrayed the confusion, guilt and frustration that her poor parents experienced. This was handled sensitively and sympathetically.
As the plot unfolds we become aware of the different peoples agendas and their respective secrets and situations. I could never expect the twists and turns the plot would reveal and have great admiration for the skills required to do so.
One negative, in the early stages of the book I had to keep referring back to clarify just who was married to who, and what their relationship was which was a bit disappointing.
That said, I have no hesitation in recommending this as a thrilling mystery with great characters – some you may not like. It would make a great movie.
Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
May 1, 2021
Wow!!! What did I just read!!! An intense, gripping thriller filled with suspense, twists and turns that will keep you at the edge of the seat!
Rose was reluctant to go on a vacation to Jamaica, as she has read about the high crime rates there. But she agrees to join, along with her two children, Lily, Jackson, her husband, Brandon, and their friends, Annabel, Matteo, Bree and Leo (who live in Jamaica). So when one night, when her daughter, Lily goes missing, panic sets in for Rose. There's also a serial killer on loose in Jamaica, where recently, a body of a five year old girl was discovered. Can Rose find her daughter before it's too late?
I am not a mother, but I know, for every mother's nightmare would be when her child goes missing without a trace. And what makes it worse is your child disappeared in a foreign country, where the laws are different, where the police can be corrupted. Rose's fear in every way is realistic and I like how author use the days before Lily disappeared to the times after Lily disappeared and what each of them are going through. It was then when the skeletons are released out of the closet when the media dwells into Lily's disappearance. I was at the edge of the seat as I realized, that each member of the family is a suspect and would have something to do with Lily's disappearance. Along with the fast paced action and twists and turns, the ending was gripping and shocking that I almost couldn't believe the ending!!! What a twisted ending!!!
Overall, I enjoyed this fast paced thriller that will keep you up all night! Looking forward to read more books from this author! Worth five stars!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion.
Rose was reluctant to go on a vacation to Jamaica, as she has read about the high crime rates there. But she agrees to join, along with her two children, Lily, Jackson, her husband, Brandon, and their friends, Annabel, Matteo, Bree and Leo (who live in Jamaica). So when one night, when her daughter, Lily goes missing, panic sets in for Rose. There's also a serial killer on loose in Jamaica, where recently, a body of a five year old girl was discovered. Can Rose find her daughter before it's too late?
I am not a mother, but I know, for every mother's nightmare would be when her child goes missing without a trace. And what makes it worse is your child disappeared in a foreign country, where the laws are different, where the police can be corrupted. Rose's fear in every way is realistic and I like how author use the days before Lily disappeared to the times after Lily disappeared and what each of them are going through. It was then when the skeletons are released out of the closet when the media dwells into Lily's disappearance. I was at the edge of the seat as I realized, that each member of the family is a suspect and would have something to do with Lily's disappearance. Along with the fast paced action and twists and turns, the ending was gripping and shocking that I almost couldn't believe the ending!!! What a twisted ending!!!
Overall, I enjoyed this fast paced thriller that will keep you up all night! Looking forward to read more books from this author! Worth five stars!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion.
April 22, 2021
Ugh... I hate it when a book makes me feel sad. And this one was just heartbreaking. M.M. Chouinard's latest novel has plenty of intrigue and plot twists that keeps you riveted.
Three couples - Brandon and Rose, Mateo and Annabelle, and Leo and Brianna - go on a vacation to Jamaica where Leo and Brianna work for AmericAid. While on the outset, the three families seem close, it becomes evident to the reader that secrets abound among them. Rose is a young mother of three-year old Lily and one year old Jackson. She is haunted by her traumatic past, making her terrified to bring her kids to Jamaica, but does so anyway on the insistence of her husband. She hovers and fusses over them, antagonising the childless Bree. Rose's deep-seated fears do come true when her daughter Lily goes missing. At first, the Jamaican police seem unhelpful. But soon it becomes clear that all the evidence that the police have compiled points to the kidnapper being one among them.
The book opens to the scene of the crime immediately reeling in the reader. The alternating POVs of the three ladies - Rose, Bree and Annabelle - carry the story forward, thereby showing what each couple feels regarding the other two. The tight suspense woven throughout the narrative leaves you on edge.
The author has done such a fine job with the character development of the three couples, especially the female characters - Rose, struggling to relax while on vacation with kids, Bree, with her constant yearning for kids and her jealousy at seeing her sister-in-law, Rose, whom she feels doesn't deserve to have children and Annabelle who functions as the bridge between the two, but has her own share of troubles herself.
Overall, an unputdownable suspense thriller. Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Three couples - Brandon and Rose, Mateo and Annabelle, and Leo and Brianna - go on a vacation to Jamaica where Leo and Brianna work for AmericAid. While on the outset, the three families seem close, it becomes evident to the reader that secrets abound among them. Rose is a young mother of three-year old Lily and one year old Jackson. She is haunted by her traumatic past, making her terrified to bring her kids to Jamaica, but does so anyway on the insistence of her husband. She hovers and fusses over them, antagonising the childless Bree. Rose's deep-seated fears do come true when her daughter Lily goes missing. At first, the Jamaican police seem unhelpful. But soon it becomes clear that all the evidence that the police have compiled points to the kidnapper being one among them.
The book opens to the scene of the crime immediately reeling in the reader. The alternating POVs of the three ladies - Rose, Bree and Annabelle - carry the story forward, thereby showing what each couple feels regarding the other two. The tight suspense woven throughout the narrative leaves you on edge.
The author has done such a fine job with the character development of the three couples, especially the female characters - Rose, struggling to relax while on vacation with kids, Bree, with her constant yearning for kids and her jealousy at seeing her sister-in-law, Rose, whom she feels doesn't deserve to have children and Annabelle who functions as the bridge between the two, but has her own share of troubles herself.
Overall, an unputdownable suspense thriller. Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 1, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to review The Vacation by M.M. Chouinard before the publication date.
I have never really been a thriller reader, not because I don't enjoy them, it has just never been something I've picked up off the shelf, but wow - if thrillers are like this then I've seriously been missing out!
Six adults and four children are in Jamaica for Thanksgiving, but it is apparent from the outset that all is not as it should be. When one of the children goes missing, the police have to find out what has happened, is someone perhaps more involved than they should be?
The author kept me guessing throughout the book, with each page turn she threw another spanner in the works, and when I was sure I knew what was going to happen, I was again left wondering. With twists and turns at every opportunity, and characters that you could sympathise with at one moment yet become angry with in another, The Vacation kept me hooked until the last page.
Don't miss out on this book if you're a thriller reader but even if you're not, try it, perhaps let it be your first one. I would totally recommend this to everyone. I loved it right from the start and will be reading more by M.M. Chouinard as soon as I can.
I have never really been a thriller reader, not because I don't enjoy them, it has just never been something I've picked up off the shelf, but wow - if thrillers are like this then I've seriously been missing out!
Six adults and four children are in Jamaica for Thanksgiving, but it is apparent from the outset that all is not as it should be. When one of the children goes missing, the police have to find out what has happened, is someone perhaps more involved than they should be?
The author kept me guessing throughout the book, with each page turn she threw another spanner in the works, and when I was sure I knew what was going to happen, I was again left wondering. With twists and turns at every opportunity, and characters that you could sympathise with at one moment yet become angry with in another, The Vacation kept me hooked until the last page.
Don't miss out on this book if you're a thriller reader but even if you're not, try it, perhaps let it be your first one. I would totally recommend this to everyone. I loved it right from the start and will be reading more by M.M. Chouinard as soon as I can.
June 2, 2021
Conozcamos a tres matrimonios que han decidido pasar unos días previos a Acción de Gracias en Jamaica, donde vive y trabaja uno de ellos.
Alquilan tres casitas en una especie de complejo residencial, en el que todo parece ir bien hasta que. Lily, la hija de tres años del matrimonio formado por Rose y Brandon, desaparece.
Con la desaparición comienza un "turmoil" de reproches, escepticismos y miradas aviesas entre los tres matrimonios, cosa que no hace más que complicarse con la entrada en escena de la policía de Jamaica, que no parecen precisamente sabuesos (aunque es cierto que resuelven el enigma).
LA TRAMA: nada novedoso, niña es secuestrada y todos parecen tener algo que ver, de alguna u otra forma, con el secuestro.
LO MEJOR: está muy bien desarrollado. Pocos personajes, bien definidos y dejando claro desde el principio quién es quién. Las sorpresas, poco a poco y con sutileza. Y muy bien resuelto.
LO PEOR: la resolución un poco cogida con pinzas, pero no obsta en absoluto a la puntuación de cinco estrellas.
Alquilan tres casitas en una especie de complejo residencial, en el que todo parece ir bien hasta que. Lily, la hija de tres años del matrimonio formado por Rose y Brandon, desaparece.
Con la desaparición comienza un "turmoil" de reproches, escepticismos y miradas aviesas entre los tres matrimonios, cosa que no hace más que complicarse con la entrada en escena de la policía de Jamaica, que no parecen precisamente sabuesos (aunque es cierto que resuelven el enigma).
LA TRAMA: nada novedoso, niña es secuestrada y todos parecen tener algo que ver, de alguna u otra forma, con el secuestro.
LO MEJOR: está muy bien desarrollado. Pocos personajes, bien definidos y dejando claro desde el principio quién es quién. Las sorpresas, poco a poco y con sutileza. Y muy bien resuelto.
LO PEOR: la resolución un poco cogida con pinzas, pero no obsta en absoluto a la puntuación de cinco estrellas.
April 21, 2021
This was an intriguing novel that kept me wondering “who did it” right to the end. This is a fast paced novel that at times it felt like the pages where turning themselves.
Three couples and their children plan a vacation together in Jamaica. What could go wrong when you are in paradise with your closest friends and family? Well, a lot it seems as shortly into the story Lily, the 3 year old of Rose and Brandon is taken from the house. When the police begin their investigation, it becomes clear that it must have been someone from within the house. Was it a kidnapping or was it a ritualistic taking? As we read on in the book each character has their own backstory and any one of them could possibly have a reason to take Lily. There are several secrets that come to light and people and situations aren’t as they seem.
I liked how M. M. Chouinard went back and forth throughout the book alternating what was happening now and what was happening in the days before Lily’s disappearance. It gave us an insight into the events leading up to Lily being taken. It also helps us get to know the characters better.
This was a gripping page turner that kept me interested right to the very last page.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of The Vacation in exchange for my honest review.
Three couples and their children plan a vacation together in Jamaica. What could go wrong when you are in paradise with your closest friends and family? Well, a lot it seems as shortly into the story Lily, the 3 year old of Rose and Brandon is taken from the house. When the police begin their investigation, it becomes clear that it must have been someone from within the house. Was it a kidnapping or was it a ritualistic taking? As we read on in the book each character has their own backstory and any one of them could possibly have a reason to take Lily. There are several secrets that come to light and people and situations aren’t as they seem.
I liked how M. M. Chouinard went back and forth throughout the book alternating what was happening now and what was happening in the days before Lily’s disappearance. It gave us an insight into the events leading up to Lily being taken. It also helps us get to know the characters better.
This was a gripping page turner that kept me interested right to the very last page.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of The Vacation in exchange for my honest review.
April 27, 2021
A vacation to Jamaica sounds like a dream come true. Except this vacation, involving three couples will be their worst nightmare. I was sucked into the story first by the author, M.M. Chouinard, but also by the plot. What happened to 3 year old Lily, who has vanished? I hungrily read the clues as the story switched from past to present. I deduced my own theories, especially after the search dogs were brought in. My jaw dropped as the truths were revealed, I couldn’t believe the turns the plot was taking. I did think some of the characters’ reactions to the truth were a little wooden. My sympathies were with little Lily who suffered the most and paid a high price for being around selfish adults. Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the early read.
June 6, 2021
This book was mine kind of story – 3 families out on vacation in Jamaica and something goes terribly wrong. I was hooked since first page and could not put it down.
The story is written in three point of views and moves between current and pre accident events, which allows you to get a better picture of the characters and their lives. There are lies, marital issues and many unexpected twists.
I recommend it to anyone that likes fast paced thrillers.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture & the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The story is written in three point of views and moves between current and pre accident events, which allows you to get a better picture of the characters and their lives. There are lies, marital issues and many unexpected twists.
I recommend it to anyone that likes fast paced thrillers.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture & the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 21, 2021
A vacation to Jamaica with a group of friends sounds wonderful. Except some are worried about the crime rate, things going on in their lives and many others that would make it hard to relax. Then Lilly, one of the couples daughter goes missing from her bed. There is a search to find her but could it be someone in the house?
The story is told in alternating chapters, after Lilly is missing and the days leading up to Lilly missing. It’s also told from different characters views. I really liked the book and hearing directly from different characters. The book will keep you in your toes trying to figure out what happened to Lilly and why.
The story is told in alternating chapters, after Lilly is missing and the days leading up to Lilly missing. It’s also told from different characters views. I really liked the book and hearing directly from different characters. The book will keep you in your toes trying to figure out what happened to Lilly and why.
November 30, 2023
4.5 stars. I ended up liking this way more than I thought I would. This was our November book club read. It was about a book that took place over Thanksgiving. The mystery kept me guessing until the end. Everyone was a suspect. Everyone had motive. So really, I didn't actually like the characters. But the author kept me reading. It was a good vacation read. (Even though I listened to it to and from work.)
April 19, 2021
I could not finish this one. I just could not get into it. The physical descriptions of the characters read like an obligatory list of facial and body parts, and the interactions between characters are wooden and forced. This is just not for me. I wish I could but I just didn't enjoy
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
September 28, 2022
I enjoy reading Chouinards mystery’s. They aren’t always shocking and crazy. Some of them are just easy to read, good stories. Like this one.
I couldn’t figure out the murderer the entire time. Each character had their reasons and in the end, the bad guy was one I didn’t expect and they turned out to be even more evil than I could have imagined.
The ending surprised me, but in a good way! Definitely will continue to read her books!
I couldn’t figure out the murderer the entire time. Each character had their reasons and in the end, the bad guy was one I didn’t expect and they turned out to be even more evil than I could have imagined.
The ending surprised me, but in a good way! Definitely will continue to read her books!
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