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The Getaway
Listening Length: 2 hours and 12 minutes
In this short thriller from number one New York Times best-selling authors Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, a young woman's dream getaway becomes her worst nightmare.
Prepare yourself for a transformative experience. Sometimes, life's setbacks contain hidden gifts. Here at Lakewood, you'll find the space to unwrap them.
A weekend at the Lakewood Retreat is exactly what Chloe Powell needs. Freshly unemployed after her boss loses a reelection campaign, the former press secretary desperately wants a break from the bustle of Washington DC. A flier posted at her yoga studio leads her to the getaway, which looks amazing: organic meals, celebrity testimonials, and a serene private property within driving distance of the city.
It's so perfect, in fact, that Chloe's barely bothered by the intensely personal questions she's asked in her application, or the unnerving social experiments her enigmatic host, Sebastian, imposes on her once she arrives at his remote cabin. But when a mysterious new guest shows up, Chloe can no longer suppress her rising panic: This place is not at all what it seems.
A pulse-pounding story from the first minute to the last, The Getaway explores the weight of the small choices we make every day, and their staggering, unintended consequences.
In this short thriller from number one New York Times best-selling authors Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, a young woman's dream getaway becomes her worst nightmare.
Prepare yourself for a transformative experience. Sometimes, life's setbacks contain hidden gifts. Here at Lakewood, you'll find the space to unwrap them.
A weekend at the Lakewood Retreat is exactly what Chloe Powell needs. Freshly unemployed after her boss loses a reelection campaign, the former press secretary desperately wants a break from the bustle of Washington DC. A flier posted at her yoga studio leads her to the getaway, which looks amazing: organic meals, celebrity testimonials, and a serene private property within driving distance of the city.
It's so perfect, in fact, that Chloe's barely bothered by the intensely personal questions she's asked in her application, or the unnerving social experiments her enigmatic host, Sebastian, imposes on her once she arrives at his remote cabin. But when a mysterious new guest shows up, Chloe can no longer suppress her rising panic: This place is not at all what it seems.
A pulse-pounding story from the first minute to the last, The Getaway explores the weight of the small choices we make every day, and their staggering, unintended consequences.
3 pages, Audible Audio
First published April 30, 2020
49 people are currently reading
3819 people want to read
About the author
Greer Hendricks
12 books12.3k followersI'm the number one New York Times bestselling co-author of THE WIFE BETWEEN US, AN ANONYMOUS GIRL, YOU ARE NOT ALONE, and THE GOLDEN COUPLE.
Prior to becoming a novelist, I obtained my master's degree in journalism at Columbia University and spent two decades as an editor at Simon & Schuster. My writing has appeared in The New York Times, Allure, Publishers Weekly and other publications.
I am currently at work on my debut solo novel.
Prior to becoming a novelist, I obtained my master's degree in journalism at Columbia University and spent two decades as an editor at Simon & Schuster. My writing has appeared in The New York Times, Allure, Publishers Weekly and other publications.
I am currently at work on my debut solo novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,113 reviews
May 22, 2020
This was totally preposterous. I have liked Hendricks and Pekkanen’s other works. But this was silly, depending on a major suspension of belief. There’s a good reason audible was giving it away for free.
November 29, 2020
SMALL CHOICES CAN CHANGE THE COURSE OF YOUR LIFE
An “oh so clever” 2 hour Audible Original, narrated by Kate Mara, and written by one of my favorite writing DUOS.
The title is a DOUBLE entendre too!
Wanna Getaway?
An “oh so clever” 2 hour Audible Original, narrated by Kate Mara, and written by one of my favorite writing DUOS.
The title is a DOUBLE entendre too!
Wanna Getaway?
May 24, 2021
This short novella was just an o.k. listen for me. The main character, Chloe, was sure slow on figuring out that things were not as they were advertised.
Stressed out and unemployed after leading a political campaign, Chloe signs up for a yoga retreat. The photos and endorsements sounded good, just what she needed.
However things immediately start to feel suspicious when the driver that picks her up turns out to be Sebastian, the leader of the retreat. It is also eerily quiet in the large house, which doesn't look like it is set up for a group of people. In fact when she arrives she is the only one there.
Things accelerate from suspicious to crazy bad as Sebastian begins to ask her personal questions and starts to change from a welcoming demeanor to a threatening, even menacing one.
This is a short novella so I don't want to give away anything. I thought that the use of a whispered voice in the narrative was annoying to listen to and really didn't add anything to the book.
I did finish it and the ending was good, clever and even made me gasp at the ending.
This is a free audible listen and if you want a lighter thriller you might want to give it a try.
Stressed out and unemployed after leading a political campaign, Chloe signs up for a yoga retreat. The photos and endorsements sounded good, just what she needed.
However things immediately start to feel suspicious when the driver that picks her up turns out to be Sebastian, the leader of the retreat. It is also eerily quiet in the large house, which doesn't look like it is set up for a group of people. In fact when she arrives she is the only one there.
Things accelerate from suspicious to crazy bad as Sebastian begins to ask her personal questions and starts to change from a welcoming demeanor to a threatening, even menacing one.
This is a short novella so I don't want to give away anything. I thought that the use of a whispered voice in the narrative was annoying to listen to and really didn't add anything to the book.
I did finish it and the ending was good, clever and even made me gasp at the ending.
This is a free audible listen and if you want a lighter thriller you might want to give it a try.
August 18, 2021
A super-popular suspense writing duo churned out a little novella for Audible to give away as a freebie for their members.
If you like long-form thrillers by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, it's a totally fine listen. Kate Mara ("House of Cards," "A Teacher") narrates the story of a woman who goes on a retreat in the remote woods to recharge her batteries. BUT - you won't believe this - all is not what it seems and coocoocachoo things happen.
If you don't like long-form thrillers by Hendricks and Pekkanen, just move along, move along...
If you like long-form thrillers by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, it's a totally fine listen. Kate Mara ("House of Cards," "A Teacher") narrates the story of a woman who goes on a retreat in the remote woods to recharge her batteries. BUT - you won't believe this - all is not what it seems and coocoocachoo things happen.
If you don't like long-form thrillers by Hendricks and Pekkanen, just move along, move along...
May 22, 2025
This duo pens exceptional thrillers so this shortie has been sitting in my audiobook library for an embarrassingly long time. Had I known how much I would enjoy it I would have listened to it long ago. The sinister atmosphere grabbed my attention and made me sink right into this story. If you’re planning a special getaway this would be an ideal listen to keep you company or maybe not. 😉
May 28, 2020
I listened to the audible original “The Getaway” written by the dream team of Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, narrated by Emily Bauer. For me, it was an OK listen. I think I expected more from the authors, given their previous endeavors. The creep factor is fair. The main character, Chloe Powell seemed too ignorant to be believable. She’s a press secretary for a losing candidate and needs a break. So she falls for this too good to be true weekend retreat. She’s duped into strange situations. It wasn’t very interesting for me until the final chapters. It’s a basic “meh”
May 4, 2022
Free with Audible Plus, The Getaway is a novella with an ambiguous title. It’s an extremely fast paced thriller. Although the story was somewhat predictable, it was still good and definitely creepy. It was well developed especially given its length and the narrator did a great job. 3.5 stars.
May 8, 2020
Creepy and clever...
April 11, 2021
Holy @#$&%!!!!!! This scared the bejesus out of me😓😨
Quick fun read. Free novella from Audible+ for anyone who subscribes
April 25, 2022
Nothing to see here. Just another super attractive but psycho male doing controlling things story.
It was impressive that so many unrealistic events could be stuffed into a 2 hour audiobook.
Giving credit where it's due - the narration wasn't linear and had a couple nice surprises. Quality writing, just worn out on the content.
2.5 stars, and a generous round up.
It was impressive that so many unrealistic events could be stuffed into a 2 hour audiobook.
Giving credit where it's due - the narration wasn't linear and had a couple nice surprises. Quality writing, just worn out on the content.
2.5 stars, and a generous round up.
November 13, 2023
Story 4 stars**
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Kate Mara
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Kate Mara
May 14, 2022
“𝑺𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆”
A short read, but one packed with loads of suspense and tension!
Chloe Powell, a burnt out, former press secretary, is in desperate need of a break from her stressful life. So when she comes across an alluring yoga retreat poster she decides it was a sign from the universe. But when she gets to the quaint, isolated getaway and meets its charismatic founder Sebastian, she soon realizes that there is more to the mysterious man and his retreat than meets the eye.
Kate Mara does an excelling job narrating the story and building the anticipation from the get-go. I was hooked right from the start and couldn’t put it down!
A short read, but one packed with loads of suspense and tension!
Chloe Powell, a burnt out, former press secretary, is in desperate need of a break from her stressful life. So when she comes across an alluring yoga retreat poster she decides it was a sign from the universe. But when she gets to the quaint, isolated getaway and meets its charismatic founder Sebastian, she soon realizes that there is more to the mysterious man and his retreat than meets the eye.
Kate Mara does an excelling job narrating the story and building the anticipation from the get-go. I was hooked right from the start and couldn’t put it down!
June 18, 2020
THE GETAWAY was given away as an Audible Original.
I had a hard time suspending my disbelief, mostly because the main character was not believable. It didn't make sense for her to do the things she did.
I feel like everyone was trying too hard with this story, the authors and the narrator. (The narrator was pretty good, it wasn't her fault that I didn't believe the story she was telling. She was trying to inject suspense and excitement, but they just weren't there.)
*I downloaded this from Audible for free, as part of my membership.*
*Listened to on 6.17.20-6.18.20. Not entering reading dates so this doesn't count towards my reading goal for the year.*
I had a hard time suspending my disbelief, mostly because the main character was not believable. It didn't make sense for her to do the things she did.
I feel like everyone was trying too hard with this story, the authors and the narrator. (The narrator was pretty good, it wasn't her fault that I didn't believe the story she was telling. She was trying to inject suspense and excitement, but they just weren't there.)
*I downloaded this from Audible for free, as part of my membership.*
*Listened to on 6.17.20-6.18.20. Not entering reading dates so this doesn't count towards my reading goal for the year.*
November 29, 2020
This is a fun little diversion if you are looking for a 2.5 hour audiobook escape that is suspenseful and fast paced. I enjoy these two authors and it was fun listening to a shorter story because it got straight to the point and the action. As always with these two, the idea is totally original and twisted. The twist towards the middle was totally unexpected (at least to me) and fun. With a very innovative premise and a couple of very strong and interesting female characters who are smart and can fend for themselves, I actually wished this story had gone on a little longer. Really looking forward to their next book.
May 29, 2020
⤏Mystery Suspense
⤏Twisty-ish
⤏Not real good...not real bad
⤏Just kind of meh...and regrettably forgettable
⤏ But, hey it was free...
⤏Twisty-ish
⤏Not real good...not real bad
⤏Just kind of meh...and regrettably forgettable
⤏ But, hey it was free...
May 8, 2020
Wow. This was good.
The Getaway was a pretty good short mystery. A lot happened within 2 hours that I wasn't fully prepared for. The twists and turns just kept getting better and better. Heck, even the cliffhanger ending kept me on the edge of my seat. No idea if there's going to be another novella or not but I wouldn't be mad if there was.
This book definitely made me think twice before going to any yoga retreat. Maybe any retreat.. unless there's wine? The thing that made me proud was watching the girls working together to escape. I also would've like it to be a bit longer so that it wasn't so choppy throughout the book.
The Getaway was a pretty good short mystery. A lot happened within 2 hours that I wasn't fully prepared for. The twists and turns just kept getting better and better. Heck, even the cliffhanger ending kept me on the edge of my seat. No idea if there's going to be another novella or not but I wouldn't be mad if there was.
This book definitely made me think twice before going to any yoga retreat. Maybe any retreat.. unless there's wine? The thing that made me proud was watching the girls working together to escape. I also would've like it to be a bit longer so that it wasn't so choppy throughout the book.
May 27, 2020
I'm glad this was short. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good. It kept me mildly entertained while doing outdoor chores.
April 2, 2021
Very entertaining! This is a quick mystery that had me hooked from the start. I would definitely recommend if you like this author duo and intriguing thrillers. Fun and fast paced!
June 1, 2021
This was a short, annoying, predictable but mildly heartpounding listen.
Obvious clues were obvious and there really needed to be a better resolution.
The plot raised questions it didn't answer, a writing issue that I find annoying, even in short stories where in detailed epilogues are generally unconventional.
Overall, though, this is one I'd recommend to anyone in the mood for a quick, if familiar, thrill ride. Three stars.
Obvious clues were obvious and there really needed to be a better resolution.
The plot raised questions it didn't answer, a writing issue that I find annoying, even in short stories where in detailed epilogues are generally unconventional.
Overall, though, this is one I'd recommend to anyone in the mood for a quick, if familiar, thrill ride. Three stars.
October 7, 2020
I have really enjoyed every book by this author duo and it was certainly an intriguing enough storyline to keep me hooked. I enjoy these types of stories where the main protagonist is placed in a secluded location where they have to use their wits to survive.
Goodreads review published 06/10/20
Goodreads review published 06/10/20
May 15, 2020
Meh... not very convincing, though somewhat thrilling. The beginning is very slow, the ending is rushed. Also, why give Chloe a background in politics if it doesn’t play any role, nor it gives her any hints that she should take all the red flags more seriously? Maybe it would have been more interesting if this would have been a longer book, as the authors would have had the time to develop the story and build up the tensions. Maybe. Or maybe not.
September 1, 2021
2.5 🙄🙄 when women are clueless but it was a distracting getaway in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep stars.
Definitely causes the reader to feel her superior intelligence in such matters.
Definitely causes the reader to feel her superior intelligence in such matters.
May 7, 2020
Having loved these two authors previous books, I was thrilled to see an Audible Original offered as one of May’s free audiobooks.
I thought this was a good, creepy story told from the POVs of 2 woman staying at a yoga retreat. I was completely invested in the characters and the story. The narration by Emily Bauer was pretty good.
Thanks Audible!!
I thought this was a good, creepy story told from the POVs of 2 woman staying at a yoga retreat. I was completely invested in the characters and the story. The narration by Emily Bauer was pretty good.
Thanks Audible!!
May 19, 2020
Not great. The characters and the plot are pretty weak, and I found it difficult to get invested at all. Very quick read, got this for free but I would still argue it wasn’t worth it.
September 15, 2021
Meh, not for me.
December 21, 2025
A two-day drama with light thrilling elements.
March 10, 2025
i need a movie of this rn pls & thank you.
Read
June 11, 2020This Audible Orginal is only 144 minutes long but I quit after the first hour, at the end of the first chapter because the set up was transparent, the tone was exploitative and, instead of being concerned with the welfare of the main character, I found myself moving from being impatient with her to angry at her. I decided life was too short to spend more time on this.
I picked up 'The Getaway' because it was free from Audible and because I'd heard good things about "The Wife Between Us" from these two writers and thought I could use this novella to sample their work.
When I was a third of the way in to the novella, I was unimpressed but still ready to listen. the storytelling was competent, the tone was creepy and laced with latent threat but I was struggling to believe in or care about the main character.
She was too conveniently tragic. She was also incredibly trusting. She was supposed to bright (straight-A-student, political activist) but she proved remarkably open to psychobabble of the be-the-best-teapot-you-can-be kind and saw a charismatic man where I saw a predatory charmer.
By the end of the first chapter, a second woman was in danger and asks our heroine for help. Her first instinctive response? To assume the second woman is lying to want to run to the predatory male to discuss what could have happened to this woman to make her exhibit this behaviour.
At that point, I was done. I didn't care what happened to this woman and my disbelief could no longer be suspended.
Maybe I'm being too harsh. Maybe I should be treating this a sort of literary fairground ride, something I'm supposed to enjoy even though I know the terror is manufactured?
Maybe.
Except, I hate fairground rides.
I picked up 'The Getaway' because it was free from Audible and because I'd heard good things about "The Wife Between Us" from these two writers and thought I could use this novella to sample their work.
When I was a third of the way in to the novella, I was unimpressed but still ready to listen. the storytelling was competent, the tone was creepy and laced with latent threat but I was struggling to believe in or care about the main character.
She was too conveniently tragic. She was also incredibly trusting. She was supposed to bright (straight-A-student, political activist) but she proved remarkably open to psychobabble of the be-the-best-teapot-you-can-be kind and saw a charismatic man where I saw a predatory charmer.
By the end of the first chapter, a second woman was in danger and asks our heroine for help. Her first instinctive response? To assume the second woman is lying to want to run to the predatory male to discuss what could have happened to this woman to make her exhibit this behaviour.
At that point, I was done. I didn't care what happened to this woman and my disbelief could no longer be suspended.
Maybe I'm being too harsh. Maybe I should be treating this a sort of literary fairground ride, something I'm supposed to enjoy even though I know the terror is manufactured?
Maybe.
Except, I hate fairground rides.
May 11, 2020
I was so excited about this, and it did provide good entertainment, but it would've worked better as an actual novel or even a six-hour-audio.
Oddly, it wasn't about a cult. Everything about it was screaming IT'S A CULT! but no, sir, no cults here.
A little more buildup would have been great, but it's still worth the time to listen to it.
Oddly, it wasn't about a cult. Everything about it was screaming IT'S A CULT! but no, sir, no cults here.
A little more buildup would have been great, but it's still worth the time to listen to it.
January 30, 2022
There was no real suspense in this book. I didn’t relate to the characters or cared what happened to them. I honestly felt bored with the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,113 reviews