A Week at the Lake: A Novel by Wendy Wax

A Week at the Lake: A Novel.  Wendy Wax. Penguin Group (USA). June 2015. 432 pp.  ISBN#: 9780425274477.

Wendy Wax is back and better than before!  The story takes place amid the frenetic lifestyle of New York City and then moves to the gorgeous, summer vacation site of Lake George in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State.  But before we get to the blissful vacation, we learn a little bit about each of the three women who were once best friends and who spent many, many summers enjoying each other’s company at the Lake George home of Emma Michaels.  Mackenzie Hayes and Serena Stockton are wondering why they have not been invited to Emma’s home for five years. All of their families are into acting in one way or another, but the plot that is about to unfold will take more stamina and guts than has ever been performed on stage.

A terrible accident is about to happen and Mackenzie and Serena are determined to be there for Zoe, Emma’s daughter, for as long as she needs their support.  Emma’s family appears as well, which jettisons these friends into delightful, comic, bittersweet scenes as the reality of the situation brings out the best and worst in everyone.  Meanwhile, Mackenzie whose husband is off in California for a possible work-related job, feels alone and second fiddle to Adam’s goals.  Serena, a famous actress in a very well-known animated TV show, has a reputation for dating married men but faces her own challenge in the midst of the prevailing chaos.  Off they all go to Lake George – eventually!

Secrets and truthful feelings emerge as they spend more and more time with each other.  The rest is a shocker that could make or break the best of friendships.  Amid the beauty, unexpected revelations and attempts at healing arrive certain characters who have the opportunity to make the threesome bond more deeply. The question is how to adjust to all these changes that are happening at rapid-fire moments and how to truly enjoy each other and the surrounding, tranquil environment around them.  Add a feisty foreign aide to the comedy of it all!

Wendy Wax gets better and better at plotting great summer reads!  The plot has just enough reality to bring credibility to the story and adds some unique scenes that keep the reader fascinated. Fans will be very pleased and more with this latest novel about changing relationships and new readers will have a fine read of a very talented author!  Lovely, delightful and heartily recommended contemporary fiction!!!