Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - The House Across the Lake

Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager

67 reviews

sarahmeshille's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

maddy__reads's review against another edition

3.25

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

sboelkens's review against another edition

2.75

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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: Yes

I was really enjoying this as a mystery book, but then the twist about 3/4 of the way through was so unnecessary that it ruined the entire book for me.

Content Warnings

tmluke's review

4.25

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

the_vegan_bookworm's review

2.5

mysterious tense 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

This just felt really underwhelming! While I didn't see the twists coming and can offer the credit for originality on that front, they just felt random and poorly thought out. The exploration of alcoholism was surface-level at best and none of the characters felt like real people so much as caricatures in the plot.

Content Warnings

taliatalksbooks's review

5.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Riley Sager’s The House Across The Lake was about as perfect as you can get with a book. It’s been a while since I’ve read a thriller that has kept me so enthralled I couldn’t put it down, but I easily could have devoured this book in one sitting (I, once again, started this book too late at night and on a busy weekend to boot). This book was twisty and spooky and bridged the gap between the real and mythological folklore with ease. I loved every aspect of this novel from cover to cover (and it doesn’t hurt that the dedication was one of my favorite Taylor songs). I loved the way the characters developed, and how that development played into the plot of the book. I thought the secondary characters were supportive and added helpfully to the plot (which in thrillers I feel like is hard to come by sometimes). My immediate instinct is to tell you that this is one of the best twists I’ve read in a while, because it is, but I don’t want to give away anything more than that. The plot is *chef’s kiss* and it’s so good I almost want to break my no spoilers rule just so I can tell you exactly what I loved about it. BUT, you’ll just have to trust me on this one. I cannot recommend this thriller highly enough. If you’re a fan of unreliable narrators, folklore/myths, or just in the mood for a whodunnit that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this book is for you.

Content Warnings

bookishwithms_blinn's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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: Yes

This book was on my TBR and I just happened to stumble up on it on Libby. Started it one day and realized the next day I was hours in. It was very easy to listen to and I was immediately sucked into the story. I loved the emotional complexity of the main character, Casey. At times you dislike her, or you feel bad for her or you want to help her. It definitely plays well for where this story goes. She has different types of relationships with each other character which helps you to understand her. I loved her relationship with Catherine even though it was short lived. This book has murder mystery along with a little paranormal thriller and although it's not something I would go out of my way to read I found myself unable to put it down. There were times that it felt slightly cheesy but then you have to remember that it's a work of fiction.

Content Warnings

amlegomo's review against another edition

4.25

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Content Warnings

emmmaustin's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

karynrl's review

2.25

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

Honestly this one wasn't as good as his other works. The story felt a bit boring and kinda predictable. I am not quite a fan of paranormal/ghosts/hauntings etc. because it feels like a cop out in this case, but I see that he tried and I did at least want to know what happened. I didn't hate the characters, it just felt sort of bland and repetitive.

Content Warnings

More...