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The Break-Up Retreat: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 9 Jun 26An undercover journalist goes to expose an exclusive psychological wellness clinic where women go to recover from heartbreak, with dire consequences, in this creepy thriller from The Bachelorette Party author Camilla Sten.
Welcome to Himlafall Clinic, where we use revolutionary therapy techniques to heal you from heartbreak. Whether you are going through a devastating breakup, or can’t seem to stop picking the wrong partners, we are here to help you change your life, once and for all…
Isobel Anderssen has heard rumors. Nestled deep in the Swedish woods, there is a retreat. Primarily aimed at helping women who have gone through devastating break-ups, the Himlafall Clinic is meant to heal your mind and help you move on.
Sometimes people are never heard from again.
Armed with a fake story and a contraband phone to record interviews, Isobel is ready to expose Himlafall’s founder and get closure for the families of missing loved ones. But when she gets there, nothing goes to plan. Her contact is missing. The founder, Dr. Martina Hastings, knows how to get under Isobel’s skin in ways she didn’t anticipate. And all the while, the ghosts of the missing haunt her at every turn. It is clear something is going wrong and Himlafall, and Isobel must uncover the truth, before she disappears once and for all.
Welcome to Himlafall Clinic, where we use revolutionary therapy techniques to heal you from heartbreak. Whether you are going through a devastating breakup, or can’t seem to stop picking the wrong partners, we are here to help you change your life, once and for all…
Isobel Anderssen has heard rumors. Nestled deep in the Swedish woods, there is a retreat. Primarily aimed at helping women who have gone through devastating break-ups, the Himlafall Clinic is meant to heal your mind and help you move on.
Sometimes people are never heard from again.
Armed with a fake story and a contraband phone to record interviews, Isobel is ready to expose Himlafall’s founder and get closure for the families of missing loved ones. But when she gets there, nothing goes to plan. Her contact is missing. The founder, Dr. Martina Hastings, knows how to get under Isobel’s skin in ways she didn’t anticipate. And all the while, the ghosts of the missing haunt her at every turn. It is clear something is going wrong and Himlafall, and Isobel must uncover the truth, before she disappears once and for all.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 9, 2026
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About the author
Camilla Sten
25 books1,446 followersCamilla Sten is a writer, and her publisher made the mistake of letting her set this author page up by herself. She is best known for her internationally bestselling novel "The Lost Village", which has sold to 19 countries, and has written books ranging from YA fantasy to contemporary thrillers.
Camilla lives in Sweden with her American boyfriend and two fluffy, evil cats. She is quite enjoying talking about herself in the third person, and might keep it going after she's submitted this author bio.
Camilla lives in Sweden with her American boyfriend and two fluffy, evil cats. She is quite enjoying talking about herself in the third person, and might keep it going after she's submitted this author bio.
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a fast-paced, intriguing psychological thriller that delivers a locked-room mystery in an atmospheric and chilling setting. A secluded retreat where heartbroken patients arrive hoping to heal sounds peaceful in theory — but instead of recovery, they find themselves confronting their darkest inner demons… along with an unmistakable outer danger that seems to whisper in their ears, warning them to leave before it’s too late.
Even if you’ve already read the blurb, let me briefly walk you through the premise — and of course, I’ll add my own thoughts along the way.
Isobel Lindschold is an undercover journalist determined to make her big breakthrough. She wants to prove — to the world and to herself — that she is more than just the daughter of a once-admired journalist whose reputation was destroyed by scandal. Her father was her hero until he became her greatest disappointment, and that shadow weighs heavily on her ambitions. Isobel is hungry to expose the truth, to write something meaningful, something that matters.
That’s why she voluntarily enrolls in a breakup retreat at Himlafall Clinic, hidden deep within the isolated Swedish woods. The clinic offers the revolutionary “Hastings Therapy,” created by Dr. Martina Hastings — a disciplined, charismatic psychiatrist and bestselling author whose method promises life-changing transformation.
But Isobel isn’t there to mend a broken heart.
Under a false name and fabricated backstory, she infiltrates the program after discovering a disturbing Reddit comment claiming that a former patient, Susanna Wallin, disappeared after attending the retreat. Isobel suspects something sinister is happening behind the clinic’s serene façade. She plans to investigate from the inside, working with her source Sandra.
Except… when she arrives, Sandra is nowhere to be found.
From that moment, the unease builds steadily. Isobel feels watched. Her belongings — including a hidden burner phone — go missing. The other patients behave erratically, each one unreliable in their own way. Clara, in particular, exerts a manipulative, almost bullying dominance over the group. Dr. Martina herself radiates a cold, unsettling authority, frequently crossing ethical boundaries in the name of “healing.” And the caretakers? They seem to know far more than they reveal.
As isolation tightens its grip, paranoia seeps in. Who can be trusted? Where is Sandra? Why is no one giving her a straight answer? The deeper Isobel digs, the thinner the line becomes between investigation and psychological unraveling. What begins as an exposé slowly transforms into something much more dangerous — and Isobel may have made the gravest mistake of her life by entering a place designed to dismantle the mind.
Overall, while the major twist felt somewhat predictable to me, the final act still delivered heart-pounding intensity and a strong surge of tension. The action sequences toward the end were gripping and cinematic. I did find Isobel’s characterization slightly uneven — her “daddy issues” effectively fuel her motivations, but I kept expecting an additional layer of trauma or emotional depth that never fully materialized. Martina’s psychological dominance over the group also felt a bit questionable at times.
That said, Katarina and Leyla stood out as particularly compelling and emotionally resonant characters. They added nuance and depth to the story that I appreciated.
Despite a few reservations, this was still an absorbing, binge-worthy read that I finished in just a few sittings. The atmosphere alone makes it hard to put down. As a devoted fan of the author, I’m happily rounding my 3.5 stars up to 4 — because even with its imperfections, it completely captured my attention.
A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books for granting my wish and providing a digital copy of this gripping mystery in exchange for my honest thoughts. I truly appreciate the opportunity.
Even if you’ve already read the blurb, let me briefly walk you through the premise — and of course, I’ll add my own thoughts along the way.
Isobel Lindschold is an undercover journalist determined to make her big breakthrough. She wants to prove — to the world and to herself — that she is more than just the daughter of a once-admired journalist whose reputation was destroyed by scandal. Her father was her hero until he became her greatest disappointment, and that shadow weighs heavily on her ambitions. Isobel is hungry to expose the truth, to write something meaningful, something that matters.
That’s why she voluntarily enrolls in a breakup retreat at Himlafall Clinic, hidden deep within the isolated Swedish woods. The clinic offers the revolutionary “Hastings Therapy,” created by Dr. Martina Hastings — a disciplined, charismatic psychiatrist and bestselling author whose method promises life-changing transformation.
But Isobel isn’t there to mend a broken heart.
Under a false name and fabricated backstory, she infiltrates the program after discovering a disturbing Reddit comment claiming that a former patient, Susanna Wallin, disappeared after attending the retreat. Isobel suspects something sinister is happening behind the clinic’s serene façade. She plans to investigate from the inside, working with her source Sandra.
Except… when she arrives, Sandra is nowhere to be found.
From that moment, the unease builds steadily. Isobel feels watched. Her belongings — including a hidden burner phone — go missing. The other patients behave erratically, each one unreliable in their own way. Clara, in particular, exerts a manipulative, almost bullying dominance over the group. Dr. Martina herself radiates a cold, unsettling authority, frequently crossing ethical boundaries in the name of “healing.” And the caretakers? They seem to know far more than they reveal.
As isolation tightens its grip, paranoia seeps in. Who can be trusted? Where is Sandra? Why is no one giving her a straight answer? The deeper Isobel digs, the thinner the line becomes between investigation and psychological unraveling. What begins as an exposé slowly transforms into something much more dangerous — and Isobel may have made the gravest mistake of her life by entering a place designed to dismantle the mind.
Overall, while the major twist felt somewhat predictable to me, the final act still delivered heart-pounding intensity and a strong surge of tension. The action sequences toward the end were gripping and cinematic. I did find Isobel’s characterization slightly uneven — her “daddy issues” effectively fuel her motivations, but I kept expecting an additional layer of trauma or emotional depth that never fully materialized. Martina’s psychological dominance over the group also felt a bit questionable at times.
That said, Katarina and Leyla stood out as particularly compelling and emotionally resonant characters. They added nuance and depth to the story that I appreciated.
Despite a few reservations, this was still an absorbing, binge-worthy read that I finished in just a few sittings. The atmosphere alone makes it hard to put down. As a devoted fan of the author, I’m happily rounding my 3.5 stars up to 4 — because even with its imperfections, it completely captured my attention.
A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books for granting my wish and providing a digital copy of this gripping mystery in exchange for my honest thoughts. I truly appreciate the opportunity.
April 21, 2026
This was a solid 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ thriller making me wonder throughout which of the characters was unreliable, always so much fun! I enjoyed the audio very much, the narration by Peyton Mader brought out the personalities of the various characters so well!
Isobel is going undercover at the Himlafall Clinic where they promise to use revolutionary therapy to heal your heartbreak. She is hoping by doing this, she can investigate the rumors of missing women and poor practices and that this will land her a big expose piece. Where she may actually land is in a lot of danger..
This was a good read, I felt it could have used more development of the characters and their stories. We spent a lot of time with Isobel and this girl was not very confident in her cover. For me this really picked up through the middle and I enjoyed the action scenes much more than the therapeutic ones. I think I was struggling to separate this one from other therapy retreat stories.
I was surprised by the path and had guessed a different ending but was happy with that, I love not being able to figure out the end!
All in all a tense read that I found tough to put down, so give this one a listen and see if you could survive the Break-Up Retreat! 🏕️👩⚕️🔪
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the Advanced audio copy. Look for this to publish on June 9th, 2026!
Isobel is going undercover at the Himlafall Clinic where they promise to use revolutionary therapy to heal your heartbreak. She is hoping by doing this, she can investigate the rumors of missing women and poor practices and that this will land her a big expose piece. Where she may actually land is in a lot of danger..
This was a good read, I felt it could have used more development of the characters and their stories. We spent a lot of time with Isobel and this girl was not very confident in her cover. For me this really picked up through the middle and I enjoyed the action scenes much more than the therapeutic ones. I think I was struggling to separate this one from other therapy retreat stories.
I was surprised by the path and had guessed a different ending but was happy with that, I love not being able to figure out the end!
All in all a tense read that I found tough to put down, so give this one a listen and see if you could survive the Break-Up Retreat! 🏕️👩⚕️🔪
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the Advanced audio copy. Look for this to publish on June 9th, 2026!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
This book was a bit of a mixed bag for me and a little difficult to rate. I’m going with 3.5 stars rounded up.
The book explores a lot about what can happen in the hands of an irresponsible mental health professional, and I think overall that was the best part of the story. I wish it had been explored more. The biggest issue is that the premise sets itself up to be about the abuses happening to women at Himlafall, and the story leads you that direction until it suddenly veers off into nearly slasher-film territory.
Watching the tricky way Dr. Martina Hastings manipulates her patient’s emotions and pits them against each other was fascinating and disturbing, but was unfortunately cut short mid story to explore a totally different avenue. At that point I was a bit annoyed at the change in direction and really wanted the story to rewind, to stop changing course and continue on the path it started.
I did think the big reveal was interesting, and saved the ending for me a bit. But overall the story would have been better if it had focused on the themes in the first half and leaned into them all the way through, seeing them to the end.
This book was a bit of a mixed bag for me and a little difficult to rate. I’m going with 3.5 stars rounded up.
The book explores a lot about what can happen in the hands of an irresponsible mental health professional, and I think overall that was the best part of the story. I wish it had been explored more. The biggest issue is that the premise sets itself up to be about the abuses happening to women at Himlafall, and the story leads you that direction until it suddenly veers off into nearly slasher-film territory.
Watching the tricky way Dr. Martina Hastings manipulates her patient’s emotions and pits them against each other was fascinating and disturbing, but was unfortunately cut short mid story to explore a totally different avenue. At that point I was a bit annoyed at the change in direction and really wanted the story to rewind, to stop changing course and continue on the path it started.
I did think the big reveal was interesting, and saved the ending for me a bit. But overall the story would have been better if it had focused on the themes in the first half and leaned into them all the way through, seeing them to the end.
April 23, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest opinion.
3.25⭐️
This book was…OK? I had much higher hopes for this one though. A wellness retreat ✅ Shady guests ✅ Spooky location ✅. Had all the components of a really good thriller, but this just fell flat for me. The story took awhile to get off the ground as it was giving us Isobel’s backstory, but it picked up once we arrived at the Himlafall Clinic (located deep in the Swedish woods). Everyone and everything had a creepy vibe at the clinic. I enjoyed that aspect. I was side-eyeing everyone at one point or another.
Then, Isobel just started making such crazy decisions, at one point I wrote in my notes “she’s not good at this undercover journalism thing and needs to pick a different dream 🥴”. I got so frustrated at certain points of the book and Isobel honestly drove me nuts with her stupidity. She is all over the place, the story is all over the place, and by the end I was ready for it to be done.
Was I surprised by the twist? Sure, I guess? I can’t say that the ending was satisfying because we were given so many unnecessary details about certain characters (Isobel included) that I didn’t see the ending coming because it really didn’t make sense (to me).
🎧 The narration was OK, the narrator has a nice, calming voice perfect for thrillers, BUT she didn’t have much range in distinguishing all the different characters- they all sounded the same.
Overall it was OK. It kept my attention I suppose, but this story just wasn’t for me.
3.25⭐️
This book was…OK? I had much higher hopes for this one though. A wellness retreat ✅ Shady guests ✅ Spooky location ✅. Had all the components of a really good thriller, but this just fell flat for me. The story took awhile to get off the ground as it was giving us Isobel’s backstory, but it picked up once we arrived at the Himlafall Clinic (located deep in the Swedish woods). Everyone and everything had a creepy vibe at the clinic. I enjoyed that aspect. I was side-eyeing everyone at one point or another.
Then, Isobel just started making such crazy decisions, at one point I wrote in my notes “she’s not good at this undercover journalism thing and needs to pick a different dream 🥴”. I got so frustrated at certain points of the book and Isobel honestly drove me nuts with her stupidity. She is all over the place, the story is all over the place, and by the end I was ready for it to be done.
Was I surprised by the twist? Sure, I guess? I can’t say that the ending was satisfying because we were given so many unnecessary details about certain characters (Isobel included) that I didn’t see the ending coming because it really didn’t make sense (to me).
🎧 The narration was OK, the narrator has a nice, calming voice perfect for thrillers, BUT she didn’t have much range in distinguishing all the different characters- they all sounded the same.
Overall it was OK. It kept my attention I suppose, but this story just wasn’t for me.
February 20, 2026
This was a fast-paced, locked-door thriller with a really unique concept that immediately pulled me in. The idea of a secretive breakup retreat set at the Himlafall Clinic? So good. It’s the kind of setting that automatically feels tense and suspicious in the best way.
The story follows Isobel, who goes undercover at the retreat to expose its founder, and that undercover angle definitely kept things moving. The pacing was strong throughout — it’s one of those books you can fly through in a couple of sittings.
That said, I didn’t feel super connected to Isobel as the female main character. Her backstory was well built out and thoughtfully developed, but emotionally I just never fully clicked with her. I wanted a little more depth in how she reacted to everything happening around her.
It was also fairly predictable at times, and with a limited cast of characters, it wasn’t too hard to narrow down where things were heading. Still, the atmosphere and unique premise made it an entertaining read overall.
If you like contained, suspenseful thrillers with an undercover twist and a slightly sinister wellness vibe, this one’s worth picking up.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for the ARC.
The story follows Isobel, who goes undercover at the retreat to expose its founder, and that undercover angle definitely kept things moving. The pacing was strong throughout — it’s one of those books you can fly through in a couple of sittings.
That said, I didn’t feel super connected to Isobel as the female main character. Her backstory was well built out and thoughtfully developed, but emotionally I just never fully clicked with her. I wanted a little more depth in how she reacted to everything happening around her.
It was also fairly predictable at times, and with a limited cast of characters, it wasn’t too hard to narrow down where things were heading. Still, the atmosphere and unique premise made it an entertaining read overall.
If you like contained, suspenseful thrillers with an undercover twist and a slightly sinister wellness vibe, this one’s worth picking up.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for the ARC.
March 3, 2026
I’ve been looking for a good unique thriller to pull me out of my slump and this did just that. This honestly gave me major Get Out x Midsommar x Stepford Wives vibes that made for a really interesting plot. The story starts off really slow but the second things start to take a turn around 30% they never stopped. I love psychological thrillers because it lets you explore a darker aspect of the human psyche and acts as a puzzle that both the reader and main character have to solve. I actually really enjoyed the plot twist and I felt like it made sense completely with the story.
I almost wish there was one more chapter before the epilogue to really conclude that part of the story. It felt like it ended really abruptly and the characters we spent the whole book with just fizzled out and got lost. I loved the use of social media posts and articles about the resort adding context, but I think if they were put at the beginning of the chapters it would have more impact. Nonetheless I read this so fast and I will absolutely be reading more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the Arc of this book!
I almost wish there was one more chapter before the epilogue to really conclude that part of the story. It felt like it ended really abruptly and the characters we spent the whole book with just fizzled out and got lost. I loved the use of social media posts and articles about the resort adding context, but I think if they were put at the beginning of the chapters it would have more impact. Nonetheless I read this so fast and I will absolutely be reading more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the Arc of this book!
September 24, 2025
I would like to thank edelweiss and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I have enjoyed the author’s previous books so I was excited to dive into this one and finished it quickly. Isobel is a journalist going under cover to find out what is really going on at Himlafall, a break up retreat being run by a famous psychologist. She wants to know what happened to a missing patient and why people are going bankrupt over being there. Set in a remote location 5 hours outside of Stockholm, and when the weather goes bad and things start going wrong… it becomes a game of cat and mouse, who will win? A very atmospheric thriller that I couldn’t put down. Can’t wait to see what she comes up with for her next book.
February 26, 2026
Unfortunately, this one didn’t land for me. Although I found the pacing very fast and the setup intriguing, there simply isn’t enough information, dialogue, or action for me to differentiate the characters, get invested in the story, or care about what happens next—especially given how short it is.
The setting is a retreat for recent singles to receive therapy about their relationships and move on from them. However, we never learn why half the people are there or what really happens at the retreat at all. I don’t think many of the core group of characters had any real description beyond the seven or eight names mentioned. Aside from one character who we hear about what colour her hair is and a tattoo she has for some random reason.
At the beginning, there’s a schedule for the retreat, but it only seems to be followed for that one page. After that, there’s no structure at all. The relationships between the patients in their group settings feel very unrealistic, and everything just feels scattered and unfocused. Feels like half the book was missing.
We learn quite a bit about the main character’s past at the beginning, which gives her some depth, but it doesn’t end up connecting to anything else in the story, so it feels pointless. Overall, it all felt very disjointed.
The ending was very anticlimactic and left me with more questions than answers. I was expecting more Wayward-institution vibes or at least some tension building, but instead there was just a lot of nothing.
Thank you to netgalley, the publisher and author for an arc copy to review! I would try this author again once more
The setting is a retreat for recent singles to receive therapy about their relationships and move on from them. However, we never learn why half the people are there or what really happens at the retreat at all. I don’t think many of the core group of characters had any real description beyond the seven or eight names mentioned. Aside from one character who we hear about what colour her hair is and a tattoo she has for some random reason.
At the beginning, there’s a schedule for the retreat, but it only seems to be followed for that one page. After that, there’s no structure at all. The relationships between the patients in their group settings feel very unrealistic, and everything just feels scattered and unfocused. Feels like half the book was missing.
We learn quite a bit about the main character’s past at the beginning, which gives her some depth, but it doesn’t end up connecting to anything else in the story, so it feels pointless. Overall, it all felt very disjointed.
The ending was very anticlimactic and left me with more questions than answers. I was expecting more Wayward-institution vibes or at least some tension building, but instead there was just a lot of nothing.
Thank you to netgalley, the publisher and author for an arc copy to review! I would try this author again once more
April 14, 2026
#ad much love for my advance copy @minotaur_books #partner #SMPEarlyReaders
& @macmillan.audio #partner for the ALC
The Break-Up Retreat
< @
Releases: June 9, 2026
WELCOME TO HIMLAFALL. YOUR NEW LIFE BEGINS TODAY.
I don't run away when things get hard…
It’s a state-of-the-art facility guaranteeing that you’ll leave with the tools you need to find the right person for you. Love is possible. A broken heart doesn’t have to end you.
But there’s rumors that swirl about The Himlafall Clinic and Isobel is determined to find out what’s actually happening at that center. Get your cover story ready because we’re going in.
I have a love/dislike for this author. Her premises always get me - every single time. But the execution doesn’t always hit with me. Yet, she’s still one of my favorite authors. Erm, I have no clue why. I’ll have to think on that.
I loved and disliked this book. It had everything but also didn’t at the same time.
I did love how she explained how a broken heart is like a broken ankle.
🎧: Also followed along with the audio and highly recommend it. Peyton Mader was literally perfect and I enjoyed the audiobook. Listening to her was like listening to some of my favs.
I obv did enjoy it more than the dislike tho.
& @macmillan.audio #partner for the ALC
The Break-Up Retreat
< @
Releases: June 9, 2026
WELCOME TO HIMLAFALL. YOUR NEW LIFE BEGINS TODAY.
I don't run away when things get hard…
It’s a state-of-the-art facility guaranteeing that you’ll leave with the tools you need to find the right person for you. Love is possible. A broken heart doesn’t have to end you.
But there’s rumors that swirl about The Himlafall Clinic and Isobel is determined to find out what’s actually happening at that center. Get your cover story ready because we’re going in.
I have a love/dislike for this author. Her premises always get me - every single time. But the execution doesn’t always hit with me. Yet, she’s still one of my favorite authors. Erm, I have no clue why. I’ll have to think on that.
I loved and disliked this book. It had everything but also didn’t at the same time.
I did love how she explained how a broken heart is like a broken ankle.
🎧: Also followed along with the audio and highly recommend it. Peyton Mader was literally perfect and I enjoyed the audiobook. Listening to her was like listening to some of my favs.
I obv did enjoy it more than the dislike tho.
March 2, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
2.5 stars
Hmm I’m not sure about this one… The general synopsis was right up my alley: an upcoming journalist goes to a breakup retreat where a woman has gone missing and people believe there is cult-like activity going on. I had a hard time putting it down in the beginning, but as it went on it just started to feel more absurd. I think I was expecting the “cult” idea to be more prominent, but that wasn’t the case at all.
Another critique I have is that I wish we had more evidence of the retreat being actually dangerous. We know that a woman has disappeared and that there’s some shady money-grab business going on, but we don’t have a lot of evidence as to why Isobel should be fearing for her life at every turn. She is quite paranoid about being killed or attacked but I just didn’t feel like there was enough evidence for that to be the case. Another thing is that Isobel often made choices that made me feel a bit frustrated with her. She’s supposed to be undercover and indiscreet, yet she kept pushing the boundaries and making herself look suspicious early on. I just feel like what I thought was going on was so disconnected from what actually was happening and I couldn’t get into it. I would, however, read more from this author because I enjoyed the writing style.
2.5 stars
Hmm I’m not sure about this one… The general synopsis was right up my alley: an upcoming journalist goes to a breakup retreat where a woman has gone missing and people believe there is cult-like activity going on. I had a hard time putting it down in the beginning, but as it went on it just started to feel more absurd. I think I was expecting the “cult” idea to be more prominent, but that wasn’t the case at all.
Another critique I have is that I wish we had more evidence of the retreat being actually dangerous. We know that a woman has disappeared and that there’s some shady money-grab business going on, but we don’t have a lot of evidence as to why Isobel should be fearing for her life at every turn. She is quite paranoid about being killed or attacked but I just didn’t feel like there was enough evidence for that to be the case. Another thing is that Isobel often made choices that made me feel a bit frustrated with her. She’s supposed to be undercover and indiscreet, yet she kept pushing the boundaries and making herself look suspicious early on. I just feel like what I thought was going on was so disconnected from what actually was happening and I couldn’t get into it. I would, however, read more from this author because I enjoyed the writing style.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ Review
The Breakup Retreat has such a compelling and unique premise—people travel to the Himlafall Clinic to heal from heartbreak, guided by a famous influencer who promises transformation and emotional recovery. It’s the kind of setup that instantly pulls you in, and I was really intrigued from the start.
The story follows Isobel, an undercover writer determined to uncover what truly goes on at the retreat, especially after a former patient mysteriously never returns. This investigative angle added an extra layer of suspense that kept me curious to see how everything would unfold.
One of the strongest aspects of the book is how unsettling the therapy sessions are. They’re intense, sometimes disturbing, and you can’t help but feel sympathy for the patients going through them. It definitely creates an eerie and uncomfortable atmosphere that fits well with the story’s tone.
That said, the pacing felt uneven. There were stretches where the story dragged, making it harder to stay fully engaged. I also found the ending somewhat predictable, which took away from the overall impact. On top of that, the characters weren’t particularly relatable, which made it difficult to fully connect with their experiences.
Overall, while it didn’t completely live up to its potential, The Breakup Retreat still offers an interesting concept and some genuinely chilling moments. A solid 3.5-star read for fans of slow-burn psychological thrillers.
The Breakup Retreat has such a compelling and unique premise—people travel to the Himlafall Clinic to heal from heartbreak, guided by a famous influencer who promises transformation and emotional recovery. It’s the kind of setup that instantly pulls you in, and I was really intrigued from the start.
The story follows Isobel, an undercover writer determined to uncover what truly goes on at the retreat, especially after a former patient mysteriously never returns. This investigative angle added an extra layer of suspense that kept me curious to see how everything would unfold.
One of the strongest aspects of the book is how unsettling the therapy sessions are. They’re intense, sometimes disturbing, and you can’t help but feel sympathy for the patients going through them. It definitely creates an eerie and uncomfortable atmosphere that fits well with the story’s tone.
That said, the pacing felt uneven. There were stretches where the story dragged, making it harder to stay fully engaged. I also found the ending somewhat predictable, which took away from the overall impact. On top of that, the characters weren’t particularly relatable, which made it difficult to fully connect with their experiences.
Overall, while it didn’t completely live up to its potential, The Breakup Retreat still offers an interesting concept and some genuinely chilling moments. A solid 3.5-star read for fans of slow-burn psychological thrillers.
March 2, 2026
Camilla Sten does it again.
The Break-Up Retreat is another edge-of-your-seat, page-turner thriller that completely pulled me in from the start. What begins as a secluded getaway meant for healing and fresh starts quickly tightens into something far more unsettling — and once the tension starts building, it never really lets up.
Sten excels at atmosphere, and this setting is no exception. The isolation feels claustrophobic in the best way, the relationships are layered and messy, and there’s an undercurrent of unease humming beneath every interaction. I loved how the emotional fallout of the breakups wasn’t just background context — it actively shaped the characters’ decisions, suspicions, and alliances.
The pacing is relentless without feeling rushed. Just when I thought I had a handle on what was happening, Sten shifted the ground again. I genuinely didn’t want to put it down — the kind of book where you say “one more chapter” and suddenly it’s midnight.
If you’re already a Camilla Sten fan, this absolutely delivers. And if you’re new to her work, this is a fantastic example of what she does so well: sharp tension, psychologically complex characters, and twists that feel earned rather than shocking for the sake of it.
Another fantastic thriller from an auto-read author for me.
Thank you to Camilla Sten, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Break-Up Retreat is another edge-of-your-seat, page-turner thriller that completely pulled me in from the start. What begins as a secluded getaway meant for healing and fresh starts quickly tightens into something far more unsettling — and once the tension starts building, it never really lets up.
Sten excels at atmosphere, and this setting is no exception. The isolation feels claustrophobic in the best way, the relationships are layered and messy, and there’s an undercurrent of unease humming beneath every interaction. I loved how the emotional fallout of the breakups wasn’t just background context — it actively shaped the characters’ decisions, suspicions, and alliances.
The pacing is relentless without feeling rushed. Just when I thought I had a handle on what was happening, Sten shifted the ground again. I genuinely didn’t want to put it down — the kind of book where you say “one more chapter” and suddenly it’s midnight.
If you’re already a Camilla Sten fan, this absolutely delivers. And if you’re new to her work, this is a fantastic example of what she does so well: sharp tension, psychologically complex characters, and twists that feel earned rather than shocking for the sake of it.
Another fantastic thriller from an auto-read author for me.
Thank you to Camilla Sten, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Want to Read
February 16, 2026oooh I like this author too!! Such a fun, new release year! this cover is gorgeous! Can't wait - Pub Date: June 2026
*** ARC REC'D THANK YOU! **
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
*** ARC REC'D THANK YOU! **
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
February 20, 2026
✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨
The Break Up Retreat by Camilla Sten
4 ⭐️
Genre: Atmospheric Psychological Thriller
Thank you so much to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for this advanced reader copy! To start:
- I loved the unique plot line - heartbroken women spend an arm and a leg to earn a week at the Himlafall clinic. An undercover journalist signs up in hopes to investigate the woman who mysteriously disappeared from there!
- The atmospheric setting - a secluded and exclusive cabin retreat in the Swedish woods? A scary rain storm? Yes please to all!
- The mixed media in the story - you’ll see email excerpts, Reddit threads, Instagram posts. I truly enjoy books that incorporate these.
Why didn’t I rank this novel 5 stars?
- There were quite a few characters that didn’t receive enough development in order for me to tell them apart. Leyla and Katarina were very similar.
- The pacing felt a bit slow at certain points. A little extra editing down could help this book to pack a bigger punch.
- I wish there had been more clues along the way. I like a book where I’m questioning everyone at every corner. The villain just seemed like a weird vagrant in the woods.
Overall I truly enjoyed this book! I binged it in 2 days and will absolutely be recommending to friends and family!
The Break Up Retreat by Camilla Sten
4 ⭐️
Genre: Atmospheric Psychological Thriller
Thank you so much to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for this advanced reader copy! To start:
- I loved the unique plot line - heartbroken women spend an arm and a leg to earn a week at the Himlafall clinic. An undercover journalist signs up in hopes to investigate the woman who mysteriously disappeared from there!
- The atmospheric setting - a secluded and exclusive cabin retreat in the Swedish woods? A scary rain storm? Yes please to all!
- The mixed media in the story - you’ll see email excerpts, Reddit threads, Instagram posts. I truly enjoy books that incorporate these.
Why didn’t I rank this novel 5 stars?
- There were quite a few characters that didn’t receive enough development in order for me to tell them apart. Leyla and Katarina were very similar.
- The pacing felt a bit slow at certain points. A little extra editing down could help this book to pack a bigger punch.
- I wish there had been more clues along the way. I like a book where I’m questioning everyone at every corner. The villain just seemed like a weird vagrant in the woods.
Overall I truly enjoyed this book! I binged it in 2 days and will absolutely be recommending to friends and family!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Break-Up Retreat kept me engaged from start to finish, but it left me wanting more.
The story focuses on emotional abuse, manipulation and gaslighting, which creates a dark and uncomfortable atmosphere. While that tension keeps the pages turning, it also makes for a heavy read. There’s a twist that didn't really shock me, and the ending felt a bit flat.
I can’t quite put my finger on what was missing. The suspense was there, but the story didn’t fully come together in a memorable way. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either.
Fans of Nine Perfect Strangers might enjoy this for the dark retreat setting and psychological tension, though this one has more violence and gore.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.
The story focuses on emotional abuse, manipulation and gaslighting, which creates a dark and uncomfortable atmosphere. While that tension keeps the pages turning, it also makes for a heavy read. There’s a twist that didn't really shock me, and the ending felt a bit flat.
I can’t quite put my finger on what was missing. The suspense was there, but the story didn’t fully come together in a memorable way. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either.
Fans of Nine Perfect Strangers might enjoy this for the dark retreat setting and psychological tension, though this one has more violence and gore.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.
March 16, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ebook ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This book was the perfect weekend read for me. A quick, fast paced read that kept me sucked in. There was no chance I wasn’t finishing this book before the end of the weekend because I needed to know how to ended.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes quick, suspenseful mystery with some twists along the way. The addition of online posts was a fun way to connect some missing pieces.
This book was the perfect weekend read for me. A quick, fast paced read that kept me sucked in. There was no chance I wasn’t finishing this book before the end of the weekend because I needed to know how to ended.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes quick, suspenseful mystery with some twists along the way. The addition of online posts was a fun way to connect some missing pieces.
March 15, 2026
Firstly, Thank you Netgalley & Minotaur Books for allowing me to read and review this book!! This book had me hooked from the synopsis and I knew I had to read it. This book follows Isobel an undercover journalist who is investigating a “wellness” retreat that has had quite the controversy recently with a patient going missing.
This book gave me all the creepy feelings and the first 50% was absolutely solid!! My only “complaint” is the last half of the book did seem to drag just a little. Overall this book was great!! I have a feeling this will end up in my top 5 thrillers this year!
This book gave me all the creepy feelings and the first 50% was absolutely solid!! My only “complaint” is the last half of the book did seem to drag just a little. Overall this book was great!! I have a feeling this will end up in my top 5 thrillers this year!
January 31, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Camille Sten and St Martin’s Press for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
This wasn’t what I expected from Sten, much more thriller than horror until the ending. Still very enjoyable with some stellar twists and decently quick pacing. I would recommend.
This wasn’t what I expected from Sten, much more thriller than horror until the ending. Still very enjoyable with some stellar twists and decently quick pacing. I would recommend.
May 7, 2026
I receive an advanced readers copy from netgalley
I would like to say that I really enjoyed this book! It was a gripping and a fast paced read. I didn’t find the pacing slow or lacking in any areas. I was continuously clicking to the next page on my Boox and not wanting to put it down.
This story follows Isobel, a journalist, who goes undercover as a patient to an exclusive retreat. This retreat advertises that they can help people through their breakups and help them find love by improving themselves. Isobel believes that this retreat is bankrupting and emotionally harming their clients. Not to mention she believes the retreat is involved with the disappearance of a former client.
This book incorporates mixed media, with posts from Instagram, Reddit, news articles and more. These little bits of information at the end of some chapters gives the reader some context and clues as to what’s going on.
Though, I found the twist to be a little predictable, I wasn’t a 100% correct. Even though I thought I knew what was going on, it didn’t impact my enjoyment of the story. It’s well written, other than a few grammatical errors.
The description of the environment and weather was so well done that I could feel the rain and the wind hitting my face. I could see this retreat, and other than what was going on, it felt like a place I’d visit.
I would highly recommend this book for a good time.
I would like to say that I really enjoyed this book! It was a gripping and a fast paced read. I didn’t find the pacing slow or lacking in any areas. I was continuously clicking to the next page on my Boox and not wanting to put it down.
This story follows Isobel, a journalist, who goes undercover as a patient to an exclusive retreat. This retreat advertises that they can help people through their breakups and help them find love by improving themselves. Isobel believes that this retreat is bankrupting and emotionally harming their clients. Not to mention she believes the retreat is involved with the disappearance of a former client.
This book incorporates mixed media, with posts from Instagram, Reddit, news articles and more. These little bits of information at the end of some chapters gives the reader some context and clues as to what’s going on.
Though, I found the twist to be a little predictable, I wasn’t a 100% correct. Even though I thought I knew what was going on, it didn’t impact my enjoyment of the story. It’s well written, other than a few grammatical errors.
The description of the environment and weather was so well done that I could feel the rain and the wind hitting my face. I could see this retreat, and other than what was going on, it felt like a place I’d visit.
I would highly recommend this book for a good time.
April 16, 2026
Gives a whole new meaning to girls’ weekend! A group of women seeking to heal together with the help of a rising star therapist quickly find something sinister at play at their resort.
Isobel is extremely savvy and outspoken but finds herself swayed and stilled by some of the practices of the clinic, though she has her suspicions around some of the girls and the staff. All the excitement and terror plays out as if we’re in this with Isobel and it certainly gives you some paranoia along the way. I had a hard time theorizing who was causing trouble amongst them or if it was from the outside.
The writing definitely leaves you wondering at times if you should follow along with Isobel’s perspective or maybe form one of your own as you! Some major twists, turns and jump scares amongst this saucy group of women.
Isobel is extremely savvy and outspoken but finds herself swayed and stilled by some of the practices of the clinic, though she has her suspicions around some of the girls and the staff. All the excitement and terror plays out as if we’re in this with Isobel and it certainly gives you some paranoia along the way. I had a hard time theorizing who was causing trouble amongst them or if it was from the outside.
The writing definitely leaves you wondering at times if you should follow along with Isobel’s perspective or maybe form one of your own as you! Some major twists, turns and jump scares amongst this saucy group of women.
April 28, 2026
This book started out strong and hooked me right from the beginning!
I’m always a fan of a good locked room thriller. The premise was intriguing. The mystery & suspense kept me engaged throughout. I suspected everyone at some point!!
I really enjoyed the overall storyline, and the twist at the end was a shock! The narration also added to the experience and brought the story to life nicely.
Overall, this was a solid 3.5 star listen for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for letting me listen to this ALC!!
I’m always a fan of a good locked room thriller. The premise was intriguing. The mystery & suspense kept me engaged throughout. I suspected everyone at some point!!
I really enjoyed the overall storyline, and the twist at the end was a shock! The narration also added to the experience and brought the story to life nicely.
Overall, this was a solid 3.5 star listen for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for letting me listen to this ALC!!
March 30, 2026
The pacing is entirely too slow for a book marketed as a thriller. The story doesn’t truly begin until around the 60% mark and it doesn’t become engaging until closer to 80% when the action finally starts. There are also several early logic issues/details that feel like they would have exposed the situation from the beginning.
When I read a thriller I’m looking for clues the author leaves behind but I struggled to find that sense of direction or tension until very late in the book. At under 350 pages the ending then felt rushed with everything happening at full speed and little time to fully develop. Much of the tension felt delayed rather than steadily built which made it harder to stay engaged throughout.
Isobel is also a frustrating main character. Her lack of awareness of the risks made it difficult to stay invested especially when she repeatedly makes questionable decisions and seems surprised by the outcomes.
I really wanted to love this one especially since I’ve enjoyed other books by this author. While this didn’t work for me I would still read future releases. This just wasn’t the right fit for me.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books for this arc set to publish June 9, 2026.
When I read a thriller I’m looking for clues the author leaves behind but I struggled to find that sense of direction or tension until very late in the book. At under 350 pages the ending then felt rushed with everything happening at full speed and little time to fully develop. Much of the tension felt delayed rather than steadily built which made it harder to stay engaged throughout.
Isobel is also a frustrating main character. Her lack of awareness of the risks made it difficult to stay invested especially when she repeatedly makes questionable decisions and seems surprised by the outcomes.
I really wanted to love this one especially since I’ve enjoyed other books by this author. While this didn’t work for me I would still read future releases. This just wasn’t the right fit for me.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books for this arc set to publish June 9, 2026.
April 24, 2026
The Break-Up Retreat is a fun, twisty thriller set at a secluded campground in the Swedish woods, giving it an eerie, atmospheric setting. While I enjoyed the story overall, the pacing felt uneven at times, and I had a harder time connecting with some of the characters. That said, the audiobook was well done and made for an engaging listen. Perfect for fans of Nine Perfect Strangers.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy.
April 30, 2026
Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the book #TheBreakUpRetreat by #CamillaSten. I enjoyed this book about a retreat where heartbroken people go to heal. Isobel is a journalist looking for a break through story and goes undercover in this retreat hoping to expose it as a fraud. From the time she gets there things seem off and it feels like she is being watched. Can she find what she’s looking for and get out before something happens to her?
May 7, 2026
3.5 stars rounded down. This was a super fast paced thriller. The overall plot was pretty interesting and there was a small twist that i was not expecting. There were a few things put in this story that weren’t really touched on though. Her dad was brought up multiple times like he did something bad but never really went too deep into it. Overall, it was quick just not super thrilling.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this eARC.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this eARC.
March 11, 2026
Well, shoot. Started off great, but began to take some hard turns from the 25% mark. The therapy just seemed like bad aggressive arguing. Too far fetched for me, and lacking in any favorable characters. Concept was intriguing, though. 2.5 stars.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read
March 7, 2026Search for cure to my broken heart
search for new start path
at road of many broken oak i walk
dig for hiden flower and dream
take many print from thee
there secret at dark night tuch our sin at heart
lost at many horror path
my body lost at fog of days
my grive try to breath
i come at the end of my path
new start new cure
its nt full glasses or half its new us
search for new start path
at road of many broken oak i walk
dig for hiden flower and dream
take many print from thee
there secret at dark night tuch our sin at heart
lost at many horror path
my body lost at fog of days
my grive try to breath
i come at the end of my path
new start new cure
its nt full glasses or half its new us
February 26, 2026
WOW I really enjoyed this one. I kept picking this book up at night and falling asleep and having to close it early but when I picked it back up tonight I could NOT put it down. There were some parts that genuinely creeped me out - and I mean that in a good way. I actually love books that cause visceral reactions like a chill down the spine.
The MC in this book is an undercover journalist who is going to the Himlafalls Clinic disguised as a typical patient; someone recovering from a bad break-up. She has heard rumblings of past patients going missing and mistreatment from the lead psychologist on staff and wants to get to the bottom of it.
I wasn’t entirely interested in all of the therapy sessions, I was mostly interested in the MC sneaking around and what was going on after hours at this clinic. The ending felt a bit scooby-dooish to me and I wondered if a couple plot pieces were entirely realistic.. but overall I found myself very invested in this novel. It was a fun ride!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced reader copy! 🫶
The MC in this book is an undercover journalist who is going to the Himlafalls Clinic disguised as a typical patient; someone recovering from a bad break-up. She has heard rumblings of past patients going missing and mistreatment from the lead psychologist on staff and wants to get to the bottom of it.
I wasn’t entirely interested in all of the therapy sessions, I was mostly interested in the MC sneaking around and what was going on after hours at this clinic. The ending felt a bit scooby-dooish to me and I wondered if a couple plot pieces were entirely realistic.. but overall I found myself very invested in this novel. It was a fun ride!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced reader copy! 🫶
April 13, 2026
I love a secluded setting, and when you add in that it was a sort of wellness retreat that makes it all the more interesting. I enjoyed the characters and plot! It moved along at a nice pace and I was never bored. The concept was original and I’d definitely recommend for thriller fans!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have mixed feelings on this one. I thought the premise was good, but once I saw what the retreat was like, it just didn't make sense to me why anyone would go to something like this. I also didn't feel enough mystery or suspense that would lead Isobel to being so freaked out right off the bat. I also didn't care for any of the characters, especially Dr. Hastings. She was awful!
This book was pretty slow for the first half or more, but then hings really picked up near the end. The suspense finally came into play, and there was a good twist that I didn't expect. I also liked how everything wrapped up at the end.
I think fans of locked room thrillers will really enjoy this book!
This book was pretty slow for the first half or more, but then hings really picked up near the end. The suspense finally came into play, and there was a good twist that I didn't expect. I also liked how everything wrapped up at the end.
I think fans of locked room thrillers will really enjoy this book!
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