Book Review: The Break-Up Retreat

The Break-Up Retreat

By Camilla Sten

The Break-Up Retreat by Camilla Sten has everything that I require of a high-concept thriller. It is set in an isolated, eerie location, in the woods of Sweden at a retreat for women who are trying to get over a break-up, the Himlafall Clinic. The founder of the clinic, Dr. Martina, is a charismatic psychologist and social influencer whose approach and personality are giving cult-leader more than ethical psychologist. Her unorthodox techniques for “helping” women get over their exes and gain confidence have been rumored to be potentially harmful…and a woman went missing from the clinic not long ago.

 Isobel Anderssen is a journalist who needs an amazing story to prove herself. She has partnered up with her childhood friend (who works at Himlafall) to go undercover as a “patient” at the retreat. Yet as soon as she enters the gates of Himlafall, things start to go wrong. She is isolated there with other patients, stuck for a week with no cell phones allowed.

The other patients are trusting yet emotionally damaged, and Isobel hates to see them being taken advantage of by Dr. Martina during group therapy. Ethical boundaries are crossed and Isobel finds herself at odds with Dr. Martina, yet also weirdly influenced by her. The psychology elements of the book were fascinating, and it was intriguing how Isobel felt emotionally affected even when she intellectually knew what Dr. Martina’s tactics wer

 As one scary incident after another hints that her undercover assignment is spiraling out of control, Isobel just wants to go home, but soon she can’t. She realizes that no journalism story can be worth this…

My Thoughts

I will be honest—the high-concept nature sold me, making me think of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. People will do a lot to forget heartbreak, and usually, it doesn’t end well. I assumed The Break-Up Retreat would be no exception. I read a lot of thrillers, and I was surprised by the last 1/3 of the book, with several twists I may have guessed at, but did not fully predict. Overall, this novel was a satisfying thriller and I enjoyed being immersed in this novel, with its relatable protagonist, surprising twists, and creepy, atmospheric setting.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.