Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
After a complaint by a patient Jess was asked to take some time off away from work but as things escalated she needed more than just two weeks leave. Jess and Rob have decided to spend the summer in a cottage by the sea. Jess works as a GP in an inner-London surgery where she often takes on too much, and gets far too emotionally involved in the lives of her patients. The reader is aware that Jess is currently not working, but it takes some time for us to know why. Rob is a script writer, always on the verge of great things, currently working on the script that will make his name. From the outside, this couple and their two small children appear happy and carefree, but the inner turmoils that they face daily are slowly simmering toward the surface. Jess has a high demanding job not just as a partner in a GP practice but also volunteering for the safeguarding team. The Family Retreat is a decent read, it is classed as general fiction but I think I would class it more family drama.
Jess and her family have rented a cottage for the summer. It’s the perfect chance to unwind and spend time together. But there are secrets lurking under the surface, just waiting to emerge… This idyllic Dorset cottage might just be the perfect escape. But when the neighbour hints at a dire predicament, Jess puts the idea of sun-kissed, sandy bliss on hold. Like a door nudged ajar, the lure of solving someone’s problems invites her in. Our family retreat's purpose is to connect with one another, by practicing fun activities, focusing on how our bodies re-align, swimming together, group sections of mindfulness conversations that assess where we are individually and as a family. Also, time outdoors, meditation in nature, kindness, and mindful self-compassion that benefits all." Are you looking for a new family bonding activity? It's never too late to start building a family fitness program! A family yoga retreat is a great way to get family members away from their busy schedules and spend quality time together. A family yoga retreat can help you reconnect with yourself, and your family and focus on your wellness. If you need some help finding a family yoga retreat and what to expect from it then keep reading below for frequently asked questions and our top 5 family retreat options! What is a family retreat?I think the main character, Jess, was so relatable. Her drive to help others, much to the detriment of her own happiness, could describe so many of us. There were also funny, relatable moments of 'keeping up with the Jones' that brought a lightness to the story. Other, more prominent characters were well-rounded, though I couldn't keep up with some of the lesser-mentioned characters and who I was reading about at times. Rob manages to find a beautiful but tiny cottage Dorset for a month even though Jess is reluctant at first but as soon as she arrives it felt like home. The cottage is set in a small hamlet just outside the local village.
It's been a long time since that book and I was delighted to find that Thomas had published her second novel; The Family Retreat. First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Faber and Faber (and in particular Rachel Quinn), and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. A family retreat could be an escape from everything. It could be a time to get away from all the things that get us angry, stressed, or frustrated in our everyday lives. It could be a time to get away from the things that take up our time and keep us from spending quality time with our family. It could be a time to get away from the things that distract us from what’s important in our lives. A family retreat could be a way to make memories together that will last a lifetime with your loved ones. Are family retreats worth it? The Family Retreat is fabulously written, and I loved the setting descriptions particularly. It comes as no surprise that the author was a psychologist as the authenticity, the sensitivity and the authority of the psychological elements is mesmerising, making the book a brilliant read. There are some difficult themes explored through the narrative that give The Family Retreat incredible depth and maturity. The summer heat intensifies Jess - ever vigilant - unearths a secret, a problem she's sure she can help solve. But things are not always as they seem. The water may look inviting but even the gentlest looking waves can hide the deadliest undercurrents.
On holiday with her family, Jess starts to ingratiate herself with the other people living near her country cottage – villagers and visitors. And while on the surface, it is all sweeping beaches and sinking your toes into the sand here, there are several harrowing stories playing out beneath the picturesque surface. A horror is about to explode in the idyll. I enjoyed the author's observations; her characters were rich and detailed, and I found their behaviours to be astutely depicted. The description of the women in the story having to manage men's emotions, to dim their own feelings to make room for the men in their lives was interesting food for thought, making me think about instances from my own life. The story was compelling and engrossing. We recommend Wonderment, a retreat festival held once a year in September in Berkshire, UK. A retreat by day, featuring a full programme of workshops and family activities, including yoga, and a joyous festival by night. This intimate, friendly and inclusive hybrid offers a weekend away of complete balance and joy. On arrival, guests are greeted with delicious plant-based appetisers and a cold glass of Wonderment water. During the retreat, the chef and team provide three delicious plant-based meals per day with large portions to keep you nourished throughout. What happens at a yoga retreat?
Rob and Jess try to escape their current problems by renting a cabin by the sea for them and their two children. So, although I didn't really like the characters, the plot was good once it finally got going. It ended up being an okay read. This is a well-paced tale where tension builds slowly over the course of the book. I adored the sweeping, dramatic setting which could be picture perfect one minute and a brooding, angry, dangerous threat the next. There’s a sub-plot featuring Jess’s parents which I thought really added to the story. Making characters that already felt real to me even more believable. With the extended absence of husband Rob (away on a business trip in the US), with the strange behaviour of her father, with the pressure to return to work, with two young children to look after and the need to fit into a new community, it’s no wonder that Jess has the weight of the world on her shoulders. But Jess' intrusive behaviour is validified, and we wouldn't have had all the drama, otherwise, I suppose. There is also some great social commentary along the way. You can tell that the author has experience in psychology as she uses Jess to get into other people's dilemmas, and I did enjoy the concept of seeing [or not seeing] problems from the outside. The summer heat intensifies Jess – ever vigilant – unearths a secret, a problem she’s sure she can help solve. But things are not always as they seem. The water may look inviting but even the gentlest looking waves can hide the deadliest undercurrents.An enjoyable and thought-provoking read, The Family Retreat is a very subtle domestic thriller, using authentic situations and obstacles to build up a little tension in an engaging story of strained family dynamics and neighbourhood drama. Fuelled by a heady rush of altruism, she decides to act - a choice that will have unforgettable, potentially devastating consequences. These guidelines and standards aim to keep the content on Booking.com relevant and family-friendly without limiting expression of strong opinions. They are also applicable regardless of the sentiment of the comment. Contributions should be appropriate for a global audience. Please avoid using profanity or attempts to approximate profanity with creative spelling, in any language. Comments and media that include hate speech, discriminatory remarks, threats, sexually explicit remarks, violence, or the promotion of illegal activity are not permitted. These guidelines and standards aim to keep the content on Booking.com relevant and family-friendly, without limiting expression or strong opinions. They're also applicable regardless of the comment's tone.
This idyllic Dorset cottage might just be the perfect escape. But when the neighbour hints at a dire predicament, Jess puts the idea of sun-kissed, sandy bliss on hold. Like a door nudged ajar, the lure of solving someone's problems invites her in.As indicated above this story unfolds at a measured pace and its revelations felt quite organic. At times Jess does reflect upon her past and we learn of the reasons for her need for time away from the demands of her profession. There are certainly aspects of this book that are impressive. The writing is intelligent and there are a number of astute observations of human behaviour. I quite enjoyed the earlier sections of the novel, but by the 40% mark I was tired of the constant carrot dangling and promises of "jam tomorrow" - I wanted more tangible gratification for the time I had invested. I was actually to be kept waiting for some significant time to come, as it is only in the final quarter of the novel that there is a marked gear change. However, even with this eventual upping of pace, I found that I was not really feeling satisfied. Although the long-missing momentum had finally arrived, the narrative also became disjointed. The author was raising some significant and important issues - but there were too many of them and they were being presented in a fashion that was too fractured for the impact to be maximised. Swear words, sexual references, hate speech, discriminatory remarks, threats, or references to violence Most retreats feature an element of yoga, but those with yoga at their heart offer several hours of yoga per day. There are two types of yoga retreat – set-date retreats which focus primarily on yoga, whether it’s Lu Jong, Tibetan healing yoga, ashtanga, Vinyasa or Hatha yoga. Or there are year-round retreats which offer yoga as one of their activities.
Great Deal 
New Comment