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The Retreat
She needed a fake girlfriend. The universe sent her the one woman she swore she’d never forgive.
Talia Knox is a fiercely ambitious corporate lawyer with one making partner at her prestigious law firm. Her boss places great importance on family—and Talia’s carefully crafted lie about her long-term girlfriend, ‘Alex’, has kept her professional image impeccable. But when the firm announces a corporate retreat, with obligatory attendance for significant others, Talia’s lie is suddenly at risk of being exposed.
The worst is yet to come, after a chance mix-up leads Talia’s boss to mistake Imogen Lake—unemployed art curator, walking disaster, and the last person Talia wants to see—for her elusive partner. Given that Talia has despised Imogen ever since she found her in bed with her then-girlfriend, it’s less than ideal.
Desperate to protect her career, Talia proposes a Imogen will pretend to be her devoted girlfriend for one weekend at the luxury countryside retreat, in exchange for a much-needed payday. Broke and out of options, Imogen agrees.
But between couples yoga, blindfolded hikes, and a classic one-bed situation, the line between performance and real emotion begins to blur. Old wounds resurface. Sparks fly. And soon, Talia faces the biggest decision of her hold on to everything she’s built or risk it all for the last woman she ever expected to want.
A witty, slow-burn sapphic romcom from internationally bestselling author Natasha West, The Retreat is a sharp, emotional, and laugh-out-loud lesbian romance. It follows two rivals forced to fake a relationship on a company retreat, where close quarters, unresolved history, and undeniable chemistry ignite a journey from enemies to lovers—and offer a heartfelt second chance.
Talia Knox is a fiercely ambitious corporate lawyer with one making partner at her prestigious law firm. Her boss places great importance on family—and Talia’s carefully crafted lie about her long-term girlfriend, ‘Alex’, has kept her professional image impeccable. But when the firm announces a corporate retreat, with obligatory attendance for significant others, Talia’s lie is suddenly at risk of being exposed.
The worst is yet to come, after a chance mix-up leads Talia’s boss to mistake Imogen Lake—unemployed art curator, walking disaster, and the last person Talia wants to see—for her elusive partner. Given that Talia has despised Imogen ever since she found her in bed with her then-girlfriend, it’s less than ideal.
Desperate to protect her career, Talia proposes a Imogen will pretend to be her devoted girlfriend for one weekend at the luxury countryside retreat, in exchange for a much-needed payday. Broke and out of options, Imogen agrees.
But between couples yoga, blindfolded hikes, and a classic one-bed situation, the line between performance and real emotion begins to blur. Old wounds resurface. Sparks fly. And soon, Talia faces the biggest decision of her hold on to everything she’s built or risk it all for the last woman she ever expected to want.
A witty, slow-burn sapphic romcom from internationally bestselling author Natasha West, The Retreat is a sharp, emotional, and laugh-out-loud lesbian romance. It follows two rivals forced to fake a relationship on a company retreat, where close quarters, unresolved history, and undeniable chemistry ignite a journey from enemies to lovers—and offer a heartfelt second chance.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2025
118 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 25, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Natasha West. She is one of my favorite authors, and I eagerly anticipate each new release from her. This book did not disappoint; it truly was a gem. The chemistry between the main characters felt incredibly genuine and heartwarming.🥰
June 29, 2025
Fun, quirky, and very much what one would expect from Natasha West - a solid and enjoyable rom-com that will make you laugh, cringe at some of their decisions, and yet though it all see a reflection of life in it as well (especially corporate culture in this one). Talia and Imogen's relationship at the start is explosive (not in a good way), but beneath all of that, they really do have something special, and as always, it's nice to see them grow closer through the antics that follow. Very happy with how the story wraps up, and the closure that is given as well.
July 9, 2025
Nice and light read
August 17, 2025
Lots of laughs, lovable characters and great dialog. I enjoyed this.
August 20, 2025
2/5 - sapphic, enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, contemporary. An alright read, but I had some issues. The pacing felt a bit off, with the book taking place over too short a time period to really buy into the relationship development, to the point that this felt very insta-lovey (which I’m generally not crazy about). The retreat setting could have been really interesting, and I did like parts of it, but overall I just feel like it was wasted because of the super quick trip. The ending (and the epilogue itself) also felt a little too conveniently wrapped up in my opinion, but that’s just me.
June 25, 2025
Very nice addition to the West catalog.
I always enjoy Natasha West's books, so I'm a little biased here.
The Retreat is definitely one of my favorites, though. Talia and Imogen are both people that feel like real people instead of a romance story character if that makes sense. Flaws and all.
It's a nice read that I recommend to anyone looking for something positive.
I always enjoy Natasha West's books, so I'm a little biased here.
The Retreat is definitely one of my favorites, though. Talia and Imogen are both people that feel like real people instead of a romance story character if that makes sense. Flaws and all.
It's a nice read that I recommend to anyone looking for something positive.
July 3, 2025
Quick, lighthearted, and fun.
July 25, 2025
so fast paced that beyond maybe the next 12 hours i will never remember anything about this book ever again
August 10, 2025
Entertaining read about two really different characters caught in a sort of wrong place wrong time ‘French Farce’. They then stumble into another farce of their own making. While trying to maintain the success of the operation they fall in love…just before they fall into a crash and burn. Good-hearted and funny and a very nice ending. A fresh take on a fake relationship.
July 12, 2025
Amusing brain candy.
Not a Nobel Prize winner, but good for a relaxing read. Loved the way it ended.
Wouldn’t mind a sequel.
Not a Nobel Prize winner, but good for a relaxing read. Loved the way it ended.
Wouldn’t mind a sequel.
July 24, 2025
I've read like, 5 lesbian romances in 4 days - I don't know what's going on with me or if I should be worried, or if I'm just on a real reading streak. ::shrug::
This was... OK. I thought when it started I might not like it; the two characters seemed to genuinely hate each other and the violence and amount of negative emotion between them was, like, TOO high - it felt like, this isn't a "oh, we're just both coming at one another with our hackles up and irritating each other but we're really softies on the inside if we can just let our full selves show and not be afraid" it felt more like "I am a seriously angry person and there's no softness in me at all, I don't have basic respect for this other human being and there is no reason I should because they also seem terrible" ... if that makes sense. It was just, like, too much. I think both characters could have been fleshed out a bit more before meeting up again, after their initial disastrous meeting. They could have been a bit kinder - like a push/pull "sometimes she's nice, or sometimes I see this side of her, but then she's a jerk!" in their interactions, instead of just, WOW YOU ARE AWFUL all the time. It felt forced, and a bit unbelievable, for like, the first HALF at least.
Then they sort of started to be attracted to each other? But, like, barely. It again wasn't fleshed out much. They didn't LIKE one another, just hints of "she's hot I guess", and trust wasn't really building.
Then they have a conversation about "what really happened" and suddenly everything is completely different, and they have chemistry, and I'm like, OK cool but, the build-up to get here made this pay-off kinda.. crap.
IDK, it wasn't terrible, it just, felt very forced, and rushed, and unbelievable. There was a whole potential sub-theme RIGHT THERE with appearances and overwork being part of company culture, and family values, and like, none of it really gets dug into, which is a shame.
This was... OK. I thought when it started I might not like it; the two characters seemed to genuinely hate each other and the violence and amount of negative emotion between them was, like, TOO high - it felt like, this isn't a "oh, we're just both coming at one another with our hackles up and irritating each other but we're really softies on the inside if we can just let our full selves show and not be afraid" it felt more like "I am a seriously angry person and there's no softness in me at all, I don't have basic respect for this other human being and there is no reason I should because they also seem terrible" ... if that makes sense. It was just, like, too much. I think both characters could have been fleshed out a bit more before meeting up again, after their initial disastrous meeting. They could have been a bit kinder - like a push/pull "sometimes she's nice, or sometimes I see this side of her, but then she's a jerk!" in their interactions, instead of just, WOW YOU ARE AWFUL all the time. It felt forced, and a bit unbelievable, for like, the first HALF at least.
Then they sort of started to be attracted to each other? But, like, barely. It again wasn't fleshed out much. They didn't LIKE one another, just hints of "she's hot I guess", and trust wasn't really building.
Then they have a conversation about "what really happened" and suddenly everything is completely different, and they have chemistry, and I'm like, OK cool but, the build-up to get here made this pay-off kinda.. crap.
IDK, it wasn't terrible, it just, felt very forced, and rushed, and unbelievable. There was a whole potential sub-theme RIGHT THERE with appearances and overwork being part of company culture, and family values, and like, none of it really gets dug into, which is a shame.
July 6, 2025
Talia Knox is a fiercely ambitious corporate lawyer with one goal: making partner at her prestigious law firm. Her boss places great importance on family, and Talia’s carefully crafted lie about her long-term girlfriend, ‘Alex’, has kept her professional image impeccable. But when the firm announces a corporate retreat, with obligatory attendance for significant others, Talia’s lie is suddenly at risk of being exposed.
Desperate to protect her career, Talia proposes a deal: Imogen will pretend to be her devoted girlfriend for one weekend at the luxury countryside retreat, in exchange for a much-needed payday. Broke and out of options, Imogen agrees. And soon, Talia faces the biggest decision of her life: hold on to everything she’s built or risk it all for the last woman she ever expected to want.
It was a very easy read and both the main characters were likeable, having read it on Kindle, the book didn't have time left in the chapter, which was slightly annoying, but as the book itself has fairly quick chapters, it wasn't a major issue.
You could say that the plot of the book and how it ended in part was inevitable, pretending Imogen was someone else was always going to end badly, with getting caught. You could say that at the start of the book, they both started as enemies and ended up as lovers, with Imogen being found in bed with Talia's Ex, and Talia wanted to continue to hate her but was unable to do so.
If you want a very easy and well-written book this one is for you. I loved the book and have rated it five-stars. If the author had made the book longer and expanded on their lives, then I could have rated it higher.
Desperate to protect her career, Talia proposes a deal: Imogen will pretend to be her devoted girlfriend for one weekend at the luxury countryside retreat, in exchange for a much-needed payday. Broke and out of options, Imogen agrees. And soon, Talia faces the biggest decision of her life: hold on to everything she’s built or risk it all for the last woman she ever expected to want.
It was a very easy read and both the main characters were likeable, having read it on Kindle, the book didn't have time left in the chapter, which was slightly annoying, but as the book itself has fairly quick chapters, it wasn't a major issue.
You could say that the plot of the book and how it ended in part was inevitable, pretending Imogen was someone else was always going to end badly, with getting caught. You could say that at the start of the book, they both started as enemies and ended up as lovers, with Imogen being found in bed with Talia's Ex, and Talia wanted to continue to hate her but was unable to do so.
If you want a very easy and well-written book this one is for you. I loved the book and have rated it five-stars. If the author had made the book longer and expanded on their lives, then I could have rated it higher.
November 12, 2025
The Retreat is a fake dating tale in which lawyer Talia hires unemployed curator Imogen to be her girlfriend at a corporate retreat. The complication is that Imogen is the woman Talia found in bed with her ex. However, desperate times and imaginary girlfriends call for desperate measures.
Since the corporate retreat is only a weekend affair the timeline is quite compressed. Consequently, the relationship between the two women segues from animosity to almost love in very short order. There are several amusing scenes as the retreat attendees carry out various trust exercises. As a bonus, these help Talia and Imogen come to understand each other a little better.
Not surprisingly, there is a big reveal towards the end of the weekend. At this point the story verges on the melodramatic; fortunately, it is over quickly. This is a cute read, though the flow is a bit choppy at times. As expected, the happy couple stays together afterward.
Since the corporate retreat is only a weekend affair the timeline is quite compressed. Consequently, the relationship between the two women segues from animosity to almost love in very short order. There are several amusing scenes as the retreat attendees carry out various trust exercises. As a bonus, these help Talia and Imogen come to understand each other a little better.
Not surprisingly, there is a big reveal towards the end of the weekend. At this point the story verges on the melodramatic; fortunately, it is over quickly. This is a cute read, though the flow is a bit choppy at times. As expected, the happy couple stays together afterward.
July 7, 2025
Imogen has hit bottom, losing her wealthy girlfriend, her job, being broke and then having a fight with her ex's ex, Talia. So she's a bit stunned when Talia asks for her help.
Talia has been fibbing at work, telling her boss she has a steady girlfriend, Alex. And her boss mistakes Imogen for the mythic Alex, and wants Talia to bring her to a company event. So to keep the deception going and (hopefully) secure a promotion, she needs Imogen's help.
But it turns out it's a corporate retreat with contests, and Talia is determined to win. Poor Imogen....
Good characters, good plot, funny and romantic.
4 out of 5 stars
Talia has been fibbing at work, telling her boss she has a steady girlfriend, Alex. And her boss mistakes Imogen for the mythic Alex, and wants Talia to bring her to a company event. So to keep the deception going and (hopefully) secure a promotion, she needs Imogen's help.
But it turns out it's a corporate retreat with contests, and Talia is determined to win. Poor Imogen....
Good characters, good plot, funny and romantic.
4 out of 5 stars
September 23, 2025
2.75 ⭐
El Libro se lee muy rápido, aunque si es muy soft, no tiene nada de drama y la resolución no acabo de gustarme.
Talia como protagonista empezó muy bien, entendía su pensamiento y su pesar, al final no me quedó claro como es que pudo enamorarse literal en un fin de semana de Imogen. Dicho sea de esta protagonista, alguien gris, sin crecimiento, con diálogos lineales y sin nada que aportar.
La verdad es que el insta love fue muy mal llevado, y todo en la historia era conveniente sin llegar a explicar porque.
El Libro se lee muy rápido, aunque si es muy soft, no tiene nada de drama y la resolución no acabo de gustarme.
Talia como protagonista empezó muy bien, entendía su pensamiento y su pesar, al final no me quedó claro como es que pudo enamorarse literal en un fin de semana de Imogen. Dicho sea de esta protagonista, alguien gris, sin crecimiento, con diálogos lineales y sin nada que aportar.
La verdad es que el insta love fue muy mal llevado, y todo en la historia era conveniente sin llegar a explicar porque.
July 29, 2025
I enjoyed the growth Talia and Imogen had with each other and how their connection grew as the retreat continued. I thought they bounced off each other well, and with the (chaotic) coworkers around them. They were just adorable with each other once they accepted how they felt. Nice, easy read that was straight to the storyline!!
August 10, 2025
Fresh take on a fake relationship
Entertaining read about two really different characters caught in a sort of wrong place wrong time ‘French Farce’. They then stumble into another farce of their own making. While trying to maintain the success of the operation they fall in love…just before they fall into a crash and burn. Good-hearted and funny and a very nice ending.
Entertaining read about two really different characters caught in a sort of wrong place wrong time ‘French Farce’. They then stumble into another farce of their own making. While trying to maintain the success of the operation they fall in love…just before they fall into a crash and burn. Good-hearted and funny and a very nice ending.
Read
December 28, 2025This really didn't work for me. I found it trope-heavy, clichéd and implausible, and not saved from any of these things by for example interesting writing, deep characterisations or wit. I was promised laugh out loud funny, but also no.
And on an editing note, at one point the author has a side character calling the person she knows only as Alex by her actual name, Imogen.
And on an editing note, at one point the author has a side character calling the person she knows only as Alex by her actual name, Imogen.
June 27, 2025
Cute story..
Another great book from Natasha West. Interesting story line, will definitely have you laughing. Imagine finding your partner in your bed with someone else. Yikes. Obviously that’s the end of the relationship. But the story evolves from there into a nice HEA.
Another great book from Natasha West. Interesting story line, will definitely have you laughing. Imagine finding your partner in your bed with someone else. Yikes. Obviously that’s the end of the relationship. But the story evolves from there into a nice HEA.
July 1, 2025
QUITE GOOD…
A fun read and a good premise. The characters were relatable and likable. Talia’s law firm’s principle on relationships is a part of the old school stodginess. Forcing Talia to face this was done excellently by the author. Imogene was great as a stabilizing influence.
A fun read and a good premise. The characters were relatable and likable. Talia’s law firm’s principle on relationships is a part of the old school stodginess. Forcing Talia to face this was done excellently by the author. Imogene was great as a stabilizing influence.
August 25, 2025
What a page turner
A thoroughly easy and captivating read.. When things are rock bottom, don't ever give up, you never know what to expect around the corner. Another fantatsic book by Natasha West!
A thoroughly easy and captivating read.. When things are rock bottom, don't ever give up, you never know what to expect around the corner. Another fantatsic book by Natasha West!
November 9, 2025
This was such a fun read, a forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers story that I just couldn’t get enough of. I really enjoyed how flawed the characters were and how that didn’t stop them coming together in the end. A fab, fast paced read.
July 21, 2025
LOVED IT
August 23, 2025
It should be illegal to write a one shared bed scenario with this little spice. 😭
September 25, 2025
Eh
Okay characters, easy read, pretty much no spice (cut to black).
I enjoyed the read but I guess I expected a little more.
Okay characters, easy read, pretty much no spice (cut to black).
I enjoyed the read but I guess I expected a little more.
October 8, 2025
3.3⭐️
November 8, 2025
Good story, but very basic with little depth. Bit too pat even for me. Very easy read.
December 7, 2025
The Retreat was a cute sapphic romance. Can't say much more about it than that. It was a little bit insta-lovey, but I do enjoy fake dating plot line, so it was enjoyable.
December 7, 2025
The chemistry wasn't really there but I enjoyed it otherwise.
February 2, 2026
Loved it!!
I love everything by this author. It's laugh out loud funny, heartfelt, and relatable. The characters are amazing. Can't wait to read all of her books.
I love everything by this author. It's laugh out loud funny, heartfelt, and relatable. The characters are amazing. Can't wait to read all of her books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews