Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select/Storm Publishing. What a fun concept to write a book about. Definitely have enjoyed all the Gregg Donnett books that I’ve read and will continue to read. If you haven’t read any of his books you should give it a go!!!

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was perfect for this one. The storyline was interesting but sometimes the pacing felt off while trying to set certain scenes. At times I would forget that this was a police investigation because it stayed in the past for so long. I loved the premise but I’m not sure the execution was all the way there for me. All in all, I would recommend it but warn that it can be pretty slow at times.

I was pulled into this story immediately and couldn't read it fast enough. Reincarnation seems kinda scary, and it definitely gives the storyline a good twist. I didn't love any of the characters, and some sure gave off the creepy or suspicious vibe. All that made up a perfect October read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the opportunity to read and review this book.

"The Lake House Children" is an intricately woven mystery novel that completely captivated me from the very beginning. Initially, I had no idea what to expect when I dove into the pages, but with each chapter, I found myself increasingly entranced by a rich tapestry of mystery and deep-rooted family secrets.

Typically, I steer clear of sci-fi fiction, as it’s not my preferred genre. However, as I progressed through the story, I realized I simply could not put it down. The novel doesn’t rely on supernatural elements, yet it unfolds in a way that was engaging enough for a dedicated mystery lover like myself, allowing me to fully appreciate the intrigue without any moments of skepticism.

The plot was not only well conceived but meticulously crafted, showcasing a diverse cast of characters who had distinctive personalities and motivations that complemented each other perfectly. The family dynamics that emerged throughout the story were especially compelling, filled with surprising twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end.

Jack, the main character, was particularly well-developed. His complexities and vulnerabilities resonated with me, and thankfully, he was portrayed in a way that maintained a sense of authenticity, avoiding any uncomfortable or unsettling undertones.

Overall, the author masterfully blended elements of science fiction with suspense, resulting in a novel that felt fresh and innovative. The combination was seamless and captivating. I didn't just enjoy this book; I absolutely loved it from start to finish.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this remarkable novel. It was truly a reading experience that I won’t soon forget.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Pub Date: 9/18
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The Lake House Children was not what I was expecting at all but wow did I enjoy this book.
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This book is about a family who receives their family’s lake house after their father passes. There aren’t always great memories there though, as one of the siblings children died there. The question is - do they keep the house or sell it?
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This story is very much a family drama but there are also genres mixed in such as mystery and paranormal and even a bit of a psychological thriller. I found myself completely immersed in all of the family drama and I really wanted to see where each piece of the puzzle was going to fit.
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This has the perfect blend of characters and Dunnett does a phenomenal job at shifting the focus of each of the characters at different times. The ending wasn’t overly shocking but at the same time I felt completely crushed but somehow elated to have finally gotten closure. This is more of a slow burn with some super intense parts. I know that this one will be sticking with me for a while.
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I listened to this one via audiobook. Elise Roth sure did do her thing because this narration was phenomenal. From start until finish I don’t have a single complaint. I was hooked!
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Overall, I loved this book. I know that this one will be sticking with me for a while. If you’re looking for something different. Be surety pick this one up - its also available on KU. Huge thank you to Gregg Dunnett, Dreamscape Select and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

This book gave me chills. Very atmospheric. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook

This book was phenomenal and I can't wait to get a chance to read more from this author.

This book opens with two police questioning Kate about what she knows about a fire that claimed the lives of 4 people. The house is jointly owned by her and her sisters and has a bit of a sinister backstory that Kate lays out for us. Throughout the tale there are breaks where the officers question- could this broken woman have been the cause?

There are so many layers to explore in this novel and I love how they are all laid out for us to traverse. The pacing is phenomenal; each time we expect that we have gotten to the end a new turn jumps up to blind you.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the author for my advance copy of this audiobook

"The Lake House Children" by Gregg Dunnett is a mystery thriller. It is set in modern times.

This book alternated between telling the story as Kate explained to the investigators what happened and then showing us the story as she went back in her memory and told it as if it was happening. The family house had burned down, killing 4 members of the family. So the big question is who set it and why.

The story centers around Kate's son, Jack, who has memories of having lived before in recent times. Understanding him is complicated by his difficulty learning to speak. Kate is inclined to believe him. Her husband, Neil, is a scientist and does not really believe it.

I liked some parts of this and really disliked the family drama parts.

Characters - 4/5
Writing - 4/5
Plot - 3/5
Pacing - 2/5
Unputdownability - 2/5
Enjoyment - 3/5
Narration - 5/5 by Elise Roth
Cover - 3/5
Overall - 26/8 = 3 2/8 rounded to 3 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Select - Storm Publishing, and Gregg Dunnett for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Review of The Lake House Children by Gregg Dunnett, Narrated by Elise Roth

This was excellent, it was brilliantly written, keeping you on the tips of your toes throughout the whole story, the narration was done wonderfully too Elise Roth has a wonderful smooth voice and she told the story like no one else would be able to.

As someone who believes that reincarnation might not be so much of a myth as we are taught to think, this book intrigued me from the second I read the blurb, at first I was skeptical because sometimes a blurb can sound fantastic but then the story disappoints, this one did not, it lived up to every expectation, you never know where the twists might take you, but they always surprise you in the greatest ways. There were times when the goosebumps were so fierce that my eyes started to water.
this was great. Kate is interviewed by the FBI on events that happened in the past so some of it is in the present and some is in the past when she recalls the story to the agents, just keep that in mind so you don't get tripped up.
I would definitely recommend you grab this one quick!

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

The Lake House Children by Gregg Dunnett

What do you do when your young son tells you he used to be someone else… Someone who was drowned… Just like his cousin before he was born?

This was the more exciting part of the book for me. The past life part. It was really well researched, I should know, I love stuff like that. I’m always going down rabbit holes.

I wasn’t a massive fan of the police interview parts and I’m not 100% sure why she didn’t just say who started the fire. It seemed unnecessary not to talk. Other than that I really enjoyed the tone and pace of the book and I was well and truly hooked.

4.5 stars

First let me say Thank You to Netgalley and Dreamscape Select for the ALC of this book. This book is very well written and was easy to follow once you understood the time hoping premise. There is a lot of turmoil in the family once the Father makes a decision that changes everything. There are three siblings that share the Lake House, the rich, the modest and the devastated, The was a drowning that comes out later in the book that proves the one couples son is actually the spirit of the boy that drowned by the hands of his cousin. I was on the edge of my seat with each new revelation the young boy made and how the mother was trying hard not to question him or force him to be someone he wasn't. The book ends with everyone finding out the truth and when I tell you it was a intense ending. The narrator did an amazing job keeping you engaged in the story.

4.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for the audio ARC The Lake House Children by Greg Dunnett!

After a tragic fire at the family lake house that claimed the lives of several family members, Kate is questioned by the FBI as to what happened the night of the fire. However, the fire was just one of several tragedies to happen at the lake house.

Kate begins by telling of the night her father gathered the family at the lake house two years earlier. After being at the lake house, Kate’s son starts telling her of his past memories of drowning in the lake. However, it was Bea’s son, Zack, who drowned and that was before Jack was born!

The events surrounds Zack’s death have never been questioned until 4 year old Jack starts giving a different perspective of what happened. The true story of what happened that day could tear the family apart and is the reason for the fire at the lake house.

Loved this book!!!! It was a mystery but also had an aspect that is something I have never read about before and I found it very interesting and made it better. It went back and forth between past and present so there was a time where you didn’t really know what the “crime” was and how it happened.

The title and the cover had me, unfortunately, the story didn't. The sisters were so hard to connect to and I found the beginning to be so slow that the time the twists and turns came about, I had already bought out a bit. The premise was great, but it reads as more paranormal than thriller.

Thank you for the opportunity to listen to the book.

This was a good mystery audiobook. This was a new trope for thriller/ mystery for me. Reincarnation! I enjoyed the open- minded main character, Kate. It was easy to side with her story and feel the same way about her family as she did. I was constantly trying to guess who had perished and who caused the fire. Dealing with a kid who thinks they are a reincarnation would cause a lot of stress. I liked how the author did a lot of research to make it sound more plausible.

Quick plot: A house fire has killed 4 family members. The detectives think Kate did it. Her explanation of the past several years will shock them. What really happened?

I enjoyed the narrator. A good range of accents and gender and age.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc in return for this review.

Absolutely loved this book! I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the supernatural element, but it was woven in perfectly. The story follows three sisters, their partners, and children, all wrapped in mystery, unexpected deaths, and suspicious circumstances. So many twists kept me hooked from start to finish! The narration was spot on,too. Highly recommend!.

I was so sold on the idea of the main character's son remembering who he used to be in his past life in this thriller. It automatically put me in a spooky frame of mind, and I was READY. But, unfortunately, the pacing often felt off to me. I would have preferred to be told this story as it was happening instead of in dialogue to the FBI agents. I also thought some of the supernatural elements (especially towards the second half of the book) felt a little out of place with the rest of the novel.

That being said, I listened to the whole audiobook in 2 days, so it definitely went fast! I did definitely like plot, just some of the pacing and mystery elements weren't my cup of tea. I think the narrator did a good job giving everyone voices, but the spookiness of Jack's speeches was probably lost a little bit in having an adult try to imitate a small child's speech.

Thanks to NetGalley, Gregg Dunnett, and Dreamscape Select for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own! (I'm in the minority here, so please pick this one up if it sounds good to you!)

Never read anything quite like this chilling take of Jack, a child who has memories of his prior life as a cousin. Excellent storytelling, narration was great, easy to follow, listened at my normal speed with no problems.

Great character development. Story kept me engaged and wanting to know more. Did figure out two of the twists but not until right before. Authors note was lengthy but gave description of what lead to the writing and creation of this very imaginative plot.

Triggers: profanity, child drowning, reincarnation, cheating.

Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Select for my advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Good read, but the supernatural aspect didn't work for me in this one. I was still super intrigued to know what was going on and how it would all pan out. There are many twists and turns that I didn't see coming, but it was just missing a little more suspense and thrills for me.

This was a pure cover pick so I was more than pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book.

The way the story’s presented and how the plot unfolds was so captivating and managed to totally pull me into the story and didn’t let me go until it was done.
I felt connected with the characters and kept wondering what I’d do in their situation.

This was my first book by the author but I’ll make sure to check out more of his work.

Also Elise Roth was the perfect narrator for this book. She added to the atmosphere and gave each of the characters a voice that made it easy to follow the story.