Journalist Isobel goes undercover at a remote wellness clinic deep in the Swedish woods where women go to heal from devastating breakups. The catch? Some of the patients are never heard from again. Armed with a fake story and a hidden phone, she’s there to expose the clinic’s founder and get answers for the families of the missing but nothing goes to plan and the deeper she digs, the closer she gets to disappearing herself.

I know this one doesn’t have the strongest reviews, but I liked it more than most people seem to. The setting is everything: remote Swedish woods, an isolated clinic, a group of emotionally vulnerable women, and a founder who has way too much power over all of them. I listened on audio and the narration was great. I always gravitate toward Camilla Sten on audio and I just realized I’ve read way more of her books than I thought. She’s become one of those authors I apparently just quietly collect.

Isobel is a little on the dumb side if I’m being honest. Love her, but girl, some of the decisions you make in this clinic are CHOICES. I also had trouble keeping some of the patients straight; there are a lot of women here and a few blurred together. That said, Katarina and Leyla really stood out and added emotional depth that grounded the whole story. But lordy, those therapy sessions were not it.

The final act is where this book comes alive. I didn’t figure out the whodunit until it was revealed. I won’t say I was completely shocked but I also didn’t guess it, which is a sweet spot for me. The action toward the end had my heart pounding and I finished this in just a few sittings. Even with its imperfections, it completely had me. Happily rounding up to 4.

Other Camilla Sten Reviews

AMAZON | GOODREADS | BOOKSHOP |★★★★

The Break-Up Retreat comes out June 9, 2026. Huge thank you to Minotaur books and Macmillan Audio for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.  If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof_books.