Reviews

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

markandcover's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

brookiet1220's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A fast paced, chaotic time set at a once in a lifetime retreat for female writers.  The retreat brings ex-friends Alex and Wren back together after falling out a year ago.  While there is no doubt that their friendship is/was toxic, Alex does show that still cares for Wren especially when everything starts going off the rails.  The isolated manor setting was giving all the right vibes.  The excerpts of Alex’s novel kept the pace high octane.  Rosa’s Eastern European accent got on my nerves at times

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Drug use and Gun violence

errski's review against another edition

3.0

I was really intrigued from the beginning. This book wasn't what I expected at all.

confettiducky's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

ladyinpnw's review against another edition

2.75

I… this devolved into a fever dream. It started off a normal thriller and then just went off the rails

eedunn18's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

I had trouble rating this. It was really well done and I read it in 3 sittings. But it was too dark for me. 

planetary_no's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

mbpartlow's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. Having some insights into the writing industry, I thought that while the money amounts were exaggerated for effect, the pressure to produce was pretty accurate. Twisty. I love it when the protagonist's inner turmoil gets all knotted up with the exterior problems of the story.

alonaabu's review against another edition

2.0

blah

kaehess's review against another edition

5.0

Oh I loved this, I was hooked from the get go and couldn’t wait to find out what happened. It all builds up to the last little bit of the book but I loved the journey and how things turned out. The audiobook was fantastic.