I loved this book. It had dynamic characters and I always love a forced proximity/locked room situation. Plus, writers make great characters.

Honestly, I have no idea why I waited so long to read this. I actually bought a copy from Book of the Month because I wanted it in print….. the unique premise really captivated my attention from the get go. I absolutely love any unreliable and unhinged narrators. The story turns a dream come true into a nightmare… who will win the grand prize? A lucrative publishing deal for aspiring writers is to die for right?? Quite literally… absolutely angry at myself for not reading this sooner!

This is one of the most ridiculous thriller novels I’ve ever read. It’s completely over-the-top, just off it’s rocker. The plot read a dozen mainstream thrillers, burped and then said, “Hold my beer.”

And you just have to respect that.

I am a huge proponent of things that are original, unique and sidestep clichés. This novel is all of those things while maintaining the general vibe of what you would expect from a typical thriller.

And it’s also just bananas.

It starts off like every other thriller you’ve read — setting up characters and relationships with a secret or two, and putting it all in a closed-door mystery setting. But by the halfway mark, everything gets flipped-turned-upside-down like the Fresh Prince, and it goes off in directions you just wouldn’t have expected because it’s so ridiculous.

But I had the best time with it.

It gives you drama, some sexual stuff that swings between normal and bizarre, and a plot that hit the gas on absurd and took off down the road without a glance in the rearview. But the ending was a bit rushed and I’m not sure that the excerpts from the novel within a novel really did anything to elevate the plot.

This is a super entertaining, but really oddball, and has definitely put Julia Bartz on my radar.

This book was a dream for me. I could read about unhinged female writers every day of my life. I loved the isolated snowy, academic setting and diverse group of women. The plot went off the rails in the best way possible. I'm greatly looking forward to what Julia Bartz gives us next.

The writing retreat had been on my TBR for quite some time and I am dissappointed i did not read it sooner. It This book is insane in all of the best ways. I kept on thinking it was going to end one way, but goes another way. I loved how it wasn't the typical writing group book. Even if you don't like writing this book is a great selection.

This was such a bizarrely unique thriller. Every time I thought it would be predictable it turned me around completely. This makes an excellent book club discussion for those considering it, especially with other writers!

Julia Bartz's "The Writing Retreat" is a deliciously chilling and propulsive thriller that taps into every writer's deepest fears and ambitions. When aspiring author Alex receives an invitation to an exclusive writing retreat hosted by famous feminist horror novelist Roza Vallo, it seems like a dream opportunity. But the dream quickly descends into a nightmare.
With atmospheric prose and perfectly-paced twists, "The Writing Retreat" operates on multiple levels - a delicious exploration of the cut-throat literary world, a juicy tale of toxic frenemies, and a dark study of dangerous obsession. Bartz keeps readers guessing until the thrilling final pages.
More than just a riveting psychological thriller, the book is also a meditation on the agonies and sacrifices of the creative process. Bartz seems to tap into a deep well of insecurity and blind ambition familiar to any writer.

This was such an enjoyable thriller that tiptoed the line of horror. It was suspenseful with many twists and turns along the way. I really enjoyed it and it was the first thriller that I've picked up in a while. So, it was a nice change of pace from my fantasy and romance. I read this for a book club and I think it makes for a great book club discussion.

The Writing Retreat is a really fun spin on the trapped in a house where bad things are happening trope. I loved not knowing who to believe or what was going to happen and it had just the right amount of suspense and creepiness to keep me turning the pages long after I should have gone to bed for the night. Every time I thought I had something figured out, I would find out just how wrong I was, and I loved it.

I thought this was a good thriller for those looking for a quick read to pass the time. There were some more things and points i wanted to see fleshed out or devloped but i did really like how it ended!

thank you to netgalley & the publisher for gifting me this arc-
this book was all of the place & messy in the best possible way. The exploration of female relationships in this book was really intense and dramatic. I will say I was so hooked and enthralled into the plot for the first 3/4 of the book. I think the writing was so easy to comprehend and I really read this books so fast. I think the overall plot was so interesting I just wish the plot twist was different. In some ways it ruined the book for me a little bit.

This book was a bit of a slow burn but ultimately really picked up. I love the atmosphere I'm a sucker for a far away retreat and this was it. I like a locked room mystery as well and the fact that these characters were all writers really helped set the stage.

Five attendees are selected for a month-long writing retreat at the remote estate of Roza Vallo, the controversial high priestess of feminist horror. Alex, a struggling writer, is thrilled.

Upon arrival, they discover they must complete an entire novel from scratch, and the best one will receive a seven-figure publishing deal. Alex’s long-extinguished dream now seems within reach.

But then the women begin to die.

Trapped, terrified yet still desperately writing, it is clear there is more than a publishing deal at stake at Blackbriar Estate. Alex must confront her own demons – and finish her novel – to save herself.

I thought this was tightly plotted and tense but at times towards the end of the book a bit unbelievable and I didn't really love the ending. Ultimately a solid read though.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for a digital copy of this book in exchange for my review.

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz had the potential to be a new favorite. The atmosphere was great, but the plot and writing was a miss for me.

This story was so bananas and I LOVED it!! I can't wait to see what the author writes next. Thank you for the opportunity to read this e-galley.

I really thought that I might like this for all of the drama mixed with the thrill but it just wasn't it. I will be DNFing this book and donating the copy I bought so someone else can enjoy this story.

What I expected was a murder mystery thriller set at a snowed in all female writing retreat. What I read was an edgy, suspenseful thriller, with touches of the paranormal. At times it was an uncomfortable read (a little too titillating for me personally) but nonetheless a thoroughly captivating and entertaining read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books (Atria/Emily Bestler Books) for providing a digital copy in return for an hones, unbiased review.

The Writing Retreat by Julia Barts had a fantastic premise. Five women are selected to travel to a remote mansion for a writing retreat. It’s not quite your typical writers retreat: the focus is not on workshops, or listening to speeches on how to hone your craft. Instead they are informed they must write an entirely new offering. The one who presents the best book will win a wildly lucrative publishing contract.

It’s a prize to die for, and unfortunately that’s exactly what happens. The women begin to be picked off, one by one. Who will be the last one standing?

This book has so much potential. The setting, the atmosphere, the premise! I loved all of it. But the characters were so thoroughly unlikeable that you just couldn’t invest in them or their survival. There were a lot of elements throughout the book that just didn’t work.

Ultimately, while I enjoyed the book, it needed to be much more polished. I give this a 3 out of 5.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this novel! I participated in some writing competitions at a young age and was excited to read about one in this book.

Unfortunately, this book was somewhat of a letdown for me. Bartz is an excellent writer and her character description was especially good. However, the plot seemed far fetched at times and I was unable to fully invest in the story.

This was her debut novel and she definitely has the skills to write an incredible book. I will definitely check out her next release.

This book took a very surprising and dark turn about midway. I enjoyed the first half much more than the second. I will say, I didn't see the twists coming and it certainly caught me off guard.

This was angsty, fun, and twisty. Five writers on a retreat hosted by a famous author get far more than they bargained for. The end got a bit wild, but I find thrillers conclude either predictable or out of control. I didn't know where this was headed and was along for the ride.