I received this book for review from the publisher. This is a slow burn thriller that will make you keep turning the pages to find out what happens. I did enjoy this but it was very slow in some parts, I felt like not much was happening to push the story along. From the point where Alex leave for the writing retreat, you have this deep sinister feeling that something is happening, something not good. It might sound silly but a lot of this story reminded me of the movie Death Becomes Her. The two good friends fight and hate each other but are connected by this powerhouse writer that they are both connected to. Whenever I read about Roza I thought of the Isabella Rossellini.
There were some parts especially the sexual ones that kept seeming to pop up randomly that I thought were not needed. They didn't add anything to the story. Overall I did enjoy the book and would read more by this author.

This one goes totally over the top but you know what- I had to keep reading because I very much wanted to know what was going to happen to everyone! Alex, a 30 year old assistant editor at an educational publisher tells the story of how her dream of a writing retreat with Roza- an author she's worshiped for years-goes terribly off the rails, starting with the arrival of Wren, her former BFF. Roza's creepy large mansion in rural NY was once the scene of a mysterious crime, a crime around which Alex forms the novel she's writing (excerpts included). Along with Wren and the others at the retreat -Taylor, Pippy, Keira- she must adhere to a strict schedule most importantly providing 3000 words per day to Rosa who critiques them. All seems ok at first but then it snows and then on Valentine's Day, during a party Poppy set up to cheer the group, things begin to go terribly wrong when Rosa drugs the group. And Poppy disappears. Turns out there are a lot of secrets at this house, a lot of bad things. You might have guessed Roza's secret but getting there- well this amps up the chills and the badness. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. It's hard to review without spoilers but know that while it does stretch credulity, it's a terrific page turner.

Not my fav but not least fav either. I felt bored. Not much happened I feel like and things were thrown into the story that were unnecessary like the sex.

Unfortunately this one was a DNF for me. I really did not enjoy the writing style, and couldn’t connect with the characters. I’ve seen so many people love this one, but unfortunately, I just don’t think this one was for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the free arc in exchange for an honest review.

She had me in the first 50 or so pages, not gonna lie. This book started off pretty good. A mysterious feud between two ex-friends, a seemingly bold author that the MC is obsessed with, a mysterious invitation to this elusive retreat--I was excited! Then, the author really lost me. I had my first "what the f*ck?" moment when the ladies at the retreat were introducing themselves to each other. There's a weird moment where the character named Taylor brings up slavery in response to speaking with the only black woman in the group. Weird, ok. After this is mentioned, the MC has some internal dialogue. She says, "...wanting to move us onto a safer topic. Did Taylor really have to bring up slavery, especially with Keira being the only Black person in the room?"

...

Did YOU have to bring it up, Julia? This is fiction. That's so f*cking weird. Christ.

I was lost after that. Skimmed the rest of the book and yes, it was just as awful. Brilliant story idea, horrible execution. 1 star.

Alex has been invited to a very exclusive writing retreat hosted by the famous Roza Vallo, her favorite author and biggest inspiration. Nothing can keep Alex away- not even her year long writers block or the fact that one of the other four participants happens to be her ex-best friend, Wren. At first the retreat is exciting, though requires a lot of work. But as the days progress, some of the girls start acting increasingly strange and then one of the girls goes missing,

I liked this page-turner book a lot. There were definitely some parts that seemed contrived or completely bizarre, but the constant twists kept me engaged and wanting to keep reading. I really liked Alex's character. I love to see a main character with obvious character flaws that is able to build in a realistic way and who is not a complete moron when it comes to handling everything going on. I would absolutely read the next book by this author.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was really, really good. I was immediately drawn to the backstory of Alex and Wren. I was a little worried about keeping the ladies straight once we got into the retreat part but they were all so different it was easy to tell everyone apart.

I felt that the hostage part was a little longer than it needed to be but I was cheering for them all the same of course!

I really wish that Roza had been caught and thrown in prison but maybe the author kept it open for a sequel. I wouldn't be mad if that were the case.

I can't wait to tell customers about this book once it hits the shelves at Indigo and to staff pick it!

The Writing Retreat is a slow burn psychological thriller. First things first, I love the cover! The eerie snow & trees and what appears to be dog-eared pages. This is a debut novel touted as similar to The Plot which I enjoyed. I would have to agree both books were pretty slow paced but did keep my interest.

A book within a book is one of my favorite tropes & I also love first person pov so I think both of those things worked in my favor. Thank you to Atria/ Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. 3.5 stars.

Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of this book! When I heard about the premise of a month-long writing retreat where a group of writers have to compete for a publishing deal by finishing a novel within the month, I was very intrigued. I liked going into the book not knowing much about it. I didn't know what to expect and had no idea where the story would go. I just hoped for some crazy twists, and that something more sinister was going on.

While reading this book, I was never bored, as it seemed like so much was always happening. At the same time, sometimes it felt like too much was going on that it felt confusing. I wasn't really interested in Alex's book that she was writing, and the excerpts being inserted into the book felt like they weren't needed. There were things in the beginning of the book that made me think the book was going a certain route with the story, but it ended up being something totally different, which was surprising. The whole second half of the book, I was eager to know what was going to happen next! I was anxious for the characters in the story because of the situation they were in. Roza Vallo is one interesting woman.

I liked the themes of friendship and trust inserted in the story. There were some scenes I found to be uncomfortable, but maybe that was the point of them. The ending of the story felt rushed and a little unfinished, leaving me with questions.

This book was definitely thrilling and had a great premise. Look out for the Writing Retreat, out on February 21st!

Thank you to NetGalley, Aria Books and Julia Bartz for this arc in exchange for a honest review.

This book was such a thrill! I was hooked from the very beginning. Former best friends now enemies, murder, gothic mansion, sex, hallucinations, you name it and this book has it. I really enjoyed how the author was very detailed in her descriptions. I found myself actually inside the mansion and able to see what she was describing. There was a recurring part of the book that I didn't care too much for and found myself reading faster through that part, (don't want to give anything away) but from the start I could not put this book down and had to know what was coming next. Each chapter left you wanting more!!!

I highly recommend this book to everyone. Fantastic debut novel and I will be looking for more titles by Julia Bartz.

For a debut, I would say this was very well written! It is tense, diabolical, creepy... all the checkboxes for a psychological thriller. Unfortunately, it is such a slow burn that I found myself struggling to get through most of it, as it doesn't get super thrilling until about three-quarters of the way through, and then the ending is... interesting.

WHAT I LIKED
- the characters-- the MC, Alex, is a normal person, I found her to be pretty relatable. I liked the drama between her and her ex-best friend Wren, even though the drama is like, soap opera level.
- the locked-room setting, set in a remote mansion, in the middle of February, so super on point

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
- the book-within-a-book, but only because at one point Alex acted as if her characters came to life and it was weird
- the ending-- I don't want to leave any spoilers but it was a bit over-the-top and I didn't think it worked (for me)

Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Julia Bartz for my eARC in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 stars.

For a debut novel from this author, I thought it was great! I really enjoyed the novel within the novel concept. I've only read one other book like that, Home After Dark by Riley Sager, which I also loved. I felt like the imagery could have been a little better and that's really the only reason I gave it 4 stars. I usually see books like a movie playing in my mind, and I didn't with this one as much. I could see the house and most of the rooms, but not the characters. Our protagonist, Alex, had the best development. I couldn't picture her face, but I could tell what was going on in her mind for the most part. Although I felt she made some bad decisions, I feel like she was redeemed by the end. Definitely recommend! I flew through the digital ARC and I have the physical copy coming from Book of the Month! I'm excited to add this one to my shelf!

Great book that has a depth of mystery and thrill. I was drawn in from the first few pages and could not stop till the end. Great writing that brings the story to life.

Thank you to Netgalley and atria books for this copy of The Writing Retreat. This was my first Netgalley approval and I appreciate them taking a chance on me.

I only read a few thrillers a year but the minute I saw the description for The Writing Retreat I knew it would make my TBR this year. It features Alex, a struggling writer, who has recently had a huge falling out with her best friend after a confusing encounter. The friendship had ignited over their combined love for writer Roza Vallo. When they both get added at the last minute to a special month long writing retreat at Vallo’s secluded estate, it seems the other attendees will have to pick sides. But that is just the beginning of the retreat.

I went into this completely blind and I am so incredibly glad I did. I normally want to guess what happens and who to trust as soon as I start reading but this book was completely unpredictable. There’s a story within a story, as Alex is writing while at the retreat, and the parallels provide a lot of depth to the plot. I kept wondering how reliable Alex was as a narrator, especially considering the past that’s revealed in the opening of the book. There are numerous twists and turns and a few items left to the imagination (normally this would drive me nuts in a thriller, but it was used perfectly here).

There’s also an overriding theme of sexual acceptance and feminism. The retreat features all females, who are at different stages of resisting or escaping what society has taught them is acceptable. The theme of empowerment and self acceptance hits it stride at the end of the book, and coupling an intense thriller with a powerful message.

As a sporadic thriller reader, I highly recommend picking this one up!

THE WRITING RETREAT is a fast-moving, unhinged, atmospheric thriller that had me repeatedly saying WHAT.IS.GOING.ON!!

At just over 300 pages, this book covers a lot of topics. There are supernatural elements, locked room elements, literal writing retreat elements. It felt longer than it was, and not in a bad way. I love books that keep me on the edge of my seat and make me want to cancel everything in order to finish, and this book delivered.

Told through Alex’s perspective, as she gets the opportunity to experience a once-in-a-lifetime writing retreat at the famous author Roza Vallo’s notorious estate, Blackbriar, we quickly learn everything is not as it seems. Roza’s unorthodox methods begin to reveal secrets about the retreat’s attendees, Blackbriar and Roza herself.

I think this is a book you want to go into somewhat blind, so you can just enjoy the ride.

You’ll love THE WRITING RETREAT, if you love:
* Secluded, locked room mysteries
* Atmospheric, or spooky, vibes
* Supernatural elements
* Sapphic romance (some open door spice)
* Books about books

Thank you Atria & Emily Bestler Books for the digital copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I DNF'ed at 30%. Right off the bat, on Chapter 1 we get introduced to SO many characters...red flag number one for me...then fast forward to the writing retreat, even MORE characters. I was so bored and this book just wasn't holding my attention.

When five young women win the chance to go on a month-long writing retreat with their favorite feminist author at her remote home, they have no idea that they are about to be pitted against each other in a deadly contest.

This book had a such a great premise and I loved the competitions and deadly parts of the book. I even enjoyed the ending and I liked the sections of the book within the book. However, I did not enjoy the sex in this story. It felt forced and ugly and just wasn't to my taste. For other readers this may not be an issue. Overall the plot was excellent.

Omg best thriller I've read in a while. The Writing Retreat was such a trip and not at all what I was expecting. And I mean that in the best way. Lately most thrillers have been very disappointing to me but this one hooked me early on and was so unputdownable I read it in one sitting. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoil anything but this was such a great thriller, gothic horresque novel I've read in a long time. Great debut Julia Bartz!

This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Books that cover actually WRITING books have such a special place in my heart. I could not stop reading once I started. The shock value is there. I highly recommend this.

The Writing Retreat is not the typical writer's retreat story. Five young unpublished women writers are invited to the remote home of reclusive feminist horror writer Roza Vallo. Instead of relaxing time away from the real world to write, the women are quickly plunged into a horror story of their own. Who is everyone? Why are they really there? How many will survive the experience? Will any of them write their novel and finally find a publisher?
Five stars for the inventive plot line, and the shifting alliances. Have plenty of free time when you start reading, you'll want to finish it quickly.