Okay, so the story dragged too much. The plot wasn't built strongly enough and lacked compelling twists but the ending was interesting.

🚨 YA THRILLER ALERT: “The Lake House” by Sarah Beth Durst

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤/5

Claire, Reyva and Mariana have been sent by their parents to The Lake House, which is an off the grid summer camp that they all experienced when they were younger. The girls are complete strangers, but they have ONE thing in common: their parents encouraged them they would LOVE their summer at the Lake House because they would …
🏕️ Learn new skills
🏕️ Have new experiences
🏕️ Make new friends

… what an understatement 🫣😬

The three teens are late to arrive to the island and dropped off with their bags. The terrifying truth of their situation hits them the moment the boat drops them off and disappears … The Lake House has been BURNT to the GROUND and there does NOT seem to be any SURVIVORS 🔥

When they find a dead body in the woods, they just KNOW that this fire was not an accident … and that DANGER could still be lurking around them! HOW are they going to survive this and get themselves the hell outta there??

Thank you kindly to @harpercollinsca @harperteen @netgalley @sarahbethdurst for my gifted digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This book JUST released on April 25, 2023!

While I liked the characters and the premise, the overall story just didn't flow well in my opinion. It was a blend of genres (horror/thriller/survivalist), but instead of a solid hybrid, it felt a bit disjointed.

Sarah Beth Durst’s The Lake House pulled me in from the start. Claire is not thrilled with the idea of going away to camp. She’s not a carefree teen able to just relax and enjoy herself. She’s rather pessimistic, worries about everything, is prone to panic attacks, and has no friends. But on the boat ride over to the Lake House with two other girls who are also late arrivals she begins to think maybe things could be different, maybe this really is a chance for the fresh start. She should have known better than to get her hopes up. Soon after the three girls are let off and begin to make their way to the camp site they realize something is wrong. VERY wrong. The Lake House is a smoldering ruin and not long after they discover a dead body. They are all alone, have no clue what happened, and worse they have no supplies nor any idea how they are going to survive. There is so much more to to come, but this is just the start of their struggle to survive. This is an intense and engaging tale that continued to throw out twist after twist. Heck, it wasn’t even until around the 70% mark that the supernatural makes its presence truly known. While I will say I still had a question or two when all was said and done (I won’t say what to avoid spoiling anything), and overall I enjoyed the heck out of the story. 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. I’d like to thank HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Lake House.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R3QVYR8Z2MN0OH/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

we follow Reyva, Mariana, and Claire as they take a group trip to a lake house camp. Upon arrival, they find that there is a house that's been burned down with a dead body to pair.

they have no way home, no way out. How will these girls survive...This book, by far, has been one of the best suspenseful survival thrillers i have read. I couldn't put the book down and just HAD to know what happened next.

i even enjoyed all three characters, which seems to be a rarity as one normally will get on my nerves, but each character really brought their own aspect and emotions.

i highly recommend this book for those who like to be kept on the edge of their seat!

This definitely didn’t go any place I expected based on the pitch I heard (which was more vague than the synopsis) or the vibe of the cover. So in that way I think this’ll definitely surprise you along the way.

Part survivalist, part mystery, part horror, THE LAKE HOUSE focuses on three young girls, all with their own battles, who have to stick together and survive not only in some extreme conditions and circumstances in the wild but also outsmart, and outwit, an added element of danger as well.

I don’t really have a lot to say about this one. I enjoyed it as I read it, though I maybe would’ve liked it more if it was more straight-forward in the sense of the real conflict behind everything that was going on, but I appreciated the characters and their strengths, their determination, and their connection. Having said that, I’m not sure I’ll remember much of this in a few months, even despite the element that otherwise would make this memorable, but that’s okay.

If you enjoy a good mystery mashed up with uncertainty and survival, this might be the read for you!

2.75 (rounded up) stars

This was a very YA book for me. I did enjoy it but I definitely found the ending to be a little too much for me.

* full review to be posted soon on my main platform *

The Lake House sounded right up my alley and while I did enjoy it in parts, it didn't fully come together for me. I kind of wish this had been a straight up survival story rather than introducing a supernatural element. I did really love the development of the girls' friendship and how what may have been seen as their weaknesses in the "real" world were actually strengths in this situation.

When Claire Reva in Marina find her self on a boat driven by a cute teenage boy named Jack they’re not happy to be going to summer camp especially Claire who is insecure has panic attacks and always thinks the worst in any situation and fears everything but when they arrive and jack leaves them despite marinas please for him to stay they’re all resigned to making the best of it. They’re supposed to meet the fellow campers and camp counselor at the lake house but when they arrive it isn’t what they expected the camp counselor is dead the Camp buildings has been burned down and oh yes someone is hunting them. After a day or two of struggling to stay alive and almost being buried under one of the sheds they finally find a way out only to be accosted by what looks like a homeless man days from civilization but before they could make sense of the situation a man in camo with the big gun appears and it looks like he’s going to shoot one of the girls that isn’t till the homeless man attacks him. Throughout all of this Claire is learning people do like her for her and even picked her as a quasi-leader while they make their way back to the lake is stealthily as they can they are so relieved to see Jack in his boat but before they can make it back to the boat the man with the gun does now they go from 3 to 4. The only problem is Claire doesn’t think she can trust Jack and when she hears him talking what he says is to himself in the words Clara has always thinks the worst but should she… Is she right or can she trust Jack? I mean he is nice and he is helping the girls get Food set up Kenny up but there’s just something bothering Claire about the new dynamics of the group. There is so much more to the story and OMG what a story it is! I would definitely put this book in my top two yeah horror stories of the year I know a lot of reviewer say I couldn’t put this book down but when I tell you that I could not put this book down I am being so serious it is so good hoes your attention not to mention I love the fact the girls were so supportive of each other and even Riva and marina who I thought were going to be caddy turned out to be the greatest of pal’s I love that in a book and I love this book a total five star read! I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

The premise of this is interesting, as the three teens set out for a summer camp, but arrive at the island to discover that the house and grounds have all been burnt. They also think someone is after them as they try to piece together what happened and survive. It got a little repetitive for my taste, but I know my students in grades 6-8 will enjoy it.

I love when books beyond solely contemporaries introduce characters with mental health issues! Because it is so realistic. Like- not everyone running from a killer, or a monster, or fighting wizards or whatever has mental health totally in check. It's just not possible. So it is a breath of fresh air to have a main character in a thriller novel who is simply not in the best state of mind to figure out this creepy lake town's secrets. But, you know, has to anyway.

So anyway Claire is thrown into this situation abruptly- she and two other girls find themselves dropped off at this camp their parents are making them attend... only the camp is no longer. It's burned to its studs, and there isn't a soul around. There is, however, a dead body that the trio quickly locates in the woods. Needless to say, this isn't exactly the campfires and kumbayas the girls were expecting.

I enjoyed how the girls had to rely on each others' strengths to survive. Where one lacked knowledge or ability, another picked up the slack. They grew to trust each other, which was nice, and Claire had the chance to build some bonds. I mean- not in the ideal situation, mind, but still. The author definitely nailed the atmosphere, as this place feels very desolate and eerie. I loved the survival aspect, and the stakes definitely felt appropriately high.

There is a potential paranormal entity at play, and that part wasn't my favorite, but that is probably more of a personal preference. I also really liked that the author tied up the story, and gave the reader the answers they were looking forward to finding out.

Bottom Line: Atmospheric with a great focus on female strength and friendship, this is definitely a unique survival thriller!

This book did not go the way I expected it to. I figured it would be like a normal “locked room” mystery but it definitely switched things up. It was a easy book to get in to but it did start to slow down towards the end. Regardless I still enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend!

My Rating: 5/5 stars

My Thoughts: The Lake House follows 3 teenagers who believe they are showing up at a summer retreat camp but quickly find themselves in a survival situation. I honestly loved this book. It had me anxiously turning the pages (or swiping the pages?) and I finished it after only 2 reading sessions! I thought the author did a great job of creating an ominous setting and I was honestly nervous to turn the page.

I loved the relationships between the characters even more. I loved how the author created a healthy relationship between young women. I feel like a lot of times women are pitted against each other and are made to feel like we are each other’s enemies. I liked that the author didn’t give into that stereotype! The survival aspect of this book was great as well. I personally love mystery/thriller books about survival situations! This book also had a good amount of diversity when it came to mental health and other types of diversity as well! I thought the author did a great job when discussing those topics.

Thoughts

I loved this book. This isn't a book with twists, per se, which I think is to its benefit. Instead, it has a slow-creeping nature to it, subtle shifts in tone and feeling that mean you can't sense the brewing trouble until its right there. That unease, that tension: perfect.

Pros
Priorities: So often, I've found, books that start with the premise "teens stranded in the wilderness" are frustrating. The kids don't know they're stuck, or they don't realize the seriousness of the situation until hours, days, or weeks later when they're shelterless, cold, and hungry. These girls, however, immediately latch onto their situation (as, realistically, one would). Very few people would not see the problem with being left in a national forest with no way out. For once, that common sense makes its way into these pages. These girls know they have to rely on each other, trust each other, and work whatever angle they can to get out of this. I appreciate that.

Up the Ante: The stakes here start pretty high, of course. Three girls abandoned in the woods, far from civilization, is struggle enough. The woods contain dangers, too, but these dangers quickly prove to be more than just exposure and rabid animals. These ladies aren't as alone as they thought. There are men with guns, murdered corpses, and signs of... something else. Each of these reveals ups the ante of being trapped. There is so much to fear here, for good reason and to good effect.

Mental Health: Claire has panic attacks, which is obviously not good in a high-stress situation. But I love how Durst handles Claire's panic attacks, because these attacks don't just happen to make the situation more difficult for the characters. Panic attacks can happen during situations that make anyone anxious. They can also happen at a time that does not, on the surface, make sense. The inclusion of Claire's anxiety here is consistent, and the ramifications are important not just for the plot at large but for Claire's character, her development, and her relationship with the other girls. I really appreciated this nuanced and true-to-life exploration of mental health struggles.


Cons
Silly Setup: This book ultimately veers into the vaguely paranormal, so the way we get there can be forgiven. But the whole setup feels a little... whimsical. It feels convenient. Sending these girls off without anybody thinking to check in, make sure they're okay, make sure everything's above board? That was an immediate red flag from the beginning. When nobody meets them at the dock... Would these girls really just think that everything's okay? And would their families back home have nothing to say? It feels off. Forgivable, in hindsight, but off.

Psychologically Aware: These girls seem to be very in-tune with their inner lives and beings. There are a lot of psychological factors at play here, both at the Lake House and in their backstories, and they are all willing and able to vocalize exactly these pressures and how they are affected by them. It seems pretty unbelievable for anyone, really, to be so aware of their own psychological state but it is an especial stretch for young teenage girls who haven't, as far as we know, had any sort of therapy in their lives. This, too, feels a little... off.

Get Moving: While I appreciated how quickly these girls realized the severity of their situation, survival-wise, they still lingered far longer than they should. This was rather provoking--get a move on! On the one hand, that's good. Durst evokes a particularly acute sense of anxiety in this book. But it still feels like girls who are as on top of it as these girls wouldn't drag their feet as long as they do.


Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
8/10

Fans of Laura Bates's No Accident will enjoy this survival tale turned something more. Those who enjoyed Kate A. Boorman's Into the Sublime will love the uncertain line between psychological and supernatural in this book.

Special thanks to Harper Collins Children's Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

For me, this book was too many plot twists and too juvenile for me. However would I recommend it to a YA....definitely.

I should've never picked this one up. I cannot fairly rate a YA book. I DNF because I'm too old for this. I will give 3 stars bc I feel I would've liked it 30 yrs ago

🏕️ The Lake House is a YA novel about 3 teen girls, who don’t know each other, that are trapped on an abandoned island under the illusion of attending a summer camp

🏕️ This one had a lot of plot points going on that I felt could have been narrowed down to just include a few that could have been explored further. There were so many interesting things going on and I wish we could’ve gotten more out of it.

🏕️ I would recommend this one if you like YA and also liked The Island by Adrian McKinty!

Incredible, dark and atmospheric. I loved the characters and the writing was both compelling and easy to read. It's exactly as good as the cover promises. I hope everyone reads it upon release.

4.5 stars. I may not read as much YA fiction as I used to, but I am here for anything Durst writes. She is an author who has proven herself to me over and over, and this survival thriller horror novel was a compelling page-turner. Three teen girls, all strangers to each other, are dropped off at a very remote summer camp in Maine. Their boat has already departed when the girls arrive at the camp buildings and find them burned to the ground, with no one else in sight. Their phones don't work and it's not long before they find a dead body in the woods. This plot is bananas, and I loved the girls' characters, the friendship they built, and their strength and resourcefulness. Things get pretty creepy and tense, and I loved it all. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books/HarperTeen for a digital review copy.

This had an incredible premise and Durst's atmospheric writing lived up to that premise, full of fog and secrets. It was a twisty story that I enjoyed, but unfortunately did not totally love & do not think it fully lived up to the hype set by its premise.

In this supernatural survival story, three girls find themselves completely alone in the Maine woods when the summer camp they signed up for is nothing but a burnt husk of a building on arrival. Relying on their wit and strength, and most importantly on each other, they find themselves face to face with more than just the wilderness. As the stakes escalate and things get more and more dire, they learn to embrace their strengths and band together to help each other rise above the anxieties and insecurities that held them back. I really like this book! I think a couple points are a little overly repetitive, but overall I really thought this was a creative and creepy survival story. I adore the three main girls, and I think their friendship is so believable and grows as they fight to survive together. Even though they are wildly different people they balance each other out and are really charming together. You can tell they’re not just trauma bonded, but really friends. I think there’s a little bit of yadda yadda-ing at the end to try and make it make a little more sense. But hey it’s a supernatural thriller! I don’t need it to totally make sense, I just need it to be creepy and fun, and this was all of that!

This review will be posted on my instagram @boozehoundbookclub, closer to the pub date.