A really solid read with themes you'd expect in a book about a small lake side town. I am still a little confused as to why he sought them out and invited them to live there if he was so obsessed with Laura. Surely it would have been easier to pursue her without her ex there too?

I loved so much about this book-I loved the setting, the main character Laura and Graham, and how the beginning really spelled out all the issues the main character was having, setting everything up for the story.
Then, at around the 70% point, I lost interest. I felt like Brian was so over the top, I knew right away he was the villain and recording her. There was no big reveal, or ending it just kind of ended?
I will definitely read more by this author though, as there were many positives in the book!

Although this book is supposed to be a "killer psychological thriller" I didn't get much psych thriller vibes from it. I'd say it's more of a domestic drama, with a few murders thrown but, but briefly touched on compared to Tony's obsession with Laura. It was an alright read, interesting enough to keep you reading to the end (although the clues did give you an idea of what was really up).

Thank you NetGalley, Inkubator Books, and Theo Baxter for this read!

A quick read that keeps you guessing. Graham was my favorite character. I figured out what was going on about a third of the way through but I still had fun reading it. It's not exactly suspenseful but something about it won't let you stop reading.

The Lake House is a gripping domestic thriller novel! I found myself getting drawn in even more with each page. The plot was solid, suspenseful and just the right amount of dark., The characters were realistic, by the time you reached the end you felt like you had been a part of this small town story. I definitely can't wait for its release!

I enjoyed this read and in the beginning kept my attention. However, there was a lot going on and sometimes hard to follow. The stalking was extreme and the characters were crazy just like i like them. Not a top read but definitely not on the bottom either. I would recommend to my friends for sure.

Title: "A Decent Read, but Lacking Depth"

"The Lake House" by Theo Baxter offers a captivating premise with plenty of potential, but ultimately falls short in execution. Baxter's writing style is engaging, and the setting is vividly described, drawing readers into the story. However, the characters feel underdeveloped, making it difficult to fully invest in their journeys. While the plot twists keep the narrative moving, they sometimes feel forced or predictable. Overall, "The Lake House" is a decent read for those seeking a light mystery, but don't expect it to leave a lasting impression.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Lake House by Theo Baxter was a drama thriller full of characters who feel entitled to take what they want!
Some characters were so annoying that I could squeeze them! This definitely is the next level of stalking experience!
This book started so strong and sucked me in straight away but it felt too long. After the half, I slowly started to lose my focus, and was hard to understand where this book was heading.

When Laura caught her fiancé Tony cheating with her best friend Mary on her wedding day, her life fell apart! She moved to Pine Lake to get a fresh start but looks like the madness follows her.

Thank you Inkubator Books and NetGalley for this copy!

The name of this book and the cover was stolen because Joe Clifford has a book named The Lakehouse and used The same cover for his book in 2020.

"The Lake House" had its moments of intrigue, but it didn't fully deliver on the promise of a killer psychological thriller as suggested by the cover. The story felt more like a drama than a thriller. The initial premise, with the protagonist seeking solace in a seemingly idyllic neighborhood after a devastating betrayal, was compelling and kept me engaged. However, the abundance of romance and the lack of truly exciting twists diverted from the tension I was hoping for. I anticipated a major plot twist at the end that would tie everything together, but unfortunately, the conclusion left me feeling disappointed. Overall, "The Lake House" offers a decent read, but falls short of delivering the thrilling experience I was anticipating.

3.5/5 I was intrigued by this story from the prologue and first chapter of Laura finding Tony and Mary. Poor Laura 😣 I don’t know that I, personally, would consider this book a psychological thriller. It was pretty uneventful on the thrill scale for the first 3/4 of the book. I knew it had to get more exciting somewhere so I just kept reading. The ending was definitely more exciting but did feel a little rushed to me. A lot of clues and “coincidences” placed throughout the book to get you thinking about what could be. Thank you to NetGalley, Theo Baxter and Inkubator books for this ARC copy! This book is available April 27!

Thank you to NetGalley, Theo Baxter and Inkubator Books for the ARC of this novel.

Although this was a page-turner, I did not entirely get the vibe of “psychological thriller.” It almost felt more of a drama in some ways. The “twist” doesn’t really come at all until the end, and it is almost predictable. Despite this, I would read other books by this author.

A great thriller that keeps you guessing and wondering what is going on. Creepy and full of twists and turns. Brilliant!

The summary of this book got my eyes and the plot was definitely interesting, even though I had a hard time getting into it at first it became a page turner.

I didn’t connect with the characters and I did figure out what happens but it was an entertaining and easy to read thriller. The ending was lowkey long and I thought some plot twist was happening but nothing did.

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator for a digital ARC copy.

#TheLakeHouse #NetGalley

my first read from this author. And very much enjoyed. Laura was betrayed. Buy her best friend. and her Groom Tony on her weeding day she caught them. Laura has a breakdown. And she starts to get her life back on track she is a writer. Tony and Mary marry. And still keep trying to contact her so she decides to leave city life and move to the island. Pine Lake, she becomes more settled. Then her Neighbour. dies and her ex-Tony and Mary move in next door. a very addictive read.

The lake house by Theo Baxter

Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator books!

Laura has had the most horrible experience, being cheated on prior to marriage. Your partner cheats with your maid of honor. What a nightmare.

Laura attends therapy and moves away to start a new chapter in the quaint little town of Pine lake. Meeting new people gradually and trying to start her new life including her new landlord Brian.

After her neighbor suddenly passes, Laura is reeling and gets looped into the town drama and meets another writer named Graham who she grows fond of. The story takes a turn when her new neighbors move into the now vacant home where her neighbor has passed. As if it couldn’t get any worse the new neighbor is the worst couple you could imagine….

This book was a page turner for sure. Believable and intense. This book had been a Trip for sure!

As always when I read any Theo Baxter novel I am kept on the edge of my seat feeling a chill down my neck, this book had amazing twists and turns that I wasn't expecting.

Let me start by saying I like this author, and I get excited when new books are released, however this one was a hit and Miss for me. It’s supposed to be a “gripping g psychological thriller” but it felt more like a domestic drama, with a murder 72% of the way in. We start off with Laura and Tony getting married, but before that happens, there is a scandal with Mary, her best friend and maid-of-honor. Suddenly we are 3 years in the future with no background or talk of the move to Pine Lake. Her neighbor passes, and she is SUPER emotional over it, while admittedly saying she is the town grump and they never talked … but she is sobbing and grief-stricken. It just feels odd. She meets Graham, the town “weirdo” (as he’s called), for the first time seemingly(although she’s been there 3 years?) and takes a liking to him. They’re a big thing about him being into the occult, but they never delve into why or what is so weird, but it’s mentioned a lot. The anger she feels for her ex-fiancée and best friend is mulled over for the 1st 72% of the book, I had no idea what was so important, and wanted to scream “get over it” it’s been 3 years, you’ve cut all, communication & you moved away - time to start thinking about something else. The there is a murder, who did it and why … the last 28% of the book is better, we get into the backgrounds of everyone else and the mystery begins … but it’s too late and totally predictable.
Giving it 2 stars because I like the author, like the writing style, liked the last 28% of the book once it got going, but it wont be one of theirs I’d recommend to someone that has never tried one of their books.

This book had an amazing start!! I always teach my students why a good hook in the beginning of your writing pays off and this definitely did not disappoint! I loved all the twist and turns in the book! Perfect read to escape the rainy weather! Can’t wait to read more of your books!

Thank you NetGalley, Inkubator Books and Theo Baxter for allowing me to read the ARC to "The Lake House" in exchange for an honest review.


I am still flabbergasted by this book. The beginning alone was majestic, with a lot of emotions that had the read feel sorry and pity the main character, Laura, who finds her fiance cheating on her (on her wedding dress!) on her wedding day with her best friend and maid of honour, Mary. This was what got the stone rolling and the story begins, with Laura moving away to an almost isolated town, getting herself a great deal with a wonderful house by a lake, away from her ex fiance and ex best friend who kept making her life still rather uncomfortable.

At the start, her life was running smooth, she wrote her book, worked and enjoyed her solituted ... but her world was shaken through when her neighbour died --- and her house was occupied by no one else but her ex fiance and ex best friend.

The story over all is filled with a lot of riddles, tension and confusing aspects and every time I thought I figured out what is going on, something just h a p p e n s and I am at square one. But in general, I really did enjoy the ride, trying to figure out what is happening in this at first seemingly idyllic little town and the end had me both, shocked and not.

After this book, I will without question check out other books from Theo Baxter.