I really enjoyed THE REMEDY by Shade Owens. I actually suffer from chronic pain, and the descriptions of what Audrey suffers with daily were exactly spot on. I was really curious as I read about what was really going on at “the retreat” and who was behind everything.

The reality of what was really going on was all the more terrifying because I could imagine something like this actually happening. The Remedy is a really good examination of those suffering from chronic pain/disabilities/addiction and how they are often viewed by society. The book manages to combine suspense, horror and true life in a horrific yet realistic way.

I definitely recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

A group of people who are chronically ill / disabled / and 1 person that struggles with addiction are invited to a retreat that promises them a cure. Each of them have struggled tremendously and are willing to try anything to get their lives back. The treatments offered are specialized to each person. The place has strict rules and they must stay there for 1 year in order to fully be cured.

I loved reading the ARC for Death Row Games by this author and I was so excited to be accepted to read this ARC. This book was so good!

The story is divided into 2 parts.

Part 1 is told through the POV of Audrey and Oksana. This part of the story is about what happens to the participants during their stay here and the way treatments affect them individually. I was able to accurately guess why some of the participants were getting better due to hints throughout the story.

Part 2 is told through the POV of Ben and Oksana. Ben’s POV consists of things that have already been presented in the story but this time it’s from his perspective as an outsider. This last part of the story where Oksanas POV happens is my favorite part of the story. It was so intense. I had no idea why they were gathered to the retreat so when it was revealed it was so shocking and terrifying. I really loved getting to read about everything Ben did to help his sister and the power of love in their relationship.

This story has great representation for what it’s like to live with chronic illness / chronic pain / addiction and the way society views and treats those group of people.

My favorite characters were Ben, Audrey, and Oksana.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Chronic illness where even doctors have no help for you and you are desperate for a remedy. You get a note saying you have been accepted into a program to make you better with lots of promises, would you accept? This book hooks you in right away and the twist leaves you speechless!

I want to preface this review by saying that I've read and absolutely loved all of this author's other thrillers and they have all been 5 star reads for me.

This book, for me, was a miss. The first half was odd sci-fi vibes and the back half felt choppy and honestly bizarre. I'm also not sure I would consider this to be a thriller, especially compared to some of this author's other thriller books.

I will continue to read any & all books by Shade Owens, as the rest I've read have been amazing. This one just wasn't on par with the rest.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book in advance of the release date!

Loved the short chapters and points of view from the characters! Was definitely a twisty fun filled ride! I loved how the story flowed and oh the twisty turn of part two!

Aww, dang. This psychological thriller was so good. It had me on the edge of the seat for most of the book, trying to figure out what the heck was going on. I was so enthralled by this book, I finished in just over 24 hours.

This was the first psychological thriller by Shade Owens I’ve read. I’ve only ever read her dystopian Dark Sanctuary series and that was fantastic as well. She definitely has a talent to tell a good tale, that’s for sure. With lots of tension, plot twists and an engrossing plot, this book delivers!

I know I will be reading all of her other books, especially since they engross me so much, I don’t want to put them down.

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book.

Release: June 3, 2025
Author: Shade Owens
Publisher: Red Raven Pub

Rating: 3.75 ★ 

Audrey has reached her limit. After years of failed treatments and constant pain, she's ready to try anything. So when a mysterious offer promises a final chance at relief, she jumps on it—no questions asked. She's not alone. Four others, each carrying their own heavy burdens, arrive at a secluded retreat in the woods, all hoping for a miracle. At first, everything seems perfect—calm surroundings, immediate results, and a sense of peace they haven’t felt in years. But it doesn’t take long for things to unravel. The healing might be real... but it comes with a terrifying price.

The Remedy pulled me in right from the start and didn’t let go. It follows five individuals, each struggling with chronic illness or pain, who arrive at a secluded retreat in the woods that promises healing. Four of them begin to experience real relief—almost too real. One, however, remains skeptical, and that tension adds a deep layer of suspense as the story unfolds.

What stood out to me most was how well the characters were developed. Each had a distinct voice and perspective, and I found myself fully immersed in their emotional and physical journeys. As someone familiar with the desperation that can come from chronic health issues, this story felt personal and raw in ways I didn’t expect.

The setting—isolated, eerie, and almost too perfect—added an unsettling tone that made me question what was real and what wasn’t. It had major cult vibes and psychological twists that kept me guessing. The book starts out as one thing, and then flips the narrative halfway through, and the final twist completely caught me off guard.

Fast-paced, thought-provoking, and chilling in all the right ways. If you’re into thrillers with a psychological edge and real emotional depth, this one is worth the read.

Favorite Quote:
"it wasn't that I wanted to die. I wanted to stop all the intolerable pain now than I wanted to live."

Omg ! This book was wonderfully written. I've never read a book like this and it was great , keep doing what you do . I can't wait to read more from you .

Thank you to Shade Owens and NetGalley for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy of The Remedy.

This was a pretty good book overall, just a little slow for my taste.
Audrey and Oksana's inner dialogs are a bit too much, it got to be a little repetitive.

I really enjoyed the end!

Five deeply suffering individuals arrive at a remote forest sanctuary, each looking for a desperately needed cure from their constant health struggles. Immediately, four of them begin finding relief. One remains unconvinced. Is this remedy for real, or is it too good to be true?

This is my second ARC from Shade Owens. Death Row Games was my first ARC and it holds a special place in my heart... but this book was better. Whereas Death Row Games was a slow burn, this book was action packed and twisty from the beginning. The character development was on point. Each POV had its own unique voice. You could tell, after awhile, who's chapter you were in without even looking. As the book was wrapping up, the reader was hit with a final twist that changed everything! Good to the last page! Read It!

Note: I received an ARC of this book at no cost to myself from NetGalley and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

Audrey is nearly at rock bottom--she is in severe chronic pain, she is about to be evicted and everything in her life is falling apart. She is at the end of her rope when she finds out she has been accepted into a retreat that promises to heal her chronic pain, all she has to do is sign a contract saying she will stay for the year and follow the program, so what does she have to lose?

As a woman with chronic illness for right around three decades, you better believe I hit request on Shade Owen's The Remedy as soon as I saw it go up on NetGalley. The plot was full of great stories and wisdom about what it's like to live chronically ill.

The setting, in a remote, wooded area of North Carolina, absolutely enhances the dark atmosphere and creepy feeling that surrounds the entire retreat. The book is also filled with strong characters with various physical and mental illness which help to illustrate and increase understanding about the lengths individuals will go for relief and the desperation being sick can cause.

The first half of the book is told from the POV of two of the retreat attendees that are under treatment. The second half is different and completely shakes up everything you thought you'd figured out. 4.25 stars for this inventive tale about illness, wellness and everything in between.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.