ccreadsss 's review for:

The Lake Escape by Jamie Day

4.0

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Release: July 15, 2025

Author: Jamie Day

Publisher: McMillan Audio

Rating: 4 ★ 

Julia, David, and Erika have been spending summers together at their lake houses in Vermont since they were kids. Now, as adults juggling strained marriages, moody teenagers, and the weight of adulthood, they return once again — but this year is different.

David is especially eager to show off his flashy home renovation (which conveniently ruins his friends’ lake views) and his much younger girlfriend. He’s also brought along a nanny, though no one realizes she has her own hidden motives.

Things take a dark turn when David’s girlfriend suddenly goes missing after a heated argument. With the memory of two other women who vanished from the lake decades ago still looming, everyone begins to wonder: is the past repeating itself?

As tensions rise and secrets unravel, the group is forced to confront just how little they really know about each other — and just how far someone might go to keep the truth buried.

This was such a fun, fast-paced summer thriller — exactly the kind of book you want to bring to the beach or devour on a lazy weekend. I loved how the story balanced a twisty mystery with layered characters and old friendships that feel real, messy, and full of secrets.

The premise is great: three longtime friends — Julia, David, and Erika — reunite at their family lake houses in Vermont, a tradition since childhood. But this summer, the vibe shifts when David’s girlfriend goes missing. With the lake already haunted by past disappearances, tensions rise and trust begins to unravel.

The multiple POVs (especially Julia and Izzy, the nanny) added depth, and I appreciated how each character came with their own baggage — divorce, teenagers, secrets, you name it. Izzy’s backstory, in particular, had me hooked. I didn’t love all the characters (some of the guys were definitely eye-roll-worthy), but that actually made it more fun — watching everything spiral out of control was part of the ride.

The plot does get a little tangled in the middle, but I stayed engaged, and the structure made it easy to follow all the moving pieces. And the ending? A little wild, maybe even implausible, but entertaining. I was totally holding my breath during parts of it.

If you’re looking for something atmospheric, suspenseful, and easy to binge, The Lake Escape is a solid pick. Especially if you love domestic thrillers where everyone’s hiding something — and the women take charge by the end.

Favorite Quote: 

"we all carry burdens, but it's the people we share them with who make them lighter."