Thank you to NetGalley, Inkubator Books, and Theo Baxter for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Theo Baxter novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Lake House is a fast-paced, page-turning thriller that kept me hooked from the very beginning. It's definitely got me interested in reading more from this author.

The story follows Laura, who moves to the quiet town of Pine Lake to recover from heartbreak and start fresh. The town seems like the perfect escape – small, friendly, and peaceful. But things take a bizarre turn when her ex-fiancé Tony, and ex-best friend Mary, suddenly become her new neighbours. As if that wasn’t unsettling enough, Pine Lake has a strange history of rivalries resurfacing, and it seems like Laura’s life is heading down the same path.

The characters are well-drawn, and I have to say, I really liked Graham – the town’s oddball who becomes one of the most interesting figures in the story. There’s a lot of tension and mystery throughout, with strange deaths, eerie happenings, and a seriously creepy landlord who gave me chills from the start. As Laura's situation spirals into the bizarre, you can't help but wonder if there’s something darker going on behind the scenes.

Although some parts felt a bit repetitive, the twists and conspiracy theories more than made up for it. The love triangle and all the strange coincidences added layers of intrigue that kept me turning the pages. I found myself staying up late to see how everything in this odd little town would unravel.

All in all, Lake House is a gripping and eerie read with plenty of suspense. If you’re into thrillers with a touch of the bizarre, this one’s definitely worth picking up!

Four solid stars from me.

A brilliant well written book that I could just not leave down , such a fantastic story that left you guessing right to the end but a really good ending that explained everything that unfolded throughout the book . Brilliant characters that were so well written about you felt you were in their lives with them . A brilliant story told with many a shock and a wow as you read chapter after chapter not wanting to leave it down. I would really recommend this book as a must read.

This book was a thrilling rollercoaster of emotions! The setup with Laura, who’s still reeling from betrayal, moving to a new town only to have her past resurface, was both compelling and intense. The tension between Laura, Tony, and Mary added layers of complexity and intrigue, making the dynamics between them fascinating to follow. The eerie occurrences and growing sense of danger kept me on edge, and the plot twists were gripping. The small-town setting, combined with the dark undertones, created a perfect backdrop for this psychological suspense. It’s a gripping read that keeps you guessing until the very end!

This is probably one of the best ARCs I have ever read. I was so invested! The suspense was so good and I was so so happy I read it. I did guess who the suspect was but then it had me second guessing it which I enjoy because I still get shocked at the end.

The salacious and intriguing premise of The Lake House (groom-to-be cheats with bride-to-be’s best friend/maid of honor and they become a couple themselves) reeled me in immediately and l finished it in one afternoon. Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for providing me with an ARC of this novel for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

The groom caught cheating on the bride with the maid of honor, sign me up. This domestic thriller pulls you in from the start. I found myself not wanting to put this book down. I finished it in one sitting. Can't wait to read more from this author.

It was a good book but was predictable.

Laura is reeling from the devastation of finding out that her fiance - Tony, and her best friend - Mary are having an affair. After finding them making love on her wedding day, and on her wedding dress, she decides to move to a small mountain town to escape.
She has been trying to work on herself and opening up to new relationships in her life, possibly a new love interest. But with the sudden death of her neighbor, Laura finds out that the new tenants are her old foes Tony and Mary. How have they found her, and why are they there? Laura needs to find out what is going on in her new town and what brought the two people who she hates the most.

This was my first book by this author and was enjoyable enough. It didn’t wow me, but was enough drama and tension go keep me reading. I’ll definitely check out a few more by this author.

Laura thought fiancé Tony was ‘the one’ – until she caught him cheating with her best friend and maid of honor, Mary.BDevastated, Laura moved away and settled in idyllic Pine Lake, where she is just beginning to date again.
But her new life is turned upside down when her next-door neighbor dies in a freak accident . . . and Tony and Mary move in beside her. Things go downhill fast..Mary is convinced that Tony orchestrated the move so he could live near Laura and cheat with her. Tony suspects that Mary moved them here so she could stalk Laura, with whom she’s totally obsessed. For her part, Laura is increasingly uncomfortable with both. Strange things keep happening and she is convinced that someone is watching her.
Then this small community is rocked by a murder, and Laura begins to worry that her very life might be on the line. And she’s right, she’s in terrible danger. Because this little town is home to a mind that is truly evil…
Thanks for the advance copy.

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babs's reviewAug 08, 2024 · edit
really liked it
bookshelves: netgalley

For me the Lake Hous is rather a domestic than a pschological thriller. But I think this is just pickering!
We meet Laura who is about to marry Tony. Well her plans change as she catches him cheating with her best friend and maid of honor, Mary.

A broken Laura moves away and starts a new life... until Tony and Mary move in next doors.
As if this weren't enough a murder occurs and this is when things start to get out of control.

Thank you #NetGalley #Inkubator Books for this ARC

Although this was a quick read (pretty short chapters), this wasn't my favorite thriller. Predictable story where a woman who was done wrong, moves into a new lake side town and is thrown into some unfortunate circumstances. I kept waiting for a big twist, that didn't seem to come. Was also left with some open questions at the end.

"The Lake House" by Theo Baxter swept me from the beginning into the serene yet deceptive world of Pine Lake. As a reader looking for a delightful balance of psychological intrigue and small-town charm, I found exactly that, although the journey wasn’t without its bumps.
The story begins with Laura, a relatable character reeling from the devastating betrayal of her fiancé, Tony, who is caught having an affair with none other than her best friend and maid of honour, Mary—on her wedding day, no less! Heartbroken and in desperate need of a fresh start, Laura relocates to Pine Lake, hoping to rebuild her life. It quickly becomes clear that the quaint little town harbours secrets of its own, and just when Laura starts to envision a hopeful future, chaos ensues.
When Laura's next-door neighbour dies in a freak accident, things spiral further out of control when Tony and Mary unexpectedly move in next door. As I followed Laura's anxious thoughts and gathered suspicions, I couldn't help but feel the tension mounting. The dynamic between her, her old rivals, and the unsettling environment around them created an aura of foreboding. Baxter cleverly incorporates elements like recording conversations, which I found both engaging and relatable—how often do we wish we could gather evidence in situations like Laura’s?
One element that really stood out to me was the portrayal of Pine Lake itself. Baxter paints a vivid picture of the town that makes it feel both idyllic and suffocating. The serene lakefront, the hiking trails, and the cosy coffee shops create a stunning backdrop, yet they contrast sharply with the dark undercurrents of the community's gossip and hidden agendas. I found this duality intriguing and well-executed—who doesn't love a picturesque setting that quickly becomes the stage for turmoil?
Laura herself was wonderfully drawn, and I admired her journey of self-discovery and resilience. Her interactions with supportive friends, particularly her moments with Dr Delgado and her budding romance with Graham, brought levity that balanced the heavier themes of betrayal and danger. I chuckled more than a few times at her witty observations, which made her feel like someone I might meet in real life—a true testament to Baxter's character development.
However, while I enjoyed much of the story, I have to address a couple of disappointments. The narrative’s buildup to the mystery felt somewhat prolonged; I was eager for the thrilling twists to arrive more swiftly. And when the revelation finally came, it felt rushed and not as impactful as I had hoped. I wanted more depth and intrigue regarding Brian's role—his abrupt exit from the story left me wanting answers and backstories that were never fully realised.
Despite these issues, "The Lake House" remains a satisfying read. The simple, realistic narrative is both comforting and engaging, making it easy to lose track of time. I found solace in Laura's journey and enjoyed the relatable moments sprinkled throughout her struggles and triumphs.
In conclusion, Theo Baxter's "The Lake House" is a fun and engaging escape that I can see myself revisiting on a rainy day when I need to cosy up with a good book. If you’re in the mood for a blend of psychological elements and small-town drama, this book may just be the perfect getaway you never knew you needed.

This book was very interesting! I found the story tone unique and original, with unexpected plot twists.

While this is not my favorite read by Baxter, I still enjoyed it! At times it felt long but I remained vested in the dark and twisty plot. If you're looking for a book that will keep you turning page after page with A LOT going on, look no further!

Thank you Theo Baxter, Inkubator Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC!

This one got a little long for me! I enjoyed it, but felt it could have been a little tighter. Would definitely check out more from this author tho!

I'll never get tired of reading about messed up people messing up their own and each other's lifes, haha. I didn't really like any of these characters, but I have a feeling that I wasn't supposed to like any of them. Theo Baxter delivers a very good psychological story!

This was such a fun read that captured me from the very beginning and kept me engaged throughout the entire story. As the reader, you really feel for Laura and everything she has gone through, and I appreciated the author being specific about her internal thoughts and her openness about therapy sessions. Laura’s growth and work on herself was a parallel aspect to the mysterious activity of Pine Lake, and I thought it was important to include. This was my first time reading this author, and I look forward to more of their work!

There is something fishy in the town of Pine Lake. Rivals of some residents seem to mysteriously relocate to the quiet lake town, creating havoc and discord. So, when that same thing happens to Laura, residents aren’t surprised. Is someone orchestrating these conflicts?

So much going on this book and its all intriguing!

The Lake House is a dark, twisty, and fun read! The prologue had me instantly hooked and it didn't let go until the end. There were twists I never saw coming and the pacing throughout left me captivated the entire time. I felt the character development was solid and I cared for Laura and how she'd turn out.

After discovering her fiancé's infidelity with her best friend, she chose to relocate to the quaint town of Pine Lake, renting a home from a man named Brian. However, when Brian unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself in the unsettling position of being neighbors with her former fiancé and ex-best friend. This situation leaves her questioning their presence in Pine Lake.

The initial chapters were highly engaging, keeping me on the edge of my seat with anticipation. However, as the story progressed, it became somewhat predictable and repetitive. Despite this, it remained an enjoyable read, and I look forward to exploring more works by this author.