It was well-written but I didn't really like it, because, apart from perhaps Nicky, I really didn't like any of the characters. In fact I downright disliked Bonnie from the start. I also thought it was pretty easy to work out where the storylines were going to go. It was a disappointment as I loved Unfollow Me by the author.

The Sanctuary is a book I knew I was going to like from the first page.
This book is about four pregnant women that meet at a retreat, it’s for pregnant women, so lots of relaxing, yoga etc. sounds perfect until this lovely idea slowly unravels into a mess beyond belief, with so many things coming to light I couldn’t put it down.
I liked how each woman got her own chapter so you really got to know them and why they were there and believe me they are all very different reasons. The pace was good and once I got to grips with who was who I enjoyed this all the way through. I had no idea where this was going, what had happened and how it was going to end and it’s rare for me to feel like this.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Quercus Books for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love this author. Each book she writes gets better. She’s the master of characters you want to like. Some you can’t help but dond you love to hate. All you want to know more about. Another blinder!

The Sanctuary by Charlotte Duckworth was the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it especially as it was a quick read. Nicky, Bonnie Georgia and Poppy are four women of all different ages, who are on a prenatal yoga retreat in the middle of nowhere in Devon. However, they all with something to hide and a story to tell. Each of them all lead very different lives from each other and they are all hiding secrets.
This book is full of twists and turns that kept me wanting to know what happens!

.One thing with secrets........they always find away coming to the surface.

Big Thank you to Quercus Books and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read

The Sanctuary sees Four pregnant women attend a weekend yoga retreat where slowly some secrets are revealed. And secrets I wasn’t (pardon the pun) expecting.

Told initially from four POVs: Nicky, a career woman who’s not overawed with her third child on the way; Bonnie, her much younger step-sister who is staying quiet about the father of her child; Georgia, a journalist who is unexpectedly pregnant with her new partner; and Poppy, recently split from her other half.

We hear too from Selina who is running this make or break retreat and an unknown narrator between the chapters which adds to the mystery and intrigue of what turns out to be a less than relaxing break. And be prepared - all is not what it seems at The Sanctuary. Everything seems fine on the face of it but there are things bubbling below the surface.

The book itself is a very easy read that entertains and shocks in equal measure with each and every turn of the page. I found myself open-mouthed at some of the reveals and even when nearing the end when I thought some plot lines hadn’t been explained - the author ties everything up nicely.

One thing for sure, after reading this I’d advise no one ever cross a pregnant woman.

Thanks to #netgalley and #quercusbooks for my review copy.

Four pregnant women go on an exclusive yoga retreat on a remote farm in the deepest Devonshire countryside. The five-star weekend of prenatal pampering is in an idyllic location and the perfect preparation for what lies ahead. Selina is the host and she is set to teach the pregnant women everything she knows about pregnancy and motherhood. All the women, including Selina are keeping secrets.

Interesting characters and full of suspense that progressively builds throughout making it a page turner.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Quercus Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

A new luxury upmarket relaxation and meditation spa has been set up in rural Devon - we join them on the inaugural weekend where four women go for a weekend before their lives change for ever, The sanctuary has everything you could possibly hope for, luxurious facilities and homecooked locally sourced food amongst personal yoga and meditation sessions

But something is a bit off, the organiser Selina seems to be hiding something, and the guests have various secrets and hidden agendas; is anyone who they say they are on the outside?

I enjoyed the atmospheric setting and the way that the characters developed; compelling and twisting away from my expectations at every turn. well worth a read,

Just the kind of book I enjoy - with interesting dynamics between the friends, interesting characters, and an interesting storyline. This one will keep you turning the pages!
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange from an honest review.

Four pregnant women, half-sisters Nicky & Bonnie, journalist Georgia, & secretive Poppy, arrive for three nights of pampering at an exclusive yoga retreat. The retreat is run by Selina & her partner, Will, but Selina's sulky teenage son, Kai, & a groundsman also live on the property. It doesn't take long before accidents & other strange occurrences start to happen & the women start to wonder if someone has a grudge against Selina, but they are all hiding their own secrets & agendas too.

The story unfolds from the perspective of each of the women including Selina, with the odd chapter from others. It was well-written but I didn't really like it, because, apart from perhaps Nicky, I really didn't like any of the characters. In fact I downright disliked Bonnie from the start. I also thought it was pretty easy to work out where the storylines were going to go. It was a disappointment as I loved Unfollow Me by the author.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Quercus Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Brilliant book with plenty of drama and intrigue.

Great characters with well thought out plot.

A pleasure to read a proper page turner which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Twists and turns aplenty and kept me guessing right till the end.

Highly recommended 5 stars from me.

Brilliant book with plenty of drama and intrigue.

Great characters with well thought out plot.

A pleasure to read a proper page turner which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Twists and turns aplenty and kept me guessing right till the end.

Highly recommended 5 stars from me.

The sanctuary by Charlotte Duckworth.
Four pregnant women. Three nights of pampering at an exclusive yoga retreat. One too many deadly secrets . . .
A very good read. Lots of twists and turns with surprises. I do enjoy Charlotte books. Great story and characters. 4*.

Okay, so I loved this book. The plot, the secrets with lots of twists and turns however, I did struggle at times trying to remember who was who as each person got their own pov. Once it came together I got the point to the story I just wish it hadn't jumped in and out so much. But overall great read, can't wait to see what more this author has got to give in the future.

Four pregnant women book a long weekend at a secluded luxury yoga retreat. Each of them arrives carrying a secret of her own.
Their host, Selina, is eager for everything to be perfect.
But nothing goes according to her plan.


I love Charlotte's books, so I grabbed my chance at reading the early copy of her newest book with much enthusiasm.
I wasn't disappointed. Even though multiple narrations aren't my cup of tea, the perspectives were easy to follow. This was a fast-paced, gripping book that had me racing through the pages. The twist is a lovely cherry on top. I'm already looking forward to her next book.

I’d like to thank Quercus Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Sanctuary’ written by Charlotte Duckworth in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Four pregnant women travel to The Sanctuary to participate in a three-day prenatal yoga retreat organised by Selina and her partner Will. Each of the four women have their own reasons for attending but the longer they’re there the more secrets are revealed, and not only by the four women!

‘The Sanctuary’ is a dramatic thriller with a tense atmosphere and perplexing characters whose secrets gradually emerge the longer they’re together and start talking of their backgrounds. As the days pass and strange happenings occur the story becomes increasingly chilling until I can’t be sure which of the characters I can trust. The conclusion is a bit of an anti-climax but otherwise it’s a thoroughly intriguing and well-written story that’s kept me absorbed throughout.

I absolutely loved The Sanctuary. It was an easy read about 4 pregnant women at an idyllic Spa retreat for a weekend of relaxation and pampering. Obviously things aren't as idyllic as they first appear as each character has a secret. The tension built throughout and it kept me gripped right up to the unexpected ending. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for my ARC.

I love this author and this one did not disappoint. Thanks for the opportunity to review would recommend to anyone

This is another great read from Charlotte Duckworth, I've yet to be disappointed by one of her books and this one is bang on point once again!

The plot sees 4 pregnant women experience a weekend retreat at 'The sanctuary'. This is the first venture into pregnancy retreats from host, Serina, self proclaimed midwife and pregnancy guru. She is desperate to impress her guests, and in particular, Georgia, a journalist with a strong influencer presence on Instagram. Sisters ,Nicky and Bonnie, also join the retreat - Bonnie is evasive around the identity of her baby's father and this is just one of many lines of intrigue in this novel. The final guest is Poppy, who seems hostile and presents as having her own agenda from the get-go.

So many questions are asked in this novel - what is going on in Serina and partner, Will's, relationship? What is going on with Serina's mysterious son, Kai, and why are there so many unfortunate occurrences happening on this retreat?! These and many more questions and asked and answered in this highly addictive novel!

This is a book to be enjoyed! My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

Four pregnant women go to the sanctuary to a prenatal yoga get away weekend. First we gave Nicky a mother of 2 boys who is currently expecting her 3rd child with her husband Jon. Then there’s Bonnie who is Nicky’s younger sister she’s 20 years younger than Nicky and has always seen her as more of a second mother than a sister. We then have Georgie who is the furthest along at 8 months pregnant who is terrified of going into an early labour and things going wrong. Finally there’s Poppy who comes across as more independent than all the other women and clearly Poppy is a woman on a mission.

The woman running the sanctuary is Selina who is a qualified yoga instructor and also pretends to be many other things that she is not. With 4 pregnant women all with their own fears and deep secrets a weekend away in the country side should be exactly what they need; however Selina also has hidden secrets of her own and soon it becomes clear that someone is out to cause trouble and make what should be a chilled relaxing weekend away turn to total chaos.

I really enjoyed reading this book however with the chapters being told from so many different points of views and with their being so many secrets and twists at times I did find it hard to keep up with who’s secret was who’s and I did get a little confused at one point and that’s before you have the secrets and the story line of the 3 males living and working at the sanctuary who also have hidden secrets.

But overall I did find this book very enjoyable and everything did come together really nicely and I absolutely loved the ending I sort of did see it coming but it happened in an unexpected way which was nice. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advance copy of this book for an open and honest review.

A DNF for me as by 8% all the main characters had been in tears,at least once and I realised was not the book for me,I maybe should have read more of the blurb but went for the author rather than read about it