Evoke

Lake Haven #1

by Danielle Simmons, D.M. Simmons

Out of print.

Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, New Adult, Fiction, Contemporary, Book Club

300 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2018

Reviews

[Tabitha Tomala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Evoke

When Laney wakes up in a hospital bed, she may remember who she is, but her memories of how she ended up there are gone. Then she learns an accident took the lives of three childhood friends, leaving only Laney and Evan behind. Laney must put the pieces of her life back together and learn how to live without three of her closest friends. And just when she thinks Evan will be by her side through it all, grief opens a rift between them.

It was refreshing to switch gears from constantly being inside a character’s mind to experiencing everything firsthand alongside Laney. The style of writing is dialogue driven and amplifies each emotion. This creates a wonderful source of tension and mystery. I knew there was something major left to be revealed. That Laney had forgotten more than just the accident. D.M. Simmons achieved the perfect balance of foreshadowing and memory clips to create an overarching mystery I had to finish the novel to solve.


I also applaud the relationships in this novel. They were complicated, messy, and realistic. Each person tied to the three friends experienced grief in their own way. It caused confusion as Laney, wrapped up in her grief, couldn't understand why certain people in her life no longer communicated well. The social environment was so different from what she remembered and this shift in reality added to the story. There was also an emphasis on mother-daughter relationships. Her mother stepped in to protect her emotionally and tried to ease her through the new boundaries of life. Parents often take a huge step back in young adult/new adult novels. I was glad to see Laney’s mother front and center, allowing Laney to see how her parents dealt with heartache and loss.

And the town of Lake Haven, Maine was so skillfully built into the story. Readers discover a sense of community and purpose within the small waterside town. There was no need for overly descriptive details of buildings or history, as the writing gave readers just enough information to paint it in their minds. And as Laney began to meld back into society, each new area she explored was brought to life by the people and personalities within them.

Evoke is aptly named as it brings so many different emotions to the surface while reading. Laney’s journey of discovery and healing will take hold of your heart and refuse to let go. This is a beautiful book about friendship, love, and loss.

[Tee loves Kyle Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Off I have to say KUDOS to this book. I have not read a YA/NA book in a while and I have to say that this one grabbed me right from page one and kept me reading till the end and when the end came I wanted more. I need the second book like ASAP! This book has brought so many emotions out of me. I laughed and I cried but most off all I was curious what was going on and why we have such a tragic loss.

5 Friends come home for the summer from college. They are enjoying themselves and spending time with each other making their bond stronger. Then one night there is an accident and three of the friends die but Laney and Evan live. When Laney finally wakes up 2 months later she needs to know what happened to her and her friends.

This is where Evan comes in because he was not in the car that night of the accident and he knows what really happened but he acts a little skittish when Laney wants to know the truth. Laney and Evan have always shared a special bond so Evan knows he has to tell her the truth but he disappears on Laney and she must figure things out from her flash backs and memories she is remembering.

Soon Laney will learn the truth about her friendships she cherished all this time. When the truth comes out Laney will have to deal with the pain and loss of her friends. But where is Evan because she needs him more than ever right now.

[Dawn Hosmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing debut novel by DM Simmons. I didn't just read this book, I devoured it. I was hooked from the first page and am now anxious to read the sequel. I experienced a full range of emotions while reading - from laughter to crying.

The writing is so atmospheric and makes me want to pack up & move to a coastal Maine town. The book has a bit of mystery, romance, suspense and characters who touch the reader's heart. While this book is YA, there are themes that are relevant to all age groups. The main character, Laney, must deal with grief and tragedy as well as confront her denial about the reality of some of her friendships. The book shows that the path to healing is not easy but it is possible. And that growth can occur in some of our darkest moments.

DM Simmons is definitely an author to keep your eye on.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a mix of emotions. We are thrown into this tragic situation where we immediately can tell that something sad occurred. Since the main character is vulnerable, having spent two months in the hospital, we are stuck slowly discovering the events that led up to the present.

This is a story about friendship, love, and discovery. Don't go into this book thinking that you will need a couple boxes of tissues because there are happier moments thrown in. The author throws in a mix of present-day and the main character's flashbacks to help slowly tie the story together.

The writing itself flowed very well and brought you into the intense moments. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and experiencing their ups and downs of not only the main character, but also the family and friends that are experiencing the situation from their end.

The ending left me wanting more, especially when a positive romance left me with all the feels.

If you love reading emotional books, I highly recommend this one! I gave it 4 out of 5 stars, and I hope to continue on in Book 2.

[Ashley Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply put: Beautiful

Let me start by saying this isn't the normal genre I read. I'm more into fantasy rather than sweet romances. But this book's characters and premise did not disappoint!

I finished this book in less than two days. I couldn't help myself from turning page after page. I needed to know more!

Even though I had not been in a situation like Laney, she still felt relatable. I could tell where her emotions were coming from.

This book gave me some If I Stay vibes, even though the character was very much awake and in the real world. Her constant flashbacks helped create a solid world of life before.

Part of me wants to go back and re-read the book. Now that I know the ending (which lived up to the books build up) I want to pick up on all the hints dropped throughout the beginning.

The amount of description in this book is wonderfully done. I always had a good sense of where I was and what was around me, but it wasn't too much where I got bored in long passages.

I loved this book and do recommend to other readers.

[Esther Haddie's Haven · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the first installment to a brand new series, I think Evoke does an excellent job in being the hook. Because I was hooked from the description, but once I was actually in the book and within Laney's mind. I fell in love with Evan. I despised Dean. I feel that Danielle Simmons did a great job in writing Laney's memory loss and all that comes her way as that memory returns. Her (the author) writing style was great. The characters, the story. It was all amazing.

4.5 Stars.

DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN ARC OF THIS BOOK, VIA YA BOUND BOOK TOURS, AS PARTICIPATION IN A BLOG TOUR. THIS IS MY HONEST AND VOLUNTARY REVIEW.

[Julie Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never been much of reader, but Evoke changed that. I couldn’t put it down. Although it’s considered young adult, this adult still got lost in Laney’s recovery from the accident and how her memories unfolded. I loved how the author integrated flashbacks and memories into the story and really brought the reader along Laney’s journey. I can’t wait for the rest of the series to be released, it left me wanting more.
I do have to add that I received an ARC at no cost from the author, but that in no way effected my review. Can’t wait for book 2 in the Lake Haven series.

[Christine Antosca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover alone showed us that the main character, Laney, is someone who is remorseful after the death of her three friends in an accident where she was the sole survivor. You can sense her sadness, making you want her to find happiness in the end.

Simmon's writing, although had some of the same tendencies in young adult novels, was still original in it's own way. Young love from an early age reunited with a tragic event...we've seen it before but Simmons made it intriguing by going back and forth in time with the five friends. The conversations between Laney and Evan made the story complete. Even when I got annoyed with Evan holding back from telling Laney everything, it moved the story along. Rather than giving everything away at once, Simmons makes the reader keep turning the page as we all hope for Evan to finally come clean to the woman he loves.

The one thing, to me, that didn't seem to fit the story was the title. It wasn't something I found to fit in with the story, but that's just me.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Young Adult books with a little twist and turns. This is the first book of the series and I honestly can't wait to read book two.

[Zoe L.]

Well dang this book was good! Like seriously, I couldn’t put it down! If you’ve read any of my other reviews lately you’ll know that I’ve been struggling to stay focused on books, so it really came as a shock that I was so instantly lured into this story! But lured, hooked, sunk I was! I HAD to know what happens (something I can usually figure out right away) and then even at the end there was another HUGE twist! I also see on Goodreads that it’s listed as a series, so now I kind of need the next book ASAP.

Evoke is one part thriller one part mystery one part romance and a whole lot in between. The romance itself is a reeeaaalllllyyyyy slow burn friends to lovers, and while I’m not usually a big fan of this trope I was LIVING for it in the story! I mean, there was still that aspect of “we can’t!” that I oh so love! And also it was just a really wholesome thing. I don’t want to speak too much on this because it’s kind of sort of spoiler-y. Just know that there is romance and it is sweet and amazing!

The whole thriller/mystery aspect comes into play with how Laney has lost a weeks worth of seemingly the most important memories of her life. One moment she is excited to spend time with her four best friends and the next she wakes up in the hospital, only one of two remaining from their friend group. You can feel Laney’s frustration and grief over mourning the loss of her three closest friends while at the same time not being able to remember their last moments together. It’s quite heart wrenching and part of the reason I couldn’t put the book down. I just HAD to know what was missing, what led up to such a terrible accident.

You can view my full review on my blog! I also post a wide range of reviews on my blog!

Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
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[Bookworm Bells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely 5 star!
This is a seriously great book, god my emotions! Up/down, left/right, all over the place! What a journey she went through and thank god for Evan! I WANT ONE!!
Slightly disappointed at the end but I’m really hoping that this story is not finished and there is more to come 🙏🏻😨

[C.L. Ogilvie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to the author for gifting me a free copy of this novel in a giveaway! The following is my honest review.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read. Laney’s grief was very relatable and heartbreaking, and it’s given real weight as she tries to move forward without her friends. I loved the atmosphere of the small, coastal town with its close-knit community, and the sense of shared grief that follows Laney throughout the story. (There was even a shout-out to my home province, Nova Scotia!) Simmons perfectly captures the way a tragedy can affect an entire community and the lasting fallout. And the final twist definitely has me intrigued to continue with this series.

Full review: https://clogilvie.wordpress.com/2020/...

[N.W. Moors · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grabbed this book because it takes place in Maine and looked interesting. The writing is good and the mystery evolves at a good pace. The characters are typical YA, but okay though I found Dean somewhat of a caricature which is too bad as PTSD is a serious problem in veterans. The setting was not really recognizable as coastal Maine, probably not something that would bother most readers but I found it disconcerting. All in all, it's an okay book, but I didn't feel moved to get the next book in the series.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘I don’t remember being in an accident.’

California author Danielle Simmons makes an impressive debut with EVOKE – the first installment in her planned trilogy, ‘Lake Haven.’ After earning her BA in English from the University of the Pacific and now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area where she works as a public relations executive.

It is rare for an author to be able to establish a mood in the opening words of a novel that asks the reader to visit a tragedy, but Danielle has already mastered this skill. Without informing us about a life changing car accident we meet Laney – ‘I was trapped in the dark, no light to guide, and did not recognize the sounds of the world around me. I couldn’t hear water lapping against the shore, or wind in the trees, just the ticking of a clock overhead and hurried footsteps in the distance. While the arrival of cautious breathing told me someone was near, my head felt as if it were trapped under sand and I could not open my eyes to determine the source. “Hello,” I called out, my voice barely a whisper. While I should have known it as my own, it was more fragile than I remembered, and despite the word’s simplicity, felt it dangling at the edge of my tongue. “Alaina,” and unfamiliar voice answered, reaching for my hand, holding it carefully. “Can you hear me?” I nodded in relief, grateful that I was not alone, and with each intake of air, my body awakened, nerves coming to life…’

And so the story begins, a tale that is as much about compassion and the connection between friends and family as it is about a tender romance. Danielle’s synopsis is valuable – ‘When five friends come home from college for the summer, it feels as if the friendship that has bound them together since childhood is stronger than ever. But when Laney Thomas wakes up two months later and discovers she is the sole survivor of an accident that has claimed the lives of three friends, Laney realizes the world she has awakened, is not the one she remembers. The loss is devastating, changing her life irrevocably, and with no recollection of the accident or the days leading up to it, Laney must rely on Evan Davies, the only one not in the car that night, to help her heal. The two have always been close, sharing a rare and inextricable bond, and as long as he is by her side, the emptiness won't swallow her whole. But when Evan disappears from her life without explanation, Laney is forced into her memories of the past, learning the painful truth of the friendships she cherished, and love coveted.’

The atmosphere of Maine swirls thoughout the story and offers a constancy that helps us understand the mystery of the accident – its inception and slow revelation to the mind of Laney as she must face the recovery of memory and its consequences. This is a fine first novel, one that makes us eager for Book 2 of the trilogy.

[B.A. Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

I connected with the characters and plot of this novel having been through a pretty bad accident myself. Unfortunately, my recovery didn't play out in a love story like this one did, but I connected with other aspects of the novel just long enough to pull me through to its close. Evoke, I believe, is a strong read for its genre, but I thought it ran a little long and had a decent amount of exposition, which would have made for better character development or scenes in regards to what actually plays out over the course of its signature sequences.

Because of the way the narrative operates through Laney's experience of a memory shattered recovery - from a tragic accident involving several lifelong friends - slowly revealing itself until its crashing finale and realizations - which are quite satisfying in the payoff - some characters are developed more or less than they should be, and I think the setting settles for unnecessary exposition or reader relatable scenes. The scenes at the beach and on the water were well done,, for New England, but the town just never felt that alive to me. A wider community and its implications could benefit from scenes, not exasperating info dumps.

The exposition made me feel bloated for the forced conflict of douchebaggery in the cursed love triangle of fate that played out between Laney, Evan and Dean. The confrontations are good in motion, but the monologues really go on in places where cops would be called more quickly than friends or army buddies. At times, I felt like I was reading a book version of the Room - a little bit - which made me laugh. That's all good, but in the meantime, there's filler that made me want to put the book down despite its best scenes that were good. Laney goes through quite a commendable literary journey and transformation from beginning to end, which I really enjoyed thinking about from where she started - but I didn't need to be told the directions of a tequila shot. I was definitely skimming or fast reading for significant portions of the read.

All in all - recommend for the target reader. I wish the potential of a sequel and the continued refining effort of Simmion's writing journey good fortune and success. After all, at the end of the day, we as authors eye an escapist nature in our mind, and the knowledge that enough was there to entertain readers along for the ride all the way through. So on that note, Evoke succeeded for me as a read.

[Tiffany Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

The summary talks of a tale of five friends, bonded in a tight friendship, one day Laney wakes up a sole survivor of a car accident that killed three of her friends. But this story is so much more than that.

In this story, we are following Laney’s mind as she loses a whole week from her life. We walk with her as she remembers pieces and the pain of losing those closes to her.
The grief you feel in the beginning is a lasting one, it’s as if your own heart has been ripped out. Danielle Simmons takes you on a journey to find a love you never knew was there, a beauty you never saw in the mirror and confidence you never knew you had. This story makes you question the friendships you’ve had over your lifetime and a relationship you’ve had with yourself.
Laney is the smart one, but the bond that sticks them all together, but she is also clueless of who she is to everyone around her. Always in her friend Lisa’s footsteps, she never stopped to think about what she wanted, what she needed and when she did, life changed for her. Her life was something to envy, but she never knew that.

This book was a romance I never knew I needed. It makes me look at love in a new way. Love is patient, love is dependable and love is forever. If you like romance, hell, even if you don’t, you should read this book, because it’s not your typical cookie-cutter love story, it’s so much more than that.

[Ashleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story because of its strong characters and emotional scenes. Though some of it left me confused. There was a a section near the beginning that felt more like an info dump where I wished the author had separated the back grounds of the supporting characters or weaved them in in a different way. And the ending is still confusing to me.
I also want to warn that, even though it didn't occur, there were instances in the story that left me to assume that physical abuse or sexual abuse could have happened if Laney wasn't saved by another character. Because of this, it may be a trigger to someone who has suffered from similar abuse.
But Laney was amazing to chase through her journey as she struggled with her memories and her feelings. At times I was so frustrated with her, practically yelling at her like you would a dumb blond running up stairs in a horror film. "No! You idiot!" If she would have listened to me her problems would have been solved a lot sooner. I cried a lot during this story, not just from grief but some of it was happy tears.
I would suggest this book to anyone who enjoys a good friend to lovers story. I give this book three stars.

"Since I was old enough to remember," I smiled at the sweetness of my memory. "Its has always been him, always."-Laney
D.M. Simmons

[David Voyles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised when I started reading Evoke for several reasons. First of all because I had seen the book described as being in the horror genre, and being a fan of horror, I was disappointed when after two chapters I didn't find any elements of spooky, supernatural events. But DM Simmons' characters were so realistic, and the mystery she presented caught me up so easily that before long it didn't matter that this wasn't a horror novel. Simmons' creation of the small town, the anguish of the main character as she tries to remember what happened in the accident that took the lives of three of her closest friends (not a spoiler, this is the given premise) and the emotional fallout for the two survivors and their families was remarkable. I felt like I knew these people. When an author can write that well, it doesn't matter who the identified audience is. While Mystery/Romance might be an accurate descriptor, don't assume that's all Evoke is. Take it from someone who never would have likely picked up the book otherwise. Guess I'd change the old saying to "Don't judge a book by its designated genre."

[Rabid Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting story about a woman who endures the shock of tragedy, and finds an anchor to the world she knows when the dust starts to clear.

The story is definitely written for the young adult scene, but as most young adult stories they can be enjoyed across multiple age groups. Simmons does a good job of basically reverse engineering the story and revealing bit by bit, kind of like a mystery but not quite.

The writing is solid, I found it flowed quite well (which is a good thing since this is a start to a series), and the characters are loveable. I will say that outside of Evan and Laney it was a bit hard to find a connection with the characters, but Simmons does more than enough with her main character and love interest to keep us connected to the story.

This story does really touch on loss and how to cope with life after a close, personal tragedy. It’s very hard not to feel the pain Laney goes through. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for the next piece in this series.

[Clyve Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a lovely read, I found myself tearing up towards the end. I did guess the twist and I won't detail it here (no spoilers - you'll have to read it and see). I must say I felt more drawn to the hero and his story, his heart, than I did the heroine in this but they are a good match as a couple and are obviously good for each other.
I got some 'Fifty First Dates' vibes and at times the story and the emotional depth with which it is told, reminded me a little of Nicholas Sparks. There is a richness to the emotional detail and a lot of the story is 'internal'. It's the kind of reading intensity I had to take a few breaks from and come back to, so I could process what I'd read and feel my way into it. It's an absorbing story and the sort that you can lose yourself within.
There are other characters I'd like to know more about so I am thrilled to hear there is a sequel in the works.

[A.E. Bross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect when I finally cracked open my copy of Evoke by Danielle Simmons. What I found, though, was a deep and engaging exploration of emotions, of what ties people together, and what drives them apart. I was particularly taken, not only with the main character, Laney, but with Evan as well. The book gives an intimate view of what it is to look through the eyes of another, and how that maybe, deep down, we all know both our best and worst selves.

I can't go into too much detail without ruining the story, but I will say that there was a jarring change in it, and one of the reasons this isn't a full 5 star review. It was so sudden that it took a bit to adjust to, and I would have loved to see more of the immediate aftermath of the big revelation.

Regardless, though, I really enjoyed this read, and I think you will too!

[C.D. Storiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A riveting exploration into the forgotten memories of Lainey, a college student who woke from a coma two months after a car accident. It's a tale of woe, mystery, misery, friendship, and forgotten love. Some of the explanations left me a bit thinking 'cop out', especially when it came to the relationship with her mother and I didn't quite get the whole Dean situation (a tad unrealistic IMO) but overall the writing and the story were beautifully executed and kept me reading. I was so engulfed in the book, I finished it in two days. It was near perfection. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author excitedly anticipating her next novel.

[Jennifer Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evoke does so much more than walk you through Alaina’s journey with survivor’s guilt. Simmons’ debut is a deep emotional sprint through recovered memory. Though Evoke is categorized as a young adult novel, it will tug at the heart of adult readers, catapulting you back to the emotional dynamic shifts that churn through youthful friendships. All the sudden I’m back in college, facing tough choices between loyalty and love. As Alaina finds herself again through the memories she recovers, her world unfolds with graceful detail. Lake Haven, Maine is a vibrant coastal town full of vivid characters, and it is a setting I can’t wait to revisit. Eagerly awaiting the next book!

[Alain Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evoke lives up to its name. I have never been happier to be emotionally invested in a story. This has be connecting with Alaina, the main character as she recovers from a terrible auto accident, and struggles to make sense of the events leading up to the accident, as well as life after. I was drawn into the story almost immediately and enjoyed this roller coaster immensely: I cheered Alaina in, was angry in her behalf and at times on the edge of my seat. I was completely, pleasantly, surprised by the ending and can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!

[Ryan Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evoke is a fictional story of a young woman who is injured in a horrific car accident and essentially loses everything, including herself. Through the power of love she is able to overcome incredible odds. This is not your average love story and it kept me guessing at every chapter. It is an easy read and I had a hard time putting it down. I am looking forward to the next book. A highly recommended read!

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well read this book and I found the premise of the read excellent I especially liked the location and the main characters take on how things happened to them. I think its intriguing as I wondered all along how would this read end so it kept me reading. I am not an avid reader but I HIGHLY recommend this book for your 20-30age. Its has a fascinating concept!

[Tammy Collado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and I truly can not wait for more of this story with the second book. Thank you to the author Danielle Simmons for sparking my interest again in getting lost in a good book. It had been a while.

[Deurama · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the premise of this book, and I really tried my best to enjoy it.

The writing was fine, the characters were fine.

There were a lot of little things that I didn't like about this book throughout, but they were all things I could largely ignore, and I don't feel the need to go into them here.

**SPOILER WARNING**

The reason I am writing this review, and the grievance that I can not ignore, was the ending.

Anyone on book twitter, and many fans of bookish content, will know the meme of 'It was all a dream'. A joke about the worst way to end a story. Except that it's not completely a joke.

I genuinely can not stress how bad it feels to read a book, get to know these characters, live in their story, to then find out that none of it actually happened.

At the end of this book, it is revealed that the whole book took place in Laney's unconcious after the crash which took her friends lives.

After really trying to like this book, it felt like such a slap in the face, that none of it mattered because none of it actually happened.

**SPOILERS END HERE**

I hope that people check out any other works by D. M. Simmons in the future, as there is definitely potential here. But unfortunately, I myself can not recommend this particular book.