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Device Free Weekend
Seven friends, one eccentric billionaire, an all-expenses paid reunion on a private island with one catch: no phones, tablets or laptops allowed. It’ll be a weekend to remember--for those who make it out alive.
Ryan Cloverhill, founder and CEO of the world’s most popular social media platform, invites his six best college buddies to his home on his private island near Puget Sound. Day One offers amazing food, many drinks, lots of laughter, and a sunset cruise around the island aboard their host’s custom Van Dutch 55. Just what the doctor ordered.
Day Two, however, takes a bewildering turn when the six hungover guests wake up to find that their host has disappeared, along with all connection to the mainland. A touchscreen tablet of unknown make awaits them, blatantly defying the rules of the weekend with its on-screen challenge: Unlock Me! The passcode to the tablet is hidden somewhere in the group’s shared history. But what seems at first like just another silly game turns deadly serious when the group discovers what unlocking the tablet really means. Is it the key to their futures, a Pandora’s box none of them will ever be able to close, or both?
Only one thing is clear: their old friend Ryan has something unthinkable planned. Now it’s up to the six of them to stop him. And when this weekend is over, the world will never be the same.
Ryan Cloverhill, founder and CEO of the world’s most popular social media platform, invites his six best college buddies to his home on his private island near Puget Sound. Day One offers amazing food, many drinks, lots of laughter, and a sunset cruise around the island aboard their host’s custom Van Dutch 55. Just what the doctor ordered.
Day Two, however, takes a bewildering turn when the six hungover guests wake up to find that their host has disappeared, along with all connection to the mainland. A touchscreen tablet of unknown make awaits them, blatantly defying the rules of the weekend with its on-screen challenge: Unlock Me! The passcode to the tablet is hidden somewhere in the group’s shared history. But what seems at first like just another silly game turns deadly serious when the group discovers what unlocking the tablet really means. Is it the key to their futures, a Pandora’s box none of them will ever be able to close, or both?
Only one thing is clear: their old friend Ryan has something unthinkable planned. Now it’s up to the six of them to stop him. And when this weekend is over, the world will never be the same.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published February 28, 2023
136 people are currently reading
14554 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 374 reviews
March 2, 2023
I'm not really sure what to say about this book. The premise drew me in right away and the beginning had me totally captivated. Then it just went off the rails and got worse from there.
Six friends are summoned to a "Device Free Weekend" on the private island of social media tech giant Ryan Cloverhill (think Zuckerberg/Meta). The group became friends in college but have all gone their separate ways, and yet they all have their reasons for wanting to reconnect over the weekend. When they arrive they have a fun evening drinking and reminiscing, and when the six wake up the next morning, Ryan is nowhere to be found and they are locked inside the house (well, most of them are) and it appears they are in some sort of Escape Room. As time progresses, Ryan gets in contact with a chilling proposition...
Now, doesn't that sound intriguing? Well, to that point, I was invested in how everything was going to play out and what choices they were going to make.
The major shortcomings:
We never get to know any of the characters beyond the basic surface. And that would be okay if it were just an adventure novel, but the connection was the reason they were all brought together and their motivations for attending weren't really explored either. If you want me to care about anyone's survival, make me care about them. This book gave me no one to root for because they were all strangers.
There is a lot of manufactured drama about social media, politics, blah blah blah blah sick of hearing about it, don't need a lecture about it during a thriller/mystery novel.
I struggled to stay interested, and then when I finally got to the end I was left wondering what on earth the point was. It was anti-climactic and not thrilling at all.
Unfortunately this stranded on an island/locked room thriller was very disappointing. Lots of promise, no delivery.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Six friends are summoned to a "Device Free Weekend" on the private island of social media tech giant Ryan Cloverhill (think Zuckerberg/Meta). The group became friends in college but have all gone their separate ways, and yet they all have their reasons for wanting to reconnect over the weekend. When they arrive they have a fun evening drinking and reminiscing, and when the six wake up the next morning, Ryan is nowhere to be found and they are locked inside the house (well, most of them are) and it appears they are in some sort of Escape Room. As time progresses, Ryan gets in contact with a chilling proposition...
Now, doesn't that sound intriguing? Well, to that point, I was invested in how everything was going to play out and what choices they were going to make.
The major shortcomings:
We never get to know any of the characters beyond the basic surface. And that would be okay if it were just an adventure novel, but the connection was the reason they were all brought together and their motivations for attending weren't really explored either. If you want me to care about anyone's survival, make me care about them. This book gave me no one to root for because they were all strangers.
There is a lot of manufactured drama about social media, politics, blah blah blah blah sick of hearing about it, don't need a lecture about it during a thriller/mystery novel.
I struggled to stay interested, and then when I finally got to the end I was left wondering what on earth the point was. It was anti-climactic and not thrilling at all.
Unfortunately this stranded on an island/locked room thriller was very disappointing. Lots of promise, no delivery.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
June 26, 2023
A strong start but my interest waned after I learned the reason why events were happening. I listened halfheartedly after that, and while they were some thrilling moments, I couldn't understand how some happenings really tied into others. Why did Ryan bring in his friends the way he did? There were other ways he could have involved them without it all being so menacing. Same for his employees, what role did they ultimately serve? Were the ends enough to justify the means for them? There was one small mention late in the book of a potential core motive that had me thinking that all that had happened could have been believable. But if that was the intent it should have been played up much more and earlier in the timeline.
As I said, I listened halfheartedly and I'm sure I missed some things. But I just couldn't get on board with so much, and there was much I didn't understand, nor did I really care to. I thought this would be a fun game, a sort of diversion for the friends that would bring them all together again, but it just devolved into disorderly chaos that I could no longer follow. I rated this 2 stars for the action, the setting, and the underlying possibilities of where this could have gone. I like to believe the intent was there, but it got buried beneath the soapbox cause.
As I said, I listened halfheartedly and I'm sure I missed some things. But I just couldn't get on board with so much, and there was much I didn't understand, nor did I really care to. I thought this would be a fun game, a sort of diversion for the friends that would bring them all together again, but it just devolved into disorderly chaos that I could no longer follow. I rated this 2 stars for the action, the setting, and the underlying possibilities of where this could have gone. I like to believe the intent was there, but it got buried beneath the soapbox cause.
January 19, 2023
Device Free Weekend by Sean Doolittle hit my reading queue this month after I saw it listed as a 2023 Goodreads book that fans are eagerly awaiting, plus I noticed it on NetGalley, so I wanted to give it a chance. Love the premise - a friend who's been distant for about two decades invites 6 other friends to his remote island near Seattle. Everyone misses him, but once they arrive and get thru the first night of reconnection, things go awry. The mysterious friend is missing in the morning, and when they uncover what's happened, it feels much like a game. He's alive and hiding, telling them they must crack a code to get released. But then he reveals a much more sinister plot. Too bad not everyone is willing to cooperate. As a plot, this had tons of appeal and merit. I really loved the first 50%.
It began to wane a bit in the middle when the story got too philosophical and technical. So much of the action was tied to how technology worked, and I'm a technology guy. I followed most of it, but it caused me to think way too hard for a book. I wanted to enjoy the dialog, the friendly drama, the mystery of how to solve the puzzles, etc. I found myself skimming a bit when it went off the rails and I struggled to care how the characters got out of it alive. It pulled me back in a few times, especially when someone died, but by the end, I felt a bit mixed on this one. Doolittle's writing style was great, and the overall story was fairly strong. Just needed more emotional connection to the characters and a bit less complexity on how the technology worked for me. Will try more from the author in the future tho!
It began to wane a bit in the middle when the story got too philosophical and technical. So much of the action was tied to how technology worked, and I'm a technology guy. I followed most of it, but it caused me to think way too hard for a book. I wanted to enjoy the dialog, the friendly drama, the mystery of how to solve the puzzles, etc. I found myself skimming a bit when it went off the rails and I struggled to care how the characters got out of it alive. It pulled me back in a few times, especially when someone died, but by the end, I felt a bit mixed on this one. Doolittle's writing style was great, and the overall story was fairly strong. Just needed more emotional connection to the characters and a bit less complexity on how the technology worked for me. Will try more from the author in the future tho!
June 18, 2023
Ryan Cloverhill, founder and owner of the most successful social media platform available, has invited his six closest friends from college to join him on his private island for a makeshift reunion. After all, it’s been two decades since they’ve all been together and it’s about time to relax with good food and plenty of drinks while they share their inside jokes and “remember whens.”
Come the next morning, however, Ryan has vanished without a trace. Without him, they’ve lost their only method of contacting outside help as they handed over all of their devices at the door the day before. In their place, they find a tablet waiting with a simple message to unlock it followed by the request for a passcode. Unsurprised, the group settles down for a good, old-fashioned puzzle. Surely this is just one more example of Ryan being Ryan.
As they mull over what the code could possibly be, each of them offers a guess. One by one, they strike out until a lightbulb moment springs to mind. But when the tablet begins to lay its secrets bare, the truth begins to reveal a truly terrifying reality, leading then all to wonder if their good friend Ryan lost his mind. Now it is up to them to stop him in his tracks. But it quickly dawns on them that no matter what they choose, the world will be forever changed as a result. How can they make such a monumental choice? And will they be able to live with themselves when all is said and done?
I’m kind of at a loss with Device Free Weekend. One part epic escapist read mixed with equal measure of over-the-top action-packed thriller, deciding where I stood on this one was not an easy task.
Let me just start with the good news then, shall I? Because right from the get-go I was thrust into a plot that I can only compare to a top-notch feature film of the action variety. And just like those, this storyline took me on quite a trip filled with explosions, tragic deaths, and rather extreme decisions that felt anything but true-to-life. But when looking for an enjoyable distraction within the pages of a book, isn’t that just the ticket?
What made the plot truly come alive, however, were the shocking and completely unpredictable twists. Laced with plenty of red herrings and just a dash of an evil villain, I raced through the pages altogether to quickly. Granted, it required a definite suspension of disbelief, but once I laid my BS meter aside, I was thrilled to be taken on one heck of a ride.
But just as outlandish as the plot may have been, I found the characters themselves genuine and relatable. Bound together in a situation none of them could have ever foreseen, personalities clashed and friendships collided. Yet through it all, they leaned on each other just like good college pals probably would.
The negatives were two fold. Unfortunately, the conclusion was somewhat a bust for me. While some things ended with a happy-ever-after and, realistically, others were decidedly less so, very little was truly wrapped up. And anyone familiar with my reviews knows just how much I like those nice, pretty, little bows. The only other piece that didn’t thrill me lay within the backstory of the premise itself. All based around a social media platform, there was altogether too much technical jargon for my tastes, much of which I ultimately skimmed.
When I put this book down, however, it was with a smile on my face. Both well-written and well-thought-out, this locked room thriller was nothing like I expected, but exactly what I wanted. On top of that, like any good fable, this story came with its own moral: technological advances may just so happen to come with a cost. I mean, how often do you come across an unputdownable thriller that teaches you a lesson? Two thumbs up for me! Rating of 4 stars.
Trigger warning: cancer, unlawful captivity, fatally falling from a height, bombing
Come the next morning, however, Ryan has vanished without a trace. Without him, they’ve lost their only method of contacting outside help as they handed over all of their devices at the door the day before. In their place, they find a tablet waiting with a simple message to unlock it followed by the request for a passcode. Unsurprised, the group settles down for a good, old-fashioned puzzle. Surely this is just one more example of Ryan being Ryan.
As they mull over what the code could possibly be, each of them offers a guess. One by one, they strike out until a lightbulb moment springs to mind. But when the tablet begins to lay its secrets bare, the truth begins to reveal a truly terrifying reality, leading then all to wonder if their good friend Ryan lost his mind. Now it is up to them to stop him in his tracks. But it quickly dawns on them that no matter what they choose, the world will be forever changed as a result. How can they make such a monumental choice? And will they be able to live with themselves when all is said and done?
I’m kind of at a loss with Device Free Weekend. One part epic escapist read mixed with equal measure of over-the-top action-packed thriller, deciding where I stood on this one was not an easy task.
Let me just start with the good news then, shall I? Because right from the get-go I was thrust into a plot that I can only compare to a top-notch feature film of the action variety. And just like those, this storyline took me on quite a trip filled with explosions, tragic deaths, and rather extreme decisions that felt anything but true-to-life. But when looking for an enjoyable distraction within the pages of a book, isn’t that just the ticket?
What made the plot truly come alive, however, were the shocking and completely unpredictable twists. Laced with plenty of red herrings and just a dash of an evil villain, I raced through the pages altogether to quickly. Granted, it required a definite suspension of disbelief, but once I laid my BS meter aside, I was thrilled to be taken on one heck of a ride.
But just as outlandish as the plot may have been, I found the characters themselves genuine and relatable. Bound together in a situation none of them could have ever foreseen, personalities clashed and friendships collided. Yet through it all, they leaned on each other just like good college pals probably would.
The negatives were two fold. Unfortunately, the conclusion was somewhat a bust for me. While some things ended with a happy-ever-after and, realistically, others were decidedly less so, very little was truly wrapped up. And anyone familiar with my reviews knows just how much I like those nice, pretty, little bows. The only other piece that didn’t thrill me lay within the backstory of the premise itself. All based around a social media platform, there was altogether too much technical jargon for my tastes, much of which I ultimately skimmed.
When I put this book down, however, it was with a smile on my face. Both well-written and well-thought-out, this locked room thriller was nothing like I expected, but exactly what I wanted. On top of that, like any good fable, this story came with its own moral: technological advances may just so happen to come with a cost. I mean, how often do you come across an unputdownable thriller that teaches you a lesson? Two thumbs up for me! Rating of 4 stars.
Trigger warning: cancer, unlawful captivity, fatally falling from a height, bombing
May 28, 2023
Review coming soon.
September 26, 2022
“Emma said, ‘What is the point?’”
Indeed, Emma, indeed.
The premise of this book had a great hook—a group of old friends is invited to the home of their billionaire tech friend from college and things start to go deadly wrong.
But the execution led to an entirely unsatisfying read.
I flew though this one—just simply hoping for the end, trying to find the point behind any of this. The dialogue/exchanges between the characters felt weird and cringey, and for something that should have been exciting—we’re trying to stop the country from blowing up!—there was a complete lack of suspense. Characters were generic and flat and I couldn’t muster up any care of what happened to them.
I suppose, if anything, I could sympathize with Ryan’s worries about social media, but how he went about to “fix” it just made no sense and it was all so wildly unbelievable.
I hate to be harsh, but nothing about this book would lead me to read anything else by this author.
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for letting me read this for review through NetGalley.
Indeed, Emma, indeed.
The premise of this book had a great hook—a group of old friends is invited to the home of their billionaire tech friend from college and things start to go deadly wrong.
But the execution led to an entirely unsatisfying read.
I flew though this one—just simply hoping for the end, trying to find the point behind any of this. The dialogue/exchanges between the characters felt weird and cringey, and for something that should have been exciting—we’re trying to stop the country from blowing up!—there was a complete lack of suspense. Characters were generic and flat and I couldn’t muster up any care of what happened to them.
I suppose, if anything, I could sympathize with Ryan’s worries about social media, but how he went about to “fix” it just made no sense and it was all so wildly unbelievable.
I hate to be harsh, but nothing about this book would lead me to read anything else by this author.
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for letting me read this for review through NetGalley.
April 28, 2024
2.5 stars
I received a complimentary ebook from the publisher via NetGalley. It was available on audio so of course I went that route. I didn't really pay attention to the description or to other reviews, so I thought it was going to be about a fun weekend reunion of 7 college mates who hadn't seen each other for several years. The early chapters confirmed this was a fun, intelligent, successful group of friends. I was enjoying their banter and getting to know them all.
Then it went south and was no longer fun, at all. Suddenly there was a lot of anger and deceit, and it was not the book I signed on for. I stuck it out to see how it would end. Many things I did not grasp, especially the highly technical, manipulative, futuristic visions of the antagonist, so I did tune out at times.
Not bad if you like this sort of thing, but hardly enjoyable for me.
I received a complimentary ebook from the publisher via NetGalley. It was available on audio so of course I went that route. I didn't really pay attention to the description or to other reviews, so I thought it was going to be about a fun weekend reunion of 7 college mates who hadn't seen each other for several years. The early chapters confirmed this was a fun, intelligent, successful group of friends. I was enjoying their banter and getting to know them all.
Then it went south and was no longer fun, at all. Suddenly there was a lot of anger and deceit, and it was not the book I signed on for. I stuck it out to see how it would end. Many things I did not grasp, especially the highly technical, manipulative, futuristic visions of the antagonist, so I did tune out at times.
Not bad if you like this sort of thing, but hardly enjoyable for me.
February 21, 2023
ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴄᴇʟʟ ᴘʜᴏɴᴇs ʙᴇʜɪɴᴅ 📵
A group of friends who haven’t seen each other reunite on a private island for the weekend. Their phones get taken immediately upon arrival. The guests think they are their to have a fun filled weekend. Their host has something else in mind.
I love books where the characters are trapped! This was so fun and hard to put down.
Device Free Weekend is available February 28, 2023.
Thank you netgalley and grand central publishing for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
A group of friends who haven’t seen each other reunite on a private island for the weekend. Their phones get taken immediately upon arrival. The guests think they are their to have a fun filled weekend. Their host has something else in mind.
I love books where the characters are trapped! This was so fun and hard to put down.
Device Free Weekend is available February 28, 2023.
Thank you netgalley and grand central publishing for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2023
Self-made billionaire, Ryan Cloverhill invites his six closest classmates for a weekend retreat on his private island. The purpose was to have fun and reconnect with his friends that he hasn’t seen in years. It’s a very welcome surprise for Ryan’s friends. Six of them got an invitation for an all expense paid and all inclusive stay at the island.
Upon arrival on the island, the invitees are given a grand tour of the campus and facilities. Everyone is awestruck until they are asked to relinquish all of their electronic devices. There is to be no contact with the outside world — no streaming videos, no pics, no social media posts, and no phone calls. It’s a pretty bold request, but everyone complies.
Unbeknownst to Ryan’s friends, Ryan has a sinister agenda. A plan that has been in the making for several years. A plan that will surely affect the island’s guests, inhabitants and potentially Ryan’s empire around the world.
Device Free Weekend started out as a taut suspense novel. But as the story unfolded, the narrative became increasingly unbelievable, where it bordered on science fiction. There is a lot of action that takes place. However, what overshadows the action is whether any of it could occur.
The characters weren’t that noteworthy and none of them stood out as likable or unlikeable. Though I’m leaning toward all of them as being unlikeable given the fact that they were all leaches — preying on the generosity of their estranged but successful classmate.
There are a number of potential scenarios that could have played out in this locked room mystery, but the existing scenario leaves a lot to be desired. Two and a half stars satisfactory stars, rounded up.
I received a digital ARC from Grand Central Publishing through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
Upon arrival on the island, the invitees are given a grand tour of the campus and facilities. Everyone is awestruck until they are asked to relinquish all of their electronic devices. There is to be no contact with the outside world — no streaming videos, no pics, no social media posts, and no phone calls. It’s a pretty bold request, but everyone complies.
Unbeknownst to Ryan’s friends, Ryan has a sinister agenda. A plan that has been in the making for several years. A plan that will surely affect the island’s guests, inhabitants and potentially Ryan’s empire around the world.
Device Free Weekend started out as a taut suspense novel. But as the story unfolded, the narrative became increasingly unbelievable, where it bordered on science fiction. There is a lot of action that takes place. However, what overshadows the action is whether any of it could occur.
The characters weren’t that noteworthy and none of them stood out as likable or unlikeable. Though I’m leaning toward all of them as being unlikeable given the fact that they were all leaches — preying on the generosity of their estranged but successful classmate.
There are a number of potential scenarios that could have played out in this locked room mystery, but the existing scenario leaves a lot to be desired. Two and a half stars satisfactory stars, rounded up.
I received a digital ARC from Grand Central Publishing through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
March 27, 2023
Imagine Mark Zuckerburg inviting a group of friends to a secluded island to “reconnect.” Although it's not Mark Zuckerburg its Ryan Cloverhill and he is a super part of the uber rich tech savvy world. His friends think this is a great idea because Ryan has been distant lately. Once the group arrives, they must give up all of their electronic devices so they cannot have contact with the outside world. Then Ryan’s sinister plan unfolds, and it is not the relaxing, private island experience everyone was hopeful for.
This is one of those rare cases if a movie was made based upon the book it would be better than the book. There was an overload of characters that became harder and harder to follow. There was no main character to really put the story around. It was tech terms overload which did not appeal to me. Solid premise, but overly written.
This is one of those rare cases if a movie was made based upon the book it would be better than the book. There was an overload of characters that became harder and harder to follow. There was no main character to really put the story around. It was tech terms overload which did not appeal to me. Solid premise, but overly written.
August 29, 2022
I LOVE vacation gone wrong stories and this is a totally unique and interesting tale. 7 college friends are brought to the Island that their childhood friend has purchased with the billions he has mae on a META type social media platform. It's not long before they learn that they are there for a purpose other than catching up. Billionaire Ryan is brilliant and he has posed a type of trolley problem for them to solve - right out of one of his favorite ethics activities in college.
Get ready for lots of action and plenty of opportunity to ask, "What would you do?" If you love a vacation -gone-wrong, a unique thriller and a crazy page turner, Device Free Weekend is for you!
#GrandCentralPub #DeviceFreeWeekend #SeanDoolittle
Get ready for lots of action and plenty of opportunity to ask, "What would you do?" If you love a vacation -gone-wrong, a unique thriller and a crazy page turner, Device Free Weekend is for you!
#GrandCentralPub #DeviceFreeWeekend #SeanDoolittle
March 1, 2023
I freakin' LOVE high-concept thrillers! There should be more. This one gets four robust stars from me for sheer entertainment value.
So, what is the high-concept? Tech gazillionaire gathers his oldest friends for a luxury reunion. In fact, he has another agenda entirely. I could tell you more, but trust me, you don't have to wait long for answers, and you wouldn't want me to ruin the fun. (Interestingly, I read another novel with the exact same setup a few years ago. Went in a fairly different direction.)
A novel like this is entirely dependent on plotting and pacing, and Mr. Doolittle does well with both. On the flip side, don't come here looking for nuanced characters or literary panache. But, you know what nuanced literary characters don't do for me? Make me want to read for hours on end until I race breathlessly to the conclusion. It's a popcorn movie in book form. And I enjoyed it just as much as any good summer blockbuster.
So, what is the high-concept? Tech gazillionaire gathers his oldest friends for a luxury reunion. In fact, he has another agenda entirely. I could tell you more, but trust me, you don't have to wait long for answers, and you wouldn't want me to ruin the fun. (Interestingly, I read another novel with the exact same setup a few years ago. Went in a fairly different direction.)
A novel like this is entirely dependent on plotting and pacing, and Mr. Doolittle does well with both. On the flip side, don't come here looking for nuanced characters or literary panache. But, you know what nuanced literary characters don't do for me? Make me want to read for hours on end until I race breathlessly to the conclusion. It's a popcorn movie in book form. And I enjoyed it just as much as any good summer blockbuster.
January 19, 2023
3.5 stars, actually.
If I've learned anything after reading several books in which a villain "captures" a character or group of characters and challenges them in some way to get out alive (think: escape rooms and elevators), it's that they grab you by the teeth from the git-go. But there's a catch: that kind of a start requires an in-your-face ending as well; when that doesn't happen - and for me it didn't here - a good bit of that early magic disappears.
Anyway, here's the deal: Ryan Cloverhill, a sort of blend between Elon Musk and Bill Gates with a touch of Larry Ellison, has invited six close friends from college to stay on his private island in the Puget Sound area. It's to be a great reunion with all expenses paid - but the guests must leave all their electronic devices at the door. With so much to see, do and talk about, no one seems to care about staying connected; until, that is, the second day of their somewhat mysterious adventure when Ryan has gone missing and they realize they're isolated from all other humankind.
Finally, Ryan touches base (by way of extremely high-tech equipment he's installed in the mansion in which they're all imprisoned) and hints at what's to come. At first, it all sounds like some kind of game (Clue, perhaps?); but it soon becomes clear something far more macabre is in the works. Collectively, Ryan informs them, they must make a decision that has no "good" outcome.
There's no shortage of action, some of it devastating, but as the story progressed it began to challenge believability. With the possible exception of one character, I never really warmed up to any of the college buddies - especially after details of their private lives began to be revealed. And besides wondering how in the world Ryan could possibly have pulled all this off, I kept hoping he'd somehow get bumped off and the story would end happily ever after.
Stuck in between is a ton of technology explanations, most above my intellectual pay grade. The actual ending, which did wrap things up somewhat neat and tidy, seemed more of a rationalization for the chaos Ryan's actions unleashed than any retribution he (IMHO) deserved. Despite all my misgivings, though, I'll say this is a well-written, well-thought-out book worth reading; if nothing else, it highlights the seedier side that technological advances can bring - and looking at those from both sides now really isn't a bad idea. Thanks go to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with a pre-release copy to read and review. Oh, and to the author: This former copy editor says you need that hyphen.
If I've learned anything after reading several books in which a villain "captures" a character or group of characters and challenges them in some way to get out alive (think: escape rooms and elevators), it's that they grab you by the teeth from the git-go. But there's a catch: that kind of a start requires an in-your-face ending as well; when that doesn't happen - and for me it didn't here - a good bit of that early magic disappears.
Anyway, here's the deal: Ryan Cloverhill, a sort of blend between Elon Musk and Bill Gates with a touch of Larry Ellison, has invited six close friends from college to stay on his private island in the Puget Sound area. It's to be a great reunion with all expenses paid - but the guests must leave all their electronic devices at the door. With so much to see, do and talk about, no one seems to care about staying connected; until, that is, the second day of their somewhat mysterious adventure when Ryan has gone missing and they realize they're isolated from all other humankind.
Finally, Ryan touches base (by way of extremely high-tech equipment he's installed in the mansion in which they're all imprisoned) and hints at what's to come. At first, it all sounds like some kind of game (Clue, perhaps?); but it soon becomes clear something far more macabre is in the works. Collectively, Ryan informs them, they must make a decision that has no "good" outcome.
There's no shortage of action, some of it devastating, but as the story progressed it began to challenge believability. With the possible exception of one character, I never really warmed up to any of the college buddies - especially after details of their private lives began to be revealed. And besides wondering how in the world Ryan could possibly have pulled all this off, I kept hoping he'd somehow get bumped off and the story would end happily ever after.
Stuck in between is a ton of technology explanations, most above my intellectual pay grade. The actual ending, which did wrap things up somewhat neat and tidy, seemed more of a rationalization for the chaos Ryan's actions unleashed than any retribution he (IMHO) deserved. Despite all my misgivings, though, I'll say this is a well-written, well-thought-out book worth reading; if nothing else, it highlights the seedier side that technological advances can bring - and looking at those from both sides now really isn't a bad idea. Thanks go to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with a pre-release copy to read and review. Oh, and to the author: This former copy editor says you need that hyphen.
December 23, 2022
They haven’t all been together since University but when the invite came for an all expense paid vacation on a private island, the gang can’t help but be excited and curious about their friend Ryan who went on to become a billionaire. This isn’t just a friendly reunion however, Ryan wants them trapped in his private mansion to help him make a big and deadly decision. If you go into this story willing and able to suspend all belief then you can be better prepared for the crazy level of this book. I thank Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.
November 18, 2023
I found my copy of DEVICE FREE WEEKEND by Sean Doolittle, published by Hachette Audio and Grand Central Publishing, on Libby.
Okay. I'm sorry, but this book makes. No. Sense. Doolittle throws everything but the kitchen sink into this plot. Corporate retreat on a remote island. I'm with it, good setting, decent basic concept.
But then we have a narcissistic genius playing games with his people to apparently mask a deadly illness and protect stock value. So a little corporate espionage and psychotic behavior, I'm still with it.
Throw in meaningless deadly fighting between characters who just have no motivation to fight to the death. Not over these narrative peanuts. And apparently mad genius is also mentally ill, like severe enough to have delusions and hallucinations. (Someone needs to do his abnormal psych homework.)
And we can't forget the 9-11 bombings, which, YES!, Doolittle works into the story also, right at the end.
This book is just a mess, and I was never sure at any point where the story was positioned or heading. Finishing this audiobook was an exercise in willpower. Honestly, the only thing I liked was the narrator, Zachary Weber, who read with enough intensity to keep me going when I'd rather be napping.
Rating: 🏝🏝 remote islands
Recommend? No
Finished: Nov 18 23
Format: Audiobook, Libby
Okay. I'm sorry, but this book makes. No. Sense. Doolittle throws everything but the kitchen sink into this plot. Corporate retreat on a remote island. I'm with it, good setting, decent basic concept.
But then we have a narcissistic genius playing games with his people to apparently mask a deadly illness and protect stock value. So a little corporate espionage and psychotic behavior, I'm still with it.
Throw in meaningless deadly fighting between characters who just have no motivation to fight to the death. Not over these narrative peanuts. And apparently mad genius is also mentally ill, like severe enough to have delusions and hallucinations. (Someone needs to do his abnormal psych homework.)
And we can't forget the 9-11 bombings, which, YES!, Doolittle works into the story also, right at the end.
This book is just a mess, and I was never sure at any point where the story was positioned or heading. Finishing this audiobook was an exercise in willpower. Honestly, the only thing I liked was the narrator, Zachary Weber, who read with enough intensity to keep me going when I'd rather be napping.
Rating: 🏝🏝 remote islands
Recommend? No
Finished: Nov 18 23
Format: Audiobook, Libby
January 7, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
Device Free Weekend.
I love thrillers set on remote islands so the premise was right up my alley.
It started off well, the introduction of the characters, the island, the setup, but quickly, it took a turn for the worse, and the ludicrously ridiculous.
I'm not sure what Ryan Cloverhill's problem is but he's no Tyler Durden.
I'm not even sure what set Ryan off on his destructive path.
He's mad at social media? Does he think people are spying on him?
He seems in need of mental health professionals than anything else, and his ruse and motive on getting his college friends together is not only beyond the ability to suspend disbelief for, it's sillier than (add your idiom here).
The narrative dragged, especially with the techno babble that went over my head.
Then, I wondered if the author just wanted to show off and use technical and wordy buzzwords.
Character development is also an issue, but when the premise is absurd, I guess characters you can relate and/or empathize with is a moot point.
With a plot that included domestic terrorism and explosions and a total wackadoo, the story lacked suspense and urgency.
This was just silly as f**k.
I love thrillers set on remote islands so the premise was right up my alley.
It started off well, the introduction of the characters, the island, the setup, but quickly, it took a turn for the worse, and the ludicrously ridiculous.
I'm not sure what Ryan Cloverhill's problem is but he's no Tyler Durden.
I'm not even sure what set Ryan off on his destructive path.
He's mad at social media? Does he think people are spying on him?
He seems in need of mental health professionals than anything else, and his ruse and motive on getting his college friends together is not only beyond the ability to suspend disbelief for, it's sillier than (add your idiom here).
The narrative dragged, especially with the techno babble that went over my head.
Then, I wondered if the author just wanted to show off and use technical and wordy buzzwords.
Character development is also an issue, but when the premise is absurd, I guess characters you can relate and/or empathize with is a moot point.
With a plot that included domestic terrorism and explosions and a total wackadoo, the story lacked suspense and urgency.
This was just silly as f**k.
May 10, 2023
It takes a while before this becomes a thriller.
Mostly, it's an extended morality play. Seriously, a good portion of it deals with the ethics of a few making decisions for the many.
Once it becomes a thriller, it's a fun read, though a bit...complex in how it all pans out.
Mostly entertaining, but not what I'd expected or hoped for.
Mostly, it's an extended morality play. Seriously, a good portion of it deals with the ethics of a few making decisions for the many.
Once it becomes a thriller, it's a fun read, though a bit...complex in how it all pans out.
Mostly entertaining, but not what I'd expected or hoped for.
January 5, 2023
Overall feel: A locked-room suspense thriller that you’ll find hard to put down. This story is captivating and just as equally intriguing. A ride you won’t want to get off once it’s over.
A lil’ preview: A group of friends are invited to a private island for a weekend away- but there’s a catch - it’s a device free weekend. Leave your phones at the entrance. Old college friends are about to become closer than they’ve ever been and be challenged in ways they’ve never been.
I can’t express enough how much fun this book was to read. It is well-written and holds your attention. It’s my first time reading this author and now I’m buying all his previous work!
So many good quotes I’ll be posting on Feb 28 - Release day. I received an ARC version of this book and leave this review of my own accord.
#NetGalley #DeviceFreeWeekend #Locked-RoomThriller
A lil’ preview: A group of friends are invited to a private island for a weekend away- but there’s a catch - it’s a device free weekend. Leave your phones at the entrance. Old college friends are about to become closer than they’ve ever been and be challenged in ways they’ve never been.
I can’t express enough how much fun this book was to read. It is well-written and holds your attention. It’s my first time reading this author and now I’m buying all his previous work!
So many good quotes I’ll be posting on Feb 28 - Release day. I received an ARC version of this book and leave this review of my own accord.
#NetGalley #DeviceFreeWeekend #Locked-RoomThriller
April 15, 2023
I’m really bummed about this book not living up to the expectations I had for it. I loved the premise, but it lacked so much.
I’ve worked in tech for several years so that part of the book was interesting to me, but that’s about it.
It wasn’t very thrilling and I didn’t care what was going to happen. The characters had no depth and I would have liked to see them built out more because there was no one for me to root for.
I checked out of the book in the middle and tried rereading things but I gave up and continued moving forward. It came to the point where I started skimming pages and was really close to not finishing it.
Hope you have a better experience than me!
Plot - 2
Narration - 2
Enjoyment - 2
Pacing - 3
Overall: 2.25
I’ve worked in tech for several years so that part of the book was interesting to me, but that’s about it.
It wasn’t very thrilling and I didn’t care what was going to happen. The characters had no depth and I would have liked to see them built out more because there was no one for me to root for.
I checked out of the book in the middle and tried rereading things but I gave up and continued moving forward. It came to the point where I started skimming pages and was really close to not finishing it.
Hope you have a better experience than me!
Plot - 2
Narration - 2
Enjoyment - 2
Pacing - 3
Overall: 2.25
November 14, 2022
Six friends get an invitation to Sham Rock island an island owned by their billionaire friend Ryan Cloverhill.
Mayhem and destruction abounds in this edge of your seat thriller.
Thanks NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC that will be released February 27th!
Mayhem and destruction abounds in this edge of your seat thriller.
Thanks NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC that will be released February 27th!
March 27, 2023
An utterly absorbing, totally unique locked-room thriller in which seven college friends reunite for a weekend on a secluded island, with no technology allowed. But when the organizer of their weekend, tech billionaire Ryan Cloverhill, presents them with an ethics, trolley-type problem to solve, the weekend descends into one of survival. And not all of them will make it out alive. An action-packed thriller that I absolutely couldn't put down. Breathtaking!
May 22, 2023
This book started off so strong! College friends reunited after twenty years, a remote island, no phones and great escape room vibes but then things fell flat for me and I honestly got lost and bored. I forced myself to finish but really wish I had followed my instincts and quit half way through. Just okay on audio.
January 15, 2026
“Device Free Weekend” by Sean Doolittle is a reunion between seven college friends, with an extreme twist: one of them is a billionaire with a terrible plan for the future of his company and the rest are locked in his high tech home to make a choice on how the plan plays out. Extreme and adventurous, this thriller was not only a puzzle, but a critique on social media itself.
A trip to a boujie island by one of your good, rich friends always sounds like a good idea, right? WRONG. This trip was one of those trips that you could never imagine would happen. Especially when you think you know your friends, but you must not really. Watching these friendships unravel was interesting and horrifying at the same time. Especially after you hear the plan.
It felt like this book through the Ryan Cloverhill character is really professing the evils of technology, which is what he made his living on. You could feel the various inspirations for his character and it created a combination that I didn’t really like. In fact, there wasn’t one character in particular that I felt overly invested in.
However, this book did keep me guessing and had an interesting take on a “And Then There Were None” scenario, minus people dying one by one. Overall, I think this was a 4 star read, with the story really taking off in the second half.
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC. This book releases February 28th!
A trip to a boujie island by one of your good, rich friends always sounds like a good idea, right? WRONG. This trip was one of those trips that you could never imagine would happen. Especially when you think you know your friends, but you must not really. Watching these friendships unravel was interesting and horrifying at the same time. Especially after you hear the plan.
It felt like this book through the Ryan Cloverhill character is really professing the evils of technology, which is what he made his living on. You could feel the various inspirations for his character and it created a combination that I didn’t really like. In fact, there wasn’t one character in particular that I felt overly invested in.
However, this book did keep me guessing and had an interesting take on a “And Then There Were None” scenario, minus people dying one by one. Overall, I think this was a 4 star read, with the story really taking off in the second half.
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC. This book releases February 28th!
February 27, 2023
This is a pulse-pounding, action-packed techno-thriller. I read it in one sitting, obviously getting hooked into the story right from the start. Heavily atmospheric, the story unfolds on a private island owned by a billionaire. Said billionaire invites his longtime friend group from their college days, a group of 6, to come for an all-expense paid reunion on his private island. But when the friends arrive, they realize that their friend is acting very odd and he is serious about being device free all weekend, taking their phones, tablets and laptops away and also blocking any Wi-Fi signals to his massive home. The first day is all fun and games for the friends to reconnect and enjoy each other's company, but on the second day, the weekend turns deadly very quickly. Told in multiple points of view for maximum suspense and mystery, DEVICE FREE WEEKEND will keep you on the edge of your seat waiting for the other shoe to drop. Well-written, engaging, timely, and entertaining.
May 3, 2023
This is not good
March 21, 2024
There’s a competent book here but this isn’t it.
June 25, 2024
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for choosing me!
I really enjoyed this book. It makes you think, and it puts you into an uncomfortable situation where no one answer is correct. A rich man, Ryan Cloverhill, invites his 6 best friends from college- Will, Perry, Emma, Stephen, Beau, and Lainie to his private island for a weekend getaway. They all think it will be all about catching up and relaxing, and that's where everything goes wrong. They should've known better when their eccentric friend invites them on an all-expense paid getaway. Especially when it had been a long time since they'd al spent any time together.
Mr. Cloverhill has a sort of game (if it can be called that) in store for them. It's awful and morally wrong, but he's out of his mind and seems to believe he's right in doing so. They arrive at the island as seven and leave as five. This book will make you emotional. It will punch you in the gut repeatedly, and then it will wrap up all of your feelings in a nice pink bow by the end. Sort of. Your heart will still ache, and you'll find yourself wishing that the seven could've remained seven, but you'll understand that not all wishes can be granted.
Although I wouldn't say this is a fast-paced thriller, I would say anyone looking for a good book to read should give this one an opportunity.
I really enjoyed this book. It makes you think, and it puts you into an uncomfortable situation where no one answer is correct. A rich man, Ryan Cloverhill, invites his 6 best friends from college- Will, Perry, Emma, Stephen, Beau, and Lainie to his private island for a weekend getaway. They all think it will be all about catching up and relaxing, and that's where everything goes wrong. They should've known better when their eccentric friend invites them on an all-expense paid getaway. Especially when it had been a long time since they'd al spent any time together.
Mr. Cloverhill has a sort of game (if it can be called that) in store for them. It's awful and morally wrong, but he's out of his mind and seems to believe he's right in doing so. They arrive at the island as seven and leave as five. This book will make you emotional. It will punch you in the gut repeatedly, and then it will wrap up all of your feelings in a nice pink bow by the end. Sort of. Your heart will still ache, and you'll find yourself wishing that the seven could've remained seven, but you'll understand that not all wishes can be granted.
Although I wouldn't say this is a fast-paced thriller, I would say anyone looking for a good book to read should give this one an opportunity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2023
3.5 stars rounded down.
I love a good locked room thriller. Group of friends, one who's now a billionaire with a private island? Weekend getaway where you have to surrender your phones? Amazing.
This book was fun and I loved the setup. You got to know the friend group and their history, and then learn about some sinister plans that send the weekend completely sideways. An impossible decision is presented and things get a little crazy.
Later on though, as it becomes more action packed, it became a little harder for me to follow. It probably could be adapted into a cool movie, but the writing and tech talk was confusing in places.
Overall, it was different than I expected but had a lot to like. It went in crazy directions and had thrilling moments, but didn't totally work for me.
Give it a try if you like eccentric billionaires, social media tech, and island vacations gone *completely* wrong.
I love a good locked room thriller. Group of friends, one who's now a billionaire with a private island? Weekend getaway where you have to surrender your phones? Amazing.
This book was fun and I loved the setup. You got to know the friend group and their history, and then learn about some sinister plans that send the weekend completely sideways. An impossible decision is presented and things get a little crazy.
Later on though, as it becomes more action packed, it became a little harder for me to follow. It probably could be adapted into a cool movie, but the writing and tech talk was confusing in places.
Overall, it was different than I expected but had a lot to like. It went in crazy directions and had thrilling moments, but didn't totally work for me.
Give it a try if you like eccentric billionaires, social media tech, and island vacations gone *completely* wrong.
January 31, 2023
This was a fun little 5-Star read! Perfect for any fan of Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley or just locked-room stories in general. I also found it to be a nice commentary on how much we rely now on our devices. Yes, about the same as previous books of this genre as far as characterization, but who cares? That's not why I read these anyway. It is what it is....FUN, and it definitely kept me turning pages! I look forward to more from this author!
Thank you to #NetGalley, Sean Doolittle and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to #NetGalley, Sean Doolittle and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
September 26, 2023
I was so excited to read this book as the concept seemed like a great mystery but it definitely lacked. The first half of the book was great and drew me in! It was full of twists and suspense. After that though it was pretty lack luster and the technicality of it bores me. I also couldn’t find myself liking or connecting with any of the characters:/
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