A novel about secrets, loyalty, and the bonds of true friendship . . .  

A Week at the Lake by Wendy Wax

About this book: (from the publisher) Twenty years ago, Emma Michaels, Mackenzie Hayes, and Serena Stockton bonded over their New York City dreams. Then, each summer, they solidified their friendship by spending one week at the lake together, solving their problems over bottles of wine and gallons of ice cream. They kept the tradition for years, until jealousy, lies, and life’s disappointments made them drift apart.

It’s been five years since Emma has seen her friends, an absence designed to keep them from discovering a long-ago betrayal. Now she’s in desperate need of their support. The time has come to reveal her secrets—and hopefully rekindle their connection.

But when a terrible accident keeps Emma from saying her piece, Serena and Mackenzie begin to learn about the past on their own. Now, to heal their friendship and their broken lives, the three women will have to return to the lake that once united them, and discover which relationships are worth holding on to . . .

Included in this edition only—Wendy Wax’s novella, Christmas at the Beach

About the author: Wendy Wax, a former broadcaster, is the author of ten novels. The mother of two college-age sons, she lives in the Atlanta suburbs with her husband, and is doing her best to adjust to the quiet of her recently emptied nest.

Genre: Fiction/Contemporary

If this book were a movie, I would rate it: PG-13 for language and mature content

Reminds me of…Patti Callahan Henry, Mary Ellen Taylor

My take: While I like the idea of this novel–an ensemble cast drawn together by a crisis, forced by circumstances to confront the secrets of their pasts–I was not able to get into A Week at the Lake. It started slow, but even when the pace picked up, I was not drawn to the characters, and therefore not drawn into their stories. I wasn’t interested in the vacuous lives of Emma and Serena, who struck me as self-absorbed. Mackenzie had more depth and something of a moral compass, but her insecurities were such that I had a hard time relating to her as well.

So–not a hit with me. I was hoping for more, as the front cover suggests a summer read I would enjoy. But the storyline did not hold my attention and I failed to connect with the characters. While I wouldn’t write off all of this author’s stories for good (I understand Southern settings are her strong suit, and this one was set in New York), I can’t honestly recommend this one.

Thanks to Berkeley Books for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.

After words: How much does a book’s setting influence your enjoyment of its story?