Another great mystery/thriller by Ms. Preston! This one is sure to be a hit because hello? Lake secrets! It's always interesting to dig up the past.

I live in the southern United States, in a land where blisteringly cold weather is as fantastical as orcs and dragons. Until now. We’re in the middle of this crazy winter storm, and I don’t know how to cope with these temperatures. So, I thought I’d grab every blanket I own and cuddle up with something that would help me escape the frost.

Enter Natasha Preston’s The Lake. I read the synopsis and saw the words “summer camp.” Bingo.

I settled in for a engrossing story of two teen girls who return to a camp they visited when they were much younger. In true thriller fashion, something awful happened all those years ago, and now someone knows what they did.

I eat stories like this up, and this one did not disappoint. As soon as I finished the first page, I was in. I was there. I was warm. I was also a little unsettled by the fact that characters kept mentioning the forest and telling me that there was “nothing scary in the woods.” Sure thing, guys, sure thing.

If you’re looking for something fun for teens and adults alike, The Lake is a great choice. It certainly left me turning the pages so quickly that I entirely forgot my dreary surroundings. This was such an exciting “dark and stormy night” read.

Enjoy.

This book is perfect for anyone who loves a good “I Know What You Did Last Summer” style thriller.

Esme and Kayla return to their childhood camp as CIT’s after 10 years. But they didn’t return on their own will, they were threatened into it. 10 years earlier, the girls had a mishap in the forest, where a girl may or may not have been hurt. They aren’t really sure.

What becomes abundantly clear after a few days at camp, and a few mysterious and creepy messages, is that something did happen in the forest when they were younger and now that person wants them to pay.

The Lake is a fun, YA, mystery/thriller that kept me turning the pages to see how everything would unfold. I do wish there was a bit more development around Lillian’s story and the events that unfolded that night.

I’m also not sure if this is a stand alone book or meant to be continued as a series. If its a stand alone, then I am very disappointed about the ending being so abrupt and honestly unfinished.

Ugh this one was rough for me. The writing in this felt so middle-grade I had to go back and check to see how it was being packaged. Esme as a narrator sounds sophomorish and irritating and Kayla seemed equally unlikable. I ended up skimming the last 60% or so because the story was so unsatisfying and unrealistic. This whole book revolves around 2 eight year olds making a mistake and another one seeking revenge 9 years later. Maybe I don’t remember being 8 *that* much but I certainly don’t believe I was that spiteful. The ending was a cop out. I know it was intentional but with absolutely no resolution it made the whole thing even more unsatisfying. I would recommend skipping this one.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this book pretty blind and came out with my eyes opened to a new-to-me author whose books I want to binge read.

The Lake tells the story of Kayla and Esme, two teen girls who are returning to their childhood camp, but this time as counselors. They attended this camp when they were 7 and 8 years old, but never returned because of something horrible that happened. What unfolds as they get reacquainted with the camp is the stuff nightmares are made of.

Kayla and Esme vowed never to talk of the horrible thing that happened when they were kids, but it seems that someone else knows their secret and is trying to get them to talk. The mystery person goes sneaking around camp leaving creepy notes, causing damage to the cabins, and flat out scaring the campers and counselors alike. Kayla and Esme are torn on leaving camp, confessing, and trying to confront the creepy camp stalker. What happens is they confess? Will they go to jail? What if they leave? Do they put other counselors and campers at risk? And what if they confront the stalker? Is he out for revenge? Does he want to hurt them? What does he want? And why ten years later?

This book had me hooked from pretty early on. I loved that the chapters were short, like 10 pages or less, which I always think makes a book fly by. Each chapter also felt like it was a cliffhanger, which of course made me want to read another one... and another one... and another one...

The great thing about YA thrillers is that I get to feel like a detective. I always think I have it figured out, who did what, etc. and I had many theories this time too. One theory was so glaringly obvious it couldn’t possibly have been right. Or could it? I went back and forth on who the camp stalker was so many times that at one point I thought every single character was somehow involved. While I had one theory that was partially right, I was way off on a lot of other things that happened in this story. I couldn’t believe the twists and turns this book took, and I was pretty surprised at the ending. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting to happen, which made it even better in my opinion.

You need to pick this one up! It’s a quick read, has plenty of twists and turns, lots of surprises, and just overall a tense and heart pounding tale.

5 stars from me, recommended to anyone who loves fast paced YA thrillers!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House/Delacorte Press.

I'm still torn on my thoughts with this book. I usually enjoy Natasha Preston's books, but this one for me didn't work. for me. I felt like the characters were not as developed as they could have been and the pace was sort of all over the place for me.

However, that being said, the story was interesting and it did keep my attention, but it didn't generate the strong reaction that her others books had generated in me.

I’m genuinely not sure who the audience is for this book but it’s not me. I tried to give it a chance but the book just pushes the envelope of believability and I just couldn’t. I tried to skim it to the “reveal” of whatever the main characters had done but I just couldn’t do it. DNF.

3.5 stars, but I always round up if the book hasn't been released yet. Would've been higher if it weren't for the ending.


*slight spoiler warning*

Esme Randal and Kayla Price are returning to Camp Pine Lake to be CITs, but are haunted by a traumatic event from ten years ago that they blame themselves for. In the beginning, everything seems fine, but it's not long before they start receiving threatening messages and campers begin reporting a mysterious stranger watching them. Esme is sure that the other girl who was with them ten years ago wants to get her revenge, but Kayla just wants to enjoy the summer. Until the incidents become too obvious to ignore.
I always mention how we need more YA thrillers that take place at summer camps, but the ones I've read have all been pretty disappointing. (The last one I read was Nobody Knows But You, which had the most boring "reveal" of all time.) I was sure that The Lake wasn't going to disappoint, but about halfway through, I started to get extremely suspicious of Kayla herself. She never wanted to go investigate with Esme, she would have access to cabin keys, and obviously, she knew about the secret. I was dreading the moment when it would be revealed that it was her all along, but thankfully that didn't happen. The antagonist was exactly who Esme thought it was, but there are several characters who also look like suspects (mostly Rebekah and Olly,) so it isn't bland or boring at all.
The way Esme kept talking about her secret made it sound like she'd murdered someone in cold blood, so I was also disappointed about what it turned out to be. (She and her friends accidentally started a fire, and ran away before they could make sure the last girl was okay. No one died, and no camp property was destroyed.) There's Someone Inside Your House did this as well, with something even milder. I guess I was expecting it to be like in Pretty Little Liars, where the girls pushed another girl off a cliff and killed her.
Now, onto the worst: the ENDING. I've heard people say the same things about this author's other books, so I don't know what I was expecting. I know that some people like when the endings are like this, but I am not one. I like to know exactly what happens, with resolution and consequences. We didn't see that here. It essentially ended at a climax. Multiple people are likely dead, Esme is alone and could possibly be killed soon (I won't spoil anything else), and it just ends there. It felt like I was reading a book with several missing chapters. We don't see reactions from the campers or head counselor. I've never seen Natasha Preston write a sequel, but now I REALLY want one. I don't care if I have to wait years. I just want to know how everything is resolved.

something bad happened to Esme and her best friend, Kayla when they were campers at Camp Pine Lake. something that they have promised not to tell for 10 years.
Now they are counselors at that camp,and it seems like the lake never forgets. Dangerous pranks are happening and Esme is overthinking if they are the cause. She is worried that others will be harmed if they don't tell the truth.
Or maybe she is wrong and something else bad is happening at Camp Pine Lake.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a digital ARC of this book. The plot summary seems so fun-two best friends return to the camp where they went as children. Something terrible happened when they were campers which they’ve kept hidden, and now someone is back for revenge. Sounds great in theory, but the execution was terrible. The plot meandered for way too long and while the ending was slightly clever the lead up was so lame. Maybe this will land better with the intended age group it’s meant for, but as an adult reading it was not good.

THE LAKE NEVER FORGETS. When Esme and Kayla receive an anonymous message, fear fills them immediately. Someone knows what they did and they aren't going to let them get away with it.
Esme and Kayla have returned to Camp Pine Lake as Counselors In Training (CIT) at the camp they went to as children. They're excited to enjoy a summer filled with hiking, swimming in the lake, and lots of s'mores! Being back is a little difficult at first as memories of the bad thing they did come rushing back, but they push those thoughts away and gear up for a fun-filled summer! After all, they do have a blood oath to never mention it. But what happens when it turns out they aren't the only two in on their little secret? Who else knows and what do they want from them?
Here we have another great Young Adult Thriller by Natasha Preston. I read this book in a day as I could not put it down, itching to know more. There were so many twists and turns that I did not see coming. I was blown away and was not disappointed. It was well worth the wait! I absolutely loved it and I highly recommend it to other Thriller lovers! So excited to see what her next YA Thriller will bring!
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I was really excited to start this book. YA thrillers are a favorite of mine. But sadly
I found this book to be very boring.
I also did not love the writing style, or the characters.

I had to DNF this one.

I had a really hard time getting into this book. It was very slow and the pacing was just off. I had to DNF at 30%.

Bleak, creepy camp setting meets I know what you did last summer movie storyline provides us intriguing YA thriller premise! And when a skillful thriller author like Ms. Preston on board, you may dive into this promising mystery without thinking any further!

Two close friends did something really bad at the same location a few years ago, return back as CTs! The storyline is simple and interesting. Esme, more observant, smart, quiet one as Kayla is more pretentious, social, animated : two best friends returned back where everything started, forming new friendships, hanging out with hotties but when they start to get threatening message tell them they knew what they did: alarm bells start to blare! The girls are in danger and somebody is in their close circle is after them!

I was so hopeful about this book after reading the blurb, being mesmerized by powerful and eerie cover but unfortunately it was too slow at the beginning and I had hard time to connect with the characters and concentrate on the story. When I reached the middle, things finally got heated but the ending was awkward and dissatisfying.

Normally I love the author’s action packed, gripping thrillers but this one was a little mediocre reading for my taste. I didn’t hate it but I was expecting more.

I’m giving my solid three mysterious, whodunnit, young adult, dark, creepy lake stars!

I keep my hopes high! I’m so sure I’m gonna love the next book of the author more than this one!

Special thanks to Netgalley and Random House’s Children/ Delacorte Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Natasha Preston does thriller well. Her books are always fast-paced and completely enthralling right from the beginning. Her narration is easy to get into and my mind never strayed while reading.

Having read another Natasha Preston's The Cellar, I was familiar with her writing style. If reader enjoyed her previous book, they'll definitely enjoy this one as well.

Disclaimer: I got this ARC in exchange for an honest review!! All opinions are my own.

TW: There's a bit of horror involved towards the end of the book.

I've missed reading Natasha Preston's books! I've been hooked ever since Silence. As always, Natasha's descriptions really pulled me in and I couldn't put The Lake down. Esme and Kayla's secrets were intriguing and I finished reading this in a few days. IT'S SO NOSTALGIC!

I think this book struggled the most with pacing and developing of characters. If you like slow, plodding, kind of campy stories, you'll probably enjoy this one a bit more than I did.

This book was received as an ARC from Random House Children's - Delacorte Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am a fan of Natasha Preston and her books she has written and while I was reading The Lake, I could not help but think of the movie, I Know What You Did Last Summer. This book was so thrilling to the point where I had to stop for a second and catch my breath because my heart was pumping at max speed when Esme and Kayla's secret accident surfaced and they now had to escape the danger that awaits them. I literally felt like I was along for the ride running with them and thinking what they will do to save themselves. Natasha as always does a brilliant job with imagery in taking the reader away following along with the journey. I know there will be a following for this book especially in our YA community.

We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

This was a wild story full of mystery. Esme reminded me of a 21st century Nancy Drew. I loved the camp setting and really enjoyed when things started getting a eerie. This book has some big drama, but sometimes it was a bit too over the top for me. The ending was very face paced but, it was awfully intense for teenagers to come up with and be involved in. And I can’t decide if I loved the last page, or hated it, but it definitely made an impression.