Fabulous. Simply fabulous. Ladies of the Lake masterfully combines themes of friendship, tragedy, forgiveness, and reconciliation within the context of two very tumultuous eras in history in one compelling novel. This is an example of dual timelines and multiple POVs working seamlessly together, and I never once felt lost or bogged down in the story. Most of all, I found the strong Christian message of grace and forgiveness refreshing and well woven into the threads of the story. It never felt forced, but added so much depth to the characters and plot to see them rely on and live out their faith. Add in a little mystery, all the delicious Anne vibes, and the beauty and charm of New England, and this is easily the best book I’ve read all year!

Touted as a novel on the “complexities of friendship,” The Ladies of the Lake is an excellent piece of historical fiction but, at times, a heartbreaking example of the selfishness of friends. It’s got a hint of mystery with its dual timelines and viewpoints and I didn’t want to put it down till I had it all figured out - even when my heart was broken and my irritation peaked with a certain someone. Maybe not everyone would feel so triggered by the jealous friend sabotage, but I feel like I’ve had way too many girlfriends I felt weary of knowing they’d turn on me in a heartbeat to benefit themselves not to feel on edge as this story unfolded.
This is a very clean book exploring coming-of-age and friendship during wartime. I liked the boarding school setting and the Canadian locations were unique for me. A definite homage to Anne of Green Gables, which I now feel like I have to reread.

Cathy Gohlke writes conflict so well. I had to take more than one mental health break to process the foreshadowing of what could have been and try to have peace about what would come to be. I was on the edge of my emotional seat for the entire book. I can’t say a whole lot more without spoilers.
Content Considerations: parents die, atrocities of the 1917 Halifax explosion

4.5 stars!!! Really loved this book. Highly recommended!!!

GREAT JUST GREAT!! WHAT A BOOK THIS IS!! I’m amazed!! The story, the characters, the balance between the different time zone all sew so perfectly written! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! 5 stars
Also I loved the narration! It made the story more real ❤️

One thing I felt that I should mention even though I gave it 5 stars is that I would loved it more if the ladies of the lake were mentioned more. The story soon narrowed to two of the characters only leaving the other two girls.

Ladies of the Lake is an exceptional book in every way from the gorgeous prose to the achingly tender story to the well-written characters to the fascinating setting. My heart shattered and rejoiced as I became deeply immersed in this unputdownable book about sorrow, friendship, family, jealousy, forgiveness, faith and hope. It also contains elements of history and snippets of romantic love.

In the early 1900s, after Adelaide's parents tragically die, she is forced by her half brother to leave her beloved PEI to move to Connecticut. There she attends Lakeside Ladies Academy where she finds immediate connection with Dot, Susannah and Ruth, especially Dot. They call themselves the Ladies of the Lake and do everything together...but they don't share all their secrets, many of which they'd prefer kept hidden. A crack begins. festers and causes a rift which remains until eighteen years later when the girls are women and have lives of their own in a second timeline. Subplots are woven seamlessly throughout.

I really enjoyed the school antics, meeting families of the girls, the boarding school setting, learning more about the Halifax explosion in 1917, friendships, the lives of the women later and dear Mrs. Simmons. The writing is smart and thoughtful and captures the essence of what it means to be a friend and a woman of faith. To me this is the epitome of perfection in a book!

Christian Historical Fiction readers, Ladies of the Lake is absolutely unmissable. If you are new to the genre, there is no better place to start! It is more than a book...it is an experience.

My sincere thank you to Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this phenomenal book I enjoyed with my whole heart, one of the most memorable I have read in a long time.

Way too many religious references for my taste. I was tired of it by the end when the epilogue piled the religion on. To each their own.

Enthralling..

The story is filled with heartache, jealousy and neglect, yet also a story of the love of friendship and forgiveness. Scars from the past, families that were chosen and a path that creates bonds beyond blood. This book was really good.