Book Review: Retreat (Getaway #1) by Jay Crownover

I picked up Retreat on sale once upon a time and for whatever reason, it just sat on my Kindle. Shame on me because this was an absolutely fantastic read! I am so excited about this world introduced by the author and where it all could go. Now I want to read them all!

Retreat (Getaway #1) by Jay Crownover

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.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Amazing story! The depth, emotion, and passion blew me away. I loved the world the Jay Crownover created in her new Getaway series and am looking forward to reading more.

I loved Leo and Cy meeting, there was this great antagonistic banter and tension between them. There was also a fun, flirtiness happening and attitude being thrown around which was awesome as well. I loved them sharing and opening up. It was honest, raw, and real. I could feel all that emotion. Not only that, but there was also super-hot, simmering passion between them. Some of the heated scenes were off the charts!

I really liked all the characters introduced and learning what was happening in their lives. It just helped everything feel really well rounded. I'm totally intrigued by Cy's brothers, especially the grumpy Sutton. I am very much looking forward to his story next with Leo's best friend Emrys. The start of their story was heartbreaking to read and I can't wait for them to get their HEA.

There was a great back story for both Cy and Leo and I loved the build to those details. There's a lot of internal dialogue happening from Leo - this is told from first person POV – so it took me a while to get used to. Because of that, sometimes it had a drawn-out feel. Besides this wonderful story about second chances in life and taking chances, there was a great suspense element added which I thoroughly enjoyed. I was so pulled in. I loved the action and drama, it was exciting.

This was a heck of a story and an amazing way to kick off a series. The banter, the heat, the drama, the healing, and love, it was pretty fantastic.