Have you ever opened a book and felt completely transported to another time, another place, another version of yourself?
Do you ever close a book and wish the wonder didn’t have to end at the final page?
Do you crave spaces where beautiful stories come alive, meaningful conversations unfold effortlessly, and strangers become lifelong friends?
What If You Didn't Have
to Leave the Story Behind...
Five days tucked beneath the Spanish moss of St. Francisville, Louisiana; where the air feels thick with mystery, candlelight flickers long after midnight & every corner of the estate feels pulled from the pages of the book "The Untamed Grove".
You arrive carrying the exhaustion of everyday life & leave remembering who you were before the world asked you to become everything for everyone else.
Mornings begin slowly with coffee or tea, quiet reading nooks & conversations that feel effortless. Afternoons drift into immersive book discussions, curated experiences & laughter with women who somehow feel like instant community. By evening, the lines between fiction & reality begin to blur & for the first time in a long time, you feel fully seen. Safe. Accepted. Understood.
Close Your Eyes
& Imagine...
St. Francisville, Louisiana, with its winding oak trees, Spanish moss, historic estates, hidden gardens & quiet, haunting beauty, St. Francisville feels like the kind of place where fiction lingers in the air long after the final chapter.
For five days, you won’t simply read "The Untamed Grove," you’ll step inside its world.
The slow mornings.
The heavy summer air.
The candlelit conversations.
The feeling that something magical & slightly untamed, awaits just beneath the surface.
Every detail of this retreat was chosen to reflect the mood of the story itself, creating an experience that feels immersive, transportive & impossible to replicate anywhere else.
The right setting doesn’t just host the story, it brings it to life.
Why St. Francisville, LA?
~ Redaina Rodgers
"What an amazing group of women!"
From quiet canoe rides through moss-covered waters to immersive outings woven into the atmosphere of the story, each experience is designed to slow you down, awaken your sense of wonder & make the world of The Untamed Grove feel impossibly real.
The Fun
From traditional Louisiana seafood boils to candlelit Southern dinners, each meal is designed to feel rich, comforting & deeply connected to the atmosphere of the retreat; flavorful food, warm conversation & lingering evenings shared beneath the oaks.
The Food
Tucked beneath centuries-old oaks draped in Spanish moss, the historic estate offers wraparound porches, candlelit evenings & beautifully appointed rooms designed to feel both atmospheric & deeply restful; the kind of place where the outside world quietly disappears the moment you arrive.
The Forum
You prefer surface-level networking over genuine connection & vulnerability.
You have no interest in immersive storytelling, reflective conversations, or emotionally driven experiences.
You’re uncomfortable slowing down, being fully present, or allowing yourself to be deeply seen.
This Retreat is Not For You If...
You crave meaningful connection with women who love stories as deeply as you do.
You’re longing to reconnect with the version of yourself that existed before burnout, responsibility & everyday life took over.
You want more than a vacation, you want an immersive, emotionally rich experience that feels like stepping inside a novel.
This Retreat is for You If...
Unhurried hours devoted to dark, atmospheric fantasy, read aloud beneath the trees, discussions beside hidden waters, savored without interruption
Guided discussions that explore tension, devotion, morally complex characters & the art of immersive world-building, taken seriously, never trivialized.
A setting that mirrors the stories you love. Moss-covered oaks. Mist-laced mornings. Glasslike water. A landscape that feels as cinematic as the novels in your hands.
You'll Experience...
A lifelong reader, lover of atmospheric places, and the woman behind this immersive retreat experience.
I believe the right retreat can feel like stepping into another world entirely — one where meaningful conversations happen effortlessly, strangers become lifelong friends, and women feel safe enough to reconnect with themselves again."
With a deep love for storytelling, thoughtful details, and creating emotionally rich experiences, I designed Beneath the Waterline to feel intimate, immersive, and unforgettable from the moment you arrive.
Hi, I'm Evelyn!
~ LaTonya Johnson
"I'm bringing my daughter next time!"
Final breakfast shared beneath the oaks
Closing reflections & farewell gathering with fellow guests.
Time for final photos, lingering conversations & last moments on the estate grounds
Departure from St. Francisville carrying new memories, meaningful connections & a little more of yourself than when you arrived
Day 5:
The Return
Slow morning with coffee, reflection, and final chapters of the novel.
Intimate group discussion. Free time to journal, rest or wander.
Immersive afternoon experience centered around self-reflection & connection.
Day 4:
Beneath the Surface
Leisurely breakfast & quiet morning reading. Guided group conversation about the novel. Scenic outing. Time to slow down, disconnect from everyday life & fully settle into the rhythm of the retreat.
Afternoon refreshments & intimate conversations.
Evening waterfront dinner beneath candlelight.
Day 3:
Where Moss Meets Water
Slow Southern breakfast.
Guided morning discussion exploring the novel. Free time to read, journal, rest or wander. Curated immersive activity inspired by the novel.
Afternoon wine & conversation.
Candlelit dinner followed by an intimate nighttime reading experience
Day 2:
Immersion
Arrival at the historic estate. Welcome cocktails, sweet tea, wine & bites.
Time to settle into your room & explore the grounds.
Evening gathering beneath the moon.
Slow conversations, candlelight & your first glimpse into the magic of the weekend
Day 1:
Arrival & Opening Ceremony
Your Sacred Travel Itinerary
~ Debbie Harold
"I've never felt so welcomed, ever!"
This is much more than a sightseeing trip. Every aspect of the retreat is thoughtfully designed around The Untamed Grove, creating an immersive experience centered on story, connection, reflection & shared experiences with fellow readers.
What makes this different than a typical group tour?
Yes. We will do our best to accommodate dietary needs and food allergies. You'll have an opportunity to share your dietary preferences before the retreat begins.
Can dietary restrictions be accomodated?
Absolutely. While we've planned meaningful discussions and experiences throughout the week, there will also be plenty of time to read, rest, explore, journal or simply enjoy the beauty of St. Francisville.
Will there be free time during the retreat?
No. While we encourage guests to begin reading the novel before the retreat, it isn't required. You're welcome whether you've finished the book, started a few chapters, or are discovering the story for the very first time.
Do I need to finish reading the Untamed Grove before I arrive?
The recommended airport for this retreat is Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR). From there, transportation will be arranged to bring guests to our retreat location in St. Francisvile. Complete travel details will be provided after registration.
What airport should I fly into?
faqs
The kind of connection that makes strangers feel like soul sisters
A version of yourself that feels softer, lighter
& more alive again
Memories that feel less like a vacation & more like a chapter from your favorite novel
A renewed sense of belonging, magic & emotional connection to yourself & others
The feeling of having briefly stepped outside the noise of everyday life & remembering what truly matters