Explore the dark side of paradise, where sun-soaked beaches hide deadly secrets . . .
When Maddie Waters joins her fiancé, Josh Harding, in Hawaii for his company’s luxurious weeklong corporate retreat, Josh wants her to help him secure the prestigious role of CEO for the high-tech firm. However, someone with a dark secret has other plans, and everything changes when a series of deaths and near-fatal “accidents” plague the event.
With a determined detective circling and her relationship with Josh unraveling, Maddie finds refuge in a new group of friends. She soon forms an uneasy alliance with the handsome and mysterious Brody, hoping he can help her uncover the truth.
As secrets are exposed, tension mounts and relationships crumble. Maddie finds herself nearly drowning in a riptide of lies and deception. She must unravel a complex conspiracy and confront her own past—or risk becoming the next victim.
Christy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. She’s only won one contest in her life—and her prize was kissing a pig (okay, okay… actually she did win the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery also). Her current claim to fame is showing off her mother, who looks just like former First Lady Barbara Bush When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.
I have been a thriller kick lately, specifically thrillers set at resorts or vacation settings, so Vacation Friends was one of my picks for a recent trip to Palm Beach!
The premise of this book was fantastic - Maddie Waters accompanies her fiancé on his corporate retreat in Hawaii where he vies for the coveted CEO role of the Benchmark tech firm. The trip begins with a near-death experience for Maddie, as she heads down to the beach early one morning after receiving a mysterious text, only to find a man drowning in the waves. She tries to help the man and is rescued and comforted by four new "vacation friends" who are also on the island for the retreat.
After that, a series of creepy text messages, secret revealations and murders plague Maddie's trip as she tries to enjoy excursions with her fiancé and new friends. Will she be the next victim?
The story is told from 3 POVs: Maddie's 3rd person POV, the 3rd person POV of someone named Cecilia who doesn't seem connected to the story and the first person POV of the villain wreaking havic on the retreat.
The story and ultimate plot twist of this book are actually quite intriguing and the premise is unique, however, this book really could have used a lot more stringent editing. The length could have been cut in half for starters. The dialogue was super cheesy, old-fashioned and stilted and the characters were all flat and boring.
Also, it didn't seem that the author really knew a lot about American corporate culture or how large businesses are run. For example, one of the motives of the villain, that he/she was owed the role of CEO, made zero sense.
Finally, I don't think the villain's POV added to the story, at all - I kept picturing them talking like a villain in Scooby Doo after the meddling kids and dog foiled the evil plot.
Content Warnings: Murder, Infidelity, Elder Abuse and discussion of abortion
Plenty of mystery and hints of romance. I did put the pieces together and figured out who the bad person was before the ending. It was not to not see another Lantern Beach story. This is a stand alone mystery so readers who are familiar with Barritt's writing will notice her familiar writing style, but readers who have not read any of her books will not feel lost. A new setting filled with new characters. I did like how realistic the characters were. For a while, I had a hard time wondering why the second storyline, but it does come together at the end of the novel. A nice mystery to spend time with.
I received a complimentary copy of Vacation Friends by Christy Barritt but the opinions stated are all my own.
It did keep me entertained during a day of travel but hot damn this was bad. The silver lining is that it was free with kindle unlimited... But at what cost 😮💨
I so rarely get through books like this bc my adhd or bc I have a very low tolerance for cheesy books. This one was so good and kept me guessing the whole time! Started several others from the author after this and this is by far my fav. Nonetheless I love her stuff but especially this one. It fills a very special chick flick hole in my world of books
This was another fantastic thriller from Christy Barritt. I was completely hooked from the ominous beginning until the thrilling conclusion.
I was incredibly worried for main character Maddie as she faced danger after danger and incident after incident. Disaster seemed to follow her wherever she went. Was it all a coincidence, or was somebody out to get her?
There was a big cast of characters, but they were all distinct, and I had no trouble keeping them straight. I immediately liked Maddie’s new vacation friends, but a big part of me wondered if I should be suspicious of any, or all, of them considering everything that was going wrong. It was hard to trust anyone, as it seemed like everyone had a secret.
The mystery was really good. I had my suspicions, but wasn't 100 percent sure until right before the reveal. There was also a secondary story that had me intrigued yet wondering how it connected to everything. When I figured it out, my mind was blown! What a masterful twist!
This is one of Barritt’s best books to date. If you’re a fan of twisty thrillers, you’re sure to love it.
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
You know how you’re reading a book and it’s so good and then it just goes off the rails? And the writing somehow significantly decreases in quality as the story goes along?
Yeah, that was this book.
It started strong. I was listening on audio and enjoying it. I cared where it was going.
And then it jumped the shark, and jumped it again. Not only did the story get more ridiculous and less plausible by the chapter, somehow it sounded like one author started the book and a different (less talented?) one finished it.
A good example of the writing near the end: “You’re so pretentious that being around you is worse than being stuck on a boat in the middle of the ocean full of people with the runs.”
…what?
And yes, this was intended to be a serious moment and a totally unironic line.
The ending was preposterous to go along with the bonkers storytelling throughout.
Two stars and only because it held my interest for the first 30% of the book. Why is this rated 4.3 stars on Goodreads?!?!?!?
I kept reading because I wanted to know what was going on, but I didn’t like any of the characters. It was well written and suspenseful, but it just wasn’t for me.
How can a vacation not be relaxing? What happens to Maddie on this vacation is nothing relaxing, and she’s tossed and turned all over the place. Who can she trust? Have you ever found yourself starting to pray for characters in a book and then remembering that they’re just fictional characters, not real? That’s what happens whenever I read a book by Christy Barritt. I want to pray for them because they all go through so many trials. Each day, they are hit with something new, or their lives are in danger. I’ve said this before, but I’m not sure I would ever want to be one of Christy Barritt’s characters because she puts them through so much! WOW! From the story's opening, it just gets better and more twisted as the story unfolds. What really happened, and who did it? I also liked how she wove into the story and side story that connects from the past. Christy Barritt is one author who knows how to weave a tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat as you read the story. You’ll be taken on a ride like you will never believe. Her writing is always full of suspense, action, drama, and twists, and this one is no different. So much happens from the first page to the last that you must remind yourself to breathe as you read this book. (Or at least try to breathe!) You also won’t want to put it down. The book takes us from one twist to another. We, as readers, don’t know who has done it until the end. Try as I might, I always shake my head and think, “Why didn’t I guess that?” If you LOVE “who-done-it” stories with mystery, suspense, action, relationship tension, and a bit of romance, you will love this book! Just know that this is NOT a sweet vacation story! I highly recommend you pick up this book. You won’t be disappointed. The author gave me this book, but this did not influence my review in any way; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
🥜 In a Nutshell: A woman accompanies her fiancee to a corporate retreat in Hawaii. Shortly after arriving, she witnesses a death that leads to her question everything. She then begins to receive threats and it's clear someone knows secrets from her past.
✅ Hawaiian vacation ✅ Murder mystery/Whodunit ✅ Twists and Turns
This was such a fun whodunit filled with suspense and set in a beautiful location, making it a perfect summer thriller! I loved all the call backs to late 90s/early 2000s movies that were used in the threats. There were plenty of suspects and some good red herrings. I did figure out the killer but I was still surprised by the motive. There was little to no romance in this one so it's a great read for those that don't like romance with their suspense. Usually I like there to be more romance but the story was so good that I didn't care. I enjoyed the mystery and the writing was great like it always is with Christy Barritt. Overall, I'd recommend this for anyone who enjoys a whodunit. The suspense and writing were great even though there wasn't much romance.
3.5 stars "I know something you need to know. Someone is out to get you. . . . . . . Meet me at 5:30 a.m. on the beach. Tell no one - trust no one. . . . "
Maddie Waters was confused. In beautiful Hawaii, on a business retreat with employees from her fiance's tech company, "the message sounded so ominous". Turns out, it was. Terrified by her own near death experience trying to save the life of a total stranger, she forms vacation friendships with the bystanders who rescued her out of the water. Certainly paradise . . .would not "become her grave". Would it?
Everyone's a suspect. Everyone's a victim. Everyone and no one, it's all so confusing. With her distinctive "whodunit" style featuring twist after twist, and turn after turn, the author invites her readers along on an island vacation that none of them will choose to repeat.
Maddie reluctantly agreed to go on a business retreat with her fiance, even though she was uncomfortable with it, because he begged her to help him win a promotion. Once on the retreat, strange things begin to happen to her, scary situations that put her life in danger -- and make her a suspect in murder! is her boyfriend trying to kill her and set her up? Is it one of the new friends she has been making at the retreat? Is there anyone she can confide in about the mysterious notes she's been receiving? I did enjoy this book and all the twists and turns, and the development of different characters, but found Maddie's decision making a little foolish. But, it was a fun book with gorgeous locations and lots of action.
I received a free copy of this book with no strings attached. The opinion are all my own.
Christy Barritt’s Vacation Friends is a fast-paced romantic suspense novel that plunges readers into the deceptively serene setting of Hawaii, where paradise hides peril. The story follows Maddie Waters, who joins her fiancé Josh on a corporate retreat meant to boost his chances at becoming CEO. But when mysterious accidents and deaths begin to unfold, Maddie is forced to question everything—including her relationship. There are many twists and turns in this captivating, intriguing story set in an exotic setting. This is the perfect book for fans of clean, contemporary romantic suspense. I couldn’t put the book down until the last page was turned.
I had a BETA copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Maddie Waters accompanies her fiancé Josh Harding to Hawaii for a company retreat where a new CEO will be announced. While there, disaster seems to follow them as people start dying and the local police seem to think Maddie is responsible. She doesn’t know who to trust, and tries to determine who is behind the murders and the mysterious messages she keeps receiving. A suspense filled book that keeps you turning pages to find out who is behind it all.
A business retreat offering a peaceful fun filled week in gorgeous Hawaii turns into anything but peaceful. The lies started before the trip and the web just kept growing as more people got involved in the lies. Maddie never dreamed what havoc could come from trying to end a relationship by being cooperative. MS Barritt has a way of casting doubts on characters until you have a hard time untangling the mess. Great read, the suspense keeps you glued to the pages.
This was hard to put down. Really hard to know who to suspect in a way. Though I started to figure it a little…It was well written but honestly left me wanting a little more from it. It seemed to end a little too fast and was hard to read for some of the darker characters in it or something. I enjoyed it other than those things it is a pretty good mystery/ thriller type book and well written and kept the suspense mystery alive just could use a little more enjoyment or uplifting element I guess?!
4/5 stars. I was waiting to read this while being at the beach, but it didn't happen. Either way, I loved the plot of the book. Iv read other books by Christy Barritt so I knew I had to keep and eye to everyone, even the most inoccent looking, but not even the heads up could have made me know who the murderer was. I like the different aspects that the book has. I find it very interesting that the killers POV is in 1st person so that the reader can't know who the murderer is. Really enjoyed this book!
When Maddie Waters joins her fiancé, Josh Harding, in Hawaii for a ritzy business retreat, things go south big time. Danger threatens her life, and past secrets emerge. The intense plot filled with unexpected twists continues to throttle up and keep readers racing to the end. Believable characters bring the story to life. Great for cozy mystery lovers. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
What a great read. At her fiancé's company retreat, Maddie finds herself not only entangled in a mystery but also forms friendships with other people on the retreat. This mystery is fast-paced with danger and multiple incidents that occur during the retreat and contains a secondary mystery. This mystery will have you on the edge of your search and flipping the pages to discover who the villain is.
CHRISTY IS BACK! After plenty of cozies, sweet romantic suspense and hilarious rom-coms, on the tail of witty True Crime Junkies, Christy Barritt is back with a mystery that has more twists and turns than my kinky hair during a Florida summer... and it all takes place in delicious Kauai! This late summer read is everything sweet & juicy that you've been craving, wrapped up in a beach read paced to have your heart racing off a cliff and into the sea!
2.5 rounded upto 3 for Goodreads. I am a longtime fan of this author. I have read and enjoyed many of her stories and have several on my TBR pile too. This one unfortunately was a miss for me. The mystery is well crafted and had me guessing and there’s several layers to the story that all weave together. I just wasn’t a fan of the end or some of the elements to the story overall. Still a hige fan of Christy though!
And Then they meet Mattie and her “goober bossy dating friend”. (He really was the worst snot wad of a person to date). There were multiple mysteries happening on the beach. Who or how these things were going on were a continuing Hmmmmmmm. You will really enjoy this mystery and the way the story ends. No way am I giving you a hint. Enjoy.
Usually Christy Barritt turns out a series. I'm glad this is a standalone and that after all the twists and turns, all the loose ends were tied up. Well, there is one loose thread...the missing would-be CEO. Did the ocean really swallow him, or is he lurking about somewhere, ready to pounce? I'd be careful if I were one of the main characters...
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a book that keeps you turning the pages. I kept thinking I knew who was causing the trouble but then that person didn’t seem right. I love all of Christ Barritt’s books and this was another great book. I will be anxiously waiting for a new book to come out.
Wow! What a wonderful book of suspense and danger with so many twists and turns you might get dizzy. Mattie Waters is swept up in drama she did not count on when she agrees to accompany her fiancé to Kauai for a corporate retreat. Meet her Vacation Friends and find out who is trying to sabotage the retreat.
It’s always time well spent reading Christy Barrett’s books. This one is no different. The plot has unexpected turns and keeps the reader mesmerized. Can’t wait til the next book.
This book had alot of twist & turns. I thought I had the right person & it took another turn. I don't give anything away when I write a review. Great book, you won't be disappointed.