Reviews - The Lake Escape | The StoryGraph

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175 reviews for:

I really enjoyed this book. I loved all the twists and turns that came from this book. I was so shocked by all the different aspects of this book. The entire time you think that the book is going to go one way and then it went a completely different way. I loved the ending and how it all happened. It was exactly what I was hoping the outcome would be. All the questions I had for this book were answered.

astoriareader's review against another edition

3.5

mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

SYNOPSIS

-Julia, Erika, and David have spent their summers together at a Vermont lake since they were kids.

-Now in midlife, they return with kids, drama, and secrets in tow.

-David brings a new younger girlfriend and a nanny with a hidden motive.

-When the girlfriend vanishes, old traumas resurface—including two unsolved disappearances from 30 years ago.

-The lake might be hiding more than just memories.

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MY THOUGHTS

-This is my third Jamie Day book (I gave The Block Party and One Big Happy Family 4 stars), and I still really enjoy her writing style. It’s easy, engaging, and fast to get through.

-The setting was great. A quiet Vermont lake with a haunting history is always a vibe.

-The story switches between Julia (third person) and Izzy, the nanny (first person). I liked the contrast. It kept the pacing fresh.

-Julia and Izzy both stood out as strong, flawed, relatable women. They’re easy to root for, even when they make questionable choices.

-The mystery builds slowly but steadily, with just enough tension to keep you flipping pages. There’s family drama, simmering resentments, old wounds, and secrets layered throughout.

-That said, the plot gets a little chaotic toward the end. Some twists feel a bit much, and a few plot points stretched believability.

-I’m a sucker for a closed ending, and this one delivers. However, the final wrap-up monologue wasn’t my favorite. I always prefer when an author lets us see what happens instead of explaining everything at the end.

-Still, if you’re in the mood for a summer mystery with a little nostalgia, a little darkness, and a few surprises, this hits the mark.

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TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫Slow-burn lake mystery with solid characters, layered secrets, and a satisfying (if slightly over-explained) ending. A good summer pick.

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Thanks: Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on July 15, 2025.

Content Warnings