The Writing Retreat: A Novel
In this instant New York Times bestselling and “utterly addictive thriller” (Ana Reyes, New York Times bestselling author), a young author is invited to an exclusive writer’s retreat that soon descends into a pulse-pounding nightmare.
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 must discover the truth—or suffer the same fate.
A claustrophobic and “audacious psychological thriller debut” (Publishers Weekly), The Writing Retreat expertly explores the dark side of female relationships, fame, and the desire to have our stories told.
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 must discover the truth—or suffer the same fate.
A claustrophobic and “audacious psychological thriller debut” (Publishers Weekly), The Writing Retreat expertly explores the dark side of female relationships, fame, and the desire to have our stories told.
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Community Reviews
“Where did one’s power lie in a world that stripped it from you, over and over again? How could we reclaim it when the dominant forces dangled it above our heads, shouting: Only the strong survive?”
Phew - this book! From the first page, it gripped me and I teetered between wanting to devour it in one sitting and slowly savoring it by pacing it out. Ultimately, I decided on the later and each time I picked it up it felt like a dark and delicious treat.
This debut novel by Julia Bartz follows our protagonist, Alex, on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Caught in a dead-end job she hates and recovering from a brutal breakup with her best friend, Wren, Alex is selected as one of five women to attend a writing retreat at the estate of famed feminist horror author, Rosa Vallo. Quickly, Alex learns that one of the other women selected for the retreat is no other than her former best friend. The women are tasked with completing a completely new novel within a month, the best one of the bunch, being selected for a seven figure publishing deal. But quickly, it becomes clear that something sinister is afoot as elements of the horror books Rosa has become famous for creep into the competition.
This book is unapologetically dark and twisted, while teetering on a line between horror and thriller and is a musts read for anyone wanting a book to get their heart rate up.
This debut novel by Julia Bartz follows our protagonist, Alex, on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Caught in a dead-end job she hates and recovering from a brutal breakup with her best friend, Wren, Alex is selected as one of five women to attend a writing retreat at the estate of famed feminist horror author, Rosa Vallo. Quickly, Alex learns that one of the other women selected for the retreat is no other than her former best friend. The women are tasked with completing a completely new novel within a month, the best one of the bunch, being selected for a seven figure publishing deal. But quickly, it becomes clear that something sinister is afoot as elements of the horror books Rosa has become famous for creep into the competition.
This book is unapologetically dark and twisted, while teetering on a line between horror and thriller and is a musts read for anyone wanting a book to get their heart rate up.
So funny story, on first look, when I first had the privilege to read this book I automatically assumed it was by Andrea Bartz: The author of several outstanding thrillers. That is incorrect as this is actually written by Julia Bartz: Her sister and this is a debut novel.
Spoiler free synopsis: We have Alex, a novelist who has struggled to get her books published. She has been unsuccessful for a while and at this point has writer's block to the point where she can't even write anymore. All seems lost...... But not so fast! Her favorite author Roza Vallo, a feminist horror writer, has always hosted a month long writer's retreat on her estate and in a turn of good luck Alex gets a invite. It's a dream come true for her and she drops everything she is doing and heads out. In the retreat there are several women invited including her former best friend: Wren who they had a huge following out to almost the point of hatred for each other now.
But dreams aren't always so great as they are soon given the daunting task of having to complete a entire novel in one month. And that is where this story just ignites as what follows is a outstanding book full of mayhem and drama that soon get's deadly.
What works: In a nutshell, everything! The writing, pacing, dialogue, and length of this novel is outstanding and absolutely ominous. How is this a debut novel? This reads like a author who has spent years developing her craft. The characters are amazing and you will get emotionally involved. Especially with the following out between Alex and Wren. There is one scene where Alex has so much anxiety with being in the same room that it's hard to read. It gave me anxiety! Plus this one takes a dark turn and goes from psychological thriller to scary and borderline horror. Just a great book and hard to review without spoiling. And loved the Single point POV with Alex to the point where there is so much going on with not only her but to the other characters behind the scenes.
What doesn't work: Really hard to say which brings me to having to actually rate it. If I have learned anything with reviewing books is the hardest thing so far is having to decide between 4 and 5 stars. I haven't rated too many books 5 stars but the satisfaction I had after reading this one was the same as the others. This one is a solid 5 stars and one of the best books of the year so far for me. Very highly recommended.
I really appreciate Atria books for giving me the opportunity to read and review such a great book and discovering a new and talented author in Juilia Bartz. This one has a publication date of 2/21/2023.
I received a Advanced Reader Copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Spoiler free synopsis: We have Alex, a novelist who has struggled to get her books published. She has been unsuccessful for a while and at this point has writer's block to the point where she can't even write anymore. All seems lost...... But not so fast! Her favorite author Roza Vallo, a feminist horror writer, has always hosted a month long writer's retreat on her estate and in a turn of good luck Alex gets a invite. It's a dream come true for her and she drops everything she is doing and heads out. In the retreat there are several women invited including her former best friend: Wren who they had a huge following out to almost the point of hatred for each other now.
But dreams aren't always so great as they are soon given the daunting task of having to complete a entire novel in one month. And that is where this story just ignites as what follows is a outstanding book full of mayhem and drama that soon get's deadly.
What works: In a nutshell, everything! The writing, pacing, dialogue, and length of this novel is outstanding and absolutely ominous. How is this a debut novel? This reads like a author who has spent years developing her craft. The characters are amazing and you will get emotionally involved. Especially with the following out between Alex and Wren. There is one scene where Alex has so much anxiety with being in the same room that it's hard to read. It gave me anxiety! Plus this one takes a dark turn and goes from psychological thriller to scary and borderline horror. Just a great book and hard to review without spoiling. And loved the Single point POV with Alex to the point where there is so much going on with not only her but to the other characters behind the scenes.
What doesn't work: Really hard to say which brings me to having to actually rate it. If I have learned anything with reviewing books is the hardest thing so far is having to decide between 4 and 5 stars. I haven't rated too many books 5 stars but the satisfaction I had after reading this one was the same as the others. This one is a solid 5 stars and one of the best books of the year so far for me. Very highly recommended.
I really appreciate Atria books for giving me the opportunity to read and review such a great book and discovering a new and talented author in Juilia Bartz. This one has a publication date of 2/21/2023.
I received a Advanced Reader Copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
WOW. Cannonballed this in less than 24 hours. Just what I needed to get me out of my reading slump. If you love stories about writers and thrillers with a “final girl” type of twist on it…this is the book for you.
Two things I loved: 1- The antagonist’s obsessive desperation over the broken friendship really spoke to me. We’ve all been a bit unhinged after friend breakup.
2 - The story’s villain was fabulous - glamorous, unhinged and horrifying!!!
I would love to see this book in film-form. It was just so visual!
Two things I loved: 1- The antagonist’s obsessive desperation over the broken friendship really spoke to me. We’ve all been a bit unhinged after friend breakup.
2 - The story’s villain was fabulous - glamorous, unhinged and horrifying!!!
I would love to see this book in film-form. It was just so visual!
Alex is a struggling writer. Ever since the fall out with her best friend, Wren, she hasn't been able to write a thing. But an author friend recommends Alex for a chance to experience a writing retreat with Roza Vallo, the author that she has idolized since she twelve. The individual who writes the best book during the retreat gets a book deal. When Alex finds out she's been accepted her life changes.
The retreat is in an isolated location with no cell service or wifi. Oh, and Wren will be there too. Things start out well until girls start going missing... Alex must literally write to save her life.
This book was wonderfully creepy, and I'd honestly like to read the book that Alex was working on in this novel as well as Roza's books. I felt like certain parts within the plot were predictable, but I was on the edge of my seat for most of this book.
Seriously impressed that this is a debut novel. I highly recommend this book if you like psychological thrillers. Especially if you like titles that keep you guessing until the end.
Thank you to NetGalley, Julia Bartz and Atria for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The retreat is in an isolated location with no cell service or wifi. Oh, and Wren will be there too. Things start out well until girls start going missing... Alex must literally write to save her life.
This book was wonderfully creepy, and I'd honestly like to read the book that Alex was working on in this novel as well as Roza's books. I felt like certain parts within the plot were predictable, but I was on the edge of my seat for most of this book.
Seriously impressed that this is a debut novel. I highly recommend this book if you like psychological thrillers. Especially if you like titles that keep you guessing until the end.
Thank you to NetGalley, Julia Bartz and Atria for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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