Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Despite my low-ish rating, I enjoyed this short fiction novel. It’s character-driven and you really get to know what’s going on inside Ida’s head. I appreciated the neurodivergent/autistic representation. I wanted to like Elna, but she came off as a bit too unhinged for me, lol.

I did have a few issues with the novel that led to my 3-star rating. While I mostly enjoyed the descriptive language, it dragged at some points and made the book’s pacing seem slow. What happened during the last chapter seemed unnecessary. The epilogue also felt extremely rushed after the slower, descriptive pace of the story, like the author couldn’t wait to end the book. Also, there was a little plot thread introduced near the end that might’ve led to Ida being more comfortable with herself, but it was never followed up on.

Overall, the novel felt unfinished. The ideas and premise were there, but the execution felt lacking and unsatisfying to me by the end. However, I did like the author’s prose and the interactions between Ida and the other characters, especially Elna.

A fabulous book that kept me entertained for hours and days. Enjoyable by all sorts and kinds of readers, I will recommend this book to patrons without hesitation.

Needle Lake had me hooked from the very first page. I was so hooked that I read it all in one sitting. While reading, I was so caught up that I didn't see the twist coming; however, after finishing and looking back, I realized there were signs throughout that I had missed in the moment.

This book is not just a great story; it is filled with great representation throughout, and in many ways. First, it is set in 1996, and Champine nailed it—the clothing, the makeup tips and application, as well as the attitude towards people from certain groups. Groups such as the neurodivergent community, single parents, and the LGBTQ community. While Champine accurately portrays the attitudes towards these groups in the 1990s, she also treats them with the respect they deserve.

And once, after Elna came to stay, I watched a man drown there on Christmas Eve, his body trapped beneath the ice.

Fourteen-year-old Ida was born with a hole in her heart. Forbidden from most physical activities and considered strange by her teachers and peers, she prefers spending time alone, memorizing countries and capitals on her globe and imagining the world outside the tiny logging town of Mineral, Washington.

One afternoon, in walks her cousin Elna, there to stay for a few weeks. Ida hasn’t seen Elna since they were children, and she’s immediately drawn to her older cousin, who’s everything Ida is not: confident, glamorous, charismatic, and daring. Elna lives in San Francisco, a city Ida has seen only as a dot on her globe. She doesn’t treat Ida like she’s a fragile kid whose heart might give out at any moment. She isn’t scared off by Ida’s quirks and fixations. Ida is enraptured.

Then, on Christmas Eve, a man dies out in the woods near Mineral, and the two cousins suddenly share a secret beyond the scope of anything Ida has dealt with before. Fear begins to mix with the reverence Ida feels toward her cousin, especially when she discovers Elna is hiding more than she ever suspected. Brimming with lush prose and careful observation, Needle Lake is an arresting portrait of girlhood and the overwhelming, sometimes dangerous intensity of adolescence.

Not my favorite book this year and I struggled to get through it. I kept waiting for something more to happen. The relationship between the two cousins was interesting and the mental illness / addiction aspect of the story was well done.

3.75 stars ⭐️ Thank you netgalley for the ARC.

This book follows the life of Ida who is considered quite strange by her peers and mostly lives her life solo. She has a brilliant brain and memorization that will benefit her eventually we hope. Ida fixates on people (behaviors) to try and be more normal or to try and figure out why she isn’t. This is no different when her cousin, Elna, comes to town and Ida is immediately drawn to her.

I really enjoyed how the author put is into the mind and struggles of Ida. It was very nice to have a story about someone who seems to be on the spectrum and how they are trying to navigate through without much help and support. The storyline really keeps you going and sucks you into the book; but there were parts I wanted more and I felt like it just rush ended for me.

This book surprised me - it’s brief narration of warm thoughtfulness captures the depth of a character who grows up deeply emotional and intellectual. Justine Champine writes, “The homesickness for somewhere I’d never been, like I was always longing to go back to a place I couldn't even picture - something told me I’d be longing for it until I died.” Champine’s words are poetry for adults who, as children were told they were too sensitive or thought too deeply, and ended up growing up too fast.

As a note on feedback, some instances of grammar could be improved (i.e., bloody metallic and a little sweet - could use a comma), and while it is implied that the narrator/Ida has intelligence/awareness beyond her age (i.e., flags of Siberia), knowledge of the troposphere may be a bit out there. However, I believe it in this case, given the details the writer leads us to believe of Ida and her awareness of other subjects.

OMG this book. Not what I was expecting but so so good to read. I read this making breakfast, walking on the treadmill, at stoplights (sue me), and whenever I had a free moment. I absolutely would recommend this one to anyone that loves a good coming of age, tormented character, yadda yadda. It was just....a reminder that adolescence, although constantly shifting with our world, is universally angsty.

Needle Lake is mesmerizing and emotionally resonant. This book will appeal to fans of literary fiction, psychological drama, and stories about the complexities of girlhood and neurodiversity. Justine Champine has crafted a novel that lingers like a winter chill; quiet, beautiful, and unforgettable.

This is my first novel from Justine Champine and I'm really impressed! Needle Lake begins as a slow-burn character-driven mystery that slowly turns into a thriller. It's told through the eyes of Ida, an autistic 14 year old girl who's world is shaken by the arrival of her cousin Elna--who is harboring some dark secrets.

Ida was a very interesting and fresh protagonist. The handling of a neurodivergent character was done with so much care and attention. She is a compelling narrator with so many rich thoughts and feelings. She kept my attention throughout the whole novel and the novel benefits from her unique perspectives.

I thought the story itself was really well-done as well. It's a slow burn but has such a rewarding payoff. The depth of the story is amazing, the themes of coming of age, girlhood, and family ties culminate into a well-executed story.

*Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC copy of this novel. All thoughts expressed are entirely my own*

4.5 rounded

I read the author’s debut novel, Knife River, and really enjoyed it, so I was thrilled to get my hands on her second book. Once again, Justine proves she has a real talent for crafting richly developed, character-driven stories that pull you in.

First off, the cover art is absolutely stunning—one of those books you’re proud to display on your shelf. But it’s what’s inside that really shines. Justine has a keen eye for emotional nuance and layered storytelling. Her characters are deeply human and fully realized, and she allows their relationships and inner lives to unfold gradually, which gives the novel a wonderfully immersive quality.

This is very much a slow burn in terms of pacing—if you’re looking for instant action or dramatic twists right out of the gate, you won’t find them here. But what you will find is a deeply rewarding, thoughtful story that takes its time and earns every emotional payoff. The intricacies of the plot and the depth of the characters make the journey well worth it.

I’m really impressed by Justine’s growth as a writer, and I’ll be eagerly watching for whatever she writes next. Check this one out on publication day, December 2nd and in the meantime, Knife River.

Elna and Ida are cousins living on opposite ends of the girlhood spectrum. When life brings them together in Ida’s small town of Mineral, she’s sucked into the mysterious charisma of her older cousin, who’s keeping secrets and burying a darkness.

Needle Lake was a slow, dreadful burn. Through the eyes of Ida, an autistic teenage girl, the world is cruel and doesn’t understand her. Every feeling and thought is visceral. The depiction of her autism in this time period is bittersweet, and made me feel so much empathy and anger all at once. Empathy for the brilliant and confused girl; anger for the way she’s been treated.

Elna was the perfect contrast to Ida. Filled with mischief, darkness, and secrets, she shows Ida a whole new world. Playing the part of the cool girl, this character really makes you consider how circumstances shape people and their perspectives.

Overall, I really enjoyed Needle Lake and the insight into autism in women that it provided. I loved how dread-inducing it was. It was a more character-driven read than I was anticipating, and I think I loved that about it. The second half did feel a little rushed compared to the first half, but I don’t think that took very much away from the whole experience. I also adored Justine Champine’s writing in this. It was beautiful!

This book was okay. The description/plot seemed interesting. It was easy to get into the story, and it was an easy read. It also contained some neurodivergent representation. This book was more character-driven than plot-driven, which is not my preferred style. Sometimes, there was too much description; it could have been reduced and made the story seem less heavy. It would have also helped with the pacing issue. The pacing was all over the place. What could have saved this book was the ending, but it did not deliver. Also related to the pacing issue, the ending was rushed and didn't add much to the story. None of the consequences for the actions of the MC are shown.

I'm so glad this one is being marketed as general adult fiction and not a thriller. While there is a shocking death, this is, at its heart, a character-driven family saga. The protagonists are two very different cousins, who come to life on the page. The author has done a wonderful job of crafting an entertaining narrative that examines what it means to grow up as a girl. Arresting and evocative, NEEDLE LAKE is another great novel from Justine Champine (author of KNIFE RIVER), who writes with an elegant sophistication that I admire.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

What a great book. I really enjoyed it. It’s a pretty short book but had a great story. Not a book full of action but more like a drama. Ida and Elna are cousin who have a bunch of adventures.

Thank you for the advanced copy NetGalley, Justine Champine and Random House. I appreciate it.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

Ida was born with a heart condition that limits her ability to participate in physical activities. Ida’s cousin Elna who has a completely different upbringing, is coming to stay with them for a few weeks. Elna is more carefree and daring but she still treats Ida like an equal. Something happens that puts a strain on Ida and Elna’s newly forming relationship, which changes how they perceive each other and their surroundings.

This is a compelling read, once it gets going, but it did start off quite slowly. The writing is beautiful and very descriptive, but sometimes a bit too much. This is an emotional and reflective read and gives perspective on growing up and interacting with someone who changes your worldview. I recommend this book if you’re interested in the premise. It does make you think it’s going to have some thrilling elements, but it’s more of a family drama/suspense. I will check out more books from this author.

I am unfortunately DNFing this book. I have not DNFed an ARC before but unfortunately I can't finish. I've tried multiple times to read and I'm currently on page 70 and I'm not getting pulled in. There's nothing going on besides the girls hanging out. There's no excitement. And being this far in, in such a short book there should be by now.

I received an ARC of this novel from netgalley, and I found it to be a quick, engaging read. This story is really about girlhood, honestly, and follows two very different teenage girls as they explore their relationships with the world, and the one they are forming with each other. We get some atmospheric settings, some family angst and drama, and a little bit of thriller thrown in for good measure. I enjoyed this read and appreciated the brevity as well as how the story was told.

Justine Champine's "Needle Lake" is a quietly compelling read, distinguished by its thoughtful and well-crafted prose. Champine possesses a keen eye for detail, painting vivid pictures of the natural setting and the inner lives of her characters without resorting to unnecessary embellishment. The narrative unfolds with a deliberate pace, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere and the nuances of the relationships explored.

What stands out most is Champine's ability to convey complex emotions and subtle tensions through her precise and evocative language. The dialogue feels authentic, and the internal monologues offer insightful glimpses into the characters' motivations and struggles. While the plot may not be overtly action-packed, the emotional depth and the beauty of the writing create a captivating experience.

Huge thank-you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for giving me a chance to review this ARC! 🥀🖤

Darkly profound (and first New Adult genre) read 👀 with tremendous depth, morbid curiosity and chaotic uncertainty that holds your attention until the very, very end! The story is heartwrenching, emotional, and eloquently written as Justine's writing transcends you into the nostalgic and uncomfortable period of adolescence— through a truly sensory visercal experience, and beautifully spotlights neurodiverse representation in literature, in particular those internal soul-searching thoughts and questions faced during this extremely sensitive period in girlhood.

Captivating, easy to read, and attention grabbing chapters keep you engaged and gripped to the pages and I felt the pacing was well balanced to really keep you on the edge of your seat, until that gut-punching reveal...

🎉👏🏻 Seriously, I want to shout out and give kudos to this reading experience 😭🥹 It has certainly put Justine Champine's books on my radar and I can't wait to read more of her work😍

This book does touch on some heavy subject matter, so reader discretion advised! ⚠️