This was SO GOOD! Really lived up to the hype, I absolutely adored it. Perfect atmospheric page-turner, that managed to stay unique and engaging. Anyone and everyone will enjoy this.

I knew I had to read The Writing Retreat after seeing it compared to The Plot, which I loved, and multiple rave reviews from friends with similar book preferences. Whatever I expected, it was not this. The Writing Retreat is nothing if not a wild ride.

The Writing Retreat is the story of a group of aspiring female authors who are invited by a famous feminist horror novelist to a month-long retreat at her secluded Upstate mansion. Little does the group know that the retreat is also a competition for a seven-figure book deal, if they can meet the novelist’s outsized expectations.

It has taken me a few days to write a review, because I struggled to dissect what I really felt about this book. I opened The Writing Retreat with few expectations and not having read the full synopsis, which is not unusual for me. I think that it is important to not have a set of expectations going into this novel as it is surely something other than what you think.

The Writing Retreat is an enthralling debut thriller that weaves in elements of horror and the paranormal. While the synopsis makes it sound like a cozy mystery, you should be prepared for an unconventional, outré story instead.

The Writing Retreat is, without a doubt, a bingeable book that I read in one evening. Despite seeing one twist coming, I could not have predicted the ending or what happened along the way. This novel is absolutely over the top. I say that with affection having enjoyed the fun ride, but it is also a statement of caution if that is not something you like.

I was all in on the story until the climax. I can not quite put my finger on what did not work after, but there was something about the resolution that prevents me from rating The Writing Retreat higher. It may have been that the pace fluctuated in the third act and lost a bit of momentum. Or because Bartz threw a LOT at readers, and it may have just been too much for one story.

Where I feel like the book was lacking was the characters. While the characters had interesting premises, they were rather flat and filled cliched roles. I was able to distinguish between them based upon their names, their novels-in-progress, and other surface-level details. However, the only character with a personality was the famed novelist. Otherwise, the retreat attendees acted a bit like teenagers. I can see some readers finding them unlikeable. Personally, I was ambivalent.

I have seen reviews call The Writing Retreat feminist, but I struggle to see that. What this book does have is sexually explicit scenes and descriptions along with themes of LGBTQIA+ self-discovery and empowerment. Also be forewarned that the first line is “Fuck this!” While I am open to pretty much everything, I know this is not everyone’s cup of tea.

Overall, I enjoyed The Writing Retreat and thought it was a solid debut novel. If you love an unhinged book, this is definitely one to read.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Alex hasn't so much embraced her new loner life, rather than just given in to the failure she knows everyone smells on her. She and her best friend went through a horrible friend breakup and ever since success just hasn't been in her cards. She can't write, she can't connect with others, and her job is just something she does each day. An incredible, once in a lifetime chance to attend her favorite author's writing retreat brings back her spark and with it her former best friend, Wren, reenters her life. What should be an incredible opportunity to write again, find herself, and forge new bonds soon becomes a nightmare as strange things occur and one woman goes missing.

I am a big fan of authors who embrace the wild and obscene in their books, who can make totally unbelievable scenarios come to life. It's a fine line to walk, I know I am a hard reader to convince to suspend reality, but Julia Bartz did so quite well. A writing retreat, a reclusive author, and 5 young women desperate to become authors is entirely believable. A retreat going entirely off the rails? Also believable. The things that ultimately occur at this retreat? Truly unbelievable, except somehow I saw it playing out before my eyes on the pages and I was totally hooked. These women are desperate for success and once presented with author Roza Vallo's writing competition, they divide and it becomes girl eat girl as they vie for compliments and time with their favorite horror writer.

I enjoyed the concept, I love a good competition on a "deserted island" type setting, I just wish that the characters had been further fleshed out. Unfortunately, outside of Alex, the characters are fairly two dimensional and they never grow beyond that, with stilted dialogue and Alex's selfish inner monologue guiding our perspective. There's fantastic sociopolitical undertones to the novel, we just don't get enough time with those concepts to really develop any feeling about it. We know the women are different, it's mentioned, then brushed to the side. I would have loved to see this more fleshed out, to have extensive dialogue interaction between the characters, because ultimately we only care about Alex and even that's saying something.

The Writing Retreat was an excellent take on the stranded thriller storyline. While I wish it had a bit more fleshing out for the characters, I still enjoyed the read and found myself wanting to get back to my book as soon as possible each time I set it down. I think many readers will love this book and even relate to Alex's inner turmoil over her self worth and a friendship lost.

I thought about 80% of this was brilliant. The relationships between all the characters, especially Alex and Wren, are complex and compelling. The atmosphere is appropriately creepy. I genuinely had no concept of where this book was going, and I was enjoying the ride.

However the ending kind of goes off the rails. It’s borderline too absurd at points. On the plus side, that made it impossible to guess, but on the other, it felt pretty implausible. That being said, it was a really fun story to read and I’d definitely recommend it for its uniqueness!

Thank you to Julia Bartz, Atria Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of a digital advanced reviewer copy in exchange for an honest review!

This book follows Alex, a struggling writer who has pretty much given up any hope of becoming a published author. It seems her luck has changed when she is invited to attend a month-long writing retreat hosted by her idol, author Rosa Vallo. Once she arrives, Roza surprises all attendees when stating they must complete an entire novel during the course of the retreat and are given a vigorous writing schedule with daily check-ins, with the best novel being promised publication and a life-changing salary.

To be honest, this book was a struggle to get through. I skimmed a lot of the beginning and middle and I didn't feel that the book got interesting until at least the 65 percent mark. I found myself eye-rolling multiple times throughout this book, just waiting for it to get good. As a debut novel, I felt like the author was using the kitchen sink to get anything in the book to engage the reader. If the reader is able to make it through the extremely slow beginning, the ending is fast-paced, engaging, and intense.

This debut novel will appeal to young women readers who enjoy totally over the top thrillers with horror elements.

When I was invited to read this novel I was under the impression that it was a “closed room mystery,” which I love. It is not and I had to put that aside as I read. This is a psychological thriller mystery, granted the last half takes place in a snowed-in desolate mansion. Five young women, aspiring writers, are invited to a 4-week writing retreat with a famous author. Murder and mayhem ensues. The women are all supposed to be unpublished, talented, and under 30. We soon learn that one has turned 30 before the retreat begins, another is 29, and on if in her 40s passing as under 30 (that’s a bit of a spoiler). However they are referred to as “girls” so much and some of their behavior and dialog was to immature for a serious writer of that age - my mind’s eye continually pictured them as early 20s and irresponsible. This is a first novel and I do think it better than a 3-star rating, but the character development needed to be deeper and that would have bettered to dialog/actions of the characters.

This a debut novel from an American author, who is the sister of the successful thriller writer Andrea Bartz. The book is a thriller with a touch of horror. It starts with the aspiring writer Alex getting selected to go to a writing retreat with four other authors. It is being run by a famous horror writer and Alex has been a fan since she was a girl, but this retreat is not at all what she was suspecting. First her ex best friend is also there, making things awkward. Also Roza announces that they must complete 3000 words a day on a new novel, or they will be sent home. When strange things begin to happen and Roza becomes very weird, the young writers realize they may in fact be in danger. This is not a typical domestic thriller and while not really a horror story, it may appeal more to readers who are comfortable with that genre. I found it to be a fun, albeit slightly crazy, read.

I loved this book! The premise was super unique and interesting, I was instantly enthralled from the minute I started. There were some wild twists and turns, and how the retreat culminated is not what I was expecting at all. Overall, it was a mysterious and layered plot, the beautiful setting was detailed in the best way & the characters were highly likeable.

Thanks to Atria for the copy of this book!

Alex gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a writing retreat with her favorite author. To go, she needs to lie about her age, deal with her ex-best friend also attending, and hide the fact that she's dealing with writer's block.

Unfortunately, I was really bored for most of this book and just didn't love it. The premise is really strong and it started off well, but in the end, the follow through just didn't work for me. There are some really positive reviews out there, so I think this story well connect well for a lot of people, though!

Read if you like:
- The Plot or Every Vow You Break
- Sapphic stories
- Locked room stories

Wow! What a debut from this author. This book took a turn that I did not anticipate or see coming. It turned out to be much more sinister than I expected going into it. The first half is a little slower and focus on the backstory and characters. The second half things really pick up in pace. New knowledge and twists keep coming at you near the end. The mansion is just enough creepy with a dark past. Add a snowstorm that keeps everyone trapped, a suspicious disappearance, and flaw characters - you’re in for a wild and twisted ride. I flew through this book in two sittings.

⚠️: Graphic Violence, Drugging, Kidnapping

Thank you @JuliaBartz and @atriabooks / @simonandschuster for my advance review copy!

This book started off really strong! I loved the pacing, the set up and the unique premise. However, the last 25% felt a bit too far fetched and over the top for me. I did an immersive read alternating between the audio and digital book. With the audio, I thought the narrator did an amazing job depicting not only the main character but also the side characters, especially during dialogue. I will definitely read what this author writes next!

Read if you like:
-LGBQT+ rep
-Books about books
-Secluded settings
-Strong character growth
-Please Join Us/ The Plot

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria for gifting me an early copy. Below is my honest review.

What a debut! This book had everything - intrigue, mystery, danger, a bit of supernatural storytelling, and a WHOLE LOT OF TWISTS.

As an aspiring writer myself, this one hit home pretty hard. Starting with the main character's writer's block, followed by the desire to lock myself up somewhere for a month and shut out the world to finish something, it felt like a dream. But it quickly turned into a nightmare.

Part of this story is watching it unfold, and I really don't feel right saying much more because it'll ruin the experience. Let's just say - this was one fun read, and totally worth picking up.

My only real complaint? The majority of the characters felt like teenagers instead of adults, and it felt kinda YA.

4.5 stars rounded up.

▪️REVIEW▪️

The Writing Retreat ~ Julia Bartz

▪️QUICK TAKE:
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 320
Pub Date: February 21, 2023
Gist: dark thriller meets erotic fantasy

When Alex gets an exclusive invitation to a writing retreat at the estate of famous author Roza Vallo, she is hopeful that this will be the exposure she needs to finally become a published author. However, upon arrival, the twists and turns start to shake things up - starting with the knowledge that her ex-best friend, Wren will also be there.

Roza sets pretty stringent parameters from day one and she has some outrageous methods to get the creative juices flowing. What seems like an intense retreat turns dark and deadly and the writers need to act fast before their fate is sealed.

This started off so strong for me - literally couldn’t put it down. Loved the premise - so many unreliable characters stationed in a gothic, creepy setting in the middle of no where - what could be better? I think Bartz did a great job diving into the complex relationship that women share, especially when vacillating between friendship and competition. Pace was solid and writing was admirable for a debut author. The end is where Bartz lost me - totally nutty, unbelievable, and pure insanity. Most are loving this one so if you can suspend disbelief, give it a go. Just prepare yourself - you might be shaking your head as the story progresses!

Thank you Atria & Netgalley access to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This twisty, dark and suspenseful thriller is told through the perspective of Alex. She dreams to become an author, and wins a once in lifetime opportunity to attend an exclusive writers retreat that is held by her writing Idol, Roza Vallo. While attending, there are 4 other future writers, and one being none other than Alex’s ex best friend, Wren who holds a dark secret of their past: The retreat is not only a chance to be in a secluded Vallo mansion, fancy meals and a chance to work with famous Author Roza, but also announced that there will be a winner at the end of the retreat that will win a publishing deal that is too good to be true. I enjoyed this author’s debut novel as it kept me entertained and shocked me in the best ways. I normally enjoy a novel within a novel, but Alex’s novel that was being written while on the retreat was dull in my opinion. The beginning was kinda slow, but what made up for it was the chaotic turns that middle and end of the book took that I won’t probably won’t stop thinking about for awhile. I will definitely read another future books from this author.

This is dark and twisted. The first half really ratches up the tension perfectly. I thought it went a little bit crazy and off the rails in the second half, but the ending was so perfect! It is truly a stunning debut. A twisted horror story of the meaning of friendship, fame, and the power we all carry within ourselves.

"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."

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria books for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

"The Writing Retreat" by Julia Bartz is a captivating and masterfully crafted novel that skillfully weaves together the themes of creativity, friendship, and self-discovery.

The story follows the journey of five aspiring writers who attend a writing retreat on a remote island off the coast of Maine. As they explore their creative passions and forge new connections with each other, they begin to confront the personal challenges that have been holding them back from achieving their dreams.

Bartz's writing is fluid and evocative, transporting the reader to the idyllic setting of the retreat and immersing them in the inner worlds of the characters. The characters themselves are multi-dimensional and relatable, with each one struggling with their own fears and doubts in the pursuit of their artistic goals. It kept me second guessing everyone's motive.

The novel is also a powerful exploration of the creative process, with Bartz providing valuable insights into the joys and struggles of writing. She skillfully conveys the importance of self-expression and the need to overcome self-doubt and writer's block to fully realize one's creative potential.

This was unputdownable!

Thanks for allowing me to read!

I enjoyed this one. It managed to pull me in from the very first few pages, which is honestly rare for me. I felt like it was a very unique take on a thriller/suspense novel, showing me things I'd personally never seen before. I didn't find the characters to be very likable for the most part, but the twists and turns made up for it. I also really loved the idea of a story-within-a-story, and that honestly impressed me -- that we had these two unique and yet parallel stories riding right alongside each other. Definitely intriguing enough to pull me into more of Bartz's work!

THE WRITING RETREAT
Julia Bartz

This book comes out next Tuesday and I wanted to get my review out early enough so you could request it from the library and get your pre-orders in. This first quarter of 2023 was filled with quite a few good thrillers and this ranks among them.

Alex has all but decided to give up on her aspirations to become a writer when a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join a writing retreat with her idol, Roza Vallo comes up. The only problem is that her ex best-friend now turned enemy Wren will also be there. Alex will have to set aside whatever personal issues she has with Wren and focus on her writing as for part of the retreat they must write a novel from start to finish in one month.

The stakes are already high and Alex is possibly regretting her decision to join the retreat when one of the retreat goers goes missing. Turning this dream opportunity into a nightmare. We follow along as the retreat goes from bad to worse and as Alex discovers just how deep a mess she truly is in.

With commentaries on feminism, what it means to own an idea, and the importance of telling your story I really enjoyed reading this one.

The writing is quick, and the concepts are modern. It was unexpectedly sexy and had just the right amount of cattiness without being too much. It's being compared to PLEASE JOIN US and THE PLOT and that couldn’t be more spot on as far as the plot and sentiment but it still doesn’t encapsulate what is so good about this book.

I think what this book does well is to have a declarative voice. Bartz has it and it comes through very well in this novel. It picks up a speed and is aligned with humor and intellect you must be on pace with, and it carries throughout the entire novel.

The only thing I did not enjoy as much were the excerpts from the works in progress. Whatever they were intended to lend to the story was lost on me and I felt compelled to skim those sections to get back to the exciting parts. This was minor but it did turn my five stars into a four.

This one comes out next week, February 21, 2023, and I recommend you add it to your list.

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books, Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the advance copy!

THE WRITING RETREAT…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was not for me. Don't get me wrong, this is a good book and I'm highly impressed that it is a debut! It just wasn't a book I personally loved. The story is intriguing, albeit a little wacky and out there at times. Things were going okay for me until the end, which was overly crazy AND felt very rushed.