This book started off with the scene being well set. However the story then clunked through the middle part with a twist at the end that was predictable but at least fast paced.

It was quite a good read but some parts of the book were repetitive. The main character is one-dimensional and neurotic. The plot has some gaps and it's illogical. The twists are predictable.

I received this book from HQ Digital via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I was looking for a good thriller to start the year, and this sounded right up my street.

My favourite part of this book had to be the writing and the perfect atmosphere Moore created. The isolated retreat in the middle of the Swedish forest was so incredibly creepy. The mindfulness of the retreat was also a great reason for the characters not having access to the outside world with their mobile phones. I loved seeing Bella's relationship with Asher, and how she interacted with the various people at the retreat. The other guests were the perfect mixture of annoying and suspicious as well. The books starts off extremely strong and the first 30% were filled with suspense and intrigue.

I will say that the middle of the book did drag for me a little. I felt like the same few things were happening for a few days in a row (bad night sleeping, bad day, drinking, throwing up, nails on wall). It also had far too many dream sequences that became repetitive and boring; I found myself skimming the fifth or sixth one because it was so obviously a dream. The main character also made a few silly decisions throughout the book and saying things like 'this is the sort of stupid thing someone would do in a horror movie', but still proceeding to do it, doesn't make it any less stupid.

I'm happy to say that I didn't see the twist coming, but I also didn't feel like it had enough of an impact. I wish Bella was more lucid at the end to get more answers, because there are a few extra things that I wanted to know. I'm actually amazed that Bella didn't realise how badly her maths was off in the final chapter though. When she said she dropped out of university the next week, my main thought was 'that's ridiculously quick', and I was right.

I did really enjoy the Epilogue though and the relationship between all the characters, that actually felt really good and it tied everything up very nicely. Overall, I would say this is an extremely atmospheric thriller; so if you're looking for that creepy, isolated feeling, then look no further. I think other people might enjoy the twist more than I did, so don't let that put you off. Pick this up if you're looking for your next twisty read.

It certainly was a good read, one of these ones when you accelerate through the book, as it reaches a certain point and you have to finish, a page turner. It's also difficult to review without spoilers, as it's not complex.....just an excellent ending.

An enjoyable entertaining read but I couldn’t engage with the main character. She was endlessly missing her son having left him at uni and decided to have her holiday- or doing the most ill-advised things in a dreadful panic. Plus, there was a lot of vomiting!! This behaviour seemed over the top and unrealistic to me.
Getting into the story the unravelling of the current and historical situation was unexpected and had interesting twists.
I enjoyed the story.

bella is a single parent whose much loved son is off to university. To take her mind off this her sister arranges for her to attend a week long wilderness adventure in Sweden. Things go wrong right from the start. The father of her son is also there. Bella starts to believe that nothing is what it appears to be. She begins to think someone is out to get her. Her behaviour borders on the neurotic. It becomes obvious that she is being drugged by one of the other participants or teachers at the retreat. Who and why is hard to fathom out. The end of the retreat leaves her trapped with the person who has it in for her from the very start. Who it is, becomes clear to Bella and us.
This is an amazing read and it will make you feel as confused as Bella until the very end.
It is an excellent thriller and a great story from start to finish

After seeing her only son safely off to university, Bella heads off to Sweden for a week long respite at a wilderness retreat. However, this trip is anything but relaxing.
Weird things keep happening, and Bella discovers that the retreats 'special guest' is someone from her past. A past that she has no desire to revisit.
She feels vulnerable, and suspects that someone is possibly drugging her. Is it all in her mind?
This book is a real page turner, and I thoroughy enjoyed it from start to finish.

A Swedish wilderness retreat to relax a bit after her kid starts university it seems just what Belle needs. The place seems idyllic until the arrival of the person who ruined Bella’s life eighteen years ago. How far will Belle go to protect her current life and her son? A gripping thriller of a read!

I enjoyed this book but felt it got a bit far fetched in places and it went a bit flat for me midway’s through it but the ending was quite good I have to say …

This story had an interesting start, and the characters and location were well described to set up the story. I felt it took a little while to get going and was a little repetitive in places, particularly with regards to Bella thinking about her son, however it was a spooky and chilling story, and the ending was fantastic; very exciting. Tension builded up throughout the story and I was keen to find out what would happen. You really feel for the characters particularly Bella with her anger, paranoia and unease.
Thank you you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the ARC for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This is a new author for me, but it was very gripping. I have now put the author's other book on my wish list and look forward to reading it very soon.

So this was entirely illogical in terms of plot ... just bonkers, really ... but the author was very good at cranking up tension in all the right places. The main character is a complete wet blanket and needs to grow up somewhat, but the supporting characters made up for her.

I liked it!

This is a gripping, mystery thriller. I really enjoyed it. Huge thank you to the publisher for the ARC

When Bella heads off on a wilderness (or well-derness) retreat to Scandanavia, her aim is to relax and distract herself from the emptiness she feels after her son Asher moves away to go to university.

The Wilderness Retreat taps into the current trend of setting thrillers and crime dramas in a dramatic, remote location where the backdrop becomes another character to contend with. It also makes us question -- albeit briefly -- if Bella is a reliable narrator.

Jennifer Moore creates a beautifully atmospheric backdrop. For some people, the remote setting provides a chance to disconnect and reset. For others, the sense of isolation is a reason to panic. You can't get out and nobody can get in. The setting is the best bit of the story.

It's a pacy story that moves swiftly and builds to a crescendo. The twists are predictable and it's best to overlook some of the holes in the story, but The Wilderness Retreat still hooks you in and will keep you up all night.

In The Wilderness Retreat, a psychological thriller Moore creates a compelling read. One mistake more than a decade ago. Could it come back to haunt her? This is the farfetched premise of this novel. Moore crafts a tale of gripping proportions that’s incredibly believable.

Bella a single mum drops her son off at university. Of course both are upset. they only had each other all their lives. Moore evocatively explores both their emotions. Bella trying to be a stoic mum who doesn’t want to embarrass her son and Asher who equally does not want to be emotional and is trying his best to act grown up. Asher’s new varsity life will occupy him and help him through it. Bella however, would be returning to her empty nest. To help her however, her sister Rachel in collusion with Asher had organised a special week long retreat for her in Scandinavia. Just the ticket it would seem, except ….

The thriller is a slow boil as Moore builds the suspense with the storyline. It has numerous twists and turns keeping one on the edge of one’s seat. I dare readers to find this irksome. Think of it as driving up a steep winding mountain, sheer cliffs falling away at each side and one is not sure what the next bend presents. At the start of the novel an unknown character’s constant reminiscing may vex some readers, as it seems pointless, nevertheless it starts to make sense later on. This is just Moore’s way of adding hype to the tale.

Moore’s choice of location retreat is a brilliant move. It certainly adds to the noire of the novel. I easily associated with Bella the main protagonist, portrayed as a woman one could meet in everyday life. Vulnerable Bella was so believable. In fact, all her characters are believable. She has carefully built each character with their own quirks that fit in perfectly with the plot. Another aspect that makes the entire novel immersive. I read it in one sitting. I had to know what was going to happen next. The ordinariness of the whole plot contributed to its unputdownable.

Meant to be a blissful holiday, its anything but. Its eventually the climax and the end of the novel is in sight yet I was reluctant for it to finish. Just as well. I’m not sure how much more Bella could take. A gripping read! The novel sadly had to end but not before Moore executes a brilliant finish with the epilogue.

If one is fond of psychological thrillers this is a book to read. Frankly this is not my usual genre and I still liked it immensely.

Great book, really welll written, I felt i was there in that retreat and creepy forest. Couldn't wait to finish the book to find out the truth. It was such a good ending too. One of thise books that you keep thinking about after its finished.

I really enjoyed this story,very atmospheric and tension filled. Bella, a single mother whose son has just left for university, attends a retreat in the middle of a forest. It was a present from her sister and she hopes to spend the time switching off and doing some work. But it is a strange place and strange things keep happening!
I loved this book. It took a while for the story to really kick in but the tension builds dramatically until that happens. There are some funny and odd characters, some of whom have their own stories.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for granting me an advance copy

Incredible read. I could not put it down.
I started reading this Friday lunchtime and had finished it by Sunday evening. Absolutely gripping, excellent storyline.
The characters are well written and inticing, the premise of the story is good.
I kept trying to guess what was happening next and every time I was wrong. An excellent read.
The main character is not instantly likeable and this really suits the way the book is written. None of the characters have an immediate warmth to them or someone you'd like to "do well" throughout the story, but the way it's written has you guessing which way the story will go. I really enjoyed this title and will be recommending it as a purchase for our Library.

At the start of this book I was really drawn in - having been totally pulled in by the cover and the blurb I thought it got off to a good start. The setting was perfect, with so much potential to create something unsettling and filled with t tension. I thought that we were introduced to a good range of characters each with their own quirks that would raise suspicion and question your trust when the time came.

I did feel like the story lost its way a little in the middle - I found elements becoming a bit repetitive when it came to Bella and as the days were passing rather than feeling the tension ramp up, I found myself becoming frustrated with Bella’s obsession with Asher and Ludwell - I felt like this kept the story stagnant rather than keeping the drama and tension moving.

The overall storyline and reveal was fairly decent, just as the story began strongly, it picked up in the last section. Overall I did enjoy this, but feel like more could have been done with the middle section of the story to keep you engaged and on your toes.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this story.

Awesome story that pulls you in, I immediately liked Bella and wanted to know more about her! Asher appears to be a typical teen, with hidden depths - the mother/son bond is lovely to witness.

Now the retreat, wow, starts off very mellow and soon takes a twist, I was questioning the who dunnit it, until the end! Fab plot twist, and also loved the epilogue I do like a nice neat ending!