surviving the storm

Katherine Van Ness lived on he Van Ness estate, where their winery crafted wines that were well respected and enjoyed by families throughout the world. But when the Van Ness children return to the grand estate for a birthday celebration, dark clouds begin to gather.

Only months after Katherine succumbed to cancer, her twins Richard and Harper were back at the estate to celebrate their 35th birthday along with their spouses, Elle and Lucas, and their younger brother Zach and his girlfriend Lauren. The three couples spend the days leading up to the party drinking, getting to know Lauren, and leaning into their mother’s traditions, including her hazing. But mostly, they’re hiding their secrets.

One of them doesn’t know about the other siblings wanting to sell the winery. One of them doesn’t know they were betrayed by their former best friend. One of them doesn’t know that his spouse’s lover is going to show up to the weekend. And none of them know that someone has a secret on all of them that will destroy the Van Ness name and reputation.

And as they are all navigating their relationships and their secrets and lies, a massive storm is heading straight for them. Elle had planned a big party, with lots of friends, delicious food, and an impressive fireworks show, but the guests drop out one by one, and she finally ahs to cancel the party completely. But they still have the cake and plenty of wine. And a gift, an hourglass, with a vague threat attached.

But once the storm blows in, and the power goes out, it’s a for survival as a party crasher brings news that has them all fighting for survival.

The Weekend Retreat is an intense dive into the world of the privileged and wealthy and a study of how far some people will go to keep secrets, reveal secrets, or just to survive. Award-winning author Tara Laskowski keeps readers guessing as the lies pile up and secrets come to light.

I was fascinated by The Weekend Retreat. I was riveted, trying to put all the pieces of this story together, and I thought it was beautifully plotted. There were lots of lovely surprises, right to the end. The story was interspersed with news reports about the weekend, so readers know right away that something terrible has happened and not everyone survived the weekend. But finding out who didn’t make it and how it happened, and how the rest of the party guests fared in the aftermath was unexpected. Fans of Succession will love this story for the secrets of the rich, but it’s also a tightly plotted mystery with a fascinating ending.

Egalleys for The Weekend Retreat were provided by Graydon House through NetGalley, with many thanks.