31 Reads of Terror: 'The Retreat' by Sherri Smith

I've amassed quite a collection of undead books in my library; it seems every time I turn around, I stumble upon another. Case in point: The Retreat, penned by Sherri Smith, which somehow wound up in my stack of 31 Reads of Terror. This might be my maiden voyage into her work—or perhaps I've read her before, but let’s not kid ourselves; my memory is about as sharp as a butter knife. I likely found this book at Dollar Tree, lured in by its eye-catching cover. After all, who can resist the siren call of a good book with an alluring façade? Publishers Weekly even dubbed it a “roller-coaster ride,” which certainly raised my eyebrows.

Let’s peel back the cover and take a look at The Retreat: We’re introduced to four women, each with her own dark secret, embarking on a weekend that promises transformation… provided they make it out alive. At the center is Katie Manning, once a beloved child star, until a horrific incident with her manager left her with a disfiguring scar that shattered her Hollywood dreams and plunged her into the depths of self-destruction. Now twenty-seven, Katie yearns for an alternative narrative to those pesky “Where Are They Now?” articles that haunt her online presence. She thinks she’s hit the jackpot when her brother’s seemingly perfect fiancée invites her to an upstate wellness retreat.

Alongside Katie are her two best friends. One grapples with crushing debt and familial obligations while the other tries to escape a failed career and a relationship that left her rattled. The appeal of the retreat is a chance to find peace, but the path to self-discovery might just dredge up more horrifying memories than Katie is ready to confront. Each woman has her own burdens to bear. And as the weekend unfolds, it becomes chillingly clear: by the end, only one will stand.

I don’t usually peek at other reviews before sharing my thoughts, but one particularly scathing critique leaped out at me. A reader, incensed beyond belief, rated this book half a star, declaring it the worst of 2019. Now, I won’t throw stones; I’ve penned my fair share of scathing reviews, too. Opinions are like noses—everyone’s got one, and they often stick out at the worst possible moments.

As for my two cents on The Retreat? I found it enjoyable, though it didn't knock my socks off. Katie, the protagonist, is likable enough, but her friends? They were so annoyingly whiny, they reminded me of exes who call at midnight, just to ask if I’m awake—thanks, but I’d rather sleep. The writing itself flows like a river through a haunted forest, with vibrant descriptions that leap off the page. Sure, the pacing was decent, but let’s be honest—the melodrama and steamy escapades took a front seat in the first half. And then there’s the dreaded shift in point of view. You know how I feel about that—like trying to navigate a haunted house blindfolded—but oddly, it didn’t irritate me as much this time. 

Overall, The Retreat was a solid read; it had its dull moments and its entertaining ones and kept me turning pages even when I felt like I was meandering through a foggy graveyard. While it may not be a masterpiece, it certainly had its charm, making for an above-average reading experience that left me pondering long after the last word. ╌★★★★✰

〜B.J. Burgess