The Work Retreat

by S.L. Harker

I have never wanted someone the way I want my boss.

Am I obsessed? A little. I shouldn’t want him, but I do.

He’s sexy and commanding.

When we’re together on a work retreat, he makes his move – proving it wasn’t all in my head.

Every hot and illicit touch.

But then photos show up, blackmailing us.

I can’t tell if it’s someone in the office or something far more sinister.

Until I’m pulled into a game more dangerous than I ever could have imagined.

Fans of Kiersten Modglin and Freida McFadden will devour this twisted tale of an affair gone wrong.

Genres: Thriller

188 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 13, 2023

About the author

Even as a young child SL Harker would conjure up stories to share with her family. That love of books and storytelling never went away, but her skills have improved since then.

As a lover of twisty fiction, her books are fast-paced domestic thrillers with a little spice added in.

Reviews

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will admit that I didn't like the first part of this story, but that's because I don't enjoy sex scenes and, in my opinion, they never add anything to the plot (so I flicked through those quickly). However, after that, it was a brilliant, tense and suspenseful tale about the consequences of actions...but even that wasn't straightforward.

I don't give spoilers so will just say that this book was well-written, fast-paced, twisty and clever.

[Samantha Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just loved this book.

[Lynn Dubinsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was decent until the last 25%. I am not a fan of the ending.

[Kathie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn’t horrible .. wasn’t great .

The book was a fast read I read it one day .
the problem I hated all the characters . there was not one that i rooted for.

the plot : think Lifetime movie

[Marie-Noël Chenel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lecture rapide et captivante. J’adore ma liseuse pour cette raison : être capable de trouver de petit livre avec un fast pace et surtout gratuit! C’est comme ça que j’ai découvert cette auteure d’ailleurs.

J’ai bien apprécié ce livre. C’est pas le livre d’une vie, mais c’est assez bon et intriguant. Je le recommande, même si la twist est plutôt facile à découvrir à mon avis. La lecture n’est pas moins plaisante pour autant à mon avis.

[Natasha Jarrold · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in a few hours. Picked it up and couldn't put it down! Easy to read. Exciting and entertaining. Love a good twist and this book definitely has that

[Rachel Turluck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept me guessing til the very end. A sexy and quick read.

[Stephanie Dimer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book gave me the ick.

It was ok up until about 3/4 in, but then it just got stupid/silly, it kind of felt like the ending was rushed and not much thought was given to it.

This was not for me.

[Katelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[bella ✯ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm soooo excited to read this

[Tteokbooki · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh, je dois écrire un avis… C’est difficile avec ce livre.
Je me suis demandé tout au long de ma lecture où cela allait me mener.
Déjà, il est très court, donc tout est condensé… et pourtant, tout semble traîner. On tourne, on tourne en rond ! L’histoire est une véritable incohérence : rien ne fonctionne. C'est très simplet.

Par exemple :
Elle apprend que le mec s’est foutu d’elle / il s’en fiche complètement, il a couché avec elle par intérêt, et il lui balance : « Tu es une cible facile, ta mère est morte. »
Et elle ? Elle ne réagit même pas. Pas d’amour-propre, aucune remise en question, rien.

Est-ce que j’ai vraiment besoin de parler du moment où elle se fait voler le bracelet qu’elle portait au bras pendant une soirée ? Un vol réalisé uniquement pour que ce bijou lui soit ensuite renvoyé dans un colis, dans le but de lui faire peur…
Waw, le scénario.

Et c’est comme ça tout le long : des actions insensées, mal construites, sans logique ni intérêt.
J’ai vraiment pas aimé du tout.

[Carrie Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐈𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧--𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭?

Lucy knows she shouldn't be lusting after her boss Nathan, but when a work retreat puts them in close proximity, Lucy gives in to temptation. How could she resists since Nathan was giving her signals too? Of course Lucy suffers from the typical morning after regret after sneaking out of Nathan's hotel room, but that doesn't stop her from accepting a ride home with Nathan. After agreeing that their tryst was a one-time thing, they inexplicably pull off the road and have their second round in the car. However, there's problem this time. Sometime is watching. And when Lucy gets a photo sent to her via text demanding money, she knows she's in trouble.

Nathan seems to shy away from the problem, leaving Lucy to deal with everything herself. The person behind the text starts causing trouble at work, so of course Lucy surmises that one of her colleagues who was on the trip must be the one behind this nefarious scheme. As the pieces of the puzzle unravel, it becomes clear that Lucy has made one big mistake getting involved with Nathan, and it just may cost her everything.

This was a new-to-me author that I found on Kindle Unlimited. I really enjoyed this title and immediately read another. I can't wait to read future titles from this author.

[SKP · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars generously rounded up -

So I previously read The Secret Family by this author and here is a sampling of the review I left: “…I didn’t really like the characters very much and the plot ended up being a little bit too convoluted for my liking.” I’m laughing because I can say exactly the same thing about this book. I wanted to give the author another chance, and had nothing to lose since I got both books via Kindle Unlimited, but I don’t think I’ll be making the mistake a third time. I almost DNF this because the raunchy sex scenes in the beginning really turned me off, but since it wasn’t a very long book, I kind of skimmed that part and continued skimming the book to the end. I really, really did not like Lucy, and didn’t find it much in my heart to root for her. Also, I figured out the plot in part about halfway through. No more of this author’s book for me…

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read (under 200 pages) that I read in 2 night's time. Seriously...it does say, "A gripping and unputdownable psychological thriller" on the cover. lol

My interest was piqued within the first few pages because I knew there would be trouble ahead after the way it started. I'm kinda sorta disappointed in the way it ended, though. I wish there was more "follow up" with one of the main characters, Lucy, after everything happened towards the end. However, I did giggle at the way it ended.

[K Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a good read with some good twists. Not a fan of how it ended, I wanted to see Angela get caught. Oh well, maybe a sequel where she becomes the hunted or Vivian flips the table???

[Jodi Hoag · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book got better as it went on. Sucked me in. Ending was somewhat predictable but kept my interest.

[Olivia Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good

This was pretty good. I didn’t like the main characters but I think we’re not supposed to. The storyline was a little predictable but still a decent read

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once past sex scenes , story ok. Only 184 pages..like bigger books.

[Melissa Imling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. So many twists and turns. I wasn’t sure where it was going to land in the end. Quick read too.

[Moseka Garcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out ok. Had me intrigued, then went downhill. The ending was quite predictable, and felt a bit rushed.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced and a bit messed up!

[Tami · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was extremely predictable.

[Citrasena · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be fair I couldn’t put this book down, I just wish it wasn’t so predictable. Devoured in two days.

[Denee Beintema · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Fast paced and fun

[Rebecca Morel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. Slow moving, kinda saw where it was going. But a good read nonetheless.

[Lisa]

DNF. Too porno-ish for me…

[Courtney Lane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ending felt very rushed despite figuring out the twist early on

[Samantha Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

felt like it was missing something

[Donna Seabury · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was supposed to be a psychological thriller. Instead, it was porn. I got bored with it almost immediately. Skipped to the Epilogue and called it a day.

[Linda Edmonds Cerullo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out okay but not a satisfying ending and a bit far-fetched.