Writers…can be a lot. I should know. I am one.

Writers have often been the subject matter of different media. Movies. TV shows. And of course, books. So when I read about a debut novel about writers at a writer’s retreat and how it went left, I knew. I knew that I would like to read it like I like seeing guys in suspenders.

THE WRITING RETREAT is Julia Bartz’s debut novel. And it’s about…writers. One writer in particular named Alex. Alex works in a job that she doesn’t like. She also gets to watch people she know accomplish the dream that she herself desires…to be a published author. Add onto that she had a falling out with her best friend Wren and them sharing the same social circle, one can imagine that Alex’s life is not the greatest.

Enter: Roza Vallo. Famous recluse author. Also Alex’s favorite author and inspiration. The author…who just invited five authors to her mysterious and Gothic estate for a writer’s retreat!!! And guess who managed to get on the list? That’s right!!! Alex was going onto a writer’s retreat with her most revered author. Bad news? So was Wren.

And what a retreat it was! Out in the snowy middle of nowhere. Catered to by a professional chef. There was even a personal bodyguard to help with anyone’s needs. Of course, there was no Wi-Fi or phone signal, but who needed that? The retreat was simple: write a novel in a month with a daily word count complete with surprises. The prize: A multifigured publishing deal.

At first, it was everything that Alex could dream of. Being able to be around her author idol is a thrill. The writing challenges push Alex out of her writer’s block, allowing her creativity to flow. Meeting other authors outside of her social circle is a new experience. The retreat also forces Alex to deal with Wren for better or for worse as their rivalry increases in writing, making friends, and…perhaps into something more? But not everything is as it seems at Roza’s estate. And when someone disappears, Alex wonders…is foul play afoot…or something else supernatural?

As a debut novel, I felt Bartz had the perfect premise. Alex was a good protagonist. I felt like I was reading the thoughts of a writer. She definitely reacted to things like a human would. And while there were times that I wanted to shake her and felt her character development was slow, Alex did grow. The protagonist is only as good as the antagonist. Wren came through on that. It was fun to explore the falling out between Alex and Wren. It led to some racy scenes, but I found all of it relatable. But I found a lot of the characters to be well-developed.

The plot was full of twists and turns. Some might say too many, but I rolled with it. And I love any book that will make me react in real time with gasps, laughs, and eyerolls. Once the reveals started, I was sure my jaw was on the floor at some of the truth. The novel also had little interludes involving the story that Alex was working on during the retreat. I found those annoying. Worse, it interrupted the flow for me. At first that is. Eventually, the novel itself overpowered that narrative, the interludes bending to the flow as the novel turned into a real page turner.

Add on a good ending and I would say this was a great debut novel. I can’t wait to see what Julia Bartz comes up with next.

My favorite season for snuggling in with a good book...or three.  

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The Stranded by Sarah Daniels

Esther is a med-student, but instead of being at university or a hospital, her classes are on the ship she and her family live on---the same ship she’s lived her whole life on. Nik has also spent his full life on this ship, but he and his family are on the side of the rebels, the group planning to take the ship ashore and liberate all of the passengers.  After the war, the ship has remained off the coast of the Federated States, but now Esther and Nik are forced to work together since Esther’s role as a do-gooder are going to try and do some good for the other side.  A YA novel set in a dystopian future, the book moves fast, not always clear on why everyone has been stranded out to sea (other than perhaps a vague political threat). At times, a little difficult to follow just due to the hectic running around and the chaos of the scenes.  Definitely held my interest, so I will likely read the second book, coming out next year.

3 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

Alex is in a slump. She has been since the big fight with her best friend, Wren. Nothing seems to be going right:  Her job, her dates, and especially her writing are all a mess.  And then Alex gets the opportunity of a lifetime to attend a writing retreat for month at her favorite author’s personal estate.  The only drawback is that Wren will also be attending—that, and the fact that the estate is haunted.  This gothic-style book is a true page-turner, with lots of twists and turns to hold your interest.  Unfortunately, a few things fall apart at the very end, but I think it’s a great indulgent read anyway.

4 Stars

Special Note:  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Such Pretty Flowers by K. L. Cerra

Holly has been a wreck since her brother, Dane’s, suicide.  When she starts spending time with Dane’s ex-girlfriend, more questions come up than answers, to the point where Holly is determined to get to know Maura better and do some investigating on her own, even if it means her own sanity and life are both in danger.  Told in a gothic-style in spooky Savannah, this spooky book has a very strong start.  Unfortunately, it goes off the rails a bit toward the end and we’re still left with some questions.  Lots of potential here, so I’m not completely writing this one off---I couldn’t put it down, and when it was good, it was very good!

3 Stars