Wow! That was intense. You’re questioning if paranormal is real the whole time in this. So many twist and turns as Kate is delving into her past.

—CrinM

Oh my gosh, you guys...HOLY CHILLS!!! Lauren Oliver absolutely got under my skin with this book, and I am still feeling it!

—Carvanz

This thriller really is a thriller. Picture a deserted island in the middle of the night with rain pouring and lightning flashing, then add a psychotic killer coming after you.

—Sharon Henderson

The perfect read for a stormy night like this one. What a story! It was “I Know What You Did Last Summer” meets “Pretty Little Liars” meets the paranormal. And it did not disappoint!

—Mari

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this novel. You need to read this, trust me. Such a fast paced, engaging, atmospheric thriller with an interesting twist. I loved the investigation aspect and the way the story played out in dual timelines. If you love being on the edge of your seat as you read a thriller, this is for you.

—Samantha Bailey

This wasn’t even on my radar. My first book by this author, but I’ll definitely be looking for more. This was my Amazon First Reads pick this month - and y’all. If you haven’t picked one yet, pick this one!

—Kayleigh Galletto

I really loved this twisty, atmospheric mystery that constantly had me questioning whether the ghost was real, a ruse, or something in between. Really loved the back-and-forth perspectives between the present and the past, and although all the clues were cleverly laid out, the ending still managed to surprise me. Very much a "just one more chapter" book that keeps the pages turning until all of a sudden it's two in the morning and you've accidentally finished the whole thing.

—Lauren Thoman

This book was intriguing, and I liked the constant struggle between what Kate believed professionally and what she was experiencing. The Henley character was wonderful. I generally enjoyed the long flashback chapters, though they did add to the somewhat ponderous quality of the book. It seemed even longer than it was, and it moved slowly. The ending was an interesting surprise, with a nice twist I didn’t see coming and the final action was exciting and well paced.

—Jack Hance

This is book one of a new series for this new to me author. This book had me hooked by the premise and the pages just kept turning. When I wasn’t reading the book I was actively thinking about reading the book. The ending was not what I expected but at the same time everything that I expected as it will be a series of books. So I’m excited for the next one to come out and see where we go from here. I love that this book represented so many mental illnesses and the causes and effects of what happens to people. Check your trigger warnings. But that being said I throughly enjoyed this book and would recommend to all my thriller friends.

—Hijabi_booklover

This book completely pulled me in from the very first page. The mix of psychological suspense, emotional depth, and eerie past-life memories created such a haunting atmosphere that I could not stop thinking about. The storyline felt so unique and unsettling in the best way, especially as Henley’s memories slowly unraveled the mystery surrounding Becca’s disappearance. I loved how the author blended the supernatural elements with a deeply emotional mystery. Kate’s return to Stockbridge and the way her own childhood trauma intertwined with Henley’s recollections added so much tension and heart to the story. Every chapter revealed another layer of secrets, and I was constantly second-guessing what really happened all those years ago. The creepy summer camp setting, the lake, the nightmares, and Henley’s drawings gave this book such an atmospheric feel. It was equal parts chilling and heartbreaking. If you love suspense with emotional depth, cold-case mysteries, and just a touch of the unexplained, this is absolutely one to pick up. A beautifully written, hauntingly unforgettable read that stayed with me long after the ending.

—Cassie’s Reviews

This was my first experience reading a novel by Lauren Oliver, and I must say, I was genuinely surprised and impressed. The core theme of individuals remembering past lives is a fascinating concept that I deeply enjoy, and Oliver handles it with skill. This story successfully kept me intrigued from the beginning, but it also made me pensive and reflective throughout. Without a doubt, the author knows how to craft a narrative that captivates you from page one until the very end. There were moments while reading on my Kobo Clara BW where I felt a powerful sense of nostalgia and chills, which is the ultimate proof that this story had me completely hooked. A huge thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this beautiful story. These are five stars that are truly well-deserved.

—Christian Domenicci

Unbelievable!!!!!!!!! I cannot sing enough praises for this book. Lauren Oliver’s young adult reads have stuck with me for over a DECADE in how strong their impact was, so I absolutely jumped at the opportunity to be an advanced reader for The Girl in the Lake. With how spectacular this read was, I can only guess that she’s going to become a favorite author of mine as I dive deeper into her back catalogue. Absolutely everything about this read soars from the chilling, atmospheric, and too real environment of the old summer camp by the lake, to the LIMITLESS cast of characters keeping readers absolutely engrossed and on the edge of their seats. Truly, this cast and community were so spectacularly woven and intricately painted that each new introduction opened a whole new world of possibilities. Never once did it become obvious what would happen next, repetitive, or less thrilling as you make your way through this tangled web of connections. This was truly such a joy to read, and I’ll be first on the next release in the series. This will be a HEAVY summer recommend for me, and I can’t wait to share Oliver’s work with my library community, both young and old.

—Kara Sabbagh

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! I loved this book! Totally creepy at points, the atmosphere that Oliver created was STUNNING! I loved Kate, and I'm so excited to see that this is the first in a series - I will be eagerly awaiting the next installment! I loved the small town Oliver created, and the cast of characters. I love the possibility of reincarnation and remembering past lives. I don't want to be reincarnated, but the idea that some people are is intriguing. I love the way we follow one mystery throughout most of the book and it sort of branches into multiple mysteries, and the way most things wrap up, but not everything has an air-tight explanation.

—Sydney

5/5 stars! I absolutely devoured this book. It took a couple chapters to get into in but once I did I was hooked. I could not out this book down and finished it in 24hrs. This book kept me up at night and had me wondering if reincarnation or past-life recollections are real. The Girl in the Lake is the first book in a new series (Dept. of Unexplained Phenomenon) by Lauren Oliver and I can’t wait to read book two and continue the series. The Girl in the Lake is releasing May 5, 2026. Thank you to Lauren Oliver, Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

—Briana Shaw

I've read many thrillers and this is one of the best. The characters are beautifully delineated, especially the brilliant, troubled teenager Becca; the plot, while in the end not terribly surprising, is appropriately tangled; the descriptions of place are vivid and atmospheric; and the handling of events toggles nicely between natural and supernatural explanations--balanced so finely that the reader can choose to believe in supernatural phenomena or purely natural ones. And the writing is pitch perfect.

—Mark Richardson

This is one of THE BEST stories I have read in a long time. I already pre ordered the sequel that comes out next year. If you love science, the unexplained, true crime, and tortured characters this is the book for you. Absolutely magnificent.

—Makayla Macwelch

A very interesting story! Love the way the author wove studies of explained and unexplained phenomena into an intriguing story, that brought truth and analysis of events into perspective! Will we ever unravel the mind?

—Donna

This was an EXCELLENT read! I love all things paranormal, camp related mysteries and who dunnit stories. I might be biased as I grew up in the Berkshires, but this book is definitely worth giving a try!

—anna r