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The Sanctuary
The jawdropping and twisty new thriller from the author of The Perfect Father
Four pregnant women. Three nights of pampering at an exclusive yoga retreat. One too many deadly secrets...
On a remote farm in the deepest Devonshire countryside, four pregnant women arrive at an exclusive yoga retreat for a five-star weekend of prenatal pampering. The location is idyllic.
Their host, Selina, is eager to teach them all she knows about pregnancy and motherhood. But, like Selina, each of the women has a secret.
And secrets can be deadly . . .
Four pregnant women. Three nights of pampering at an exclusive yoga retreat. One too many deadly secrets...
On a remote farm in the deepest Devonshire countryside, four pregnant women arrive at an exclusive yoga retreat for a five-star weekend of prenatal pampering. The location is idyllic.
Their host, Selina, is eager to teach them all she knows about pregnancy and motherhood. But, like Selina, each of the women has a secret.
And secrets can be deadly . . .
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 16, 2021
79 people are currently reading
1114 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Duckworth
7 books267 followersCharlotte Duckworth is the USA Today bestselling author of The Rival, Unfollow Me, The Perfect Father, The Sanctuary and The Wrong Mother.
Connie, her sixth psychological suspense, will be published by Quercus in January 2026.
She started her career working as an interiors and lifestyle journalist, writing for a wide range of consumer magazines and websites.
She also writes contemporary bookclub fiction under the pen name Charlotte Rixon. The One That Got Away was published in the UK & the US in 2023. Translation rights sold to Brazil, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Israel, Serbia and Russia. The film rights have been optioned by a major US producer.
Charlotte lives in Surrey, UK, with her partner and their daughter.
Connie, her sixth psychological suspense, will be published by Quercus in January 2026.
She started her career working as an interiors and lifestyle journalist, writing for a wide range of consumer magazines and websites.
She also writes contemporary bookclub fiction under the pen name Charlotte Rixon. The One That Got Away was published in the UK & the US in 2023. Translation rights sold to Brazil, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Israel, Serbia and Russia. The film rights have been optioned by a major US producer.
Charlotte lives in Surrey, UK, with her partner and their daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
October 20, 2021
3.5 rounded up.
Four women sign up for a prenatal yoga retreat at The Sanctuary near Okehampton, Devon. There’s Nicky, a mother of two lovely boys and trying to get her head around being pregnant again at 42. Her sister Bonnie joins her, she’s twenty years younger and in her final year at catering college but she’s got herself ‘knocked up’, father undisclosed. Journalist Georgia also joins them with the fee waived as the owner Selina hopes for some positive publicity and finally, there’s Poppy who has recently split from partner Ant and is there with some kind of agenda. All four are hoping to resolve various issues but it’s fair to say none of them get the weekend they bargain for. The story is told from several perspectives.
The first 60% or so is really good. The setting is described extremely visually allowing you to picture events easily. There are some creepy, menacing hints from the start that despite Selina's many efforts to ‘deliver’ a relaxing weekend, her plans go badly awry. Poppy concerns you from the start and it becomes a case of curiouser and curiouser. The characters are all portrayed well with the two sisters being an interesting contrast and I like the vibe between them which at times has some needle to it. All the characters are carrying burdens, not of the baby variety, their emotions are all over the place, some feel guilty, others insecure and anxious. There are some good twists, a couple of which are particularly unexpected, there’s tension every which way you look especially from Selina so it's hardly the relaxation they crave, in fact, the whole thing is a dangerous unmitigated disaster.
However, much as I love a loaded plot, I think this just becomes too crowded, so many secrets, so many lies that it gets a bit dizzying. As it builds like the proverbial bonfire for the 5th November celebrations, I have hopes for it igniting but I think the wood must be a bit damp because it didn’t quite go out in a blaze of glory! It does keep you glued to the pages though to try to sift your way to the truth!
Overall though it’s very entertaining, it’s diverting, some things are a bit of a stretch but hey, it’s fiction!!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Quercus Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Four women sign up for a prenatal yoga retreat at The Sanctuary near Okehampton, Devon. There’s Nicky, a mother of two lovely boys and trying to get her head around being pregnant again at 42. Her sister Bonnie joins her, she’s twenty years younger and in her final year at catering college but she’s got herself ‘knocked up’, father undisclosed. Journalist Georgia also joins them with the fee waived as the owner Selina hopes for some positive publicity and finally, there’s Poppy who has recently split from partner Ant and is there with some kind of agenda. All four are hoping to resolve various issues but it’s fair to say none of them get the weekend they bargain for. The story is told from several perspectives.
The first 60% or so is really good. The setting is described extremely visually allowing you to picture events easily. There are some creepy, menacing hints from the start that despite Selina's many efforts to ‘deliver’ a relaxing weekend, her plans go badly awry. Poppy concerns you from the start and it becomes a case of curiouser and curiouser. The characters are all portrayed well with the two sisters being an interesting contrast and I like the vibe between them which at times has some needle to it. All the characters are carrying burdens, not of the baby variety, their emotions are all over the place, some feel guilty, others insecure and anxious. There are some good twists, a couple of which are particularly unexpected, there’s tension every which way you look especially from Selina so it's hardly the relaxation they crave, in fact, the whole thing is a dangerous unmitigated disaster.
However, much as I love a loaded plot, I think this just becomes too crowded, so many secrets, so many lies that it gets a bit dizzying. As it builds like the proverbial bonfire for the 5th November celebrations, I have hopes for it igniting but I think the wood must be a bit damp because it didn’t quite go out in a blaze of glory! It does keep you glued to the pages though to try to sift your way to the truth!
Overall though it’s very entertaining, it’s diverting, some things are a bit of a stretch but hey, it’s fiction!!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Quercus Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
November 6, 2021
Charlotte Duckworth's books are always a quick read for me, They have me hooked from the start and I can't stop reading - The Sanctuary was no different. I was immediately intrigued by the story and where it was going to go. Yes it was a bit out there and I had to suspend belief, especially at the end but it was fun.
A yoga retreat for pregnant women in the middle of nowhere in Devon - sounds perfect right? Well, that is what these 4 women thought too. It was exactly what they needed, a break from their lives and family to concentrate on themselves and their babies. But of course, things are never what they seem. These women are all different ages and have their own unique stories. But all are hiding secrets, including Selina, who runs the retreat with her partner. And secrets always have a way coming to the surface.
Thanks to Quercus Books and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.
A yoga retreat for pregnant women in the middle of nowhere in Devon - sounds perfect right? Well, that is what these 4 women thought too. It was exactly what they needed, a break from their lives and family to concentrate on themselves and their babies. But of course, things are never what they seem. These women are all different ages and have their own unique stories. But all are hiding secrets, including Selina, who runs the retreat with her partner. And secrets always have a way coming to the surface.
Thanks to Quercus Books and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.
May 10, 2022
Four pregnant women, Georgia, Bonnie, Nicky and Poppy all go on a yoga retreat to be pampered! Their host, Selina, is excited because Georgia is a journalist and Selina is hoping for some great feedback. What can go wrong? Absolutely everything! All of them have something to hide and yes, it is juicy!! Someone dies but you have to read to find out who and why?
Overall, this was an entertaining and fast-paced book that I read in a days time. I will not say I was completely shocked by the outcome, but it didn't deter my enjoyment from the book. This was my second book by Charlotte Duckworth and I look forward to her future works.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hatchette Book Groups, Quercus for my review copy.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
Overall, this was an entertaining and fast-paced book that I read in a days time. I will not say I was completely shocked by the outcome, but it didn't deter my enjoyment from the book. This was my second book by Charlotte Duckworth and I look forward to her future works.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hatchette Book Groups, Quercus for my review copy.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
February 6, 2023
On a remote farm in the deepest Devon shire countryside, four pregnant women arrive at an exclusive yoga retreat for a five-star weekend of prenatal pampering called 'The Sanctuary'. The location is idyllic.
The ladies' names being, Nicky, a headteacher, and Bonnie, a catering student, who are sisters, with a 20 year age gap, but who are both expecting. And, also, Georgia, a journalist, on a free trip, who is writing an article about 'The Sanctuary', and, Poppy, who has a suspicious reason for being there, but also claims to be expecting a child. Selina, is the host at the pampering centre, and Will is her partner. The 'Sanctuary' is based in Okehampton, with acres of surrounding woodland, for daily walks. There is also healthy cooking done by Will, Selina's partner, and the host is a qualified yoga teacher, who gives daily sessions. Everything starts off as pleasant and nice, whereby all of the characters mix and make friends. Other characters being Kai, the hosts son, and Badger, the gardener.
However, there are some untold secrets to reveal. Who is fathering the children? Will Selina lose Will to another woman? Who is the crying baby? The story has a creepy tale to unfold.
The ladies' names being, Nicky, a headteacher, and Bonnie, a catering student, who are sisters, with a 20 year age gap, but who are both expecting. And, also, Georgia, a journalist, on a free trip, who is writing an article about 'The Sanctuary', and, Poppy, who has a suspicious reason for being there, but also claims to be expecting a child. Selina, is the host at the pampering centre, and Will is her partner. The 'Sanctuary' is based in Okehampton, with acres of surrounding woodland, for daily walks. There is also healthy cooking done by Will, Selina's partner, and the host is a qualified yoga teacher, who gives daily sessions. Everything starts off as pleasant and nice, whereby all of the characters mix and make friends. Other characters being Kai, the hosts son, and Badger, the gardener.
However, there are some untold secrets to reveal. Who is fathering the children? Will Selina lose Will to another woman? Who is the crying baby? The story has a creepy tale to unfold.
July 4, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Secrets and pregnancy hormones, that is pretty much the gist of this book. 😂 I really enjoyed this one. I knocked it out in two days and it had me hooked from the start. It was an easy and fast-paced read. Great setting. Full of twists and turns and intriguing characters. Each one of them with secrets of their own. Did it push the boundaries of believability at times, yes. However, I was thoroughly entertained, so this one gets two thumbs up from yours truly.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
Secrets and pregnancy hormones, that is pretty much the gist of this book. 😂 I really enjoyed this one. I knocked it out in two days and it had me hooked from the start. It was an easy and fast-paced read. Great setting. Full of twists and turns and intriguing characters. Each one of them with secrets of their own. Did it push the boundaries of believability at times, yes. However, I was thoroughly entertained, so this one gets two thumbs up from yours truly.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
January 12, 2023
Oh, these are such messy, messy people.
This was an enjoyable read. I will say the twisty bits were a bit unbelievable, but the book was very entertaining and enjoyable.
I will also stay far away from any remote retreats. They never go well, do they?
A fun red.
This was an enjoyable read. I will say the twisty bits were a bit unbelievable, but the book was very entertaining and enjoyable.
I will also stay far away from any remote retreats. They never go well, do they?
A fun red.
June 11, 2023
Four pregnant women go on an exclusive yoga retreat on a remote farm in the deepest Devonshire countryside. The five-star weekend of prenatal pampering is in an idyllic location and the perfect preparation for what lies ahead. Selina is the host and she is set to teach the pregnant women everything she knows about pregnancy and motherhood. All the women, including Selina are keeping secrets.
Interesting characters and full of suspense that progressively builds throughout making it a page turner.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Quercus Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Interesting characters and full of suspense that progressively builds throughout making it a page turner.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Quercus Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2022
Taut, pacey, and suspenseful!
The Sanctuary is a compelling, ominous mystery that sweeps you away to a secluded farm in the woods of Devon and into the lives of four pregnant women on a weekend retreat of relaxation, yoga, nature, and nutrition, and four residents/employees as they grapple from the very beginning with creepy pranks, dangerous mishaps, strange personalities, powerful emotions, and long-buried skeletons and secrets that seem to be in abundance.
The prose is clear and precise. The characters are multilayered, secretive, and self-absorbed. And the plot told from multiple perspectives unfolds and unravels quickly into a menacing tale full of jealousy, hatred, deception, manipulation, desperation, obsession, revenge, violence, and murder.
Overall, The Sanctuary is an intense, atmospheric, quick read by Duckworth that I wish had a little tighter ending but was nevertheless intriguing from start to finish.
Thank you to Mobius Books US for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Sanctuary is a compelling, ominous mystery that sweeps you away to a secluded farm in the woods of Devon and into the lives of four pregnant women on a weekend retreat of relaxation, yoga, nature, and nutrition, and four residents/employees as they grapple from the very beginning with creepy pranks, dangerous mishaps, strange personalities, powerful emotions, and long-buried skeletons and secrets that seem to be in abundance.
The prose is clear and precise. The characters are multilayered, secretive, and self-absorbed. And the plot told from multiple perspectives unfolds and unravels quickly into a menacing tale full of jealousy, hatred, deception, manipulation, desperation, obsession, revenge, violence, and murder.
Overall, The Sanctuary is an intense, atmospheric, quick read by Duckworth that I wish had a little tighter ending but was nevertheless intriguing from start to finish.
Thank you to Mobius Books US for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 16, 2021
The sanctuary by Charlotte Duckworth.
Four pregnant women. Three nights of pampering at an exclusive yoga retreat. One too many deadly secrets . . .
A very good read. Lots of twists and turns with surprises. I do enjoy Charlotte books. Great story and characters. 4*.
Four pregnant women. Three nights of pampering at an exclusive yoga retreat. One too many deadly secrets . . .
A very good read. Lots of twists and turns with surprises. I do enjoy Charlotte books. Great story and characters. 4*.
June 24, 2025
Reading a story featuring pregnant women is not something I would normally do. But the synopsis of this book sounded quite interesting; I decided to give it a try.
It didn't disappoint. All the characters had something to hide and I found them all unlikeable in some way. Or rather, that all had something I didn't like and that it could have to do with their secrets, or not.
I liked the setting and thought the author did a good job with how the relationship between the characters created a charged atmosphere. There were a lot of tension in this story.
I had never read a Charlotte Duckworth before, but I will certainly read another of her books.
It didn't disappoint. All the characters had something to hide and I found them all unlikeable in some way. Or rather, that all had something I didn't like and that it could have to do with their secrets, or not.
I liked the setting and thought the author did a good job with how the relationship between the characters created a charged atmosphere. There were a lot of tension in this story.
I had never read a Charlotte Duckworth before, but I will certainly read another of her books.
September 21, 2022
When four expectant mothers checked into the Sanctuary for a pre-natal yoga retreat, I don't think any of them anticipated just what would happen,
For the retreat is far from relaxing, and with everyone including the people running it having secrets it was clear nothing would particularly go to plan.
There are acts of sabotage, some truly upsetting scenes and stories coming out and this turns it into a book that I could barely put down.
I was hooked, it is told from 5 points of view, and you always get the sense that something isn't quite right but it's hard to put a finger on just what.
I loved seeing how everything unfurled and once again am very impressed with with author's writing.
A tense psychological drama that had me flummoxed and found it fascinating.
Thank you to Quercus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
For the retreat is far from relaxing, and with everyone including the people running it having secrets it was clear nothing would particularly go to plan.
There are acts of sabotage, some truly upsetting scenes and stories coming out and this turns it into a book that I could barely put down.
I was hooked, it is told from 5 points of view, and you always get the sense that something isn't quite right but it's hard to put a finger on just what.
I loved seeing how everything unfurled and once again am very impressed with with author's writing.
A tense psychological drama that had me flummoxed and found it fascinating.
Thank you to Quercus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
July 12, 2022
A thoroughly addictive thriller which will keep you hooked from the first to the last page. Very skilfully written so that what begins as a wonderful retreat for pregnant women spirals quickly into the dark and sinister as secrets begin to emerge, and strange events occur. The complexity of characters adds depth and intrigue. Loved it!
January 8, 2024
A gripping story told from several points of view. I got a bit confused at first with all the girls' stories, but gradually worked out who was who. A good few twists at the end, well worth persevering.
October 21, 2021
Really enjoyed this one! Loads of twists and turns and you are always on tenterhooks waiting to see what's going to happen next. I'm a big fan of Charlotte's books and I think this might be her best yet.....absolutely brilliant! I loved all of the characters, even the bad ones and thought they all played their parts really well and I raced through it. Did not expect the ending, total surprise....always a hard thing to achieve. Go and read this one ❤
December 17, 2021
Four pregnant women, half-sisters Nicky & Bonnie, journalist Georgia, & secretive Poppy, arrive for three nights of pampering at an exclusive yoga retreat. The retreat is run by Selina & her partner, Will, but Selina's sulky teenage son, Kai, & a groundsman also live on the property. It doesn't take long before accidents & other strange occurrences start to happen & the women start to wonder if someone has a grudge against Selina, but they are all hiding their own secrets & agendas too.
The story unfolds from the perspective of each of the women including Selina, with the odd chapter from others. It was well-written but I didn't really like it, because, apart from perhaps Nicky, I really didn't like any of the characters. In fact I downright disliked Bonnie from the start. I also thought it was pretty easy to work out where the storylines were going to go. It was a disappointment as I loved Unfollow Me by the author.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Quercus Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
The story unfolds from the perspective of each of the women including Selina, with the odd chapter from others. It was well-written but I didn't really like it, because, apart from perhaps Nicky, I really didn't like any of the characters. In fact I downright disliked Bonnie from the start. I also thought it was pretty easy to work out where the storylines were going to go. It was a disappointment as I loved Unfollow Me by the author.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Quercus Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
July 17, 2022
3.5/5
➡️QUICK THOUGHTS:
Four pregnant women. One prenatal yoga retreat. Everyone has secrets. This was a fun book! I wouldn’t necessarily call it a thriller but it does have some suspense! I kept reading to find out everyone’s secrets! There was more going on than met the eye! I loved the multiple POV for all four pregnant women and the retreat founder. I loved how the book was separated by different parts of the day, and I loved how each part started with a mystery narrator. It was almost 400 pages but it didn’t feel that way. This was an easy read, so if you are looking for one of those, grab this one!
➡️QUICK THOUGHTS:
Four pregnant women. One prenatal yoga retreat. Everyone has secrets. This was a fun book! I wouldn’t necessarily call it a thriller but it does have some suspense! I kept reading to find out everyone’s secrets! There was more going on than met the eye! I loved the multiple POV for all four pregnant women and the retreat founder. I loved how the book was separated by different parts of the day, and I loved how each part started with a mystery narrator. It was almost 400 pages but it didn’t feel that way. This was an easy read, so if you are looking for one of those, grab this one!
March 31, 2023
Chaotic, twisty and a true page-turner. I enjoyed this one a lot.
February 29, 2024
I don’t think i’ve ever hated a group of characters more. Every single character in this book was a truly horrible person (except Nicky). Don’t get me wrong, the plot twists were good however they were very predictable and the story just felt all over the place. Overall i think that each of these people should receive at least 10 years of therapy and at least 5 years jail time (especially Will that psycho).
June 6, 2022
WHOA!
The Sanctuary, has bestseller written all over it.
I am still in shock after concluding and needed to sit with my thoughts for a bit to just think about everything that had transpired. I cant say that I didn't catch on where this was going around midpoint but it didnt discourage me to continue or ruin anything for me. I actually enjoyed watching it play out and seeing how I was right.
This is an easy read that can be finished within a few hours and will keep your attention. I loved the twist and how everything came together. I truly enjoyed getting to know these characters and was shocked at how real they all seemed.
The Sanctuary is a book that I will be recommending for a long time. Kudos to Charlotte Duckworth, she did a beautiful job narrating this story.
The Sanctuary, has bestseller written all over it.
I am still in shock after concluding and needed to sit with my thoughts for a bit to just think about everything that had transpired. I cant say that I didn't catch on where this was going around midpoint but it didnt discourage me to continue or ruin anything for me. I actually enjoyed watching it play out and seeing how I was right.
This is an easy read that can be finished within a few hours and will keep your attention. I loved the twist and how everything came together. I truly enjoyed getting to know these characters and was shocked at how real they all seemed.
The Sanctuary is a book that I will be recommending for a long time. Kudos to Charlotte Duckworth, she did a beautiful job narrating this story.
June 4, 2022
In The Sanctuary, four pregnant women go to a secluded yoga spa owned by Selina. All of them including Selina have secrets and hidden agendas. When someone dies, their secrets begin to seep out into the open.
Yawn. This book has almost the exact same plot as Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty. Except the secrets are not as compelling and the characters are no one I wanted to root for or even hang out with for four hours. Even the mystery’s solution was easy to guess. Unfortunately, The Sanctuary was a complete miss for me. 2 stars.
Thanks to Quercus and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.
Yawn. This book has almost the exact same plot as Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty. Except the secrets are not as compelling and the characters are no one I wanted to root for or even hang out with for four hours. Even the mystery’s solution was easy to guess. Unfortunately, The Sanctuary was a complete miss for me. 2 stars.
Thanks to Quercus and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.
August 8, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
The Sanctuary.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
Four pregnant women attend a yoga retreat, hoping to deal with the myriad issues surrounding their pregnancies.
But, one of them is not who she claims to be.
And she only has one thing on her agenda: sweet sweet revenge.
The premise sounded interesting but it was quite predictable; each woman is not only struggling with personal issues relating to their pregnancies but nearly all of them have secrets that would directly impact their lives and those around them.
Selina, the owner of The Sanctuary, is no different.
Desperate to make her retreat work, she is not who she purports to be, but one of her guests knows who she is. And she's not going to let it go.
Naturally, odd things happen, until the end when all is revealed.
I guessed most of the twists, and I liked how each woman struggle with the fears surrounding their pregnancies, and how much their lives will change.
I didn't like anyone, but I didn't dislike anyone, except for Selina.
While I love revenge stories, some of the scenes require a significant amount of suspension of disbelief.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
Four pregnant women attend a yoga retreat, hoping to deal with the myriad issues surrounding their pregnancies.
But, one of them is not who she claims to be.
And she only has one thing on her agenda: sweet sweet revenge.
The premise sounded interesting but it was quite predictable; each woman is not only struggling with personal issues relating to their pregnancies but nearly all of them have secrets that would directly impact their lives and those around them.
Selina, the owner of The Sanctuary, is no different.
Desperate to make her retreat work, she is not who she purports to be, but one of her guests knows who she is. And she's not going to let it go.
Naturally, odd things happen, until the end when all is revealed.
I guessed most of the twists, and I liked how each woman struggle with the fears surrounding their pregnancies, and how much their lives will change.
I didn't like anyone, but I didn't dislike anyone, except for Selina.
While I love revenge stories, some of the scenes require a significant amount of suspension of disbelief.
September 12, 2024
This was one I had put off for a while because of the pregnancy angle that’s a prevalent theme in the storyline. Nevertheless, I really wanted more from this read. I felt that the characters were generally annoying or drippy and the overall plot was a little too far fetched but at the same time slightly banal that I just ended up not really caring about anyone at the end. I enjoyed some of the themes that were addressed like the strain of older age pregnancy, the grief of losing a child, alternative medical treatments, anti-vaccine beliefs etc but it just didn’t gel well as a whole.
October 18, 2021
Thank you to the publishers for sending me a proof of The Sanctuary by Charlotte. I LOVED it. It's the kind of book that I was excited to get to every chance I had. I thought the writing was stella - as are all Charlotte's books - and each woman was so relatable even when their motives were questionable. Charlotte has absolutely triumphed in fusing the unassuming serene with the abject sinister!
October 26, 2021
I don't leaving negative reviews however I have to say that, sadly, this book just didn't do it for me. It's such a shame as I thought the premise was really interesting and was really looking forward to reading it however I just couldn't get excited about it.
I think my main issue was that I didn't really care about any of the main characters. I found most of them to be unlikeable throughout the book and I wasn't really bothered how it was going to turn out.
Also the structure of the book bothered me too. The novel is told in parts and, initially the story was told from the perspective of Nicky, Bonnie, Georgia, Poppy and then Selina. Each part had five separate chapters and the story moved on as the perspective changed however about half way through the book this changed it just annoyed me.
On a positive note, the ending to the book was good and it did come together well in the end but getting there was just a bit of a slog.
Thanks to Quercus Books and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think my main issue was that I didn't really care about any of the main characters. I found most of them to be unlikeable throughout the book and I wasn't really bothered how it was going to turn out.
Also the structure of the book bothered me too. The novel is told in parts and, initially the story was told from the perspective of Nicky, Bonnie, Georgia, Poppy and then Selina. Each part had five separate chapters and the story moved on as the perspective changed however about half way through the book this changed it just annoyed me.
On a positive note, the ending to the book was good and it did come together well in the end but getting there was just a bit of a slog.
Thanks to Quercus Books and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2022
Hummmm, this is perhaps one of the most challenging reviews I have had to write, as I felt it had all the makings of a good story but just fell a bit short.
The plot was good, with some twists and turns; however, the execution, pace and numerous characters left me somewhat confused and struggling to keep up.
I have seen enough in this novel to tempt me to give another one of Charlotte's books a read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Quercus Books for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The plot was good, with some twists and turns; however, the execution, pace and numerous characters left me somewhat confused and struggling to keep up.
I have seen enough in this novel to tempt me to give another one of Charlotte's books a read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Quercus Books for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 27, 2021
The Sanctuary is a cautionary tale, a reminder that your actions can have an impact more far-reaching than you might imagine.
The setting is a wonderful rural retreat, where Selina and her husband, Will, are trying to get their business off the ground. Offering rural get-always with yoga, cooking and counselling, the atmosphere is more tense than you might picture. Our hosts are hiding things, and we soon learn that so too are the guests.
Things take place over a fairly short space of time, but events occur at breakneck speed. From start to finish there’s a lot going on…and it is clear that more than one person has a vendetta against Selena. So much for the quiet escape from a hectic life!
I enjoyed this as an escapist read, and yet there was so much going on and so many details revealed that I felt rather overwhelmed by the end. A definite 3.5 star read for me.
The setting is a wonderful rural retreat, where Selina and her husband, Will, are trying to get their business off the ground. Offering rural get-always with yoga, cooking and counselling, the atmosphere is more tense than you might picture. Our hosts are hiding things, and we soon learn that so too are the guests.
Things take place over a fairly short space of time, but events occur at breakneck speed. From start to finish there’s a lot going on…and it is clear that more than one person has a vendetta against Selena. So much for the quiet escape from a hectic life!
I enjoyed this as an escapist read, and yet there was so much going on and so many details revealed that I felt rather overwhelmed by the end. A definite 3.5 star read for me.
December 9, 2021
This was the first of Charlotte Duckworth's books for me.
In the beginning I was intrigued by the idea of pregnant women who visit a retreat. But honestly, towards the ending the story got a bit too much for me.
As mentioned the story takes place in a yoga retreat for pregnant women. It should allow them to take some time off and focus on their futur role as mothers. This would be fine if not all of them had secrets to hide. Even the people who run the retreat have some deep buried secrets. One by one they come to light.
Basically I really enjoyed this book if it had not been for the end, which was too well ment IMHO
Thanks #NetGalley and #Quercus Books for an ARC!
In the beginning I was intrigued by the idea of pregnant women who visit a retreat. But honestly, towards the ending the story got a bit too much for me.
As mentioned the story takes place in a yoga retreat for pregnant women. It should allow them to take some time off and focus on their futur role as mothers. This would be fine if not all of them had secrets to hide. Even the people who run the retreat have some deep buried secrets. One by one they come to light.
Basically I really enjoyed this book if it had not been for the end, which was too well ment IMHO
Thanks #NetGalley and #Quercus Books for an ARC!
May 13, 2022
A Really AWESOME twisty book. 4 pregnant women head to the grand opening of a new Yoga Sanctuary designed for expecting moms to enjoy a spa weekend. Owner Selina is skittish, nervous but determined to make it a weekend they won't forget. Georgina is there at no cost to promote the program as an influencer, Nicky and her sister Bonnie are trying to mend family bridges, and Poppy - her reasons are a bit twisted and damning. As the hours fly by, more and more haunting events take place and secrets are revealed! WIll this be their sanctuary?
Well written, a little of a stretch but great fun ! I recommend to all that love the vacation gone wrong, a domestic thriller, or stories about secrets to kill for! #Hachette #NetGalley
Well written, a little of a stretch but great fun ! I recommend to all that love the vacation gone wrong, a domestic thriller, or stories about secrets to kill for! #Hachette #NetGalley
March 3, 2022
I really enjoy Charlotte Duckworth books - every single one of them has been enjoyable, full of atmosphere with tantalising twists and satisfying resolution. So when I got my hands on her latest, I was on board!
The Sanctuary is a mystery set in a pre natal luxury retreat with each pregnant guest full of secrets and turmoil. If I found the idea of spending my last trimester far from an en suite bathroom odd, I didn't let that get in the way of a perfectly good thriller!
Each character was well fleshed out to the point that I could picture them really well, complete with backstory and angst. I found the multiple PoVs confusing, often going back a page or two to understand who was talking. But overall, this is a quick read with a satisfying payoff. 4 star read
The Sanctuary is a mystery set in a pre natal luxury retreat with each pregnant guest full of secrets and turmoil. If I found the idea of spending my last trimester far from an en suite bathroom odd, I didn't let that get in the way of a perfectly good thriller!
Each character was well fleshed out to the point that I could picture them really well, complete with backstory and angst. I found the multiple PoVs confusing, often going back a page or two to understand who was talking. But overall, this is a quick read with a satisfying payoff. 4 star read
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