I think that this book had a great setting and I really liked the concept however it was a little repetitive and I found it hard to find something to connect with or like in Bella, our main protagonist. The book felt like it might have benefitted from being edited down in length overall and some more twists and turns.

Bella has no sooner dropped her son off to start uni than she’s off to a retreat in the Swedish wilderness to take stock of her life. A gift from her son and sister. Then it’s back to the same old formula of remoteness, threatened storm and of course no one is allowed to keep their phones (either that or there’s no signal anyway). Nothing much changes in these types of books! Boring Bella constantly wittering or thinking about Asher. Her son, not husband or boyfriend, all rather strange. As if that’s not enough she’s stupid enough to eat and drink whatever is handed to her! A few more guests, the owners and staff add to this motley crew. Sadly all too predictable but easy reading and quite short. Would have liked to have felt some menace and a lot more drama, not childish tricks

I am a big fan of the setting in this book. It was dark and isolated. The short chapters added to the fast pace of this book. The characters are unlikeable and I struggled to connect with them but maybe that was intentional

This was a proper creepy psychological thriller! It definitely had horror story vibes, not the kind of book you want to read before going to sleep at night! It was a gripping story and one I read quickly - if only so I could stop being scared.

The Wilderness Retreat is a strong and twisty thriller which builds up a sense of doom and trepidation. It's let down slightly by a large cast of characters where most of them aren't particularly well developed, with the exception of the few main characters. It is however creepily atmospheric and as the tension ratchets up, you can't stop turning the pages to figure out what's actually going on.

Bella's son has flown the next for university and Bella herself is at a bit of a loose end. Her entire life has revolved around motherhood and she's not sure what to do with herself now that primary focus is flying the nest. So her sister's gift of a week of a technology free wilderness retreat is something to hold on to. However things start getting weird quickly and Bella herself isn't sure if she's the one who's going crazy.

It is a slow build, but the slow build is used to increase the atmosphere and the unnerving sense that something isn't right. Several characters are holding their own secrets close to their chests, but Bella's own life time secret is staring at her from across the dining room table. Bella is going to be a bit of a marmite character; she's self-pitying to an extreme and rarely acts in her own best interests even when she knows exactly what she should be doing.

But the plot kept me engaged and I didn't figure out where it was going by the end. The slow burn release worked well, and the author worked the twists and turns in naturally rather than relying on a 360 degree shock twist. So an enjoyable read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my free review copy of this title.

Creepy, exciting and compelling! This is a really good book if you enjoy guessing who is the baddie….and it’s got absolutely everything if you do. A small bunch of guests who all have secrets and a truly atmospheric build up which will have you jumping once the book gets going. Strong 5:5.

I loved the setting of this book: there’s something about dark and isolated places that set the mood for an eerie. However, I struggled with the characters as there were so many and that made it confusing and hard to follow. The pace was too slow so it was hard to stay engaged. Unfortunately, not for me.

I found it slow going to begin with and almost lost interest but it does pick up after that. There are quite a few characters to keep up with, which can make for difficult reading at times but stick with it for the final 20%.

An easy way to while away a few hours, it's a decent thriller, and although you may work it out sooner rather than later, some of the characters are so annoying you won't be sad to see them go.

Hmmm I’m a little disappointed with how this book played out I won’t lie
I loved the idea but like most ‘locked room’ thrillers it felt a little repetitive & slow.

Things I liked:
- The setting
- Creepy vibes (the scratching)
- the clear bond between mother & son
- the flashbacks
- the ‘baddie’

Things I struggled with;
- the pace
- repetition
- the mc was unlikeable & a little dumb
- the ending felt rushed!

I think of you added in another perspective (possibly from an unknown narrator) it would have helped break it up a little

I found the bulk of this story slow going and hard to follow at times with the amount of characters, it also felt that the story was not plausible with what was happening. I found the last 15-20% picked up the pace and I felt it was finally going somewhere, however found the ending a bit lacking. It was an ok read.

Gripping and unnerving psychological thriller set in a luxurious woodland retreat in Sweden.

Film score composer and single mum Bella will be heading straight to the airport after dropping her son Asher off to start university. The secluded week long luxury trip is a surprise from her son and her older sister Rachel, and is perfectly timed to distract Bella from the empty nest facing her at home.

Already distracted by concern for her son, Bella finds her nerves jangling from slightly off interactions with guests, and even more so when she learns that the special guest who will be spending the week with them is a significant figure from her past.

Bella tries to allay her fears by telling herself they probably won't even recognise her. She just needs to keep quiet and give vague answers if they do speak to her. But this is easier said than done when she feels like she's coming down with a bug.

Forced to make a speedy exit, in her confused state Bella is sure she finds a disturbing message in her room. But when she seeks help, all traces have vanished.

Combined with the clash of such varied personalities, and a strange sense of humour, Bella becomes increasingly apprehensive, no longer completely trusting herself to know whether she is dreaming, and unable to stop herself from throwing wild accusations, losing credibility, becoming increasingly isolated and with no way of contacting friends and family.

A pacy, page-turning, twist packed read.

I recently dove into Jennifer Moore's gripping psychological thriller, "The Wilderness Retreat," and found myself on an unexpected rollercoaster of suspense and mystery. The story follows Bella, who embarks on what was supposed to be a tranquil escape at a luxurious lodge nestled in Dead Man's Forest. However, the peaceful surroundings are overshadowed by the dark local legend of a bandit left to die in a wooden coffin, adding an eerie atmosphere to the modern retreat.

One of the aspects I truly enjoyed about the book was Moore's ability to craft an unsettling ambiance. The contrast between the opulence of the lodge and the ominous forest created a constant tension that kept me hooked. The incorporation of the local legend added an extra layer of intrigue, making the setting itself a character in the narrative.

The plot's pacing was well-executed, with the unsettling notes and Bella's haunting past gradually intensifying the suspense. Moore skillfully weaves a web of uncertainty, leaving readers on the edge of their seats as the story unfolds. The unexpected twists and turns kept me guessing, and the looming fear of the unknown added to the overall sense of dread.

However, there were moments when the narrative felt slightly predictable, especially for those familiar with the psychological thriller genre. While the atmosphere was brilliantly established, the resolution left me with a few unanswered questions, and some loose ends felt rushed in the conclusion. I yearned for a bit more depth in certain character developments to enhance the overall emotional impact.

In conclusion, "The Wilderness Retreat" is a compelling psychological thriller that delivers on suspense and atmosphere. Despite some predictability and loose ends, Jennifer Moore's storytelling prowess shines through, creating a chilling tale that will appeal to fans of the genre. If you're in the mood for a suspenseful escape with a touch of local legend, this book is worth adding to your reading list.

This book had such an intriguing premise. There was a tense feeling throughout this book especially as more and more revelations came to light. The characters were at times unlikeable but I don’t mind this. It often brings an edginess to the story. The plot moved at a good pace throughout with a few surprises ready to jump out at the reader.

All in all it’s the kind of story that will keep you turning those pages eager to see where the story will take you next. With a setting that increases the claustrophobic feeling and characters that you aren’t quite sure about.

Belle drops her son off at university for the first time, leaving her feeling alone after spending so much time with him. To ease her loneliness, her sister and son have planned a retreat in Sweden for her where she can relax and find inspiration for her latest composition. Six other guests also attend the retreat, each with their reasons for being there. Oscar is working on his new book. Krista wants to uncover the truth about her husband's death, and a mystery guest is also present. This Swedish getaway is what Belle needs to move forward with her work.
Belle is cut off from the outside world, and when strange occurrences happen to her, she must figure out who is behind them and their motives. The Wilderness Retreat has a fast-paced plot, which I found easy to read. Belle is likeable, and I was eager to uncover the truth. However, when the revelation was made, it caught me off guard, which is a testament to a well-written thriller.

#thewildernessretreat #netgalley #generalfiction #mysteryandthriller

This is a tightly wound mystery set at a wilderness retreat in the middle of the Swedish nowhere. Stuck far from home, her son and civilisation Bella is catapulted into a mystery, with people she doesn’t know and one she does.
It’s a quick read, filled with a multitude of characters.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you for providing me with an advance review copy of this book. Enjoyed reading, would recommend....

This one was creepier than I thought in a good way! I think this will appeal to all lovers of thrillers, suspense and violence

A fantastically written psychological thriller, that left me on the edge of my seat. Such a good read!

I only pick up a thriller every once in a while and this was started off strong then it turned into a very intense high pressure situation! I have to confess it was a bit too intense for me. The ending was good and I liked the story arc the writer planned.

Thank you to NetGalley for the book.