Novel Bitches Retreat Terms & Conditions

Governing law: State of California
Venue: Riverside County, California
Last updated: May, 2026

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1. Parties and Definitions

1.1 Organizer

“Organizer,” “Novel Bitches,” “we,” “us,” or “our” means Tasha Serchia Troiani, doing business as Novel Bitches, a California sole proprietorship, with a mailing address of 25282 Via Pera, Murrieta, CA 92563 and email address of info@novelbitches.com.

1.2 Retreat

“Retreat” means the book-club retreat, group stay, events, gatherings, meals, activities, communications, transportation coordination, optional activities, and related experiences offered under the Novel Bitches name and scheduled for October 8, 2026 – October 11, 2026 at or near Nashville, TN.

1.3 Participant

“Participant,” “you,” or “your” means the person who registers for, pays for, attends, participates in, visits, or is otherwise present at the Retreat.

1.4 Released Parties

“Released Parties” means Novel Bitches; Tasha Serchia Troiani individually and d/b/a Novel Bitches; any co-hosts, organizers, volunteers, helpers, drivers, shuttle helpers, representatives, contractors, vendors, agents, successors, and assigns; and, to the extent applicable, the property owner, property manager, and their representatives.

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2. Acceptance of Terms

By completing checkout, submitting payment, signing electronically, checking an acceptance box, or attending the Retreat, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms & Conditions, including the assumption of risk, release of liability, indemnity, cancellation policy, and California Civil Code § 1542 waiver.

If you do not agree to these Terms, do not register for or attend the Retreat.

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3. Eligibility and Participant Responsibility

3.1 Adults Only

Unless we state otherwise in writing, the Retreat is for adults age 18 or older. You may not bring children, spouses, partners, friends, pets, or other guests unless we approve them in writing before the Retreat.

3.2 Accurate Information

You agree to provide accurate registration, contact, emergency contact, dietary, accessibility, and payment information. You are responsible for notifying us promptly if any information changes.

3.3 Personal Responsibility

You are responsible for your own health, safety, belongings, travel arrangements, medications, medical needs, behavior, and decisions before, during, and after the Retreat.

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4. Pricing, Fees, Taxes, and Payments

4.1 Retreat Fee

Your total price for the Retreat will be disclosed at checkout. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the Retreat Fee includes only the items specifically described on the Retreat registration page, such as lodging, selected retreat activities, and any listed inclusions.

4.2 Required Fees Included in Listed Price

For California participants and to the extent required by California law, all mandatory fees charged by us will be included in the listed Retreat price, except for government-imposed taxes, government-imposed fees, and shipping charges, if any, that may be separately disclosed.

4.3 What Is Not Included

Unless expressly stated in writing, the Retreat Fee does not include airfare, airport parking, baggage fees, rental cars, rideshares, taxis, personal transportation, travel insurance, medical insurance, meals not listed as included, alcohol, optional excursions, souvenirs, personal purchases, gratuities, or incidental expenses.

4.4 Deposit

To reserve your spot, you must pay a deposit of $200.00 at checkout. The deposit is non-refundable and is intended to compensate us for administrative work, payment processing, planning, marketing, lost opportunity, and other costs that are difficult to calculate if you cancel.

4.5 Balance and Payment Schedule

The remaining balance must be paid according to the following schedule:

Due Date	Amount Due
June 1, 2026	Installment payment 1 (25% of balance due)
[Date]	Installment payment 2 (25% of balance due)
[Date]	Installment payment 3 (25% of balance due)
[Date]	Installment payment 4 (25% of balance due)

A grace period of 7 days applies unless otherwise stated in writing.

4.6 Late, Failed, or Reversed Payments

If a payment is late, fails, is reversed, or is disputed without a valid legal basis, we may send written notice by email and give you an opportunity to cure. If the issue is not resolved within 5 days after notice, we may cancel your reservation, retain non-refundable amounts, and offer your spot to another participant.

We may charge a late fee only to the extent permitted by applicable law. Any late fee is intended to compensate us for administrative costs and not as a penalty.

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5. Cancellations, Refunds, and Transfers

5.1 Your Cancellation

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing by email to info@novelbitches.com. Your cancellation date is the date we receive your written notice.

Unless we state otherwise in writing, refunds are calculated as follows:

Written Cancellation Received	Refund of Amounts Paid (Excluding Non-Refundable Deposit)
On or before July 9, 2026	40%
July 10, 2026 – August 9, 2026	20%
August 10, 2026 – September 9, 2026	10%
On or after September 10, 2026	0%

The deposit is always non-refundable unless we cancel the Retreat and no replacement date, credit, or lawful alternative is offered.

5.2 No Refunds for Late Arrival, Early Departure, or Non-Participation

No refunds or credits will be given if you arrive late, leave early, miss activities, decline to participate, are removed for violating these Terms, or are unable to attend because of personal scheduling conflicts, illness, travel delays, weather affecting your travel, family issues, work obligations, or other personal reasons.

5.3 Substitutions and Transfers

You may not sell, assign, transfer, or give your Retreat spot to another person without our prior written approval. We may decline a proposed transfer for any lawful reason, including capacity, safety, administrative, payment, or participant-fit concerns. If approved, the replacement participant must complete registration, accept these Terms, and pay any outstanding balance or administrative fee before attending.

5.4 Chargebacks and Payment Disputes

You agree to contact us first at info@novelbitches.com before initiating a chargeback or payment dispute. Filing a chargeback does not change these Terms or create a right to a refund outside the cancellation policy.

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6. Organizer Cancellation, Changes, and Force Majeure

6.1 Organizer Cancellation

If we cancel the Retreat for reasons within our control and do not offer a replacement date, credit, or lawful alternative, our responsibility will be limited to refunding amounts you paid directly to us for the Retreat, excluding any amounts already refunded, credited, or unrecoverable because of your own actions.

We are not responsible for your airfare, travel costs, rental cars, rideshares, lodging outside the Retreat, visas, passports, childcare, pet care, lost wages, missed work, travel insurance, medical expenses, or other incidental or consequential costs.

6.2 Force Majeure

We may cancel, delay, relocate, modify, or reschedule the Retreat if events beyond our reasonable control make the Retreat impossible, unsafe, illegal, commercially impracticable, or materially different from what was planned. Examples include severe weather, wildfire, flood, earthquake, natural disaster, pandemic, epidemic, public health emergency, government order, travel restriction, transportation disruption, labor strike, civil unrest, utility outage, property damage, property owner cancellation, vendor failure, illness or incapacity of key organizers, or other events beyond our reasonable control.

If a force majeure event occurs, we will make reasonable efforts to offer a replacement date, modified retreat, credit, partial refund, or other lawful alternative, taking into account costs already incurred and amounts recoverable from vendors or property providers. Our responsibility will not exceed the amounts you paid directly to us for the Retreat.

6.3 Changes to Schedule, Activities, Rooms, and Inclusions

Retreat schedules, activities, meals, vendors, speakers, transportation options, room assignments, bed assignments, themes, swag, and other details may change. We may make reasonable substitutions or modifications at any time for safety, weather, availability, group needs, property rules, vendor availability, or operational reasons. A change does not automatically entitle you to a refund.

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7. Lodging, Shared Space, and Property Rules

7.1 Shared Lodging

The Retreat may involve shared lodging, shared bedrooms, shared bathrooms, common areas, shared transportation, group meals, and close-contact activities. You understand and accept the risks and inconveniences of a group-stay environment.

7.2 Room and Bed Assignments

Room and bed assignments are not guaranteed unless expressly stated in writing. We may adjust assignments to address safety, accessibility, logistical, property, or group-management needs.

7.3 House Rules

You agree to follow all property rules, quiet hours, parking instructions, checkout requirements, hot tub or pool rules, fire rules, septic/plumbing rules, neighborhood rules, and other instructions provided by us, the property owner, or the property manager.

7.4 Damage and Extra Charges

You are responsible for any damage, loss, extra cleaning, fines, penalties, missing items, rule violations, or charges caused by you or your invited guest, whether charged by the property owner, property manager, vendor, government authority, or us. We may charge your payment method or invoice you for those amounts to the extent permitted by law.

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8. Travel, Transportation, and Shuttle Disclosure

8.1 Travel Not Included

Unless expressly stated in writing, we do not sell, arrange, or provide airfare, commercial transportation, rental cars, taxis, rideshares, or travel services. You are responsible for arranging and paying for your own transportation to and from the Retreat.

8.2 Optional Courtesy Transportation

If we offer any complimentary shuttle, carpool coordination, airport pickup, drop-off, rideshare coordination, or other transportation assistance, it is provided only as a convenience and may be limited, changed, delayed, canceled, or unavailable. It is not a separately purchased transportation service.

8.3 Transportation Risk

Transportation carries risks, including accidents, injury, death, lost property, delays, traffic, weather, road conditions, mechanical issues, and driver error. You voluntarily assume those risks. To the fullest extent permitted by law, you release the Released Parties from claims arising out of or related to optional courtesy transportation, except for claims that cannot legally be released.

8.4 Not a Common Carrier or Travel Agency

Novel Bitches is not an airline, travel agency, commercial transportation company, tour operator, common carrier, or insurer of your travel. You are encouraged to purchase travel insurance and to make backup transportation plans.

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9. Health, Medical, Food, Alcohol, and Personal Safety

9.1 Health and Fitness to Attend

You represent that you are physically and mentally able to attend and participate in the Retreat. You are responsible for determining whether the Retreat is appropriate for you, including any medical, mobility, pregnancy, mental health, allergy, dietary, or other personal condition.

9.2 No Medical Services

We do not provide medical care, medical advice, mental health services, emergency response services, or professional supervision. Volunteers and hosts are not responsible for diagnosing, treating, monitoring, or managing your medical needs.

9.3 Medical Emergencies

If we believe you may need emergency assistance, we may contact emergency services, your emergency contact, or others we reasonably believe may help. You authorize us to do so but understand we have no legal duty to provide medical care or guarantee emergency response. You are responsible for all costs related to medical treatment, ambulance services, hospital care, evacuation, medications, and related expenses.

9.4 Illness and Communicable Disease

You agree not to attend the Retreat if you have a contagious illness, symptoms of a contagious illness, or have been advised not to travel or gather with others. You understand that group lodging and activities involve risk of exposure to illness, including respiratory viruses and other communicable diseases. You voluntarily assume those risks.

9.5 Food, Allergies, and Dietary Restrictions

We may offer meals, snacks, drinks, or treats, but we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment or prevent cross-contact. You are responsible for reviewing ingredients, disclosing allergies or dietary restrictions, asking questions, and deciding what is safe for you to consume. If you have severe allergies or strict dietary needs, you should bring safe backup food and any necessary medications, including epinephrine if prescribed.

9.6 Alcohol and Substances

If alcohol is available or consumed, you are responsible for drinking legally and responsibly. You may not provide alcohol to anyone under 21 or to anyone who is visibly intoxicated. Illegal drugs, misuse of prescription medication, impaired driving, and unsafe behavior are prohibited. We may remove you from the Retreat without refund if your alcohol or substance use creates a safety concern, legal risk, disruption, or property issue.

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10. Assumption of Risk

You understand that attending the Retreat involves known and unknown risks, including but not limited to:

• personal injury, illness, emotional distress, allergic reactions, property loss, theft, or death;
• travel risks, transportation risks, vehicle accidents, pedestrian risks, weather, and road conditions;
• shared lodging risks, including slips, trips, falls, stairs, pools, hot tubs, balconies, decks, fireplaces, fire pits, kitchens, appliances, pets or animals, insects, wildlife, neighborhood conditions, and property defects;
• activity risks, including walking, hiking, dancing, games, crafts, excursions, bookish events, group activities, and optional off-site activities;
• risks caused by other participants, vendors, property owners, drivers, volunteers, or third parties;
• risks related to illness, food, alcohol, allergies, fatigue, emotional triggers, personal decisions, and group dynamics.

You voluntarily choose to attend and participate despite these risks. You accept full responsibility for your participation, decisions, actions, omissions, health, safety, and belongings.

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11. Release of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by California law and any other applicable law, you knowingly and voluntarily release, waive, discharge, and agree not to sue the Released Parties for any and all claims, demands, damages, losses, liabilities, expenses, costs, and causes of action of any kind arising out of or related to:

• your registration for, travel to, travel from, attendance at, or participation in the Retreat;
• lodging, shared spaces, property conditions, property rules, meals, drinks, activities, optional excursions, transportation, or group events;
• the acts or omissions of other participants, volunteers, vendors, property owners, property managers, drivers, or third parties;
• personal injury, illness, emotional distress, property damage, property loss, theft, financial loss, or death;
• ordinary negligence by any Released Party.

This release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as California law permits. It does not release claims that cannot legally be released, including claims arising from fraud, willful injury, or violations of law that cannot be waived.

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12. California Civil Code § 1542 Waiver

You understand and agree that this release applies to both known and unknown claims. You expressly waive the protections of California Civil Code § 1542, which provides:

“A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.”

You understand that after signing or accepting these Terms, you may discover facts or claims you did not know or suspect at the time. Even so, you intend to release those unknown claims to the fullest extent permitted by law.

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13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any claims, demands, damages, losses, liabilities, expenses, costs, attorneys’ fees, and causes of action arising out of or related to:

• your breach of these Terms;
• your conduct, negligence, willful misconduct, or violation of law;
• your damage to property or injury to another person;
• your alcohol, substance, food, allergy, medical, or transportation-related decisions;
• your invited guest, if any;
• any claim brought by a third party because of your actions or omissions.

This indemnity does not require you to indemnify a Released Party for that Released Party’s fraud, willful injury, or other conduct that cannot legally be indemnified under applicable law.

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14. Volunteers and Informal Helpers

You understand that some people assisting with the Retreat may be unpaid volunteers, friends, family members, book-club members, informal helpers, or other participants helping with setup, transportation coordination, meals, activities, games, cleanup, swag, decorations, or logistics.

Volunteers are included in the Released Parties. To the fullest extent permitted by law, you release and agree not to sue volunteers or informal helpers for claims arising from ordinary negligence or good-faith assistance connected with the Retreat.

Volunteers are not professional guides, medical providers, security personnel, transportation providers, food-safety professionals, counselors, or caretakers unless expressly identified as such in writing.

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15. Code of Conduct

15.1 Respectful Behavior

You agree to behave respectfully toward hosts, volunteers, participants, vendors, property staff, neighbors, and community members. Harassment, threats, discrimination, bullying, unwanted touching, violence, intimidation, stalking, theft, property damage, unsafe behavior, or repeated disruption are not permitted.

15.2 Removal Without Refund

We may remove you from the Retreat, deny participation in activities, require you to leave the property, or refuse future registration if we determine, in our sole reasonable discretion, that your behavior creates a safety concern, legal risk, property risk, disruption, or significant discomfort for others. If you are removed for violating these Terms, you are not entitled to a refund and are responsible for your own transportation and lodging.

15.3 Compliance With Law

You agree to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including laws related to alcohol, controlled substances, harassment, assault, property damage, driving, noise, fire safety, and public conduct.

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16. Accessibility and Non-Discrimination

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, age, or any other status protected by applicable law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation, you must contact us in writing at info@novelbitches.com as soon as possible and no later than 30 days before the Retreat. We will make reasonable efforts to evaluate accommodation requests, but some accommodations may be limited by the nature of the private residence, third-party property rules, safety, timing, cost, or availability.

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17. Photography, Video, and Social Media

17.1 Photo and Video Release

By attending the Retreat, you consent to being photographed, filmed, recorded, or otherwise captured in images, audio, or video in connection with the Retreat. You grant us permission to use, reproduce, publish, edit, display, and distribute those materials for social media, website, marketing, promotional, archival, and business purposes without compensation.

17.2 Opt-Out Requests

If you prefer not to appear in photos or videos, you must notify us in writing before the Retreat and remind the hosts at check-in. We will make reasonable efforts to honor opt-out requests, but we cannot guarantee that you will not appear incidentally in group, background, or candid content.

17.3 Participant Content

You are responsible for the photos, videos, captions, tags, comments, and other content you post. You agree not to post content that invades another participant’s privacy, discloses private information, depicts someone in an embarrassing or unsafe situation, or violates these Terms.

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18. Intellectual Property and Retreat Materials

Novel Bitches names, logos, themes, designs, retreat materials, itineraries, games, prompts, downloads, graphics, and written materials belong to us or our licensors unless otherwise stated. You may use them for personal, non-commercial purposes only. You may not copy, sell, distribute, reproduce, or use them for your own business or event without our written permission.

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19. Insurance

You are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical, emergency evacuation, baggage, and personal property coverage. We do not provide travel, medical, property, cancellation, or evacuation insurance for participants.

Your decision not to purchase insurance is your responsibility and does not change our cancellation or refund policy.

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20. Communications and Electronic Signature

You agree that we may communicate with you electronically by email, website, checkout platform, text message, or other electronic means. By completing checkout, checking an acceptance box, typing your name, submitting payment, or attending the Retreat, you adopt an electronic signature and consent to enter into these Terms electronically.

Notices to us must be sent to info@novelbitches.com and 25282 Via Pera, Murrieta, CA 92563. Notices to you may be sent to the email address or mailing address you provided during registration.

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21. Privacy

We collect and use registration information, contact information, emergency contact information, payment-related information, dietary information, accessibility information, and other information needed to administer the Retreat. We use this information to process registration, communicate with you, coordinate logistics, support safety, comply with legal obligations, and provide the Retreat.

We may share limited information with payment processors, lodging providers, vendors, volunteers, emergency responders, or others as reasonably necessary to operate the Retreat or respond to safety, legal, or logistical needs.

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22. Dispute Resolution, Governing Law, and Venue

22.1 California Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

22.2 Informal Resolution

Before filing a lawsuit, the parties agree to make a good-faith effort to resolve the dispute informally. A party seeking resolution must send written notice describing the dispute and requested resolution.

22.3 Mediation

If the dispute is not resolved informally within 30 days, either party may request mediation in Riverside County, California. The parties will share mediator fees equally unless otherwise required by law or agreed in writing. Each party will bear its own attorneys’ fees and costs unless a statute or court order provides otherwise.

22.4 Court Venue

Subject to any rights that cannot legally be waived, any lawsuit or court proceeding arising out of or related to these Terms or the Retreat must be filed in the state or federal courts serving Riverside County, California. You consent to personal jurisdiction and venue in those courts.

22.5 Small Claims

Either party may bring an eligible claim in California small claims court, including in Riverside County, California, without first completing mediation if small claims court rules allow.

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23. Limitations of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Released Parties will not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, punitive, or emotional distress damages, or for lost wages, lost profits, travel costs, replacement costs, or other consequential expenses arising out of or related to the Retreat.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total liability for any claim related to the Retreat will not exceed the amount you paid directly to us for your Retreat registration.

Nothing in this section limits liability that cannot legally be limited under applicable law.

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24. Miscellaneous

24.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with any written Retreat registration page or invoice, are the entire agreement between you and us regarding the Retreat and supersede prior or contemporaneous oral or written statements about the Retreat.

24.2 Severability

If any part of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force, and the invalid or unenforceable provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

24.3 No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not waive our right to enforce that provision later.

24.4 Headings

Headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.

24.5 Updates

We may update these Terms for future retreats. The version applicable to your registration is the version accepted at checkout unless we are required to make a change by law or you agree to a later version in writing.

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25. Participant Acceptance

By completing checkout, submitting payment, signing electronically, checking an acceptance box, or attending the Retreat, I confirm that:

1. I have read, understood, and agree to these Terms & Conditions.
2. I understand that the Retreat involves known and unknown risks.
3. I voluntarily assume those risks.
4. I release Novel Bitches, [Tasha Full Legal Name], volunteers, helpers, and the other Released Parties to the fullest extent permitted by law.
5. I understand and agree to the cancellation and refund policy.
6. I understand that I am responsible for my own travel, health, safety, belongings, and insurance.
7. I agree to the California Civil Code § 1542 waiver.