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The House on the Lake
An island is the last place Eve Beckett ever thought she’d end up. Deathly afraid of water, she has no memory of arriving at the foreboding Lakeview Manor on the Isle of Esse. Her love for a good mystery, however, especially when it comes to strange houses and the paranormal, has her second-guessing her desire to leave.
But there’s something odd going on at Lakeview. Dark and dusty rooms shift location, and there’s a mysterious woman only Eve seems able to see . . .
When Eve’s mirror twin shows up, also with no memory of how she arrived on the island, and the manager of the property warns them away from his brother—one Eve has no wish to avoid—the number of mysteries surrounding Lakeview becomes too much. As she learns more about the manor and its inhabitants, the question becomes not just how, but if Eve will ever leave the island.
But there’s something odd going on at Lakeview. Dark and dusty rooms shift location, and there’s a mysterious woman only Eve seems able to see . . .
When Eve’s mirror twin shows up, also with no memory of how she arrived on the island, and the manager of the property warns them away from his brother—one Eve has no wish to avoid—the number of mysteries surrounding Lakeview becomes too much. As she learns more about the manor and its inhabitants, the question becomes not just how, but if Eve will ever leave the island.
346 pages, ebook
First published March 1, 2021
21 people are currently reading
402 people want to read
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April 4, 2021
The House on the Lake is the debut book by Holly Hill Mangin. This is one of those books that you need to just jump right in. That there are twists and turns and you will never quite know what is going on until the very end. And whose characters you will not forget.
“Relax, reflect, release.”
Eve Beckett is twenty eight years old. She has woken up in a strange old inn on an island with no memory of how she got there. Especially since she is deathly afraid of water. The idea that she is on a retreat keeps coming back to her and that she is supposed to relax, reflect and release, whatever that means. For some reason, she’s okay for the moment not remembering. The old manor is filled with places to explore, hidden passageways, an attic full of treasures. This time will be good for her, right?
She’s not completely alone in the old manor. There is a strange couple that seem to run the place. And then there are two brothers, Nick and Ari, both handsome, but one she is warned away from. Eve’s twin sister, Lynn is there as well, also with no memory of how she got there. But Lynn is everything Eve wishes she was, adventurous, outgoing, not fearful. Maybe this time will be good for the two of them to talk out some things that have been festering for awhile.
There are also some strange occurrences going on at Lakeview Manor. Rooms seem to move around. And Eve keeps seeing the ghost of a woman. She seems to be the only one who sees her and she can’t figure out what she wants or why no one else sees her.
That’s about all I can really tell you without giving anything away. This book surprised me in so many ways. I could not figure out what was going on. You just have to be patient and experience the journey right along with Eve. But don’t worry, all will be revealed.
I did enjoy this so much. I can honestly say that I won’t forget these characters. This is one of those books that you will keep thinking about for a long time. I’ve never read anything like it before. I particularly liked reading the author’s acknowledgements at the end and the journey she experienced while writing it. I can just imagine how attached she became with these characters.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
“Relax, reflect, release.”
Eve Beckett is twenty eight years old. She has woken up in a strange old inn on an island with no memory of how she got there. Especially since she is deathly afraid of water. The idea that she is on a retreat keeps coming back to her and that she is supposed to relax, reflect and release, whatever that means. For some reason, she’s okay for the moment not remembering. The old manor is filled with places to explore, hidden passageways, an attic full of treasures. This time will be good for her, right?
She’s not completely alone in the old manor. There is a strange couple that seem to run the place. And then there are two brothers, Nick and Ari, both handsome, but one she is warned away from. Eve’s twin sister, Lynn is there as well, also with no memory of how she got there. But Lynn is everything Eve wishes she was, adventurous, outgoing, not fearful. Maybe this time will be good for the two of them to talk out some things that have been festering for awhile.
There are also some strange occurrences going on at Lakeview Manor. Rooms seem to move around. And Eve keeps seeing the ghost of a woman. She seems to be the only one who sees her and she can’t figure out what she wants or why no one else sees her.
That’s about all I can really tell you without giving anything away. This book surprised me in so many ways. I could not figure out what was going on. You just have to be patient and experience the journey right along with Eve. But don’t worry, all will be revealed.
I did enjoy this so much. I can honestly say that I won’t forget these characters. This is one of those books that you will keep thinking about for a long time. I’ve never read anything like it before. I particularly liked reading the author’s acknowledgements at the end and the journey she experienced while writing it. I can just imagine how attached she became with these characters.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
September 6, 2022
I was very pleasantly pleased by this book. I was unable to make sense of what was happening. There are bends and shocks, and until the very end,
It's the first of its kind that I've read, which, in my opinion, is really positive.
The plot itself is crafted in a way that, when the deadly elements are removed, makes you think of mystery books.
The book opens in a strange location where it's unclear where you are. Then, you continue the story as it takes unexpected turns without seeming forced.
If you're asking me if it's terrifying, I'd say that I find the atmosphere to be magnificent rather than frightening. The author was able to create a sense of atmosphere without having to use laborious and lengthy descriptions.
The plot flowed beautifully, and the characters were brilliantly written. There are so many turns. amazing descriptions You'll read this kind of book while attempting to decipher what is really going on.
This was really fun for me. One of those books that will stick in your mind for a while is this one.
It's the first of its kind that I've read, which, in my opinion, is really positive.
The plot itself is crafted in a way that, when the deadly elements are removed, makes you think of mystery books.
The book opens in a strange location where it's unclear where you are. Then, you continue the story as it takes unexpected turns without seeming forced.
If you're asking me if it's terrifying, I'd say that I find the atmosphere to be magnificent rather than frightening. The author was able to create a sense of atmosphere without having to use laborious and lengthy descriptions.
The plot flowed beautifully, and the characters were brilliantly written. There are so many turns. amazing descriptions You'll read this kind of book while attempting to decipher what is really going on.
This was really fun for me. One of those books that will stick in your mind for a while is this one.
November 7, 2022
The House On The Lake was a good read, with some good, unexpected twists and turns.
I wanted a spooky read and I got a story that kept me on my toes, the pace was engaging I wasn't quick enough to turn the pages to find the truth.
The last twist shocked me, maybe I'd have liked a different ending but I've still enjoyed this read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
August 4, 2021
Holly Hill Mangin contacted me a few weeks ago to share her book with me. First written in English (you can find it here), it has then been translated into French as it is the author's second language. She asked me to read the French version, which is what I did. As surprising as it may seem, reading in my mother language is not that easy for me as I got used from a very young age to reading mainly in English. However, I have really enjoyed that book and today, I would like to share with you some of my thoughts about it.
The setting: people in a closed space
I need to say that it is one of my favorite ways to write a book. You take a room or a house, 4-5 characters, a problem, and then you let it all unfold almost naturally. Jane Austen once wrote something in the style of "I want to write stories about a calm countryside and one or two families living their everyday life" (well, that is definitely not the exact quote, but you got the point). I think it is what the author managed to do here, creating a sense of suspense that would not have been possible anywhere else that in that house.
The atmosphere
The enclosed space necessarily creates an ambiance, but not only. When you first open the book, you realize that the character herself does not know where she is or what she does there: such a way to get into a book, right? You also have that feeling that she might not be totally mentally stable and that thus, this narrator might not be the most reliable in the world. Thus, the atmosphere is created. You can add an old house circled by a lake to it, a few very strange characters, a ghost and a plot you can't quite figure out, and the you have the perfect recipe for a a great atmospheric book.
An interesting plot
The plot itself is written in such a way that it reminds you of mystery novels, the murderous (sometimes gore) parts of it being taken away: I really enjoyed that balance. As I previously said, you start the book in such a weird setting, not knowing where you (aka the character) are. Then, you follow the journey going from one plot twist to the other, without it becoming artificial (which, I think, is always a risk with novels full of plot twists). If you are a plot-oriented person, definitely check that out!
Usually, readers are either plot-oriented or character-oriented. Obviously, I am a bit of both and the author managed to create both an awesome plot and great characters. However, what I loved the most must be the atmosphere, as I am an atmosphere-oriented reader. I deeply enjoyed how the author managed to convey an atmosphere without necessarily entering long and tedious descriptions: the atmosphere was just there, naturally. That is 100% a book I would recommend to my fellow atmospheric readers.
The setting: people in a closed space
I need to say that it is one of my favorite ways to write a book. You take a room or a house, 4-5 characters, a problem, and then you let it all unfold almost naturally. Jane Austen once wrote something in the style of "I want to write stories about a calm countryside and one or two families living their everyday life" (well, that is definitely not the exact quote, but you got the point). I think it is what the author managed to do here, creating a sense of suspense that would not have been possible anywhere else that in that house.
The atmosphere
The enclosed space necessarily creates an ambiance, but not only. When you first open the book, you realize that the character herself does not know where she is or what she does there: such a way to get into a book, right? You also have that feeling that she might not be totally mentally stable and that thus, this narrator might not be the most reliable in the world. Thus, the atmosphere is created. You can add an old house circled by a lake to it, a few very strange characters, a ghost and a plot you can't quite figure out, and the you have the perfect recipe for a a great atmospheric book.
An interesting plot
The plot itself is written in such a way that it reminds you of mystery novels, the murderous (sometimes gore) parts of it being taken away: I really enjoyed that balance. As I previously said, you start the book in such a weird setting, not knowing where you (aka the character) are. Then, you follow the journey going from one plot twist to the other, without it becoming artificial (which, I think, is always a risk with novels full of plot twists). If you are a plot-oriented person, definitely check that out!
Usually, readers are either plot-oriented or character-oriented. Obviously, I am a bit of both and the author managed to create both an awesome plot and great characters. However, what I loved the most must be the atmosphere, as I am an atmosphere-oriented reader. I deeply enjoyed how the author managed to convey an atmosphere without necessarily entering long and tedious descriptions: the atmosphere was just there, naturally. That is 100% a book I would recommend to my fellow atmospheric readers.
September 20, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for this incredible mystery. How did she get there? Why would she be there? This book has you wanting immediately to know why, where, and how. The reader must be brave to get through these pages to find out how Eve arrived at Lakeview Manor. Even though she loves spooky settings, she questions everything around her. This is a perfect fall mystery; get your blanket and candle and dive into this one! Will Eve ever leave the island? Read and find out......
July 15, 2022
Wow! I did not expect that as an ending nor the twists and turns this book provided. It was full of mystery, suspense, and an ending that literally had me in tears.
The characters are well written, and the story flowed wonderfully. But the ending still has me on the floor.
I will definitely read this book again. It is going on my favorite book list.
The characters are well written, and the story flowed wonderfully. But the ending still has me on the floor.
I will definitely read this book again. It is going on my favorite book list.
March 25, 2021
A beautiful mystery
Anybody that's looking for a book to hold you from beginning to end look no further. So many twist and turns. Incredible descriptions. Well written. I'm looking forward to more books from Holly.
Anybody that's looking for a book to hold you from beginning to end look no further. So many twist and turns. Incredible descriptions. Well written. I'm looking forward to more books from Holly.
October 16, 2022
This is one of those reviews that is so tough to write because I don't want to include spoilers and my frustrations make that difficult. Bear with me!
We start the story with Eve and her "mirror twin" Lyn who both arrive at a secluded house on an island with total amnesia of how they got there and they just.. roll with it? Eve goes so far to say "I need to talk to a doctor. I need a PET scan or a CT scan or a psychologist..." But, given the opportunity to leave she doesn't because she's scared of water (yup) and therefore scared of being on a boat.
I caught onto the gist of the house, the ghost, and the amnesia from the beginning and wanted to see how Eve got there.
I felt like Lyn was a throwaway character, which was later validated (again not trying to give any spoilers but just ugh). The past "accident" Lyn had that was repeatedly referenced and was causing a rift between the two sisters wasn't clarified untill the last quarter of the book, and when it was it was like.. ? Alrighty then?
The brothers Ari and Nick had a lot of promise, I think the only character I *enjoyed* was Nick. But the dialogue left so much to be desired. Even in reading YA books I don't think I've ever read "Ha. Ha." written out in a normal conversation, and this character is a 24 year old woman?
I liked the ending once everything was said and done, and the gist of the plot has a lot of potential. But the execution, dialogue, competing romantic interests, and a lot of what felt like "filler" left me unsatisfied.
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley and BooksGoSocial, I am leaving an honest review voluntarily.
We start the story with Eve and her "mirror twin" Lyn who both arrive at a secluded house on an island with total amnesia of how they got there and they just.. roll with it? Eve goes so far to say "I need to talk to a doctor. I need a PET scan or a CT scan or a psychologist..." But, given the opportunity to leave she doesn't because she's scared of water (yup) and therefore scared of being on a boat.
I caught onto the gist of the house, the ghost, and the amnesia from the beginning and wanted to see how Eve got there.
I felt like Lyn was a throwaway character, which was later validated (again not trying to give any spoilers but just ugh). The past "accident" Lyn had that was repeatedly referenced and was causing a rift between the two sisters wasn't clarified untill the last quarter of the book, and when it was it was like.. ? Alrighty then?
The brothers Ari and Nick had a lot of promise, I think the only character I *enjoyed* was Nick. But the dialogue left so much to be desired. Even in reading YA books I don't think I've ever read "Ha. Ha." written out in a normal conversation, and this character is a 24 year old woman?
I liked the ending once everything was said and done, and the gist of the plot has a lot of potential. But the execution, dialogue, competing romantic interests, and a lot of what felt like "filler" left me unsatisfied.
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley and BooksGoSocial, I am leaving an honest review voluntarily.
September 9, 2022
Full post at https://wellreadpiratequeen.blogspot....
**************
I had absolutely no intention of buying any books or making any sort of ARC requests or grabbing any "Read Now"s on NetGalley until after I return from my upcoming mini-vacation next week.
That cover, though.
All the gothic feels and heebie-jeebies and I just had to have it.
I haven't had a ton of luck with NetGalley picks lately. For every one that I've really loved, like Deanna Raybourn's Killers of a Certain Age (yes, that is a shameless plug for my own post), there have been several more that I've given up on ... or, have at least wished that I had given up on. I hesitated clicking the button for this one for a split second.
That cover, though.
Once I let myself stop swooning over the cover long enough to begin actually reading, the awe continued.
By 5% I had already highlighted 7 passages.
I do so love gothic heebie-jeebies and this has them oozing out of the dark and musty woodwork from the secret passageway to the creepy attic right out of a Dickens tale.
Holy crap I love this book.
I even switched from the Kindle to the phone and back depending on whether I would be stationary or mobile while reading. I didn't want to put it down until I had gone through every twist and turn. There were times when I thought I knew what was going on. I love that I was horribly wrong.
[Have I mentioned that cover yet?]
The highlighting of passages became few and far between shortly after I hit this at 16%:
**************************
One would think I would turn around and find Lyn immediately. But no. I'm the girl in the horror flicks running up the stairs instead of running out the front door, the girl who picks up the stranger in the middle of nowhere after hearing there is a maniac on the loose killing everyone in his path, and in this particular case ... yeah, I'm the one who follows the creepy dripping girl like an idiot.
**************************
I did not stop highlighting because I wasn't completely enthralled, but because I was so enthralled I didn't want to pause reading long enough to even highlight. Besides, I had already decided that it would be a Book Beginnings & Friday 56 post (and grabbed a random 56% blip) because there was absolutely no way I would be able to narrow it down for a Tuesday Intros/Teaser Tuesday or even an I'll Sleep When I've Read...
That cover, though.
**************
I had absolutely no intention of buying any books or making any sort of ARC requests or grabbing any "Read Now"s on NetGalley until after I return from my upcoming mini-vacation next week.
That cover, though.
All the gothic feels and heebie-jeebies and I just had to have it.
I haven't had a ton of luck with NetGalley picks lately. For every one that I've really loved, like Deanna Raybourn's Killers of a Certain Age (yes, that is a shameless plug for my own post), there have been several more that I've given up on ... or, have at least wished that I had given up on. I hesitated clicking the button for this one for a split second.
That cover, though.
Once I let myself stop swooning over the cover long enough to begin actually reading, the awe continued.
By 5% I had already highlighted 7 passages.
I do so love gothic heebie-jeebies and this has them oozing out of the dark and musty woodwork from the secret passageway to the creepy attic right out of a Dickens tale.
Holy crap I love this book.
I even switched from the Kindle to the phone and back depending on whether I would be stationary or mobile while reading. I didn't want to put it down until I had gone through every twist and turn. There were times when I thought I knew what was going on. I love that I was horribly wrong.
[Have I mentioned that cover yet?]
The highlighting of passages became few and far between shortly after I hit this at 16%:
**************************
One would think I would turn around and find Lyn immediately. But no. I'm the girl in the horror flicks running up the stairs instead of running out the front door, the girl who picks up the stranger in the middle of nowhere after hearing there is a maniac on the loose killing everyone in his path, and in this particular case ... yeah, I'm the one who follows the creepy dripping girl like an idiot.
**************************
I did not stop highlighting because I wasn't completely enthralled, but because I was so enthralled I didn't want to pause reading long enough to even highlight. Besides, I had already decided that it would be a Book Beginnings & Friday 56 post (and grabbed a random 56% blip) because there was absolutely no way I would be able to narrow it down for a Tuesday Intros/Teaser Tuesday or even an I'll Sleep When I've Read...
That cover, though.
September 18, 2022
An island is the last place Eve Beckett ever thought she’d end up. Deathly afraid of water, she has no memory of arriving at the foreboding Lakeview Manor on the Isle of Esse. Her love for a good mystery, however, especially when it comes to strange houses and the paranormal, has her second-guessing her desire to leave.
But there’s something odd going on at Lakeview. Dark and dusty rooms shift location, and there’s a mysterious woman only Eve seems able to see . . .
When Eve’s mirror twin shows up, also with no memory of how she arrived on the island, and the property manager warns them away from his brother one Eve has no wish to avoid the number of mysteries surrounding Lakeview becomes too much. As she learns more about the manor and its inhabitants, the question becomes not just how but if Eve will ever leave the island.
Couldn’t put it down really enjoyed this book totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and BooksGoSocial
I just reviewed The House on the Lake by Holly Hill Mangin. #TheHouseontheLake #NetGalley
But there’s something odd going on at Lakeview. Dark and dusty rooms shift location, and there’s a mysterious woman only Eve seems able to see . . .
When Eve’s mirror twin shows up, also with no memory of how she arrived on the island, and the property manager warns them away from his brother one Eve has no wish to avoid the number of mysteries surrounding Lakeview becomes too much. As she learns more about the manor and its inhabitants, the question becomes not just how but if Eve will ever leave the island.
Couldn’t put it down really enjoyed this book totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and BooksGoSocial
I just reviewed The House on the Lake by Holly Hill Mangin. #TheHouseontheLake #NetGalley
September 30, 2022
This was more paranormal romance than Gothic thriller, and I just wasn't feeling it.
The plot sounds amazing. Amnesia. Creepy old house. Even creepier caretakers. Fear of water despite being surrounded by water. Feeling a loss of control. All these things should have worked, but there was too much telling rather than showing. The story became overly convoluted in an attempt to keep the big twist shrouded in secrecy. Honestly, it wasn't that hard to figure out what was going on and how the story would end. If this book had been edited down a bit and dropped the love triangle nonsense, I would have enjoyed it much more than I did.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The plot sounds amazing. Amnesia. Creepy old house. Even creepier caretakers. Fear of water despite being surrounded by water. Feeling a loss of control. All these things should have worked, but there was too much telling rather than showing. The story became overly convoluted in an attempt to keep the big twist shrouded in secrecy. Honestly, it wasn't that hard to figure out what was going on and how the story would end. If this book had been edited down a bit and dropped the love triangle nonsense, I would have enjoyed it much more than I did.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2023
I enjoy the complete mystery of a MC who doesn't remember anything. Yeah, I'm weird like that.
Our MC wakes up in a place she doesn't remember arriving at.... it's a retreat in the middle of a lake. Slowly the story unravels and our MC, Eve begins to piece her story back together.
This was a bit different than other stories I've read with an unreliable narrator, as it had a paranormal aspect to it. Ghosts were seen on the property and time and space had it's own reality and property. It was a fun read which was not completely predictable yet it lead us toward the answer towards the end. The only negatives I had about the book was that it was a bit drawn out and the characters were a little extreme with a lot of hand wringing going on. Taking into account the ending some of it was excusable , so I only deduct one star for that.
Fun for fans of paranormal mystery and those who enjoy the clueless and unreliable narrator.
Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for an arc ebook copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
Our MC wakes up in a place she doesn't remember arriving at.... it's a retreat in the middle of a lake. Slowly the story unravels and our MC, Eve begins to piece her story back together.
This was a bit different than other stories I've read with an unreliable narrator, as it had a paranormal aspect to it. Ghosts were seen on the property and time and space had it's own reality and property. It was a fun read which was not completely predictable yet it lead us toward the answer towards the end. The only negatives I had about the book was that it was a bit drawn out and the characters were a little extreme with a lot of hand wringing going on. Taking into account the ending some of it was excusable , so I only deduct one star for that.
Fun for fans of paranormal mystery and those who enjoy the clueless and unreliable narrator.
Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for an arc ebook copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2022
So many twists and turns you keep engaged from the beginning because it doesn't all come together until the end! Everything revolves around Eve and how the heck did she arrive at Lakeview Manor?
You will love this one and the ending will leave you stunned!
Thank you Netgalley, the author and the publisher!
You will love this one and the ending will leave you stunned!
Thank you Netgalley, the author and the publisher!
September 23, 2022
The House on the Lake
Author: Holly Hill Mangin
Book Review
Published Date: March 16, 2021
After waking up at the Lakeview Manor on the Isle of Esse, Eve Beckett has one question: How did she get there? With no recollection of how or why, Eve sets out to figure it out for herself.
Despite being deathly afraid of water, Eve is drawn to the manor. She loves a good mystery, why would she want to leave just yet? As events at Lakeview get weirder and weirder, like rooms shifting location and individuals randomly showing up, she comes to realize more than just her arrival is odd.
As spooky season approaches, this is the perfect read. It was quick and one to just jump right into.
Thank you NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and the author for the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review.
Author: Holly Hill Mangin
Book Review
Published Date: March 16, 2021
After waking up at the Lakeview Manor on the Isle of Esse, Eve Beckett has one question: How did she get there? With no recollection of how or why, Eve sets out to figure it out for herself.
Despite being deathly afraid of water, Eve is drawn to the manor. She loves a good mystery, why would she want to leave just yet? As events at Lakeview get weirder and weirder, like rooms shifting location and individuals randomly showing up, she comes to realize more than just her arrival is odd.
As spooky season approaches, this is the perfect read. It was quick and one to just jump right into.
Thank you NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and the author for the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review.
September 19, 2022
The house on the Lake is so edge on your seat, teeth gnashing and fingers bitting spooky, but in a very good way😉. I was so hooked on the plot right from the first page and just wanted to find out how it all unfolds. This book is worth reading!.
October 31, 2022
Eve Beckett wakes up disoriented in a room until she realizes that she is on a retreat. She has come to check out the house because it's something that her twin sister would like and possibly haunted.
Eve discovers she is the sole visitor until her sister, Lyn, walks into the kitchen. A huge house all to themselves. Eve is very confused as to how she ended up on the island surrounded by water, since she is deathly afraid of water. The two caretakers, Hammond and Gail are not much help.
Lyn seems to know something, but wants Eve to figure it out on her own.
While touring the home, Eve indeed encounters a ghost. Along with the ghost are two men, brothers, Nick and Ari, to whom Eve is drawn. Although her head sends warnings about one making it a battle of wills with herself.
The only way off the island is by boat and that means being near the water. Eve has a week to scout the island and figure out a way she is going to leave, when she finally makes contact with the ghost. Eve is about to find out that the answers she seeks to be there all the time, just hidden. Now she has a choice to make.
This was a good read with lots of twists and the ending surprised me because I didn't see it coming.
I received an ARC from NetGalley via BooksGoSocial and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.
Eve discovers she is the sole visitor until her sister, Lyn, walks into the kitchen. A huge house all to themselves. Eve is very confused as to how she ended up on the island surrounded by water, since she is deathly afraid of water. The two caretakers, Hammond and Gail are not much help.
Lyn seems to know something, but wants Eve to figure it out on her own.
While touring the home, Eve indeed encounters a ghost. Along with the ghost are two men, brothers, Nick and Ari, to whom Eve is drawn. Although her head sends warnings about one making it a battle of wills with herself.
The only way off the island is by boat and that means being near the water. Eve has a week to scout the island and figure out a way she is going to leave, when she finally makes contact with the ghost. Eve is about to find out that the answers she seeks to be there all the time, just hidden. Now she has a choice to make.
This was a good read with lots of twists and the ending surprised me because I didn't see it coming.
I received an ARC from NetGalley via BooksGoSocial and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.
November 10, 2022
The house on the lake by Holly Hill Mangin was a read I won’t forget….
Eve needs a retreat. One where she can unwind and recuperate. She remembers booking a week at Lakeview manor but how she got there, well that’s a mystery.
The whole manor is an oddity. Set on an island when she is deathly afraid of water? The rooms seem to be mismatched and in a state of disrepair. She seems to be the only visitor until her sister shows up.
The Manor has many secrets and the strange woman only Eve can see, has Eve believing that the island and the habitants there, are more than they first appear. The more Eve learns about how she got to the island and why, the deeper her fear runs….
Firstly I had no idea what the book was about when I started it. I was fascinated right from chapter one. I loved learning about Eve and the mystery of how she ended up on an island, especially when she is fearful of water. She had zero memory of how she got there.
I loved the setting of the manor and descriptions of the island. It was really quite a surreal read. I thought I had it figured out a few times but nope, the ending was a big twisty ball of holy moly!
Each character had depth and intrigue and I found the whole read so gripping that I was sad it was over. I love a good mystery and this one had a nice paranormal undertone that really hit all the high notes for me.
The writing was well done and I definitely would love to see more from this author!
4.5 stars! Seriously… I was pleasantly surprised by this book! Thank you to @netgalley @booksgosocial for my review copy
Eve needs a retreat. One where she can unwind and recuperate. She remembers booking a week at Lakeview manor but how she got there, well that’s a mystery.
The whole manor is an oddity. Set on an island when she is deathly afraid of water? The rooms seem to be mismatched and in a state of disrepair. She seems to be the only visitor until her sister shows up.
The Manor has many secrets and the strange woman only Eve can see, has Eve believing that the island and the habitants there, are more than they first appear. The more Eve learns about how she got to the island and why, the deeper her fear runs….
Firstly I had no idea what the book was about when I started it. I was fascinated right from chapter one. I loved learning about Eve and the mystery of how she ended up on an island, especially when she is fearful of water. She had zero memory of how she got there.
I loved the setting of the manor and descriptions of the island. It was really quite a surreal read. I thought I had it figured out a few times but nope, the ending was a big twisty ball of holy moly!
Each character had depth and intrigue and I found the whole read so gripping that I was sad it was over. I love a good mystery and this one had a nice paranormal undertone that really hit all the high notes for me.
The writing was well done and I definitely would love to see more from this author!
4.5 stars! Seriously… I was pleasantly surprised by this book! Thank you to @netgalley @booksgosocial for my review copy
October 4, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial/ the author for the eARC.
Allow me to quote page 178: "Just, lay off the mozzarella, all right?"
Yes, that is a direct quote, said seriously, by the main character Eve. I really wanted to like this book, but I just could not get past the super cringey dialog and writing style.
Allow me to quote page 178: "Just, lay off the mozzarella, all right?"
Yes, that is a direct quote, said seriously, by the main character Eve. I really wanted to like this book, but I just could not get past the super cringey dialog and writing style.
December 6, 2022
This book was insanely good. The story had me hooked early on. The plots in this book kept me interested until the very end. The creepy and gothic setting was great in keeping the story interesting. The cover also captures attention towards the book too.
November 29, 2022
The House on the Lake is set on the mysterious Isle of Esse, Lakeview Manor is allegedly just a 10 minute boat journey from the mainland.
The Isle of Esse has an ethereal quality, a mysterious air, a veil of mystery.
Eve wakes, feeling disorientated, seemingly confused by her surroundings. She’s further dumbfounded when her mirror twin Lyn appears. Eve has no memory of the events leading up to her waking up that morning. No idea of where she is, or how she arrived there.
Eve’s situation, and the house in general, somehow seem to be mirroring what she thinks she wants. Physically, the decor matches her personal taste, and the general bizarre and impossible nature of her surroundings and situation. It is an enigma.
Initially the book feels strange, in the sense that nothing makes sense for the first 50%. I truly hoped that the book was going somewhere, but I couldn’t imagine what would unfold, to make my puzzled brain understand. Eve’s lack of memory, while seemingly being happy to stay, when she has no knowledge of where and how, bewildered me.
I was genuinely intrigued, so eager to read something that would make the plot “click” in to place. As I kept reading, I started to have a realisation of where the book was going. Slowly two possible scenarios were unfolding in my mind, one of them was correct.
When you have finished reading, so many little elements will make sense. “Nick works on Systems Maintenance, Ari works on Project Completion”, now, that makes perfect sense. Also the book long mantra of “Relax, Reflect, Release”.
This book, without doubt, is a slow burn. If you want a fast pace book, full of action, this is not for you. This is a book that will make you think, it will make you work as you try to understand, just as Eve is trying to understand.
As the book reached it’s conclusion, I found it very moving. I can’t say why, as it would spoil the story for those yet to read it. My advice, if you are going to read this book, is to be patient, enjoy the flow of the book, and you will understand by the end. Maybe, like I was, you will be quite touched and moved too. 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Isle of Esse has an ethereal quality, a mysterious air, a veil of mystery.
Eve wakes, feeling disorientated, seemingly confused by her surroundings. She’s further dumbfounded when her mirror twin Lyn appears. Eve has no memory of the events leading up to her waking up that morning. No idea of where she is, or how she arrived there.
Eve’s situation, and the house in general, somehow seem to be mirroring what she thinks she wants. Physically, the decor matches her personal taste, and the general bizarre and impossible nature of her surroundings and situation. It is an enigma.
Initially the book feels strange, in the sense that nothing makes sense for the first 50%. I truly hoped that the book was going somewhere, but I couldn’t imagine what would unfold, to make my puzzled brain understand. Eve’s lack of memory, while seemingly being happy to stay, when she has no knowledge of where and how, bewildered me.
I was genuinely intrigued, so eager to read something that would make the plot “click” in to place. As I kept reading, I started to have a realisation of where the book was going. Slowly two possible scenarios were unfolding in my mind, one of them was correct.
When you have finished reading, so many little elements will make sense. “Nick works on Systems Maintenance, Ari works on Project Completion”, now, that makes perfect sense. Also the book long mantra of “Relax, Reflect, Release”.
This book, without doubt, is a slow burn. If you want a fast pace book, full of action, this is not for you. This is a book that will make you think, it will make you work as you try to understand, just as Eve is trying to understand.
As the book reached it’s conclusion, I found it very moving. I can’t say why, as it would spoil the story for those yet to read it. My advice, if you are going to read this book, is to be patient, enjoy the flow of the book, and you will understand by the end. Maybe, like I was, you will be quite touched and moved too. 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 25, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
🏯 twisty thrillers
🏯 dark island vibes
🏯 creepy “haunted” mansion setting
🏯 short chapters
Eve Beckett cannot believe that she ended up on island. She is terrified of water and has absolutely no recollection of how she got here. Straaaaaaaange things are going on at this place … rooms that seem to shift and move .. secret passageways .. a mysterious woman that only Eve can see ….
The story begins with Eve realizing she’s in a house on an ISLAND with a couple that apparently invited her to stay there and her twin sister Lyn, except she has no memory of wanting to come to this place or actually getting here. She is terrified of water so she’s just like “Meh this is fine, we’ll just stay here with these creepy people” 🤣🤣 WHAT?! That part was a little far-fetched lol but moving along with the story …
I was honestly lost and confused as to what was going on with this story for most of it, but obviously that was done on purpose. It all came together in the end though and the pieces all clicked in to place and it all made sense.
I did not really like a single one of the characters, not sure if that was done on purpose. I literally did not care at all what happened to any of the characters 🤪
There was even some romance sprinkled into this mystery! That’s perfect for me because my second favourite genre is romance (after thriller/mystery obviously) so it was nice to have kind of like 2 different books in one ❤️
The ending was a little crazy 😜 but I have to admit it’s definitely something I haven’t seen before. I enjoyed the creepy atmosphere and story kept me wanting more and more. A very enjoyable read overall.
Read if you like:
🏯 twisty thrillers
🏯 dark island vibes
🏯 creepy “haunted” mansion setting
🏯 short chapters
Eve Beckett cannot believe that she ended up on island. She is terrified of water and has absolutely no recollection of how she got here. Straaaaaaaange things are going on at this place … rooms that seem to shift and move .. secret passageways .. a mysterious woman that only Eve can see ….
The story begins with Eve realizing she’s in a house on an ISLAND with a couple that apparently invited her to stay there and her twin sister Lyn, except she has no memory of wanting to come to this place or actually getting here. She is terrified of water so she’s just like “Meh this is fine, we’ll just stay here with these creepy people” 🤣🤣 WHAT?! That part was a little far-fetched lol but moving along with the story …
I was honestly lost and confused as to what was going on with this story for most of it, but obviously that was done on purpose. It all came together in the end though and the pieces all clicked in to place and it all made sense.
I did not really like a single one of the characters, not sure if that was done on purpose. I literally did not care at all what happened to any of the characters 🤪
There was even some romance sprinkled into this mystery! That’s perfect for me because my second favourite genre is romance (after thriller/mystery obviously) so it was nice to have kind of like 2 different books in one ❤️
The ending was a little crazy 😜 but I have to admit it’s definitely something I haven’t seen before. I enjoyed the creepy atmosphere and story kept me wanting more and more. A very enjoyable read overall.
October 21, 2022
1.5 stars
Waking up in a bed that isn't hers and room that isn't familiar, Eve Beckett is confused. Even worse, she looks out the window only to discover that she is on an island surrounded by her worst nightmare- water. She has zero memory as to how she got here.
You would think that Eve would have more questions. To be fair, she does seem to wonder why she has no memory of arriving here or why the caretakers of the home just keep telling her to 'Relax, Reflect, Release'. But...she kinda just goes with it?
I don't know how to review this book. I did find myself wondering what the hell was going on, but I wasn't enjoying myself. The dialogue is extremely cringey, there's strange romantic moments with men (brothers) that Eve meets and 5 minutes later is professing her love for, and the Gothic elements that I was hoping would save the story were disappointing at best.
Thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Waking up in a bed that isn't hers and room that isn't familiar, Eve Beckett is confused. Even worse, she looks out the window only to discover that she is on an island surrounded by her worst nightmare- water. She has zero memory as to how she got here.
You would think that Eve would have more questions. To be fair, she does seem to wonder why she has no memory of arriving here or why the caretakers of the home just keep telling her to 'Relax, Reflect, Release'. But...she kinda just goes with it?
I don't know how to review this book. I did find myself wondering what the hell was going on, but I wasn't enjoying myself. The dialogue is extremely cringey, there's strange romantic moments with men (brothers) that Eve meets and 5 minutes later is professing her love for, and the Gothic elements that I was hoping would save the story were disappointing at best.
Thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2024
The title and cover of this book suggested to me it was going to be a haunted house tale, but it's not that at all. It's hard to describe without spoiling it, but there's a sort of paranormal romance taking place but in the end the romance was just a plot device for something else entirely. Confusing eh?
It was hard to understand any of the characters, they weren't very well developed but there is a reason for that which becomes clear at the end, so unfortunately I just ended up confused for most of the book wondering why the main character happily accepted waking up in a strange house on an island with no memory of how she got there.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you to BooksGoSocial, Netgalley and the author.
It was hard to understand any of the characters, they weren't very well developed but there is a reason for that which becomes clear at the end, so unfortunately I just ended up confused for most of the book wondering why the main character happily accepted waking up in a strange house on an island with no memory of how she got there.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you to BooksGoSocial, Netgalley and the author.
November 15, 2022
Pure and simple I completely disliked this book, it was completely confusing and maybe I should re read it but I just couldn’t understand it. Too much going on in it. It just wasn’t intriguing to me at all.
September 13, 2022
When Eve wakes up in a mansion and sees that all her clothes are put away in the caretakers act as if they were expecting her she still baffled as to how she got there but when her sister Lynn arrives E thinks she knows more about the island then she saying when she meets Nick and he wants her off his brother eve is Dooley board until she sees him her attraction to him is a curious one and although Nick is just as good looking and seems to like her as well she can’t help but to want his brother but they steal the nagging issue of how she got there and why she’s there and can chance of the mystery about this strange home on the strange Island and who is this ghost she keeps saying and is Nick‘s brother as dangerous as he claims? I thought this book was pretty good I thought the mystery was a good one and although I did think it was going to be a little bit different than it turned out to be I still enjoyed the book. I would highly recommend this book if you love a good mystery you’ll definitely love this book I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
January 6, 2023
So this book is rather confusing at times, and to be honest, it wasn’t really scary, it felt like it drug on for quite a while without anything really happening. The last few chapters were pretty good. Definitely not one that I would recommend to others very highly. There were several times that I struggled to finish and almost gave up. It’s definitely not what I expected.
December 8, 2022
Eh. I mean it was creepy in parts. I loved the concept of the moving rooms. I kinda figured out early on what was really going on. I liked the way that the end of life was interpreted.
So basically, the story starts with Eve Beckett waking up and having no idea where or how she got there. She knows she's deathly afraid of water and unfortunately the house she's in is surrounded by it. Eventually she figures out that she is at the Lakeview Manor (reputated to be extremely haunted) on the Isle of Esse.
Eve's twin sister, Lynn, is also here with her somehow. While trying to find answers to her circumstances she ends up finding out more than she bargained for about herself. It was interesting for sure!
Thank you @netgalley for this ARC for my honest review 🙂
Published March 19,2021
So basically, the story starts with Eve Beckett waking up and having no idea where or how she got there. She knows she's deathly afraid of water and unfortunately the house she's in is surrounded by it. Eventually she figures out that she is at the Lakeview Manor (reputated to be extremely haunted) on the Isle of Esse.
Eve's twin sister, Lynn, is also here with her somehow. While trying to find answers to her circumstances she ends up finding out more than she bargained for about herself. It was interesting for sure!
Thank you @netgalley for this ARC for my honest review 🙂
Published March 19,2021
October 10, 2022
This book was definitely a mind twisting book. You start thinking it’s going in one direction and suddenly it veers off into a totally different way.
Eve is an interesting character, she is deathly afraid of water and yet the retreat she booked is on an island. She wakes up in a beautiful white room yet she has no recollection of getting there. She meets the care takers in the kitchen and their behavior is confusing and causes her hesitation about staying and suddenly her twin sister is there.
She begins seeing things and hearing things and the whole experience becomes weirder and weirder.
You definitely have to read this yourself to understand what i mean.
Eve is an interesting character, she is deathly afraid of water and yet the retreat she booked is on an island. She wakes up in a beautiful white room yet she has no recollection of getting there. She meets the care takers in the kitchen and their behavior is confusing and causes her hesitation about staying and suddenly her twin sister is there.
She begins seeing things and hearing things and the whole experience becomes weirder and weirder.
You definitely have to read this yourself to understand what i mean.
October 12, 2022
Thanks netgalley for letting me review this book.
Omg how do I describe this book. Amazing but unusual at the same time lol.
I loved this story, the storyline was amazing and not something I saw coming at all. The way it was written was purely genius.
Can’t wait to read more by the author as they have intrigued me as to more of their books.
I will be thinking about this book for a very long time especially the characters. I haven’t read anything like this before and doubt I ever will again.
Omg how do I describe this book. Amazing but unusual at the same time lol.
I loved this story, the storyline was amazing and not something I saw coming at all. The way it was written was purely genius.
Can’t wait to read more by the author as they have intrigued me as to more of their books.
I will be thinking about this book for a very long time especially the characters. I haven’t read anything like this before and doubt I ever will again.
September 19, 2022
This book was just ok for me. I found the big reveal predictable and guessed the plot twist as soon as all characters were revealed.
The writing was nothing spectacular. I felt as though the author was bouncing back and forth from trying a funny, modern way of writing to trying to be insightful.
The house and its slow destruction was such a cool idea, I wanted more description, exploration, and intrigue! Unfortunately the love story and strained relationships among the characters took away from that portion. If one subject had been the focus, I think the author really could have elaborated on that, instead the wide scope of topics left each one feeling stretched thin.
The premise of this book had a lot of potential and was very interesting, but overall the execution could have been better. 2.5 stars rounded down for me!
The writing was nothing spectacular. I felt as though the author was bouncing back and forth from trying a funny, modern way of writing to trying to be insightful.
The house and its slow destruction was such a cool idea, I wanted more description, exploration, and intrigue! Unfortunately the love story and strained relationships among the characters took away from that portion. If one subject had been the focus, I think the author really could have elaborated on that, instead the wide scope of topics left each one feeling stretched thin.
The premise of this book had a lot of potential and was very interesting, but overall the execution could have been better. 2.5 stars rounded down for me!
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