Wow this book was AWESOME! It was so thrilling and captivating! It hooked me from the very beginning and kept me there.

Oh boy! This is crazy! This is one of the wildest and bleakest bloody rides! You are drawn into this action packed, twisty madness from the first chapter and till the end you keep fidgeting at the edge of your seats, stomaches tight, hearts raising, eyes glued!

This is fantastic debut! It seems like writing gift is genetic and runs in the family! This book introduces us Andrea Bartz’s sister Julia: such a gifted mind! She nailed it with her first work and I’ll look forward to read her future works!

The gothic, spine tingling vibes, the book inside book concept, murder house, claustrophobic trapped in one location themes blended so perfectly with flawed characters!

It reminded me of Nine Perfect Strangers ( Roza’s character and dangerous methods had similarities with Masha played by Nicole Kidman on Hulu adaptation) meets the Plot.

Here’s the quick recap of plot:
Can you imagine to get stuck in a job that sucking soul and energy? That’s how Alex feels who hates her boss, her over demanding job at publishing company. Lately she fell apart with her best friend Wren, stalking on her at the social media after having a cat fight with her at a party resulted with blood bath.

But now her luck is about to change: she has a dreamy opportunity to become one of the candidates to join the writing retreat of her idol- her all time favorite author- mystical- eccentric Roza Valo. She also finds out her frenemy Wren is also invited to this retreat which will take place in haunted Blackbriar Estate which has been renovated lately.

She meets with other attendees energetic Poppy, artsy queer queen Taylor, disciplined- tight lipped Kiera: the only black girl of their group. And of course Wren attends, showing off her big diamond ring, avoiding to make a contact with Alex!

Roza brings all those aspiring young authors together and tells the main purpose of their retreat: in one month they’ll start to write a book from the fresh, at least eighty one thousand words: each of them edit the other’s book and at the end of the retreat, one of their works will be chosen to be published!

It’s absolutely challenging to finish a book in such a short time when you suffer from writer’s block just like Alex does. But she is so adamant not let Wren take this opportunity out of her hands. She decides to channel with haunted history of the Blackbriar Estate, pouring out her secrets by having one on one writing seances with Roza

But the only challenge is not finishing a book, adjusting Roza’s unconventional and unethical methods. There is something more sinister plan that put all of their lives in danger.

Especially last third of the book was so much extra bleak with shocking twists and epic revelations. It highly deserved its dark, haunting, spine tingling stars!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books/ Emily Bestler Books for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

This book was fun, although I feel like the writer kept trying to throw too many twists. A few of them were fun but by the end it felt like a few too many. I did like the creepy setting and most of the characters were interesting.

Loved everything about this book. The setting. The characters. The writing. The tension! WOW! Highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

What a chilling read! I was horrified and thrilled in the best way possible. Julia Bartz, you have outdone yourself with this masterpiece of a book. First of all, a writing retreat with a possible book deal? That is every writer’s dream, including mine (well, not this particular retreat). I was hooked from the start. The characters are engaging, and I enjoyed hearing about their writing. And THE SECOND HALF AHHHHHH!!!! I was screaming and yelling at the characters!! Wren! Alex! Ah! Help I need more from this brilliant and talented author!! Julia, I cannot wait to read more from you, and I just know that you will have more than one masterpiece in you.

Hi,
Before I start, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this debut novel. It was definitely a good read and I liked all of the characters. Alex was a good lead with the supporting characters giving the novel an exquisite twist and turn.
The only thing I think I missed at the end was what had happened to Wren. I don’t remember seeing a mention of her by the end.
Thanks again,
Renee Soriano
IG: coffee_n_ink

The Writing Retreat completely sucked me in. The writing by Julia Bart’s was beautiful and full of suspense of where the story would lead to next… and it always took me by surprise. I would rate this book in my top 5 read this year.

The story about writers going to a secluded writing retreat with one of the most secretive authors is what made me pick up this book to begin with. The pain and beauty behind writing their novels is what made me fall in love with it.

One morning, aspiring writer Alex receives news that she has won a chance to go to a month-long writers retreat to the secluded mansion of her favorite author, Roza Vallo. Her excitement soon turns to trepidation when she learns that her ex-best friend Wren will also be there, whom she hasn't spoken to in a year. Upon arriving, emotions escalate, rumors whirl and fear becomes terror when Alex becomes suspicious of everyone's true motives of this retreat including her idol, Roza herself.

This didn't feel like a debut to me, it honestly felt like I was reading a book from a seasoned author. I truly, thoroughly enjoyed this. It was perfectly paced, creepy, suspenseful and highly entertaining. From the isolating atmosphere, to the wide range of characters, this was such a well told story..... with a little bit of a story within a story to go along with it. I was not expecting what I got when going into this. I highly recommend this one but I must say, I do hope that this author has more than one masterpiece in her. Five Stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. The beginning was certainly bumpy and I didn’t have much faith, but I was proven wrong. The writing isn’t wonderful but the plot is very absorbing and I ended up devouring this book.

Only regret I have is not reading this in the middle of a snowstorm. I definitely want to read more from this author.

Couldn't put it down! Very fun, exciting, and propulsive, especially for anyone with writer's workshop experience.

Best thriller of the year. Writers retreat turns competitive and potentially deadly!!! I absolutely loved this book. It had all the elements of the best thrillers a great mystery, interesting characters, inclement weather and a scary mansion.

Night film meets the secret history?


This book was a wild ride about a writing retreat turned deadly and I couldn’t put it down.

This was a fun one! It was fast paced and I couldn’t put it down because I was excited to see where it went next. There were times when I thought I had figured it all out but almost every single time I was surprised.

Thank you for to net galley and the publisher for the advanced copy. This book had a really great plot, I like how it really went there and wasn’t afraid to be dark and twisted. For a debut mystery thriller, it was densely plotted, unpredictable and bold. However, I found the characters to be one dimensional though I did enjoy the all female cast. Additionally there was so much opportunity in the setting—an old potentially haunted mansion stuck in a snow storm all the makings of a great creepy Gothic atmosphere. I would have loved if the book took on more of a creeping and sinister tone instead of just moving from point to point. I really wish more of this had been explored and was a larger element of the story. Overall the plot was fantastic and I couldn’t put it down but I wish we saw more from the characters, tone and setting.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the copy of The Writing Retreat. I was blown away by the incredible writing. Add a cast of all female main characters and an unexpected story and this book is a winner! Once the story starts popping it will be impossible to stop reading this book until the end. If you’re ready to immerse yourself in good writing and intriguing characters, do not miss this book.

Writing this review immediately after finishing because WHAT DID I JUST READ?! I did NOT expect this book to get so dark and twisted!!

I'm always a sucker for people being stuck somewhere together where there's a mystery, and horrible things start happening (I'd like to thank Agatha Christie for that). But I especially loved that this was still so, so unique even with that semi-common setting/theme. This had all the perfect elements for a great mystery/thriller, and I especially liked how crazy some of the characters were. I was getting severe heart palpitations towards the end of the book because of how stressed I was starting to feel (always a great sign that things are going well with the book). However, I will say that it could have been heightened more in the earlier parts of the story when they first arrive at the house. The tension and creepiness levels were insane in the book's later half, but I think there could have been more added in that earlier 40-50% to raise the stakes a little more. I still enjoyed that earlier section, but it didn't feel so much like a mystery as it could have. I would have wanted to feel a little more suspicious about things, but it was still enjoyable and managed to bring me in.

The thing with this book is that once things start happening in the house, they really start happening. Julia Bartz gave it her all in the later half of this novel. I was essentially speed reading after the 60% mark. The number of twists and turns in this section does not disappoint. I was starting to feel claustrophobic along with the characters. It really felt like there was no way out. I kept thinking, that's it, right? There's no more? But there was always more! And I know Bartz did a great job because I hated some of the characters in this. LOATHED. I was seriously starting to get agitated reading the last 20%. It was so frustrating to read some of the sections and not be able to do anything to help Alex. It felt like I couldn't escape it along with the characters, which is something I LOVE to experience when reading. And, yes, I think it has a satisfying ending, which I always struggle with in mysteries/thrillers. There's one small thing I was slightly disturbed/frustrated with, but I understand why it needed to be done.

I also just loved how layered this book was. There was so much darkness in it. I loved how twisted it got and how it revealed how evil and deranged some characters were. It was so frustrating in so many ways, but I liked that it didn't hide those darker elements that people have. It felt sincere and realistic with how it showed those darker human emotions and thoughts we all have but don't all act on. I also liked that it touched on other elements like creativity, artistry, and rivalry, especially in groups of women. There was this tension and complexity that I don't think is touched on very often, which I appreciated reading.

Overall, I think this is an incredible debut. It was engaging, thrilling, and very, very surprising. And even if you catch on to it earlier than I did, I think the level of how bad things are will still shock you! I'm very happy with how many secrets, lies, and twists this story had. It was both chilling and entertaining. 5 stars! Is it too early to say I can't wait to read what Julia Bartz has next??!

As always, thank you, Netgalley and Atria, for the chance to review this early! It was such a good one!!

Ho.ly. Shit. This as incredible. The second I picked it up, I couldn’t stop. The twists and turns were unexpected and beautifully executed. It was fast-paced but not in such a way that you’re wondering what is going on. It keeps you guessing the whole time. It’s a perfect mix of mystery, thriller, horror, and paranormal. Highly recommend. 5 stars from me! Thank you @NetGalley and @AtriaBooks for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Holy canoly! What a crazy crazy story!! But very very entertaining! This book had heavy suspense, intrigue, action, murder, kidnapping, mystery and a kind of crazy who done it! With so Many many twists and turns!! The storyline was freaking crazy interesting and had me glued to my Kindle and yelling at my Kindle too! Lol I highly recommend reading this book! It was so worth reading! This one has got to be in my top favorite! It was that good for me! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me! And introducing me to a new to me author! I will be looking for more from this author! Thank you!

This a book about 5 woman who are given an opportunity to go on a writer’s retreat with a famous author. While they are writing their books, it becomes clear that nothing is what it seems. Alex is the protagonist and we follow her through as she solves a mystery and finds herself.

I was in the mood to be pulled into a thriller for the evening — and The Writing Retreat delivered. Julia Bartz did a great job of layering oddities and suspense, which held my attention the entire time. While there was no shocking twist for me, the way the plot unfolded was really gripping. However, it felt like the lead-up to arriving at the house was really drawn out. I think the entire first part ("The City") could have been removed, and this book would have been just as effective.