Samantha Vérant, The Writers' Retreat, Storm Publishing, July 2025.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

A thriller set around a writers’ retreat and writers? What could be a more enticing location and concept? Sadly, the premise promised by the title is not fulfilled. To be fair, it is established that the retreat is also a commercial enterprise selling perfumes, a unique alcoholic beverage and foodstuffs, and custom-made paper. Also, the cleverness of the novel revolves around writing, in this case a memoir and a novel based on events in each of the writer’s lives. This device sets the scene for the possibility that fiction will override fact, that a story can be embellished or even be lies, and that the protagonists whose firsthand accounts make up the chapters might be creating the dramatic effects which are the writer’s prerogative.

The narrative begins with a prologue in which an unnamed person provides advice about removing hurtful people. And perhaps this person has done so – there is a blade in their hand, and they wipe clean all the surfaces before departing. In the first of short chapters, Liv Montgomery introduces herself, her aspirations, her nemesis, Kat, and her successful submission of her thriller to an agent. The agent invites Liv to a writers’ retreat. Coincidently, or not, Miriam a woman from Liv’s past, is part of the agency’s team. Sienna, with a past and current hostile relationship with Liv, is also a participant. She is writing non-fiction which could suggest that her utterances are believable. However, with the twists and turns taken in The Writers’ Retreat this is not necessarily the case.

Liv Montgomery and Kat Sterling speak about the past and present to produce the stories that make up the narrative. Although this could be awkward, the seamless nature of their presentation of events makes a useful entry into their personas. These are woman who talk about their past as teenagers in the same way as their present as women nearing their thirties. They are rarely shown as sympathetic characters, any momentary concern a reader might have about damaging events in their past, is quickly destroyed by their continuing immature responses to current events, their determination to take revenge for past events, and their desire to win at all costs. The question is, win what?
One character’s story plays to the end of the book. The ending would be more satisfying if the character inspired either empathy or a sense of deserved justice. Unfortunately, it all falls a little flat.

This book deserves three and a half stars, which is impossible to record on the system.

A luxury retreat in the middle of nowhere? YES! Creepy? EXTRA! The setting for this book laid the foundation for a slow burn, locked room thriller. You could've cut the tension with a knife with this one. The backstabbing, betrayal, and twists and turns throughout this was unforgettable. My first by this author and it won't be my last. I enjoyed Liv's character and the descriptive writing. great read!

3.5 rounded to 4

The beginning was a bit slow for me. The premise is there, the story is good. The layout was more complicated than it needed to be, in my opinion. I'm a sucker for a good multiple POV but having multiple POVs mixed within multiple timelines got a bit overwhelming.

Good twists, once passed the slow start it is engaging. A quick read.

The Writer’s Retreat had such an intriguing premise, but it just didn’t land for me. The writing felt underdeveloped, relying too much on dialogue without enough depth to carry it through. The story arc was unbalanced, dragging in parts and then speeding up out of nowhere, which made it feel like something was missing in the middle. The friendships came across as toxic and disconnected, and I never felt invested in what they were supposed to be. It’s hardly even about the retreat, which felt like a wasted hook. In the end, it came off more cheesy than clever, with twists that felt forced rather than earned. Overall, an interesting idea that fell short in execution.

I wanted to love this one so much, but it fell so flat for me. I am loving the thrillers about writers, but the execution in this one did not work at all. I was expecting a super tense and suspenseful thriller but that is not what I got. I just wanted and expected more from it due to the premise.

Verant has made a name for herself with her over-the-top settings, cutting-edge narrative, and dialogue that cuts right to the bone. The Writer’s Retreat pits the drama of the past against current-day payback, where readers need a scorecard to keep track of who’s breathing. And who’s not.

Fast paced, filled with twists, readers will love this latest book from an author well-known for keeping her readers up into the wee hours of the night, with the lights on bright.

I really loved the beginning of this book so much! I felt like it had super great potential but the ending had a lot of random twist and turns that made it a bit hard to follow.
I loved the characters and the setting and loved the writing style!

To begin with, I found the cover very appealing, and when that’s the case, I usually go on to read the blurb. I found that intriguing as well, so the decision to read the book was made quickly.

It starts off very well, especially when the author takes us on a journey into the past to give certain things more depth and to help us better understand the present-day story.

Right away, you get the sense that there’s more behind the invitation Liv, the main character, receives. She feels deeply honored, but is it a poisoned gift?

Gradually, it becomes clear that several people may have hidden agendas, making it hard for the reader to know whom to trust. I actually enjoy that—it gets my brain working overtime.

As the story progressed, however, I found it increasingly confusing, and I have to admit I started to lose interest. I can't quite put my finger on what bothered me—perhaps some elements that, in my opinion, didn’t really add much to the story?

I kept reading, as I always do with every book, because I believe every story deserves respect, and I can imagine how hard an author and their team worked on it.

I was thrilled with the big reveal toward the end—possibly the highlight of the book for me. It was simply brilliant.

In the end, I’m afraid I have to conclude that this was a good book, but unfortunately not a great one. I’m sorry—truly—I want to praise every book to the skies. But I’m convinced that others won’t share my opinion, and that’s a good thing. How boring would it be if we all thought the same? 3 stars.

Thank you.

This book kept me hooked from the cozy beginning to the final page. What should have been a dreamy retreat for aspiring authors turns into something darker and more sinister. Samantha Verant delivers a clever blend of murder mystery and suspense… blending secrets, betrayal and revenge. This story had everything I love in a good psychological thriller. Every twist kept me guessing whodunit until the chilling end.

As a writer myself, I can't express enough how much I loved this book! I mean, who wouldn't want to spend a private writing retreat in the Catskills with other writers and publishers? Part Mean Girls, part Gone Girl, The Writers Retreat keeps you guessing from beginning til the very end! So many twisty twistable twists, I couldn't put it down and read it in one day!

Special thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

The irony of a book about writer(s) in which the actual writing is painfully stilted? *chef's kiss* Except not because emphasis on the painful.

3.5 ⭐️

Samantha Verant’s newest publication had me entertained by its luxurious secluded atmospheric setting and strong undertones of betrayal, ambition and obsession.

The Writer’s Retreat followed an aspiring author Liv Montgomery. She joined a prestigious, week-long writing retreat held at a secluded luxury estate in the Catskills. The retreat quickly turned dark when guest is murdered and Liz inexplicably ends up holding the knife.

The author retreat trope is a common theme and one I have read multiple times before. In fact, about four months ago I read “You Are Fatally Invited” and “When She Escaped”. Both centered on authors at a retreat in a desolate location. Needless to say, as soon as I started reading “The Writer’s Retreat”, I immediately drew on its similarities to these other two novels. Not only was the plot commonplace, I read Verant’s “The Lucky Widow” earlier this year and devoured it. Therefore my expectations for Verant’s The Writer’s Retreat was high and I had some reservations about reading this book. However, I knew I had to give it a read having loved the last book I read of hers and regardless of the conventional trope. I am really pleased I did because there were a few variables that led to my enjoyment.

One of my favorite aspects of this story was how the narrative shifted between past and present timelines, and unraveled the characters’ backstories. These components added depth to the story and gave it more intrigue. It also portrayed the characters in two different timeframes and how they were different in time and how they changed. And lastly, it provided more complexity to the rather simplistic dialogue.

Another favorite aspect was the pacing. Regardless of the slow to start pace during the character introductions, but the momentum began to pick up pace when the guests arrived at the retreat. From there the story progressed at a quicker speed and dark and twisted elements were revealed.

Lastly, I liked how the storyline had a distinct diversion from the other two author retreat books I’ve read. I’m not going to disclose what specifically they were as I don’t want to give away the details-you will have to read to find out- but they were intriguing enough to set this narrative aside for others in its genre with its similar premise.

As noted above, the trope in The Writer’s Retreat has been reenacted countless times, and therefore, wasn’t an original concept. Even so, the exchange of different characters and the conflict was enough for this narrative to have subtle divergence in making this story entertainingly twisted and engaging.

In all, Samantha Verant achieved an atmospheric and twisted psychological mystery thriller. In comparison to The Lucky Widow, I would recommend The Lucky Widow over The Writer’s Retreat. That said, The Writer’s Retreat may appeal to fans of psychological suspense and female‑driven thrillers and those who like the work of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley.

Thanks to Net Galley and Storm Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

3.5/5 this was so close to being a 4/5.

The only reason this is a 3.5 and not a 4 is because it was a touch slow to start for my taste. I like to be instantly drawn into a mystery/thriller kind of book.

This was very fun and the conclusion/reveal was so fast-paced and intriguing. I loved the sort of gasp/ah-ha moment when everything clicked into place. How it culminated really worked out so well.

This follows a group of people (but mainly our main character) at a writers' retreat and some spooky things happen, and some dark and mysterious pasts are revealed. Some characters are more entangled than they may seem at first glance.

There were so many layers to this book and to what was going on, I think that really added to the impact of certain moments, especially the ending.

Given the remote mountain retreat setting of this book, it almost has a locked-room feel to it. I thought that was a very cool way to add to the atmosphere and overall feel of the book.

I can definitely see myself rereading this book, I'm sure there's more I will notice with additional reads, little Easter eggs now that I know what's going on.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Writers’ Retreat follows Liv, an aspiring writer invited to a luxurious and remote retreat in the Catskills. She’s hoping for inspiration - and maybe her big break- but reality unfolds in a much more unpleasant way when she's faced with people from her past. Told in alternating timelines and multiple POVs, this thriller will appeal to fans of Jeneva Rose.

I really wanted to enjoy this one. The synopsis was so compelling and I love the current trend of “books about people writing books”. I went in expecting a tense, fast-paced thriller full of suspense and clever twists. I expected something atmospheric and creepy. Unfortunately, what I got felt more like a melodramatic story of mean-girl antics, with over-the-top plot developments that didn’t land for me.

The twists felt forced rather than shocking, and I struggled to stay engaged with the writing. The characters felt flat, and I found myself not really caring about what happened to any of them. Rather than mirroring the writing style of Lucy Foley and Lisa Jewell, I think it has more in common stylistically with Jeneva Rose - so if you enjoy her voice in your thrillers, this might be a better fit for you than it was for me.

For me, this one just didn’t deliver the suspense or depth I was hoping for.

Is it ironic that I started June with a thriller I didn’t like, and now here I am, on the first day of July, kicking off the month with another disappointment? What a shame! I genuinely thought “The Writers’ Retreat” would be a hit for me–it had the perfect setup: a remote setting, a group of writers, buried secrets, and of course, murder. Unfortunately, it just didn’t deliver.

In this thriller, we follow Liv Montgomery, a struggling novelist who sees a secluded retreat in the Catskills as a chance to revive her career. But things quickly spiral when one of the guests is murdered, and Liv finds herself at the heart of the mystery. As secrets from her past resurface and tensions rise, Liv must uncover the truth before someone else becomes the next victim.

On paper, this sounded like the perfect beach read–tense, twisty, and atmospheric. I love isolated settings, especially in thrillers, and I was genuinely excited to dive into a story that promised suspense and psychological complexity. Sadly, the execution fell flat. I found myself surprisingly bored. The pacing dragged, and I never felt that pulse of intrigue or tension that I usually look for in a good thriller. The investigation barely gripped me, and much of the narrative felt repetitive and slow.
The novel also uses dual timelines–and occasionally different POVs–which can work really well when done right. While I’m not always a fan of that structure, I’ve come to appreciate how it can deepen a story and offer more insight into the characters.

But here, the dual timeline didn’t add much at all. Instead, it made the plot more confusing and, at times, harder to follow–especially when I was already struggling to stay engaged.

Overall, this one just wasn’t for me. It’s always frustrating when a book you were looking forward to turns out to be a letdown. The Writers’ Retreat had potential and a compelling setup, but it lacked the tension and narrative drive I expect from a thriller. I hope others enjoy it more than I did–but if you’re looking for something gripping and immersive, this might not be it.

The Writer’s Retreat is a thriller that delves into the complex world of cults that are obvious and those that are not quite seen but are in our everyday relationships. The characters all have an agenda but fight the good versus evil morale dilemma at every choice. The plot twist was not a surprise to me but it was what was needed to bring the story together.

"Write or Die" is an exhilarating ride into the world of creativity gone wrong, set against the stunning backdrop of a luxurious estate in the Catskills. As someone who’s often dreamed of the perfect writing retreat, I immediately felt drawn into Liv Montgomery’s experience. The premise is irresistible: a group of aspiring writers escaping the daily grind for a week of inspiration and camaraderie.

The author has crafted a rich tapestry of characters, each with their own quirks and hidden agendas. I found myself both intrigued and wary of them, which made the unfolding mystery all the more engaging.
What struck me most was Liv’s journey from a hopeful writer to a suspect in a murder investigation.

"Write or Die" delivers a fantastic, edge-of-your-seat mystery. If you’re looking for a gripping tale that blends humor, suspense, and a touch of literary rivalry, this one is a must-read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, and Publisher for this copy.

So much appreciation for this ARC from Storm Publishing via NetGalley.

I love a good thriller when I’m in a reading slump and this description sounded nothing short of intense. I struggled with the beginning and following the initial character introductions and the intricate webs weaved between the characters. The jumping of timelines took a few chapters to be able to follow. The POV jumping was random, and that needed getting used to.

The twist was amazing and I never saw it coming! I never would have guessed it. The ending was another surprise I never would have guessed.

Overall, it felt half-baked to read, like events were thrown together and a lot of it was far-fetched. I took detailed notes and highlights throughout the book, but it mostly felt like whiplash, following the changing timelines, POVs, betrayals and loyalties. It was difficult to push through after the first 70 pages. Excellent plot, great twist and an unexpected ending, though! Just very shallow characters and far-fetched events in some places.

While the plot sounds good (murder mystery, aspiring author), the resulting product was sophomoric at best. None of the characters seemed realistic and mostly a poor homage to the wealthy influencer elite. No one seems all that interested in the murder and frankly, neither was I. Parts seemed gimmicky with the text messages embedded in the text. I'd say that this would be the kind of book that will get made into a TV movie staring actors trying to make a comeback

I really enjoyed this book. It was a little slow start at first, but then it sped up and kept me reading. Lots of twists and turns, I enjoyed that part.