When I received this book in the mail for review, I was immediately hooked after reading the premise; a tropical couples retreat headed for impending doom when a hurricane is about to hit? Count me in! As you know, I love reading about marriages (especially those that are imploding) and the fact that this book delves into relationships while a mystery develops in the background is music to my ears. I read The Last Resort by Marissa Stapley in a few sittings over the course of three days, breezing through the short and punchy chapters.
We land in Mexico along with a few couples looking to fix their marriage, arriving at a high-end couples resort and therapy program. Everyone is beautiful and rich, but no one’s happy in their marriage, not even the couple who runs the resort, famous therapists Grace and Miles. Even before the program begins it’s clear there are some strange things going on; the guests’ suitcases are searched and items confiscated, there is no internet or phone usage permitted, and Miles is just a little too handsy with the unhappy wives who come to him for advice. Not surprisingly everyone is harbouring a deep dark secret, some more devastating than others. But as all thrillers seem to go these days, we the reader must be patient in discovering what everyone’s hiding, even when reading a first-person perspective (do I sound bitter? Perhaps I am; enough with the unreliable narrators already!).
Many of these secrets are predictable, but I think Stapley did this on purpose. The publisher has made a strange decision in which the summary blurb of the book reveals something that doesn’t happen until the last third of the novel. It’s not a common marketing strategy, but again it leads me to the belief that the author is less focused on the ‘what’ and more focused on the ‘why’. Does it matter who did what to who? Not really, because this novel isn’t a straightforward thriller, it’s attempting to explain why women find themselves in unhealthy relationships. Who is to blame? Why does history keep repeating itself? What is required of a victim to escape dangerous circumstances?
Even though I anticipated what was going to happen, I was still propelled through the pages in an effort to learn more about the characters and what drove them. And because I’m a sap for a happy ending, I really wanted the couples we meet to find their way back to each other. Although some goodreads reviewers complained the plot was unbelievable, I disagree completely. There’s some twisted things going on in these characters’ backstories, but all rang true to me. There’s a clear focus on the subjugation of women which is a timely point to be making, and with all the #metoo stories coming out these days, I find nothing is too far-fetched or unbelievable now.
The addition of an impending hurricane is what turns this book into a modern-day suspense novel. If left out of the story, Stapley would have had more time to focus on developing the characters, but then I don’t think I would have devoured this story so eagerly. All the problems coming together at once is what gave me the ‘thrill’ side of this thriller. And although this is a minor aspect to the story, I found the descriptions of the weather and landscape seamlessly transported me to the tropical setting of the story. The setting and atmosphere was so expertly done I could easily imagine myself sitting on a patio right beside these characters, admiring the palm trees and lapping waves of the beachfront. So if you’re stuck at home with no vacation days in sight, pick up The Last Resort, it’s the next best thing to an actual heat wave.
Couples retreats just don’t have great track records in literature. I might just choose to stay home for therapy 🙂
haha so true!
I haven’t read any books set on a beach that I can think of, but every time I see a movie with couples that go to a resort to get it together, I’m left enraged. They are the most unrealistic portrayals of human beings I’ve ever seen. And some are obviously written by a man in a way that is downright terrifying. There movie Couples Retreat with Vince Vaughn looked funny, until I got to the part where all the unhappy wives are doing yoga in these highly sexual positions, and this gross male instructor is pushing his genitals against their genitals, claiming he’s helping them get a deeper stretch. I mean, what kind of woman just lets a stranger do that? I think male writers in this genre assume unhappy women are just in deep need of a sexual experience, so they allow themselves to be molested. I mean, it’s just creepy and emphasizes a poor message.
I know what you mean, that does seem to be a common theme. This book points out the problem in that, even though it’s quite obvious to everyone!
I love that! This sounds like a beach read that isn’t air-headed.
yes its pretty good!
Couples in trouble at a resort in Mexico – this sounds like a more interesting version of an ARC I read earlier this year! Sounds like this is quite a timely read too!
yes, unfortunately there are many books like this out there right now (sigh)
I’m not sure this one is for me, but I enjoyed reading your thoughts on it. Have you read Angie Abdou’s Between? There is a bit of a vacation in there. And a not-entirely-happy-all-the-time-but-trying-anyway marriage.
I haven’t read Between no, but I heard her newest book is very honest about marriage and how difficult it can be. I only read her book about the skiiers, which I really enjoyed
Haha, I love books about imploding marriages too. This one sounds interesting—though I’ll definitely stay away from the publishers blurb if it really does give away a major plot point, eek. Not cool! Thanks for the rec. 🙂
yes don’t read the back of the book! Just go on ahead and read it from the first page onward 😉
I suspect it makes me a bad person that the only bit that interests me is the hope that the hurricane got them all… 😀
haha sadly, it didn’t have the destructive force you’re hoping for I think
I’ve been dithering over the last couple years about whether or not I would like a Marissa Stapley book, so I’m glad you reviewed it. I have to admit, it sounds like fun. And I do love a good storm!
It’s a quick read, and fairly light! Some serious stuff but also fun