A review by jamielit
The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

2.5

This had the makings of a thriller I would love to stay wrapped under the covers on a snowy day and spend the day reading.  A literal writing retreat.  Huge, old mansion.  Isolation.  The premise was great, the setting promising.  But I wish a better writer had written this story.  The characters were immature, and the storyline too over-the-top and felt amateur.  I hardly ever rate books less than 3 stars, so this was pretty disappointing.  But I think with practice and editing, this author can produce something much better.