Saturday, March 4, 2017

Retreat (Gateway, #1) by Jay Crownover ~ Review & Giveaway



Retreat by Jay Crownover

Publication Date: December 28, 2016



Every once in a while, you need to get away from it all.

I was a woman on the edge, shaken and shattered after a breakup that felt like it tore my entire world apart.

My best friend, sick of watching me drown in misery and melancholy, harassed me until I agreed to go with her on a week-long wilderness retreat.

She promised days spent bonding and getting in touch with our inner bad-asses.
It was supposed to be all about the two of us roughing it and making do with the bare minimum. She assured me we were going to be pushed to our limits in ways that were unimaginable. Neither one of us could have ever guessed just how right she was.

Nowhere in the glossy brochure did it say anything about the fact I was going to have to battle the insufferable but deliciously rugged and sexy trail guide instead of the elements. The brochure also forgot to mention the part that warned when you left civilization behind, there was no place to pack your inhibitions and fears.

I was told that I would be facing a week where the only thing I should expect was the unexpected. However, no one mentioned that I was going to have to fight for my life…and my heart as soon as I ventured into the unknown.

I was a pro at hiding from my feelings but when it came time to face a real threat, one that could change everything, I learned I was more of a no surrender, no retreat kind of girl.

Retreat is a standalone novel, the first in the Getaway series which centers on the hardheaded and brokenhearted Warner brothers and the women that dare to love them.

These boys are very good at putting the wild in wilderness.







This book is a fast read with some serious WOW factors.  The characters are all rich and full.  The setting is interesting and dynamic.  The story is suspenseful with some serious sexy times.  It's one of those books you dive into and stay hidden in the pages straight to the end where you emerge happy and content. 

As a Colorado girl, I love the mountain setting.  It's in a neighboring state, Wyoming and the rugged strength of it spoke to me.  And it's the perfect setting for a back to nature kind of retreat story.  From the working ranch to the horse trip into the hills, it's a great place to figure out who you are.  And that's what one of our characters does.

Leoria, or Leo to most people, is struggling to find herself.  She allowed a jerk to play her and has hidden from her life.  Her best friend is dragging her out to the hills to find herself again.  I do love Leo.  She has a chip on her shoulder but as she experiences the beauty of the mountains (and Cy), she finds some perspective.  The danger they face gives her even more perspective.  As for Cy, I loved him from the first moment I met him.  A classic Crownover guy, he's not going to fit the molds of living on a ranch and he's definitely in charge.  Together these two are perfect.  Of course, the fact that they live in different states may be an issue.

The other brothers all have my interest.  I grew to love them all.  And then there is Em.  I adore her desire to help her friend and the strength she shows.  I definitely love her.  

The suspense is straight forward.  You don't need to guess who the bad guys are but there are a few little twists.  I guessed right on several counts and enjoyed how things played out very much.  I will say that if this author doesn't hurry up and get the next book out, I may have to travel to Colorado Springs and camp on her doorstep until she hands it over! While this book has a perfectly good ending for this couple, it leaves in question another couple.  I need their story NOW!

Once I dug into the pages of this one, I didn't want to stop.  It was demanding in it's desire to be read!  And I enjoyed it very much.  I will say that there were quite a few little errors that a good editor or beta reader would have caught.  That surprised me.  But to be honest, I just didn't care enough to worry about it because the book was that good!

Don't miss Leo and Cy's story!  Then you can wait impatiently with me for the next book!




                                          



We have a SIGNED copy of Retreat to give away!

US only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

12 comments:

  1. I'd love to read this book since I've had such good luck with Jay's other books. Plus it seems a bit different than her usual setting and character types.
    As for editing errors, I find this to be rather common in Jay's work(as well as a lot of other bestselling traditionally published authors)so I usually "read" those authors on audio if possible and get the hard copy for my shelf. This one appears to be self-published so I'll probably have to read it "old style" lol, without audio. Thanks for the great chance!!

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    1. I've shared the Amazon link a few times, but now I'm not sure if it's been showing the cover. :(

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  2. I want to read this book it sounds really good.

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  3. Thanks for this captivating novel. Your excellent review caught my attention with the details about the locale, setting, characters and plot.

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  4. I am a HUGE Crownover fan and have only heard good buzz for this one. Great review.

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  5. I would love to take a wilderness retreat especially with any of Jay Crownover's characters. Love her books. Thanks for a great review

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  6. I am a glamping kind of camper! I like the idea along with some creature comforts. The review is great, I am a huge Jay Crownover Fan, so I always enjoy what she writes

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  7. it would not be my ideal version of a vacation :) I'd definitely have to go with someone who knew how not to die! Thanks for sharing!

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  8. I think it could be fun, but I prefer to have some comforts when camping.

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  9. A week-long wilderness trip? Sure, as long as there's a cabin. Not into camping outdoors so much. Lol.
    But cannot wait to read this book. It sounds great and I love Jay Crownover!

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  10. A wilderness retreat would be great if it came with lodgings that had all the comforts of modern amenities. :)

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