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The Lake House
Claire’s grown up triple-checking locks. Counting her steps. Second-guessing every decision. It’s just how she’s wired – her worst-case scenarios never actually come true.
Until she arrives at an off-the-grid summer camp to find a blackened, burned husk instead of a lodge – and no survivors, except her and two other late arrivals: Reyva and Mariana.
When the three girls find a dead body in the woods, they realize none of this is an accident. Someone, something, is hunting them. Something that hides in the shadows. Something that refuses to let them leave.
Until she arrives at an off-the-grid summer camp to find a blackened, burned husk instead of a lodge – and no survivors, except her and two other late arrivals: Reyva and Mariana.
When the three girls find a dead body in the woods, they realize none of this is an accident. Someone, something, is hunting them. Something that hides in the shadows. Something that refuses to let them leave.
9 pages, Audiobook
First published April 25, 2023
157 people are currently reading
12906 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Beth Durst
42 books7,031 followersSarah Beth Durst is the New York Times bestselling author of over twenty-five books for adults, teens, and kids, including cozy fantasy The Spellshop. She's been awarded an American Library Association Alex Award, as well as a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award. Several of her books have been optioned for film/television, including Drink Slay Love, which was made into a TV movie and was a question on Jeopardy! She lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband, her children, and her ill-mannered cat. Visit her at sarahbethdurst.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 803 reviews
December 12, 2025
The Lake House follows three girls who have just embarked on a summer adventure they'll never forget.
Our main character is Claire. She's excited to be going to the Lake House, an off-grid summer camp, but it's definitely outside of her comfort zone.
On the boat ride to the remote location in Maine, Claire meets two other girls attending the camp, Reyva and Mariana. In fact, they're the only campers on the boat. Although they're quite different, they hit it off right away.
They get dropped at the dock and their escort, Jack, says his goodbyes. As he takes off, the girls realize this is it. He was their only connection with the outside world and he won't be back for a long time.
This is it. It's really happening. Their off-grid, roughing it, summer vacation has officially begun.
At this point, you may be wondering why these girls would sign themselves up for this? As it turns out, all of their parents were once campers at the Lake House and all highly recommended the experience.
Even though their motivations differ, each one of the girls has their own reasons for wanting to participate in the challenging summer excursion. You'll hear a lot about those things over the course of the story. Be prepared.
As they make their way down the trail to the Lake House, all they discover is a burned out shell where the building once stood. Ashes all around, they find no one and worse, have none of the expected supplies that would aide in their outdoor survival.
After they find a dead body in the woods, they realize this was no accident. With no means of communicating with the outside world, and danger lurking around every corner, the girls will now learn the true meaning of survival.
Before I get into my thoughts on this story, can we all just take a moment and bow down at the alter that is this cover.
She is such a beauty; my favorite aesthetic. It's giving me strong, dark 70s-Horror vibes and I am eating it up. I love the muted colors and haunting imagery. Honestly, I would hang this is as an art print above my bed, where I could behold its stunning glory daily.
Moving on though, we probably should get into my final thoughts.
I liked this. It's good, but sadly, I was expecting more. I know a lot of people will love this. I wish I was one of them, but from the start, the set-up seemed off to me. It didn't quite make sense. I had questions.
Around the 30%-point was my peak interest moment. There was some intrigue, after the girls find out their shelter has burned to the ground and they begin to really investigate their surroundings for the first time.
For a moment, it was channeling the same vibes I got in the early episodes of LOST. There was a lot of mystery and I was desperate to find out what was going on.
Unfortunately, for me though, while I wanted to dig more into that feeling, I kept getting distracted by the dialogue between the girls and the inner musings of Claire. I felt like I was a fly on the wall of a therapy session versus in the midst of a survival story.
There were a couple of interesting twists and I did appreciate the idea behind the Horror element, but for me there were holes that never got fully explored and as mentioned above, I kept getting kicked out of the story by the eye-roll inducing dialogue amongst the girls.
I know the above makes me sound bitter and maybe I am a little, because I was looking forward to this so much. I do want to be clear though, this is a good book. It's a quick read and engaging overall.
I was just expecting a different, darker tone and wasn't really psyched about what I ultimately got from this. Additionally, I may have enjoyed it more if I knew less about Maine, camping, or camping in Maine...
With this being said, just because it wasn't a great fit for me, doesn't mean it won't be for you. If you are intrigued by the synopsis, you should absolutely give it a shot.
There's a Reader for every book and book for every Reader. Please don't let my slightly sour opinion sway you either way. I would love for you to come back and tell me why I'm wrong. I really want this to work for everyone else!
Thank you to the publisher, HarperTeen, for providing me with a copy to read and review. While this wasn't a perfect match for my tastes, I really appreciate the opportunity to provide my opinion.
Our main character is Claire. She's excited to be going to the Lake House, an off-grid summer camp, but it's definitely outside of her comfort zone.
On the boat ride to the remote location in Maine, Claire meets two other girls attending the camp, Reyva and Mariana. In fact, they're the only campers on the boat. Although they're quite different, they hit it off right away.
They get dropped at the dock and their escort, Jack, says his goodbyes. As he takes off, the girls realize this is it. He was their only connection with the outside world and he won't be back for a long time.
This is it. It's really happening. Their off-grid, roughing it, summer vacation has officially begun.
At this point, you may be wondering why these girls would sign themselves up for this? As it turns out, all of their parents were once campers at the Lake House and all highly recommended the experience.
Even though their motivations differ, each one of the girls has their own reasons for wanting to participate in the challenging summer excursion. You'll hear a lot about those things over the course of the story. Be prepared.
As they make their way down the trail to the Lake House, all they discover is a burned out shell where the building once stood. Ashes all around, they find no one and worse, have none of the expected supplies that would aide in their outdoor survival.
After they find a dead body in the woods, they realize this was no accident. With no means of communicating with the outside world, and danger lurking around every corner, the girls will now learn the true meaning of survival.
Before I get into my thoughts on this story, can we all just take a moment and bow down at the alter that is this cover.
She is such a beauty; my favorite aesthetic. It's giving me strong, dark 70s-Horror vibes and I am eating it up. I love the muted colors and haunting imagery. Honestly, I would hang this is as an art print above my bed, where I could behold its stunning glory daily.
Moving on though, we probably should get into my final thoughts.
I liked this. It's good, but sadly, I was expecting more. I know a lot of people will love this. I wish I was one of them, but from the start, the set-up seemed off to me. It didn't quite make sense. I had questions.
Around the 30%-point was my peak interest moment. There was some intrigue, after the girls find out their shelter has burned to the ground and they begin to really investigate their surroundings for the first time.
For a moment, it was channeling the same vibes I got in the early episodes of LOST. There was a lot of mystery and I was desperate to find out what was going on.
Unfortunately, for me though, while I wanted to dig more into that feeling, I kept getting distracted by the dialogue between the girls and the inner musings of Claire. I felt like I was a fly on the wall of a therapy session versus in the midst of a survival story.
There were a couple of interesting twists and I did appreciate the idea behind the Horror element, but for me there were holes that never got fully explored and as mentioned above, I kept getting kicked out of the story by the eye-roll inducing dialogue amongst the girls.
I know the above makes me sound bitter and maybe I am a little, because I was looking forward to this so much. I do want to be clear though, this is a good book. It's a quick read and engaging overall.
I was just expecting a different, darker tone and wasn't really psyched about what I ultimately got from this. Additionally, I may have enjoyed it more if I knew less about Maine, camping, or camping in Maine...
With this being said, just because it wasn't a great fit for me, doesn't mean it won't be for you. If you are intrigued by the synopsis, you should absolutely give it a shot.
There's a Reader for every book and book for every Reader. Please don't let my slightly sour opinion sway you either way. I would love for you to come back and tell me why I'm wrong. I really want this to work for everyone else!
Thank you to the publisher, HarperTeen, for providing me with a copy to read and review. While this wasn't a perfect match for my tastes, I really appreciate the opportunity to provide my opinion.
March 3, 2023
Star Rating: —> 5 FULL Stars
🌟⭐️🌟⭐️🌟
[ Actually all the stars, but you know, technicalities… *eye roll* PSH. 🤷🏼♀️😉😂 ]
ARC was given by NetGalley & HarperTeen in exchange for an honest review.
Ummm, firstly, LOOK AT THAT COVER?! Stunnnnning!!!
More importantly, I LOVEEEDDDD THIS! I was/AM SO IMPRESSED with Durst’s newest YA novel!
So this is categorized as a survival thriller/ suspense/ horror novel & uh, it definitely lived up to allllll of that description. WHEW!
This book truly evokes every single emotion in the book (no pun intended 😉)! It has EXCELLENT anxiety rep (which personally, I feel like its SO hard to find amazing anxiety representation in YA thrillers/horror & this book warmed my heart with its rep!), LGBTQIA+ rep, chronic pain/disability rep, & boasts SUCH an intriguing, diverse cast of characters!
And OH MY LORD IS THIS ONE A WINNER . It was SO FUN! So much amazing ride or die energy with these girls (our MCs) !!! I LOVE IT when characters in bad situations are still there for each other no matter what! And holy lord is that “no matter what” extreeeeemely pertinent here, because sh*t gets DAMN REALLLL BONKERS!
I read this book in ONE SITTING! I laughed, I cried, & was scared out if my mind at times, & It literally kept me up all night long reading until the end!…
Thank you again HarperTeen!!! 🥰
🌟⭐️🌟⭐️🌟
[ Actually all the stars, but you know, technicalities… *eye roll* PSH. 🤷🏼♀️😉😂 ]
ARC was given by NetGalley & HarperTeen in exchange for an honest review.
Ummm, firstly, LOOK AT THAT COVER?! Stunnnnning!!!
More importantly, I LOVEEEDDDD THIS! I was/AM SO IMPRESSED with Durst’s newest YA novel!
So this is categorized as a survival thriller/ suspense/ horror novel & uh, it definitely lived up to allllll of that description. WHEW!
This book truly evokes every single emotion in the book (no pun intended 😉)! It has EXCELLENT anxiety rep (which personally, I feel like its SO hard to find amazing anxiety representation in YA thrillers/horror & this book warmed my heart with its rep!), LGBTQIA+ rep, chronic pain/disability rep, & boasts SUCH an intriguing, diverse cast of characters!
And OH MY LORD IS THIS ONE A WINNER . It was SO FUN! So much amazing ride or die energy with these girls (our MCs) !!! I LOVE IT when characters in bad situations are still there for each other no matter what! And holy lord is that “no matter what” extreeeeemely pertinent here, because sh*t gets DAMN REALLLL BONKERS!
I read this book in ONE SITTING! I laughed, I cried, & was scared out if my mind at times, & It literally kept me up all night long reading until the end!…
Thank you again HarperTeen!!! 🥰
May 8, 2023
The Lake House by Sarah Beth Durst is a creepy and thrilling young adult horror novel. The story in The Lake House is one that was told by changing the point of view between the characters in the novel.
Teenagers Claire, Reyva and Mariana all thought they were heading to a remote summer camp in the wilderness. After being dropped off by the boat however they find things are not the happy camp they expected, a fire has occurred and they stumble upon a dead body. The girls will have to ban together to survive what else is waiting for them.
The Lake House by Sarah Beth Durst was a quick and creepy read, definitely more on the horror side than thriller, or more chills than thrills for the most part. The girls in the book all had their own personalities and quirks to get to know which made them stand out while reading. The story quickly takes a dark turn and the pages kept turning waiting to see how it would all resolved. Not the first book I’ve read from this author and will certainly not be the last either.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Teenagers Claire, Reyva and Mariana all thought they were heading to a remote summer camp in the wilderness. After being dropped off by the boat however they find things are not the happy camp they expected, a fire has occurred and they stumble upon a dead body. The girls will have to ban together to survive what else is waiting for them.
The Lake House by Sarah Beth Durst was a quick and creepy read, definitely more on the horror side than thriller, or more chills than thrills for the most part. The girls in the book all had their own personalities and quirks to get to know which made them stand out while reading. The story quickly takes a dark turn and the pages kept turning waiting to see how it would all resolved. Not the first book I’ve read from this author and will certainly not be the last either.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
December 17, 2022
Reyva, Mariana and paranoid Claire go to a secluded Lake House camp on an eerie island. When they get there they find a burned down house and a dead body. They have been stranded with no way home. Creepy things start going on and they have to fight for survival. This book had good creep factor and was very suspenseful. Thanks NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for this ARC!
August 7, 2023
It felt like reading about the most boring therapy session ever.
April 27, 2023
This definitely didn't go any place I expected based on the pitch I heard (which was more vague than the synopsis) or the vibe of the cover. So in that way I think this'll definitely surprise you along the way.
Part survivalist, part mystery, part horror, The Lake House focuses on three young girls, all with their own battles, who have to stick together and survive not only in some extreme conditions and circumstances in the wild but also outsmart, and outwit, an added element of danger as well.
I don't really have a lot to say about this one. I enjoyed it as I read it, though I maybe would've liked it more if it was more straight-forward in the sense of the real conflict behind everything that was going on, but I appreciated the characters and their strengths, their determination, and their connection. Having said that, I'm not sure I'll remember much of this in a few months, even despite the element that otherwise would make this memorable, but that's okay.
If you enjoy a good mystery mashed up with uncertainty and survival, this might be the read for you!
2.75 stars
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
Part survivalist, part mystery, part horror, The Lake House focuses on three young girls, all with their own battles, who have to stick together and survive not only in some extreme conditions and circumstances in the wild but also outsmart, and outwit, an added element of danger as well.
I don't really have a lot to say about this one. I enjoyed it as I read it, though I maybe would've liked it more if it was more straight-forward in the sense of the real conflict behind everything that was going on, but I appreciated the characters and their strengths, their determination, and their connection. Having said that, I'm not sure I'll remember much of this in a few months, even despite the element that otherwise would make this memorable, but that's okay.
If you enjoy a good mystery mashed up with uncertainty and survival, this might be the read for you!
2.75 stars
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
April 29, 2023
Such a waste of an incredible cover.
This is the same “group of precocious teens with unrealistic survival skills abandoned in the wild” story we’ve read many many times.
Minor twist toward the end that could have been cool but wasn’t really a part of the story, so it ends up being lame and random.
I really wanted a brutal slasher 😭.
This is the same “group of precocious teens with unrealistic survival skills abandoned in the wild” story we’ve read many many times.
Minor twist toward the end that could have been cool but wasn’t really a part of the story, so it ends up being lame and random.
I really wanted a brutal slasher 😭.
November 23, 2022
Another trip into the woods. This book was billed as Yellowjackets meets One of Us is Lying and I can see the comparisons as a fan of both. I love woods/forest settings and this one delivered. The book was ok nothing memorable or horrible about it. If you’re looking for a quick, easy, ya spooky read this one’s for you!
Claire is always well prepared for worst case scenarios, however after she arrives at an off-grid summer camp, she realizes how unprepared she really is. The camp burnt to a crisp upon arrival and there’s no sign of anyone except Claire and two others. The three find a dead body in the woods and begin to panic. Someone or something is watching them, waiting and refuses to let them leave.
The Lake House is available April 23,2023.
Thank you to netgalley and harpercollins for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Claire is always well prepared for worst case scenarios, however after she arrives at an off-grid summer camp, she realizes how unprepared she really is. The camp burnt to a crisp upon arrival and there’s no sign of anyone except Claire and two others. The three find a dead body in the woods and begin to panic. Someone or something is watching them, waiting and refuses to let them leave.
The Lake House is available April 23,2023.
Thank you to netgalley and harpercollins for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
May 28, 2024
She would've known what to do:
May 11, 2023
How on earth was this so boring
July 5, 2023
I thought the survival parts of the story were interesting and that these were good characters, but don't set me up for a survival/possible killer story at an abandoned camp and then turn it supernatural.
November 28, 2025
One line Hot take: more towards middle grade and rather too cheesy and unrealistic.
June 2023 read: If only the book is as thrilling as the cover. Am currently living in a war zone where internet access is limited.
June 2023 read: If only the book is as thrilling as the cover. Am currently living in a war zone where internet access is limited.
Read
April 28, 2023Dnf @30%
I was expecting a gripping writing style since it's a horror featuring a paranoid protagonist. But it didn't really give that. There wasn't really anything to build the tension. The characters were quirky and that was it. Felt middle grade in tone similar to The City of Ghosts Collection.
I was expecting a gripping writing style since it's a horror featuring a paranoid protagonist. But it didn't really give that. There wasn't really anything to build the tension. The characters were quirky and that was it. Felt middle grade in tone similar to The City of Ghosts Collection.
April 18, 2023
Three girls arrive at a summer camp deep in the woods in Maine—but nobody's there. The camp is a battered, burnt-out ruin, and the only person they can find is dead. With nobody around to get them out, it's up to them to figure out: who did this? And why? And what will it take for the three of them to survive?
I've read a number of books of late in which it's clear that one of the main characters must have been the perpetrator, and this is basically the opposite: Claire and Mariana and Reyva arrived together, on the same boat—so there are few things of which they are certain, but they know without a doubt that none of them is responsible. They know they can trust each other. As a platonic-friendship story, then, it's fantastic: the girls are all very different, and under normal circumstances they probably wouldn't be friends...but these are not normal circumstances. This is late nights in the woods, in the rain, desperately needing a way to collect water and a way to find food; this is knowing that they aren't alone in the woods, and that nobody is coming to save them, and they'll need to save themselves. Mariana is a girly-girl with a deep love of old cars, and Reyva has gotten used to years of quelling her emotions, and Claire is terrified that her panic attacks will break them apart—and right now, they're all each other has.
I love a mystery that scares me, that makes me afraid that someone is, you know, stalking me through the woods and could slit my throat any minute now. I want to be afraid for the characters, but I want to be so lost in the story that I'm afraid for myself too. And The Lake House gripped me by the throat for the first twenty-one chapters. I was so deep in it that I barely registered the world around me as I walked through my neighborhood with my nose deep in my e-reader, and I jumped every time I caught another person moving in my peripheral vision.
What I didn't love: there's a twist. It's one that will work brilliantly for some readers, and I think it's best to go in not knowing, so I won't get more detailed than that—but it's the sort of twist that neutralizes a lot of the fear for me. I finished the book in a day and slept like a baby, but I sort of wish that I'd read only halfway before calling it a night, and then finished the next day, so that I could have had a bit of that wide-awake-can't-sleep-is-that-something-at-the-window feeling. (I know. It's a personal problem.)
So...not a home run for me, but I can and do happily recommend this for anyone who wants a deep-in-the-woods type of mystery (it's one of my favorite sorts, along with the stuck-in-a-rambling-old-mansion type) with an emphasis on platonic friendship and girls working together.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
I've read a number of books of late in which it's clear that one of the main characters must have been the perpetrator, and this is basically the opposite: Claire and Mariana and Reyva arrived together, on the same boat—so there are few things of which they are certain, but they know without a doubt that none of them is responsible. They know they can trust each other. As a platonic-friendship story, then, it's fantastic: the girls are all very different, and under normal circumstances they probably wouldn't be friends...but these are not normal circumstances. This is late nights in the woods, in the rain, desperately needing a way to collect water and a way to find food; this is knowing that they aren't alone in the woods, and that nobody is coming to save them, and they'll need to save themselves. Mariana is a girly-girl with a deep love of old cars, and Reyva has gotten used to years of quelling her emotions, and Claire is terrified that her panic attacks will break them apart—and right now, they're all each other has.
I love a mystery that scares me, that makes me afraid that someone is, you know, stalking me through the woods and could slit my throat any minute now. I want to be afraid for the characters, but I want to be so lost in the story that I'm afraid for myself too. And The Lake House gripped me by the throat for the first twenty-one chapters. I was so deep in it that I barely registered the world around me as I walked through my neighborhood with my nose deep in my e-reader, and I jumped every time I caught another person moving in my peripheral vision.
What I didn't love: there's a twist. It's one that will work brilliantly for some readers, and I think it's best to go in not knowing, so I won't get more detailed than that—but it's the sort of twist that neutralizes a lot of the fear for me. I finished the book in a day and slept like a baby, but I sort of wish that I'd read only halfway before calling it a night, and then finished the next day, so that I could have had a bit of that wide-awake-can't-sleep-is-that-something-at-the-window feeling. (I know. It's a personal problem.)
So...not a home run for me, but I can and do happily recommend this for anyone who wants a deep-in-the-woods type of mystery (it's one of my favorite sorts, along with the stuck-in-a-rambling-old-mansion type) with an emphasis on platonic friendship and girls working together.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
January 21, 2023
This book was not what I was expecting and lost me towards the end. The characters are great and love that they come together to survive.
Spoiler next....
The part where the author lost me was where an acient spirit possesses people to kill those in it's agenda. That would have been okay, but it came out of nowhere towards the end that it was almost like it was a random last minute decision. But, that's just my opinion.
Spoiler next....
The part where the author lost me was where an acient spirit possesses people to kill those in it's agenda. That would have been okay, but it came out of nowhere towards the end that it was almost like it was a random last minute decision. But, that's just my opinion.
July 4, 2023
Despite this being silly at times and a bit melodramatic with the teenage "no one understands me" angst, it was a good time overall, and I had a lot of fun reading this!
For the most part I found the story to be quite engrossing . I love survival stories (or like man vs nature stories), and I found I didn't want to put it down. My favorite part was that this did not have a strong romance sub plot (which I swear every single YA book has to have for some reason) and it focused primarily on female friendships!
One issue I did have however was that sometimes the main character Claire could be annoying. Really annoying. Like really realllllly annoying. Her lack of self-confidence (while relatable) was often very frustrating to read about and it seemed like she would just think herself in circles at times. I also felt like the book definitely spent a bit too much time on the backstories of the girls and their emotions / feelings about their parents that did lose my interest at times.
All in all, while I know a lot of people may think this is silly (like the ultimate twist of what's going on) and I GET it...I still thought this was a very interesting read.
.
.
.
Synopsis: Three girls are ferried to a lake house camp for the summer. When they are dropped off and make it to the house they see it is burned down (with a dead body inside that appears to be shot) and no other people are there and the boat that ferried them there has left. They have to figure out how to survive in the forest despite knowing that whoever committed the crime must still be out there somewhere.
For the most part I found the story to be quite engrossing . I love survival stories (or like man vs nature stories), and I found I didn't want to put it down. My favorite part was that this did not have a strong romance sub plot (which I swear every single YA book has to have for some reason) and it focused primarily on female friendships!
One issue I did have however was that sometimes the main character Claire could be annoying. Really annoying. Like really realllllly annoying. Her lack of self-confidence (while relatable) was often very frustrating to read about and it seemed like she would just think herself in circles at times. I also felt like the book definitely spent a bit too much time on the backstories of the girls and their emotions / feelings about their parents that did lose my interest at times.
All in all, while I know a lot of people may think this is silly (like the ultimate twist of what's going on) and I GET it...I still thought this was a very interesting read.
.
.
.
Synopsis: Three girls are ferried to a lake house camp for the summer. When they are dropped off and make it to the house they see it is burned down (with a dead body inside that appears to be shot) and no other people are there and the boat that ferried them there has left. They have to figure out how to survive in the forest despite knowing that whoever committed the crime must still be out there somewhere.
May 16, 2023
The Wilds meets The Honeys in this summer camp turns survival story where three girls must do anything they can to survive after being left alone in a remote forest off the coast of Maine....or are they?
A story of friendship, survival, and using what makes you different to make you stronger. Also a centuries old spirit hell bent on making you it's next host.
A story of friendship, survival, and using what makes you different to make you stronger. Also a centuries old spirit hell bent on making you it's next host.
August 15, 2024
I picked up this book hoping that it would have spooky summer vibes and it definitely delivered! This is a book that even after finishing, I keep thinking about.
After being dropped off at a secluded, off-grid summer camp, three young women discover the camp lodge burned to the ground with no survivors. When the find a dead body in the surrounding woods, they begin to wonder if this fire wasn't an accident... and if they could be next.
The Lake House had all of the summerween vibes I was looking for and was so atmospheric. I finished this book in one sitting--desperate to figure out how this was going to end. The main characters were easy to root for and I especially loved that each woman brought a strong set of skills to the situation. The friendship aspect around this, especially given the high stakes nature around their survival, made this book that much more enjoyable. I also loved that while some of my predictions were correct, this book also had me guessing until the very end.
Also--I didn't realize until after I finished that this was by Sarah Beth Durst (the author of the Spellshop) and now I can't wait to check out her other books!
After being dropped off at a secluded, off-grid summer camp, three young women discover the camp lodge burned to the ground with no survivors. When the find a dead body in the surrounding woods, they begin to wonder if this fire wasn't an accident... and if they could be next.
The Lake House had all of the summerween vibes I was looking for and was so atmospheric. I finished this book in one sitting--desperate to figure out how this was going to end. The main characters were easy to root for and I especially loved that each woman brought a strong set of skills to the situation. The friendship aspect around this, especially given the high stakes nature around their survival, made this book that much more enjoyable. I also loved that while some of my predictions were correct, this book also had me guessing until the very end.
Also--I didn't realize until after I finished that this was by Sarah Beth Durst (the author of the Spellshop) and now I can't wait to check out her other books!
May 25, 2023
2.5 rounded to 3
Read
June 8, 2023DNF-ed at ~40% 🤒
March 4, 2024
Three campers arrive a day late to camp, only to discover the site burnt, a dead counselor in the woods and no one. Without WiFi and with only the snacks in their bags, the teens only hope is that the boat that dropped off will return before August.
Told mostly in Claire’s third person, anxious voice I could see why her parents and friends had difficulty tolerating her. They probably wanted her to get a handle on her obsessive thoughts as much for themselves as for Claire who feels so sorry for herself I wanted to send her to a treatment center, not a summer camp.
The repetitive thought often let my mind drift while I listened to the well-narrated audiobook.
I’d have like the book better if not for the supernatural element.
Told mostly in Claire’s third person, anxious voice I could see why her parents and friends had difficulty tolerating her. They probably wanted her to get a handle on her obsessive thoughts as much for themselves as for Claire who feels so sorry for herself I wanted to send her to a treatment center, not a summer camp.
The repetitive thought often let my mind drift while I listened to the well-narrated audiobook.
I’d have like the book better if not for the supernatural element.
April 4, 2024
This books lives firmly in the 3 star range. The thing is, if I had read this YA supernatural thriller as a young teen I bet it would have been 5 stars! Baby Julian would have related so much to the MC who is struggling with anxiety and a panic disorder (both of which appear to be untreated). Baby Julian would have loved the girl power, the friendship, all of it!
Adult Julian found it a little heavy handed. While I enjoyed the premise and how the pacing never let the girls, or the reader, relax, this book did not escape being very much a YA book. For me it did not transcend into working for adults as well. Mostly that came down to the writing itself. The themes were uncomplicated and very much told to us so we wouldn't miss them. One of the girls also felt less like a real person because she had to be the one always in charge of getting the more closed off girls to talk about their feelings. But as a result I kept wondering if she was an adult therapist just pretending to be a teen in their midst. She also just spouted exposition about herself basically unprompted.
I was also a little disappointed in the ending. I loved the way the girls figured out to solve the supernatural problem, but after that things were both messy and drawn out. And honestly I feel like the book pulled too many punches to really land all the way. Was it because it was YA? Because the author didn't want to get too dark? Who knows?
This book also dipped a toe into the harmful "mental illness is a superpower actually" trope, but I don't think it quite went all the way, so a young reader can still feel empowered while dealing with mental illness.
So yes, overall a fine read that I got through it two sittings, so I was certainly never bored. Early teen Julian would have eaten this up! Look out for a full review on my channel coming...eventually!
Adult Julian found it a little heavy handed. While I enjoyed the premise and how the pacing never let the girls, or the reader, relax, this book did not escape being very much a YA book. For me it did not transcend into working for adults as well. Mostly that came down to the writing itself. The themes were uncomplicated and very much told to us so we wouldn't miss them. One of the girls also felt less like a real person because she had to be the one always in charge of getting the more closed off girls to talk about their feelings. But as a result I kept wondering if she was an adult therapist just pretending to be a teen in their midst. She also just spouted exposition about herself basically unprompted.
I was also a little disappointed in the ending. I loved the way the girls figured out to solve the supernatural problem, but after that things were both messy and drawn out. And honestly I feel like the book pulled too many punches to really land all the way. Was it because it was YA? Because the author didn't want to get too dark? Who knows?
This book also dipped a toe into the harmful "mental illness is a superpower actually" trope, but I don't think it quite went all the way, so a young reader can still feel empowered while dealing with mental illness.
So yes, overall a fine read that I got through it two sittings, so I was certainly never bored. Early teen Julian would have eaten this up! Look out for a full review on my channel coming...eventually!
January 14, 2023
There’s something about YA thrillers that just hit the spot. I don’t know why it’s so entertaining reading about a group of teenagers fighting for survival from a potential killer in a remote off the grid summer camp but it just is. Something about YA thrillers just hit different sometimes, ya know?
I was racing through this book because I was dying to know how it ended! This book drops zero hints, so there is no way you can even begin to theorize who is behind all of this and why, because it gives you hardly any information until about halfway through. This makes the mystery factor even stronger and makes you even more desperate to get to that promised twist ending. You don’t really get to know these three characters, their backstories, or motivations, and they feel like strangers for most of this book. Yet, this worked in the book’s favor because it leaves no room for guesswork or anyone guessing who or why could be behind it because you’re given essentially no information until you’re at around the halfway point. This ends up making the mystery even more anticipatory.
As far as the big reveal goes, I can honestly say I didn’t see it coming at all haha. It’s not a new concept that I haven’t read before, but I wasn’t expecting the book go to in this direction! Almost always, the tags at the bottom of the goodreads page for the books will at least give some hint of what direction this book will go in (like for example, if you see “ghost” or “vampires” or whatever in the tags, you know it’s a vampire story even if the book blurb doesn’t mention it) and the tags for this one do not reveal a thing. And no one better change it because it’s so much more fun that way! Once the mystery is unveiled I legitimately had no clue how they were going to get out of this. This book was gripping, claustrophobic, and so much fun.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harperteen for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
I was racing through this book because I was dying to know how it ended! This book drops zero hints, so there is no way you can even begin to theorize who is behind all of this and why, because it gives you hardly any information until about halfway through. This makes the mystery factor even stronger and makes you even more desperate to get to that promised twist ending. You don’t really get to know these three characters, their backstories, or motivations, and they feel like strangers for most of this book. Yet, this worked in the book’s favor because it leaves no room for guesswork or anyone guessing who or why could be behind it because you’re given essentially no information until you’re at around the halfway point. This ends up making the mystery even more anticipatory.
As far as the big reveal goes, I can honestly say I didn’t see it coming at all haha. It’s not a new concept that I haven’t read before, but I wasn’t expecting the book go to in this direction! Almost always, the tags at the bottom of the goodreads page for the books will at least give some hint of what direction this book will go in (like for example, if you see “ghost” or “vampires” or whatever in the tags, you know it’s a vampire story even if the book blurb doesn’t mention it) and the tags for this one do not reveal a thing. And no one better change it because it’s so much more fun that way! Once the mystery is unveiled I legitimately had no clue how they were going to get out of this. This book was gripping, claustrophobic, and so much fun.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harperteen for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
December 12, 2022
Claire has really bad anxiety. She also does not have many friends and doesn't do well socially, probably because of her really bad anxiety. So when she finds herself on a boat with two other girls, getting dropped off at a cabin in the lake-surrounded woods for a 3 month summer camp, she's out of her element. Their chauffeur drops them off and says, "I'll be back to get you in August!" and boats off into the sunset. It's June at present, and their arrival is actually a little late due to weather, and everyone else is actually already at the cabin.
Well, the gals traipse through the woods to get to the cabin, and when they get there... it's burnt to the ground, literally still smoking. They don't know if the other campers escaped and are off looking for help, or if they all died in the fire.. and they now have to try to survive for like 3 months until someone comes for them.
Well, it's all chalked up to a horrible accident until they find the body of the camp director shot to death. Then they know they're fighting for survival on an island not only against the elements but against a killer.
This book had such juicy potential but the way the storyline ended up going was so.... odd. I really didn't like the story arc very much at all.
What I did like was the representation of Claire's anxiety, the relationships she formed with her two new friends and the way they not only accepted her anxiety but valued the way constant overthinking benefitted them in certain situations, and really I just liked the characters in general. It was the first time Claire ever made friends, good friends, and it was just nice to see. I just wish the book had.... for lack of spoilers, I'll just say I wish it had stayed in the realm it started in.
Well, the gals traipse through the woods to get to the cabin, and when they get there... it's burnt to the ground, literally still smoking. They don't know if the other campers escaped and are off looking for help, or if they all died in the fire.. and they now have to try to survive for like 3 months until someone comes for them.
Well, it's all chalked up to a horrible accident until they find the body of the camp director shot to death. Then they know they're fighting for survival on an island not only against the elements but against a killer.
This book had such juicy potential but the way the storyline ended up going was so.... odd. I really didn't like the story arc very much at all.
What I did like was the representation of Claire's anxiety, the relationships she formed with her two new friends and the way they not only accepted her anxiety but valued the way constant overthinking benefitted them in certain situations, and really I just liked the characters in general. It was the first time Claire ever made friends, good friends, and it was just nice to see. I just wish the book had.... for lack of spoilers, I'll just say I wish it had stayed in the realm it started in.
August 19, 2023
Claire, Reyva, & Mariana are 3 teenage girls who are late arrivals to the summer camp set in an off-the-grid area. They are dropped off by Jack at the dock & hike up to the lodge. It's very quiet - too quiet -& there's a strange smell in the air but Claire can't quite place it. When they reach the lodge, it has been burned to the ground & as they look around, it seems that there were no survivors. The 3 girls are now trapped in an isolated wood, with little food & water, no phone signal, & no-one will come looking for them for over a month.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. The 3 girls were great characters & it was nice to see them develop a friendship rather than the usual 'teen girls gotta be antagonistic' plot that seems to crop up. They supported one another & helped each one accept their strengths & weaknesses. I wasn't quite sure if there was going to be a paranormal aspect to the story &, to be honest, the ending was rather incongruous to the rest of the story to me. Entertaining read though.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. The 3 girls were great characters & it was nice to see them develop a friendship rather than the usual 'teen girls gotta be antagonistic' plot that seems to crop up. They supported one another & helped each one accept their strengths & weaknesses. I wasn't quite sure if there was going to be a paranormal aspect to the story &, to be honest, the ending was rather incongruous to the rest of the story to me. Entertaining read though.
January 31, 2025
I was expecting more horror from this, and honestly it was not the most thrilling read either. However, rare is the compassionate yet realistic portrayal of mental illness in teenagers, and unfortunately, rarer still is the portrayal of a healthy, dynamic teenage friendship group without using romance as a crutch. So as someone who loves a character-driven story, I enjoyed this nevertheless.
Before Reading
100% picked this up because I loved Sarah Beth Durst's The Spellshop and I am flabbergasted to find out she also wrote this YA thriller/horror.
Before Reading
100% picked this up because I loved Sarah Beth Durst's The Spellshop and I am flabbergasted to find out she also wrote this YA thriller/horror.
December 18, 2023
YA novel perfect for Spook-tober. A mystery thriller with a supernatural premise that keeps the pace.
Three teens (Claire, Reyva, and Mariana) would meet on a boat headed to a Summer camp retreat and bond in a way they never imagined. Sent by their parents for various reasons upon arrival nothing would be as it seems.
One thing I love about audiobooks is how the narrator puts you in the scene and gives you all the details. Audiobooks still have to give you background, the atmosphere, and the flow of the environment, so the fact that in the beginning, we get the details of the boat ride to the dock down to the spray of the water is the one thing I can appreciate when you read listen to A LOT of these.
Dropped off at the dock the girls arrive through the woods to find the camp burned down and one dead body. Someone or something is watching them. Right off we get the characters and a brief background although the book would go into further details and explain the personality traits of each one you do get a sense that the girls are flawed in their special way.
My first red flag (because I'm from a different time), is why would your parents send you off to a summer camp for two months and not personally take you there in this climate? My second ...why would these parents send them to a camp that wasn't thoroughly vetted, and was mysteriously gone?
Where was the islands info office, no stationary boats, miles from any town or authority. I mean damn I know you want to escape the ills of the world but really. Now to meat on the bone. How would these young ladies survive with no food no shelter and no one around for miles?
These young ladies use the skills they have and figure out a way off the island. However ...what happened? Who burned down the cabins? And who or what is hunting the girls and why?
I love this story, even though some of the beginnings make no sense to me. It’s the perfect blend of horror with a few thrills, not graphic, and a touch of the paranormal.
Three teens (Claire, Reyva, and Mariana) would meet on a boat headed to a Summer camp retreat and bond in a way they never imagined. Sent by their parents for various reasons upon arrival nothing would be as it seems.
One thing I love about audiobooks is how the narrator puts you in the scene and gives you all the details. Audiobooks still have to give you background, the atmosphere, and the flow of the environment, so the fact that in the beginning, we get the details of the boat ride to the dock down to the spray of the water is the one thing I can appreciate when you read listen to A LOT of these.
Dropped off at the dock the girls arrive through the woods to find the camp burned down and one dead body. Someone or something is watching them. Right off we get the characters and a brief background although the book would go into further details and explain the personality traits of each one you do get a sense that the girls are flawed in their special way.
My first red flag (because I'm from a different time), is why would your parents send you off to a summer camp for two months and not personally take you there in this climate? My second ...why would these parents send them to a camp that wasn't thoroughly vetted, and was mysteriously gone?
Where was the islands info office, no stationary boats, miles from any town or authority. I mean damn I know you want to escape the ills of the world but really. Now to meat on the bone. How would these young ladies survive with no food no shelter and no one around for miles?
These young ladies use the skills they have and figure out a way off the island. However ...what happened? Who burned down the cabins? And who or what is hunting the girls and why?
I love this story, even though some of the beginnings make no sense to me. It’s the perfect blend of horror with a few thrills, not graphic, and a touch of the paranormal.
May 29, 2023
4.25 ish stars
let me start this by saying I really enjoyed the characters. and this is the reason why I am rating this so high. if it had been any other character, I will never rate this book a 4 stars.
the main reason for that is it was not thriller or horror -esque enough. Everything moved quite too simply and specially towards the end. of course there were times that I was worried for the characters but that was because I liked them too much.
I also guessed the twist or the 'secret' pretty early in the book so that was satisfying.
Anyways, Read if you like female friendships and cool characters and do not read if you want a simple thrilling horror book.
let me start this by saying I really enjoyed the characters. and this is the reason why I am rating this so high. if it had been any other character, I will never rate this book a 4 stars.
the main reason for that is it was not thriller or horror -esque enough. Everything moved quite too simply and specially towards the end. of course there were times that I was worried for the characters but that was because I liked them too much.
I also guessed the twist or the 'secret' pretty early in the book so that was satisfying.
Anyways, Read if you like female friendships and cool characters and do not read if you want a simple thrilling horror book.
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