My thanks to Faber & Faber for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Family Retreat’ by Bev Thomas.

This was a slow burn domestic drama that centred on Dr Jess Gibson, a GP currently on leave following an unsettling incident at the group practice where she works in East London. Her writer husband, Rob, suggests that the family get away for the summer.

Jess isn’t convinced though their kids are thrilled and the combination of the Dorset sea air and the idyllic cottage works their magic and Jess starts to relax into the holiday vibes. She even makes friends with Helen, another woman who is holidaying there with her husband and kids.

When Jess uncovers a disturbing secret, she is confident that she can help solve the problem. Yet even the gentlest waves can hide the deadliest undercurrents. No further details to avoid spoilers though as the cover tag line indicates this perfect holiday will have a shocking ending that no one could have foreseen.

As indicated above this story unfolds at a measured pace and its revelations felt quite organic. At times Jess does reflect upon her past and we learn of the reasons for her need for time away from the demands of her profession.

Bev Thomas was a clinical psychologist in the NHS and continues to serve as a mental health consultant and I felt that she approached the novel’s themes her with sensitivity while still penning an engaging suspense drama.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

I read this book in two sittings which is unusual for me, even on holiday. In many ways, it is similar to lots of other psychological crime novels but what I found different about it was the way in which is referred to many current issues which I won’t name here because of spoilers.
I did enjoy the characters and some of the presentations of the relationships within families: mothers and their children and women and their sisters. I also enjoyed the setting which felt very vivid.
All in all, a great holiday read.

THE FAMILY RETREAT

I struggled to engage with this book at the start. I found #TheFamilyRetreat somewhat drawn out and extremely slow paced. Its non-linear structure didn’t help with this. And neither did the, excruciating, unnecessarily long chapters that did not encourage me to continue but I carried on hoping that this would change.

And thankfully it did, unfortunately though this wasn’t until over halfway through the book.

I did feel that the novel dealt well with the COVID-19 pandemic. It dealt with it accurately and without bombarding you with information but not forgetting that it actually happened.

However saying this I’m not 100% sure of the relevance to quite how in-depth it sometimes was. Something I found common throughout this novel and because of this I am only going to give this book two and half stars; rounding it up to three for my #NetGalley and Goodreads review as opposed to down to two.

I found that there was just two much going on throughout this novel, which made it loose the point to the meaning of this story, of domestic abuse, it became lost.

Thanks to Netgalley and Faber and Faber for the early digital edition of this book released on August 25th.
Jess and Rob take the family away for what they hope is an idyllic family summer holiday, with an underlying agenda of some soul searching regarding recent events in their lives. These events are alluded too and slowly reveal themselves to the reader as the story progresses.
I found it hard to warm to Jess- she seemed secretive yet overly curious and partly nosey into the affairs of her new neighbours. There’s a lot happening in this story, with snippets of the lives of people around Jess and their own challenges and issues. The story, whilst slow, does have some twists and unexpected reveals.
I didn’t feel that there was as much atmosphere as I would have liked- I like to read and feel like I’m being transported but there was a lack of details that enables this feeling for me,
Readers who like a slow story that focuses on character development will likely enjoy this read.

Jess is a burnt out GP married to Rob with two children.
The family take an extended holiday in a cottage by the sea.
Jess meets Helen at a fundraiser and they don’t hit it off straight away , but their relationship does develop and Jess is asked to help Helen’s sister.
I will leave it there for the plot because I don’t want to add any spoilers ,one thing I can say is I didn’t see that coming!
To be honest I didn’t think I would savour the book as much as I have .The writing is excellent and the storyline is intense and about subjects that don’t make for an easy read.
The story was really a slow burner which I felt wasn’t really going anywhere until I approached half way and then it picked up pace with added vigour.
The calibre of the writing is excellent and it left me questioning what we actually know about another person’s life , we may well perceive the opposite of the truth.
If like me you initially struggle with this book please push on and finish the story .
A fulfilling and constructive read which made me question my initial perception of people.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Faber and Faber Ltd.

The first thing I did on finishing this title was to look at the author's background. Jess is a fascinating and believable character - a GP who actually cares and gives her all to her job and her patients. She seems to have burnt herself out - criticised by her peers for caring too much, working too hard.
Her husband, Rob, organises a month long holiday in Dorset with their two children and it soon becomes clear that Jess is struggling - not just because she has worked so hard as a GP but because she feels she has 'failed' as a mother.
Jess becomes involved with an organised 'perfect' mother Helen and a local mother with a disabled son.
Gradually Jess, who is having counselling, discovers herself - her past, her own self and a recognition that there is more to life than the job she does so well.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Bev Thomas/Faber & Faber for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

A slow and steady build up that kept me reading because I was sucked in very quickly. I did see the big twist coming but that didn’t spoil the book for me in any way.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

I didn't know where this story would take me when I first started it and indeed there are several strands woven within its pages.
It is well written and opens your eyes to the experiences of others. Everyone has things to deal with in their lives and you never truly know what others are dealing with.
On the surface it is about a family getting away from London for a few weeks in the summer but oh it covers much more than that.

ONE PERFECT HOLIDAY. ONE SHOCKING ENDING.
When Rob decides the family needs to get away for the summer Jess is not convinced - won't all the things they're escaping be waiting for them on their return? But the kids are thrilled, and before long their idyllic little cottage, the sea air, and the feel of skin sticky from sun-cream, lollies and sand, begins to work its magic. Jess allows herself to sink into the holiday vibes - the family even make holiday friends.
The summer heat intensifies Jess - ever vigilant - unearths a secret, a problem she's sure she can help solve. But things are not always as they seem. The water may look inviting but even the gentlest looking waves can hide the deadliest undercurrents.
As autumn approaches, Jess - and the reader - will come to realise this is going to end in a way no-one could have imagined...

This is a gripping read from the start.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review

3.5 stars

The Family Retreat by Bev Thomas is a psychological thriller..

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Faber and Faber (and in particular Rachel Quinn), and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Rob and Jess try to escape their current problems by renting a cabin by the sea for them and their two children.

Jess, a doctor,  has been having some problems at work.  She also doesn't feel she is getting enough support from her husband.  But perhaps this trip to the seaside will be just what she needs.

She meets another woman who is staying at the cabins for the summer, and she has two children roughly the same age as Jess's.  Although Jess finds Helen a little stand-offish at first, she soon finds herself embroiled in this woman's life.

Meanwhile, Jess's father is acting a little strange.


My Opinions:
First, I admit that I really disliked the first 50% of this book (which made it a long haul).  It moved very slowly, and it seemed so predictable, but not all of it was.

The book deals with mental illness, disabilities, abusive relationships, and family secrets.

On the matter of characters, I didn't really like any of them that much, which makes for a difficult read.  I imagine I was supposed to like Jess, but for someone as bright as she was supposed to be, she "missed" a lot of signs, and she was very self-centered.  Her husband was a bit of an idiot, and her parents and sister just pissed me off.  Helen was really interesting (although I did see through her story from the start), and I liked both Joyce and Philip.

So, although I didn't really like the characters, the plot was good once it finally got going.  It ended up being an okay read.

Bev writes such compelling and often heartbreaking novels and The Family Retreat is no exception.

Jess has a high demanding job not just as a partner in a GP practice but also volunteering for the safeguarding team.
Her husband Rob is a screenwriter and has just landed his first major movie deal.as well as having two small children Sam and Ruby.

After a complaint by a patient Jess was asked to take some time off away from work but as things escalated she needed more than just two weeks leave.
Rob manages to find a beautiful but tiny cottage Dorset for a month even though Jess is reluctant at first but as soon as she arrives it felt like home. The cottage is set in a small hamlet just outside the local village.

In the cottage next door Helen her husband James and there two children Ollie and Lexie have also come to spend the summer in Helen's mum cottage whilst she is away. Even though James can only visit at weekends due to setting up is own business.

There is also the local farmer Pete and his wife Joyce and their eighteen year old son Loe who has learning difficulties. In the adjoining cottage is Penny and her father Phillip.

I don't want to go into too much about what happens as it will spoil the plot for other readers but this book deals with some very difficult subjects including domestic violence and mental health problems it is a powerful and impactful book to read.

This is one of those books that are not easy to classify as it could be a domestic thriller, family drama, or some other genre.
But this is secondary as it's a very good book and you cannot help feeling involved in the life of the characters and the ongoing dramas.
There’re some minor details that require a bit of suspension of belief but they don't ruin the suspense and the pleasure of reading.
Good storytelling, excellent plot and character development.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

What a gripping, intense page-turner. This is my first read by Bev Thomas and looking forward to reading her first novel now.

Jess, her hubby Rob and her children head to the coast to spend summer at a cottage, while there she meets Helen who has 2 children and her husband James. Jess has suffered from the stresses of her job as a GP and has come to relax and chill. Then Helen asks for help.

I really enjoyed the story, it does have mental health issues and domestic abuse in the plot so sometimes a bit hard to read. There is always hope though.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy for an honest review.

This book very slowly and gently took the reader into the story and, to my mind, did not really begin to come alive until three quarters of the way through. Although I could see some of what was coming the action was well told and the latter part of the book moved along briskly and held me in its grip. Therefore the novel was worth reading inspite of the slow buildup.

I found this rather disappointing. I don't want to diminish the experience of people who've been through similar, but when a book is touted as being a dark, shocking thriller, you expect dark and shocking and I just didn't think this fit that. It's more of a tragic domestic drama than a thriller. I kept waiting for something major to happen, and didn't feel like the ending fit the build up. Maybe it was the execution on the part of the author or maybe I'm just too jaded and cynical, but this really didn't do it for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC without obligation.

This is a family drama/thriller which explores some very interesting issues surrounding parenting, family life and mental health. It's raw honesty is both refreshing and affronting providing a compelling, gripping read which leaves you a lot to think about. There are fascinating details about the drama that unfolds which gives the writing integrity. I have great respect for Thomas for this novel as she has blended an exciting, gritty thriller which is moving and thought-provoking. This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

Starts off with a family of 4 renting a holiday cottage on the coast and the people and kids met there.
As you read more of the book a quiet sense of unease envelopes you until the breath taking ending
How many layers does each family have,how many secrets and tragedys are kept from public view?
Full of twists snaking back and forth until each family is laid bare.
An intense read. I raced through this book
I loved it.

I found the book difficult to get into and reading it was like walking through treacle. Th GP takes a break from her stressful job and the family rent a Dorset cottage. Rather conveniently they get friendly with neighbours with similar aged children and it appears the women also have similar issues. The women open up to each other very quickly and the book tries to deal with many issues. Sadly not my choice but thanks to netgalley for the chance to try a new author.

I found The Family Retreat really difficult to get into. The first half of the book was a struggle just to get through. The second half definitely picked up, but perhaps a little too much as it almost exploded with so much thrown at the reader. Overall, the story was interesting but characters didn't click for me, can only give this one 2 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Faber and Faber for an advanced copy of The Family Retreat in exchange for an honest review.

This book wasn't for me. It started so slowly that I had to force myself to carry on reading. It did get better but too much was eventually crammed into the plot. I could not connect to Jess or Helen either. I'm sure a lot of readers will enjoy it as it's down to personal choice.