3.5 stars- dark and gothic

Alex is offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend a writing retreat hosted by her favorite author Roza Vallo.
When several want-to'-be writers arrive at Roza's estate, Roza informs them they have a month to write a story worth publishing. Alex's ex best friend, Wren, is also invited to the retreat. Alex decides to buckle down and ignore Wren, ignore all the strange behavior of Roza's staff/friends and try and write her best story to win the publishing deal.
Everything changes once one of the writer's disappears during a snow storm. Alex and Wren are forced to work together in hopes of finding out what happened and make it out of the retreat alive.

I started this book really enjoying the idea of Alex and Wren both picked to a once in lifetime opportunity-and all the drama that ensues from a former best friend relationship now rivals. The estate of Rosa Vallo with its mysterious (slightly gothic) history setting the stage for the remainder of the novel.

This story gives gothic/horror vibes and slightly derails about 60% through the book. I had a hard time during this stage of reading wondering how it was going to end. And the ending itself? Without any spoilers, I couldn't really relate to the ending being all tied up so neatly.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Julia Bartz for an eARC of the Writing Retreat in exchange for my honest review.

Alex gets invited to a writing retreat last minute that her favorite author of all time is hosting. She has given up on her dream of becoming a published author and this gives her a glimmer of hope. When her ex best friend and old roommate is invited as well, Alex has to face her past with her while also trying to overcome writers block. But is the retreat all that it seems to be?

This book was phenomenal. I mean top to bottom so good. I loved the book within a book style that it eventually gets to. I loved the main character. I loved the twists that it took and how it kept me guessing at every turn. This would 100% be my favorite book of the year. It got so cinematic towards the end that I just couldn’t stop reading. I cannot wait to read more from this author!

The Writing Retreat is a brilliant first novel from Julia Bartz, sure to thrill other writers and non-writers alike.
This novel gives one answer to the question that many readers have often pondered - "What would I do if I could meet my favourite author?". And it also gives a possible answer to the same type of question many writers have pondered - "How would I deal if I were to go to a workshop run by my favourite author?".
Then of course there is the other question - "What if my favourite writer doesn't live up to my expectations?".
From the beginning, when the writers come together for the retreat, through the twisted pathways of the novel to the complex ending, the book is gripping and suspenseful, keeping the reader guessing and riveted. And just when you think you know what's happening, there's yet another twist to keep you turning the pages.
I was fortunate to get an ARC of #TheWritingRetreat from #NetGalley and #AtriaBooks .

This was such a fun, fast paced read. What happens when a once in a life time chance to be punished ends up being a little more murderous? I love that a thriller with horror elements can also show just what layers friendships can have. Definitely worth the read!

4.5 rounded up to 5!

This book was BANANAS! A huge thank you goes to NetGalley and Atria for the advanced copy of the ebook, and to my sweet friend Rebecca who I was messaging my every thought to while I was reading because I could not handle the craziness alone. 😂

I don’t even know where to start with this review. Not a single character was likable but I loved them all the same (I will say I think Alex, our MC, was my favorite though.) Their chaotic dysfunction really made the story. The plot itself was so interesting and had me absolutely scrambling to keep up because it was just twist after twist after twist, and I saw NONE of them coming!

As debut novels go, this was a total knockout. I can’t wait to see what other stories Julia Bartz comes up with because if they’re even a fraction as good as this book was, she’ll have a huge fan on her hands.

The Writing Retreat comes out February 21 so get it on your TBRs!

I absolutely LOVED this debut!!! It had everything - social commentary, queer representation, creepy old mansion, claustrophobic vibes with the snowstorm,, page turning suspense, a demoness and it was deliciously sinister and edgy. I will absolutely read another by Bartz!! I definitely see this as a movie.

Holy cow. So good. If you like The Silent Patient then I believe you’ll like this.

Psychological thriller with a hint of supernatural. It kept me enthralled until the end.

(4.25 stars) This engrossing read felt similar in theme to The Villa - female-driven narrative, complicated friendships, the unique way creative minds work. And above all, a sprawling, mysterious house full of secrets. There’s more of a thriller aspect to The Writing Retreat, though, which will probably please many readers, and the stakes feel higher as well.

The plot is interesting - a group of young female writers, including our narrator Alex, are invited to the remote upstate NY estate of famous author Roza Vallo to participate in a month-long writing competition. The prize? A career-making book deal. The catch? Alex’s former best friend and current nemesis is also a competitor.

The plot moves swiftly and the mystery builds until everything goes off the rails in a wild, eyebrow-raising series of events. It helps that the author has expertly layered in tension throughout, and has accurately captured the all-encompassing and euphoric feeling of writing something you love.

Some characters feel real and well-developed, while others feel like mere black-and-white outlines. But overall, this was an exciting, mysterious, and absorbing book; and a promising debut from Julia Bartz. Recommended!

Thanks to #netgalley and @AtriaBooks for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The Writing Retreat will be released on Feb. 23, 2023. #books #bookstagram #instabooks #bookreview #reading #bookrecommendations

This book surprised me! I went in with no expectations and was very pleasantly surprised. I was on the edge of my seat and loved the ending. Would definitely recommend!

The story centers around 30-year-old New Yorker Alex who has always dreamed of becoming a published author. Alex is stunned to receive a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be one out of 5 upcoming female horror authors to attend a month-long writing retreat hosted by and at the estate of her all-time favorite author, Roza Vallo. Even though Alex’s former best friend now turned enemy Wren will also be attending the retreat, Alex is still ecstatic to attend.

Once Alex arrives Roza drops some shocking news that every single person in attendance will write a completed Nobel in 30 days. The novel that Roza likes the most will receive a million-dollar publishing deal. As time passes, bizarre things start happening. Roza’s behavior becomes a bit erratic, Wren starts playing cruel mind games, and when one of the attendees disappears, Alex finds herself wrapped in a mystery that she must solve in order to save her life.

From page one, I was immediately pulled into this story. Julia Bartz's depictions of Roza Vallo’s Briarwood estate dazzled me and her characterization of Roza had me captivated. As readers, we all have certain authors that are like gods to us so I could completely relate to Alex’s love for her author idol Roza. The majority of the characters in this book were very unlikeable. The group of women had faults ranging from narcissistic, immature, and too stupid for their own good. However, I am a reader that doesn't mind unlikeable characters, in fact, I think these annoying characters made the story that much more interesting.

Cleverly planted red herrings, a suspenseful atmosphere, and a shocking twist, The Writing Retreat has all of the elements of a great thriller. Surprisingly, The Writing Retreat is a debut novel. Julia Bartz writes just as well, if not better than most seasoned authors. Talent clearly runs in the Bartz family. Julie Bartz is the sister of thriller author Andrea Bartz(author of 2021’s We Were Never Here). I absolutely loved The Writing Retreat and I highly recommend it to all thriller readers!

The Writing Retreat will be available on February 21, 2023. Many thanks to Atria books and Netgalley for the gifted copy!

The Writing Retreat is one of my favorite thrillers that I've read this year. I was sucked in almost immediately by the mysterious relationship between main character Alex and her former best friend Wren and was intrigued by the suspenseful last-minute invitation to Roza Vallo's workshop. The setting was perfect for a creepy winter read, and the twist and turns kept me guessing until the dark reveal about 75% through the book. Though the ending's detail were a bit far-fetched, it didn't ruin the escapism for me and I would definitely recommend this book to lovers of thrillers and suspense.

This was such a great read! I had heard reviews of how good this one was. I enjoyed reading it, it kept me going and on the edge of my seat.

Thank you so much to Net Galley, the publisher, and author for providing this book for my honest review. Wow! This is such a thrilling ride. I love the premise of a group of writers coming together and being tasked with writing a complete novel in a remote location with plenty of motives to kill. Throw in a broken friendship and things get even more interesting. The author did a fantastic job with the pacing and I really enjoyed their writing style. I was a little put off by the sexual innuendos. I also recommend not reading too much about this one. Just jump right in and enjoy the ride. Thank you again to Net Galley, the publisher, and author for providing this book for my review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for this ARC of The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz.

“I’m a writer, and no one can take that away from me.”
This victorious sentence spoken by protagonist Alex summarizes the horrific physical and mental journey that she and four other hopeful authors endure in this dark thriller.
“They could do whatever they wanted to my body, but they couldn’t have my story.”
Then, the realization that “…the book was in existence, a separate object from me. Though it had never really been mine to begin with.”

This is a dark and creepy tale of writers and their stories; sexual and mental possession; physical and mental endurance; talent vs. persistence; and ultimately power: what it is, what it is not, and the worth of the perception of it.

This book was a propulsive read, especially from the mid-point of the story.
The story has a nightmarish quality, with its drawn-out days of mental and physical abuse and entrapment, yet I could not take a break from it.

Four stars.

While it took me a bit to get into this one, the payoff was well worth it. I really thought I had this book's number, but I was wonderfully surprised at where it went, and it builds into a climactic scene that feels movie worthy .It's definitely a smart and memorable story.

OPENING LINE: “F*** her.” Now that’s what I call a hook. Right away, I had questions. With a beginning like that, who wouldn’t be motivated to keep flipping pages? Somebody is mad, and I needed all the juicy details, and whew, I got them! If conflict is something you enjoy in a novel, you’ll get it by the ton in this one.

THE PLOT: A reclusive horror author hosts a writing retreat for female authors at her fancy home, and our main character, Alex, and her ex-best friend, Wren, are invited. The itinerary is brutal, the past looms large, and secrets lurk behind every doorway and in every shadowy corner. Blackfriar Estate, our Victorian-style mansion setting has a reputation—a history of spirit-channeling, dark spirits, a demon, and dead bodies. What could go wrong, right?

FINAL THOUGHTS: From its very beginning, The Writing Retreat had me trapped in a cage of brilliant writing and masterful plotting. I had no choice but to read it from start to finish. I couldn’t escape its haunting setting, its insidious tone, and its hypnotic atmosphere that permeated every second of my reading experience. The way the author toyed with me—the way she dropped a breadcrumb trail of unsettling tidbits that led me to a shocking finale—was awe-inspiring.

If you’re looking for a book that’ll boggle your mind, tingle your spine, and tantalize your senses, you simply must read this one. You won’t regret it.

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

This book had an intriguing, spooky setting. The middle of the book went by quickly and had exciting twists and turns. I do think it went on a little too long and kind of lost me in the last few chapters, but overall it was an enjoyable read.

What a wild ride this book was! The premise is great, a group of female writers at a retreat with their writing hero. They expect mentoring and the ability to write without distractions for a month, but instead it becomes something else entirely. Insane pressure, competition, mind games...

I enjoyed the excerpts of the book Alex is working on that were shared throughout the book, they were short enough to add interest without being distracting. The book is fast paced and exciting with a great cast of characters.

Plus, it takes place at an isolated old house over a snowy February which makes for perfect thriller reading when it releases.

4.5 Stars

First off, thank you to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for this Arc!
I really enjoyed this book, once I started reading I couldn’t stop, it’s all I thought about when I HAD to put it down! The ending let me down a little, I won’t spoil anything but I wanted more consequences. All in all, fantastic book!