HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: So when you hear the phrase “summer read,” what do you think about? It’s one of the best kinds of books there can be, right?
It means the fragrance of Coppertone and the taste of fresh lemonade and the knowledge that you have absolutely no responsibilities for the days to come. You don’t necessarily have to be at the beach, of course, a summer read is equally delightful if you are cozied up in a rocking chair at home, at a campsite in the midst of the piney woods, or, on an Adirondack chair at the edge of a gorgeous lake.
Summer read. That means a book that is transporting, fascinating, relatable, twisty, and absolutely entertaining.
And of course, lots of high stakes ,manipulative characters, and gasp-worthy storytelling. As in every good novel, it makes you think: what would I do?
Ooooh. Do I have a summer read for you! Well, the fabulous Jamie Day does, at least.
One lucky commenter will win their very own copy of Jamie Day’s brand new THE LAKE ESCAPE! Read this first, and then answer our question, and you will be entered to win!
With Friends Like These…
By Jamie Day
Bestselling author of THE LAKE ESCAPE and THE BLOCK PARTY
Why do we hurt the people we love?
It's an age-old question with no simple answer, yet it happens all the time. Tales of betrayal have captivated us for millennia. We relate to them on a fundamental, visceral level. Most of us have hurt someone we love, regardless of our intentions. So why do some of these situations escalate into revenge plots, while others choose to stay connected to those who have caused them pain?
As fiction writers, our job isn't to preach or give advice on intimate relationships. What we do is write about them, craft drama, and create "what if" scenarios that are entertaining, intriguing, and often serve as cautionary tales. And hopefully, along the way, we include insights into human nature and the pursuit of self-discovery.
In my new thriller, "The Lake Escape," three lifelong friends gather for their annual summer vacation. Everyone is excited to spend time at beautiful Lake Timmeny in peaceful northern Vermont—their home away from home. (Don't look for it on a map; it's entirely fictional.)
At the start of the book, one of the main characters, David, uses his newfound wealth to build a huge house that blocks his two closest friends' view of the lake.
You might think that's so crazy nobody would ever do such a thing, but I based that plot point on personal experience. After a couple who lived in my neighborhood divorced, the ex-wife built a house to block her ex-husband's view. Not exactly a warm relationship, but it shows the pettiness and vengefulness of a marriage gone sour.
How would you respond if a friend or loved one did that to you? Would you call the police? File a lawsuit? Or would you suck it up and complain behind their back? You do have to live with these people, after all—unless you decide to move.
Often, when writing a novel, thinking of the most extreme reaction leads to the best story. Nobody will enjoy a plotline where the character shrugs it off and says, "Oh well, have fun in your new big house." On the other hand, if arson were suddenly involved, readers would be on the edge of their seats. But the situation cannot heighten to the point of absurdity, or you won't feel connected to what’s happening. The goal is to balance extremes and still make the story and relationships feel relatable.
Conflict is the engine of fiction—it's what keeps the reader turning the page. But that's not the only thing. Characters count, too. The reader needs to care about the character embroiled in the conflict. That's because everything we do in life is a reflection of ourselves.
We are all on a journey of self-discovery, but we can learn a great deal from the experiences of others. Reading opens gateways for us to explore the whys and what-ifs of countless situations we could never experience in a single lifetime. We can dive into the depths of others' hearts and minds, addressing issues that, in real life, can be too painful to explore.
How would you respond if a friend or loved one did that to you? Would you call the police? File a lawsuit? Or would you suck it up and complain behind their back? You do have to live with these people, after all—unless you decide to move.
Often, when writing a novel, thinking of the most extreme reaction leads to the best story. Nobody will enjoy a plotline where the character shrugs it off and says, "Oh well, have fun in your new big house." On the other hand, if arson were suddenly involved, readers would be on the edge of their seats. But the situation cannot heighten to the point of absurdity, or you won't feel connected to what’s happening. The goal is to balance extremes and still make the story and relationships feel relatable.
Conflict is the engine of fiction—it's what keeps the reader turning the page. But that's not the only thing. Characters count, too. The reader needs to care about the character embroiled in the conflict. That's because everything we do in life is a reflection of ourselves.
We are all on a journey of self-discovery, but we can learn a great deal from the experiences of others. Reading opens gateways for us to explore the whys and what-ifs of countless situations we could never experience in a single lifetime. We can dive into the depths of others' hearts and minds, addressing issues that, in real life, can be too painful to explore.
And while we may not find a simple answer to questions such as, 'Why do we hurt the people we love?' we will stumble across multiple possibilities—and learn a lot about ourselves and human nature along the way. With the safety of unreality that fiction provides, we'll hopefully have some fun in the process.
And besides, without these human foibles, what would I have to write about?
HANK: SO true! (And don’t even get me started about the new house next door to us. GRRRR. I am NOT inclined to say "oh well, have fun in your big new house." Just saying.)
ANYWAY! Reds and readers,what’s your favorite lake getaway? Or where would you like to go? One lucky commenter will win THE LAKE ESCAPE!
And besides, without these human foibles, what would I have to write about?
HANK: SO true! (And don’t even get me started about the new house next door to us. GRRRR. I am NOT inclined to say "oh well, have fun in your big new house." Just saying.)
ANYWAY! Reds and readers,what’s your favorite lake getaway? Or where would you like to go? One lucky commenter will win THE LAKE ESCAPE!
The next riveting summer suspense by the author of THE BLOCK PARTY and ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY, Jamie Day.
WILL THIS BE THE BEST WEEK OF THEIR LIVES... OR THE LAST?
JULIA, DAVID, AND ERIKA grew up together spending summers at their idyllic Vermont lake homes for as long as they can remember. Now adults— with their own sullen teens, endless mortgages, and low-voltage sex lives— the three friends have amassed secrets over the years.
This summer, David is eager to show off his newly renovated home—which now blocks his friends’ cherished lake views—and his much-younger girlfriend. He also, unwittingly, brings a nanny with a hidden agenda. What could possibly go wrong?
When David’s girlfriend mysteriously vanishes after a shouting match, Julia and Erika wonder just how well they know their lifelong friend. The lake harbors a harrowing past: two young women, with no known connection, vanished without a trace thirty years ago. Did the lake take another?
As a search is mounted, an intricate web of lies, deceits, and betrayals spanning generations starts to surface, and everyone finds themselves in danger of becoming the next victim. Of the lake, or something darker.
Jamie Day lives in one of those picture-perfect, coastal New England towns you see in the movies. And just like the movies, Jamie has two children and an adorable dog to fawn over. When not writing or reading, Jamie enjoys yoga, the ocean, cooking, and long walks on the beach with the dog, or the kids, or sometimes both.
WILL THIS BE THE BEST WEEK OF THEIR LIVES... OR THE LAST?
JULIA, DAVID, AND ERIKA grew up together spending summers at their idyllic Vermont lake homes for as long as they can remember. Now adults— with their own sullen teens, endless mortgages, and low-voltage sex lives— the three friends have amassed secrets over the years.
This summer, David is eager to show off his newly renovated home—which now blocks his friends’ cherished lake views—and his much-younger girlfriend. He also, unwittingly, brings a nanny with a hidden agenda. What could possibly go wrong?
When David’s girlfriend mysteriously vanishes after a shouting match, Julia and Erika wonder just how well they know their lifelong friend. The lake harbors a harrowing past: two young women, with no known connection, vanished without a trace thirty years ago. Did the lake take another?
As a search is mounted, an intricate web of lies, deceits, and betrayals spanning generations starts to surface, and everyone finds themselves in danger of becoming the next victim. Of the lake, or something darker.
Jamie Day lives in one of those picture-perfect, coastal New England towns you see in the movies. And just like the movies, Jamie has two children and an adorable dog to fawn over. When not writing or reading, Jamie enjoys yoga, the ocean, cooking, and long walks on the beach with the dog, or the kids, or sometimes both.
