The Break-Up Retreat: A Novel
Not yet published: Expected Jun 9, 2026
An undercover journalist goes to expose an exclusive psychological wellness clinic where women go to recover from heartbreak, with dire consequences, in this creepy thriller from The Bachelorette Party author Camilla Sten.
Welcome to Himlafall Clinic, where we use revolutionary therapy techniques to heal you from heartbreak. Whether you are going through a devastating breakup, or can’t seem to stop picking the wrong partners, we are here to help you change your life, once and for all…
Isobel Anderssen has heard rumors. Nestled deep in the Swedish woods, there is a retreat. Primarily aimed at helping women who have gone through devastating break-ups, the Himlafall Clinic is meant to heal your mind and help you move on.
Sometimes people are never heard from again.
Armed with a fake story and a contraband phone to record interviews, Isobel is ready to expose Himlafall’s founder and get closure for the families of missing loved ones. But when she gets there, nothing goes to plan. Her contact is missing. The founder, Dr. Martina Hastings, knows how to get under Isobel’s skin in ways she didn’t anticipate. And all the while, the ghosts of the missing haunt her at every turn. It is clear something is going wrong and Himlafall, and Isobel must uncover the truth, before she disappears once and for all.
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Community Reviews
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of The Breakup Retreat from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Camilla Sten has a gift for building a very specific kind of tension, and this story was no exception. The premise—a group of people seeking closure at a remote, isolated retreat—is such a fantastic hook for a thriller.
The Pace: This is a true slow burn. It doesn’t rush into the chaos, instead opting to let the atmosphere and the "wrongness" of the situation simmer. I personally enjoyed how calculated the buildup felt; it kept me constantly looking over my shoulder.
The Plot: The concept is fresh and the character dynamics are layered. Sten does a great job exploring the psychological toll of a breakup within a high-stakes, claustrophobic setting.
The Ending: This is where the 3.75 rating comes in. While the journey was incredibly gripping, the resolution fell a little flat for me. After such an intentional, atmospheric climb, I was expecting a "wow" moment or a slightly tighter payoff. It didn’t quite match the intensity of the first two-thirds of the book.
Final Thoughts
If you love a thriller that prioritizes atmosphere and psychological tension over constant action, you’ll likely enjoy this one. It’s an interesting, solid read—it just didn't quite stick the landing for a full 4 or 5 stars.
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