Indie author Rose M. Brate is celebrating the release of her newest thriller, and to mark the occasion, she’s invited her closest friends from an online book club to stay at her newly acquired cozy bed-and-breakfast.
With the promise of good books, cozy fall sweaters, fireside lattes, and breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains, Rose’s friends eagerly accept their invitations.
Upon arrival, they soon discover there’s far more waiting for them than Rose's carefully planned itinerary. Speculation rises when the tall, handsome stranger who came to their rescue turns out to be far more than just a simple good Samaritan.
Things quickly heat up when elements of Rose’s book begin creeping into their reality. As the line between fiction and truth starts to blur, her friends begin to wonder if, perhaps, they are all an interactive part of her story
Within these pages, you’ll meet fictional characters inspired by real-life indie authors, woven into a tale filled with friendship, adventure, romance, mystery, suspense… and even a touch of magic.
More importantly, you’ll discover some of the incredible indie authors I have grown to love on BookTok—and the amazing stories that have brought us all together.
Let me start off by saying this was my first book by Elisa Ann Prat and it most definitely won’t be my last. I absolutely love Elisa’s writing style, she has a way with words and pulling you into the story. Her writing is detailed and layered making you feel every emotion in her writing.
This story follows Rose B who is an indie author. She’s opening an B&B and invites some of her fellow indie author friends that she has connected with on Booktok. This will also be to celebrate Roses new book. But there’s a limited number of them that are allowed to come. Rose only has so much room for a certain number of them.
When her friends began confirming who can and can’t arrive. They begin trickling into the B&B and Rose has a plan that these friends are unaware of but will make for one interesting stay up in the mountains. The group of friends are led to believe what Rose is telling them. But is it the truth? Is there something more sinister happening behind the scenes?
One of Rose’s friends finds herself catching feelings for Rose’s boyfriend which causes some awkward tension amongst the group of friends.
Little things start happening that they are reading about in Rose’s new book almost as though she manifested it all.
If you are on Booktok then this is a read you will enjoy. Elisa did a fantastic job shouting out several indie authors that we all know and have on our TBRs. For me, it didn’t feel too promotional it felt like Elisa walked us through a trip with Booktok friends! You get some light mystery that will keep you invested enough in the story to not put it down while of course dabbling in some romance and you get multiple povs throughout the story.
A book club retreat wondering why I wasn’t invited.
I loved this book. I feel like my friends went on a trip without me and this is a letter that was written to keep me up to date. (Spoiler alert! I have only recently met these wonderful women through, TikTok) Wonderfully written from multple points of view. I truly felt like part of the fun. I felt as if I was right there, playing boggle or cooking dinner. Not only was this about friendship and growth but there is a forbidden love trope and a mystery that unfolds. Grab your book, build a fire, make some s’mores and snuggle in for a feel good read.
This book was awesome. It had me laughing throughout the book. Not only did this book have me hooked from the first page, but the writing was so good that it made me feel like I was there with them, seeing everything firsthand. There were some twists and turns and parts that just made you shake your head. The fact that Elisa Ann Pratt based her characters on real life Indie Authors was fun and interesting to read. I absolutely loved this book, and the ending was perfect. It's a definite five-star read for me. I highly, highly recommend this book. If you like mystery books that are fun and captivating, then you will love this book ❤️
What a delightful, heart-warming, and wonderfully creative read! Book Club Smoky Mountain Retreat is the perfect cozy fall escape—filled with friendship, laughter, a touch of romance, suspense, and just enough mystery to keep the pages turning.
Elisa Ann Pratt’s idea of weaving real indie authors into the story as characters is absolutely brilliant. It adds such a unique, personal layer to the narrative that made the experience feel immersive and special. From fireside vibes and scenic Smoky Mountain views to unexpected twists that blur the line between fiction and reality, this book is pure fun from start to finish.
The connections between the characters feel genuine and uplifting, capturing the true spirit of the indie author community and the friendships formed through shared passion for storytelling.
It was truly an honor to be included among such an amazing group of authors, and even more special to see that camaraderie come to life on the page. This is a cozy, feel-good read perfect for anyone who loves bookish friendships, adventurous plots, and a little dash of magical intrigue.
Elisa took use on amazing adventures with all her Author Friends with this story.I love how she add MommaD in the story as well.I hope yall enjoy this story as much as I did
This was such a fun read! It had a little bit of everything! I especially loved that the characters were based on real indie authors that I have interacted with! It gave the book more familiarity! It was also fun for me that it was set in the Smoky Mountains! This is a place I grew up visiting often! If you are looking for a fun, cozy, mystery with some twists- check this out!!!
This was a good read with some fun twists and turns. Author Elisa Ann Pratt came up with a story that if you didn’t know any better it sounds like something that would happen.
Book Club Smoky Mountain Retreat is a cozy, feel-good story that captures the magic of friendship, creativity, and the indie author world. What made this book especially meaningful for me was seeing real-life friends—myself included—come alive on the page. I mean, how often do you get to read a novel where you have your own POV chapters and you're knitting by the fire in the Smoky Mountains? It was such a fun, surreal experience that left me smiling throughout.
This book is a celebration of the community so many of us have found through writing and reading together. There’s adventure, romance, mystery, and even a touch of magic, all wrapped up in a setting that feels like the ultimate autumn retreat. For anyone who’s part of the BookTok or indie author scene—or who just loves stories about friendship and found family—this one’s a heartfelt treat.
A huge thank-you to Elisa for her wonderful writing and for including me in such a special way. Being part of this story was not only an honor, it was an absolute joy.
Elisa Ann Pratt’s newest release is a brilliant mix of suspense, friendship, romance, and friendly magic. What starts as a cozy getaway at a Smoky Mountain bed-and-breakfast quickly turns thrilling when a mysterious stranger appears, and scenes from Elisa’s book begin slipping into the suspenseful thrill ride you could never see coming.
Pratt delivers a clever, addictive story filled with adventure, charm, and unforgettable characters inspired by real indie authors. Fast-paced, fun, and wonderfully eerie, this book is a must-read for thriller lovers everywhere.
Elisa Ann Pratt, from her Silver Lining’s Trilogy, to this fun-filled and thrilling adventure, is and will always be an auto buy author for me! Bravo 👏🏻 Elisa!
If you’ve ever wished you could bottle the feeling of a perfect author-friend getaway, coffee in hand, a crackling fire, s’mores, and nonstop laughter, this book delivers exactly that… and then turns the dial to “what if the story you’re reading started happening to you?”
Set against the Smoky Mountains, it’s equal parts cozy and captivating: hugs and giggles, soft romance, a steady thread of mystery, and surprises that kept me turning pages. The author captures the magic of indie author friendship with so much heart that you’ll feel like you'reat the retreatyourself. Charming, clever, and genuinely fun, this is a friend meet-up of the century with a twist I won’t forget.
This book felt like being invited into a place you didn’t realize you needed.
Book Club Smoky Mountain Retreat begins as a cozy fall escape full of friendship, fireside moments, and laughter, but slowly layers in mystery as things begin to feel just slightly off. The suspense builds gently, never overpowering the warmth of the story, and keeps the pages turning.
The friendships are beautifully written and feel incredibly authentic. Knowing the characters are inspired by real indie authors adds a personal, almost intimate touch that made the story feel immersive and special. The romance is subtle and sweet, and the emotional payoff lands exactly where it should.
I had so much fun reading this book and going on all the adventures to some of my personal favorite places. There were so many twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat.
I have come to love each one of the characters, which by the way are actually Indie Authors in real life.