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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
In THE LAKE ESCAPE, written by Jamie Day, Julia kicks off her summer vacation at her annual spot, a Lake Timmeny lake house in Vermont. She discovers that a friend from childhood, David, is renovating his lake house, disturbing her view and old path to the lake. Her other childhood friend, Erika, lives next door to David. Julia, David, and Erika each have a family but still gather together at the lake every summer. Izzy, a 19-year-old college sophomore who is a “wanna-be nanny,” is also at the lake, hired by David as a nanny for his five-year-old twins. The chapters for the rest of the book alternate between the points of view of Julia and Izzy. I want to know what will happen and read on.
I like that the book starts with a newspaper article about the unearthing of human skeletal remains. I know, right away, I am reading an exciting mystery. I want to know whose body it is and how and why it got there. I am engaged in the plot from the beginning. It is easy to know whose point of view goes with each chapter because the Izzy chapters are written in the present tense and Julia chapters are written in the past tense. The plot is well-constructed and keeps me enthralled through to its conclusion. Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review THE LAKE ESCAPE.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Lake Escape
by Jamie Day
3 out of 5 stars
Thank you to #NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
One sentence summary: Every 30 years, the lake takes another victim.
There was nothing that stood out as something I really liked. This book was okay, but it didn't make me excited to pick it up.
The good news is that there was nothing that made me dislike this book, either. It was a standard suspense with the expected characters. I didn't care for any of the characters, thinking they were all morally deficit, but that is expected in a book like this.
Overall, I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy suspenseful reading but are not expecting the writing to be incredible. Just a good solid story.
I listened to this book on audio and appreciated the narrators.
Trigger/ Content warnings: One open-door sex scene; miscarriage
by Jamie Day
3 out of 5 stars
Thank you to #NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
One sentence summary: Every 30 years, the lake takes another victim.
There was nothing that stood out as something I really liked. This book was okay, but it didn't make me excited to pick it up.
The good news is that there was nothing that made me dislike this book, either. It was a standard suspense with the expected characters. I didn't care for any of the characters, thinking they were all morally deficit, but that is expected in a book like this.
Overall, I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy suspenseful reading but are not expecting the writing to be incredible. Just a good solid story.
I listened to this book on audio and appreciated the narrators.
Trigger/ Content warnings: One open-door sex scene; miscarriage
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Jamie Day has done it again. The Lake Escape is another fast-paced thrill ride full of suspicious characters. What was supposed to be another fun annual summer getaway at Lake Timmeny for childhood friends Julia, David and Erika has turned into a nightmare. Someone is missing and everyone has secrets. Things are never as wonderful as you remember them from your youth – or maybe they weren’t that wonderful to begin with and you are now just realizing that.
When we first meet them it’s hard to imagine Julia, David and Erika ever being that close. They may have shared similarities in the past but it’s not apparent now. Julia is angry and resentful about everything, tightly wound, judgmental, anxious and like a dog with a bone when it comes to letting things go. David is what you might call a blowhard, impressed with showy wealth, his appearance and having bragging rights. Erika isn’t quite as easy to pigeonhole; she just seems to be there, which is unlike her usual fiery self. As for spouses and children they are all over the place, too. Julia’s husband Christian is a reformed alcoholic, had an affair and made disastrous business decisions. They worked through it but Julia is still edgy, pushing her daughter Taylor to do more, be more. Erika and husband Rick are an odd pair, the slick lawyer and the outdoorsman, but somehow it’s worked for years. Their son Lucas is an aspiring musician, once close to Taylor but now they are avoiding each other. David and his wife divorced years ago and they co-parent their 5-year old twins Becca and Brody. These days he’s always got a young thing on his arm and this year it’s Fiona. Doesn’t look like the step-mommy type nor the type to spend a couple weeks in the wilds of Vermont, hence the nanny Izzy, who is there under false pretenses.
As beautiful and peaceful as Lake Timmeny is, it has secrets of its own, like the unsolved disappearance of two young women 30 years apart. And now Fiona has gone missing. She seemed like a loose cannon, flirting with all the males including Lucas, and she and David had a loud argument. Did she meet with foul play? Did she just leave because she was angry? Her car and things are still there but maybe the bus? Is the lake really cursed?
Although sometimes confusing, sometimes a little too coincidental and sometimes a little too complicated, The Lake Escape takes you on a roller-coaster ride of suspects, clues, and secrets both from the past and being revealed right now. Everything is connected to everything and no one realizes it. The Lake Escape will keep you turning pages and constantly guessing who is doing what and how it relates to everything else. I received an advance copy of The Lake Escape from St. Martin’s Publishing Group via NetGalley. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Some secrets are too dangerous to tell
Three people who have been friends since childhood are spending their annual summer vacation at their neighboring houses on Lake Timmeny in Vermont. Julia arrives with her husband Christian and teenage daughter Taylor, hoping that the vacation will be a balm to her many woes...financial troubles caused by the business venture she and Christian run which is failing, a shaky marriage marred both by Christian's past drinking problem and his recently ended affair, and a teenage daughter whose mood swings are increasingly hostile in nature. Things don't start off well; the first thing Julia sees is her friend David's newly "renovated" house which has turned his setting appropriate rustic house into a multistory glass monstrosity which is sure to block views of the lake from both Julia's house and that of the third member of the Lake Gang, Erika. David arrives, with his latest gorgeous girlfriend Fiona as well as his five year old twins and Izzy, the pretty young college girl who will be acting as nanny for them. Tension seems to set the mood this year, and things come to a head when Fiona disappears after a heated argument with David. Over the last three decades two other young women have disappeared without a trace along the shores of Lake Timmeny, with the bones of one of them having recently been discovered...is Fiona the victim of foul play, and could her situation have any relation to that of the previous two women? For three people whose families have been summertime neighbors and friends for years and who once considered themselves a close-knit group, it is shocking to discover that they don't really know one another well at all. What secrets are being kept, and who has a motive strong enough to kill?
The Lake Escape is a solid summer thriller, with its setting alongside a lake bringing vibes of family summer vacations of yesteryear. The story is told from the points of view primarily of Julia and Izzy, the nanny who harbors her own hidden reasons for being at the lake. The pace is a bit slow at first as each character's backstory is fleshed out, but once those are established the speed and the tension ramp up. Themes of friendship, family, nostalgia for the past and the secrets everyone keeps are blended in with the search for Fiona and its possible connection to the previous missing women. Some of the twists didn't completely ring true for me, but overall it was an engaging read perfect for the beach (or in this case, the lake) bag, 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4. Fans of Riley Sager, Lisa Jewell and Lucy Foley as well as those who enjoy a good summer-themed thriller should grab a copy of author Jamie Day's latest effort. My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me access to a copy of this suspenseful read in exchange for my honest review.
Three people who have been friends since childhood are spending their annual summer vacation at their neighboring houses on Lake Timmeny in Vermont. Julia arrives with her husband Christian and teenage daughter Taylor, hoping that the vacation will be a balm to her many woes...financial troubles caused by the business venture she and Christian run which is failing, a shaky marriage marred both by Christian's past drinking problem and his recently ended affair, and a teenage daughter whose mood swings are increasingly hostile in nature. Things don't start off well; the first thing Julia sees is her friend David's newly "renovated" house which has turned his setting appropriate rustic house into a multistory glass monstrosity which is sure to block views of the lake from both Julia's house and that of the third member of the Lake Gang, Erika. David arrives, with his latest gorgeous girlfriend Fiona as well as his five year old twins and Izzy, the pretty young college girl who will be acting as nanny for them. Tension seems to set the mood this year, and things come to a head when Fiona disappears after a heated argument with David. Over the last three decades two other young women have disappeared without a trace along the shores of Lake Timmeny, with the bones of one of them having recently been discovered...is Fiona the victim of foul play, and could her situation have any relation to that of the previous two women? For three people whose families have been summertime neighbors and friends for years and who once considered themselves a close-knit group, it is shocking to discover that they don't really know one another well at all. What secrets are being kept, and who has a motive strong enough to kill?
The Lake Escape is a solid summer thriller, with its setting alongside a lake bringing vibes of family summer vacations of yesteryear. The story is told from the points of view primarily of Julia and Izzy, the nanny who harbors her own hidden reasons for being at the lake. The pace is a bit slow at first as each character's backstory is fleshed out, but once those are established the speed and the tension ramp up. Themes of friendship, family, nostalgia for the past and the secrets everyone keeps are blended in with the search for Fiona and its possible connection to the previous missing women. Some of the twists didn't completely ring true for me, but overall it was an engaging read perfect for the beach (or in this case, the lake) bag, 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4. Fans of Riley Sager, Lisa Jewell and Lucy Foley as well as those who enjoy a good summer-themed thriller should grab a copy of author Jamie Day's latest effort. My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me access to a copy of this suspenseful read in exchange for my honest review.
Full of shallow, stereotypical characters, this books still ends up being a pretty good summer beach read. Why? Well, because there is a lot going on and a lot of characters but it is still all really easy to follow along. And because stories about kids that grew up together and have decades of secrets to get exposed makes for fun reading. I would say that most of the planned twists were telegraphed way ahead of time, but I think that adds to this as an excellent vacation read where maybe you have an extra glass of wine while reading, or take a little unplanned nap mid-chapter. It is a fluffy escape.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
mysterious
What should be a nice getaway turns into a real life nightmare when a disappearance occurs. Women seem to disappear from this area on more than one occurrence and on this year’s vacation, Julia and Izzy are determined to find out what’s happening. It was great hearing the story from of their POVs. The story gave an eerie vibe, as these disappearances took place in a secluded lake area. The secrets ran deep in this friend group, and I enjoyed seeing the story unfold & seeing the character development in Izzy‘s character, she was my favorite.
The narration in the audiobook but was well done, and using two narrators to distinguish the two FMCs was a nice touch. Overall, a decent read that fans of slow burn mysterious thrillers may enjoy. Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own
The narration in the audiobook but was well done, and using two narrators to distinguish the two FMCs was a nice touch. Overall, a decent read that fans of slow burn mysterious thrillers may enjoy. Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own
This one had a mysterious vibe that I usually like, and it did a solid job building tension from different points of view. The story wasn’t boring by any means — there was definitely something there, the kind of slow-burning suspense that usually pulls me in. But for me, it just didn’t land fully because I couldn’t connect with the characters. That connection is everything for me, and here it was missing.
I wanted to care, but I stayed on the outside looking in, watching things happen without really feeling them. So even though the structure and pacing were good, it wasn’t quite enough to hold me completely. Still, if you’re into mysteries told through multiple perspectives, it could be worth a try.
I wanted to care, but I stayed on the outside looking in, watching things happen without really feeling them. So even though the structure and pacing were good, it wasn’t quite enough to hold me completely. Still, if you’re into mysteries told through multiple perspectives, it could be worth a try.
mysterious
What should be a nice getaway turns into a real life nightmare when a disappearance occurs. Women seem to disappear from this area on more than one occurrence and on this year’s vacation, Julia and Izzy are determined to find out what’s happening. It was great hearing the story from of their POVs. The story gave an eerie vibe, as these disappearances took place in a secluded lake area. The secrets ran deep in this friend group, and I enjoyed seeing the story unfold & seeing the character development in Izzy‘s character, she was my favorite. Overall, a decent read that fans of slow burn mysterious thrillers may enjoy. Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
📚Early Audiobook Review📚
🌊"The Lake Escape" by Jamie Day🌊
If you’re in the mood for a getaway filled with sun-soaked days by the lake and a dose of spine-tingling suspense, "The Lake Escape" is it. Imagine the sun setting over the horizon, waves gently lapping at the shore, juicy neighborly drama, and a shocking mystery simmering just beneath the surface. Family feuds, old friendships torn apart, and haunting legends. That’s the vibe of Lake Timmeny, Vermont. Who's ready for a juicy lake escape?
Jamie Day has penned a narrative that oozes nostalgia, sprinkled with just the right dash of eerie allure. We dive into the secrets hidden around this idyllic lake, and we meet Izzy, the nanny whose mysterious agenda will keep you guessing. I found myself riveted, headphones in, not wanting to miss a single twist—each chapter pulled me deeper into this tangled web of betrayal and intrigue. Izzy was the only character I truly rooted for in this story.
The audiobook experience is pure gold! Lisa Larsen and Phoebe Strole are a dynamic duo. The chemistry and tension in their narration, combined with the hauntingly beautiful setting, made it feel like I was right there, watching the drama unfold. It was so much fun to watch!
If you’re a fan of lakeside thrillers packed with a dash of family drama and a haunting local myth, mark your calendar. This audiobook is the perfect companion for your next stormy summer night!
Thank you to the author, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with gifted copies of this book. All opinions are my own.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes