Jamie Day’s The Lake Escape is a gripping summer read that blends nostalgia, suspense, and a touch of the sinister. Set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of a Vermont lake, the story follows lifelong friends Julia, Erika, and David as their annual retreat turns ominous after David’s girlfriend mysteriously vanishes.

What really stands out is Day’s use of multiple perspectives, which adds layers to the mystery and keeps the pacing brisk. The web of secrets, betrayals, and long-buried truths slowly unravels, building to a series of satisfying twists. The atmosphere is immersive, and the lake itself almost feels like a character—serene on the surface, but hiding something dark beneath.

While the large cast of characters occasionally made it hard to connect deeply with everyone, the emotional stakes and suspense kept me turning pages. It’s a perfect pick for fans of layered thrillers with a strong sense of place and character-driven drama.

Looking forward to what Jamie Day writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jamie Day, and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a hybrid read for me as I alternated between the audio and digital version.

The Lake Escape is entertaining and full of family drama and secrets. I loved the lake getaway setting. I felt whisked away on a summer vacation. I enjoyed the characters and the years of history they shared together. The mystery of the missing women was intriguing. The bond that the nanny ended up forming with David's children was heartwarming. The majority of the book I listened to the audio version and I feel like that increased my rating from 4 to 5 stars. It had me hooked.

Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin's Press for an advanced audio and digital version in exchange for my honest review.

Julia, David, and Erika have spent every summer at Lake Timmeny for as long as they can remember. Their vacation homes are a break away from their everyday lives. But when David's new girlfriend, Fiona, goes missing without a trace, their vacation turns into an investigation with David as a suspect. As the search for Fiona continues, Julia and Erika wonder if Fiona's disappearance could be related to the other two women who have gone missing at the lake 30 years ago. The campfire story says that the "lake took them". Could the lake have taken Fiona?

The Lake Escape focuses on two POVs: Julia, who has been David's best friend since childhood, but starts to investigate David's involvement in Fiona's disappearance, and Izzy, an inspiring journalist determined to investigate the missing women of Lake Timmeny, and David's new nanny. I enjoyed Izzy's POV. The secrets she discovered in Fiona's disappearance, and the women who went missing 30 years ago had me guessing how they were all connected. The story seemed to line up with an obvious conclusion, but I was completely surprised by how this book ended.

Overall, this is an intriguing mystery that is the perfect read for summer.

The Lake Escape comes out on July 15th.

Thank you to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review The Lake Escape. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook and reader copy of The Lake Escape by Jamie Day in exchange for an honest review. I thought this murder mystery had some wonderful Agatha Christie like twists and turns. When Izzy uses a nanny position for two weeks on the lake as a means to investigate a cold case, danger, intrigue and history follow. I enjoyed how complicated things get with each hour and many layers there were in this story. I was trying to figure out who was the lake killer or if there were more than one until the end of the book. This was a very well thought out book and entertaining too, I recommend it.

This book started out like a slow climb up a rollercoaster—you can feel the tension building, knowing something big is coming. And once you reach the top, hold on tight, because the twists and turns come fast and furious. I couldn’t put it down. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the story would jolt in a new direction. It’s a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat read that keeps you guessing until the very end.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

‘The lake takes them’.
For three childhood friends will their annual two weeks at the lake be a vacation or an escape?

In THE LAKE ESCAPE, written by Jamie Day, Julia kicks off her summer vacation at her annual spot, a Lake Timmeny lake house in Vermont. She discovers that a friend from childhood, David, is renovating his lake house, disturbing her view and old path to the lake. Her other childhood friend, Erika, lives next door to David. Julia, David, and Erika each have a family but still gather together at the lake every summer. Izzy, a 19-year-old college sophomore who is a “wanna-be nanny,” is also at the lake, hired by David as a nanny for his five-year-old twins. The chapters for the rest of the book alternate between the points of view of Julia and Izzy. I want to know what will happen and read on.

I like that the book starts with a newspaper article about the unearthing of human skeletal remains. I know, right away, I am reading an exciting mystery. I want to know whose body it is and how and why it got there. I am engaged in the plot from the beginning. It is easy to know whose point of view goes with each chapter because the Izzy chapters are written in the present tense and Julia chapters are written in the past tense. The plot is well-constructed and keeps me enthralled through to its conclusion. Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review THE LAKE ESCAPE

Fun summer vacation read! This atmospheric mystery thriller has a large cast of characters some of whom are not exactly who they say they are. The story is told from two POV, both Izzy, the teen nanny and Julia, who has vacationed at the lake her whole life.

The lake setting, lifelong friends on their annual vacation and the suspense all come together to create an enjoyable summer read.

I was lucky enough to receive both an ARC and an ALC and both are wonderful.

3.5 stars rounded up. I have really enjoyed Jamie's previous books, so I was super excited for this one! I'm happy to say that it did not disappoint. It's a great summer thriller, especially if you enjoy family/friend drama. It's told in multiple POVs, which I always enjoy in thrillers. There's a missing girl every 30 years, secrets, and drama, drama, drama. I did not expect pretty much any of the twists, the curse of the lake added a nice little extra mystery to the missing girlfriend. It was a bit of a slow burn, but the end definitely bridged the gap with all of the excitement. It's a quick read and has the perfect summer by the lake atmosphere.
 
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A week at a lake sounds like bliss! The water, the sun, old friends, and cookouts makes for an enjoyable vacation. Unfortunately for Julia, David, and Erika, old friends who spent their summers at their family's idyllic Vermont lake homes, this week will become a nightmare! Instantly gripping and atmospheric, The Lake Escape, grabbed my attention and never let go! Now that they are adults, Julia, David, and Erika have a lot on their plates - relationships, children, financial responsibility, sex and secrets! They are no longer the carefree teenagers who enjoyed their summers together!

David has arrived with Izzy, his newly hired Nanny, children and younger girlfriend to show off his newly renovated home which just happens to block his friends cherished lake views. When his girlfriend goes missing, an investigation is underway. Friends will look differently at friends and a long-ago mystery about two missing women at the lake surfaces.

This was book is told through the POV's of a couple of characters and slowly secrets emerge as do memories. I enjoyed the setting which was nostalgic and ideal. I could imagine the lake, the woods, and the homes. It looks like such a relaxing setting, but it is anything but relaxing for the friends and those in their lives. As the mystery builds, so does the suspense.

There were times that I wanted this book to move a little faster. There are quite a few characters and at times I felt as if they bogged down the story a little bit. What doesn't bog down the plot is the atmosphere, the tension, the suspense, the twists, and the setting.

I was lucky enough to have both the book and audiobook which made for a wonderful reading experience!

What a great thriller to enjoy this summer! Wonderfully written, well thought-out, shocking, and gripping!

Jamie Day's books are fun, light mysteries, and The Lake Escape is no exception. The lake setting with its lake lore, summer regulars since childhood, family drama and dynamics make up the perfect ingredients for an easy summer read. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this entertaining eArc.

Ooh what a perfect summer thriller!

Julia, David and Erika have spent their summers at Lake Timmeny for their whole lives. A lake where secrets and drama isn't a stranger. The lake is also the place where two young women disappeared without a trace exactly 30 years apart, staying open and unsolved cases.

This year, the trio returns, but each person is carrying a whole lot of secrets from each other. David's girlfriend disappears the first night of their vacation, which makes it appear that history is repeating itself.

This book had a full cast of characters but is told from two different POV's. First, we have Julia, a original part of the trio, and a mother whose life is about to take a turn for the worse and then we have Izzy, a newcomer to the lake as David's nanny to his twin children.

This book was relatively easy to follow even though the cast of characters is huge. I enjoyed the dual points of view from both Julia and Izzy and found their stories easy to follow. This thriller has twists aplenty and is full of drama. I thought it was the perfect summer thriller and I really enjoyed it.

Expected Publication: July 15th 2025

Thank you to both NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The lake in the summer is a calm, peaceful getaway that will renew your mind and energize you, right? Maybe not when everyone has secrets and a newcomer to the group ends up missing. Told from two POVs, we’re taken down a twisty road that will keep you guessing!

Thank you to Jamie Day, NetGalley, and St Martens Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars!

I must confess, my feelings about this author's works have been a bit of a rollercoaster. While I wasn't particularly enamored with the first book, I loved the second. Unfortunately, this latest offering didn't quite hit the mark for me. The premise was intriguing, and I was genuinely excited to dive in, but it felt more like a lengthy mystery than a gripping narrative.

Three lifelong friends—Julia, David, and Erika—return to their summer lake homes in Vermont, now as adults with their own challenges. David showcases his new renovations, which upset his friends, and introduces a younger girlfriend along with a nanny with a secret agenda. When his girlfriend disappears after a fight, Julia and Erika question their trust in David. The story echoes a haunting history of two women who vanished from the lake thirty years earlier, leading to a search that uncovers deep-seated secrets and dangers, threatening their friendship and lives.

The first half of the book dragged a bit, but the second half picked up the pace, though I found myself losing track of the plot on a few occasions. The cast of characters was extensive, and I struggled to keep up with who was who, especially since the character development was a tad sluggish at the start. It was a bit like trying to untangle a ball of yarn while blindfolded!

On the bright side, the summer setting was vividly described and enchanting. Having spent my summers in Maine, I can only imagine how stunning Vermont must be. The twists and turns in the plot were unpredictable, and the connections between the characters were intriguing, even if I had to pause occasionally to catch my breath.

As I mentioned, the first part lacked the excitement of the latter half, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your time. If you enjoy complex friendships, dark pasts filled with lies and betrayals, this summer read might just be the perfect companion for a hot day. So don’t be discouraged—give this book a shot! It might just resonate with you. I’m eager to hear your thoughts!

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"The Lake Escape" is a twisty domestic thriller that is perfect for summer. It's hard to believe Jamie Day only stepped onto the scene a couple of years ago, because she has written some solid suspense/thriller books. This was another intricate novel full of secrets, lies, and family drama. The book started off strong, and I was hooked. Around the halfway mark it lost its momentum a bit, but the pace picked up again toward the end with several surprising twists. There are a lot of characters in this story—many of whom are quite unlikeable—and it was hard at first to keep track of who was who. I really enjoyed the dual perspectives of Julia and Izzy, which created a lot of tension and suspense. I also loved the immersive and atmospheric lakeside setting. While this was not my favorite from Day, I liked it overall and think it will definitely make a great lakeside or beach read this summer.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Lisa Larsen and Phoebe Strole. They both did a great job bringing the characters to life and building suspense through their narration. They were able to expertly convey the appropriate tone and emotion. Strole's voice was a nice contrast to Larsen's. The audiobook was well-produced, and I especially enjoyed the sounds of the lake's waves lapping the shoreline, which created an immersive experience.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.

THE LAKE ESCAPE was enjoyable to read. It had a little bit of everything that tend to like in a book…drama and mystery/suspense. The story is fast paced and left me contemplating the plot, until I picked it up again. It’s perfect for the summer if you want something fun to read at the beach or pool. Get ready for a wild ride!

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for my gifted ARC

This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to the publication date.

I enjoyed this author’s previous books, and was so excited for this one, but this one was a bit of a miss for me.
I thought the story dragged, and I struggled to connect to any of the characters
I did appreciate the alternating perspectives that the story was told from. The twists were pretty good, even though some were a little over the top.
Overall I would say this falls more on the average end for me. I look forward to reading the author’s books in the future.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book was a struggle for me. It was really slow for so long I had a hard time caring about what was going to happen.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Somehow I was bored and overwhelmed with this one. Part 1 seemed longer than it needed to be. A lot of words for a basic set up with minimal/superficial character development. Part 2 was action packed, but the reveals were quite over-the-top in my opinion.

While this won’t be a summer favorite of mine, I think it will still be a good vacation beach read for other people.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press
for this ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.

Pub Date Jul 15 2025

I really enjoyed Jamie Day’s last book, so when I received this arc, I was very excited to get into it.
60% in I was worried this was just another family drama. 61% in, things started to take an interesting turn.
I just struggled to engage with these characters, and the plot was a bit all over the place for me.
Old friends, family lake houses, and so many many secrets. This read does make for a great summer read.

Thank you netgalley for this arc!