A review by astoriareader
The Lake Escape by Jamie Day

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? It's complicated

3.5

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.
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