As we all gear up for another season of The White Lotus, relaxation and rest that comes at a cost is a genre we can’t get enough of. From boutique fitness studios to luxurious retreats, self-care culture promotes the ultimate transformation. But what happens when it takes a dark turn? This roundup of reads dives deep into stories that unravel the sinister side of holistic healing. These pulse-pounding page-turners expose obsession, secrecy, and danger lurking beneath the world of wellness.
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
As nine strangers from different walks of life settle into a remote health retreat, they all have one thing in common: yearning for a fresh start. At first, Tranquillum House seems like the perfect escape, with daily meditation, organic smoothies, and promises of total transformation. But as the days go on, it becomes clear that this isn’t a harmonious getaway. Frances Welty, a former bestselling author, can’t fight the feeling that something seems off. As tensions rise and secrets unravel, the guests wonder if this retreat will better their lives or end them.
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One of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon’s
Jasmyn and King Williams uproot their family in hopes of starting over in Liberty, California, a community designed to be a safe haven for Black families. King embraces the lifestyle right away, especially at the exclusive wellness center. But Jasmyn struggles to find her place. She expected thought leaders, not a neighborhood more focused on spa days than social justice. When she stumbles upon a shocking truth about Liberty’s founders, unease turns to fear. As King and others become even more devoted to the town’s way of life, Jasmyn wonders if she can escape before it’s too late.
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Behind the Studio Doors by Kandi Neal
Trina had it all – a thriving yoga studio, loyal friends, and the spark of a new romance. But when her unpredictable sister Brie shows up unannounced for the summer, her world at YogaZen starts to spiral. What was once a serene, safe space becomes a battleground of manipulation, buried secrets, and betrayals that shake the studio to its core. From forbidden romance to spiritual con artists, Trina is caught in a web of deception that threatens everything she’s built. As summer heats up and YogaZen unravels, one thing is certain…someone won’t make it to fall.
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The Goddess Effect by Sheila Yasmin Marikar
Anita is ready to leave her stifling New York life behind for the allure of Los Angeles. In her quest for wellness, she discovers the Goddess Effect, an intense workout class led by the charismatic Venus. Mesmerized by the confidence of her followers, Anita embraces this new world. However, as she’s drawn deeper into the community, mysterious rituals and promises of “enhancements” make her question everything. Anita soon realizes that the path to self-improvement may have unexpected and unsettling consequences.
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The Retreat by Sherri Smith
Katie Manning was a child star until a brutal attack ended her career and sent her spiraling. Now, at twenty-seven, she is desperate for a clean slate and a new story to tell. When her brother’s seemingly perfect fiancée invites her to a wellness retreat, Katie sees it as a chance to reset. She heads upstate with her two best friends, each battling struggles of their own. But the peaceful getaway quickly turns into something far more sinister. As hidden truths emerge and past traumas resurface, it becomes clear that not everyone will survive.
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Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang
As a gifted pianist and the daughter of Chinese parents who escaped the Cultural Revolution, this young musician had big dreams. But when a tragic accident happens, she abandons her future for a job at a high-end beauty boutique in New York. Drawn into a new world, she’s lavished with Holistik’s experimental products, including those used in human testing. As she gets closer to Helen, the owner’s niece, she uncovers a chilling secret: these products come at a deadly cost. The store’s glamorous façade hides a dark truth, and nothing is as it seems.
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Rouge by Mona Awad
Stuck between obsession and shocking discovery, Belle is pulled into a web of unanswered questions after her mother, Noelle, dies unexpectedly. She’s not just facing her mom’s debts but also the unsettling presence of a mysterious figure dressed in red at the funeral, a hint of dark secrets hiding in plain sight. A strange video leads Belle to La Maison de Méduse, a spa dripping in luxury and exclusivity. Guided by a pair of red shoes, Belle begins to unravel the chilling connection between herself and her mother, revealing the terrifying truth lurking just beneath the surface.
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Until the Day I Die by Emily Carpenter
Grief has a hold on Erin Gaines after her husband’s sudden death, and their booming tech company only adds to the pressure. Her daughter Shorie worries not just about her mom but also about the company, sensing something nefarious among her colleagues. While Erin attempts to heal during a retreat in the Caribbean, Shorie discovers her suspicions are valid, worried that it’s too late. The resort isn’t what it seems, and Erin fears she’s been sent there not to rejuvenate but to disappear. With an ocean between them, both wonder if they’ll ever be reunited.
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Kismet by Amina Akhtar
Ronnie Khan never planned to leave Queens, New York, but meeting wellness mogul Marley Dewhurst changed everything. Captivated by her promises of self-improvement, Ronnie heads to the enchanting city of Sedona, Arizona, for a life of yoga, hikes, and juice cleansing. At first, the magical space feels like pure bliss, but as the wellness elites start turning up dead, she realizes something sinister is bubbling below the surface. With Marley’s ambition spiraling into madness, Ronnie must navigate the suspicious world of self-care before it’s too late.
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They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall
Miriam’s dream trip to a secluded island becomes a nightmare when she and six strangers discover they’ve been lured there under false pretenses. Each of them has something to hide, and the isolated paradise soon reveals its deadly side. Trapped in the remote area and by the vast ocean, they find themselves in a desperate fight for survival as strange accidents and rising suspicions pick them off one by one. The island holds its hidden truths close, but one thing is about to be revealed: not everyone will leave here alive.
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