Review: The House on Druid Lake by Isabelle Adler

A new city, a new job, a new home—things are definitely looking up for Oliver Foster. An aspiring young architect, embarking on a successful career in Baltimore, all he wants is to put the pain of a broken heart and broken trust behind him. The last thing he needs is another ill-advised romantic entanglement. But despite his best intentions, Oliver can’t help his growing fascination with Nym Brown, the mysterious owner of Lakeside Lodge.

When Oliver rents an apartment in an old Victorian house overlooking Baltimore’s Druid Lake, he expects it to be quaint and shabbily charming. But as Halloween draws near and all things spooky come out to play, Oliver becomes convinced there is more going on at Lakeside Lodge than meets the eye, aside from the faulty plumbing. His neighbors are a whole new definition of quirky, and his enigmatic, gruff landlord is both intimidating and dangerously attractive.

Dark and sinister secrets lurk behind the house on Druid Lake’s crumbling façade. Unearthing them might yet put Oliver’s future—and his heart—on the line.

I’m a bit conflicted here. I’ve enjoyed every Adler book I’ve come across, and when I saw this spooky paranormal come up, I felt it was total no brainer.

You’ve got Oliver, new to town, trying to start over in life and career and though his move is not the easy transition he was hoping for, he’s attracted to his gruff landlord Nym, and there seems to be a reluctant mutual attraction brewing. However, the other residents that live at Lakeside Lodge are a lot odd, there’s strange voices to be heard, and unexplainable goings on that give rise to goosebumps and paranoia. Things obviously are not what they seem.

So it’s a wonderful seasonal premise that had lots of potential but the whole set up fell somewhat flat as everything just wasn't explored enough - the kooky denizens of the house, the quick romance between Oliver and Nym, the awkward reveal, the awful conflict with unwelcome dramatics, and the resolution that was just too easy. For me. That’s just my unimportant thoughts as many others have loved this story and its quirky protagonist.

So I hate to be a bummer. I truly do. Assuredly, I am a fan of Adler, and she has written some really good stuff! I wholeheartedly recommend The Wolf and the Sparrow if you want a twisty historical fantasy or to start with Adrift if you’re jonesing for an outer space adventure. I’ll mark this as an unfortunate blip that just didn’t quite meld with my expectations, and I absolutely look forward to what Adler will bring next!