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.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book. My first impression was the cover, I think its great. Laura was a really enjoyable main character, she was very relatable. I also really enjoyed the small town feel!

This is my first book from this author! I am grateful for the chance to receive an arc of this book.

I liked this book, but I didn’t love it. It was very twisty, but I felt like towards the middle I just started skimming because I was a little bored. I did not guess the twist! Which was awesome. I was genuinely shocked.

Overall, it was an okay read for me. I would definitely still read more from this author tho!!

A fast paced thriller. I’m always on board for a quick read especially one that has me guessing.

This one started promising. I was sucked in from the opening paragraph and it kept my attention 90% of it. However, a good 10% was too much. Sometimes twists don’t feel like twists and the reveals don’t feel like reveals. This was me of those. By the time we found out what was happening it didn’t come as a shock or a twist.

I was deeply invested in a lot of these characters. I wanted more. I didn’t they more. I was secretly hoping the obvious twist was actually what would be revealed but it didn’t line up that way. I don’t think I can say anymore without giving too much away and I’m not big on spoilers.

It was a decent read but I wasn’t wowed.

Than you NetGalley and Inkubator books for the eARC.

I just finished reading The Lake House by Theo Baxter. I was intrigued from the very beginning. The author sets up the main character on what's supposed to be the happiest day of her life & then the unthinkable happens. From there, you follow her to her "new" life on Pine Lake, where she is expecting seclusion & peace. Laura thinks she's found her perfect house, then strange events start occurring & her life is turned upside down. I'd say this plot is more domestic drama with a little bit of suspense & murder thrown in sporadically. Overall, I enjoyed this book. I'd read other novels from this author.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, & the author for voluntarily letting me read this book & give my honest opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentray copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

Laura, still reeling from her fiancé, Tony’s betrayal with Mary, whom she thought was her best friend, has moved to the small town of Pine Lake, and is renting off a kind man, Brian, who goes out of his way to make her feel at home. But when Laura’s neighbour suddenly dies, she finds herself living next door to Tony and Mary. Laura cannot decide if she should just up and leave or tough it out. Thigs get weirder when she has run ins with Tony, Mary and Brian. Why would they move in next door, what are they up to and what’s going in in this lakeside town?

This is my first book by this author. I liked his style and thought the storyline was interesting. I did however guess most of the twists but still enjoyed reading how the book played out. I would definitely check out more books by this author.

This psychological thriller is a page turner that you can’t put down. I loved the story with all the twists and turns throughout and the unexpected ending. The characters were great, the story itself was so enjoyable with plenty of suspense and the style of writing was perfect.
I have read a few books by this author and they are all excellent.. I would highly recommend this book and its author to anyone who likes to read this genre.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review.

The first book I read by Theo Baxter was quite an exciting experience for me. I was eagerly anticipating the start of the book, and I have to admit that it did not disappoint at first. The initial chapters were engaging and had me completely hooked. However, as I progressed further into the book, I started to feel like the storyline was going around in circles, and it became predictable that another issue would surface. At times, I found myself feeling a bit annoyed with the main character, which affected my overall enjoyment of the book.

I really had high hopes for this book and just because I didn't care for this book, I plan on trying another book from this author.

Thank you, NetGalley and storm publishing for this ARC!