There was something about Alex, the main character, to which I really connected. Perhaps it's being a non-published writer myself that I really felt where she was coming from and I enjoyed how the author described the writing process and how it can feel like channeling.

But something about this story fell flat. I felt like I wanted more when it came to Alex and Wren's relationship, and Alex's sexual awakening. Both seemed so surface level. I kept being told how close they were and that Alex was confused by their encounter, but I never really felt it. I wasn't connected enough to the other characters, so when things started happening, I wasn't invested enough to care as much as I would have liked.

While the twist was initially shocking, the more the story proceeded, the more I felt disconnected. I almost would have preferred if there was a real supernatural element taking shape in the house, and through Roza, which would have made more sense and felt more real, funny enough, than the actual reality. I also think the book and setting could have benefited more from more descriptive, creepy, gothic imagery and language usage to really immerse the reader in the house and the claustrophobia of being stuck during a snow storm.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced read copy.

Thank you Atria Books ​and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
NOT WHAT I EXPECTED: While this book has garnered many 5-star reviews, it unfortunately didn't resonate with me. As an avid reader of books about books and the writing process, I had high hopes for this story, but it took an unexpected turn. The protagonist, Alex, seizes the opportunity to attend a month-long writer's retreat at the home of her idol, Roza Vallo. The retreat promises a chance to write a novel from scratch, with the winner securing a lucrative publishing deal. However, the focus shifts away from the writing itself as Roza employs unconventional and sometimes hurtful methods to motivate the participants. As the story delves into hallucinations, sexual explorations, and the cutthroat tactics of the retreat, I found myself losing interest. It deviated significantly from my expectations, and I regret to say that it's one of my least favorite books this year.

Honestly this book was just plain crazy and creepy, this would make a great HUlu miniseries. Thanks again Netgalley. Look forward to more from Bartz.

Man was this unhinged. I was really looking forward to this thriller based on the premise and it did not disappoint. Between the toxic friendships, wild characters, and twists galore you never really knew what would be thrown at you next in the best possible way. Going into this book with no expectations was so helpful and really let the book take you to some wild places. I do wish the house would have played a little bit of a bigger role in the story since it was described so well/creepy. I really look forward to what the author comes out with next.

Really enjoyed this novel. Story was very interesting and engaging. Looking forward to reading more by this author. Highly recommend!

When a once in a lifetime opportunity is given to Alex she cannot believe her luck, she’s offered a chance to attend a writing retreat that is being hosted by her favorite author Roza Vallo, the retreat will be at Roza’s home at Blackbriar Estate in the Adirondacks the estate has a bit of a sordid history . Besides Alex there will be five other aspirating writers, to her dismay Wren who happens to be her former best friend is also going to be there. Alex and Wren have some unresolved issues and haven’t talked.
Right away when she arrives she sees there isn’t any wifi or phone service, Roza has the writers Alex, Wren, Taylor, Kiera, and Poppy on a strict writing scheduled and she informs the woman that there will only be one story that will be published , and it will a story that she chooses from one of them, the book has to be a full - length novel and it must be completed by the end of the month. Alex has suffered from writers block since the incident with Wren and she begins to worry will she be able to create a story , we watch as tensions begin rise at the isolated estate, soon it becomes apparent that there is something more sinister going on in the background. When one of the woman disappears the woman begins to panic , what happens next makes you wonder how far will someone go to win and get their story published? I enjoyed this locked room mystery! You could the worry and fear coming off the pages.

Thank you to Atria/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for the advanced read of The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz.

"A book deal to die for." The Writing Retreat follows five attendees of a month-long writing retreat with a highly acclaimed feminist horror writer. Our MC Alex has been struggling as a writer and is thrilled for this opportunity. However, the terms and methods of this retreat are unconventional and take a terrifying turn.

I found this book very entertaining! A crazy ride with many twists and turns.

If you liked Nine Perfect Strangers, this book has similar vibes to that one. Unhinged with shocking moments that truly keep you wanted to read to the very end. It was a solid 4 stars for me and definitely worth the read if suspenseful mystery thrillers are your thing!

My first ever Julia Bartz novel but certainly not my last. From page one to the end, I was hooked. The Writing Retreat is quickly becoming my most talked about book of the year! Seriously, read it!

Batshit crazy and a heck of a ride!

I love a fast paced story about books, eerie houses and atmospheres, and toxic friendships. If you do too, I think you should pickup this book! And the end of Part 2?! That had me convinced! This does go off the rails in the best way possible and I’m glad Bartz took the risk b/c in my mind it paid off!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a fantastic debut! I knew the gist of this story going in, but didn’t want to go in with any expectations and I’m glad because I finished this in one day! It’s a thriller with horror elements, and the story within the story features some supernatural settings which worked well together.

I found the setup to be incredible with the atmosphere and details, from getting to the house and learning about all the characters to the tension building as the story progressed. It’s obvious early on that things are not what they seem. The character personalities were distinct and there was some solid development for the protagonist by the end.

It doesn’t take long for this story to go off the rails and it is clear from the beginning that the host, Roza, is deranged and not to be trusted—and she certainly does not hide it. The story was predictable in some aspects and I did figure out one of the plot lines within a few chapters, but this delivered with the villainous monologues, gothic atmosphere, complicated (and suspicious) characters, and consistent pacing.

I can see how it isn’t for everyone and it isn’t perfect, but with the twists and turns, it was entertaining and dark, which is a lot of what I want in this type of thriller.

This ultimately ended up not being for me. Typically, I devour these types of books, but there was something that didn't quite work and I'm not sure it had anything to do with the book, but simply my enjoyment of it. I will be on the lookout for more work from Julia!

This was a crraaaaazzyyyy thriller that I literally could NOT put down!! Maybe even one of my fave thrillers of the year?? I am still in shock that this was a debut!! It had all the tropes I love and executed them perfectly. I never knew who to trust when reading this and I couldn't figure out what was going to happen until it did. Before starting this, I saw some reviews saying the plot and twists were a little out there so I was expecting something that was a little too crazy, but I didn't think it was "out there" at all. I thought Roza was such a complex and interesting character and her arc totally threw me for a loop, as well as reminded me of the leader in Nine Perfect Strangers.

Alex and Wren's relationship was so interesting to read about and I thought their complex friendship/relationship fit into the storyline perfectly. It fit well with the #TrustNoOne theme and I thought their resolution was realistic.

The writing itself was so detailed yet succinct enough to keep my attention. I could picture Blackbriar Estate during the snowstorm so well and it really added to the creepiness of the story. I can't wait to read what Julia Bartz puts out next!!

4.75 stars

Really enjoyed it! The plot twist was so unexpected! Highly recommend this one. Super fast paced and a quick read

Loved this one! Such a fun and fresh take on the thriller. It felt so different than other thrillers I've read (especially recently), and, as someone who works in the literary world, I loved the inside baseball of it all. The setting was also perfect. We need more thrillers set in isolated mansions during snow storms!

They were drugged and you were drugged right along with them. There were some scenes that left with like what am I reading.

I’ve read several review of this incandescent debut comparing it The Plot, The Secret History, and other novels. But I am here to tell you that this is like nothing you’ve ever read before.

This is psychological mayhem at its very best.

All I’m going to say is READ THIS!

This book was amazing. It had such a cool and creepy atmosphere the entire book. I loved the characters and how flawed they were. There were so many reveals and twists that I didn't see coming. I also loved how the history of the house was woven into the story in such a significant way. I did think the ending could've been a bit different. I was a little unsatisfied with the ending, but I still loved the entire book. I give it 4.5/5 stars.

4.5
What I loved:
- Isolated snowy setting
- Authors being bad
- Drama galore
- Fun and entertaining
- Discussing friendship breakups
- Loved the growth from certain characters.
- Found the direction the author took Alex and Wren in unsuspecting, but perfect.

What I didn’t love:
- Ending was extremely anticlimactic compared to the rest of the book.
- Wasn’t AS over the top and crazy as I expected it to be.

Overall, I had so much fun reading this thriller and I thought Julia Bartz did such an awesome job for her debut! Very happy this was my March Patreon book club pick, it was a blast discussing it.
I will 100% be picking up future books from this author.

This one didn’t hit the mark for me. I liked the book the main character was writing better than the present day story. The sexual tension was a little too much in my opinion. I’d read this author again though!

That was a wild ride.

Twists and turns, along with new revelations I did not expect. Saying this book kept me intrigued and wanting to know what would happen next is an understatement.

It’s definitely not my got to genre, but it was a refreshing read outside of my norm.

Overall enjoyed this book and I went into not thinking I would.