Secrets Don't Stay Buried: Review of The Lake by Natasha Preston

If you’re craving a suspenseful YA thriller with summer camp vibes and a chilling secret, The Lake by Natasha Preston might just be your next quick read.

The story follows best friends Esme and Kayla as they return to Camp Pine Lake, this time not as campers, but as counselors-in-training. But it’s not all sunshine and s’mores—these two are hiding a secret from their past, and someone at camp knows exactly what they did.

The book does a great job creating an eerie, nostalgic summer camp atmosphere. Think: R.L. Stine meets Pretty Little Liars. It balances light, fun camp scenes with a slow-burning dread that creeps in as Esme starts receiving disturbing messages.

Told from Esme’s point of view, we get a good sense of her internal conflict and unraveling nerves. There’s tension, some twists, and a steady build-up… until the ending. And oh man, that ending! It’s shocking, for sure, but divisive. Some will love it; others might toss the book across the room (in the best way?).

Character-wise, the girls’ decisions don’t always feel realistic, and the way they handle the secret might be frustrating for some readers. The camp setting is fun, but could’ve used a bit more detail to really pull you in.

Final thoughts: If you like fast-paced, twisty thrillers and don’t mind a cliffhanger-style ending, The Lake delivers. It’s an easy, bingeable read with classic teen horror energy.

⭐ Rating: 3.5/5🎯 Best for: Fans of YA thrillers, mystery, and summer-camp chills.