AS CAWPILE:
Characters: 7 | Atmosphere: 8 | Writing: 7 | Plot: 8 | Intrigue: 9 | Logic: 4 | Enjoyment: 7
Total: 7.14 / 4 Stars

Scary cabin? Check. Weird camp on a weird lake? Check. Overly friendly boy and scary guy in the woods? Check and check. This book marks off some of the basics of horror and yet it promoted more character growth than most of the contemporary novels I've read lately. However, it also hinders itself with this focus, making some of the logic and the plot fall through with quick solutions and unlikely outcomes.
There was room for more to be explored, but it wasn't done. I still enjoyed the book and found it incredibly fast paced, which gives it that extra star boost. But it missed the mark on logic when it comes to giving it five stars- and unfortunately for a book like this, I have to understand the basics of a curse for me to feel invested in the outcome.

YA Thriller is a genre I haven’t tried before and this was a good book to get started with. It had strong female friendships, murder, mystery and survival.

*Vague sort of spoilers below*
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It is another one of those books that starts out as one kind of story then turns into another at the end. Kind of like the show Yellow Jackets with the survival story beginning and then supernatural turn. I’m not sure it was necessary - I would have very much liked a story without it. It did make sense with this story, but I would have liked more hints or glimpses of that story line earlier throughout the book.

*I received an advanced copy from Net Galley

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

I am a fan of Sarah Beth Durst and while this is not a favorite of mine, it still packs a powerful punch. First let me say, the cover is gorgeous! This book has a lot going on in the story. It is a survival story, a "who dunnit" mystery, a horror suspense with a supernatural element, a story of "girl power" and friendship...

I enjoyed our main characters, Claire, Reyva and Mariana. I loved getting to know them beyond the first impression. The character growth was good as well as the friendship and trust between them that was built throughout the story.

Looking forward to what Sarah Beth Durst has to offer next!

3.5 stars

Are you Getting ready to compile your summer reading TBR? One to add is:
Summer Camp - Claire, Reyva, and Mariana are on the boat to a remote island for summer camp
New Experiences - Their parents who previously went to the camp promised new experiences and learning new skills
Fire - but when they arrive at the island, all the buildings have been burned
Can’t leave - and no matter how hard they try, they can’t leave

This book is extremely fast paced and perfect if you are looking for a beach read for summer and like horror. The complexities of the characters with their phobias and struggles really made what could have been a boring story much more interesting. Being the analyst I am, I did have an idea on how it was going to end. But the result ends up being so much more complicated!

4 star rating because I know my students will enjoy it.

I know my students will love the survival aspect, the mystery, and even the somewhat out of nowhere paranormal twist. I personally found the story predictable but entertaining. I know the intended audience will be immersed in the setting, and totally thrown for a loop at every twist and turn.

Thank you to the publisher, HarperTeen, HCC Frenzy, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Claire’s parents have sent her off to a remote summer camp in Maine and she’s less than happy about it since it sends her anxiety into overdrive, causing her to imagine all the ways this situation could go wrong, but never actually do. Except this time, it really does go sideways, when she and two other girls, Reyva and Mariana, arrive at the camp to find it burned to the ground with no survivors in sight. Left on the dock with few supplies and the boat not due to return for several weeks, they quickly realize the fire was no accident when they stumble upon a dead body in the woods. There is someone else out there, hunting them, and the three girls must figure out a way to survive and escape.

This was a very last minute addition to my TBR, and I usually don’t request ARCs for books so close to the release date, but this sounded too good to pass up and worth shifting around my planned blogging schedule. Survival stories are always fun to read, but tossing in a mystery with it makes for a great combination – that and the intriguing cover.

The book started off really strong, jumping straight into the plot without wasting any time and allowing the reader to get to know the characters as the story unfolded. It set the scene and atmosphere immediately and I loved the mysterious, tense and occasionally creepy mood throughout.

The main reason I dropped my rating was the paranormal twist that randomly showed up quite late into the book, about the 65-70% mark and it went from a survival plot with the characters trying to hide from a murderer to something completely different. I’m not a fan of paranormal plot lines at all, and the synopsis gave no clear hint that this book involved anything of the sort so I’m more than a little annoyed about it.

The pacing wasn’t the most consistent. Some parts of the book dragged a lot, mostly the scenes with the girls trying to figure out survival tactics. Sure, it was necessary for the story to be more realistic, but it did break the mood, making it feel like the main plot just showed up when it was convenient and not when these girls are trying to figure out how to make a fire or catch fish. These sequences were just a little longer than necessary and I ended up skimming through a lot of it.

On the other hand, I did like the author’s writing style and when the focus actually turned to the main plot, it was written in a manner that held the reader’s attention, becoming a complete page turner.

I really enjoyed how Claire, Reyva and Mariana, three very different girls, learnt to trust each other and became friends. The way they helped each other in overcoming their personal issues and used their various skills to survive in the wilderness was very well depicted.

Some of the twists were quite predictable, but once the paranormal plot came in, it turned everything upside down. The way the girls decided to handle the situation and got away itself was satisfactory, but it left so many unanswered questions. It also felt a little clumsy with the girls completely forgetting the existence of another character and then suddenly remembering him again at the end. Considering that this character turned out to be quite important to the plot, I spent most of the last ten chapters trying to figure out where he was. There was also the big question of how exactly the parents were convinced to send their kids off to this camp in the middle of nowhere without even checking on things. There’s only so much that can be blamed on the paranormal plot after all, and accepting this ending requires a significant suspension of disbelief.

Overall, while the plot itself was interesting, the execution left something to be desired. I have a feeling younger YA readers would enjoy this a lot more as several parts of the book did seem quite juvenile to me. It’s probably not a book I will re-read or remember for very long, but still an entertaining one. This was a quick and easy read and it would be a great choice if you’re looking for a fast paced mystery and don’t mind a bit of paranormal plot.

✨Book Review✨
The Lake House
By Sarah Beth Durst

Summer camp with Alone/ Survivor vibes in this YA thriller! I enjoyed this one, and was thrown by a few twists and turns along the way. I found this to be a quick read as well! It kept me flipping through the pages.
This one is out now so pick it up and read by your next campfire 🔥
Thanks so much to @harpercollinsca and @hccfrenzy for sending me an e arc of this book in exchange for my opinion.

Okay, so the story dragged too much. The plot wasn't built strongly enough and lacked compelling twists but the ending was interesting.

🚨 YA THRILLER ALERT: “The Lake House” by Sarah Beth Durst

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤/5

Claire, Reyva and Mariana have been sent by their parents to The Lake House, which is an off the grid summer camp that they all experienced when they were younger. The girls are complete strangers, but they have ONE thing in common: their parents encouraged them they would LOVE their summer at the Lake House because they would …
🏕️ Learn new skills
🏕️ Have new experiences
🏕️ Make new friends

… what an understatement 🫣😬

The three teens are late to arrive to the island and dropped off with their bags. The terrifying truth of their situation hits them the moment the boat drops them off and disappears … The Lake House has been BURNT to the GROUND and there does NOT seem to be any SURVIVORS 🔥

When they find a dead body in the woods, they just KNOW that this fire was not an accident … and that DANGER could still be lurking around them! HOW are they going to survive this and get themselves the hell outta there??

Thank you kindly to @harpercollinsca @harperteen @netgalley @sarahbethdurst for my gifted digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This book JUST released on April 25, 2023!

While I liked the characters and the premise, the overall story just didn't flow well in my opinion. It was a blend of genres (horror/thriller/survivalist), but instead of a solid hybrid, it felt a bit disjointed.

Sarah Beth Durst’s The Lake House pulled me in from the start. Claire is not thrilled with the idea of going away to camp. She’s not a carefree teen able to just relax and enjoy herself. She’s rather pessimistic, worries about everything, is prone to panic attacks, and has no friends. But on the boat ride over to the Lake House with two other girls who are also late arrivals she begins to think maybe things could be different, maybe this really is a chance for the fresh start. She should have known better than to get her hopes up. Soon after the three girls are let off and begin to make their way to the camp site they realize something is wrong. VERY wrong. The Lake House is a smoldering ruin and not long after they discover a dead body. They are all alone, have no clue what happened, and worse they have no supplies nor any idea how they are going to survive. There is so much more to to come, but this is just the start of their struggle to survive. This is an intense and engaging tale that continued to throw out twist after twist. Heck, it wasn’t even until around the 70% mark that the supernatural makes its presence truly known. While I will say I still had a question or two when all was said and done (I won’t say what to avoid spoiling anything), and overall I enjoyed the heck out of the story. 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. I’d like to thank HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Lake House.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R3QVYR8Z2MN0OH/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

we follow Reyva, Mariana, and Claire as they take a group trip to a lake house camp. Upon arrival, they find that there is a house that's been burned down with a dead body to pair.

they have no way home, no way out. How will these girls survive...This book, by far, has been one of the best suspenseful survival thrillers i have read. I couldn't put the book down and just HAD to know what happened next.

i even enjoyed all three characters, which seems to be a rarity as one normally will get on my nerves, but each character really brought their own aspect and emotions.

i highly recommend this book for those who like to be kept on the edge of their seat!

This definitely didn’t go any place I expected based on the pitch I heard (which was more vague than the synopsis) or the vibe of the cover. So in that way I think this’ll definitely surprise you along the way.

Part survivalist, part mystery, part horror, THE LAKE HOUSE focuses on three young girls, all with their own battles, who have to stick together and survive not only in some extreme conditions and circumstances in the wild but also outsmart, and outwit, an added element of danger as well.

I don’t really have a lot to say about this one. I enjoyed it as I read it, though I maybe would’ve liked it more if it was more straight-forward in the sense of the real conflict behind everything that was going on, but I appreciated the characters and their strengths, their determination, and their connection. Having said that, I’m not sure I’ll remember much of this in a few months, even despite the element that otherwise would make this memorable, but that’s okay.

If you enjoy a good mystery mashed up with uncertainty and survival, this might be the read for you!

2.75 (rounded up) stars

This was a very YA book for me. I did enjoy it but I definitely found the ending to be a little too much for me.

* full review to be posted soon on my main platform *

The Lake House sounded right up my alley and while I did enjoy it in parts, it didn't fully come together for me. I kind of wish this had been a straight up survival story rather than introducing a supernatural element. I did really love the development of the girls' friendship and how what may have been seen as their weaknesses in the "real" world were actually strengths in this situation.

When Claire Reva in Marina find her self on a boat driven by a cute teenage boy named Jack they’re not happy to be going to summer camp especially Claire who is insecure has panic attacks and always thinks the worst in any situation and fears everything but when they arrive and jack leaves them despite marinas please for him to stay they’re all resigned to making the best of it. They’re supposed to meet the fellow campers and camp counselor at the lake house but when they arrive it isn’t what they expected the camp counselor is dead the Camp buildings has been burned down and oh yes someone is hunting them. After a day or two of struggling to stay alive and almost being buried under one of the sheds they finally find a way out only to be accosted by what looks like a homeless man days from civilization but before they could make sense of the situation a man in camo with the big gun appears and it looks like he’s going to shoot one of the girls that isn’t till the homeless man attacks him. Throughout all of this Claire is learning people do like her for her and even picked her as a quasi-leader while they make their way back to the lake is stealthily as they can they are so relieved to see Jack in his boat but before they can make it back to the boat the man with the gun does now they go from 3 to 4. The only problem is Claire doesn’t think she can trust Jack and when she hears him talking what he says is to himself in the words Clara has always thinks the worst but should she… Is she right or can she trust Jack? I mean he is nice and he is helping the girls get Food set up Kenny up but there’s just something bothering Claire about the new dynamics of the group. There is so much more to the story and OMG what a story it is! I would definitely put this book in my top two yeah horror stories of the year I know a lot of reviewer say I couldn’t put this book down but when I tell you that I could not put this book down I am being so serious it is so good hoes your attention not to mention I love the fact the girls were so supportive of each other and even Riva and marina who I thought were going to be caddy turned out to be the greatest of pal’s I love that in a book and I love this book a total five star read! 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.

The premise of this is interesting, as the three teens set out for a summer camp, but arrive at the island to discover that the house and grounds have all been burnt. They also think someone is after them as they try to piece together what happened and survive. It got a little repetitive for my taste, but I know my students in grades 6-8 will enjoy it.

I love when books beyond solely contemporaries introduce characters with mental health issues! Because it is so realistic. Like- not everyone running from a killer, or a monster, or fighting wizards or whatever has mental health totally in check. It's just not possible. So it is a breath of fresh air to have a main character in a thriller novel who is simply not in the best state of mind to figure out this creepy lake town's secrets. But, you know, has to anyway.

So anyway Claire is thrown into this situation abruptly- she and two other girls find themselves dropped off at this camp their parents are making them attend... only the camp is no longer. It's burned to its studs, and there isn't a soul around. There is, however, a dead body that the trio quickly locates in the woods. Needless to say, this isn't exactly the campfires and kumbayas the girls were expecting.

I enjoyed how the girls had to rely on each others' strengths to survive. Where one lacked knowledge or ability, another picked up the slack. They grew to trust each other, which was nice, and Claire had the chance to build some bonds. I mean- not in the ideal situation, mind, but still. The author definitely nailed the atmosphere, as this place feels very desolate and eerie. I loved the survival aspect, and the stakes definitely felt appropriately high.

There is a potential paranormal entity at play, and that part wasn't my favorite, but that is probably more of a personal preference. I also really liked that the author tied up the story, and gave the reader the answers they were looking forward to finding out.

Bottom Line: Atmospheric with a great focus on female strength and friendship, this is definitely a unique survival thriller!

This book did not go the way I expected it to. I figured it would be like a normal “locked room” mystery but it definitely switched things up. It was a easy book to get in to but it did start to slow down towards the end. Regardless I still enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend!

My Rating: 5/5 stars

My Thoughts: The Lake House follows 3 teenagers who believe they are showing up at a summer retreat camp but quickly find themselves in a survival situation. I honestly loved this book. It had me anxiously turning the pages (or swiping the pages?) and I finished it after only 2 reading sessions! I thought the author did a great job of creating an ominous setting and I was honestly nervous to turn the page.

I loved the relationships between the characters even more. I loved how the author created a healthy relationship between young women. I feel like a lot of times women are pitted against each other and are made to feel like we are each other’s enemies. I liked that the author didn’t give into that stereotype! The survival aspect of this book was great as well. I personally love mystery/thriller books about survival situations! This book also had a good amount of diversity when it came to mental health and other types of diversity as well! I thought the author did a great job when discussing those topics.