This book was nuts! It was a really fun read and once it got going, I couldn't put it down. It was absurd, yes, but compelling and winning. Not everything worked in terms of pacing -- the author really drew out some revelations about the main character and Wren's history that probably weren't worth drawing out, while treating some pretty bonkers reveals as simple exposition. The ending also wrapped things up way too neatly for my taste. But overall, I stayed up way too late reading this novel and enjoyed most of it. If you liked The Family Game by Catherine Steadman, give this one a try.

Wow this debut thriller was amazing. While the book circles around the great masterpiece(s?) an author has inside and killer debuts I find often an author gets better with time, but Julia Bartz set that bar high for herself. The plot was done well and I loved the excerpts from the main character’s novel as a nice touch. I also loved that this was an all female story full of talented, strong, and driven female characters. Alex works in publishing but has always loved to write and tell stories. Her favorite author ran a contest to lift a small group of young up and coming female authors up and while Alex didn’t get in when someone dropped out her friend and recently published author got her and her former best friend in. Alex thought going with her former best friend Wren would be the worst part, but she finds secrets and intrigue at the writing retreat.

I’m not usually drawn to thrillers, but the synopsis intrigued me enough that I thought I’d give this one a go. Now that I’ve finished the book, I think I’ve confirmed that thrillers just aren’t my thing. I do think a lot of people will love it, though!

The plot starts a little slow, introducing the characters and the idea of the writing retreat. We get some important insight into the main character’s past, including her rocky relationship with another character, Wren. I thought this was perhaps the most interesting aspect of the novel and I appreciated the complex exploration of relationships, sexuality, and the stories we tell ourselves in order to cope with how hard life can be.

The mystery/thriller aspects kept me engaged, though the last stretch was a bit too gruesome for me. I was hoping for more of a psychological thriller, personally.

I also found myself tuning out a bit whenever excerpts from the main character’s novel were dropped in. I understand why they were included, and it was interesting to see how everything came together in the end, but ultimately it felt like it took up too much space. There could have been more atmosphere and mystery instead.

Ultimately, I think this book just wasn’t for me. It was, however, well-written, complex, and visceral, and I think that fans of the thriller genre will love it. Bonus points for an all-female cast and an exploration of the many ways women claim their power.

A great plot! Alex slaves away at a publishing house, hoping to overcome her writer's block. She is still hurt from a very bad breakup with her best friend Wren - the loud, sparkling, charimsatic type of friend that takes the whole friend group with her when she leaves.

When a stroke of good luck earns Alex a shot at the prestigious and secretive writing retreat of her most very favorite author's home, Alex jumps for it. So what if Wren is there as well, and there seems to be something strange going on with the staff, and the author is demanding 3,000 words a day by midnight. This is Alex's dream, she would be crazy to give it up, wouldn't she?

A survivor-esque, book-writing thriller, The Writing Retreat is a fun and creepy story. If you like vacations -gone-wrong, stories of ex-best friends, or just want a new thriller that you will not guess the end to, The Writing Retreat is for you! #JuliaBartz #TheWRitingRetreat #Atria #Simon&Schuster

It's weird and gruesome and sexy (rarely simultaneously) and there is enough weird gruesome sexy story to keep you reading along, if occasionally shaking your head faintly. My problem, a pet peeve really, is that the excerpts of the writers' writing just aren't very good.

Pub date: 2/21/23
Genre: thriller/suspense
In one sentence: When Alex is invited to an exclusive writer's retreat hosted by her favorite author, she thinks all her dreams have come true - but dreams can quickly turn to nightmares.

This book definitely lives up to its spooky cover! I loved the twist on the "locked room" mystery with the isolated retreat setting, and it was clear from the beginning that there were a lot of secrets just waiting to come out. I guessed some of the twists, but I still felt really engaged with the plot and eager to find out how things would end.

If you enjoy dark academia, give this one a try! It's set to come out in winter, and I think it will be a great "read in one day when it's too cold to go outside" read.

Thank you to Atria Books for providing a NetGalley ARC in exchange for an honest review!

In The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz, a young aspiring novelist named Alex gets the opportunity of a lifetime when she’s invited to a retreat run by her idol. Roza is a mysterious novelist who lives on a creepy, dark estate in the middle of nowhere. It should be the trip of a lifetime but for Alex, this retreat is complicated by her former best friend and a cast of characters who may or may not be what they seem along with uncomfortable games and a strict schedule set by Roza.

There were parts to this book that I didn’t love, but other parts had me reading as fast as humanly possible. All in all, I was determined to finish it quickly so I could see how everything played out. The author does a great job of keeping the tension tight from start to finish and there is a very spooky, dark element to the story that sets this book apart from other mysteries.

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.

This is out on February 23, 2023

By the time I was at 23%, I could see it, plain as day, this debut novelist is one to watch and keep reading.

Okay, this is one fantastical plot that while you’re reading you’re wondering how it’s going to work because it shouldn’t but it does and it’s wildly fun, atmospheric (read this one at home during a snowstorm, not while on a writing retreat in a snowstorm), and engaging. It kept my interest piqued and kept me pressing on my kindle screen for the next page all throughout.

The Writing Retreat is a definite recommendation!

"Her emerald eyes filled my vision like bright, bottomless pools of poison."

Alex's lifelong dream has come true--she's invited to her favorite author's historic mansion for her month long writing retreat. Two problems though: She's had writer's block for the past year and hasn't written a word, and her ex best friend will be attending too.

There's nothing interesting about Alex or Wren, to be honest. Alex is needy, weak, and confused, while Wren is a greedy, back stabbing narcissist. They aren't the point though. The driving forces of this story are Roza and how their relationship ended. And these two mysterious plots are like snakes, slithering in the undercurrents.

"She liked stories, particularly those that were dark and off-putting. She wanted to gaze at them directly, to hold them in her palms like newborn kittens covered with caul."

This is a dark tale, the ominous and sinister themes and atmosphere carefully woven into every detail. I really enjoyed all of that. However, the twists were predictable from mikes away. Nearly from the get I had guessed it all and it was disappointing. I wanted to be wrong; the writing was so smart I thought the author was clever enough to steer things in another direction, but no. Total bummer.

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz is a compelling debut thriller!

When Alex a young author gets the chance of a lifetime and goes to an exclusive writer’s retreat for a month long stay at an estate of horror writer Roza Vallo.
that descends into a nightmare.
When Wren, a former friend and her current rival, attends the retreat she is too excited.
When the guests arrive Roza drops a major revelation, they all have to finish an entire novel within the next month.
The kicker... The author of the best one will receive a mind-blowing seven-figure publishing deal.
Alex is determined to win this contest. She hunkers down and sets off to get lost in her own thoughts.
Then strange, odd thing's start happening around the estate, including Roza’s bizarre behavior, Wren's callous mind game's and supposed haunting of the mansion.
When one of the writers suddenly disappears during a snowstorm, Alex realizes that something very ominous is going on. With the clock ticking, she’s desperate to find the truth and save herself.
What was supposed to be a wonderful, fresh, new journey for Alex ends being a nightmare she desperately wants to escape.

Woah! A true psychological suspense novel.
The apple doesn't fall from the tree! It's no surprise Julia has written an amazing novel.
Sister, Sister... she has it in her blood. And Andrea Bartz's stories are phenomenal as well.

Bartz really knows how to weave a twisted tale. I'm still coming out of my book coma after finishing this one.

I really enjoyed this book because of it's storyline and how it kept me guessing and thinking about the characters. The characters really stand out in this one. The secondary characters are also well drawn and made a terrific supporting cast.
It was pitch perfect pacing, with taut, heart stopping suspense.
Great writing, great setting, great pacing...
Julia masterfully tells a very detailed story until the explosive ending.
The intensity and suspense are high to the shocking final twist.
She captures that atmospheric tone that makes your spine tingle with the anticipation, knowing something truly sinister is afoot.
Truly addictive and gripping I had a blast reading her debut novel! And I can't wait to read more from her in the future.
Congratulations Julia on a remarkable debut!

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Atria/Emily Bestler Books,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my blog, platforms, BookBub, B&N, Kobo and Waterstone closer to pub date.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this nail-biting thriller about an exclusive writer's retreat gone wrong. It seems like I have read a lot of similar books within the past year - remote location, group of talented young individuals, murders aplenty - but this one stands out more than the others. Five young female writers join their author idol at her isolated (allegedly haunted) old mansion. When finding out they have the chance to write a full novel and get published as a result of this retreat, they are thrilled...but all goes awry when it seems their mentor may not be what she seems. I didn't know where this was going, if it was going to be supernatural or a classic murder mystery, and I enjoyed every twist and turn along the way. The ending left me wanting more, so I'm hoping there might be a follow-up one day!

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher for the electronic copy. I really wanted to like this book. I was taken by the title. However, the language at the very beginning just turned me off. Occasionally, I can just skip that part...but this was what the book seemed to be about...anger maybe...I tried to read on...this book was just not my style. Others might read it and not worry about that part. If so, enjoy...

Oh my, I loved this book for so many reasons! Famous author Roza hosts a month-long retreat for prospective writers and Alex is elated when she is invited to attend as there are only five under-30 women invited. Unfortunately one of them is Wren, once her best friend and now her nemesis after an unfortunate accident ruined their relationship. This book has everything: gothic and mythological undertones, supernatural vibes, revenge, secrets, hidden passageways, a secret dungeon, and more! I really couldn't put it down; I'm sure my blood pressure was off the charts (but so worth it)! Run, don't walk to get this one if it appeals to you. It begs to be a movie as well!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Thank you so much to Atria Books for the chance to read and review this book prior to release.

The cover is amazing and the synopsis very much intrigued me.

I was hooked right away but after a while, I just fell off the train. There was too much going on and too much explicit sexual content for my taste.

I think a lot of people will enjoy this novel, but it's not one I can recommend unfortunately.

This will be available on Feb 21, 2023

What won’t young creatives do to not have to pay Brooklyn rent? Find out here, in THE WRITING RETREAT!

The premise sounded interesting; there was so much potential. But I felt like this was just a boring, convoluted story with horny characters. I skimmed the entire second half of the book. A waste of time for me. Great cover, though.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC!

“The Writing Retreat” was a solid debut from Julia Bartz. I appreciated the original plot idea. The first half of the book was a bit slow, but once I hit the middle of the book, it picked up the pace and I finished it in almost one sitting! The book centers on women writers who get a chance of a lifetime to attend a writing retreat hosted by a famous author. The setting is a spooky house and the book takes a dark, twisty turn! 3.5 stars rounded up!

What an incredible atmospheric psychological thriller! It did take me a little bit to get into this, it was a bit of a slow start, but once I did I was HOOKED. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next! What a great read! Definitely check this out when it’s released in February!

I was instantly hooked on this book.

It's about two former best friends, and aspiring authors, who get accepted into a writing retreat hosted by their idol. There are 5 women total and they all have to write a brand new book in a month, the best book gets to be published and mentored by their idol. Everything is great except writers block, a past trauma between former friends, a lot of sexual tension and a ghost story of the former occupants of the house. Oh, and a potential demon lurking around the corner.

Then one of them goes missing.....


Definitely finished this book in 2 days.

4.5⭐ Thank you to Netgalley and the Atria books for this advanced copy! Part thriller, part mystery, part horror, this book had it all! I really loved how intricate and dark the plot was. The atmospheric setting felt like a character within itself making the story incredibly captivating. Although some parts I found to be a tad predictable, I overall thought this to be an obsessive read that you can't possibly put down! If it’s any indication to just how good this book is, I read this in the middle of my nursing school finals and finished within 48 hours!!