📚: The Lake Escape by Jamie Day
⭐️: 2.5/5 (rounding up on #goodreads)

Julia, David, and Erika -- friends that grew up together spending every summer at their Vermont lake homes, and now all adults with their own partners and families that reconvene to the same spot each year. This year, there's a few new faces to the group - Izzy, David's new nanny, and Fiona, David's (much) younger girlfriend. When Fiona goes missing, an entire web of lies that goes back decades gets unspooled.

This book was a sloooooooooow burn (almost painfully slow) until the last 25%, which then becomes completely unhinged. The whiplash from the front 75% to the back 25% was almost painful to read, with an ending that didn't shock, but felt like everything-and-the-kitchen-sink was thrown into it.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press via @netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Lake Escape is out now.

Three childhood friends, a lake with a tragic history and a nanny bogus work experience but an interest in true crime. This is the set up for the lake escape, a beautifully-written, pulse-pounding thriller by Jamie Day. There are lots of characters in this twisty tale, and yet Day manages to keep them all so well developed that keeping them straight is easy. And there are just as many secrets, which come together in a shocking and very satisfying conclusion.
Because of the lake setting, it’s a great beach read, but, honestly, wherever you read it, you’ll lose yourself in the story. Highly recommend!

This could have been a great summer thriller but it just did not work for me. Especially with it feeling like most of the main action happened in the last 20% of the book with it being pretty out there.

Thank you Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinions

This book has great suspicious characters and a twisty plot. Everyone has a secret to tell so the reader never knows which way the story will go. Every chapter ends on a cliffhanger because they alternate between Julia and Izzy’s POV. I couldn’t stop reading because I had to know what happened next. This book had a complex plot that focused on many prevalent issues found in society today which break down family ties and ruin relationships. It can be quite overwhelming. I have found that the author always includes a martial affair, relationship problems, and financial criminal activity that leads to murder. I’m curious if this is a reflection of her own personal experience. If you love a good, twisted plot, this is the book for you!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Out today!

Three friends have grown up spending summers on the same lake in Vermont, and now they’re all adults with their own issues. This summer, they have returned with their families to see David’s new flashy house and young girlfriend, who ends up disappearing just like two other girls did on the same lake 30 years ago. And the new nanny wants to figure out what’s really going on with the families and Lake Timmeny.

This was a solid Jamie Day novel. I have realized all her books are a slow burn mystery with a ton of characters to keep track of. I think I’m in a place where I need thrillers with a faster pace and less to mentally keep track of - I blame the current state of the world and my energetic kid. 😂

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Julia, Erika, and David spent their summers together on Vermont lake. They are now adults with families of their own and secrets that have built up over the years. David has a new and much younger girlfriend and he can't wait to snow off his newly renovated house. The summer seems to be going well until David's girlfriend disappears making Julia and Erika wonder if they really know David at all. Its well known that years ago two other young women vanished, is that what happened here or is something different at play. A search is started to find the young woman but will she be found before someone else goes missing or ends up dead? Years of lies and secrets start to be exposed will anyone make it out without being hurt?

Julia and Christian along with their teenage daughter, Taylor, are headed to their Vermont summer home for two weeks spent on a lake. In addition, Erika and Rick along with their teenage son, Lucas, are also headed to the lake for two weeks. David and his much younger girlfriend, Fiona, are on their way to the lake with his 5-year-old twins. To help with the children, David has hired Izzy to be their nanny.

Julia, Erika and David were all neighbors at the lake and spent time during the summers as children. They made lasting friendships and wonderful memories strive got return every year.

This year, after coming into some money, David has upgraded his house that turns out to be quite ugly and has taken the view of the lake from Julia and Erika. Julia is furious about it but Erika is trying to be understanding.

The first night, the group ends up drinking too much with Fiona becoming intoxicated and an irritated David having to help her to bed. The next morning, David returns from a run to find Fiona missing. She did not leave in her car and isn’t one for taking a walk. So, where could she have gone?

Some time ago, a teenage girl went missing from the lake area and was never found. Exactly, 30 years later, another teenage girl went missing and was never found. Now, it has been exactly 30 years since that second teenage girl went missing.

I’ve read and enjoyed two other books by this author, however, this one became a bit of a strain. It was simply overdone and it dragged out way too long with the ending somewhat questionable. However, I’m sure readers will enjoy this book.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the book #TheLakeEscape by #JamieDay. I enjoyed this book with deception, conspiracies and murder. Three friends, Julia, David and Erika all grew up together on the lake and still have these summer homes today. They always go on vacation the same time every year. This year, David had added on this his home and was overly too big. The next thing to happen is that David’s girlfriend, has now went missing. This isn’t the first person to go missing around here and things are not adding up. Why do all these girls end up missing and never found?

I adored the fact that this was set in Vermont (my home state) and was centered around a lake (of which we have many great ones). The alternating POV”s and character narrators was a good way to build suspense, keep questions brewing and the reader guessing what really happened (now and then). The story was entertaining and engaging, but started to feel drawn out towards the end and the drama in Julia’s family was a lot (too much). Fans of Jamie Day should look into her newest novel, and hopefully it’s a hit!
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Thank you NetGalley and for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Loved it!! From the start I couldn't put it down. Julia, Erika and David claim to be friends after spending all those summers on the lake together. I'm not sure they even like each other. There's so much that they don't share with each other. Things are not always what they appear to be. David gets the award for worst neighbor with his new glass monstrosity. Julia still has a view of the lake if she looks through David's glass house. I can't imagine having to clean all the windows in that house. Why do women seem to mysteriously disappear from Lake Timmeny every thirty years? Is Fiona's disappearance linked to Susie and Anna? What happened to them? I was suspicious of everyone, especially David. He was always so creepy, especially to Izzy. Not sure how Julia was able to forgive Christian so easily. Did she never ask questions about their business or finances? How did anyone even relax at the lake with everything going on? I was definitely surprised when the truth about everything was finally revealed. Susie's death was the most shocking. Loved the ending. I'm pretty sure the lake house vacations will never be the same.

Definitely recommend the book. It was a great mystery/thriller that kept me guessing until the end. There were so many twists and turns. So many secrets and lies. I enjoyed how the book alternated between Izzy and Julia. Loved the characters, story and writing style. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Loved the cover of the book.

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

Three friends, David, Julia, and Erika, reunite at a Vermont retreat where several women have mysteriously disappeared over the years. David's pals aren't exactly thrilled when they arrive on their yearly two-week visit to see that his newly renovated home now obstructs their idyllic summer view of Lake Timmeny. David seems dismissive and unapologetic when he turns up the charm to introduce his old friends to the two young women he has invited, a new nanny for his twins, Izzy, and his new girlfriend, Fiona, who are not instant besties. David's flirtations and wandering eye create an undeniable tension. Nostalgia and the darkness of old secrets begin to bubble up within the circle of friends. Fueled by growing unease and alcohol, Fiona goes a bit out of her way to regain David's attention. Soon after, Fiona is nowhere to be found; another girl gone. During the search and investigation, David's recent quirks in behavior cast a shadow of doubt on his innocence. Despite the lack of warmth, Izzy has a secret agenda and is determined to find out what happened to Fiona.

I recommend this novel to fans of murder mysteries, toxic friendship dynamics, and slow-burning Domestic Suspense.

I thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of The Lake Escape for my unbiased evaluation.  3.5 stars

Julia, David, and Erika spent their summers growing up nextdoor to each other near Lake Timmeny in Vermont. Even as adults, now married with kids, they return in the summers to vacation together. But when Julia arrives this year to find that David has renovated his house into a glass monstrosity that blocks her view of the lake, things start to get a little rocky. David's more concerned with showing off his wealth and his (much younger) girlfriend, Fiona. Perhaps he should be a little more bothered by his kids' new nanny, Izzie, who's harboring a few secrets of her own for wanting to come to this lake...

One night, a shouting match between David and Fiona wakes everyone; the next day, Fiona is nowhere to be found. As more and more questions arise, Julia and Erika begin to wonder how well they truly know their friend. Generations of secrets between the friends and within their families begin to rise to the surface, and at the root of it all are three seemingly unconnected women from the area who have gone missing thirty years apart. Is it a coincidence, or could their disappearances somehow be related?

🛶

A few years ago, I was invited to read Block Party by Jamie Day via NG. I absolutely devoured that book, and his next, One Big Happy Family, so it was a no brainer for me as soon as I saw this one. Jamie has a fantastic way of crafting an ensemble of characters and weaving deep seeded secrets and mysteries within them. Everything and everyone interlock, but the thrill lies in the journey you take to find out how. As someone who prides herself in being a pretty darn good armchair detective, I never have all the pieces of his books figured out, and I LOVE it. The Lake Escape was no exception. Though there were a few plot point reveals that I ultimately could have done without, this was overall a terrific, fast read and a perfect choice to throw in your summer vacay bag!

✨ Thank you to St Martin's Press, Jamie Day and Net Galley for this eARC!
🎉 Pub date: 7•15•2025 (today!)

Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Lake Escape by Jamie Day releases on July 15th.

This was a decent thriller with a great summer setting!

Read this if you like:
- Unsolved disappearances 📁
- Family/friend group drama 👥
- Lakeside settings ⛱️
- A main character who’s determined to investigate what happened 🔎

The premise sounded super intriguing, but I have to admit I felt a bit bored while reading. Not much really happened until the last 10%, when everything suddenly kicked off. Some of the twists felt a little silly to me too.

What kept me hooked was the drama between the characters. I also loved the lake house setting. It felt like the perfect backdrop for a summer thriller.

Finished The Lake Escape in basically one sitting. Messy characters, lots of secrets, and a setting that somehow felt both dreamy and creepy. Totally pulled me in. Thanks to Macmillan for the ARC!

Julia, David, and Erika have had always loved their summers spent on a serene lake in Vermont. Their bond, forged in their teens, has endured, but now, they are parents, burdened by the responsibilities and frustrations that come with that newfound role. However, this summer promises to be different for all of them.

For starters, David has undertaken significant renovations on his cabin, much to the dismay of his summer neighbors. In addition to they, despite the pleasant memories shared by the trio, a haunting history lingers from three decades ago. Two young women had mysteriously vanished, leaving their families devastated.

Despite the good memories shared by the trio, there is a history that goes back three decades, when two young women had gone missing. However, their families are not the only ones at the lake for the summer. David has brought along his much younger girlfriend and his brand new nanny he had hired for his twins.

This story has multiple perspectives, but the character with the most intriguing story is Izzy. She is at the lake for a much deeper reason than to be a nanny. While she slowly but excellently embraces her new role, she has an entirely different reason for being there. While this remains a mystery at first, the bigger mystery is that David’s new girlfriend Fiona goes missing. Things were already tense, but Fiona’s disappearance increases the tension tenfold, leaving the reader on the edge of their seat.

Could there be a connection between the missing women of that long-forgotten summer and Fiona’s disappearance? While Izzy embarks on a quest for answers about the past, Julia’s perspective adds a layer of drama to the unfolding mystery. Julia’s unwavering determination to uncover the truth about Fiona’s disappearance, despite the chaos she brings to the story, captivates the reader. The dual narration in this story brought an extra level of intrigue.

Jamie Day weaves together great pacing and drama, crafting a compelling summer read that keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end.

Jamie Day has done it again. The Lake Escape is another fast-paced thrill ride full of suspicious characters. What was supposed to be another fun annual summer getaway at Lake Timmeny for childhood friends Julia, David and Erika has turned into a nightmare. Someone is missing and everyone has secrets. Things are never as wonderful as you remember them from your youth – or maybe they weren’t that wonderful to begin with and you are now just realizing that.

When we first meet them it’s hard to imagine Julia, David and Erika ever being that close. They may have shared similarities in the past but it’s not apparent now. Julia is angry and resentful about everything, tightly wound, judgmental, anxious and like a dog with a bone when it comes to letting things go. David is what you might call a blowhard, impressed with showy wealth, his appearance and having bragging rights. Erika isn’t quite as easy to pigeonhole; she just seems to be there, which is unlike her usual fiery self. As for spouses and children they are all over the place, too. Julia’s husband Christian is a reformed alcoholic, had an affair and made disastrous business decisions. They worked through it but Julia is still edgy, pushing her daughter Taylor to do more, be more. Erika and husband Rick are an odd pair, the slick lawyer and the outdoorsman, but somehow it’s worked for years. Their son Lucas is an aspiring musician, once close to Taylor but now they are avoiding each other. David and his wife divorced years ago and they co-parent their 5-year old twins Becca and Brody. These days he’s always got a young thing on his arm and this year it’s Fiona. Doesn’t look like the step-mommy type nor the type to spend a couple weeks in the wilds of Vermont, hence the nanny Izzy, who is there under false pretenses.

As beautiful and peaceful as Lake Timmeny is, it has secrets of its own, like the unsolved disappearance of two young women 30 years apart. And now Fiona has gone missing. She seemed like a loose cannon, flirting with all the males including Lucas, and she and David had a loud argument. Did she meet with foul play? Did she just leave because she was angry? Her car and things are still there but maybe the bus? Is the lake really cursed?

Although sometimes confusing, sometimes a little too coincidental and sometimes a little too complicated, The Lake Escape takes you on a roller-coaster ride of suspects, clues, and secrets both from the past and being revealed right now. Everything is connected to everything and no one realizes it. The Lake Escape will keep you turning pages and constantly guessing who is doing what and how it relates to everything else. I received an advance copy of The Lake Escape from St. Martin’s Publishing Group via NetGalley. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

The Lake Escape by Jamie Day

Thank You NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
The quiet lake homes of Vermont seem like a wonderful place for a nice quiet summer vacation. That’s where Julia, David, and Erika each grew up with their respective families. Now each of them has their own families and their secrets. Two women have gone missing in the past, each 30 years apart. It is now another 30 years later, and another woman has gone missing, David’s current girlfriend, Fiona! Ironically, David’s neighbors on either side of his freshly renovated house, Julia & Erika, overheard David and Fiona shouting at each other. Now, the search is on to locate Fiona. The prime suspect being David. But everything is not as cut and dry as it all seems. Each of them all have secrets to hide and lies to tell! With ties to the mob and the past finally coming to light, who is telling the truth and who is the guilty one? Look for this new summer thriller by Jamie Day, AVAILABLE July 15, 2025!!!

Although this book was OK, it took me quite a while to get into it. I would definitely read another book from this author.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read this ARC!

Couldn't put it down. There's a lot going, not all relevant, but it kept me interested. I couldn't wait to see how it ended .

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC

Well this cover just screams summer! Unfortunately this book was not for me at this time. I love this author but should have read the synopsis closer. Books children, parental dynamics, etc are just not for me and I found i hard to stay interested in seeing how the summer played out for these characters.