The Lake Escape by Jamie Day

 

My thoughts

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. 

About

The next riveting summer suspense by the author of THE BLOCK PARTY and ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY, Jamie Day.

WILL THIS BE THE BEST WEEK OF THEIR LIVES... OR THE LAST?

JULIA, DAVID, AND ERIKA grew up together spending summers at their idyllic Vermont lake homes for as long as they can remember. Now adults— with their own sullen teens, endless mortgages, and low-voltage sex lives— the three friends have amassed secrets over the years.

This summer, David is eager to show off his newly renovated home—which now blocks his friends’ cherished lake views—and his much-younger girlfriend. He also, unwittingly, brings a nanny with a hidden agenda. What could possibly go wrong?

When David’s girlfriend mysteriously vanishes after a shouting match, Julia and Erika wonder just how well they know their lifelong friend. The lake harbors a harrowing two young women, with no known connection, vanished without a trace thirty years ago. Did the lake take another?

As a search is mounted, an intricate web of lies, deceits, and betrayals spanning generations starts to surface, and everyone finds themselves in danger of becoming the next victim. Of the lake, or something darker.