Was not able to get into the story. Just fell flat for me in terms of the characters and the overall story wasn’t for me.

The Last House on the Street stands out for its emotional depth and historical relevance. Diane Chamberlain successfully intertwines personal and political narratives, making the novel both a compelling read and a poignant reflection on social justice issues. The strengths of the book lie in its well-rounded characters and the seamless integration of dual timelines. However, some readers may find the pacing uneven at times, particularly in the transitions between past and present narratives.

Overall, The Last House on the Street is a thought-provoking and engaging read that offers a deep exploration of personal and societal struggles. Diane Chamberlain's skillful storytelling and rich character development make it a highly recommended novel for fans of historical fiction and contemporary drama.

I LOVE this author! Every time I read one of her books, I’m left wondering how I have never heard of things happening in history! She always sheds light on lesser known parts of our past, but I think everyone should know! I want to read everything on her backlist. This book was the perfect amount of history and thriller. It is definitely a page turner that I highly recommend! Reading with a bookclub would be really fun bc there is so much to discuss!

This story was super hard to read but a very important story to tell. I appreciate how this all unfolded and I always have reservations when a white author writes about this time period, but Chamberlain did a phenomenal job. The perspective of a white teen that was part of SCOPE was enlightening to me. Her passion to do what’s right instead of what’s easy and honestly full of hate was admirable. This story read very quickly… My only other recommendation, besides reading this book, would be to read the physical copy. The audiobook was confusing with time periods and the same narrator reading for both.

Diance Chamberlain is always a winner in my book. She is an excellent story teller, character developer, and keeps you on the edge of your seat not wanting to put down her books.

My first Diane Chamberlain book which with the number of books she has written, surprised me. Unfortunately, I am going to be in the minority for the like of this book and still not have read a whole DC book. I am dnf'ing at about 21%. I was not liking either of the MC which is big for me to stay involved in the story. I also am not interested in reading something so politically focused. I could write more but I will just leave it at this.

Thanks for the opportunity.

The Last House on the Street is a beautifully interwoven story jumping back and forth between two eras. When Kayla's And Ellie's lives cross paths, the storylines interconnect in a shocking and sad way. A thought-provoking read that reminds us to never repeat history.

A big thank you to #netgalley for granting me access to an ARC of this book.

Once again, Diane Chamberlain delivers a captivating and multi-layered narrative that seamlessly blends different genres into one compelling story.

I found the dual timeline structure of the novel to be particularly engaging, as it allowed me to immerse myself in two distinct time periods and witness the evolution of the main character over time. The contrast between Kayla's past and present selves was striking, highlighting the depth and complexity of her character. I couldn't help but wish for a glimpse into Ellie's life in California, as her story held its own intrigue.

Chamberlain's skill in interweaving characters and settings is truly remarkable. I was impressed by how seemingly minor characters and events from one timeline had significant impacts on the main character's journey, such as John the seminarian and Jackson. The mystery surrounding Kayla's property and its connection to Brenda kept me guessing until the very end, adding an unexpected layer of suspense to the narrative.

The heartbreaking revelation of Ellie's true love story was a gut-wrenching moment for me. Chamberlain portrays the forbidden love between Ellie and her partner with such raw emotion, leaving a profound impact on the reader. The author's ability to evoke such strong emotions from her characters is truly commendable.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, I couldn't help but feel that there was more story left to be explored. Certain aspects, such as Brenda's sudden appearance at Ellie's office and the complexities of Jackson's character, left me wanting more. This book would undoubtedly spark fascinating discussions in a book club setting.

Diane chamberlain can do no wrong and this book was no exception! Every time she releases a new book I cannot wait to get my hands on it.

This was not an easy book to read. It follows a young white girl from North Carolina in the 60s who decides to participate in the SCOPE program that helps black people register to vote. I had never learned about this program and found the story very insightful. It was heartbreaking to see the fear that black people faced. The story ends with a jaw dropping twist and was heartbreaking. Diane Chamberlain is extremely gifted with crafting her characters and making them real. I normally don't feel for fictional characters but even days after finishing the book, my eyes tear up when thinking about these people.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher/NetGalley to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

This book is difficult for me to write a review of - I don’t want to spoil anything if you haven’t read it. It was also hard for me to read - it is a story of love, but also of hate, and I didn’t want to see where it was going to end up. It is a story people trying to change things and make a difference, and the resistance that is faced by these young idealists from people that don’t want those changes. It’s a story that you wish would turn out one way, but know it will not. But, it is not without some unexpected revelations at the end. I didn’t love it, possibly because of the tension I felt in what was going to come, but it is a well written book.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley; all opinions are my own.

I love Diane Chamberlain and this book is no exception.
I don’t usually read historical fiction, but I think I should start now. I love the dual timelines, the characters and everything in between.

Loved this book so much! The dual timelines were done so well. I really enjoyed reading this. This was a very well written book and both timelines were done credibly especially the past one.

4.5⭐️ The Last House on the Street was right up my historical fiction addiction alley! Really enjoyed the two different timelines. I couldn’t put this one down. It touches on some very dark subjects pertaining to racism, but as horrifying as it was to read at times, it’s such an important topic to learn more about.

Not what I was expecting at all, but in a good way! Very good historical fiction about the south in the 60's and not just a suspense tell that I was expecting.

I loved the dual story lines and loved getting to know these characters. Diane chamberlain is so talented.

Sometimes using a dual timeline in a historical fiction novel enriches the story and the reader’s experience of it. Sometimes use of a dual timeline feels like it’s done because it’s the current trend. The Last House on the Street is an example of the latter. Ellie’s story felt like the “real” story as I was reading, and Kayla’s story felt like it was tossed together so the novel would check the “dual timeline” box. This book just missed the mark for me in comparison to what I've come to expect from Chamberlain.

Thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Last House on the Street follows a woman named Ann, who builds a home in the town that her father grew up in. After losing her husband in an unfortunate accident weeks before the home was completed, Ann decides to move in anyway and is met with a series of threats and ominous warnings for her to leave her new home and the town.

I enjoyed the duel timeline. Admittedly, I enjoyed the “flashback” timeline, which takes place in the 1960’s, so much more than the current. I felt like the mystery of the current day story was heavy handed and forced; and I could really feel the effort that Chamberlain put in to make it “thrilling.” Conversely, the drama and the mystery of the flashback timeline had me gripped from the beginning. In truth, that is what saved this book for me.

The flashback timeline has so much texture to it. The characters felt fleshy and filled out. I believed them and cared what happened to them. The journey of their day to day lives intrigued me and when they faced hardship, or experienced excitement, disappointment, or joy; I could feel it. The setting dragged me in and immersed me in the grit and drama of the time and place. I felt like an actual bystander, watching the story unfold before me. And what a story it was. This part of the story was constructed beautifully.

The exact opposite can be said about the current timeline of the book. It felt like a vehicle to tell the actual story, which was the flashback. Once the two stories converged, I was able to enjoy the ending.

This was a 3 star read, but would have been much higher if the book would have simply been a historical mystery.

Diane Chamberlain is quickly becoming one of my favorite historical fiction writers. This novel that explores racial tensions in the south was a fantastic read that left me feeling very emotional. Definitely recommend!