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The Alpine Retreat
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.
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.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2026
About the author
Sarah Goodwin
27 books822 followersAlso 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 172 reviews
November 18, 2025
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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.
The Book Review Crew Blog
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.
February 14, 2026
Locked-in mystery? Yes, please!!
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.
May 7, 2026
⭐ ⭐ ⭐
I did enjoy this. I absolutely love thrillers where people are trapped in the snow with no way out, one of my favourite subgenres. This one was good, I just didn't feel the tension as much as I anticipated to. I wasn't that scared for the characters.
I did enjoy this. I absolutely love thrillers where people are trapped in the snow with no way out, one of my favourite subgenres. This one was good, I just didn't feel the tension as much as I anticipated to. I wasn't that scared for the characters.
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!
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!
Did Not Finish
June 8, 2026I made it 50% into The Alpine Retreat before finally accepting the truth: life is too short, my reading pile is too tall, and I simply do not have the emotional stamina to survive another chapter of influencer dialogue delivered like a hostage video written by Twitter.
The Alpine Retreat sounded exactly like my sort of thing — isolated snowy resort, avalanche, trapped guests, survival thriller, paranoia, secrets. Basically frozen murdery chaos. Wonderful. Sign me up immediately.
Instead I got what felt like a motivational hashtag convention trapped inside an avalanche simulator.
Now before anyone starts preparing internet torches: I have absolutely zero issue with LGBTQ characters or themes in books when they’re naturally part of the story. But here it felt less like character development and more like somebody emptied an entire online discourse starter-pack directly into the manuscript and hoped suspense would somehow emerge from the debris.
Every conversation felt determined to remind me that these characters had identities, politics, labels, trauma, platforms, followers, causes, and opinions before they’d even established basic human personalities. I didn’t feel like I was reading about real people trapped in a survival situation — I felt like I’d accidentally opened twelve social media bios simultaneously during a blizzard.
And Chloe… sweet avalanche-surviving heavens.
I tried. I really did.
But every time she took charge of the disaster situation with the confidence of someone elected Supreme Leader of Snow Mountain after twelve minutes, I found myself whispering:
“Ma’am… who appointed you?”
This woman survives a catastrophic event and immediately starts behaving like she’s the UN Secretary-General of Skiing Emergencies while everyone else apparently forgets how basic decision-making works.
Meanwhile the influencer characters speak exactly how people over forty fear Gen-Z speaks:
endless buzzwords,
painfully self-aware dialogue,
conversations that sound like TikTok comments brought to life by dark magic.
At one point I physically lowered the book and stared into the middle distance like a traumatised Victorian child after hearing the phrase “content creator” for the seventeenth time.
And the resort itself made less sense the longer I thought about it. The logistics felt vague, the characters were thinly sketched, and everybody reacted to life-threatening danger with the emotional realism of contestants on a reality dating show filmed during a minor apocalypse.
The biggest problem, though, was that I never cared. Not about the mystery, not about the survival, not about who lived or died. I was too busy recovering from dialogue that sounded like LinkedIn posts having an anxiety attack.
To be fair, the snowy isolated setting had potential and there were occasional moments where I could see the thriller this book wanted to be. But for me, the atmosphere kept getting buried under slogans, political commentary, influencer culture, and characters who felt assembled from internet discourse bingo cards.
In the end, I DNF’d at 50%, gently placed the book down, and stared out the window for a while like someone returning from a difficult war.
½⭐ (DNF) — Less tense alpine survival thriller, more “trapped in a group chat during a snowstorm.” I came for icy suspense and left feeling like I’d survived an avalanche of hashtags.
The Alpine Retreat sounded exactly like my sort of thing — isolated snowy resort, avalanche, trapped guests, survival thriller, paranoia, secrets. Basically frozen murdery chaos. Wonderful. Sign me up immediately.
Instead I got what felt like a motivational hashtag convention trapped inside an avalanche simulator.
Now before anyone starts preparing internet torches: I have absolutely zero issue with LGBTQ characters or themes in books when they’re naturally part of the story. But here it felt less like character development and more like somebody emptied an entire online discourse starter-pack directly into the manuscript and hoped suspense would somehow emerge from the debris.
Every conversation felt determined to remind me that these characters had identities, politics, labels, trauma, platforms, followers, causes, and opinions before they’d even established basic human personalities. I didn’t feel like I was reading about real people trapped in a survival situation — I felt like I’d accidentally opened twelve social media bios simultaneously during a blizzard.
And Chloe… sweet avalanche-surviving heavens.
I tried. I really did.
But every time she took charge of the disaster situation with the confidence of someone elected Supreme Leader of Snow Mountain after twelve minutes, I found myself whispering:
“Ma’am… who appointed you?”
This woman survives a catastrophic event and immediately starts behaving like she’s the UN Secretary-General of Skiing Emergencies while everyone else apparently forgets how basic decision-making works.
Meanwhile the influencer characters speak exactly how people over forty fear Gen-Z speaks:
endless buzzwords,
painfully self-aware dialogue,
conversations that sound like TikTok comments brought to life by dark magic.
At one point I physically lowered the book and stared into the middle distance like a traumatised Victorian child after hearing the phrase “content creator” for the seventeenth time.
And the resort itself made less sense the longer I thought about it. The logistics felt vague, the characters were thinly sketched, and everybody reacted to life-threatening danger with the emotional realism of contestants on a reality dating show filmed during a minor apocalypse.
The biggest problem, though, was that I never cared. Not about the mystery, not about the survival, not about who lived or died. I was too busy recovering from dialogue that sounded like LinkedIn posts having an anxiety attack.
To be fair, the snowy isolated setting had potential and there were occasional moments where I could see the thriller this book wanted to be. But for me, the atmosphere kept getting buried under slogans, political commentary, influencer culture, and characters who felt assembled from internet discourse bingo cards.
In the end, I DNF’d at 50%, gently placed the book down, and stared out the window for a while like someone returning from a difficult war.
½⭐ (DNF) — Less tense alpine survival thriller, more “trapped in a group chat during a snowstorm.” I came for icy suspense and left feeling like I’d survived an avalanche of hashtags.
Read
December 20, 2025I 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!
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!
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
February 23, 2026
The Alpine Retreat by Sarah Goodwin
The story starts when Chloe takes a break from her job and decides to go to a very well-known high-end resort which cater towards rich people or celebrities most of the time. After a terrible avalanche occurs it leaves only a few surviving guest and staff, who are now struggling to survive the aftermath. Chloe ends up helping the staff at the resort deal with the casualty. But one by one the workers at the retreat start to get murder and she's stuck in a murder mystery trying to find the killer before the wolves get to her.
This was an entertaining read for me, it wasn't predictable but it is my first book By Sarah Goodwin. I couldn't guess who the killer was or why certain people were murder so it was definitely entertaining for me.
Thank you so much to @BookSparks and Sarah Goodwin for the gifted copy!
The story starts when Chloe takes a break from her job and decides to go to a very well-known high-end resort which cater towards rich people or celebrities most of the time. After a terrible avalanche occurs it leaves only a few surviving guest and staff, who are now struggling to survive the aftermath. Chloe ends up helping the staff at the resort deal with the casualty. But one by one the workers at the retreat start to get murder and she's stuck in a murder mystery trying to find the killer before the wolves get to her.
This was an entertaining read for me, it wasn't predictable but it is my first book By Sarah Goodwin. I couldn't guess who the killer was or why certain people were murder so it was definitely entertaining for me.
Thank you so much to @BookSparks and Sarah Goodwin for the gifted copy!
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.
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.
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!*
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!*
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.
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.
June 11, 2026
Was hoping for more survival and less murder, but this was entertaining.
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.
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.
March 9, 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.
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.
March 5, 2026
2⭐️
Chloe is a public relations representive who's company covers up the dirty laundry of celebrites, politicans and muscians alike. Because these privileged clients expect discreation and total care, Chloe is desperate for a break. She leaves her assistant in charge and books a prestigious vacation to the Swiss Alps at a new resort called The Alpine Retreat. Off the bat, Chloe is a little annoyed by the supposed "wellness" aspect of the retreat, including taking away her vape, coffee, and expensive outfits. Apparently, the other guests are also frustrated by their belongings being confiscated when she arrives. After some smoothing over by one of the managers, Aloisia, the guests get ready for their first dinner experience. But the guests are still stressed when an unforeseen avalanche rolls through the dining room, leaving many dead and the dining room open to the elements. The avalanche has now caused the power to go out, leaving the remaining guests without heat, water, or adequate food, and those injured without proper medical care. To make matters worse, they wake up to a guard dead, the head of the hotel missing, and a number of guns also strangely "lost." Now Chloe has to ban together with the remaining staff and guests to find the murderer and smooth out tensions before chaos reigns supreme.
My thoughts:
I barely could get through this book. I didn't find Chloe all that interesting of a main character. And there wasn't enough from any of the other characters that I didn't find them enjoyable either. It wasn't only the characters I had trouble connecting with but also the plot. Not only was there an avalanche, but then you add wolves and no power with a murderer on the loose? That's too much going on. And how are they on the remote mountains and there isn't a generator or enough medical supplies? And then the reader is expected to believe that a food delivery was expected in a few days? Meaning there wasn't enough food when the avalanche happened? If this is a luxury resort, I would think they would have a large enough freezer/storage to accomdate enough food for the amount of days the guests are supposed to be staying. My other issue was how much Chloe lamented her vape, coffee etc. going into the vault. She's a PR representative. She should have looked up the aspects of the resort before she came there for vacation and not chosen a "wellness" retreat that would force you to give up some minor conveniences. Overall, I do not recommend this book and I would not read again.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an advanced reader's copy. All opinions are my own.
Chloe is a public relations representive who's company covers up the dirty laundry of celebrites, politicans and muscians alike. Because these privileged clients expect discreation and total care, Chloe is desperate for a break. She leaves her assistant in charge and books a prestigious vacation to the Swiss Alps at a new resort called The Alpine Retreat. Off the bat, Chloe is a little annoyed by the supposed "wellness" aspect of the retreat, including taking away her vape, coffee, and expensive outfits. Apparently, the other guests are also frustrated by their belongings being confiscated when she arrives. After some smoothing over by one of the managers, Aloisia, the guests get ready for their first dinner experience. But the guests are still stressed when an unforeseen avalanche rolls through the dining room, leaving many dead and the dining room open to the elements. The avalanche has now caused the power to go out, leaving the remaining guests without heat, water, or adequate food, and those injured without proper medical care. To make matters worse, they wake up to a guard dead, the head of the hotel missing, and a number of guns also strangely "lost." Now Chloe has to ban together with the remaining staff and guests to find the murderer and smooth out tensions before chaos reigns supreme.
My thoughts:
I barely could get through this book. I didn't find Chloe all that interesting of a main character. And there wasn't enough from any of the other characters that I didn't find them enjoyable either. It wasn't only the characters I had trouble connecting with but also the plot. Not only was there an avalanche, but then you add wolves and no power with a murderer on the loose? That's too much going on. And how are they on the remote mountains and there isn't a generator or enough medical supplies? And then the reader is expected to believe that a food delivery was expected in a few days? Meaning there wasn't enough food when the avalanche happened? If this is a luxury resort, I would think they would have a large enough freezer/storage to accomdate enough food for the amount of days the guests are supposed to be staying. My other issue was how much Chloe lamented her vape, coffee etc. going into the vault. She's a PR representative. She should have looked up the aspects of the resort before she came there for vacation and not chosen a "wellness" retreat that would force you to give up some minor conveniences. Overall, I do not recommend this book and I would not read again.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an advanced reader's copy. All opinions are my own.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨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.
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.
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.
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.
March 11, 2026
Fell flat unfortunately. I love an isolated setting and closed circle of characters but I rooted for none of them, the twists didn't land and the motivation wasn't particularly compelling.
June 10, 2026
Good isolated destination thriller.
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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