This story is a solid young adult horror and survival thriller. I love our main characters as an unlikely but loyal group of friends. They are each unique in their personalities and abilities that they bring to the table to help these girls survive. Their support of each other is very endearing. The character development is definitely a highlight of this book. The writing is fabulous, as her books always are. There are intense cliffhangers that make you want to keep reading. I love the supernatural elements - great paranormal, horror style. The creepy, eerie atmosphere is another highlight in this story for me. The background of the camp is super interesting, I wish we could have had more from the perspective of the events that happened in its past. I think that would have added more depth to the story world. The survival thriller elements weren’t as strong for me, which made some of the pacing drag at times. The reveals were surprising but I wasn’t as engaged in the outcome as I wanted to be. This is a positive three star read for me. While I didn’t absolutely love it, it was still an enjoyable read. It’s fun, even if not the most mind-blowingly memorable. I think part of this might be due to my own personal tastes. I do love the horror genre, especially paranormal, but I prefer adult thrillers because they are more gritty, gory, and intense.

This is a story that will motivate you to read trip advisor reviews.

The good: I loved the writing, and the creepy setting. I found the premise intriguing & I would definitely read more by the author.

The less good: I didn’t enjoy the protagonist , and that made it hard to connect with their experiences. That being said, it was an excellent portrayal of anxiety.

Thank you so much Netgalley & HarperTeen for the eArc!

3.5/5 stars. To be released April 2023.

This was an interesting one. It started out with three girls being sent to a summer camp in Maine that just happens to be destroyed when they arrive. They are forced into survival mode because there is no one else around then the story takes a very unexpected turn. The middle part dragged for me a little, mostly because it was survival tactics, but when the background of the camp started come out - I was not expecting that! There was also great character depth that was developed with the dialogue of the three main characters. Overall, a fun quick read - just be prepared for a twist!

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for giving me the opportunity to reach The Lake House by Sarah Beth Durst.

Summary: Claire, Reyva, and Mariana go to an enrichment retreat at the lake house set out in the middle of nowhere. When they are dropped off by boat, they find the lake house burnt down, no one around, and they find a dead body. From there they are trying to find a way to get off what seems to be a stranded island. This is a YA survival/horror story that is described as YellowJackets meets Someone Is Lying.

What I liked: I liked the idea of teens being stranded and the idea of the unknown (ie. murderers, supernatural spirits, etc) with little hints of things happening at the beginning. I liked how the characters grew throughout the story and even formed friendships. Claire, the POV of the story, had the biggest struggle of dealing with anxiety, panic attacks, and always believing in the worst scenarios. I liked that with her growth she realized that she wasn't necessarily a negative person, but that she was always thinking about how to get through multiple possible scenarios based on her environment. This actually helped her survive. The beginning and the ending were the most interesting parts of this story, as they kept me captivated.

What I disliked: I didn't enjoy most of the middle of the story. I think it is because I don't think I enjoy survival stories (I read Small Game and it was the same), although I do like shows like 'Alone'. It's just not that exciting and it feels too much like the story in the middle was about getting tasks completed, rather than building up more tension and just letting the events unfold.

Overall: This story was not for me. I give it 2 stars. I have decided I don't care for survival stories, and I don't like stories that feel like we are just reading tasks that need to happen. It is too predictable, although I do understand this is a YA story.

Reyva, Mariana and paranoid Claire go to a secluded Lake House camp on an eerie island. When they get there they find a burned down house and a dead body. They have been stranded with no way home. Creepy things start going on and they have to fight for survival. This book had good creep factor and was very suspenseful. Thanks NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for this ARC!

How can you not pick up a book with that cover? An off-the-grid summer camp sounds like the worst possible scenario for me in real life but it makes for a fun book. I felt like the end was a little disappointing. The elements were all there for a really solid, spooky story but instead it fizzled out.

I will be avoiding boat accessible only islands in the future!

#TheLakeHouse #NetGalley Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel. I encourage you to check this one out!

3 girls go out to a retreat center in the Maine wilderness. When they arrive there's not a person in sight, the center is burned to the ground, there is no phone service, and no ride home.

This story basically communicates the bond of female friendship, and the feeling of belonging and being loved for who you are. As a teen I probably would have loved this.

As far as a survival book is concerned, it was OK. These girls probably wouldn't have made it very far in real life based on their situation. However, it was believable in the context that horror stories ever are believable.

As a YA thriller/horror I think it was pretty good. There wasn't too much gore or violence (a little). The thrill/fear was based in the setting, suspense due to the unknown, and paranormal elements.

I would recommend to any teen seeking out this genre.

Clean of sexual content, profanity, and gore.
Trigger warning: mention of suicide.

Thank you HaperCollins Children's for sending me an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collin's Publishing Group for this e-ARC.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me, it was a bit slower than I would like and it just didn't hold my attention.

Scary YA novel! The girls are taken to the lake house by boat and left…. The down side the house is gone and they have no WiFi or anything. Great read.

Jack takes three girls to the Lake House in his boat became they were too late for the helicopter ride. The girls have been sent to the Lake House camp for the summer because their parents all had a great time there, and their parents of all three girls think the Lake House will improve their social skills. As soon as the girls are off the boat, he leaves and the girls walk the trail to the house, but it is gone. There is not another soul on the island and there is no wifi. There is also evil on the island. A good read even if the end does require that we suspend reality.

Ramona Thompson

Another trip into the woods. This book was billed as Yellowjackets meets One of Us is Lying and I can see the comparisons as a fan of both. I love woods/forest settings and this one delivered. The book was ok nothing memorable or horrible about it. If you’re looking for a quick, easy, ya spooky read this one’s for you!

Claire is always well prepared for worst case scenarios, however after she arrives at an off-grid summer camp, she realizes how unprepared she really is. The camp burnt to a crisp upon arrival and there’s no sign of anyone except Claire and two others. The three find a dead body in the woods and begin to panic. Someone or something is watching them, waiting and refuses to let them leave.

Thank you to netgalley and harpercollins for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Non-stop action from the moment I picked up the book. Steady pace throughout, the highs were high and there were very little lows. Great survival story with a supernatural edge to it; it did feel like a dream reading this.

This is the perfect book for those who are looking a book set around camping and solving a mystery. Three girls shares their secrets and strengths as they survive the mystery of the Lake House.

I had a lot of fun with this novel once we got to the middle of the book. The first half sets up the scene and allows you to get to know the characters while building toward the onslaught the girls will ultimately face. The supernatural elements are a great touch and help give that extra edge of desperation and anticipation of what will happen next. Thriller and Horror aside this book is also about coming into one's own and building lasting bonds, even if those bonds are trauma bonds.

I loved the growth and character development. The trials these girls faced naturally bring each character into their own to become more confident women and lose the insecurities that had helped them back during their formative years.

While this may be another modernization of slasher sleepaway summer camp it's unique enough to keep you on edge of your seat and desperate to know what happens next.

I found the middle part / end of the book to really pick up the pace of the story. At first I was having a harder time getting into the story / characters but it really picked up once the middle part of the story hit. Overall I felt like it was really well done and kept me on my toes and I didn’t put it down until I was done. I also really like the cover design of this book as well!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars

Spoilers ahead. I will not reveal anything big - most of the review vaguely alludes to plot, structure, and characters.

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I was drawn into this book by the comparison to yellowjackets, and unfortunately this fell short of that goal. It was a lofty comparison, to be fair, but the Lake House is, at its heart, a survival thriller. Which is fine! But the extra bits - the supernatural and crime elements - felt thrown in as garnish to me. The pacing was so slow at the beginning that it was difficult to be invested in the peril - the tension just wasn't built. The characters were likable, if a bit over detailed. Overall, a good read for fans of survival thrillers that focus more on the survival and less on the thriller aspect.

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Again, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Three teen girls banding together to survive the wilderness and maybe a murderer? For a YA thriller this one kept me interested. The action started from the first chapter which I always appreciate in thrillers. The distinct personalities between the three girls was very entertaining. I didn't love this one but I didn't hate it either. It would probably be more enjoyable for an actual YA reader.

Loved this ARC of Lake House! Had everything I needed: loveable characters, diversity in characters, great twists and turns, and representation. LGBTQIA+, anxiety, and chronic pain representation was included. I also loved how the characters didn’t turn on each other, instead they leaned on one another. Overall, phenomenal book!

Star Rating: —> 5 FULL Stars!!
[ Actually all the stars, but you know, technicalities… *eye roll* PSH. 🤷🏼‍♀️😉😂 ]

ARC was given by NetGalley & HaperTeen in exchange for an honest review.

Ummm, firstly, LOOK AT THAT COVER?! Stunnnnning!!!

More importantly, I LOVEEEDDDD THIS! I was/AM SO IMPRESSED with Durst’s newest YA novel!

So this is categorized as a survival thriller/ suspense/ horror novel & uh, it definitely lived up to allllll of that description. WHEW!

This book truly evokes every single emotion in the book (no pun intended 😉)! It has EXCELLENT anxiety rep (which personally, I feel like its SO hard to find amazing anxiety representation in YA thrillers/horror & this book warmed my heart with its rep!), LGBTQIA+ rep, chronic pain/disability rep, & boasts SUCH an intriguing, diverse cast of characters!

And OH MY LORD IS THIS ONE A WINNER . It was SO FUN! So much amazing ride or die energy with these girls (our MCs) !!! I LOVE IT when characters in bad situations are still there for each other no matter what! And holy lord is that “no matter what” extreeeeemely pertinent here, because sh*t gets DAMN REALLLL BONKERS!

I read this book in ONE SITTING! I laughed, I cried, & was scared out if my mind at times, & It literally kept me up all night long reading until the end!…

More comprehensive RTC closer to pub date!

Thank you again HarperTeen!!!