Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of The Writing Retreat. While this book was a thriller and suspensful, it was also fairly unbelievable. I enjoyed it because it was "different" and would definitely recomend to others.

Julia Bartz’s debut novel is a page turning thriller with gothic horror vibes, a sapphic romance element, and an eery setting.

When feminist horror author Roza Vallo hosts a retreat for unpublished female writers at her Briarwood estate Alex and Wren, diehard fans and rivals to each other, both are set on attending. Their troubles quickly become much bigger than the divide in their friendship once they arrive at the retreat, and what was supposed to be a chance to publish their debut novels becomes something much more sinister.

On paper this book should’ve been a five star for me, it contains so many elements I adore. A book with a book, unsettling and untrustworthy characters, a feminist narrative, a locked room thriller… The first half of the book had succinct and polished writing with creepy, sapphic, and gothic elements. It had me gripped. Then the second half lost me. It felt choppier, hasty, and I had to suspend my disbelief a bit more than I like to with a thriller. The ramp up in pace aligned with how quickly the plot unravels and becomes more sinister, but I was so enamored by the style and pace of the first half that it felt disappointing.

I still really enjoyed this book, I just got so wrapped up in the atmosphere and vibes that I felt blindsided by the sharp left turn the plot took.

Blackbriar, a writing retreat with a cellar full of secrets, a famous power-hungry author who likes to play games, and five acolytes hoping to write a best seller.

Thirty-year-old Alex has had writer’s block for a year. Surprisingly, she is chosen to join four other women writers at Blackbriar for a month-long writing retreat hosted by the famous feminist horror author Rosa Vallo, Alex’s favorite author. Alex arrives just before a major snowstorm and is horrified to learn that Wren, her former bestie, now arch enemy, is among the others invited to attend. The five expect to work at their leisure while receiving feedback from Rosa.

Rosa has a different plan. The five must write a new novel in a month. Her rules and strict daily schedule push the limits, but she insists that the work will be the best they’ve ever done. If they don’t agree to this or break the rules, they must leave. The month’s schedule includes playing nerve-wracking games after dinner and enduring Rosa’s nasty pranks. At the end of the month, Rosa will choose one of their manuscripts to have published. The writer will be given one million dollars and go on to fame and fortune. The stakes are high, but little do they know how high. Alex doesn’t know how to break her writer’s block or how to contend with Wren’s hatred. She’s terrified of failing. She will discover those are the least of her worries.

The Writing Retreat brilliantly uses all the tropes of a gothic thriller—a nearby nunnery, a winter storm that cuts off the mansion from the outside, secret chambers, and a painting of Lamia a demoness who is fabled to haunt Blackbriar. Bartz sprinkles the novel with supernatural elements in keeping with a gothic thriller and examines female friendship in a fresh, modern way even though this dark and twisted gothic thriller includes murder. Bartz even adds chapters of Alex’s new novel to the mix which have an edge of horror. Alex hits her stride, but will she live through this nightmare?

Special thanks to Julia Bartz and Emily Bestler Books/Atria for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First reviewed in "Mystery & Suspense Magazine"

Loved this one. It was an entirely unique premise that I had never come upon before and was at once ingenious, unexpected, and terrifying.

This was a 3.5 star read for me (I rounded up to 4). I was really intrigued by the set up at first, and I like that the story didn't lag in getting to the main setting and action. I even liked the characters and the tension build up. The plot twists just started to get to be a lot for me. I felt like it took away from how realistic this felt for me.

When Alex gets the chance to be one of five attendees to attend an exclusive writers workshop at the reclusive and mysterious Rosa Vallo’s upstate New York estate, she couldn’t be more thrilled. Not only is she excited to meet her idol, but she’s hoping to shake the writer’s block she’s been struggling with after a bad “best friend breakup.” Too bad her ex-BFF will also be there. But things start out great at the retreat. But then they start to get weird as a storm bears down. And soon strange noises begin making Alex worried something bigger is happening, though she can’t figure out what’s real and what’s part of Rosa’s strange methods. With little connection to the outside world, it’s up to the five young women to figure out what is going on, before it’s too late.

This book was great!

First things first, it does have “adult themes,” so if you’re looking for a Rated-G book, this isn’t it. But I think that’s to be expected in a book about a group of 20-somethings.

Anyway, this was a crazy, amazing slasher/thriller of a ride that took some crazy twists and turns as we careened through the world of the pressure of high-pressure writing a producing more and more content. It’s something that the average person doesn’t think about, but this book really puts it front and center. And you really feel that tension. Add that to the tension that is just added by the creepy atmosphere of the house (which of course may be haunted!) and the book just oozes suspense.

I can’t say too much about the plot because it’s better to go in blind, but everything is just so twisty and happens in a blink, you can’t look away.I was glued to the pages.

The only thing I didn’t love was there were some gratuitous, IMO, references to the Holocaust family history of both Rosa and Alex. It felt forced and a little exploitative. Especially since Alex later talks about “going home for Christmas.” If she was descended from Hungarian camp survivors, they almost certainly were Jewish, so why make that point then erase their identity? IDK, it bothered me a little bit.

Either way, I throughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good horror/thriller. It’ll keep you busy while you wait for Scream 6 to come out on streaming.

Alex is working a soul-crushing job at a small publishing company and mourning the loss of her best friend Wren. Wren is still around, but she inexplicably stopped talking to Alex and moved out of their shared apartment a year ago. Alex and Wren were both aspiring writers, but since the parting of ways with Wren, Alex has been unable to write anything. Both women had eagerly applied to take part in a writing retreat for women under 30 before their falling out. Famed and mysterious writer Roza Vallo had started a competition for aspiring writers to come to her isolated country estate for a month-long intensive writing workshop with plenty of private instruction from Roza herself. The deadline to submit writing samples has long passed, so Alex assumes she wasn't one of the lucky ones. She's shocked to receive a notice that she has, indeed, been chosen as one of the lucky five to participate. Unfortunately, she discovers that her former friend, Wren, will also be one of the five. Alex is uncomfortable about encountering Wren again in such a small setting, but she's determined not to allow this golden opportunity go to waste. Once she arrives, she meets the other participants, as well as the staff, which consists of a housekeeper and a cook. When they meet Roza herself, they are all dazzled. Roza announces that they must each come up with a new idea for a novel, and every day must write 3000 words. She will meet with each of them, both individually and in a group, in order for everyone to receive feedback on their novels. At the end of the 30 days, they will all have a completed novel, but one of them will win a guaranteed $1 million prize and the opportunity to have their novel published. As the women get to work, a snowstorm and freezing temperatures cut them off from the outside world (although the isolated location meant cell service was non-existent anyway). As everyone adjusts to the punishing schedule and Roza's questionable motivational tactics, Alex begins to wonder who she can trust, and if everyone is telling the truth about who they are or why they are there. Soon, completing the novel will be the least of their worries.

The story was certainly a page-turner! It had a lot of twists and turns and plenty of danger. Some of the declarations seemed to possibly echo the author's own frustrations (I'm an author, even if the rest of the world doesn't acknowledge it!), but I could appreciate the sentiment!

This is the kind of thriller that hooks you from the first chapter and refuses to let go until the very last page. Every last element from the entrancing setting and central mystery to the exploration of female friendships, social commentary and lgbtq themes are done so well, weaved so effortlessly into the story that it doesn’t feel like work to process it at all. The plot certainly works it’s way to an over the top ending that somewhat abandons the promise of paranormal elements that are teased in the beginning, but I was having so much fun that I didn’t super care. Julia Bartz’s accessible and voice-y writing style makes this book easy to binge in a day without even realizing how long you’ve been reading.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy through Netgalley!

this was a ton of fun! it took several turns i wasn’t expecting. i feel like marketing might have been a little off with this being called a thriller. i do enjoy the kind of book this really is so it worked for me! the ending felt rushed while the beginning dragged tho. the pacing just didn’t work for me over all.

I got around to this book kind of late because I was hearing mixed reviews and it kept me away. HOWEVER, I absolutely loved this book. I was so entertained throughout the entire book and couldn't believe how crazy it got. My jaw physically dropped multiple times. I felt so many emotions during this book tbh and the exploration of female friendships that end explosively...so relatable miss Julia Bartz. I would definitely read anything this author released now because her brain is so BIG

3.5 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This was a dark mystery/thriller centered around five women's attendance at a writing retreat with a famously reclusive writer. Once at the retreat location, they discover they need to complete an entirely new novel during their stay. They are given a strict writing schedule and seemingly impossible daily deadlines, but if they succeed, the winner will get a seven figure publishing deal and the mentor's stamp of approval. It's every woman for herself - until they start to die.

This book started off really promising and I was hooked from the start. It didn't take me long to figure out the major twist, but I kept reading because I wanted to see how the author got there. But, the story kept getting weirder and stranger and eventually lost its lustre for me. If you're looking for a quick, entertaining escape, this book definitely delivers. Just be ready to suspend all belief and hang on for a trippy ride.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books. All opinions are my own.

So not what I was expecting but it's such a fun time! Definitely what you would want out of a thriller!

This was a terrific book to read. I sat reading the whole weekend. I loved the plot and the characters plus the setting.

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review.*

A group of aspiring young women writers get invited to attend a writing retreat with one of the most influential writers of their time. Alex is a lost soul trying to find her way in the world. She knows that going to the writing retreat is a once in a life time experience, plus the host is the author who inspired Alex to start writing.

But there's a twist. Alex's ex bestie has been chosen to attend the retreat as well. Knowing that this experience might never happen again, Alex shallows her worries and decides to go. At first, the writing retreat is a seemling friendly competition. But it quickly turns into something more sinister when one of the other girls goes missing.

The stakes start piling as the competition grows closer to the end. And murder starts occurring as well. The women find themselves in a race to be the first one to finish their books. Their lives depend on it.

I enjoyed this book! It was fast-paced, and the stakes and antics were high. I found the story disjointed towards the end, but overall, this book was a solid debut, and I can't wait to continue reading from this author.

Even though it was a bit predictable at times as well as a bit campy, I ended up really liking this novel of murder for the sake of the written word. We start with some back story about our main character Alex and her former best friend, Wren. To make a long story short, there was a break up between them that turned into an unintentional nasty argument and Wren ended úp fairly severely injured. When they both get into their idol's, Roza Vallo, writing retreat, the stage is set for some tension and maybe some infighting. But what happens will surprise you and few will make it out alive.
Overall it was a fun read, especially towards the end. If you're looking for a good thriller to occupy an afternoon, check it out.

I'd like to thank the publisher, author, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

In The Writing Retreat Alex wins a coveted spot at a month long writing retreat hosted by Roza Vallo, a highly acclaimed feminist author. Upon arrival, Alex and the other guests realize this is far from the retreat they had envisioned – It’s a high stakes, cutthroat competition with a 7 figure publishing deal as the grand prize. Alex’s former best friend and current nemesis, Wren, is also one of the guests.

As Alex attempts to stay focused on the prize and adhere to the strict schedule Roza has designed, she and the other writers can’t help but notice some oddities going on at Blackbriar Estate. Can they stay focused and survive, or will the pressure and their surroundings be too much?

I thought The Writing Retreat was fine – I am drawn to books about books and writing, and this premise intrigued me but I didn’t love the execution. As the book continued, it began to feel long, and I didn’t enjoy the story Alex herself was writing or some of the unusual diversions included. My curiosity made me want to finish the book but I just didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped to.

The Writing Retreat was claustrophobic and had a suspenseful, gothic atmosphere. I loved the exploration of the not so nice side of female friendships in this book, it added so much tension.

Alex and Wren, both aspiring writers, both working other jobs because they are struggling getting their careers off the ground, once the bestest of friends, now mortal enemies after a huge falling out a year ago.

They find themselves both invited to attend a month long writing retreat at their favourite authors secluded mansion in upstate New York along with 3 other aspiring writers.

Alex and Wren, after avoiding each other for days at the retreat, argue again about the past and agree to disagree.

Needless to say things kind of take a wild turn as countless things don’t add up with the other writers and staff at the mansion and the writing methods introduced for the writers are beyond questionable.

The five writers are thrown together, trying to figure out what is going on, Alex and Wren soon realize that’s what’s happening is so much bigger than their falling out ever was. And they wonder about the other 3 writers and their intentions.

This book had short chapters which I love and despite a few unfavourable reviews I thought it was quite good. I liked the characters, they were devious and sinister, I had no trouble turning the pages. I liked how the author built the tension throughout the novel, at times I was suspicious of everyone.

I definitely recommend this read.

I was caught off guard with the twists and turns THE WRITING RETREAT took! Expertly paced with so many satisfying reveals! I loved this book!

W-H-O-A

This is a DEBUT?! What?! How?! Bratz is extremely talented and a gifted writer (I guess it runs in the family!?) I am shook that this is a debut, and already looking forward to her next work!

This is an amazing slow burn read that is filled with tons of suspense! I absolutely loved the premise of this book, I thought it was really unique and intriguing. I also really liked the atmospheric gothic vibes that this book gave off. Everyone knows that a secluded, desolate, isolated setting is my absolute FAVORITE in a thriller-and that is exactly what this was! LOVED every second of it and devoured it up in a few hours!

Thank you Atria for my gifted eARC!

I feel as though I preface all my thriller reviews this way, but I will say it again: I have a very high standard for thrillers because it is the genre I read most. Ok now that that's out of the way, I found this book enjoyable! It had such interesting ideas and I really do enjoy a locked room mystery. I think the setting would make this the perfect winter snow day read. I take off points because I think the end was not as strong as the beginning and I think your avid thriller reader such as myself would not be enthralled the whole way through. That being said, if you only occasionally dip your toe in the thriller pond or want to start reading them, I think this would be a great place to start. All in all, enjoyable enough, but didn't wow me in the end.