#BookReview: The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain @D_Chamberlain #LastHouseBook #SmallTownSecrets

Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for an author I haven’t read in a while, Diane Chamberlain. The blurb appealed to me, and I’m delighted to have been accepted for a free advance review copy of this book from NetGalley >>>

About the Book:


57693519From bestselling author Diane Chamberlain comes an irresistible new novel that perfectly interweaves history, mystery, and social justice.

When Kayla Carter’s husband dies in an accident while building their dream house, she knows she has to stay strong for their four-year-old daughter. But the trophy home in Shadow Ridge Estates, a new development in sleepy Round Hill, North Carolina, will always hold tragic memories. But when she is confronted by an odd, older woman telling her not to move in, she almost agrees. It’s clear this woman has some kind of connection to the area…and a connection to Kayla herself. Kayla’s elderly new neighbor, Ellie Hockley, is more welcoming, but it’s clear she, too, has secrets that stretch back almost fifty years. Is Ellie on a quest to right the wrongs of the past? And does the house at the end of the street hold the key? Told in dual time periods, The Last House on the Street is a novel of shocking prejudice and violence, forbidden love, the search for justice, and the tangled vines of two families.

 

My Review:

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for this Advanced Review Copy.

Right away, the book description pulled me in, and I was delighted to receive an ARC of The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain. The novel certainly didn’t disappoint!

The story covers two time periods, 1965 and 2010, and the narrative switches between each as the events unfold and, eventually, collide.

Powerfully and beautifully written, this story will move you to tears and anger and then to the other end of the emotional spectrum so that you laugh aloud, when you find humour amidst the darkness, and smile at the warmth and bravery and kindness set against secrets, bigotry, and horrific prejudice. Only one thing is certain … that we cannot ever truly know a person, nor a community, and sometimes, not even ourselves.

In 1965 a group known as SCOPE set about helping people of colour to register for the vote. This culminates in a tragedy that has repercussions right up to the present day in the story, 2010.

In 2010, a new widow and her young daughter move into the last house on a street under development, which was the dream home Kayla and her deceased husband designed and built together. Before its completion, a freak accident left Kayla alone and ambivalent about the house. However, she had no viable option but to live there. Then strange happenings and outright threats begin.

Somebody doesn’t want her there. Why?

With so many secrets, lies, and torn consciences, will the truth win out before more people die?

I fell in love and hate with the true-to-life characters, which shows a book excellently written. The pacing was fast but not overwhelming. This is a novel you live rather than read, and it will stay with me for a long time to come. The Last House on the Street gets a resounding 5 stars from me, and I shall keep an eye out for more books from this amazing writer.

***

NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.


I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

 

For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …

UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

 

23 Comments on “#BookReview: The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain @D_Chamberlain #LastHouseBook #SmallTownSecrets

  1. I love what you said about this is a book you “live,” not just read, Harmony. It sounds like a riveting story filled with lots of angst. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Congrats to this author on such a great review!

  2. Excellent review, Harmony. I love the line: “This is a novel you live rather than read.” That’s a huge hook for me. Thanks for sharing! Happy Reading.

  3. Hi, Harmony
    A great review, but is this the first time The Last House on the Street has been published?
    As always, you gave a tempting taster without spoilers, but what you did say seemed familiar.
    It is good to see you back online.
    Hugs, Sarah

    • As far as I’m aware. The publisher says it’s a new release. Thanks, Sarah 🙂