Another brilliant book by JA Baker! This is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you hooked from the very first page and its very hard to put down once you start reading it!

A wonderfully written delicious thriller that I couldn’t put down until I finished… this one deserves a spot on your shelf of to be read novels!

This psychological thriller sucked me in, then had me bored out of my mind and picked up again at the end. It’s very wordy and I skimmed a lot of the middle. Ending wasn’t overly shocking. Just ok.

This is a crazy book. Peggy has fully isolated herself. She is broke and lonely. I loved the atmosphere.
Maude is cool. she's dealing with some stuff.
Audrey is my favorite. She has some issues but I know what it is like when your daughter comes home with a creepy boyfriend.

This is probably one of those books that is better gone into without knowing too much about the storyline. Baker writes well, and there is enough mystery and misdirection in this book to keep the reader's interest engaged.

The story unfolds from multiple points of view, primarily from the perspective of 4 very diverse characters.

Alec and Peggy are an unhappily married couple who live in an isolated rural location. They both carry emotional scars from their childhood, but Peggy also has disfiguring facial scars that make her reluctant to ever leave home. How she got these scars remains mysterious, and they clearly play a part in her misery, along with the paranoia she seems to be suffering from. But is it paranoia?

Because then there is Peggy's mother Audrey, who insist that she has something very important to tell her daughter - something germane to her safety. But Peggy has refused to speak to her mother and sister for many years now, so she may not be willing to listen.

Finally, there is Maude, an elderly woman apparently suffering from dementia. Yet Maude has something to say that nobody else knows, because she has witnessed something terrible.

Baker successfully plays off these characters and their different perspectives against each other, leaving the reader to wonder where the truth really lies. None of these protagonists is particularly likeable, but there is something oddly compelling about their stories...

Peggy is slowly but surely falling apart. Although she puts on a brave face things happen that helped to continue her down slide she is estranged from her mother and although Alex insist she make up with her Peggy doesn’t want to put circumstances will eventually lead to just that. There is also a girl that Alex know who has gone missing when the girl sister comes looking for her this throws Peggy into a further depression. Peggy and Alex have flashbacks from their childhood and Peggy watches what she says because Alex can get very angry. I know this is a horrible summery but I didn’t know what to say and what not to say this is a strange and crazy story there are mysteries implemented throughout the story that keep you reading to find out the answer and by the time it is over you feel like you have been on an exhilarating adventure I mean OMG this is a crazy book. Having said that I do recommend it definitely if you love thrillers you’ll definitely love The Retreat by JA Baker this is one of those authors all I have to do is see she wrote it and I’m getting it she never disappoints even when the story isn’t that good it’s still pretty great although this one was pretty good! I received this book from NetGalley and Boldwood books but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Thanks the #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for allowing me to read and review #TheRetreat by #JABaker. I enjoyed this book and especially the sacrifice at the end. I was not expecting that.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley.

In the atmospheric setting of Chamber Cottage, Alec and Peggy find themselves grappling with their troubled pasts and struggling to salvage their troubled marriage. As they seek solace in their new retreat, they become increasingly aware of a sense of being observed. Peggy, already burdened by the scars on her face, experiences heightened paranoia and agoraphobia, seeking refuge within the cottage's protective stone walls. However, her sanctuary is shattered when she learns that her estranged mother is stalking her and Alec, claiming to possess a dangerous secret that threatens Peggy's life. Doubt and uncertainty plague Peggy as she grapples with questions about the origins of her facial scars, the true nature of Alec, and the dark secrets harbored within Chamber Cottage. The story unfolds as Peggy navigates a treacherous path, unsure of whom to trust and where the truth truly lies.

From the very start, the book plunges the reader into a bewildering maze. The initial chapters leave much to be desired in terms of establishing a solid foundation for the story. Instead of captivating the reader, I was very confused. Even at the halfway point, the story remains incoherent, leaving the reader without a sense of direction.

One of the book's major drawbacks lies in the glaring lack of communication between Peggy and Alec. Their inability to convey their thoughts and feelings effectively results in a series of miscommunications and misunderstandings. This recurring theme not only impedes the development of their relationship but also contributes to the overall confusion experienced by the reader.

The ending of the book proves to be the final blow to an already bewildering narrative. The unanswered questions and unresolved plotlines only serve to compound the confusion experienced throughout the book.

Absolutely brilliant it had everything in it from suspense to fantastic writing, another great book and I can’t wait to read what is next

I really thought I was going to enjoy this book, and I truly did at the beginning. But then I felt there really wasn’t a big reveal at the end that I was hoping and it fell rather flat. I really wanted more. Up to roughly 50% of the way into this book I didn’t really know where it was going but it kept me interested. We start with a chilling prologue that leads us to believe something either has happened or is about to. But the ending didn’t deliver! While this was a well written book with interesting characters, I really wanted there to be a twist ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC of this republished book. I understand this was originally published in 2017.

Wow, that was a crazy ride!!

This was a pretty unique book. For one, the writing is so detailed, so....grotesque at times I found myself flinching and physically making grossed-out faces. This never happens to me. I mean, I'm a huge fan of horror movies and used to seeing gross things. But something about the way Baker writes some scenes had me shocked. It was very effective to say the least.

Two, a couple of the perspectives we read from are truly unique and I've never seen from a book before. I don't want to give away what made them different but I was surprised by the authors ability to write them in a believable way.

There were a few twists and turns in here. They weren't the most shocking or mind-boggling twists but they made it engaging and the ending felt satisfying.

I'm rating this a 4 and not a 5 star due to some slow parts in the middle that felt like they dragged on a little bit. I wish the pacing of the book was like the beginning and the end because then I would have been fully engulfed!

I have read a few books by this author recently with mixed reviews. This one however was one of the better ones.

‘The Retreat’ by J.A Baker is a captivating psychological thriller that plunges readers into a realm of dark secrets and gripping suspense. With its unique narrative style and intriguing premise, this well-written book keeps you on the edge of your seat until the final twist.

The story revolves around Alec and Peggy, a troubled couple seeking solace and healing in the enigmatic Chamber Cottage. Both haunted by past traumas, they hope that this secluded retreat will provide the respite they desperately need. However, as they settle into their new lives, an eerie feeling of being observed begins to envelop them, intensifying Peggy’s existing paranoia.

What sets ‘The Retreat’ apart is its exploration of deep-rooted emotional wounds. Peggy’s physical scars mirror the emotional scars she carries from her troubled past, making her character incredibly relatable and sympathetic. As her agoraphobia worsens, we witness her transformation into a vulnerable yet determined protagonist, determined to find safety within the cottage’s ancient walls.

The author weaves expertly a web of suspense and mystery by introducing Peggy’s estranged mother into the equation. Her sudden appearance, coupled with claims of a dark secret endangering Peggy’s life, throws our protagonist into a whirlwind of confusion and doubt. The intricate dynamics between Peggy, Alec, and her mother add layers of complexity to the narrative, leaving readers questioning the motives and trustworthiness of each character.

The secrets hidden within Chamber Cottage add an additional layer of intrigue. As the story unfolds, we are gradually granted glimpses into the cottage’s unsettling past, gradually unraveling the mystery that surrounds it. The suspense builds steadily, creating an atmosphere of palpable tension that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages.

I found the writing style engaging and evocative and it enabled me to vividly experience Peggy’s fears and uncertainties. The novel is well paced, allowing for moments of introspection as well as heart-pounding revelations. J.A Baker’s writing shows an attention to detail and ability to create a sense of place make Chamber Cottage itself a character in its own right.

The climactic twist at the end of ‘The Retreat’ is well delivered and left me shocked, delivering a surprising and satisfying conclusion that ties together the threads of the story. Without giving away any spoilers, I can confidently say that readers will be left astounded by the revelations, challenging their assumptions and leaving a lasting impression.

‘The Retreat’ is a refreshing departure from conventional thrillers, offering readers a unique perspective on trust, secrets, and the power of the human psyche. J.A Baker skilfully combines interesting characters, an unconventional storytelling approach, and a carefully crafted premise to create an immersive reading experience.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Boldwood Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

The Retreat from J.. A. Baker

I really have to say that this book is one of the best reads of 2023. I have honestly found a top 5 best author and Baker is number one for me. With an uncanny ability to write and tell stories that keep the reader on the edge of your seat, Baker has proven time and time again that it is not so much what you write about, but how you write it. The Retreat is an amazing psychological thriller that keeps the reader guessing from the start of the book until the finish and the finish is one that will rock you. This slow burn thriller has all of the twists of a roller coaster and you will not be able to put this one down. You also will have no idea what is about to happen until you finish the book. The characters are very well developed, classy and flawed to the extent that you would think they could your best friend. Overall I give this one a 5+++++ out of 5 stars.


Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

The Retreat is a re-issue by J A Baker. And I was completely sucked into this story.

This book was fabulous. Baker outdid herself with this novel. 
I was totally hooked from the first few pages it was very intriguing and hard to put down. 
The story was totally intense and intriguing.
Her writing and storytelling held my attention, the characters were so well written and very well developed.
Keeps you on your toes and wanting to continue reading.
I’m excited to start her next titles.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Boldwood Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This is a psychological thriller that’s a slow burner but picks up in the last act.
The main character is Peggy and author who struggles with leaving the house and has facial scars. There is tension between her and her husband but we are unsure why.
Peggy’s estranged mother is trying to find a way back into her daughters life and spends time watching her and her husband Alec picking up on the strange atmosphere between them.
Peggy and Alec’s neighbours are a woman with dementia and her daughter and nephew who care for her.
There is also a missing woman whose sister knocks at Peggy and Alec’s to ask if they know where she is as she is a friend of theirs.
These stories all link together in a clever way.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

The Retreat is a cottage that is supposed to provide the healing that a married couple need. They both have many issues and hope the cottage will keep them safe.

of course things turn bad and it seems the mother of the wife is stalking her. Or is it her husband?

A classic psychological thriller that takes you right into the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and the author in exchange for an honest review.

What a wild ride that was! There was a lot going on in this story, multiple POV. But at the same time it was also a really slow read for me, I spent the entire first half of the book just trying to figure out what direction the story was going.

Peggy, an isolated author and wife, suffers from agoraphobia and is constantly worried about what going out into the world will result in. Will people stare at her scars? Are they all judging her?

Alec, Peggy’s husband, wants desperately to get back to their old life when Peggy was happy (and interested in pleasing her husband). He’s dealing with a busy work life, and an abusive father attempting to come back into his life after years in prison. It’s no wonder he’s been having way too much to drink.

Audrey is Peggy’s estranged mother. She’s been stalking both Peggy and Alec, convinced Alec is cheating on her daughter and planning to use this information to get back into her daughters good graces.

Brenda and Maude across the street are trying to manage their own lives, with Maude’s dementia. But Maude saw something sinister happen across the street, and she’s not going to let it go, no matter who does or does not believe her.

And finally, we have an unnamed POV of someone seemingly trapped in a small confined space. Someone seems to have trapped her here.. alive. But who? How? And will she be saved before the rats turn her into their dinner?

I enjoyed this atmospheric and disturbing thriller very much. I loved the coastal cliff cottage setting that added to the chilling ambiance from the vivid weather description to the cottage interiors that made me want to wrap myself up in a warm blanket by a fireplace. The creepy and somewhat depressing atmosphere made this thriller more emotional.
The further in the book I got the more POVs were added and I felt a bit overwhelmed trying to keep up with all the different characters and trying to connect with them all. I would be happier if there were only 1-3 POVs.
The ending was unexpected, jaw dropping, and unique.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC that was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

This book was a decent read, it had the usual light suspense, intrigue, action murder, drama, revenge, a decent who done it and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was interesting and flowed nicely! At times it was a little hard for me to follow my mind wandered a lot so I guess this book was just ok for me! It worth reading but just ok! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!