Alex and four other girls win a monthlong writer's retreat at the isolated and possibly haunted estate of their favorite writer, Roza Vallo, who is known for her feminist horror novels.. At the end of the month, Roza will pick one writer and have her book published. Alex is determined to win, but is terrified to face her former best friend, Wren. Soon the girls find themselves under the thumb of the mercurial and dictatorial Roza. who demands that they all write a brand-new book in a month with Roza critiquing their pages every day. When one girl vanishes during a snowstorm, Alex and the other girls set out to find her. What they find instead is far more horrifying and dangerous, and only they can save themselves.

The Writer's Retreat has some serious twists and turns, so buckle up for the ride. The main character, Alex starts off as a whiney, self-hating would-be writer who harbors a dark secret. She was not very likeable which is why I had trouble reading at the start. Despite her fear of facing Wren again, she is determined to impress her heroine, Roza and get her book published. She wrestles with her insecurity, her secret, and her inability to move beyond the past. With Roza's help, Alex starts to take a hard look at herself and her writing explodes, giving her confidence. She gradually evolves into someone who recognizes her talent and her strong will to survive and thrive, and becomes likeable.

Wren is arrogant and charming, pulling people into her orbit easily. We learn from Alex that the popular leader was abused as a child, but for the most part, Wren is not someone you would want to know. Poppy, her roommate, is the opposite; bouncy, positive, and friendly to all. Keira, the only woman of color, is independent and outspoken, something Roza does not appreciate. Last, Taylor is rather bland, mostly going with the flow, trying to be a friend to all without being too close to anyone. Roza, the temperamental writer and queen of the castle is demanding, harsh, and imperious. During her mandatory one-on-one sessions with the girls, she ferrets out their darkest secrets and uses them to push the girls to write harder.

Despite not loving the main character, I really liked the book overall. The tragic backstory of the former owner of the estate, Daphne, a spiritualist, who become the focus of Alex's book, adds the spooky, grim atmosphere that is so key to the story. The story moves along with a good balance of Alex's introspection, the growing unease about Roza, and finally the search for the missing girl and the horrors behind Roza's reason for holding the retreat. The glimpses we get into Alex's book about Daphne are especially good.

The ending was solid, and we are left knowing knowing how things work out for the girls, and for Daphne.

Overall, the book blends the pressures of the modern world with the paranormal and tragedy very well, and I highly recommend this book.

A group of women think they have won the literary lottery when they are hand selected by famous author, Roza Vallo, to attend a writing retreat at her estate. At first everything seems fine until one of them goes missing. I really wanted to like this story but the women felt crudely drawn and the last quarter of the story was over the top.

Well, I definitely didn't find this book boring. It was not what I expected and kept me on the edge of my seat.

This story is told by the point of view of Alex. Alex is a aspiring young author, whose life took a downward turn about a year ago after a traumatic incident with her previous best friend, Wren. We initially don't know the details of this traumatic event, but Alex has been a train wreck ever since. Abandoned by Wren, and their former friends she has hit rock bottom. She works a job she hates, and has had writers block for the past year. Then a miracle occurs, and she gets invited to a month long writing retreat with her idol, horror writer Rosa Valo. The downside, is that her former BFF Wren is invited as well.

Overall this was entertaining, and the plot was non-stop. It was a quick read.

My only complaint, is that there seemed to be an overabundance of tropes/themes in this book. Including, feminism, repressed sexuality, a creepy gothic setting with a eerie history (including the paranormal, and a murder suicide), a high stakes writing contest, a unstable mentor who is also a genius, paranormal/supernatural happenings, several characters who are not who they seem, a snowstorm causing complete isolation, as well as a secret passage and rooms. With all of this going on, it seems a bit cluttered at times.

However, I am interested in seeing what this author comes up with next as she refines her style.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for providing me with this eARC to read and review

An absolutely enthralling and disturbed debut novel. The Writing Retreat is a dark and twisted psychological thriller that will keep readers up at night.

Comparable to Stephen King’s Misery, the book follows a group of women who enter a constant to attend a writing retreat hosted by renowned author Roza Vallo. Upon arrival at Roza’s secluded home they realize it may not just be their novel that gets finished at this retreat.

What I loved about this book is how there were elements of other genres weaved into the story. There were hints of horror, romance, and literary fiction that gave the book added depth. It was incredibly compelling to read and explored serious topics while still being a page turner.

This is the perfect winter thriller for anyone who likes a twisted read.

#TheWritingRetreat #NetGalley Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel. I encourage you to check this one out!

Thank you to Netgalley for a ARC of The Writing Retreat. I have a review of The Writing Retreat on my bookstagram page Beccasbookscapes as well.. When I finished this book I was stunned it was a debut. The writing was expectional and all the twists were dark and unexpected. I read this book in only 2 days and couldn't put it down. Its a good book for a reading slump cure. The Writing Retreat starts with seeing how the main character Alex gets the opportunity to attend the writing retreat. All the writers get to stay at the remote estate of Roza Vallo renowned horror writer. Your left feeling dread as a snowstorm results in one of the writers vanishing and every one else being stranded in remote estate. What is happening with the writers? Would the writers finish in time? Just how erratic is Roza? Is she as erratic and dark as her books are? The Writing Retreat gets very dark and works perfect the setting. I recommend picking up a copy when it's released.

Alex, after a year of writers' block, is invited to a writers retreat with her all-time favorite author. The only drawback: her ex-best-friend Wren is among the small group of writers selected for the retreat, set in upstate new york in the dead of winter. She's determined to rise above the awkward unhappiness she feels so close to Wren, and getting good work done, when one of the writers disappears and she realizes that not all is as it seems. This was a very interesting story about trust and manipulation, with unexpected twists and turns. I could not put this book down. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book!

Link to my instagram review: https://www.instagram.com/p/Clo-Ri2yC-_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

𝙈𝙮 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 4 ⭐️
𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 3.9🌟

The Verdict: A very unique gothic thriller about an exclusive writing retreat in the middle of nowhere. Very well done with lots of cliffhangers & a satisfying ending!

🤍 LOVED the atmosphere + gothic vibes. So claustrophobic being secluded in a snow storm
🤍 totally unique plot of a highly exclusive writing retreat with strict rules
🤍 surprised by the sexual references but I didn’t dislike it

👎🏼 I personally disliked Alex’s writing at the retreat. Unfortunately excerpts of it were throughout the book
👎🏼 I enjoy supernatural elements, but not so much in this story

PLOT

Alex has all but given up on her dreams of becoming a published author when she receives a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: attend an exclusive, month-long writing retreat at the estate of feminist horror writer Roza Vallo. Even the knowledge that Wren, her former best friend and current rival, is attending doesn’t dampen her excitement.

But when the attendees arrive, Roza drops a bombshell—they must all complete an entire novel from scratch during the next month, and the author of the best one will receive a life-changing seven-figure publishing deal. Determined to win this seemingly impossible contest, Alex buckles down and tries to ignore the strange happenings at the estate, including Roza’s erratic behavior, Wren’s cruel mind games, and the alleged haunting of the mansion itself. But when one of the writers vanishes during a snowstorm, Alex realizes that something very sinister is afoot. With the clock running out, she’s desperate to discover the truth and save herself.

I LOVE a ‘locked room mystery,’ and this hit the spot! Five young women are chosen to attend a writing retreat with the reclusive and mysterious author, Roza Vallo.

Dream come true, or absolute nightmare? What does it take to get a story out of someone?

Find out February 21 (or as soon as you can get your hands on this!)

Hard to connect with the characters. Took a while to get into it, a bit to slow. I wanted to love it but unfortunately it didn’t get there for me.

Very mixed feeling on this one!! Had such great potential., Interesting premise and parts of this were great. Seemed like the author couldn’t decide what direction to go in this one: locked room mystery, horror novel, friendship drama or psychological suspense. Pacing was way off as the plot moved from writer’s retreat at a creepy isolated mansion into the absurd part of the story. If she had fully leaned in to the horror elements that were evident during the beginning of the book this could’ve been interesting. When the authors all arrive that the mansion there is a great sense of unease and tension. Time spent with the authors as they write and review their novels was also intriguing. As a reader, I am always open to getting a behind the scenes look at the writing process. I even liked the element of a toxic friendship between Alex and Wren. Information about their past unspooled at the right pace to make me question what happened and who was really in the right. This veers into a completely different novel with over the top scenarios in the back half.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Would you enjoy spending the night in a haunted mansion?

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

The Writing Retreat is atmospheric and dark. In the style of Netflix's hit Escape Room, it tells a story of fame, drugs, and lies. Suspension of disbelief is required to fully enjoy the plot.

Synopsis:
Struggling authors attend a writing retreat hosted by a world-renowned author that turns into a fight for survival. The story takes place in a secluded mansion with hidden rooms and wicked creepy settings during a snowstorm. Escape is impossible.

The Writing Retreat is Julia Bartz's debut novel. Basically, it's a book within a book. I enjoyed the main plot, but the added book aspect felt a tiny bit slow. In summary, the novel held my attention and is a stellar start to the author's career. I definitely recommend reading it if you like psychological thrillers. There is no doubt that I will read her next book.

The Writing Retreat will be available on February 21st.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books (Atria/Emily Bestler Books) for sharing this mind-bending thriller with me. Your kindness is appreciated.

#TheWritingRetreat

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for approving my eGalley!

Who do you write for? You gotta fall down a rabbit hole to find out.

Dark academia! Gothic horror! A mystery! Drugs and demons and sex and novels and women! The list goes on. This was really good! This book made me appreciate our first snowfall, and made me crave cocktail hours every night?! Add a fireplace and consider me signed the F up. Eerie, spooky and desolate... this was like a cross between Yellowjackets and that cabin episode of Girls - if all the women in those shows were trying to get their novels written and published. Competition, jealousy, secrets and many, many twists! Fun and dark AF, a cut-throat read. Hit that pre-order!

Two words: chilling and dark. Realistic? Not at all. Writers gather at an invite only writing retreat and it descends into a nightmare. Think hidden rooms, backstabbing friends and stolen words. Julia Bartz is a fabulous writer and I enjoyed how she slowly developed her characters to keep the readers interest. I hope to read more from her!! Thank you Netgalley and Atria books for the free ebook preview!

This is a new to me author and I have to say I am looking forward to reading more by this author! I loved this book

This dark tale follows Alex as she is offered a once in a lifetime opportunity, to attend a month-long retreat at the home of feminist author, Roza Vallo. Once Alex, along with 4 other young women, arrive at Blackbriar Estate, they are told that they must complete a novel during the next month they are expected to turn out a brand new novel, the author of the best of the 5 novels wins a publishing deal--or so they are told...

The twists and turns in this novel had me holding on for dear life! I gave Julia Bartz' debut novel 4 stars! She did an excellent job developing the characters and creating a world at Blackbriar, which was sinister and dark. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone who thinks they may enjoy a horror story with a feminist flair. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC. Looking forward to it's upcoming release this February!

I hadn't realized and was not prepared for the novel to have horror and supernatural elements, both in the writing assignments given to retreat participants and in the story of the writers themselves I would categorize this novel as horror rather than as a psychological thriller. Not being a fan of horror, I was disappointed in the book.

Alex is in a slump. She has been since the big fight with her best friend, Wren. Nothing seems to be going right: Her job, her dates, and especially her writing are all a mess. And then Alex gets the opportunity of a lifetime to attend a writing retreat for month at her favorite author’s personal estate. The only drawback is that Wren will also be attending—that, and the fact that the estate is haunted. This gothic-style book is a true page-turner, with lots of twists and turns to hold your interest. Unfortunately, a few things fall apart at the very end, but I think it’s a great indulgent read anyway.

Special Note: Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Pretty intriguing and clever debut by Julia Bartz!

I was thoroughly invested - an exclusive retreat in a remote location...what could possibly go wrong? Adding in former besties who now hate each other, 3 other aspiring writers, and hosted by a high profile author who isn't known for being warm and cuddly.

Secrets, tension, high stakes games galore- I think this was a great fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Enjoyed this new thriller by Julia Bartz. Lots of great characters kept the storyline hopping. Lots of intense action!
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book