I love Jamie Day’s books so when I saw this book and read the description, I knew it was a must read – and I was right! We meet three childhood friends who have been vacationing at their lake homes as long as they can remember. Now as adults with families, each face challenges and hide major secrets that they try to ignore for their two-week summer vacation. We also meet a new nanny, who isn’t really a nanny, but her agenda is unclear. Should be a relaxing time, right? Unfortunately, the lake is known for ‘taking’ a young woman every thirty years (two disappearances occurred 30 years apart previously) … and guess what? it’s been 30 years since the last disappearance. Told from multiple POVs, this book does a great job giving insight to each of the main characters while unraveling the secrets of the past…. And present. I appreciate that I couldn’t guess the outcome of the book either… It kept me interested and wanting to find out what was happening. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eArc.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC!!!

I really loved the synopsis for this novel, but it fell a little short for me. A really slow burn with very unlikable characters. I was drudging through until the end. I think the ending actually ended up being really good, but I did not like 90% of the novel. I’m sure this book is a good read for some though.

I love all of Jamie Day's books they are written so we'll that they demand your attention from the first page all the way until the end. I love books that give different points of view then as the book continues they blend together with events still providing different views of the same event. This book took me for a ride and is one I will be buying when released. The character and background information was beautifully written to a point where you personally connected to the characters and felt like you at the lake house with everyone. If you haven't read any of Jamie Day's books this is one to start with.

I was immediately drawn in by this book's title and cover, which depicted one of my favorite settings—summer lake homes. I loved the web of secrets woven into this story and the parallels between the past and present timelines. This book would be the perfect beach read for the summer!

This was a good murder mystery but not a thriller, as it lacked action or suspense. I do like how the story is told from multiple points of view. Some of my favorite parts are Julia's inner monologue for potential Instagram posts which were hilarious. Overall, it was a quick easy read.

The Lake Escape is about three adult friends (Julia, Ericka, and David) who reunite every summer with their families at their childhood lake. The story is told from two POVs: Julia and Izzy, David’s nanny looking to solve a family secret. While the premise of the story is solid, a lake with a secret, a missing person, suspected murder, and family drama. However, the story was so slow even though there was so much going on all the time. It’s a shame that the characters weren’t likable because that could have saved the story but I found the majority of the characters annoying. By the time I got to the end, I felt like everything wrapped up too perfectly for all the characters. (2.5/5)

**This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Please note that this ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For me, this book was a “like it, didn’t love it.” Izzy and Taylor were my favorite characters, but the rest of them (basically all the adults) were a bit underwhelming. David the asshole/perv, Christian the reckless drunk, Rich the gruff outdoorsman… the wives weren’t much better. The storyline was interesting but not exceptionally captivating and the “twist” at the end wasn’t extremely obvious but definitely wasn’t shocking either. I did like the mob ties and how the disappearances ultimately had a connection.

4/5 stars.

I love Jamie Day's books so I couldn't wait to read The Lake Escape. Her writing just flows so smoothly for me. Three friends have coming to Lake Timmeny in Vermont since they were born. They've grown up together and their kids know each other well. The lake has a dark past and three women have disappeared each at 30 year intervals. When David's girlfriend disappears all kinds of secrets come out. There are lies and betrayals going back generations. Will the friendships survive this lake vacation? Thanks @NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I really enjoyed it.

I think this book might have done better as a YA book given the main character's age. This is a dual POV book, and I liked the other adult POV more. There were interesting parts of the mystery but ultimately this one fell flat to me

I've always enjoyed Jamie Day's books so it was a no brainer for me to request an ARC of The Lake Escape, especially after reading the description. Once again Jamie Day delivers an exceptional domestic thriller -- with three main characters, Day provided the perfect amount of backstory/complimentary characters for each and also wove together past and present drama seamlessly. The perfect lakehouse read this summer!

This was an enjoyable thriller set at a lake in Vermont. The novel is told from two perspectives, Izzy, a nanny, and Julia, a mom who has been going to the lake for years. Julia has been going to Lake Timmeny with her best friends, David and Erika, since they were children. They've been through many ups and downs over the years including the disappearance of a girl their age when they were teens. It turns out that two women have disappeared over the past 30 years. This summer David's girlfriend also disappears. There is so much more to discover at the lake as secrets begin to emerge and not everyone is who they say they are.

Julia and Izzy were great characters and I loved that they had two very different perspectives. Even though they were years apart, both were strong females who went through a lot. They really made this book for me. Julia's life is literally falling apart at the seams but I loved reading what she was going to do about it. I also loved reading about Izzy and her attempts at being a nanny. She was a great character who gave a different perspective having come to the lake for the first time. She had an interesting backstory.

This was a wild ride especially at the end. My mouth was hanging open as the mystery was revealed and I found out what was really going on. If you love thrillers I think you will enjoy this book. As someone who has vacationed in Vermont and is from New York, there were some great references that helped me really connect to this novel. I had no problem picturing the setting of this book which made it more enjoyable. A great read for thriller lovers!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

The first half of this book dragged too much for me, but then a lot started to happen and it improved considerably. Perhaps I just needed to get to know the characters better. I liked the lake setting, the “lake lore” that proposes that the lake takes a woman every thirty years, and the conflict between the main characters, whose families have owned adjacent houses at this lake for years. Julia, Erika, and David are close friends—but there is a lot of tension this summer, and it only gets worse when David’s girlfriend vanishes. Some of the information that surfaces in the second half of the book was unexpected and added an intriguing element to the story. The twists and turns at the end made up for the slow start and in the end I found it a satisfying thriller. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to provide an honest review.

The Lake Escape by Jamie Day is a heartwarming novel about Charlie, who retreats to a lakeside cabin to escape her busy life and reconnect with old friends. The story explores themes of friendship, healing, and self-discovery, with a picturesque setting that enhances the emotional depth of the characters. Day’s engaging writing and relatable relationships make it a feel-good read perfect for fans of women’s fiction.

I don't necessarily love playing favorites, but I have to admit that of the three books by Jamie Day, this was by far my favorite. (Don't get me wrong, though- I really enjoyed the other two, as well!). This book has it all though- a beautiful, serene setting; a mysterious disappearance/possible murder; two ACTUAL murders from years before; marriage problems and secrets; secrets amongst friends; familial drama.... and I could keep going. It's told in alternating chapters- in first person through the eyes of Izzy, the nanny and third person from the prospective of Julie, one of three now-adult friends who spent their childhood summers at the lake. When David's beautiful new girlfriend, Fiona, disappears, secrets come out of the woodwork like termites. What I enjoyed most was how, in the end, everyone truly got their just desserts.... despite the fact that I didn't see ANY of the reveals coming. I like to think I'm smart (a genius, in fact) especially when figuring out how a book will turn out, but Jamie Day got me. And being got was a while lot of fun.
Definitely plan to recommend this- obviously! And definitely plan to read anything else Day writes. For my purpose- which was to be entertained- this easily bags 5 stars.
Thank you to the publisher, and to NetGalley, for allowing me to read this early in exchange for my honest thoughts and review.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

Man oh man did this book hook me but then 75% in and it just took a nose dive. I could not understand the friendship between Julie, Eliza and David and what held them together as friends. When the reveal with Taylor occurred I just shook my head as it was so outlandish and the reactions did not make sense. Rating this book is tough because I just enjoyed the beginning so much and not the end.

I'm giving this 4 stars based on the fact I think it is one of the authors better novels. I dove into it thinking psychological thriller (not sure why I was in that mindframe) but it is more of a mystery than anything. It has all the ingredients needed for a mysterious story. Entertaining to read, I finiahed it quickly.

Thanks to the publishers for an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I would recommend to some.

A girl who takes a job in search of answers from the past.
A woman stuck between the things she wants and has: for her marriage, her friendships, her daughter, the lake home of her memories.
A couple that seems bonded closer than most.
A wealthy friend whos' fortune seems shrouded in mystery.

Two women have gone missing by the lake each 30 years apart. Now, almost as if on cue, one guest of the visiting party has gone missing for a third time after 30 years. Is the lore true?

I'm glad I got to read this thriller/mystery set in a lakeside setting as the weather here is starting to get better.
I enjoy books with mutiple POVs and the character changes provide layers to the story that build onto the mystery aspect of the story well.
There are a number of conflicts occuring externally and internally for all of the characters to give them depth - alcoholism, debt, estranged parents, parental death, young love, tragic disappearances.... I found the pacing and build-up for the story well developed.

I didn't find any of the twists or turns predictable which is good for this genre of book. Nothing is graphic or extreme, but it still manages to set enough expense. I don't have any major criticisms for the book and would recommend it to anyone!

Sometimes books like this go in a completely unexpected direction and I end up finding it too unbelievable/not what I signed up for.

Julia, David, and Erika have been vacationing around the lake together since they were teenagers. Despite the changing landscape of their families -- deaths, divorces, marriages and births, they have always made the time to be together for this summer escape.

Their routines haven't changed even with the disappearance of two young women around the lake, thirty years apart. That timeline means another woman is due to go missing this summer -- but it almost feels unbelievable when David's young new girlfriend Fiona is nowhere to be found after their first night of vacation.

Told between the alternating viewpoints of Julia and Izzy, who has been hired as a nanny to David's young kids, the suspense and the drama definitely builds in a natural and compelling way throughout this book.

I can honestly say this book kept me on my toes in the best possible way! I was genuinely surprised by some of the twists and it kept me completely engaged until the end. Would make a great summer beach read when it releases later this year.

I enjoy anything Jamie Day writes. This book is perfect for that summer weekend getaway! I couldn’t put it down, it captivated me from the very beginning. Thank you NetGalley, Jamie Day and St. Martin’s Press for this digital arc.