The Wilderness Retreat by Jennifer Moore is a brilliantly twisty psychological thriller that had me hooked from the very first page. Set in a remote, eerie wellness retreat, the sense of isolation and creeping dread is masterfully done—every chapter leaves you second-guessing and desperate to know who to trust.

The protagonist is relatable and flawed in all the right ways, and her descent into suspicion and paranoia is both believable and gripping. Moore builds tension with expert precision, and just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, she throws in a twist that completely blindsides you.

The setting is atmospheric and unsettling, making the perfect backdrop for a story full of secrets, lies, and dark surprises. It's the kind of book you read in one sitting because you just have to know what happens next.

I’ll deffo be reading more of hers—this was a standout debut and I can’t wait to see what she writes next. Fans of Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, and Lisa Jewell will love this.

It's been a while since I've read a thriller and this was just fine. It was decent enough but if you read a lot of thrillers I think you will guess the twist pretty early on, at least I did. That didn't detract from the enjoyment of it and wanting to make sure I was right though!

The writing itself was a very slow burn and a bit repetitive, frequent random mentions of the main characters sons deodorant etc, and to be honest the ending wrapped up quite abruptly and very conveniently.

The main thing I loved was the setting of the lodge in the wilderness of Sweden, and regardless of what happened in the book I'd love the chance to go on a wilderness retreat!!

The Wilderness Retreat delivers a suspenseful atmosphere with a steadily building sense of unease. Set against an isolated and eerie backdrop, the story effectively draws the reader into a tense web of secrets, mistrust, and danger.
Jennifer Moore does a great job developing the suspense, and the isolated retreat setting really enhances the feeling that something isn't quite right. The characters are compelling, and the mystery kept me engaged throughout.
However, while the buildup was strong, the ending felt a little rushed. The resolution tied things up quickly, and some plot points could have used a bit more depth or clarity. Still, it's an enjoyable and atmospheric read for fans of psychological thrillers.

My first experience of this author, and it didn’t disappoint. A thoroughly gripping roller coaster ride of a thriller. Recommended.

I just wrapped up "The Wilderness Retreat" by Jennifer Moore, and wow, what a journey! The way she describes the wilderness is absolutely breathtaking—it's like you can feel the fresh air and hear the rustling leaves. The characters are really relatable, each on their own path of self-discovery, which made me reflect on my own experiences.

What I loved most was how their relationships developed throughout the retreat. There were some intense moments, but also a lot of warmth and connection. It felt so genuine and heartfelt.

If you're in the mood for a book that combines adventure with personal growth and a touch of romance, I highly recommend checking out "The Wilderness Retreat"! It's definitely a feel-good read that leaves you inspired.

These locked room mysteries are really good in my opinion. I love seeing a group of people being locked away in mysterious circumstances- this was hooking me from the start .

Set in the great outdoors, this novel offers a perfect blend of adventure, romance, and personal growth. The setting itself is stunning, with Moore bringing the wilderness to life in such a vivid and picturesque way, making it feel like you’re right there alongside the characters.

The characters are well-developed and easy to connect with, and I really enjoyed the slow-building romance that grows naturally throughout the story. There are plenty of twists and challenges that keep the plot moving, and it’s a refreshing take on both romance and self-discovery. While it’s a bit predictable at times, the heartwarming themes and beautiful setting more than make up for it. If you’re looking for a feel-good, nature-filled escape, The Wilderness Retreat is definitely one to add to your list!

A great mystery thriller. Captivating, riveting full of twist and turns!
Great characters set in a beautiful place and described so well

This was a really slooooow burner, it wasn't until around 70% that things really started heating up. So much so I nearly gave up a few times. That said, I'm glad I stuck with it as the end made up for it. It tied up must of the loose ends which is always a winner. The only thing was one that didn't make sense, I want sure if the connection with T.

I would possibly read another by the same author but I wouldn't rush out to buy it

With thanks to the author, publishers HQ and NetGalley, for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the premise of this book, but I found the reading of it a little tedious and a bit of a slog to get through. It started off well, but once the main protagonist Bella arrived at the retreat it all got a little chaotic. After she found the note, she seemed to turn into someone who was overly paranoid and suspicious of everyone around her, regardless of her experiences with them. The story from that point onwards seemed to be a constant stream of “what ifs”, and I’m sorry to say that I just found it quite repetitive.

This is a gripping psychological thriller by Jennifer Moore that takes readers on a suspenseful journey.
The story unfolds with Bella, who is facing the emptiness of an empty nest as her son leaves for university, finding solace in a week-long wilderness retreat in Sweden (doesnt that just sound like heaven?!) a gift from her sister and son.
However, the retreat's serene setting is overshadowed by the ominous Dead Man's Forest and a series of unsettling events that escalate into a fight for survival.

For those who revel in the thrill of a psychological rollercoaster, 'The Wilderness Retreat' is a book that promises to keep you guessing until the very end. It's a story that proves sometimes the most dangerous wilderness is the one that lies within.

Bella sets off for a break in a Swedish retreat, after dropping her son off to University. When odd things start happening her 'relaxing week' becomes a nightmare. Hard to review in depth without giving spoilers, which I don't want to do! A gripping read from the start to the finish, with plenty of twists and turns throughout!
Thanks to NetGalley, the Publisher & The Author for this ARC in return for my honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
The chapters around the remoteness of the Scandinavian retreat were atmospheric. I thought the flashbacks to Izzy's (Bella's) university life were distracting, interrupting the flow of events at the retreat. Once the time at the retreat started I thought the events became increasingly bizarre and unbelievable, and did nothing to build any psychological suspense. I persevered to the end of the book and wondered why I'd bothered.

I found this book to be quite underwhelming. With its numerous characters and frequent shifts in focus, I struggled to follow the plot and found it quite confusing. It felt like a slog to get through, and I was relieved when I finally finished it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a copy to review.

I have really mixed feelings about this book. I wanted to love it. I wanted to be so into it that I couldn’t put it down but it just didn’t do that for me.

Overall an ok read. You can dip in and out. It’s not going to consume your life.

I found myself wishing it would increase in pace and almost found parts quite tiring. Not enough substance

I also felt like there was a lot of duplication and repetition. I did finish this and did enjoy it but it was mediocre

After taking her only son to university, Bella’s sister arranged for her to have a week away at a Swedish retreat to take her mind off being home alone for the first time since her son was born. Being apprehensive from the start, things are worse when she arrives and she sees her old university professor, the reason she left university, there as the celebrity guest.
Things then take an even bigger turn for the worse when anonymous notes arrive under Bella’s door and to others too and things have a creepy feel.
This is a book that I have read through fairly quickly and had a good twist at the end.

Bella's only son Asher has just started university so her sister has treated her to a holiday in Sweden at a Wilderness Retreat to help with the "empty nest".

Being so far from her son Bella is on edge from the start, especially when the retreat is declared phone free. Things aren't helped by a note pushed under her door shortly after her arrival: "I know what you did." Tension grows with the arrival of someone from Bella's past...

Honestly this book was 70% of Bella's apparently baseless paranoia and nothing to move the story along. There wasn't enough tension and I can't say I learned enough about Bella as a character (beyond her almost obsessive mother side) to really care about her.

The "payoff" if you can call it that was disappointing and you put if the blue. Also the initial setup of getting Bella there seemed highly implausible and ridiculous.

Overall a disappointing read with bland characters and not enough use of the setting. A change of location would not have affected the story one bit.

I absolutely loved this novel! It’s my kind of book and one I’d definitely pick up out of a line-up of books just for the title! Yes, I’m that person!

Had me hooked from the start and I was hugely invested in the story and characters as you just know you can’t trust anyone when people are thrown together with nowhere to go.

A definite Agatha-Christie vibe through this with added twist along the way. Jennifer’s writing is very engaging and had me fully invested. Will be recommending this to anyone I can!

Thank you to the publishers for the chance to read and review this.

I wanted to like this book as it sounded good but I couldn't get into it. I would have not reviewed but NetGalley insists on a review to keep your profile rating up even when you say you are declining to read it.

A great read not for the faint hearted. Would recommend a very good read. One of the best thrillers I've read