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Vanilla Beach
This is the book that you might think of taking along as part of your holiday reading, whilst relaxing on a sun-soaked tropical beach. If so, you may be in for a shock. A young couple manage to acquire a dilapidated resort hotel on an island in the Indian Ocean and through hard work turn it into a hotspot for the rich and famous. But their journey is fraught with difficulties and surprises, straining their relationship to its limits. You will not believe the things that happened at Vanilla Beach. But you should, because almost all of them actually did. Just as one problem is solved, another pops up, each one stranger or more frightening than before. Once you have read Vanilla Beach you may never want to go on vacation again. And don't believe that this is just a book; what happens in it could happen to you.
270 pages, Paperback
Published March 12, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 14, 2024
Vanilla Beach by Peter J. Venison.
A young couple manage to acquire a dilapidated resort hotel on an island in the Indian Ocean and through hard work turn it into a hotspot for the rich and famous. But their journey is fraught with difficulties and surprises, straining their relationship to its limits. You will not believe the things that happened at Vanilla Beach. But you should, because almost all of them actually did. Just as one problem is solved, another pops up, each one stranger or more frightening than before.
This was a really good read. I did like Roger and Constance. I did like the playing cards scene at the start of the book. This was an easy read with short chapters which i like. I got into it straight away. Great story and plot. Well written. I did like Bruno and his language. How he spoke. Christian and Monty I wasn't sure about. Ahmed I didn't like. I was surprised with the ending. 4*.
A young couple manage to acquire a dilapidated resort hotel on an island in the Indian Ocean and through hard work turn it into a hotspot for the rich and famous. But their journey is fraught with difficulties and surprises, straining their relationship to its limits. You will not believe the things that happened at Vanilla Beach. But you should, because almost all of them actually did. Just as one problem is solved, another pops up, each one stranger or more frightening than before.
This was a really good read. I did like Roger and Constance. I did like the playing cards scene at the start of the book. This was an easy read with short chapters which i like. I got into it straight away. Great story and plot. Well written. I did like Bruno and his language. How he spoke. Christian and Monty I wasn't sure about. Ahmed I didn't like. I was surprised with the ending. 4*.
June 12, 2024
This really is a great read. A wonderful mixture of unlikely events that actually happened with romantic drama that has the reader rooting for our hero at every hairpin turn. Peter Venison expertly weaves personality clashes with poignant plot points that keep the adventure running in top gear all the way. This has all the hallmarks of a serialization for Amazon/Netflix/HBO and I hope the author will consider developing the book into a screenplay. More please.
July 31, 2024
Overall, I liked this book about the ill-fated Vanilla Beach.
Roger has a very good background in the management of a London hotel and when his wife's South African uncle suggests they renovate a dilapidated hotel on an island in the Indian Ocean, although he has misgivings, he and Constance eventually agree to go. And every possible outlandish thing you could think of happening happens at Vanilla Beach. I have to give much kudos to Roger for sticking by it!
At the very beginning of the book, a pact is made between Roger and three of his colleagues at the London hotel and I'd genuinely forgotten that part of the story until it reared it's ugly head again towards the end. Is this the reason that Vanilla Beach had such bad luck; was it Roger himself that brought it with him?
I enjoyed Peter Venison's straightforward writing style. I read a lot of reviews about how people don't like overly descriptive writing and if that's you, then this book will fit your request! I do, however, wish that Peter's editor had considered rewording the way Roger describes women throughout the book. It genuinely didn't put me off but I'd have given it 4 stars if it wasn't for the way some of it was worded.
Vanilla Beach is an enjoyable short read if you're able to see past some of the author's use of language. For such a tiny little island, it's full of drama!
Roger has a very good background in the management of a London hotel and when his wife's South African uncle suggests they renovate a dilapidated hotel on an island in the Indian Ocean, although he has misgivings, he and Constance eventually agree to go. And every possible outlandish thing you could think of happening happens at Vanilla Beach. I have to give much kudos to Roger for sticking by it!
At the very beginning of the book, a pact is made between Roger and three of his colleagues at the London hotel and I'd genuinely forgotten that part of the story until it reared it's ugly head again towards the end. Is this the reason that Vanilla Beach had such bad luck; was it Roger himself that brought it with him?
I enjoyed Peter Venison's straightforward writing style. I read a lot of reviews about how people don't like overly descriptive writing and if that's you, then this book will fit your request! I do, however, wish that Peter's editor had considered rewording the way Roger describes women throughout the book. It genuinely didn't put me off but I'd have given it 4 stars if it wasn't for the way some of it was worded.
Vanilla Beach is an enjoyable short read if you're able to see past some of the author's use of language. For such a tiny little island, it's full of drama!
April 3, 2024
This looks like the perfect beach read - but honestly, if you're going away, or have a holiday booked - wait until afterwards to read this book!
Thankfully, I'm the perfect target audience for this one as I never go away on holiday! Certainly not abroad to fancy hotels on tropical islands - and if I had my reasons before - this has certainly added to them!
When Roger and Constance take on a dilapidated resort hotel, they think that this could be their dream come true.
They work hard to create a fantastic hotspot destination for the rich and famous - but things don't go smoothly and the difficulties they encounter really put their relationship to the test.
I loved the writing style which was straight forward and made for a quick and easy read.
The short chapters also helped with the pacing and had me constantly saying "I could just fit one more in before...." - meaning I raced through this in only a couple of sittings.
Some of the events, I really couldn't believe and as the story progressed, I really did wonder why on earth the couple stuck with it and didn't just pack up and quit.
I wasn't sure.....but it does seem that all these events have really happened on other islands around the area at one time....and it really does make me glad that I don't travel!
This was a really enjoyable, quick read and I'd be interested to see other work by this author.
Thankfully, I'm the perfect target audience for this one as I never go away on holiday! Certainly not abroad to fancy hotels on tropical islands - and if I had my reasons before - this has certainly added to them!
When Roger and Constance take on a dilapidated resort hotel, they think that this could be their dream come true.
They work hard to create a fantastic hotspot destination for the rich and famous - but things don't go smoothly and the difficulties they encounter really put their relationship to the test.
I loved the writing style which was straight forward and made for a quick and easy read.
The short chapters also helped with the pacing and had me constantly saying "I could just fit one more in before...." - meaning I raced through this in only a couple of sittings.
Some of the events, I really couldn't believe and as the story progressed, I really did wonder why on earth the couple stuck with it and didn't just pack up and quit.
I wasn't sure.....but it does seem that all these events have really happened on other islands around the area at one time....and it really does make me glad that I don't travel!
This was a really enjoyable, quick read and I'd be interested to see other work by this author.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews