This book starts off a good summer thriller. 3 friends come back to their lake homes like they have for decades when one of their partners disappears! Could it be liked to the two other missing women? The chaos that erupts in the last 25% of the book is unhinged. Sometimes even reaching. Is there a twist, yes. Are there seven different twists you didn’t see coming at all? Yep! It’s a fun read, a little comical but buckle up because you are in for a ride.

I would round this up to 3.5 stars! It was a slow start, entertaining middle and a bit of a let down on the ending. Definitely more of a domestic thriller than mystery. Mary Poppins was referenced a surprising number of times! Most of the characters were pretty unlikable and I could have done without the mindfulness lesson at the ending - seemed out of place. That said, it was lovely to listen to a novel where a lake played such a major character and this was a good summer binge listen. Big thanks to thank you to NetGalley, and Macmillan audio for my ARC of this audiobook. I would read/listen to another book by Jamie Day especially if these narrators are involved.

Audiobook Review: The Lake Escape — 3.25⭐️
Narrated by: Macmillan Audio Cast
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

The Lake Escape offers a blend of domestic suspense and high-stakes thriller, but ultimately feels a bit uneven in pacing and tone. While the dual POV structure and intriguing setup had potential, the novel’s two-part format delivers very different listening experiences.

Part I leans heavily into the setup, but it’s weighed down by slow pacing and underdeveloped character arcs. There’s a lot of surface-level detail—words without the emotional depth to truly anchor the relationships, especially the dynamic trio of Julia, David, and Erica. Their long-standing friendship is the foundation for these annual reunions, yet Erica’s minimal presence left that emotional thread feeling incomplete.

Part II, in contrast, shifts gears completely. Once the action kicks in, the suspense escalates quickly—introducing FBI agents, mob ties, and a missing girlfriend. The story suddenly swerves into full-blown thriller territory, which felt over-the-top compared to the first half’s quieter domestic tone. The transition is jarring, and while it does ramp up the drama, the twists don’t all land with credibility.

Izzy, the new nanny, is the standout character and central voice throughout. Her first-person narration, paired with Julia’s third-person chapters, keeps the narrative mostly grounded. Izzy immediately owns her role as an unreliable narrator, which adds a fun layer of tension, especially as her obsession with true-crime podcasts propels her amateur sleuthing. The narrator voicing Izzy delivers a particularly strong performance, shifting seamlessly between characters like 20-something Izzy and 70-year-old Grace.

There’s plenty of tension, suspicion, and interpersonal drama surrounding the mysterious disappearances at the lake—one past, one present. The ending was just meh for me; I tend to prefer endings that show rather than tell, so the wrap-up didn’t hit as satisfyingly for me.

That said, the setting is vivid, the narration is solid, and the audiobook is easy to follow thanks to the focused POVs. Also, the sounds of water splashing is top tier IMO. While it may not be a top-tier summer listen, it could be a fun pick for beach or vacation reading—especially for those who enjoy dramatic twists and tangled relationships.

Pub Date: July 15, 2025

I have read and enjoyed all of Jamie’s books and this one was no exception! She writes great domestic thrillers that are great for summertime binging, this one was no exception! I loved the nostalgia that came with the lake setting and how the drama starts right away! The way Jamie masterfully writes multiple POVs makes the story read like a complex puzzle, building tension each time we switch perspectives. I enjoyed the two different mysteries that were playing out side by side! The two narrators did a great job bringing this book to life! Definitely recommend audio!

3.5 stars. It took me a little while to get invested In this story, but im very glad I persevered. Three families are neighbors at a lakeside in Vermont. The owners have known each other since childhood, and would swear that they know each other better than anybody. However, this summer all their buried secrets come to the surface and risk ruining much more than the lake view.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.

Thank you Jamie Day and Macmillan Audio for an audiobook ARC of The Lake Escape.

This was actually my second arc from Jamie day and I really like his writing style. This being the first audio book from him I’ve heard, I also feel like he did a fairly good job at choosing narrators. Although I felt pretty disappointed in the characters and character development. They felt very one dimensional. I enjoyed the book itself, I just wish when the girlfriend goes missing it wasn’t so obvious who did it. I felt like the rest of the book was spent trying to make you second guess who did it even though you know and at the end the very obvious person confesses. I definitely would have preferred a large twist to the story rather than going with the obvious villain. So personally that was a slight let down.

I do read a lot of thrillers though, so I could just be incredibly bias towards the antagonist in books at this point. Definitely would recommend this to someone starting out in the thriller book world.

I look forward to seeing what Jamie can come up with next!

The Lake Escape is a must-read for summer thriller lovers. Expect a slow-burning start, followed by gripping suspense, multi-layered secrets, and final-page surprises. I loved the setting and the characters!

The Lake Escape is a great summer thriller! The twists and turns were crazy and the two different POV draws you in. I couldn't stop once I started reading. This story takes you through years of lies and will leave you with your jaw on the floor.

Just when I thought this was going to be a typical domestic thriller about rich people doing and hiding things, the book turned and revealed some fun turn of events that made this actually fun. Yet, it took a bit to get there. I get it...the climax and reveals were supposed to be until the end, but the ride to get there just took a bit too bland and long.

There was a promise at the beginning, almost paranormal, reminding us that the "lake takes". I was almost giddy to see where this was going to turn. I don't want to spoil it beyond that. Three families vacationing together and introducing some very typical characters in a book like this. The three core friends that grew up together and eventually returning to their annual lake trip just didn't seem convincing to even be friends. Yes, they grew apart over the years, but somehow it felt so forced that they even cared to see each other. So from that odd foundation, the whole thing just rolled on without much interest from the reader.

I kept thinking: where was the head turn going to happen? But when it did, it became kind of fun. It was just the characters were so shitty to each other that I didn't care enough to what happened. Bummer, really.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan for an audiobook copy of this. All opinions are my own.

I LOVED this book. It had it all: great plot, complicated characters, good setting, nice pacing. I really enjoyed this story and it kept me guessing right up to the end. I will definitely read more from Jamie Day!

Thank you Netgalley & Macmillan Audio for an ALC of The Lake Escape by Jamie Day! This was the perfect suspenseful mystery audiobook for the summer.

This one follows Julia, David and Erika - Now adults who grew up together summering at their Vermont lake homes. They now have kids of their own - and with that, their own challenges and secrets. David has renovated his lake house (now blocking the view for the others), as well as his much younger girlfriend and nanny who has joined them for vacation. What on earth could go wrong?

I don't want to spoil this one - But I didn't see that first twist coming at all! I was surprised by the ending. Will be recommending this one for mystery book lovers - not quite a thriller, but a summer heat nonetheless with major suspense!

This is the third Jamie Day book I have read. The first I loathed, the second I loved; this one sits square in the middle.
The biggest problem for me was that when the girlfriend went missing it was very obvious who did it. We essentially wait the whole book for the villain's confession at the end. However while we wait we have absolutely everything possible thrown at us and it is just too much. I would have much preferred that the author choose one or two things to have happen/be red herrings and do them well.
the characters are also very cliched and one dimensional. This is Boy Who Plays Guitar, so every interaction is about music or band or being a rock star.

thank you to NetGalley, the author Jamie Day, and Macmillan audio for my ARC of this audiobook.

I feel like this was a domestic drama with an element of mystery and suspense where I would have preferred the opposite.

There was a lot of focus on the characters and their interpersonal relationships and conflicts as well as their domestic relationships and conflicts that made me lose interest in the story. The only thing that kept me reading was wanting to know what happened to the three missing women.

The reveal of what happened was disappointing to me as I wanted something more creepy or haunting. I came into this book with a set of expectations on what it would be and it just didn’t live up to them.

Story was a little bit of a slow start but once it got moving it became faster paced. Quite a few twists I didn’t see coming, a couple I did. The wrap up of the story was more complex than I would have thought with only some vague clues given along the way. The narrators were very good, clear concise with appropriate inflections and pacing was excellent.
Thank you to NetGalley, McMillan audio and Jamie Day for the advanced audio it was thoroughly enjoyable.

The Lake Escape is a perfect summer-thriller vibe—eerie lakeside setting, escalating suspense, and a layered mystery that rewards patience. If you're into immersive, slow-burn suspense with emotional stakes and surprising reveals, this audiobook is a strong pick. But if you prefer a taut, fast-paced ride or a tightly focused cast, you might find the setup a bit sprawling before the payoff.

Three childhood friends—Julia, David, and Erika—return to their Vermont lake homes for their annual two-week summer vacation. On the surface, it’s a familiar tradition, but this summer, everything feels different.

Told in alternating chapters that keep the pace fast, this story weaves together past and present, secrets and suspicions.

The multiple storylines come together in a layered, yet easy-to-follow way. This is a smart, twisty mystery that kept me turning the pages. A great pick for anyone who enjoys thrillers with complex characters and slow-burning tension.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After loving One Big Happy Family, my expectations for this later novel from Jamie Day were high. I’m so pleased to say I enjoyed this thriller. Jamie Day is quickly becoming a must read author for me. I’m excited to go back and read The Block Party.

This book was exactly what I want in a thriller! It had a great setting, complex characters, and great POVs. The story was told by Julia, who has been spending summers at the lake her whole life, and Izzy, a nanny who accepted a job last minute for a wealthy single father with two kids.

Lisa Larsen and Phoebe Strole did a great job with the narration and kept me on the edge of my seat! Having the story bounce between their POVs made the mystery feel like a puzzle, and I loved how their histories unexpectedly wove together in the end.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All thoughts are my own.

Julia, Erika, and David have been lifelong friends connected by their lake houses. When they go this summer, Julia and Erika find that David has built a massive house that blocks their view of the lake. David has also brought his new girlfriend, Fiona, and a new nanny. When Fiona disappears on the first night, we spend most of the story trying to find her. The nanny, Izzy, is there for more reasons that to watch the kids. Her aunt mysteriously died at the lake years ago and she is trying to figure out who killed her. This story was pretty slow paced at the start but quickly picked up. The connections between Julia, Erika, and David are crazy and how Izzy fit into the picture was as well. I enjoyed the who did it aspect as the story sets up one person and in reality that person isn'y fully responsible.

This one did not work for me. I found that the beginning was very slow and kind of boring. The second half had all the fun, however it was so over the top that it was hard to be believable. I found that parts of both halves were wonderful, but overall the issues just made this one ehh for me.
Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copies.