Today I’m sharing my review for a great new novel, THe Retreat, by an author who is new to me: Sherri Smith. I’m so glad I got the opportunity to read this book, because I’ve definitely found an author I’d like to read far more of!
I’m also excited to have a copy of The Retreat to give away to a lucky reader! Read on to find out more…
Title: The Retreat
Author: Sherri Smith
Publisher: Titan Books
[Synopsis]
Four women.
Four secrets.
A weekend that will change them forever…if they survive.Katie Manning was a beloved child star until her mid-teens when her manager attacked and permanently scarred her face, effectively ending her career and sending her on a path of all-too-familiar post-Hollywood self-destruction.
Now twenty-seven, Katie wants a better answer to those clickbait “Where Are They Now?” articles that float around online. An answer she hopes to find when her brother’s too-good-to-be-true fiancé invites her to a wellness retreat upstate. Together with Katie’s two best friends–one struggling with crippling debt and family obligations, one running away from a failed job and relationship–Katie will try to find the inner peace promised at the tranquil retreat. But finding oneself just might drudge up more memories than Katie is prepared to deal with.
Each woman has come to the retreat for different reasons. Each has her secrets to hide. And at the end of this weekend, only one will be left standing.
[My Review]
I had absolutely no idea what to expect from The Retreat, but I found myself completely absorbed in this tense and gripping tale of secrets and betrayal.
Sherri Smith has created some great characters in Katie, Ariel, Carmen and Ellie and the rest of the cast of people who have gathered at ‘the retreat’ – each character has their own flaws but also various likable characteristics too. Katie, a has-been (once a child television star), heads to an elusive retreat with her sister-in-law-to-be, Ellie, and invites along a few of her friends, Carmen and Ariel.
What follows is complete craziness – I don’t want to give too much away here but the key is just to completely suspend your disbelief and enjoy. I certainly did – I loved the chaos that ensured, with dark secrets and plenty of confusion for both the characters and the reader! You’re left wondering exactly who the ‘she’ is who is mentioned in the very impactful opening pages, and as the novel goes on I thought I had it… not quite!
I loved the ‘whodunnit’ elements to this story and the shady backstories to some of the characters which only made them the more intriguing. There were also real touches of subtle humour in this novel, with the observations that some of the characters make about themselves and other people proving to be really entertaining – Katie and Ariel particularly.
Is anyone exactly who they appear to be at this retreat? I had a lot of fun finding out!
[Rating: 5/5]
Many thanks to Titan Books for providing a copy of this book on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review, and for inviting me onto the blog tour!
[About the Author]
Sherri Smith has previously written two historical fiction novels for Simon & Schuster UK. When not writing she spends time with her family, three rescue dogs and restores vintage furniture that would otherwise be destined for the dump. She lives in Winnipeg, Canada where the long, cold winters nurture her dark side.
[Giveaway – win a copy of the book!]
To win a copy of the book, enter using the form below. Good luck!
UK / Ireland only. No giveaway accounts please.
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