Whilst the scene was set really well I found that there were too many voices/storylines that it got overcrowded and hard to follow with unbelievable turns. This was just not my kind of read.

A good read, full of suspense and secrets. I couldn't stop reading it. Interesting characters, especially as their layers were slowly peeled away.

Thanks Quercus books and NetGalley
Although the plot is somewhat unbelievable this was a good read. I raced through this and couldn't put it down. Definitely recommend

it's a popular subject right now & I enjoyed reading Charlotte's take on the locked room sanctuary that isn't actually one! Twisty , some annoying characters which is good in my view - not everyone is 'nice'! Well done to Charlotte will read her again

This was such a good thriller and I was hooked from the start, the multi perspectives kept it flowing really well and the plot was engaging

This is the first novel I've read by Charlotte Duckworth and it was an enjoyable read that I raced through, despite having a plot that became increasingly unbelievable! Four pregnant women attend a yoga retreat in Devon , run by Selina and her partner Will. We know from the beginning of the novel that things aren't quite as they seem and there's a feeling of tension running throughout the novel. It's a well paced novel and I enjoyed reading about the four women and their differing experiences. However about three quarters through the plot becomes completely unbelievable with too much going on I still enjoyed it and would definitely read more by the author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
3.5 stars

When four expectant mothers checked into the Sanctuary for a pre-natal yoga retreat, I don't think any of them anticipated just what would happen,

For the retreat is far from relaxing, and with everyone including the people running it having secrets it was clear nothing would particularly go to plan.

There are acts of sabotage, some truly upsetting scenes and stories coming out and this turns it into a book that I could barely put down.

I was hooked, it is told from 5 points of view, and you always get the sense that something isn't quite right but it's hard to put a finger on just what.

I loved seeing how everything unfurled and once again am very impressed with with author's writing.

A tense psychological drama that had me flummoxed and found it fascinating.

Thank you to Quercus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I never hesitate to pick up a Charlotte duckworth book and I’m so glad because this one did not disappoint!
I loved the complexity of the story, the tranquility and creepiness of the location, and of course the complicated unfolding lives of the characters involved in this story. Some of the happenings were slightly outrageous which is why I didn’t give it a five but nevertheless I was hooked throughout and really enjoyed it!

With Liane Moriaty 's nine perfect strangers vibes this is a quick and enteraining read if somewhat predictable (of course with all those secreats someone is going to die!)

The characters are multilayered, secretive, and self-absorbed. The story is told from And the plot told from multiple perspectives and unravels quickly. Central themes of jealousy, hatred, deception, manipulation, desperation, obsession, revenge, violence, and murder keep you turning the pages and I loved the claustrophobic atmosphere the remote retreat style narrative provided,

This was a well written, fast paced read. The mix of characters worked well – four very different pregnant women meeting at a yoga retreat which turns out to be an experience they’d rather retreat from rather than being relaxed and renewed! As the story developed we learnt more about each character and the secrets they hide.
Overall this was an excellent thriller, with numerous twists and turns to keep the reader hooked. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the review copy.

The plot grabbed me straight away. The first half was superb. It fell a bit towards the end but in saying that , I really enjoyed it. It was a bit unrealistic but it didnt matter to me.

When I first started reading this book, I did struggle with who was who and how they were all related
However, once I got past that part, I really enjoyed the concept of this book
Each chapter is told from a different viewpoint of one of the pregnant women, with the author dropping clues that each one has so many secrets to tell
The novel is very atmospheric and the author knows just how to create a tense novel!
The whole setting of the novel, a barn in the middle of nowhere, was really unsettling and set the atmosphere of the novel
Each chapter left me thinking just one more chapter and I highly recommend this one!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy

‘The Sanctuary’ is the latest book by Charlotte Duckworth.

Four pregnant women. Three nights of pampering at an exclusive yoga retreat. One too many deadly secrets. On a remote farm in the deepest Devonshire countryside, four pregnant women arrive at an exclusive yoga retreat for a five-star weekend of prenatal pampering. The location is idyllic. Their host, Selina, is eager to teach them all she knows about pregnancy and motherhood. But, like Selina, each of the women has a secret.

The latest book by Charlotte is another gripping rollercoaster of a thriller set around five women at a pregnancy yoga retreat.

The retreat is run by Selina, who’s nervous about her first retreat going to plan and having everything ready for the four women arriving, Nicky and her younger sister Bonnie, Georgia and Poppy, Three of the women are having their babies for first time, whilst this is Nicky’s third and a complete surprise for her at a later stage in life. The retreat is going to plan until lots of threatening things happen, burnt scarecrows, headless animals and scary notes causing all the women to be in fear.

The story is seen through the narrative of the women filled with the anxiety and excitement of their pregnancies, but behind these emotions, they all have secrets that are about to be revealed. Right from the outset, the story is riddled with suspense and tension and with each page new twists and dramas are revealed.

As well as narratives from the women there is also an inclusion of a mysterious narrative who’s obviously got a grudge against one of the women and is willing to do anything to get revenge.

I love Charlotte’s book, they’re intense with complex characters with exciting plot lines that whisk the reader away and ‘The Sanctuary’ is no different. The women are a fascinating mix, all with different issues whether it’s the anxiety and concern of new a baby or grief and this along with the underlying tension.

Cleverly written, claustrophobic and atmospheric from the first page, ‘The Sanctuary’ is an exciting thriller that made for fast paced reading.

You can buy ‘The Sanctuary’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

Thank you Netgalley, Quercus Books and Charlotte Duckworth for this arc.

This story follows four pregnant women who decide to attend a luxurious prenatal yoga retreat for three nights of pampering and relaxation.
We have Nicky, who at 42, finds herself unexpectedly pregnant once again, and unsure if she is happy or not. Bonnie, Nicky's sister, who is 20 years younger and pregnant to an unknown man. Journalist Georgia, who may be more pregnant than she has let on and finally Poppy, who seems to have an agenda other than relaxation.
All four are hoping to use their time at the retreat to work through their personal issues, but they discover that the weekend may be more than they bargain for.

This book is very visually appealing. The description of the retreats location sounded beautiful and creepy at the same time.
I loved the deserted location trope of this book.
Some parts of the book seemed a little outrageous but I enjoyed the unfolding mystery.
Full of twists and turns, this book will keep you guessing until the very end.

4 stars

Now this is a strange one to review because whilst it was completely implausible it had me 100% invested.

This is definitely a read that you have to suspend reality for a while and just jump straight in and enjoy.

A yoga retreat for pregnant women in Devon sounds idyllic right? Time to relax, unwind, rest until baby arrives. Away from the stress of everyday work, home and family life. But what if that retreat is just an outpouring of secrets, not only from the retreats attendees bit the owners of the retreat aswell?

Told from multiple POVs which could get confusing at time, each woman was relatable in their own way and each had their own solid story (and secret) to tell.

Full of tantalising twists and turns you will not be able to put this down until its resolution.

Solid 4*

Thanks to netgalley and Quercus Books for the ARC.

When I first started reading this book, I did struggle with who was who and how they were all related
However, once I got past that part, I really enjoyed the concept of this book
Each chapter is told from a different viewpoint of one of the pregnant women, with the author dropping clues that each one has so many secrets to tell
The novel is very atmospheric and the author knows just how to create a tense novel!
The whole setting of the novel, a barn in the middle of nowhere, was really unsettling and set the atmosphere of the novel
Each chapter left me thinking just one more chapter and I highly recommend this one!

This was an excellent psychological thriller, there was nothing I disliked about it at all. The characters were good, the plot was great and the style of writing was perfect. Plenty of twists and turns throughout to keep you guessing. I have read other books by this author and they don’t disappoint, I’ll be keeping my eye out for more in the future. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading this genre.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review.

This was a chilling read, set in the English countryside a group of pregnant woman go to an exclusive weekend of peace yoga and relaxation but it goes horribly wrong. The different narratives are easy to follow and each more shocking than the one before

Four women on a prenatal yoga retreat, all with something to hide.

A very enjoyable read with a great range of characters, though there was a lot to keep track of at times.

I enjoyed the twists and turns and did love the ending where it all came together so well.

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars

This was a brilliant read. Superbly plotted, fast-paced and twisty - everything you could want from a thriller.

I found the writing totally compelling, which meant I could not put this down. It was full of tensions, twists, and secrets, which gripped me from beginning to end.