If you enjoy twisty thrillers with a light touch or something to listen to on a summer walk or road trip - this one might hit the spot.

This story follows three childhood friends - Julia, Erika, and David - who reunite at the lake where they spent their summers as kids. Now they’re grown, with complicated lives and families of their own. David arrives with a much younger girlfriend and a new nanny, both of whom stir up tension. But when the girlfriend vanishes, old secrets begin to surface - and no one can trust anyone.

The book starts a bit slow. The first few chapters are packed with character names, relationships, and backstories, which made it hard to track who was who at first. But once I got through that, the story settled into a steady rhythm with enough red herrings to keep me guessing. The pace builds nicely toward the end, and most of the loose ends get tied up in a way that feels satisfying.

This isn’t a high-action thriller or a violent one. The tension comes more from secrets, suspicion, and the eerie feeling that the lake is keeping its own dark history. The book explores how the past never really stays buried - and how even lifelong friendships can crack under pressure.

The audiobook narration is strong. The narration does a great job of distinguishing the characters and holding your attention. Even in slower parts, their performances helped keep me engaged. Overall, this is a solid pick for thriller lovers who prefer mystery over gore, enjoy multiple points of view, and want something atmospheric but not too heavy.

I really enjoyed listening to the summer thriller! A trio of friends who spent all their summer childhood at the lake, come back again. Now grown, with families of their own, everything starts great. Minus the giant new house, David, renovated during the year. David need girlfriend vanishes and now the trio and their spouses must come together to help look for her. David’s new nanny, is also there with a reason she’s not sharing either. Thirty years ago, a woman vanished and thirty years before that another woman vanished. Is David’s girlfriend next? Part of the lake lore?

I listened to this on a road trip home and it was the perfect book to do so. Kept me entertained and I enjoyed the narrator.

Jamie Day does it again, providing us with another suspenseful summer read that had me hooked from the beginning. An atmospheric thriller, "The Lake Escape" unravels a mystery that has surrounded a lakeside Vermont town as a woman goes missing, exactly 30 years after another woman went missing, and 60 years after another woman before her.
This was an engrossing mystery-thriller that I wish I got to read while relaxing on a lake.

I read the book while also listening to the audiobook, narrated by Lisa Larsen and Phoebe Strole. Both did a great job depicting their characters, as the story is told through a dual POV. I highly recommend this book and audiobook.

Thankyou NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for the arc. All opinions are my own.

🛟 The Lake Escape - Jamie Day

3 ⭐️ - I am a sucker for a lake setting, but this one missed the mark for me. Rich people doing stupid things, teenagers obsessed with true crime, and icky men. I wanted to love it way more than I even liked it. I was interested in seeing how it ended but as the story went on, I just didn’t get it. You have to suspend your beliefs for this ending and I already wasn’t in it. Meh, it was just OK.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. And thank you to @macmillan.audio for a free download of the audiobook.

★★★★☆

The Lake Escape by Jamie Day is a gripping, atmospheric thriller that hooks you from the first chapter and doesn’t let go. When David’s girlfriend goes missing during what should have been a relaxing lakeside getaway, the story quickly spirals into a tense, twist-filled mystery that unravels not just the present, but the dark secrets buried in each character’s past.

The audiobook narration by Lisa Larsen and Phoebe Strole is a standout. Larsen brings a grounded, emotionally resonant tone to the present-day narrative, while Strole’s performance adds depth and nuance to the flashbacks. Together, they create a layered listening experience that enhances the suspense and emotional complexity of the story.

What really makes this book shine is how the characters’ histories slowly come to light. Each revelation adds a new layer of tension, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, another twist throws everything into question. The pacing is tight, the setting is vividly drawn, and the emotional stakes feel real.

If you enjoy thrillers with strong character development, dual timelines, and excellent narration, The Lake Escape is a must-listen. Jamie Day delivers another smart, suspenseful story that keeps you guessing until the very end.

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #stmartinspress #macmillianaudio #MacAudio2025 #thelakeescape #jamieday #lisalarsen #phoebestrole

This one grabbed me right away with its premise of a group of friends meeting in Vermont at their lake houses for vacation. There are so many secrets and strange happenings and the twists that must inevitably go along with those. If you're looking to love these characters, you're likely to be disappointed. But you won't be with the unexpected storylines that unfold. It was a fun, quick listen. The dual narration was done well.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARL. All opinions are mine.

This is what I want in a summer read. A lake house getaway. Check. Family drama. Check. Someone disappears. Check. A curse that someone disappears every 30 years.

Pure entertainment that drug me away from my life. It’s a mix of the characters and the mystery. There’s a great mix of characters and multiple ages telling their side of the story. Everyone has a secret or two and all isn’t as it appears. Does being friends since childhood equate to knowing a person?

I liked the pace and the mystery and while I didn’t love the characters, they weren’t so unlikable that I had trouble relating to them.

Lisa Larsen and Phoebe Strole narrate the vast cast of characters. They did a good job of keeping my interest and bringing the right intensity and drama into the mix. They made it such an easy listen. And I liked the water sounds at the start and end of the book tying in the lake setting.

Missing women in a lake town = perfect summer read. This was twisty and tense. The characters are layered and flawed, with each hiding their own secrets. I did the audiobook for parts and though the narration was strong. There were a few mysteries to be solved which kept the plot moving.

this isn’t a bad book! it was just not interesting enough to keep me hooked. the mystery/thriller elements felt very bland, especially in the beginning, and none of the characters were particularly compelling. definitely my least favorite by this author which is disappointing because i love a good lake mystery!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the listening copy of The Lake Escape. Here are my thoughts!

Growing up Julia, David and Erika spent summers on the lake, lounging in the sunshine. Now they are all grown with children of their own, and they are returning to the Vermont lakeside. Julia and Erika notice that David seems different, his renovations have blocked views, and his girlfriend is pretty young. One day, she goes missing and everyone is left wondering what happened. Is it the curse of the lake or is there someone shady amongst them?

This is my first Jamie Day novel. She’s an author I’ve been meaning to read forever and I’m super happy I finally did. This novel took a little while to hook me and I was really focused on keeping track of who was related to who, but once I homed in, I was completely immersed in this story.

I couldn’t decide if the lake curse was the culprit or one of the MCs. I kept going back and forth, or even if it was something paranormal. The author did a fantastic job at leaving so many possibilities for readers. The red herrings were aplenty.

I finally got to the climax, and end scenes and I was completely shocked that it was already over. I wanted more audiobook! But I was content with the conclusion. I thought it brought up an important message and made so much sense with the plot. I won’t go into it too much because I don’t want to spoil anything.

Anyways, I’m headed to the library to read the rest of Jamie Day’s books!

**Audiobook Review: The Lake Escape by Jamie Day**

The Lake Escape, a gripping domestic thriller by Jamie Day, takes listeners on a suspenseful journey through the complexities of friendship, secrets, and the haunting echoes of the past. The story revolves around three childhood friends who reunite for a two-week vacation with their families each year at Lake Timmeny. However, what begins as a seemingly idyllic getaway quickly spirals into a web of drama and intrigue.

The audiobook is expertly narrated by Lisa Larsen and Phoebe Strole, whose dual narration brings the characters of Julie and Izzy to life. Julie, one of the original trio of friends, offers a nostalgic perspective, while Izzy, the nanny for David's children, adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. The interplay between their voices enhances the emotional depth of the story, allowing listeners to fully immerse themselves in the unfolding drama. Izzy's hidden motives add an element of mystery that keeps you guessing, making the dual narration a perfect choice for this tale.

Jamie Day has a remarkable talent for crafting summer reads that are rich in drama, mystery, and suspense, and The Lake Escape is no exception. Her ability to weave complex relationships and unexpected twists into the narrative keeps the listener engaged from start to finish. The pacing is just right, with each revelation building tension and anticipation.

I want to extend my gratitude to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advanced copy of this audiobook. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience that held my interest throughout. If you're a fan of domestic thrillers that explore the darker sides of friendship and family dynamics, The Lake Escape is a must-listen.

THE LAKE ESCAPE centers around three friends who have been spending the summer together at the same lake since they were kids. As adults, their lives and relationships are much more complicated, including by the dark secrets they each carry. This is all set against the dark history of the lake, where a woman has gone missing every 30 years.

I liked the dual narration on audio and the contrast between one of the point of view characters being an "insider" (one of the original three) and the other being an outsider, with her own motivations for being at the lake for the summer.

THE LAKE ESCAPE has all the pieces of a popcorn thriller that would be a perfect summer read, I did find that it a bit hard to get into and like the momentum of the story didn't carry all the way through. That said, I found the last third or so much more fast paced and interesting, with loooots of twists, including some that I didn't see coming.

Conflicts between old friends immediately set the stage for this dramatic and suspenseful thriller. David, who is quickly portrayed as unlikable has added a huge addition to his lake house, obscuring the views of his long time friends, Julia and Erika and their families. David is an all-around jerk to his friends as well as his much younger new girlfriend who he doesn’t care enough about to know anything about her. Throw in some teen drama around Julia’s and Erika’s children and the new nanny for David’s children and the story becomes complicated. Added to the drama are decades old unsolved disappearances of young women at the lake on the same date in history and the story becomes even more complex but oh so interesting!
Jamie Day has written a really creative complex mystery/thriller in this one! The story is told mostly from the perspectives of Julia and Izzy, the young nanny whose motivations to be at the lake are slowly revealed. I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded. There were some great twists but nothing that I felt gave me whiplash. It was well-written and very creative. The podcast episodes at the end were an added bonus. Really enjoyable!
I listened to the audio version of this book and most of the narration was good. Some of the New York accents seemed “off” but easy enough to overlook.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Macmillan Audio for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

Mysterious disappearances have haunted the lake for years, casting a dark, unsettling shadow over what appears to be a peaceful, secluded retreat. The setting is vividly atmospheric—perfect for a summer thriller with a chilling edge.

Told from dual POVs and featuring a wide ensemble cast (at times a bit tricky to keep straight), the narrative gradually threads everything together. As memories unravel, long-buried secrets, deception, betrayals, blackmail, and hidden agendas come to light in dramatic fashion.

A fast-paced, binge-worthy read—especially when paired with the audiobook. Perfectly eerie and effortlessly engaging, it’s sinister summer suspense at its finest.

If I had not have the audio of this one I don't think I would have finished it. Not that it's all bad. Parts are very good. But parts are so unbelievable that they made me cringe. Not in a good way either. This story had great potential but alas it fell a bit short.

While the descriptions were wonderful and you certainly felt like you was at this lake, And David's glass mansion was one I could picture, I didn't believe a lot of what happened.

Three best friends. David, Julia, and Erika have been staying at the lake in the summer since they were all just small children. They know each other better than almost anyone could. Yet they honestly don't seem to know a lot about each other. I know people can become strangers after they grow up and marry, but these three remained friends. They didn't go separate ways and lose touch. Julia and Erika each have a child. Their children have been best friends. And it seems are even more. But they have these major secrets that each has no idea about? I'm not buying it. Especially David's secret. His tie with the mob.

There were two women who went missing thirty years apart. Then the girlfriend of David up and disappears thirty years after the last girl. No one knows anything. Right. I figured out a lot of it, which truly didn't make it a horrible story. It just didn't help. I saw some secrets coming way early.

I didn't like Erika or David. I barely tolerated Julia. I did feel so bad for Julia though. I adored Izzy. She was just too cute to be believed. But she was likable. A bit silly and somewhat of an airhead. But still likable. I felt bad for Julia's daughter and Erika's son. They were caught up in so much drama. These people had drama coming out of their pores.

While I may not have finished this book if not for the audio, I have to admit that the narrators did keep me interested. They made the story well worth listening to. Both did a good job.

I think maybe Nutmeg was my favorite character of all. He was Taylor's dog. Taylor is Julia's daughter. Lucas is Erika's son. Rick and Erika are married. Julia and Christian are married. David is not married anymore but has twins by his ex-wife. He was at the lake with Fiona. Fiona went missing.

Not a great book but not a total disaster either. I gave it three stars because I did finish it and I liked the ending.

Thank you #NetGalley, #StMartinsPress, #Macmillanaudio, for the ARC.

Out now! If you were a fan of previous Jamie Day books you may enjoy this one too!
Big thanks to my besties at Macmillan Audio for the ARC to read!

I loved this audiobook, both narrators were fantastic for their respective roles. The pacing was good and I was kept in the story the whole time. I couldn't read this fast enough, lol!

This is told in dual POV between lake house homeowner Julia and nanny (for the neighbor) Izzy. As with previous stories by this author secrets upon secrets are waiting to be revealed. I loved the pace, tension, and mystery of this story. There is a decades old mystery storyline wrapped in this too. Some of the characters and couple's secrets seemed more tame compared to others. But everyone's added to the mysteriousness of the story and the fun of unraveling how they are all connected.

I found the ending to be a bit OTT but the story does resolve everything nicely!

"Fairy tales are the product of imagination. The real world is full of monsters wearing the masks of our friends and neighbors, hiding lies, secrets , and betrayals that go back generations."

"It’s interesting how other species kill only to survive, but not us humans. No, we find all kinds of reasons to take a life that has nothing to do with biology. Greed. Ego. Hatred. Jealousy. The list goes on."

Just about everyone is in deep water in The Lake Escape, by intense family drama mystery thriller author, Jamie Day.

When Izzy heads to Lake Timmeny in Vermont, to work as a Nanny, her mother has no idea it's to get to the truth of her Aunt's disappearance 30 years ago. Lake lore is it's the curse of the lake because 30 years before that disappearance another female resident disappeared too.

The last thing Izzy suspected was for her boss David's girlfriend, Fiona, to become the third woman to disappear 30 years later.

Is it supernatural, just a sick coincidence, or is it something more sinister like the evil traits of humans?

David, Julia and Ericka spent their childhood at the lake. They are here now with their spouses and children. Everyone is trying to escape their secrets with a reprieve at the lake but they hadn't planned for Izzy to dig up the truth.

Voice actresses Lisa Larsen and Phoebe Strole are magnificent in bringing the writer's tension and suspense to life as the wild twists are revealed despite the deadly deeds to silence them.

Whether you read or listen, escaping to the lake, beach, pool or an air-conditioned room, The Lake Escape will keep your secrets away for at least a few entertaining hours of thrilling family drama.

I received free copies of this book/audiobook from St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Lake Escape, by Jamie Day, is a domestic thriller set at a picturesque lake in Vermont. Long time friends Julia, David, and Erika grew up spending their summers as next door neighbors at the lake. Now as adults they live in various places around the country, but have all inherited their families lake houses and still continue that summer tradition.

The lake has a lore all of its own. Two young women have gone missing from the lake town, thirty years apart. Their cases have always remained unsolved and people say that the lake took them.

This year, there's a little more tension between the three friend - David came into some money and remodeled his lake house into a huge house of glass, blocking both Julia and Erika's view of the beautiful scenery. He also brought along his young, new girlfriend and even younger new nanny, Izzy.

On their first night there, David and his girlfriend have an argument, overheard by some. The next day, she's gone. It has been thirty years since the last woman disappeared - has the lake taken her also?

This book was a little too crazy for me. There were very few likeable characters. The storyline was almost ridiculous. I had to laugh when the Irish mob (in Vermont?) was highly involved and a porn ring was introduced. There was just too much going on and too many dumb secrets. Too many improbably happenings, and not enough character development.

I'm not sure that I'll pick up another Jamie Day novel, personally I think there are too many other really good suspense/thrillers out there to choose from. But this one has a number of good reviews out there, so take those into consideration and pick it up and give it a try!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Jamie Day has crafted another nostalgic, unputdownable summer thriller with The Lake Escape. A story of three childhood friends, now adults, who grew up spending every summer together at their families lake house, now adults and still friends, they still visit the lake every summer with their children. However, this summer their friendships are being tested. Some act like they don’t want to be there or participate in traditional plans, and some are holding secrets that the others know nothing about. Manipulation, decade long secrets, blackmail, betrayal, and unsolved murders that will leave you questioning who can you really trust?

I really enjoyed this drama filled, multilayered, messy thriller. Its multiple perspectives, toxic atmospheric, slow-burn plot and the complex, unreliable characters had me questioning and guessing to the very end. So many twists throughout the story and a wild ending that I didn’t see coming. I thought using the FMC’s internal social media posts was unique and helped drive the story and her revelation about social media in the end had me reflecting as well.

The audiobook narrates, Lisa Larsen and Phoebe Strole, did a great job with tone and voice differentiating the multiple eccentric characters, and setting the mysterious, atmospheric vibes. They definitely helped bring the story and characters to life and delivered a flawless performance from start to finish.

Thank you @stmartinspress, @macmillan.audio, and @netgalley for the #gifted ARC and ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Lake Escape was an easy thriller to fall into. I enjoyed the mysteries and the neighbor dynamics. I was intrigued by the past disappearances and the current one. This book was often more about the issues within families than the actual mystery but I enjoyed that. The disappearances unravel in the very end. There are some hints throughout the story but the ending really tells it all. The multiple POVs helped to tell the story. I didn’t love how it all came together in the end but I appreciated how it was all related and connected. The ending was very over the top. This is the perfect book for people who like thrillers that aren’t open ended.