Tag: travel

in West Mountain United States Travel Books

Book Blurb:

Five best friends. One unforgettable bachelorette weekend. A Vegas adventure that will change their lives forever.

Jess has always been the responsible one, the planner. But for her bachelorette party in Las Vegas, she’s ready to let loose with her four best friends. VIP passes, exclusive clubs, and a weekend of carefree fun – what could possibly go wrong?

Everything, as it turns out.

When Jess wakes up in a bathtub full of ice with no memory of the night before, she knows something has gone terribly amiss. Her maid of honor and best friend Rachel is missing, and the other girls are scattered around their luxurious suite in various states of disarray. As they piece together the events of their lost night, they uncover a web of secrets that threatens to unravel their tight-knit group.

In the glittering, high-stakes world of Las Vegas, Jess and her friends must confront their deepest insecurities, question their trust in each other, and navigate the complex dynamics of female friendship. With each revelation, they’re forced to reevaluate not just their weekend, but their entire lives.

“Waking Up In Vegas” is an addictive psychological thriller that will resonate with anyone who’s ever tested the bonds of friendship. It’s about the choices we make, the secrets we keep, and the strength we find in each other when the chips are down.

Perfect for fans of “The Hangover” meets “Gone Girl,” this is one bachelorette party you won’t want to miss.

My Review:

What could have been one of “those” women fiction novels, and certainly starts as if it will with the bachelorette weekend plans orchestrated by Rachel, this one veers in the thriller direction rather quickly. Jess, the bride for whom all the plans have been laid, wakes the morning following their inaugural night out in Vegas in a tub of ice water.

OOPS! I’m wondering if she’s also missing a kidney, but this isn’t that type of thriller. It doesn’t take long before Jess takes in the destruction of the hotel suite but does take a little longer to find three of the others, Rachel being among the missing. The common denominator between them all, found in various bazaar conditions, is that none of them have any memory of the night before. So what happened? And where is Rachel?

They are a tight-knit group of five, with the last addition of Olivia. Lisa is handcuffed to a Bellagio employee and the other two are in equally outrageous circumstances. After some deliberation, they begin to pool what little memories each have of the night before. Jess thought Rachel’s constant attention to her phone with Cynthia, the party coordinator, felt suspicious and they determined their first consideration had to be to find Rachel.

As the day wears on, each character is described, developed, and the reader engaged. They investigate each new clue, where they went, what they did, and where it could have led to Rachel’s disappearance.

In the meantime, Vegas is first depicted as the exciting spectacle it is with lights, sounds, and most especially the searing heat, varying little between night and day, and then the somewhat dark, sinister crush of humanity in the underbelly. Each nuance adds to the tension and lays on another level of psychological stress. Trust each other? Trust Jess’s fiance’s warning? What kind of hold does Cynthia have over Rachel? Trust no one, including the police?

I have to admit I tired of some redundant angst but was also thrown by several twists that headed off in a totally different direction than I’d imagined and discovered there was no way I could second guess this one. That and the final denoument in conclusion provided a satisfying ending. Certainly unusual and well paced after a leisurely start and kept interest but I’d have my reservations with the way lessons are bestowed.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and publisher through @NetGalley that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.

Rosepoint Rating:  Four Stars

 

Book Details:

Genre: West Mountain United States Travel Books, Travel, Heist Thrillers
ASIN: B0DG9NL9S9
Print Length: 280 pages
Publication Date: October 25, 2024
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US  |  Amazon-UK   |   Barnes & Noble

 

The Author: “Gaslight” is a gripping novel that tells the story of a young woman named Ella, who becomes convinced that she is being gaslit by her partner. As she struggles to uncover the truth, she is forced to confront the dark secrets that lie hidden in her own past.

Rowney’s writing style is known for being fast-paced and suspenseful, with a focus on building tension and keeping readers on the edge of their seats. She is skilled at creating complex, multidimensional characters and weaving together intricate plots that keep readers guessing until the very end.

In addition to her work as a writer, Rowney is also an advocate for mental health awareness and works to support mental health charities. This theme is often present in her books, which explore the impact of trauma and mental illness on the lives of her characters.

Overall, J.E. Rowney is a talented author who has gained a following for her gripping psychological thrillers. “Gaslight” is just one example of her ability to create unforgettable stories that leave readers on the edge of their seats.

Ms. Rowney says: “I always dreamed of being a writer, until I realised that I was. Then I started to write.”

You can find out more about JE Rowney on her website at jerowney.com, or follow @jerowneywriter on social media and @jerowney on TikTok

©2024 V Williams