A well-done thriller is like finding a needle in a haystack. Ritter's first thriller felt like that needle, but her sophomore effort fell a little flat. The writing is propulsive and the premise is interesting, but it's also feels like such well-trodden ground that there's nothing new to discover, either in the plot twists or the characterization. This is good for poolside reading and will likely garner fans who aren't looking for a book that reinvents the wheel, but savvier readers will be able to see it all coming from miles away.

I really had no idea what to expect with this book but a friend read it and enjoyed it so I gave it a try. It was really good! Sharp-witted and fast-paced with unlikeable and crazy characters!

I loved Krysten Ritter’s first book, and Retreat did not disappoint. It features a strong female lead who manages to be both likeable and unlikeable at once—complex, layered, and not trying too hard to fit into anyone's mold. The story moves seamlessly from snowy Chicago to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico—you can practically feel the temperature shift, the weight lift, and then return tenfold, even while still in the supposed paradise of the resort town.

The ending was twisted and well-structured. While it didn’t shock me, that worked in its favor. The buildup was so masterfully done that the payoff felt earned, not predictable. Ritter leaves just the right trail of breadcrumbs for readers to follow without feeling spoon-fed. A compelling, atmospheric thriller with grit, depth, and great pacing.

I was hooked from the start. 'Retreat' follows Liz, a con artist who finds herself impersonating a woman named Isabelle at an exclusive luxury villa in Mexico. What starts as a risky but calculated move quickly turns into something far more dangerous. The more Liz settles into Isabelle's life, the more she realizes the people around her have their own secrets - and not all of them are survivable.

What I loved most was the balance of glamour and unease. The setting is beautifully written - sun-drenched, decadent, and almost dreamlike - but Ritter keeps the tension simmering just beneath the surface. Every interaction feels loaded, and Liz's internal monologue adds layers of paranoia, survival instinct, and unexpected vulnerability.

Liz is a standout character: bold and messy, but never a caricature. You root for her even when you're not sure you should. The plot is full of twists, but they unfold organically, with just the right amount of surprise.

It's 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' meets 'Big Little Lies', with a sharper edge. If you like character-driven thrillers with high stakes, beautiful settings, and a morally gray protagonist, this one's worth the read.

Really enjoyed this one! I've loved Krysten Ritter's on-screen work for years, so I'm so glad I was able to enjoy her book too! Had no idea what would happen in this vacation thriller—so not predictable! Loved it.

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.)

This was an excellent thriller! I don't usually get surprised by twists but this one got me a few times. I loved the boldness Liz. She didn't have one minute where she thought maybe this isn't a good idea. This book moved very swiftly and I read it in a day and a half.

Twisty, if predictable, psychological thriller.

Liz Dawson, an experienced con woman, needs to escape her current situation in Chicago and finds the perfect out when one of her marks actually helps Liz by giving her a job. Not just any work, but a fantastic opportunity out of the country in the super rich area of Punta Mita in Mexico. A wealthy homeowner, Isabelle Beresford, hires Liz to install a painting in her villa. Liz is quite excited to get out of town and definitely plans to enjoy her week in Mexico living it up in the beautiful home. Once there, however, not only does Liz settle in quickly, she meets other women who live there, and it is clear that they think she is actually Isabelle. Well, why not? She’s assumed other identities before and plans to live it up while she can. Soon, however, Liz finds that she might have gotten herself mixed up in something dangerous. Definitely not a simple con and it all goes spectacularly wrong.

This started out well and I was fully engaged until about the half way mark when Liz’s deceptions start to fall apart and she is in constant fear of exposure. Events transpire that make Liz wonder about the Beresfords. But every time she knew she should get out before her duplicity was revealed, something kept her there. I guess she liked the wealthy lifestyle and all its trappings. All of that identity confusion and obsession got old quick and you just knew what was coming because of the big thing left unsaid. No spoilers. And, that ambiguous ending really irritated me. All in all, it was just a story with lies and secrets. Honestly, the whole look alike trope is getting old as well.

Did not like any of the characters. They were hideous and very much stereotypes of this genre. Mostly a familiar story of the rich behaving badly and the typical assumption that many are not good people. I don’t believe it would be that easy to assume another person’s life.

Listened to the audio book while following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator was the author herself and she did an adequate job of voicing the characters, getting the nuances right, and giving the story a bit of dramatic flair. Unfortunately, the production wasn’t enough to save the actual story from mediocrity.

What a fun thriller! Rich people behaving madly meets con-woman ... some of my fave micro genres! Nothing earth shattering here, but this one kept me on my toes & entertained throughout! An easy popcorn thriller.

Retreat is a complicated thriller so I had to stay alert to details being revealed. The ending was satisfying, but there were plot twists I had to keep track of along the way. This was what I’d call an intriguing read.

Even though this book gave me anxiety, it was a fun read! I love a good con artist story, and this one was filled with a lot of twists and turns. Some were easy enough to predict, while others left me questioning how I didn’t see it coming. The story was fast paced, easy to follow, engaging and suspenseful. I was constantly on edge because of how anxious the situations the main character was in made me, and I love when a book can make me feel that way! I really liked the main character, Liz, and I was really rooting for her even though it seemed she had dug herself a hole she wouldn’t be able to get out of.

The Retreat was a good book about a con artist who was mistaken for someone else. It was a little slow at times and the character was hard to like which is why I gave it 3 stars. It had a good story line and I appreciate the ARC!

Retreat
Attractive serial con artist, Liz Dawson, plans the biggest con of her life in a stunning Mexican villa. Or will it be her downfall?
This was a very entertaining, well executed suspense.

Krysten Ritter improves her writing chops from Bonfire to Retreat, which is a light thriller about a beautiful con artist who has worn out her welcome in Chicago when she gets a mysterious text with an offer of week long job in Punta Mita Mexico. Not only a First Class ticket out of the trouble she leaves behind, but a "paid vacation" in the land of gorgeous beaches, rich stately homes and the Four Seasons and St Regis Resorts. Having stayed at both resorts, Krysten's descriptive language made we want to book a trip back.

But Liz soon realizes this is not all fun and games when she finds out her "Employer" may have been murdered, and there are shady neighbors hounding her every move. Loving the luxurious lifestyle she plays a big con, but as the bodies pile up, she wonders who is actually being conned?

I was really enjoying all the twists and turns this story was taking, but the mysteries were somewhat predictable, otherwise I would've given this 5 stars. I certainly enjoyed the writing style, the descriptive language and for the most part the main Character Liz. But the mystery of her "employer" was foreshadowed, and kind of changed the pace of the story.

I would still recommend this as a fast beach read.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Liz Dawson is a con artist who plays the game well—luxury hotels, lavish parties, rubbing elbows with the elite. But when her latest con starts to unravel, she knows it’s time to disappear. Enter Isabelle Beresford, a wealthy woman looking for someone to install an art piece at her villa in Mexico. Liz jumps at the opportunity, seeing her next perfect mark.

But when she arrives, things take a dangerous turn. Isabelle is missing. Liz is mistaken for her. And instead of running her next con, she may have just walked into one herself. The deeper she slips into Isabelle’s life, the more she realizes that the real danger isn’t just getting caught—it’s in the secrets she’s stepped into.

This book was so much fun! I love a story that messes with the truth, and Retreat delivered with secrets, lies, drama, and glamour at every turn. Liz is the perfect love-to-hate character—a skilled con artist, yet slightly naive in ways that make her journey all the more intriguing. And that ending?? I swear I was the one being conned! I had so many questions! Even when I thought I had things figured out, the final twists completely flipped the script. Overall, this was a 4-star read that I think fans of Liv Constantine and con-based thrillers will really enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!

Liz Dawson survives by cons and she’s good at it. Her next mark takes her to a villa in Mexico but when she is mistaken for the mark herself who is no where to be seen, she fits right into the life.

This is a speedy little thriller that would be perfect for a weekend read. It has twists and turns and a look into the wealthy elite. The setting was fun and gave it a White Lotus vibe.

“You don’t see behind the mask. You hadn’t even thought to look.”

Retreat comes out 3/25.

“Retreat” by Krysten Ritter is a fun light thriller that takes place in the richly described resorts of Punta Mita, Mexico. The story revolves around a highly manipulative and successful female con artist, who has always had great success with her cons around the super wealthy. She accepts a job to do an art installation in a new home in the resort thinking there is the potential for an even bigger scam. Shockingly, she finds herself caught up in something much bigger when she finds the dead bodies of her employers on a hike!
This is a fun and fast read that is a little predictable but would be great beach read.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Retreat is a fun, light, escapist thriller, starring Liz, a con-woman who is impersonating a wealthy socialite, Isabelle. Liz is a pretty difficult heroine to root for, as her motivations are rather questionable and superficial, and her voice is pretty acrimonious throughout the story - she really looks down on the wealthy and privileged. However, the plot keeps the pages turning for this one, and the writing is compelling with captivating setting. I also think this is one of the few books that would probably fare better on screen, as it would bring more nuance to the characters and their motivations. Nevertheless, I also always appreciate a story where the female lead has a lot of agency, even if they happen to be a bad person, in this case.

Special thanks to Harper and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest, independent review.

Love Krysten Ritter and especially love seeing her continue to branch out into different creative avenues! While I unfortunately have yet to read her debut novel, I have* listened to her audiobooks + reading RETREAT has definitely made me want to circle back to her previous works. Set against the gorgeously described backdrop of Punta Mita, Mexico, RETREAT is a fun & fast-paced thriller/mystery starring an elusive con artist, Liz, aka a woman known for being able to both effortlessly navigate and slip through the cracks of elite inner circles in order to finish a job/secure her objective. When a job she's hired for suddenly turns into a case of mistaken identity rather than the fresh start she was looking for. Liz finds herself deep in the middle of a larger plot filled with schemes, lies, and perhaps even more danger than she (and her employer) ever realized. Liz is manipulative, cunning, and ultimately very self-serving.... and yet she's also absolutely brimming with personality and charisma. I LOVED Liz as a character and, while I of course didn't always agree with her choices or actions, a part of me honestly wanted/hoped for her to get away with it all? LOL she just had ✨It™✨, you know? And while the story itself was a bit predictable even in all its many twists and turns, Ritter's writing is gripping and engaging enough to keep you turning pages. Highly recommend this one, perfect for thriller newbies and long-time genre lovers alike, as well as if you're looking for something wild (and even a bit salacious) to read while on holiday!

Retreat by Krysten Ritter was a wild ride! It’s a dark and twisty thriller featuring con artist, Liz Dawson. Liz escapes from her latest con to Punta Mita, Mexico where she’s hired as an art consult for the wealthy Isabelle Beresford. Once Liz arrives at Isabelle’s glamorous villa, she is able to impersonate her and quickly slips into Isabelle’s life. However Liz is soon caught up in the danger surrounding Isabelle and her husband.

I found the first half of the book entertaining and quickly paced. I enjoyed the escapist quality of the luxurious tropical setting. The last half became quite unhinged and included a few predictable twists. The biggest challenge for me was that Liz is not a sympathetic character. Thriller fans looking for a low stakes, entertaining story will enjoy this. 3/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Books for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Retreat is a fast-paced thriller about Liz Dawson, a skilled con artist who takes a job at a luxurious Mexican villa. Mistaken for her wealthy employer, Isabelle Beresford, Liz assumes her identity, only to uncover dark secrets and hidden dangers within the elite resort community. As the stakes rise, Liz realizes this con might cost her more than she anticipated—possibly her life.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to thriller fans. It’s fast-paced, and suspenseful. Some of the twists were a little predictable, and the writing felt a bit choppy at times, but overall, it was a fun and entertaining read. Definitely worth picking up if you love a good thriller.