The Retreat: A totally unputdownable and jaw-dropping psychological suspense thriller

by Karen King

The sunlight dances on the turquoise pool as I wait for our first guests. But my blood turns to ice when I recognise one of them as an old friend and a flood of guilt and fear comes rushing back. Is she here to ruin my life for a second time?

‘It’s been so long’, Saskia says as she hugs me. I plaster the smile back on my face, my hands shaking as I usher our guests into the traditional Spanish farmhouse we’ve spent years renovating to perfection. Saskia and I had been so close, until she betrayed me.

Now I’ve started a new life here in Spain. I met José and fell in love with his deep brown eyes, and together we opened our own retreat nestled high in the mountains. But José has no idea about the real me – I know he wouldn’t be able to look me in the eye if he ever found out that I have blood on my hands.

Then I discover our beautiful water fountain stained a deep red. My heart pounds with fear because it feels like a warning. And all my worst nightmares are confirmed when I find a note in my bedroom, revealing my terrible secret.

I was with Saskia all day, so I know it can’t be her. Which means that someone else at the retreat knows the truth about me – and they’re here for revenge.

But this perfect new life means everything to me. And I’ll do anything to protect it…

A totally unputdownable psychological thriller packed with jaw-dropping twists. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Mark Edwards and K.L. Slater.

What readers are saying about The Retreat :

‘ Oh my god! I have no words … This book is unbelievable … So many times I thought I had it figured out so the ending came as a huge surprise… The suspense in this book is unreal! ... My god it is gripping! Damn this author knows how to write a bestseller and this is sure to be one!... Fantastic! ’ Jessica’s Book Biz , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘ Wow what can I say! Had my attention from start to finish… I couldn't put it down and finished it in a day … Amazing … An absolute cracker of a book!!! … Sucked me straight in … Absolutely addictive page-turner … Compelling, page-turning … Will keep you up late at night .’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘ FANTASTIC book!!!! ... This was a whodunnit that I kept changing my mind to figure out who the culprit was… LOVED THIS BOOK!!! ’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘ Gripping , suspenseful , fast-paced thriller! It kept me hanging on with every page . This book left me mind blown! ’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Karen King is one of my all time favourite authors … Another cracker of a novel… I just love everything she writes! ’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Did something very few books can do - kept me intrigued cover to cover … I will be telling everyone to read The Retreat ! ’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘ Gorgeous … I loved the twist and the ending … I was constantly thinking 'I can trust this person', then being forced a few moments later to change my mind . LOL. ’ B for Book Review , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘ I couldn’t put this book down … Brilliantly written and kept me hooked , did not guess the ending!! ’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘ Where do I start with this book? I loved everything about it , there were lots of twists and turns and it was full of mystery . I thought many times that I figured out the ending but I was so wrong! ... Fantastic .’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘ I devoured the book in two days!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook, Fiction, Suspense

294 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2023

About the author

Karen King is an Amazon international bestselling author of psychological suspense and women's fiction.

Her 7th psychological suspense novel, Don't Trust Him, was published on 3 April 2025 by Bookouture and her 'golden years' novel, The Runaway Wives, was published by Boldwood on 24th March 2025. This was her 12th woman's fiction novel.

Karen has also had 120 children’s books, two young adult novels, and several short stories for women’s magazines published. Her early writing career was spent working on various teenage and children's magazines.

Her suspense novels The Mother In Law, The Perfect Stepmother and The Stranger in my Bed and her romantic novel The Cornish Hotel by the Sea all became International Amazon bestsellers.

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Retreat is a suspense novel by Karen King, a new author to me. I stumbled upon the book through NetGalley (thanks for the early copy) and was intrigued by the description. A couple opens a B&B retreat in their Spanish home, one the husband inherited from his recently deceased grandparents. They open for 6 people to test run the operations, and it seems many of the guests have connections to the owners, tho the owners don't know it at first. Great concept, one that requires readers to look the other way at the volume of coincidences (totally cool with this, it's what we enjoy reading). Overall, the plot was well-paced but I felt the dialog was too stilted... often awkward. It only threw me off a few times, and I think maybe just one more thorough read could've made it shine even brighter. I liked the author's vibe, and I'll read another book by her. Loved that it was set in another country than my typical reads.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things don’t always go as planned!

Are you superstitious? With a Friday 13th publication date, King’s release will shatter all our preconceived notions about unlucky. Let this established author show you that good things (such as her addictive psychological thriller ‘The Retreat’) do indeed happen on this infamous date!

King writes to examine the impact of secrets and lies and in doing so, she brings us to question if some mishaps are actually plans that were doomed from the start. Jose and Eva are on the cusp of realizing their dream - turning Jose’s grandparents’ home tucked away in the Andalucian mountains of Southern Spain into a wellness retreat. In an effort to tame pre-opening day jitters, they decide to offer an Easter trial run - a discount to the first six people to book. The result is an eclectic mix of past and present, strangers and friends with ulterior motives. El Sueño, meaning ‘the dream,’ will soon be the center of attention - and not the kind that Jose and Eva had in mind!

The story is built around secrets and the three R’s; relaxation, recovery, and revenge. Readers are kept on their toes as they know that the foundation (of both the marriage, friendship, and business venture) will crumble when the secrets are set free. When we start to see ‘cracks’ appearing at this soft opening leading up to the big day, readers are hooked and pointing fingers as they follow the mysterious events, looking for answers. Added to this tension is the question of sabotage - is someone purposely sabotaging this dream? Why? Perhaps recovery isn’t all it’s cracked up to be!

King is masterful at misdirection and at creating a setting we’d all love to visit. Her love of Spain and Spanish cooking will pull you into this richly layered story and her well-plotted mystery will keep you entertained. While there are some eye-raising moments, this is a captivating read that will ignite your inner sleuth. Will Eva and Jose’s relationship survive the secrets? Who’s sabotaging their dream?

I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[OutlawPoet]

DNF at the time I gave up, the most thrilling thing that happened was some goats eating some vegetables. I do like goats, but...yeah. Not exciting.

[Lauren Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I enjoyed this book a lot. I felt it was slightly drawn out but at the same time I still enjoyed it. I definitely was wondering about each guest and if any of them were the guilty party. I found that Eva and Jose were likable characters but both hiding a lot. A lot of the guests were not as likable.
I did like the setting of the retreat.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes when we banish people from our pasts from our lives it’s for a good reason,
Jose and Eva have worked hard to open their retreat. Their first batch of guests keeps them busy and threatened.
All manner of the things go wrong as readers discover more of the secrets Jose and Eva harbor.
It kept,me guessing but I did correctly assume who was the main culprit.
After what one character did to Eva no way would I have allowed that person back into my life.
I after reading this book felt like I needed a retreat but not at The Retreat.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the early read.

[Elise a.k.a. PAPERNERD · Rating 2 out of 5]

And that's a clear DNF for me...

Too much of a slow-burner for me, and just a too long TBR ahead...yes, I am getting annoyed with slow burners lately.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this really entertaining and it kept me up whilst I was finishing it as I wanted to know who was behind it. There were enough twists and turns to keep me entertained, I did want to throttle some of the characters but that is half the fun of the read.

Looking forward to reading other books by this author

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and bookouture but the review is entirely my own.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one but wanted closure sooner as it seemed everyone had a motive for revenge! Jose and Eva have just opened their Relaxation Retreat in Spain and are giving 6 people a 5-day stay at 50% off to see how it goes. But nothing goes right! Everything is planned; there are garden-fresh meals, massages by Eva, poolside activities, and hikes up the mountain. But things keep going wrong; gates left open, red paint in the pool, art projects ruined, and a fire that could have been deadly. There are many suspects as they all have motives, many opportunities, and many secrets they are hiding. It's a fast-paced thriller that kept me guessing until the end!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Sara Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

When a couple opens a relaxing retreat for the first week they run a 50% off special to hopefully get some good clients booked. As the guest show up it become clear that they are not strangers at all. They all seemed to have a past with the owners. At first I enjoyed this book. The retreat in Spain was ideal. I loved hearing about how they fixed up his grandparents place. The story has a slow start and a lot of the “problems” are really juvenile. For example goats eats the food in the field or a heavy statue almost falling on someone’s head. I really had to suspend belief with this one. It felt a bit like a lifetime murder mystery. If you are looking for an intense thriller this might not be for you. If you want a light cozy read this will probably be your cup of tea.

[Ashley Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Retreat by Karen King is a great thriller and a fresh plot for the genre too. Does R&R stand for rest and relaxation or rage and revenge? When a couple opens their wellness lodge in the mountainside of Spain things do not go as planned. Is someone out to ruin their dream of opening a health retreat or something worse? I loved the setting of the Spanish Countryside - I could visualize the lovely villa and its surroundings. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out the mystery until the end. I’ll definitely look for more books by Karen King.

[Jennifer Ruppel - Dreher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun, quick, thrillingly mysterious, read about life, consequences, relationships and family.

Being the super sleuth that I think I am I was so proud of the fact that I indeed had figured out who the villain was pretty early on. Until I was wrong but half wrong is better than wrong wrong. The ending was twisty and perfect.

I devoured this audiobook and will absolutely be on the lookout for more from this author.

[aims.readsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two things first:

1. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for allowing me an advanced reader copy of this book to review. It was the first I have so far been blessed to receive, and I enjoyed it even more than I expected to!

2. Thank you Karen King for writing a whodunit book with all the suspense all the way through - but also, all the answers. I won’t give away any spoilers because that’s not my style, but it means a lot to me to reach the end of a book and realise that nothing was left unclear or confusing.

‘The Retreat’ follows the happenings of the trial week of a health retreat hosted by a couple named José and Eva, who have poured their heart, soul, and life savings into creating an epic escape for people from around the world to sink into in Southern Spain.

It goes without saying that thanks to this first lot of guests, the health and wellness retreat is more eventful than it is restful - but like any good thriller, the drama draws you in immediately.

With a powerful prologue, a stunning setting, and a collection of very well-developed characters, ‘The Retreat’ brings plenty of plot - and hand on heart, had me hooked until the very last page.

While there were moments for me where the story felt far fetched, it was never not believable or interesting. In fact, I was so keen to find out the source and reason for the revenge written about in the description, that I devoured the entire thing in just two sittings!

So if you’re after a book you won’t be able to put down, I highly recommend giving this a go.

‘The Retreat’ will not let you down!

[Jamie Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never understand why a woman who isn't married to a man would pour herself into building his dream. This gal spends her time and money helping her hot Spanish boyfriend build his retreat. He inherited the building from his grandparents. He grows veggies and cooks and she teaches wellness classes and yoga.
They are finally ready to open and do a special for six people; two couples, his estranged cousin, and her former best friend.
She's got trauma in her past and asks the friend not to tell anyone.
I knew this was gonna be a disaster when homeboy asked the guests to make sure the gate is closed because the goats would ruin the garden. Of course your guests are going to be careless! They don't care about your garden the way your do.
Anyway, so weird stuff keeps happening. The cat is making messes, statues are falling off the roof, and it turns out one of the married ladies is in love with Mr. Perfect retreat owner.
I know a lot of hot blond wellness influences. You can't throw a book of Mormon without hitting one in my city and to be honest they annoy me to no end. I am just trying to survive on an educators income. I can't be worrying about all of that.
I saw Eva in all of them. Or them in Eva. She drove me nuts and I felt like I was being lectured while reading this book. Yes swimming has benefits. Get to the drama!
I loved this despite finding the MCs annoying. Please write more.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ava and Jose are trying to make their dream of running a resort retreat come true. Jose inherited this house from his grandma and they've been working on it tirelessly for several years. This is the Grand Opening, and since they know some minor things could go wrong since it's the first go, these retreaters got a hefty discount.

Right from the start, things are messy. The guests keep having mysterious ties to their pasts, accidents keep happening, and eventually it becomes a safety hazard. It seems someone in this camp wants them to fail.. maybe even worse. Someone is dressing for revenge so they don't want this to go off without a hitch. They very much want hitches.

To me, this retreat already seems like a nightmare. Mindfulness and yoga? Harvesting your own veggies? Cleaning your ROOM? The audacity! So when you add in a vigilante, that definitely makes for a perfect nightmare. I guess these folks are into this kind of thing.

This was a relaxing weekend read! It was easy to follow and although it had a full cast of characters(but not too many), they were built so well that it was easy to tell who's who. That's not always easy for an author to do and I appreciate it!

Also, the narration is primarily Ava and Jose. Things got repetitive a time or two flipping between them so I'm glad everyone didn't get a turn to narrate. We hear from the secret baddie a few times between chapters but it's short and just to build suspense and it worked because I was working overtime to guess who it was!

All in all, it was a great little mystery and I'd definitely recommend it. I got the audiobook and the narration was fantastic.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen and review.

[Marija · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this well-paced story, I was wondering who had the biggest motive for the revenge of all the characters in the book. This is my first book by this author and it won't be my last.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. The prologue and chapter 1 really draw you in to the story. From there, King will keep you guessing as to who is out for revenge. Slowly, she gives everyone a reason to want to seek revenge, but it’s all so mysterious. It’s really easy to root for Eva and Jose. However, since I suspected all the other characters, I didn’t root for them at all.

The retreat location sounded absolutely beautiful. I would love to go there to relax and destress! To be surrounded by such beauty and a mountain to hike is something that I would love to do. Especially at half off! And in Spain! I couldn’t imagine a better location.

I will say, sometimes the book felt a little slow for me. There is a lot of description and inner monologue and I wanted to to move along a little faster. But that didn’t take away from the mystery.

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Relaxation...recovery...revenge...

When I saw other reviews were mixed and a couple DNF, I was surprised as Karen King has always been a winner for me with three out of four of her thrillers being 5 stars. But having trudged my way through this one, I can see why. It was quite drawn out and very much a slow burn. But the premise was intriguing so I stuck it out. OK, so it did get better but not till around 65% when things really started to pick up and by that stage I was flipping the pages at the speed of light. Before that, it was all yoga, breathing, nature walks and munching kale, olives and chia. Yeah, na.

Eva and Jose have spent the past two years renovating the villa he inherited from his grandmother after her death some five years before. Their dream was to open a wellness retreat...a place to relax, reflect and just unwind. Eva, who had her own baggage of secrets, was now a wellness coach practicing yoga, mindfulness and massage. Jose was a chef who grew his own vegetables and everything at this retreat came from what they grew themselves.

As an introductory special, they decide to offer six places at half price for a week's trial before opening to the public for summer. The bookings are snapped up right away and Eva is shocked to discover that her old college friend Saskia is among the guests. That wouldn't be so bad if Saskia didn't come with her own set of problems and the past she represented to Eva that she has tried so hard to put behind her. Saskia betrayed twice before...is she coming to do it again? Or is she just over thinking things?

Jose's cousin Carlos is also amongts the guests, whose families have been estranged since before they were born and no one revealing what the feud was about. But is Carlos jealous that their grandmother left the villa to him? Is that why he has come? To get his revenge for an inheritance he feels he should have also had a part in?

The remaining guests are two couples. One British - Nathan and Bianca. The other American - Sean and Adrienne. Both saw the opportunity for rest and relaxation under the sun. But are they all they appear to be?

Someone is out for revenge. But who? And who are they seeking revenge against? Eva and her secret past? Or Jose and his inheritance? Or is it something else altogether?

I had to shake my head at Eva who jumped up and down at Jose keeping secrets when she is doing the exact same thing! Pot...kettle...and all that. I didn't particularly like any of the characters, though Eva and Jose were kind of sweet. Most of the guests were pretty unlikeable. But then that's the nature of the beast.

There were plenty of twists and I liked the ending because comeuppance was had for the villain in the end, but it took a lot to get there. It wasn't King's best but it was still entertaining enough.

I would like to thank #KarenKing, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheRetreat in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Share · Rating 4 out of 5]

The setting sounded perfect. A retreat in the countryside of Spain where people could go off the grid for a week to take in the scenic beauty, eat healthy, relax with massages and rejuvinate with yoga and other mindfull exercises. For José and Eva, opening up their very own Relaxation Retreat is a dream come true. They are just about ready but before a full grand opening, decide to do a soft launch and invite six people following them on social media to visit them at 50% off.

The spots sell out and the six guests arrive for the week. The guests include:

Saskia - Eva's former best friend. They have not had contact in many years after a falling out.
Carlos - José's cousin. They do not have a relationship as Carlos is the "black sheep" of the family due to his fathers side of the family being disowned.
Adrienne & Sean - Adrienna knows one of the owners from

It is definitely an interesting group which has gathered and does not take long for strange things to start happening around the villa.

The story really took on a "Clue" vibe for me. Lots of twists, accusations, lots of suspicions, no reason to trust anyone but not quite figuring out who was behind everything and why. I really enjoyed how the story was written and when I thought "oh yep, I know who did it" something would trigger me to think "hmm maybe not, it was this person I think" so I never really knew. I, just like the characters in the book, was also accusing everyone in my mind lol

It's a slower burn book but very well written and held my attention, I finished it over the course of two nights. If you want a good mystery book without a lot of blood and gore, this one is perfect. It was the first novel I read by Karen King but won't be my last!

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the digital advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Rachael Ashak-Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa. Just so good!!!!

I don’t believe I’ve read any of Karen King’s work prior to this story — The Retreat.
And truly what a treat it was to read!! (See what I did there… “treat”/Retreat….. Ok, perhaps too corny! Lol ;)
Yet it’s a true reflection of how I feel after just finishing this book. Joyful, highly amused, entertained, hopeful, & filled with feelings of how fabulous your life can be if you just create something wonderful for yourself (& those you love).
Weird, all of this, after reading a psychological thriller, right??
But this story honestly has it all. I feel like I actually just left a relaxing spa type trip to the gorgeous mountains of Spain! The relaxation techniques taught to guests, the massages, the healthy eating, the organic gardening, & so much more. Blissful!
Along with the above is the incredibly addictive mystery woven throughout. The shocks, surprises, & the unexpected & thrilling twists.
The emotional & psychological tension gets cranked up tighter & more intriguing with every page turned… right up until the enthralling & satisfying conclusion.
The Retreat is a fun & exciting read, no question there.
I highly recommend it for anyone who loves this genre. As well as those who enjoy any type of mystery or stories which involve love relationships/family dynamics, self relaxation & reflection, travel books, & anything beyond &/or in between.
Fantastically well written & thrilling novel!

[Lindatugby81 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relaxation .Recovery. Revenge …
The Retreat -Karen King.
What a great read , lots of twists keeps you guessing 📕

The sunlight sparkles on the bright turquoise of the pool , next to the freshly painted house with its trailing pink flowers and terracotta roof. I feel a jolt of pride .My partner Jose’ and I have dreamed of this moment , opening our perfect home nestled in the mountains of southern Spain to its first guests for a few days of total relaxation .

We’ve worked so hard for this,pouring all our energy and our savings into renovating the old farmhouse . I’ve started over, begins new life.This place is my escape from everything that happened before.

But a stab of fear pierces my happiness as our guests arrive and I recognise Saskia .She was my best friend many years ago …
Before she betrayed me .She says she’s truly sorry , and wants us to start again.Maybe she’s telling the truth - but can I really forgive her?

Then things start to go wrong when I discover our beautiful water fountain stained a deep red .It feels like a warning .And my worst fears are confirmed when I find a note in my bedroom . My heart pounds as the black capitals scream at me , revealing my terrible secret .

Saskia swears, she has nothing to do with it .Which means that someone else here knows the truth about me .And they’ll stop at nothing to get their revenge…

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect location in the Andalusian Mountains in southern Spain to open a wellness retreat centre. Sounds absolutely perfect and this is what Eva and her Spanish partner Jose have done. When they decide to open their first retreat offering a discount to guests they are delighted with the response they get but there are one or two familiar guests, can they be trusted or will this wellness retreat not be as peaceful as it’s meant to be ?

Truthfully when I started reading this one I found it a tad slow moving and was becoming a bit concerned I was going to struggle with it. But I had nothing to fear as after a few chapters this book took off at a fast speed and I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough to keep up with all that was going on. Characters that were really well developed and each of them at certain times through the book I was suspicious of . One twist I did see coming from quite early on but it was only one as there are quite a few through the book that honestly threw me. Apart from a slowish start this was an excellent psychological thriller with an absolutely WOW ending .

[Erin Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Retreat by Karen King is a psychological/mystery thriller that takes place at a recently renovated villa in Spain. The villa has been transformed into a health and wellness retreat by Jose and his girlfriend Eva. They plan to open to the public soon but before the grand opening invite six couples for five days for a trial run to work out the kinks. Two of the guests are known to them and have shared secrets in their past that has the opportunity to create anxiety for Jose and Eva. As the guests arrive strange things start to happen, small mistakes and mishaps that can make the guests uncomfortable. Despite all the careful planning and implementation Jose and Eva have done to prepare it seems as if some one or something is out to stop them and ruin all their hard work. And then the mishaps begin to escalate. It's a mystery that is quite complicated and will take the entire five days at the retreat to unravel. Who and what wants the retreat to fail. And most importantly, why. Recommended for fun.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Retreat is a fun, quick and compelling reading adventure.
A vacation goes wrong and someone is out for revenge.
A loving couple invites six friends for a trial run at their exclusive villa in Spain.
Before the opening of their grand experience, Jose’ and Eva want to test their surroundings with a few friends.
Soon things begin to happen and go wrong.
It all seems a little too coincidental and Eva wonders what’s really going on with her guests, as the trouble continues she thinks someone is sabotaging the place.
Who is behind all the drama and chaos?
In this exotic location, everyone is a suspect……
It’s not my favourite Karen King book but worth a read if you have some time up your sleeve.
Karen writes an enjoyable thriller with a twist here and there and a satisfying ending.
Easy to follow and I appreciated the reveal.
Good for a lazy afternoon of relaxing.

[HaleysAllBooked]

I didn’t finish this one, I started to feel that it was dragging and began to notice inconsistencies in the story and found spelling errors. One I started nitpicking, I knew I needed to be done. It’s unfortunate but I don’t think Karen King’s writing style is for me. I’m bummed because this story had so much potential but just didn’t do it for me.

Thank you NetGalley for granting me access to this title!

[itsallaboutbooksandmacarons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stepping into the world of this audio production felt like embarking on a thrilling journey through meticulously crafted settings and dynamic characters. The attention to detail in the backdrop of the story added depth and authenticity, immersing me completely. The main characters, in particular, were a highlight, each with their unique personalities and arcs that drew me in.

Throughout the narrative, the plot unfolded with a sense of anticipation, weaving a tale that kept me engaged from start to finish. The story's twists and turns were well-executed, creating moments of excitement and intrigue. I found myself eagerly listening, curious to discover how the characters' fates would intertwine and unfold.

However, as the story approached its conclusion, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. The ending, while not entirely unsatisfying, lacked the impact I had hoped for. It left me with lingering questions and a desire for a more definitive resolution. Despite this minor setback, the overall experience was undeniably entertaining.

In retrospect, the audio production succeeded in delivering an immersive experience, thanks to its captivating settings and well-developed characters. The plot, while engaging, stumbled slightly in its final moments, preventing it from reaching its full potential. Nevertheless, it provided an enjoyable listening experience, leaving me both satisfied and yearning for more.

[Morgan Vandermeers · Rating 1 out of 5]

Twice on one page, I read the following: 'It was quiet. Too quiet...' This does not bode well for the quality of the writing in this story. But I continue, hopeful that it will get better. Unfortunately, it only gets worse. The writing is absolutely atrocious; I don't understand how this even got published. I threw it against the wall after just a few pages.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a calming, relaxing retreat. Or is it? I thought I knew the ending almost the whole time and I was only half right! The twists came one after another, but it did take a while to pick up the speed. The ending felt a little rushed and I didn’t particularly feel anything for the characters but on the whole I would recommend this novel for any one who loves a good, quick whodunit.

[Carla Paucic · Rating 3 out of 5]

o sea weno pero meh

[Jody Reads Smut · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I recently read “The Retreat” by Karen King and I must say, it was a thrilling read! The author does a great job of keeping you on edge and continuously guessing as to what is going to happen next. The plot was well-developed and the characters were interesting and complex. The setting of the retreat was described so vividly that it made me feel like I was right there with the characters.

Overall, I would highly recommend “The Retreat” to anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller. It is a page-turner that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read and review this book.

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The setting of this book sounds divine. It is set in Andalucia, Spain. A wellness retreat in a beautiful setting, what could possibly go wrong? There are six guests and two hosts. All are harboring some sort of secret. Jose and Eva have worked hard to turn his grandparents' old homeplace into a dreamy wellness retreat. They decide to make an offer to potential guests for a large discount in order to have a trial run to see how things will run in their new villa with guests present. You will immediately see that there are some secrets floating around from each one's past. Someone has a secret that is worth killing for. First, there is sabotage everywhere that could be discounted as accidents, but we know better. Then Eva starts getting written threats. Eva has a secret that not even Jose knows about. Their guests are not unknown to their hosts as they soon realize. The tangled web of deceit on all sides will cause you to scratch your head at times.

If you like mind games, you will thoroughly enjoy this one. Karen King is one of those authors who loves to play mind games with her readers, which makes this book a thrilling read. Even though the setting is beautiful, there is something murderous going on marring the beauty. As I read this book, I suspected every single one of the guests at some point and time. So, don't let the beautiful cover fool you, relaxation is the last thing you will get at this wellness retreat, at least for this week. Kudos to Karen King for stringing me along until the end.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.