The Retreat

If you’ve been reading this series you know that not all the things happening in the story are good, but that it WILL be a good story. Baker is a talented author who likes to rip your heart out and then weld it back together. Like the character in the books, there are sometimes scars but it’s worth the prize at the end and the lessons along the way. Clean enjoyable read. I suggest you grab the first one and hold on tight. It’s a ride.

This book was a great continuation in the story of Abigail, Amanda, and Donna. At this point, I’ve become invested in all of the characters and am really looking forward to reading how their plot lines will wrap up in the final book! I love everything from this author. Always fast-paced and emotional!

I have loved learning more about these women and how they are growing independently and together, though there are times I just want to reach into the pages and shake some sense into them. But I think that makes for good storytelling and character development. I can related to each women at different points and understand what their are going through. I only want to shake sense into them because I can see the bigger picture. I do hope they all get their happy ending but because the series is more about the relationships between these women than the romance and let’s face it, not everyone gets a happily ever after, I know that could be the case here. I can’t wait for the next book to see what’s next. And without giving a spoiler away, I just want to say I called it about what Amanda (Mandy) Saddler was going to do for Amanda.

This book is a great continuation of this story. You will learn to love, be annoyed with, laugh with, and be disappointed in the characters, just like in real life. Continue the journey of motherhood, friendship, and love with Abigail, Amanda, and Donna. Follow them through the hard trials of life, as they make decisions that affect themselves and those around them.

Even though I haaaate Amanda more than usual in this one. She drives me nuts! I love having a character to hate though, and Abigail more than makes up for Amanda's shortcomings. This one was literally just published and I'm already antsy in anticipation for the next release. Keep up the great work, B.E. Baker!

I loved The Retreat and would highly recommend this book! It really helps to read each book in the series, in order. Things make so much more sense that way. I was not able to put the book down! Not even to…eat…sleep…clean…socialize…There is so much emotion wrapped up in this book and BE Baker pulls it off so well. I loved the part where Amanda describes how much she hates Helen, Abby’s sister. The Retreat is very well written (as always), although for me, the last two chapters seemed to fall a little short. All in all, the book was fabulous and I highly recommend!

This book is best enjoyed when you’ve read the rest of the series. That said, I think it’s my current favorite of the Birch Creek series! I enjoyed the whole book, from a little second-hand embarrassment to several wonderful moments. One storyline, finally, gets some resolution. But there’s still plenty story left to explore. One character, who has really needed it, has some great character growth. But we know there’s more growth coming for several characters. And we have a new venture or two to look forward to reading about in the next one.

Abigail, Amanda, and Donna have come a long way since they were first thrown together. They’ve truly become family, and in a lot of ways life seems idyllic now: Abby’s planning her wedding to the love of her life, Amanda is dating a rock star and finding her place in the world, and Donna is finally free from her abusive ex AND family. Except nothing is quite as easy as it seems and new problems keep cropping up. Forced to sort through family baggage, legal threats, careers in jeopardy, and questioning their own self-worth, the women are tested yet again. When everything they love is threatened, can they find the strength to keep going and ultimately triumph? I think this is my favorite in the series so far, which is saying a lot. Bridget’s character development always amazes me. Especially because it’s not just the main characters who grow and change and learn, but almost everyone in the book. I really loved seeing Amanda grow and observing her struggle to overcome the deep trauma of her past, wondering if she can ever really trust anyone. Perhaps my favorite part was Donna’s transformation from a woman who fights for her son but not herself into a confident, brave, and even forgiving warrior mom. No, who am I kidding? Amanda Saddler will always be my favorite, with her wit and wisdom and fierce love. This book will give you all the feels, while being intensely realistic (“perfect” days are never ever perfect and that’s part of the beauty of them) and showing what true, beautiful strength really is. I can’t recommend it highly enough!