I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Lake of Dreams by Linda Howard
on May 2, 2016
Genres: Contemporary, Paranormal
Goodreads

“It was as if he had been stalking her in her dreams, inexorably moving closer and closer to a conclusion that she already knew.  Because, in her dreams, only sometimes did he make love to her.  Sometimes he killed her.”

FINAL DECISION: I love gothic romances where there is a question of whether the love interest is the hero or the villain.  This story is so good that I was sad that it was resolved so quickly.

THE STORY: Thea Marlow has been having unsettling dreams which haunt her.  She keeps dreaming of a man who loves her passionately or kills her. When she goes to her family home by the lake, a knock on the door reveals the man of her dreams or her nightmares, Richard Chance.

OPINION: This novella has all the makings of a great gothic.  It is spooky and creepy and it is not clear until the resolution what is happening or what the outcome will be.  I don’t want to give away too much of the story because this novella is all about the mystery of what is happening.  Apart from the story, the characters don’t have much substance so this is not a novella in which to fall in love with characters. This story has a secret of what is happening and the question of whether or not Thea will live until the end. I loved the story but was disappointed that the ending came too quickly, too directly and too simply.  It is an enjoyable read, but it really depends upon the mystery so I don’t think it is a story for repeated readings.

WORTH MENTIONING: LAKE OF DREAMS has already been published in STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT and EVERLASTING LOVE so check to make sure you don’t have it already.

CONNECTED BOOKS: LAKE OF DREAMS is a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this novella 3.5 stars.