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The Alpine Retreat

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Relax. Recharge. Run for your life.

High in the secluded Swiss Alps, Élan Peak Wellness Retreat promises luxury, rejuvenation, and exclusivity — an influencer’s paradise. A select group of celebrities, corporate bosses and social media stars arrive, eager to detox, meditate, and document their curated journey to enlightenment.

But when they arrive and have their technology confiscated, they're horrified. To make matters worse, an avalanche traps them in the remote lodge overnight. When they awake in the morning, one of their own has vanished, and the idyllic retreat turns into a nightmare. With the dangers of mother nature to contend with, wolves waiting outside and the only ski lift down the mountain broken, tensions are high. As paranoia sets in and dark secrets unravel, they realize the retreat isn’t what it seems.

Someone is watching. Someone is hunting. And not everyone will make it out alive.

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2026

113 people are currently reading
4413 people want to read

About the author

Sarah Goodwin

25 books777 followers

Also writing as Amy Cunningham (The Serial Killer's Party) and Amelia Wildwood (rom-com coming in summer 2026)

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
Profile Image for Shelley's Book Nook.
527 reviews2,080 followers
November 18, 2025
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
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2.5 Stars

I have heard of this author but have never read her before. Her books seem to have high ratings and plenty of good reviews, so I thought I'd give this one a try. It's about a luxury wellness retreat in the Swiss Alps that turns into survival of the fittest. The retreat was designed as an exclusive one for celebrities and influencers. It starts to feel like a prison when the guests' technology is taken away and an avalanche traps them. With a broken ski lift and wildlife dangers outside, the group starts to show their basic instincts in a not very nice way. Then one of the guests vanishes, and the remaining ones realize this isn't much of a sanctuary and maybe one of them is a threat.

I really wanted to like this locked-room thriller, but I have an issue with the technology being taken away and these social media addicts going along with it. I am not addicted to my phone as some people are, but I would never give it to someone else to hold onto, ever. If I am going to be away, I want people to be able to get a hold of me in case of an emergency. I also want to be able to get in touch with people in case I need them.

I loved the basic premise and the isolated alpine winter setting. Goodwin does a magnificent job setting up the atmosphere. The plot itself is pretty basic, and your conventional thriller tropes prevail. The characters are all insufferable, self-absorbed, famous people, and I was hoping they'd all be put to rest as they offered little to no depth, so I wasn't invested in what happened to them.

The book is fast-paced but very, very repetitive, and the whodunit and why were predictable. There is tension, and the author did a good job building it up, but the reveal and conclusion were both very formulaic. Overall, this was just an okay read with good pacing that delivers the atmosphere and tension well. It was a halfway decent way to spend a couple of weekend afternoons, but it was lacking any originality to make it truly memorable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Profile Image for Daniel Myatt.
1,008 reviews102 followers
January 19, 2026
Firstly, thank you, Avon / Harper Collins, for the chance to read this advanced copy.

Now, this book is going to get compared to Nine Perfect Strangers and The White Lotus, BUT it really shouldn't as it's a great stand-alone thriller. I was gripped and enthralled by the story, and yes, we all know they're going to get trapped, and a murder will happen, but it's written in a very witty and captivating way.

I disliked Chloe at the start. She really seemed like a one-dimensional corporate cow, but honestly, as soon as Chapter 2 started, I was enjoying her 'adventure' and her a lot more.

The best line in the whole book "Tell me where you got the gun or I am going to push you right outside that door and let the wolves enjoy a new enrichment game of twat on a chair" made me actually laugh out loud.

A good read indeed!
1,751 reviews112 followers
December 9, 2025
Again not one of her best. it seemed to be following the same story as her others and I really didn't like the characters.
Profile Image for Heathers_readss.
886 reviews182 followers
November 7, 2025
I have been loving my spooky season reads, but I am soooo excited to get into winter thriller season 😫😫😫😫😫 there’s something that just hits so hard in reading a winter thriller, once it starts going dark at 5pm, you’re freezing cold wrapped up in layers of blankets and you begin reading a thriller that involves extreme weather, isolation, snow aesthetic and chaos.

Sarah Goodwin is a PRO at writing unlikeable characters, there is a devious sense of smugness that comes from watching everything go from bad to worse when you already wish the character will get a harsh reality check.

I enjoyed watching the events unfold, from avalanches to unalived bodies to all hell breaking loose.

Thank you for the gifted copy! All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jen Ryland (jenrylandreviews & yaallday).
2,093 reviews1,044 followers
Read
December 20, 2025
I absolutely loved Stranded by Sarah Goodwin, so eagerly grabbed this one.

The premise was good: a PR "fixer" (think Olivia Pope) is tired of bailing out spoiled celebs and takes some time of at The Sorgente, a luxury wellness hotel in Switzerland. Her fellow guests are boy banders, pop stars, politicians, and other high profile people who are none too happy about having their electronics confiscated upon check-in.

When an avalanche hits the hotel, there are casualties and injuries and the guests and staff are cut off from the world. Me, picturing Anna Paquin as Robyn in Flack (a MUST WATCH) as Chloe Wallace takes charge and helps the staff keep all the celebs in line.

But I must be honest and say that after that, the book seemed to fizzle and deflate a little bit. The staff blurred together for me. Chloe just ran from crisis to crisis, body to body without the Caroline (Robyn's boss played by Sophie Okonedo whose character is EVERYTHING) swagger. The reveal wasn't as exciting as I hoped. It felt more Sanatorium than Caroline/Robyn kicking ass in a crisis.

If you haven't read anything by Sarah Goodwin, start with Stranded, a book so gripping that I had to put it down repeatedly because I was so stressed out. I'll happily try her next book even if this one wasn't a fit for me.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!


Subscribe to my amazing newsletter HERE at JenRyland.com Let's be friends on Bookstagram!
Profile Image for Stacy40pages.
2,256 reviews169 followers
January 18, 2026
The Alpine Retreat by Sarah Goodwin. Thanks to @booksparks #wrc2026 for the gifted copy and promo box ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Chloe, a publicity crisis manager, takes a well needed break at a wellness retreat in the Swiss Alps. Their first night all technology is confiscated, but it gets even worse when an avalanche hits.

This was a good survival thriller; extra fun because of the characters and the variety in them. All the guests are either celebs, influencers, or wealthy, but all in very different ways. The beginning was very suspenseful and exciting. The middle did slow down a little bit, but then picked up again. Not quite as action packed as Stranded but still good and worth a read!

“We weren’t just trapped on a wolf-infested mountain with almost no food - now we were at the mercy of an armed killer.”

Read if you like:
-Man vs. nature
-Survival thrillers
-Celeb or influencer characters

The Alpine Retreat comes out 1/20.

Profile Image for Danielle.
832 reviews288 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 3, 2026
This book is beneath the author. She's one of my favorites and until now, I've hung on her every word. Her characters are often very layered and considered unlikable by many readers but I can always find the good in them. This main character was insufferable and the plot was unrealistic. She's a fixer for homophobes and racists while also being queer. We never really get much context to the queerness but she's sure to let us know. She's bitterly political any chance she gets and is somehow in charge after a mass casualty event. I really had to skim to get through this one. I hope her next is different. Goodwin is usually a master at tense, locked-room mysteries but this was a really goofy whodunnit.
Profile Image for Kimmi.
245 reviews5 followers
February 10, 2026
The Alpine Retreat by Sarah Goodwin was a solid, decently paced thriller with an extremely flawed main character, which I really appreciated.

Chloe decides to take a break from her job at a wellness retreat, only to find herself caught in a murder mystery. After an avalanche kills many of the staff and guests, only a small group of people remain, trapped and struggling to survive. Tensions rise quickly, and one by one, people start turning up dead. The situation becomes incredibly stressful as Chloe helps the retreat workers manage both the murders and the increasingly panicked clients.

I thought the twists and secrets were well done, even if they weren’t jaw-dropping. I didn’t guess who the killer was but to be fair, I’m terrible at guessing the murder all the time.

Overall, this was an engaging and tense read that kept me invested until the end.

Thank you so much to @BookSparks and Sarah Goodwin for the gifted copy!
Profile Image for Karen’s Library.
1,306 reviews207 followers
January 21, 2026
When I finish a book in less than a day, you know it’s something I truly enjoyed. I had fun with this one.

The Alpine Retreat was a non-stop thriller set at a high end retreat in the Swiss Alps.

Chloe, a crisis manager-a fixer of celebrities who have self sabotaged their careers in some way is the protagonist and has checked in to this elite retreat to take a breather from her very demanding career.

During dinner on the first night, an avalanche hits the retreat. Many lose their lives, but to add to the chaos, someone is also ending the lives of staff members.

This closed room thriller was the perfect read for me as my first book of 2026. I really enjoyed the little backstories of Chloe’s “job”.

I’ll definitely be looking into Sarah Goodwin’s backlist and reading whatever she releases next.

*Thanks so much to Harper Collins 360 for the gifted ARC!*
Profile Image for Marisha (MarishaReadsALot).
837 reviews43 followers
December 30, 2025
Thank you Harper360 for the gifted copy!

As someone who lives somewhere that has winter for what feels like half the year, I don't always love books set in a snowy setting. The Alpine Retreat proved different, however, since an avalanche is involved. I really enjoyed the fancy setting that ultimately turns into a nightmare since everyone gets trapped there. Side note: I cannot imagine surviving an avalanche. Truly one of Mother Nature's most terrifying offerings.

I definitely did not see the big reveal coming, and I was very entertained throughout the whole book. I also really enjoyed how the story wrapped up and the ultimate character arc of our female MC, Chloe.

The Alpine Retreat pub day is January 20.
Profile Image for Ashley.
85 reviews11 followers
November 22, 2025
Many thanks to Avon and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my review.

I loved the idea of this book. Celebs, recovering addicts, jilted wives and those just needing a break from reality are all ensconced in a beautiful alpine retreat where their every need will be met. They have all had to turn over all of their electronics, flashy clothes and jewelry and makeup in order really be present and level the playing field. On the very first night an avalanche destroys part of the hotel, trapping many under the snow and cutting off all power and means of communication. Then come the murders.

I was so excited and invested early on. However the book started to drag a little and become somewhat predictable. That said I did really enjoy it and got through it quickly. Like a tasty snack that could be devoured in one sitting.

Profile Image for Jackie.
1,376 reviews
November 25, 2025
3.75 ⭐️

There’s something about a remote, snow-covered setting that I can’t resist, and The Alpine Retreat delivered that eerie, locked-in suspense I love.

This was my first read by Sarah Goodwin. It was a chilling thriller about a group of guests snowed in at a remote Swiss wellness lodge. When an avalanche trapped them and one guest went missing. Once the paranoia set in, they realized someone among them was dangerous.

I was immediately drawn to The Alpine Retreat because I can never resist a snowed-in, isolated setting in a psychological thriller. There wasn’t anything about the plot that particularly stood out to me, probably because I’ve read so many remote-setting psychological suspense thrillers; however, Goodwin’s writing made this story one that I was completely immersed in. Her writing was quick, tense, and easy to fall into. I loved the tense, fast-paced plot and the eerie, snow-covered Alpine setting. It was gripping and hard to put down. The twists, short chapters, and atmospheric vibe kept the suspense high and made it a quick, binge-worthy read. Unfortunately, a few twists were predictable, certain characters lacked depth, and a couple of moments stretched believability.

Overall, The Alpine Retreat was a tense and atmospheric winter thriller that kept me turning the pages. I loved the isolated mountain setting, the simmering paranoia, and the steady twists that kept me guessing. I definitely recommend this one to anyone who enjoys locked-in, snow-storm suspense stories with a chilling edge.

Thank you Net Galley and Harper 360 for this advance copy in exchange for my review.
Profile Image for Beth.
559 reviews19 followers
January 19, 2026
3.5 stars
I have read quite a few of this author's previous books and have enjoyed them all, so I always keep a lookout for any new releases from her. And this one featured my favourite trope: isolated setting.
And I really did like the setting in this one.
The Elan Peak Wellness Retreat in the Swiss Alps gave this such a great atmosphere and it really did help add some flavour to the story.
Now, there are a lot of characters in this book because not only do we have the guests at the retreat, we have the staff as well. I was never confused as to who was who in the guest department, as they were all introduced well.
The staff characters however were a different issue. I just couldn't tell any of them apart. They all felt so 2D and lacked any defining characteristics. And there was so many of them I found it hard to keep track of who they all were.
And this unfortunately did spoil my enjoyment of the story. I just never cared about them or what was going to happen to them.
However, I did like the writing style and it was definitely an easy read, entertaining, fast book, but I just couldn't connect to the characters and as I neared the end I was getting a bit bored.
So, this wasn't my favourite by this author, but I would definitely read from her again.

Thanks to Avon Books for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Maria Vickers - MysteryLFL.
195 reviews4 followers
January 22, 2026
I don’t usually enjoy locked-room thrillers, but this one put in a valiant effort. Incredibly atmospheric, I really enjoyed the premise and setting of the book. The decent length in chapters, and the fast pace kept me engaged. Yes, it’s full of self absorbed characters, but it’s a book about a resort for the ultra wealthy, it would hardly make any sense if it weren’t. Twists were sufficient, and at least one of them I didn’t see coming (but still found believable), so it gets extra points for that. Overall, a solid book.
Profile Image for Mel (CrazyforBooksandCoffee).
628 reviews13 followers
January 16, 2026
A select group of celebrities head off to an exclusive wellness retreat on an isolated mountain. When an avalanche takes out their only way off the mountain and guests go missing. Everyone becomes paranoid and noone knows who to trust.

Isolated settings are my favourite and this didn't disappoint. This was fast paced and I couldn't put it down. Would definitely recommend

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books UK and Sarah Goodwin for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Sammi.
237 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 18, 2026
✨ARC✨

I did not see half of that coming! 
The twists caught me completely off guard. 

The author has a way of just pulling out the dread and terror in her writing. The way she makes you feel how isolated and dark it is, the uneasy feeling of what will come next. 

This is a fantastic destination thriller where a retreat turns to a nightmare and no-one can be trusted. 

Thank you to Avon Books for the advanced copy.
Profile Image for L.
498 reviews22 followers
January 22, 2026
This book is more of a whodunit than a heart pounding survival thriller like some of Sarah Goodwin's other books. Unfortunately, it didn't emotionally connect quite as much for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Natalia Farnham.
345 reviews15 followers
February 10, 2026
Man this book was kinda bland. Not as exciting as I would have hoped but it did its job in keeping the pages turning. Will totally read more from this author.
Profile Image for Sarah.
572 reviews8 followers
October 17, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
3.5 stars This was fun. Atmospheric with good surface-level characters. I wish it was a little deeper and that more of the mystery was possible to guess before the end but I enjoyed it. Fans of Sarahs other books will enjoy this one.
Profile Image for Anna.
1,045 reviews11 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 22, 2025
Netgalley ARC-I wanted to like this one. The plot sounded good and her stuff gets great reviews. I started it with an open mind, but quickly found myself wanting to put it down and find anything else to do. The characters were almost cartoonish and the plot didn't deliver the way I was hoping. I'm sure fans of Ruth Ware (who I also don't like) will love this. I don't think I'll try any of her other stuff either.
Profile Image for Victoria.
48 reviews1 follower
January 29, 2026
There is nothing I love more than a locked-room mystery. A locked-room mystery set in a snowstorm in Switzerland? Bestill my heart! I was so excited to read this one and it did not disappoint!

Chloe, a celebrity "fixer," flies to the Sargente, an elite spa in the Alps, for some much-needed rest and relaxation. What she finds however? Not so much of either. First it's the entitled guests that get under her skin, but then it gets much more serious! Mother Nature deals them a huge blow, someone starts picking off the staff, and then there's the wolves awaiting them outside. Will Chloe be able to fix this situation?

The writer did a great job of keeping the pace moving and the tensions high! You will not want to miss this book! Five stars.

Thanks to Harper 360 via NetGalley for sending me an ARC to review! All opinions are mine.
310 reviews17 followers
November 1, 2025
The premise of this novel was interesting; however, I found all of the characters somewhat dull and the first several chapters, albeit introductory, were insipid. There was some excitement after approximately 80 pages — I do not want to mention a spoiler. In the remainder of the book, there is a lot of action and the reader never knows who is a “good” guy and who is not. It strains the imagination to think that this could actually happen and that people would survive. I thank NetGalley and Harper Collins 360 for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.
Profile Image for Alyson Lucille.
1,049 reviews11 followers
October 28, 2025
This was a good “who done it,” I didn’t guess the “bad guy” and the why. The book had ups and downs in excitement for me. Thanks for the early read NetGalley and to the author. While I didn’t feel like this was a page turner, I would still pick up this author again if I was in the mood for suspense.
Profile Image for Carolyn Walsh .
1,921 reviews562 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 15, 2026
I wish to thank NetGalley and Avon Books for this well-constructed mystery and atmospheric thriller. The story is set in an exclusive Wellness Retreat in the Swiss Alps. It is a place where corporate managers, celebrities, and social media influencers go to relax and rejuvenate in luxury. There are spa activities, time to meditate, and time to detox from addictions in a remote, snowy setting. They expect to be pampered while living a healthy lifestyle. They regard their holiday as a break from reality.

This is the fourth mystery I have read by Sarah Goodwin, and they have yielded varied results. The terrific 'Stranded' earned a rare 5 Stars from me. The others were 4-star and 2-star. I expected a character-driven plot. But there were so many character names that it was confusing, and I had a hard time keeping track of who was on the resort staff and who was a client. As the paying visitors prepare to relax in beautiful wintery surroundings, we feel as if we are immersed in a claustrophobic, closed-room story. So many names! I was overly focused on sorting out the numerous characters who seemed dull and shallow, which detracted from the tension.

The guests arriving at the Wellness Centre are upset to have to give up their phones and other tech devices. They must have expensive designer clothing and jewellery locked away for the duration. Any annoyance or anger about their phones being confiscated is soon forgotten as the building is hit by a huge avalanche, killing visitors and damaging property and medical supplies. The avalanche also knocks down an electric fence that has kept ravenous wolves off the property. The lift to the area below is out of service, and the roads up to the Alpine Retreat are impassable. Food supplies are low, and they have no power or heat. To make matters worse, a rifle and a handgun are missing, and outside communications are impossible. Then wolves are on the prowl outside.
This now becomes a story of Survival, with the characters' growing paranoia and lack of trust. An unknown person has the guns, and staff members are being shot. Some guests have managed to bring in liquor and drugs; there are thefts, drunkenness, suspicious drinks, illnesses and injuries. One of the survivors is missing. Tensions were described as high, but I didn't feel it, and I didn't connect with the characters.

The leading character is Chloe, a highly paid crisis manager and fixer. She has come to the Wellness Retreat for a much-needed rest from her high-pressure work. She is self-centred and smug about her abilities, but is super-competent. She inserts herself into the decisions being made in the aftermath of the avalanche. Her main concern is the lack of coffee and cigarettes.
Some of the story is action-packed, while other parts are slow-paced and repetitive.

Recommended for readers who love a story in a chilling, isolated winter setting. Group dynamics are compelling. Who will manage to survive until outside help learns their predicament and rescues them? The Alpine Retreat is scheduled for publication on January 15th/2026.
Profile Image for The Cookster.
626 reviews68 followers
November 9, 2025
Rating: 4.1/5

Sarah Goodwin's earlier books used to frustrate me. There was usually a solid premise and the novels would start strongly and pique my interest. Then, sadly, there was a tendency for the storylines to tail off in the second half. Thankfully, those earlier traits now seem to have been addressed by the author and her more recent offerings have built on the promise of her earlier works, but now deliver captivating reads throughout.

Her latest, "The Alpine Retreat", is set in a high-end wellness centre, The Sorgente, in the Swiss Alps. The first person narrator and central protagonist is Chloe Wallace. Chloe has decided to treat herself to a break from her lucrative, but stressful, life as a PR crisis manager - or, if you prefer, a fixer - the person celebrities call upon to salvage their careers when they have, ahem, committed something of an indiscretion. Apart from sharing her time at the retreat with the kind of people whom she is normally called upon to dig out of the mire, all appears to be well. Then disaster strikes when an avalanche completely cuts off the already secluded location. To add to the peril, the avalanche has also damaged the electric fence that keeps the wolves at bay and, as if that weren't enough, there now appears to be some malevolent individual at large who threatens the lives of the avalanche survivors.

Sarah Goodwin isn't the first writer to set a story in a wellness retreat, nor is she the first to choose an isolated and snowbound location as the backdrop, but there is a reason why a number of authors have chosen similar settings and that is because it creates great atmosphere. Obviously, there is also the potential risk of producing something that is far too similar to books that have gone before, but Sarah Goodwin succeeds in avoiding that potential pitfall. This is due, in no small part, to the strength of Chloe as the central character. The skills gleaned from her day job come to the fore as the narrative develops and the tension mounts. If you like a book that moves along at good pace, with well-drawn characters, action, mystery and suspense all bundled up into a neat package, then "The Alpine Retreat" could be just what you are looking for.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Rachel Gilbey.
3,376 reviews572 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 16, 2026
Wow, Sarah Goodwin really is cementing her place as the queen of the claustrophobic thriller.

This was utterly disturbing, terrifying, and I ended up sitting in the middle of the day to read most of the second half of this, as I was worried if I continued reading after dark, that it would make me jumpy and disturb my sleep!

There is a wonderfully remote setting, at a Swiss Wellness retreat that is up a mountain, very remote and where the main body of the retreat is a cable car away from where the cars can drop you. Initially as we are getting the guided tour of the facility, I was getting the feeling this might be the sort of book that was involving brainwashing and new possibly illegal types of treatment.

But that couldn't have been further from the truth, and although I was unsettled even initially with the setting, in reality it was the setting and it's remoteness is key, and Chloe really doesn't get the relaxed break she was hoping for.

On the first night there is an avalanche, that leaves a high body count in it's wake. Those that survive are cut off from everything, have no power, limited food supplies, the electric fence that keeps the wild wolves off the property is no longer powered, oh and initially one dead body is discovered that was clearly murdered.

So Chloe, and a whole bunch of incredibly pampered guests who are not used to this sort of thing and some staff have to somehow try to keep everyone safe, while there is a gun wielding killer on the lose (yeah both the retreat's guns are missing too), and no one knows who they can trust.

Plus if they go and check on anything in the out buildings or staff lodge they are at risk from the wolves.

So utterly terrifying and although rather disturbing I was totally there for it and couldn't get enough of this book. I certainly didn't expect the actual outcome, nor their motives. And Chloe who is a fixer for disgraced celebrity's in her day job, is in her element helping the staff here, and tying to get as many people out of the situation alive as she can.

Although Chloe may have a morally dubious job I absolutely loved her as a character, and her general attitude to everything.

This was just fabulous, utterly brilliant book and I can never get enough of this author.

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Profile Image for Helen Leecy.
1,099 reviews24 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 22, 2025
I went into The Alpine Retreat expecting a fairly familiar premise, but it very quickly proved to be something far more intense. From the opening chapters, the sense of unease is immediate, and once the major catastrophe hits near the beginning, everything escalates dramatically. It’s not a slow burn into danger either – the scale of what happens is huge and instantly raises the stakes, making it clear that no one is truly safe.

What impressed me most was how sustained the tension felt. There was never a lull where things settled or felt comfortable. Even during quieter moments, there was a constant pressure hanging over the story, as though something else was waiting to go wrong. The author did a great job of layering multiple threats at once, so it wasn’t just the environment causing fear, but the people trapped within it as well.

The claustrophobia was particularly effective. The remote setting, harsh conditions, and enforced proximity all combined to create a suffocating atmosphere that felt very real. I could almost feel the walls closing in as tempers frayed and trust eroded. It’s the kind of book where you can sense how quickly rational thinking starts to unravel when fear takes over, and that psychological element really strengthened the story for me.

I did feel slightly conflicted about the handling of the antagonist. Once they were revealed, it seemed as though the author pulled back from fully embracing their darker side. The softening of their character reduced some of the threat that had been built up so carefully beforehand, and I found myself wishing she had been bolder there. A stronger commitment to that role might have made the final sections even more powerful.

Even with that reservation, this was a very enjoyable read. It was fast-paced without feeling rushed, immersive without becoming confusing, and incredibly hard to put down. I devoured it in no time at all, constantly telling myself I’d stop after one more chapter. Overall, this is a gripping thriller that delivers sustained suspense and a strong sense of atmosphere, and it left me keen to read more from the author.
Profile Image for The Page Ladies Book Club.
1,842 reviews118 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
January 4, 2026
⚡️If a luxury wellness retreat took your phone and then tried to kill you, yeah, I was instantly in.

The Alpine Retreat by Sarah Goodwin is one of those thrillers that grabs you early and refuses to let go, and I had such a blast reading it. If you’re on the fence, here are all the reasons this book deserves a spot on your TBR:

🧘‍♀️The setting is peak looks perfect, is absolutely not. A secluded wellness retreat in the Swiss Alps? Stunning. No phones? Horrifying. Add avalanches, wolves, and a broken ski lift, and suddenly digital detox feels like a threat. The atmosphere is claustrophobic, icy, and tense in the best way.

📵Confiscated technology = instant chaos. Watching influencers and power players spiral without their devices is both darkly funny and deeply unsettling. The lack of connection cranks the paranoia up to eleven and makes every interaction feel loaded.

😬Messy people + secrets under pressure. This cast is full of big personalities, hidden agendas, and simmering resentments. As things go wrong, facades crack fast, and I loved peeling back each character’s carefully curated image.

❄️Survival thriller vibes. Between the brutal weather, the isolation, and the growing sense that someone is watching them, the danger feels constant. It’s not just about who is behind it all, it's whether anyone can outlast the mountain itself.

👀Twists that keep you guessing. Just when I thought I had a handle on where things were going, the story swerved. The tension builds steadily, and the reveals make the entire retreat feel more sinister with every chapter.

The Alpine Retreat is sharp, creepy, and wildly entertaining, a perfect read if you love locked-room mysteries, influencer satire, and survival thrillers that make you glad you’re reading from the safety of your couch.

✨️Thank you Avon Books and Sarah Goodwin for sharing The Alpine Retreat with me!
Profile Image for Suesyn Zellmer.
515 reviews16 followers
November 4, 2025
I love Sarah Goodwin’s books; each one is an adventure filled with crazy people and situations. This one involves Chloe, a fixer for the wealthy and powerful, who’s a pro at managing crises. She’s on a much-needed break at The Sorgente, a retreat also for the wealthy and powerful, when disaster strikes. Honestly, I’m surprised this book wasn’t titled ‘Avalanche’ because that’s what sets everything in motion. And because it’s a wellness lodge for peace and relaxation, everyone had their phones and technology taken when they first arrived, so there’s no way to get help. The clients make a big deal about this, but you’d think they’d be used to reading the fine print. Or at least their agents and lawyers would.

So a bunch of demanding and overpampered guests are trapped and confined up in the mountains with the few roads in and out blocked. The building housing the generator was destroyed, and you see where this is going. All options for rescue are out, and it’s going to get nuts. Especially when the first murder victim is found. Can anyone control the chaos and ensure that people are still alive to be rescued when help finally arrives?

What this author does brilliantly is create unlikable characters that don’t prevent you from enjoying the story. She’s literally the only one seemingly capable of this, as that’s normally a deal breaker for me. Chloe’s pretty terrible and self-involved, but she slowly changes throughout the course of the story. She manages this crisis like she would any other, except it's actually life and death this time. Twice over, because if they don’t die of injuries, hypothermia, or starvation, they may very well be the next victim of the murderer hiding somewhere in the lodge, taking out people one by one.

Sure, the plot may stretch credibility here and there, but really, who cares when you’re too busy enjoying the ride?
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632 reviews43 followers
November 30, 2025
I'm a little undecided as to whether to rate this book 2 or 3 stars. I generally enjoy this author's work and was really interested in the premise of The Alpine Retreat--I love a good survival struggle atop a mountain--but the execution of the plot and characters was a little on the disappointing side.

For one, the characters were a tad bit insufferable, with the exception of a couple of the retreat's staff who are just...there. But rather than sympathizing or relating to main character Chloe's quest for survival, I found myself saying more than once "who does she think she is?" as she continually inserted herself into a main role post-avalanche. I can't quite put my finger on why, but she just rubbed me the wrong way. The others were fairly one-dimensional and I was a bit confused on the whole setup of the resort itself. When Chloe first arrives, she makes it seem like this is an extremely exclusive place and that the guests she arrives with would be the only ones there with her. But after the avalanche hits it's mentioned how many dozens of other people are there. And there's a distance between all these characters and the reader and so I didn't particularly feel any emotional pull to them. They're all just either nameless patients of the conveniently placed doctor or faceless hordes hiding in different rooms. Even ones who are named (the Emmitts and Carris, etc.) failed to draw me in.

The setting was great and there there was a perfect sense of the bleakness of the cold, but as far as the plot went I found it slow and plodding and overly repetitive. It felt like I was reading forever and getting nowhere. It all just felt bit not quite fleshed out.

Special thanks to the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this title through NetGalley.
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