I started reading this book in the late afternoon on Christmas Day, after all of the presents had been opened, the dinner had been eaten, the excitement had waned and the children - and some of the adults too - had started squabbling. I had had enough, so I hid in a bedroom, opened the book and ... if I looked up from it at all before finishing it at 11pm on the same night, I don't remember. It's THAT gripping.

Most good psychological thrillers start with a sense of happiness and contentment, in order to magnify the sense of loss that is felt when the main character's life is turned upside-down. This one dispenses with the initial happy situation and has things go very wrong from the very beginning. Amelia ('Mila') and her husband Ethan are supposed to be on their way to her estranged sister Jess' wedding, at a ski resort in Bavaria. But somehow, while Mila was asleep, Ethan seems to have taken a wrong turning and they've ended up in the middle of nowhere, in a blizzard, with a broken sat nav. Then the car's engine fails. They walk to the only place that has a signpost, only to discover it abandoned. With no apparent choice other than to spend the night there, Mila wakes to find Ethan gone. But is she right to feel that she is being watched ... ?

That's the beginning, which I have to say feels a little convenient in some parts and a little far-fetched in others. And it leads on to the book's other problem, which is that with the reader only having been introduced to two characters by this point, there can only really be one conclusion. Which is one that even I was able to predict.

But look. If your head tells you that this is an issue, make your mind tell your head to shut up. Because a surprise twist isn't really what this book is about. What it does is take the main character on a journey of self-discovery, as she finds a survival instinct that she didn't know she had. Put simply, everything that Sarah Goodwin managed to do so well in her previous novel, 'Stranded' is, if anything, done even better this time round. The isolation. The unease. The tension. The fear. The growing panic. The reader senses each and every one of these emotions and at the same time, cheers Mila on as she does the only thing she can do to stand a chance of survival. She stays practical. She does what she needs to do to stay warm, dry, fed and watered enough for another day.

The ending isn't really a 'gasp out loud' one, because as I said earlier it's not really a surprise. But it's still a 'nod and silent hand clap in appreciation' one as every last piece falls into place, and you realise that it's beautifully done.

It's for this reason that, despite my having intended to deduct a star for the predictable outcome, I've just decided not to. Because ultimately, I didn't care. This book is tense, it's atmospheric, it's clever and it's fantastic. I loved it.

My thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the digital ARC of this book, which will be published in the UK on 5th January 2023. I will publish my review on Goodreads now and on Amazon on publication day.

The Resort is a standalone psychological thriller by author, Sarah Goodwin. This is the second book I have read by this author, the first being Stranded. The author is great at giving us characters in dire isolated atmospheric locations and this one is no exception. On their way to her sister’s wedding, Mila and her boyfriend, Ethan break down and are lost in a winter landscape when they come across some cabins where they will have to survive until rescue. When Mia wakes the next morning, Ethan is no where to be found. Hurt, alone and unsure what to do, Mia will have to survive more than just the cold if she wants to make it out. I’m unsure why the author chose to title this book the Resort, as this plays very little into the storyline. It probably would have made more sense to call it The Cabin. Despite this, the story is excellent, gripping and fast-paced. Some elements are a little predictable but that doesn’t detract from enjoying this book. While I wasn’t overly impressed with Stranded, I enjoyed this one a lot and will be keen to read more by this author. Thank you to Sarah Goodwin, the publisher and Netgalley for an opportunity to read an arc of this book.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this wonderful book. I have to say I really enjoyed it and the way the author took me down a path and situation I really wasn’t expecting. The title of the book does nothing to give away what will happen once you start reading it. Almost a red herring and I was pleasantly surprised with it. So much intrigue that kept me guessing the whole way through. Kudos to Sarah Goodwin for a well written twisty narrative that I would recommend to anyone wanting to be gripped and surprised in equal measure.

Mila and her husband Ethan are on the way to her sister's destination wedding in Bavaria when they get lost. When the car breaks down, it seems they're in for a long night in the snowy mountains with limited food. Mila's situation becomes even worse in the morning when she realises Ethan has disappeared. Discovering skeletons and dead bodies close by, Mila can't envision herself getting out alive.

The premise of this book was strong but considering I predicted the entire storyline, twists included, it did feel a bit lacklustre. I think having the one character for the majority of the storyline did ultimately make it a bit repetitive and slow, as I was definitely more invested when things picked up in the second half. I would still recommend this book to those that enjoy their suspense reads with a creepy feel.

A quick immersive thrill ride. So many twists and turns it kept me on the edge of my seat and reading well into the night. So, so good.

Thank you NetGalley for this at

Mila and Nathan are attending her sister’s wedding in Bavaria. On the way to the ski resort where the nuptials are being held, the car breaks down. As the weather closes in the couple struggle through the snow to an abandoned ski resort to take shelter in one of the cabins for the night. When Mila wakes up the next morning, Nathan is missing, but there are no tracks in the snow to tell her which direction he took.
Mila struggles not only to find where her husband has gone, but also to say alive in this unhospitable environment where snow constantly falls. It’s atmospheric and scary, but at the same time I kept thinking there had to be a rational explanation for everything that was happening. During Mila’s time alone, there are flashbacks to her earlier life. A time when it’s clear her parents treated her older sister Jess unfairly. Five years younger, Mila has been the spoilt child. One who because of this, has grown up quite selfish and irresponsible. However, she realises her shortcomings and hopes the wedding will go someway to changing this. But as one day becomes two, and then three, and unsettling things continue to happen, she begins to wonder whether she will ever see her sister again.

A well written story with many unexpected twists and turns. Recommended.

My thanks to Avon, Netgalley and Sarah Goodwin for an ARC of The Resort in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for NetGalley for providing me with this book for review. What a great book, read this in one day, some very creepy moments will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollinsUk for the ARC in return for an honest review.
The second half of this book was much better than the first, but unfortunately I never made it there as I got so bored with the first part being nothing but one woman stranded in the snow, lost and wondering where her husband had disappeared to.
I flicked through the pages skipping a lot to get to the second half and it had picked up massively as there were now more people involved and things were actually happening. I wasn’t overly fussed on any of the characters, none of them really stood out.
The ending was ok, not even really a shock to be honest as, good and dramatic yes, but a bit crazy really.

When Ethan and Amelia fly to Bolivia to her older sister‘s destination wedding all she wants to do is show up on time and be there for Jess her sister. Amelia was born premature and it caused her parents to only focus on her while the two girls were growing up. So when Jess falls asleep on the plane and in the Rent-A-Car she was surprised to see that they were lost when she wakes up on some lonely Road in Bolivia. Ethan said the sat nap quit working and this is why they found her self on some random snowy road in a strange country. Add to that the car stopped working and why wouldn’t he got the cheapest one on the lot. When they have to get out and look for shelter or other people they come up born in a Bandan ghost town with broken down cabins who’s walls or holding on for dear life. although sleeping on the filthy floor in the middle of nowhere isn’t what she would call a vacation it’s what Amelia has to do because she is so tired but when she wakes the next morning Ethan is gone. She is bewildered and almost becomes overwhelmed but she will eventually get it together and do what you can to stay alive. When she runs across bones while looking for wood her isolated nightmare gets even worse. Not only that she saw someone staring at her and someone is leaving notes. Can Amelia do what it takes to get the safety or will she be rescued or is this a Bandan broken down town in Bolivia her resting place? I have never read a thriller/horror book where it starts so quickly into it and there was a point where I was like OK what now, but trust me when I say the author had a really good answer.. trust me when I say there is no eye rolling involved in getting through the story it is one perfect piece of fiction. I mean OMG what a freaking book! I absolutely love it . I can’t wait to read more from this stellar author. I received this book from NetGalley and Avon books UK but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Thanks netgalley and publishers for arc of this book
Wow what a fabulous and amazing page turning book this turned out to be, from the title did expect to read about some exotic ski resort.
You couldn’t be further from the truth, you follow the story of two sisters Jess the eldest and Amelia who is the golden child of the family. Jess is getting married in a stunning German lodge and has paid for Mila and her husband to stay there to as long as they pay their own travel costs. Simple you would think
But the car they hire doesn’t have sat nav so Mila husband brought their own uploaded their route Mila is exhausted sleeps in car, until the car stops in middle of nowhere, then starts her week of hell
They walk towards a sign they have seen and eventually find ramshackle cabins which they shelter in from snow storm but when Mila awakes she is completely alone. Where is Ethan? No footprints in snow outside more snowstorms keep her locked in with hardly any food and no fire as it has gone out and she is scared to go out.But she must and she does to try to find her husband no luck, no footprints, collects wood, repeat
After two days Mila convinces herself she is going to die out here then she decides to go back to their car to get clothes at least. But the car is gone

This was a great thriller. Loved the setting of the story. And had me on edge. And didnt see things coming and wow it was amazing can i have more from this author

This started off with a bang but for me then became a slow burn until 1/3 in when it really got going again. With over a hour left to read, and the story all but wrapped up,it then became something else again! So many twists along the way, this ended up being a read in one day read. A brilliant, if a little un believable tale. Perfect for a rainy day afternoon or a laze by a pool

The Resort is an atmospheric book that will have you shivering and looking over your shoulder.

Mila and her husband Ethan are on their way to her sisters wedding when their rental car breaks down in the middle of nowhere .

They take shelter in some abandoned cabins.

Ethan disappears.

Mila is all alone and trying desperately to get back to civilization and her sister.

Their are shadows everywhere and you can feel the biting wind

The pace picks up as Mila desperately tries to find help.

The ending I did not see coming and makes the book.

Well worth picking up The Resort and spending some chilling hours with Mila.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for a twisted read.

3.5 Stars. In her first psychological thriller, Stranded, Author Sarah Goodwin showed she could write an unbearably tense, heart-pounding survival story. The Resort establishes her ability to deliver a chilling, claustrophobic, edge-of-your-seat thriller while making the reader feel for the protagonists.

Mila and her husband, Ethan, are travelling by rental car to her sister Jess's destination wedding, to be held at a luxurious mountain resort in Bavaria. Milla and Jess have had a dysfunctional relationship since childhood. Mila was spoiled and favoured by the parents, while Jess was often blamed for Mila's misbehaviour. Mila has a history of disappointing Jess. She has been careless about being late or not showing up. She is anxious to show up for the wedding celebrations in time and to make sure everything goes smoothly for her sister. She is determined to prove that she wants the best for Jess.

The first part of the book is fast-paced, relentless and grim. So much unexpected happened on their journey and continued to worsen. The GPS on the rental car breaks down, and they become hopelessly lost on a poorly maintained, remote road. The car's engine dies, and there is a raging snowstorm. While hiking for help and shelter from the cold and snow, Mila injures her leg. They have left warm clothing and provisions behind in the vehicle. They take refuge in an abandoned settlement where the cabins are in a state of disrepair letting in the cold. Mila and Ethan break into a cabin to spend the night without heat, electricity or phone connection.

On waking the next morning, to her horror and despair, Ethan is missing. He has vanished, leaving no footprints outside in the snow. After a futile search, the alarmed Mila fears her husband may be kidnapped or dead. The creepy surroundings make her feel that she is being watched. Without Ethan, it is all about surviving on her own with no heat and very little food or drink. She struggles with her sore leg to make it back to the car, but it is now in a steep ditch and retrieving their provisions is futile. While further searching for Ethan, she makes some grim and horrifying discoveries.

This is a relentless survival story. She is distraught about letting her sister down once again, although it is not her fault. The backstory of the difficulties between Mila and Jess and what led to their estrangement is essential to the drama, but I wished these passages were shorter.

Does Mila make it out of the eerie and terrible surroundings? Can she reach a mountaintop resort? What happened to Ethan?
I enjoy a nerve-shattering survival story like this one, with plenty of twists and turns. I will be looking for Sarah Goodwin's next thriller.
Thank you, NetGalley and Avon Books UK, for this enjoyable ARC. Its publication date is January 5, 2023.

I have read the previous two books from Sarah and loved both of them, so I was really excited to read this one too. I was not disappointed. It had me hooked from the very beginning. A creepy psychological thriller set in the snow.

Mila and Ethan are invited to the wedding of Mila's sister Jess, set in a luxury resort in the Alps.

A snow storm sets in, the sat nav stops working and the rental car breaks down. There is no phone signal so Mila and Ethan are forced to take shelter for the night in a deserted cabin in the woods.

When Mila wakes the next morning, Ethan has disappeared. When she goes outside there are no extra footprints and no sign of Ethan. She makes her way back to the car in the hope of finding him there.

With no sign of Ethan and no substantial food, Mila is left to try to survive alone. When she makes a gruesome discovery things get worse. Is she really alone in the woods or is someone watching her every move?

Chapters written mainly in current time with a few from Mila's past.

The story flows well and it kept me page turning as I really didn't know where it was going. What a great twisted and atmospheric read! Sarah has done it again.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and author for an ARC.
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Sarah Goodwin’s writing gets better with each book! I have read her previous novels and enjoyed them but The Resort goes a step further. It really gave me the creeps and the shocks kept coming. I read this book in two sittings, I really didn’t want to put it down.
What begins as a trip to a sister’s wedding turns into a nightmare, and quite a unique story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A well done and twisty novel that actually surprised me. Mila and Ethan thought that the trip to Bavaria for her sister Jess' wedding would be a good vacation of sorts, especially since everything is paid for but their travel. And it's the travel that gets them - their rental car breaks down, they spend the night in an abandoned cottage and then poof-Ethan is gone and Mila is forced to confront demons of a sort. This moves back and forth between the cold and scary present and Mila's past, I found myself caught up in the story thanks to the pacing and that it wasn't what I was expecting. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.

Thank You to NetGalley for the privilege of reading the advance copy. This book is a really quick read, I think I finished it in less than two hours. For most of the book I was utterly unsure of where it was going, and turned each page in anticipation of the next plot turn. In my opinion the last third of the book tied everything together too neatly and quickly. By the time I got to the point where the main character actually makes it to the resort in the title, I knew where it was going to end. Ms Goodwin has created a main character that is very likeable, and one you root for. I just wish the book was a little longer, and had another couple twists at the end, but this is a book I would definitely recommend.

The Resort is so atmospheric and tense my stomach flip flopped like mad while I read it. Those of us who have lived in winter/cold understand what it is like to feel chased or followed in deep snow when in unfamiliar territory, even if by something benign. Sounds are louder, scents stronger, sights either acute or unreliable and uneasiness is amplified. Author Sarah Goodwin captures the creepy atmosphere perfectly and her words are written magnificently.

The Resort reading experience is like being pursued and stalked when you can't run fast and hunger and exhaustion are inescapable. Only a million times better as it isn't actually happening to you. But it is happening to Mila, the protagonist. She and her husband's rental car goes off the road down a steep embankment en route to her sister's wedding in beautiful Bavaria. Yet another in the long list of things that goes wrong when it comes to her history.

Mila and Ethan camp out in a weird deserted village well off the beaten path and divvy up food rations and try to make plans. But things go from bad to worse as Ethan goes missing. Legends abound and time is not on Mila's side as her lifelines peter out, one by one.

Thriller fans who enjoy books set in the wilderness with just the right amount of suspense and edge, look no further. You'll feel like checking behind your back and cautiously peering through your windows. I adored the spine tingles and goosebumps and losing myself utterly and completely. And what a cover!

My sincere thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this thrill-a-minute book!

Sarah Goodwin really knows how to cook up serious suspense. I was on pins and needles for the last half of the book. However, when I compare it to the first book of hers that I read, Stranded, I was not quite as terrified for the protagonist as I was in Stranded.

Mila is determined to make her sister's wedding on time and make it all about her sister. Unfortunately, snow and a faulty GPS (satnav to the Brits) along with a crappy rental car throw a serious wrench in her plans. She winds up in an abandoned village in remote Germany with little food and passable shelter. Her husband then disappears without a trace and no footprints to be seen. What follows is a harrowing tale of survival and happenstance where Mila makes it back to civilization, but at what cost?

Excellent suspenseful tale that certainly kept me guessing. I think ultimately the ending was just not as satisfying as Stranded, though I would still highly recommend this book. I look forward to more books by this author. She certainly has a gift!