Member Reviews
This was my first book by Lorraine Brown (although I do have a couple on my TBR) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A unique concept of two authors sent mistakenly to couples therapy in place of a writers retreat. Quite a tame enemies to lovers, but the characters were likeable and I found myself falling for Theo as Scarlett did!
The perfect summer read, I highly recommend.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Thank you to Orion publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc.
tropes and features:
-mental health representation
-forced proximity
-“enemies” to lovers
-miscommunication 😢
We meet Scarlett a struggling writer with a lot of family pressure and expectations to manage just as she is going in for a meeting with her editor. Sales are down and Carla, the editor, has an idea she thinks would boost this - a reunion with her ex writing partner Theo on a writing retreat in Spain. Theo and Scarlett have a brief romantic history and haven’t spoken in six years, so imagine their reaction when they then up to a writing retreat and it turns out to be a couples retreat.
This books premise I found so appealing. Initially, I will admit I was quite overwhelmed with this book and it ended up taking me around 2 weeks before I got into the book properly. I do believe this is because we are introduced to over 10 characters within the first 20 pages of the book, this was quite daunting to begin with.
Throughout the story I felt like the individual characterisation of Theo and Scarlett was very well developed and they became extremely likeable characters - with much deeper levels to them.
My main issue with this book was the pacing in the middle, it got a bit slow and I found myself wanting to skim read. As well as this, I did not see a romantic connection between the two of them. The resolution at the end of the book to me, was rushed. It would have been a much sweeter story in my opinion, if they found themselves again. Rather than a relationship that seemed to be an afterthought. There wasn’t an ounce of sexual chemistry between the two characters, only a description of him being “chiselled”.
a fun little summery read perfect to binge if you’re on the beach nothing too memorable for me though but would recommend
This review is being posted as part of the Couples Retreat blog tour hosted by Rachel’s Random Resources.
Couples Retreat is the latest romcom from romance author Lorraine Brown. Fans of enemies to lovers, forced proximity and a good second chance romance, this is the book for you! Add in a gorgeous French Riviera setting, a couples retreat, two author main characters and palpable sexual tension and you’ve got Couples Retreat, the perfect feel-good beach read for 2024.
This was my first time reading anything from Lorraine Brown but I was instantly hooked by the plot and read the entire book in a single sitting. I’m a sucker for a forced proximity book and thought the concept was really intriguing and it certainly did not disappoint. The story was brilliantly paced and the vivid descriptions of the French Riviera setting made me feel like I was on holiday myself.
There was a wonderful bookish theme throughout the whole story. As a book blogger it was really interesting to see a bit of a behind the scenes of how a book is written, particularly when it’s a collaboration between two authors. I really wanted to read both their first book Little Boy Lost and the book they write over the course of the story! One brief moment I thought was particularly impactful was when the characters were exploring why they love books, sharing that they’ve used reading and creating stories since they were young as an escapism tool for managing challenging experiences.
Scarlett was a fantastic relatable protagonist who I warmed to instantly. We see wonderful character growth in her over the course of the book, with Scarlett realising that it’s ok to put boundaries in place in order to put herself first for a change. Theo was another fantastic character and brilliant love interest who, like Scarlett, also has wonderful character growth as we see him begin to learn how to open up emotionally to others.
Scarlett and Theo had brilliant chemistry and their slow burn romance, full of almost kisses and palpable sexual tension, had me practically screaming at them to hurry up and kiss already. Although I don’t tend to be a fan of second chance romances, the way their relationship history was drip fed to us through the retreat’s activities was very compelling, particularly within the setup of the therapy sessions as Scarlett and Theo gradually open up to the wider group. This is a closed-door romance and although I thought I’d miss a spicy element to the story, it actually worked really well.
Although this is at heart a feel-good summer romance, it also doesn’t shy away from some hard-hitting topics which was great to see. I thought the exploration of parentification through Scarlett taking on a role as a surrogate mother to her younger siblings at the young age of just nine was particularly powerful. There is also brilliant panic attack representation and other important topics represented include adults caring for their ill parents, the impact of adverse childhood experiences on adult relationships and attachments and, briefly through the side characters, fertility issues and IVF. With the story being set on a couples retreat the whole story is very therapy-positive which is brilliant to see as I think society generally shies away from discussing therapy and the benefits it can have.
If you are looking for a feel-good romance as your holiday read for 2024 which is packed full of your favourite tropes, look no further than Couples Retreat.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice Level: 🌶️ 🌶️ / 5 (Closed Door)
I have posted an extended review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk
*Thank you to NetGalley, Lorraine Brown, Orion and Rachel’s Random Resources.
I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.
This was a fun contemporary romance. On first impressions, I felt a much deeper connection with the protagonist, Scarlett, than I first expected. I expected a protagonist that I could relate to, and who would make me giggle, but I related to Scarlett on a deeper level, perhaps because she was a writer.
A writer's retreat seems like an opportunity to reflect, and I hoped that it would allow Scarlett to get to know herself better. I was excited to see what the experience would have in store for her. Reading this felt a little bit like going on a journey with her. I felt the tone of the writing was a pleasant balance of serious and lighthearted, and this was lovely to read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
I enjoy reading romances set in the literary world, and I also like the enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity tropes, so I was looking forward to reading this. The characterisation is believable and relatable. Scarlett is a likeable character, but as a people pleaser, she often feels resentful, spoiling her outlook on life and making her frustrating to the reader. I like this story's humour and the couple's slow-burn attraction. The evocatively described setting gives this an escapist feel and makes it a good holiday read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I know writers who have to work together, even though they can't stand each other, has been a quite popular theme in rom coms of late, but Couples Retreat is actually the first one I've read, so I was excited to get stuck in.
Scarlett and Theo wrote a bestselling book six years ago and haven't recreated that success writing books by themselves. Now their agent suggests they work together again so their publishers don't drop them. The problem; they had a falling out years earlier and haven't spoken since. Their agent arranges for them to go on a writing retreat in the Riviera, but it turns out to be a couple's retreat. They're forced together to sort out their problems, but sparks start to fly between the pair.
Couples Retreat is a rivals to lovers, slow burn romance with flawed characters, set to the idyllic backdrop of the French Riviera.
Scarlett was a really well developed and flawed character. I really connected to her and her inability to ask for help or the way she saw showing her feelings as a weakness. I loved watching her journey throughout the story.
The miscommunication trope is one of the major themes of the novel which I'm not usually a big fan of, but I liked the way the author weaved into the story, which fit well with the characters and their flaws.
My only quibble would be I would have liked to have seen a few chapters from Theo's perspective and to see what was happening from his perspective too.
A great summer read and something I'd recommend if you love slow burn romance.
This was a really fun read. Always love an enemies to lovers romance and Scarlett and Theo have SO much chemistry. It made me laugh and smile all the way. Can't wait to read the author's previous books.
Thanks to publishers and NetGalley UK to a free ecopy in exchange of an honest review.
We follow two writers, Scarlett and Theo, with their own difficulties in being successful.. and what’s better than relaxing in the south of France, and with your ex-partner ..?
tropes : second chance, miscommunication, cute, summer vibes, forced proximity, good timing
To prevent a stop in their career as writers, Scarlett & Theo agree to go in a retreat in France, and try to renew their past and successful partnership. But it doesn’t go as planned.
I related a lot with the character Scarlett, whom is facing difficulties with facing the truth and having the burden of caring too much of others and not enough about herself. She felt real, and not fictional at all; which is sometimes really good. We follow her throughout her reflexion about who she truly is and what she wants; and she starts to care about her own desires, which was satisfying.
This book really made me think about how we perceive our own in front of people and how we perceive them, and it’s not what we thought. Caring about it is tiring and we seem to refrain ourselves from doing what we want. And this is what I felt reading this book.
In general, I don’t like tropes like miscommunication/misunderstanding but it was well conveyed; and I wanted to know more of them. And I love a cunning agent and her supposedly retreat mistake…
It was the first book of this author that I read, and it convinced me to read more, especially if the book cover is illustrated like this one (yes it is an argument to read a book).
I really loved the idea of this book as well as being a huge fan of enemies to lovers. although i enjoyed the plot, i just didn’t take a huge liking to the mmc and unfortunately disconnected with the story due to this.
Scarlett and Theo wrote a best selling thriller together years ago, but after trying and un succeeding on their own, their publisher has told them that their last chance is to write another book together.
Neither of them are thrilled with seeing each other again after six years apart, however they have to put their issues aside to go on a writers retreat they’ve been booked on. Until they turn up and realise they’ve been accidentally booked onto a couples retreat…
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really liked the idea for this book, and I do love an enemies to lovers romance. I just found that some of Scarlett’s and Theo’s problems could have been solved with a tiny bit of communication, which meant that the problems were a little bit silly at times. I did however really like the fact it was a slow burn romance!
Thank you Lorraine Brown, Netgalley and Orion for this advanced reader copy of Couples Retreat in exchange for an honest review.
I really struggled to get into Couples Retreat and connect with the characters, I don’t know why. I loved the plot of but wasn’t feeling the chemistry between the Scarlett and Theo, so this whole story felt a bit forced. I also am not the biggest fan of the miscommunication trope so didn’t enjoy seeing it here.
Having said that I enjoyed the fact this book has a slow burn as it allows us to really get to know the characters and see their personal growth.
Summary: Two writers, one deadline, and no time for romance—Scarlett and Theo must collaborate to save their careers, sparking inconvenient feelings at a couples retreat.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book, all thoughts are my own.
I absolutely love the cover of this book, as it looks it is the perfect summer read. Made me wish I was at a couples retreat on the French Rivera.
Scarlett Green and Theo Winters are both writers but neither seems to be able to write so well as they did when they collaborated on a book together years previously. Once they were friends and writing partners now they can barely tolerate each other. As both their careers start to plummet their publishers suggest that if they want to save their reputations they need to put the past behind them and come up with another best seller. Both reluctant agree, and they are sent to a retreat in the beautiful French Riviera. Due to a misunderstanding it actually turns out to be a couples retreat sparking that connection they had felt years before.
I did enjoyed this book. I have to say I did find Scarlett quite annoying towards the end but this is a must read for fans of enemies to lovers romance. I haven't read anything by Lorraine Brown before but I will be certain to check out her other works as I really enjoyed her writing style and humour.
Thank you for NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Okay, so this book sounded so good based on the blurb and I liked the slow burn between Scarlett & Theo. But the misunderstanding bit was really silly. I hate heroine's who just assume things instead of talking it out and in this case, Scarlett annoyed me. She also always wanted to be the goody two shoes but never was ready to accept that she had her own flaws and could make mistakes. The writing was good and the banter between Theo & Scarlett was good but unfortunately, I think this book lacked depth. I liked the ending but I would've liked it even more if Scarlett had some character development tbh.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review
Get ready to be swept away on a literary journey through the lush landscapes of the French countryside in ‘Couples Retreat.’ Lorraine Brown crafts a mesmerizing tale of redemption, passion, and the power of collaboration. Scarlett and Theo’s electric chemistry leaps off the pages as they navigate the treacherous waters of creative collaboration and undeniable attraction. With each page turn, weaves a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, wondering if these two literary geniuses will save their careers, or succumb to the irresistible pull of love. ‘Couples Retreat’ is a must-read for all romance readers who believes in the transcendent power of love and art.
Biggg thank you to @wnbooks @orionbooks
Couples Retreat had so much potential to be an excellent romance novel but unfortunately it fell short in my opinion. The narrative was way too reliant on the therapy situation to make the characters talk to each other, and I just wasn’t feeling the chemistry between the mcs? They seemed completely wrong for each other and were terrible at communicating. I understand that was part of the plot… but it just wasn’t working for me. I found it very strange that they seemed to have a close relationship in the past but didn’t know anything about each other at all? It wasn’t very believable that their past together was an epic love as they seemed like strangers to each other.
A lot of the characters feel victim to ‘same voice’ issues, and I couldn’t always tell who was supposed to be speaking. There was also several points where characters didn’t act even vaguely realistically. For example the agent booking them on holiday without asking, getting it wrong, then refusing to refund it. For somebody supposed to be a season professional this seemed a bit ridiculous. I can suspend my disbelief when it comes to romance novels but it was a stretch for me. The final reveal about why they fell out was really underwhelming and frankly so avoidable. It’s really difficult to execute a miscommunication trope well and the novel sadly didn’t manage it.
However I genuinely liked the themes and ideas. The French setting was lovely and I would have liked some more description of the places they were visiting. If the couples therapy hadn’t been almost every other page, I like the idea of people not open to therapy trying it for the first time! And the depictions of mental health issues and family struggles were done very well. 3/5 stars from me
I didn’t end up finishing this book. I was so intrigued by the story as it sounded amazing, but the writing in the perspective of the female main character felt immature and at some parts quite childish. I struggled to like the FMC, and I found a lot of parts really repetitive, for example the amount of times the FMC talks about how she HAS to help others was really overused.
Overall, I just really struggled getting into this book due to the repetitiveness, unlikable characters, and immature writing.
I found this a funny and engaging read that would be an absolutely perfect holiday book! although I don't *love* the miscommunication element I still enjoyed the story and would encourage others to read it
A fun second chance romance, with a fun supporting cast. Set in the south of france, these two friends have to find their way back to themselves professionally and romantically!
I really enjoyed Lorraine's other book "Five Days in Florence" so I had high hopes for this book. The descriptions of Canne made me want to go on a couples retreat there even though I am in a committed relationship!
As an aspiring author the insight into the publishing industry was fascinating. I would have liked a bit more chapters on Scarlett's life either side of the retreat but it will be a great beach read.