I love books that are like rich families and drama, drama, and more drama! This book had me on the edge of my seat! Most of the time I had no idea what was going to happen which I love! I didn’t guess the ending and for that reason alone is why this book is getting 4 stars from me!

Doesn’t the description just draw you in?? I loved the imagery throughout the novel. I was just picturing a massive mansion on a vineyard with just a bit of spookiness with the dark forests and rain storm approaching.

The characters left a lot to be desired. There have been so many books about a naïve woman being thrown into her wealthy partners family and struggling to fit in. So sadly Lauren didn’t stand out to me. I wanted more darkness from the siblings (Harper, Richard and Zach). I felt like an outsider looking in and not really understanding the dynamics of the family, especially when it came to the partners.

3 calculators out of a potential 5. Loved the concept, but sadly wished for more depth from the characters. Always a downer when I guess the “bad guy” immediately.

Thank you to Netgallery and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A dysfunctional family, a luxurious setting, a good whodunnit with the right level of tensions and a a lot ot twists.
It could be the XXI century version of a country house mystery and I thoroughly enjoyed the well developed characters and the solid plot.
The author is a good storyteller and I found the plot well done and fast paced.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was a fun one for readers who enjoy watching everything go wrong for rich people. At some points I did feel as though the characters were a little bit one-dimensional and there was one storyline that seemed a little difficult to believe (I won't spoil it, but I just wasn't sure I understood the character's motivation, or believed that it would have played out the way it did/for as long as it did) but it was still fun to read over a holiday weekend of my own, and I'll read others by this writer.

I really enjoyed this book! This book has some of the best character development of any book I’ve ever read. I felt like these characters were real people, like I really knew them. A lot of this book focused on character development and context, and then the actual “thriller” elements and plot development happens more in the second half of the book, but I didn’t mind it at all because I truly enjoyed the story and getting to know the characters. I loved the drama between the characters too, it really added to the entertainment and the depth of the story. The “party guest” was pretty predictable for me but I didn’t really mind because I was so engrossed in the relationships between these characters. Really, really enjoyed this book, overall. Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this Advance Copy!

In the end, you are who you make yourself to be...

Is there anything more entertaining than rich people behaving badly? Definitely not when it comes to Tara Laskowski's The Weekend Retreat. It's the best kind of entertainment that you can't bear to tear yourself away from. A remote mansion during a storm with everyone hiding something and long-buried secrets about to be revealed? I loved every minute.

The weekend retreat is about three rich siblings join each other for their annual birthday celebration. They bring along their families and pretty much everything starts going south.

The book is a solid puzzle mystery. If you are into Clue like mysteries then this book is definitely for you. It has a strong Clue vibe.

I struggle with a lot of modern quotes and the upper class drama. It enrages me more than I would like to admit and this book brought that out in me. There were some good quotes strung along the way though.

The author is a good author and the book was a decent thriller. Just not my cup of tea.

Thanks to the publisher for letting me read this on netgallery.

I love stories with suspense and mystery and this story and both. In the story siblings and their significant others return to their childhood estate for a birthday celebration.

I enjoyed how the story unfolded during the weekend at a secluded family estate. There was plenty of mystery and suspense as well as family secrets. As I was reading it reminded me of classic film noir, which I love. The characters each hiding something or not who they pretend to be. The stormy weather. The mysterious guest. It all set the stage for a simmering reading experience.

The author did a great job of keeping up the suspense and peeling back the layers of each character.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

The Van Ness siblings gather yearly for the twins’ birthday celebration at their family’s secluded winery estate. This year their significant others are joining them. But when one sibling starts to get threatening text messages, mysterious presents showing up, and a massive storm is about to hit, family secrets are about to unravel, and they will be deadly.

I was glued to this book. The short chapters and the different POVs had me wanting more. I honestly flew through this book. It took me about two days, easily could have finished this in just one.

I did predict some of it, but it was still a really mysterious read that kept you on your toes.


Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a DRC. The Weekend Retreat is available now.

If there’s one plot that’s going to make me love a book it’s going to be a family of dysfunctional rich people acting✨ DYS👏🏾FUNC👏🏾TION👏🏾AL 👏🏾✨

This book had some majorly delicious dysfunctional characters and I was allll about it!!!🤭

@taralwrites has a new fan in me!!! Such an awesome and fun foray into this authors writing!!

5.0⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley @graydonhousebooks and @htpbooks for the review copy in exchange for my honest review!!

#theweekendretreat #taralaskowski #graydonhousebooks #htpbooks

In this riveting family drama, the careful interplay of suspense, tension, and well-timed revelations captivates from start to finish. The storyline weaves a web of secrets that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating each new revelation.

The characters are intricately developed, adding depth to the familial dynamics that lie at the heart of the narrative. The emotional complexity of the relationships is portrayed with finesse, drawing viewers into the intricate web of family ties.

The pacing of the plot is masterfully executed, allowing for a steady buildup of suspense while maintaining a sense of urgency. The careful balance between mystery and revelation ensures that the storyline remains engaging and unpredictable.

One of the standout elements is how the secrets are unveiled, creating a sense of intrigue that lingers throughout the narrative. Each revelation is a carefully crafted piece of the puzzle, contributing to the overall sense of satisfaction as the story unfolds.

Overall, this family drama is a compelling exploration of relationships, secrets, and the consequences that arise when buried truths come to light. A must-watch for those who appreciate the artful blend of suspense and family dynamics.

Katherine Van Ness lived on he Van Ness estate, where their winery crafted wines that were well respected and enjoyed by families throughout the world. But when the Van Ness children return to the grand estate for a birthday celebration, dark clouds begin to gather.

Only months after Katherine succumbed to cancer, her twins Richard and Harper were back at the estate to celebrate their 35th birthday along with their spouses, Elle and Lucas, and their younger brother Zach and his girlfriend Lauren. The three couples spend the days leading up to the party drinking, getting to know Lauren, and leaning into their mother’s traditions, including her hazing. But mostly, they’re hiding their secrets.

One of them doesn’t know about the other siblings wanting to sell the winery. One of them doesn’t know they were betrayed by their former best friend. One of them doesn’t know that his spouse’s lover is going to show up to the weekend. And none of them know that someone has a secret on all of them that will destroy the Van Ness name and reputation.

And as they are all navigating their relationships and their secrets and lies, a massive storm is heading straight for them. Elle had planned a big party, with lots of friends, delicious food, and an impressive fireworks show, but the guests drop out one by one, and she finally ahs to cancel the party completely. But they still have the cake and plenty of wine. And a gift, an hourglass, with a vague threat attached.

But once the storm blows in, and the power goes out, it’s a for survival as a party crasher brings news that has them all fighting for survival.

The Weekend Retreat is an intense dive into the world of the privileged and wealthy and a study of how far some people will go to keep secrets, reveal secrets, or just to survive. Award-winning author Tara Laskowski keeps readers guessing as the lies pile up and secrets come to light.

I was fascinated by The Weekend Retreat. I was riveted, trying to put all the pieces of this story together, and I thought it was beautifully plotted. There were lots of lovely surprises, right to the end. The story was interspersed with news reports about the weekend, so readers know right away that something terrible has happened and not everyone survived the weekend. But finding out who didn’t make it and how it happened, and how the rest of the party guests fared in the aftermath was unexpected. Fans of Succession will love this story for the secrets of the rich, but it’s also a tightly plotted mystery with an amazing ending.

Egalleys for The Weekend Retreat were provided by Graydon House through NetGalley, with many thanks.

This was a fun and twisty thriller about rich people behaving badly. A troupe I usually enjoy and this story is no different. It’s my first time reading this author and I will be checking her out again. Thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review. Recommend for a good time

Do you love books where you basically hate all the characters? This is that. It is delightful and twisty.
It is about super rich people and sometimes I hate that but it works in this case!

This book was a bit of a slow start for me, but picked up the pace as it went and had a cool surprise ending. It centers on the Van Ness siblings, who gather at their family’s vineyard with their significant others for a birthday celebration. You know from the prologue they something bad happens and then the story takes you up to that point. This is a style I enjoy.

The characters weren’t hugely likable but I did feel like the author did a good job getting the readers into their heads to the point where you understood why they made the decisions they made even if you didn’t agree with them. I was actually rooting for one character that I’m not sure I was supposed to like. The creepy mansion setting was really well done and I enjoyed the talk of tunnels and secret passages. I do wish there had been more bread crumbs to lead me to the unveiling of the villain but the twist that comes along with this made up for it.

Overall, fun read that maybe takes a bit to get going but held my interest the whole time. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
“In the end, you are who you make yourself to be.”

I recently discovered Tara Laskowski, an incredible author, and highly recommend her novel "The Weekend Retreat". It's a thrilling read that is a must-read for thriller lovers!

The story is centered around the Van Ness family, a privileged family that goes on a traditional weekend getaway to celebrate a family birthday. The novel has all the elements of a captivating tale, including reckless drinking and juicy secrets waiting to be exposed. The author skillfully keeps the suspense elevated throughout the multi-layered story by utilizing multiple narrators and timelines. To add to the already tense situation, a treacherous storm isolates the characters. Believe me, you won't be able to put down this scandalous page-turner!

Thanks to the HTP Publishing and Tara Laskowski for providing this complimentary ARC through NetGalley. As always, all opinions are my own and are left voluntarily.

#TheWeekendRetreat #netgalley #TaraLaskowski #HTPPublishing #graydonhouse #htpinfluencer #htpbooks #justfinished #ARC #thriller #honestreview #newrelease #thrillerbookloverspromotions #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #suspense #mystery #lovetoread #bookworms #lovebooks #lovetoreadbooks #fortheloveofbooks #booknerd #bookreviewer #instabook #readaholic #igbookreels
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The rich are definitely not like the rest of us! This was twisty-turny and I loved that. I didn't see that last little twist coming at the end though. I can't wait to read another book by Tara Laskowski. I am adding her books to my TBR!

#TheWeekendRetreat
#NetGalley

This book take place at a family’s winery and has lots of thrilling moments. The book is action packed with the Van Ness siblings all fighting to be the chosen one. They each have secrets and past that they are trying to keep hidden but someone is watching from the outside. A really good page turner

A solid 3 stars. A really good time, but there was potential for much more.

This thriller has a great set-up and features a cast of characters with great potential. And while I had a really fun time reading this, overall, the book ended up feeling a bit flat and slightly too long. It just didn’t go as far as it could have or maybe should have gone! And the ending was a tad disappointing and fairly obvious.

It is also worth noting that the storm described in the blurb hits very late into the story and isn’t actually that important!

Pour yourself a glass of wine and settle in to witness the Van Ness family drama, centered on their winery estate. It's a group of unlikable characters (who don't like each other either) and when a storm starts brewing the tensions do too. This is a pageturner that kept me engaged, even though I wasn't rooting for anyone to come out ahead.