Marissa Stapley

'A cult-like couples retreat... secrets, lies and psychoses... a climax of biblical proportions. A rollicking thrill-ride!' - Robyn Harding, bestselling author of The Party.

The Last Resort

"Marissa Stapley's writing is a gift."--Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Orphan's Tale The Harmony Resort promises hope for struggling marriages. Run by celebrity power couple Drs. Miles and Grace Markell, the "last resort" offers a chance for partners to repair their relationships in a luxurious setting on the gorgeous Mayan Riviera. Johanna and Ben have a marriage that looks perfect on the surface, but in reality, they don't know each other at all. Shell and Colin fight constantly: after all, Colin is a workaholic, and Shell always comes second to his job as an executive at a powerful mining company. But what has really torn them apart is too devastating to talk about. When both couples begin Harmony's intensive therapy program, it becomes clear that Harmony is not all it seems--and neither are Miles and Grace themselves. What are they hiding, and what price will these couples pay for finding out? As a deadly tropical storm descends on the coast, trapping the hosts and the guests on the resort, secrets are revealed, loyalties are tested and not one single person--or their marriage--will remain unchanged by what follows. Marissa Stapley is a journalist and the author of the acclaimed novel Things to Do When It's Raining. She writes page-turning, deeply emotional fiction about families, friends and women's lives.

Patrick Book

Proof that you can craft a fairly satisfying narrative from what I assume was a 10-second pitch based off a clever title.

Sonia Grgas

Great beach read, which is where I read it.

Lacey

** spoiler alert **
           I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

If one bases this book just only on the cover, it's a beachy read. It takes place on a resort, for goodness sake. However, this book is dark. So dark that it leaves you shaking. 

This starts with celebrity therapists, Miles and Grace Markell, who are running this destination getaway to work on your marriage (hence, the last resort). Two couples (Johannah and Ben. Shell and Colin) go to this "retreat". This retreat is more like a fucking nightmare. 

I just want to let you know that there's some content warnings: Domestic violence, alcoholism, loss of a child, cults, God complexes, homophobia, religious manipulation, drunk driving, suicide, gaslighting, mental health, sexual assault. 

Guilty pleasure: I love reading about cults. They are messy as hell.

Back to the review. Miles and Grace appear to have it all: Money, fame, success and the "perfect" marriage. However, everything is not what it seems. 

I won't go into great detail because this book has so many moments that left me shocked. If you like books that have a twisted roller coaster experience, this is  the one . I predicted some things, but this is the perfect summer read if you want something heavy-hitting.

The Last Resort

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