Diane Chamberlain is a fantastic author, and I felt honored to review a copy of her newest work. Split between the tumultuous times of the Civil Rights era and the present, Chamberlain successfully weaves the stories of characters past and present. Touching on tough issues, she tackles them with tact and leaves the reader wanting more. The characters are dynamic, the plot had me gripped from the first few chapters, and I couldn't wait to find out what happened. This was another winner in my book!

My first 5 star read of the year is The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain, a beautifully written work of historical fiction with such a compelling element of mystery that it kept me turning the pages long into the night.

The story follows a young woman named Kayla who is about to move into her new home in Round Hill, North Carolina. She is unexpectedly confronted by a strange woman who tells her she shouldn’t move into the house, that the house should never have been built there in the first place. Kayla is rattled by this and when strange things start happening on the property, she is downright spooked.

It’s obvious someone is trying to scare her into leaving. Something terrible clearly happened on her property and Kayla is determined to find out what. Ellie, a neighbor down the street seems like she may know more than she’s telling. Kayla stops by Ellie’s house, hoping to befriend her since hers is the only other house on the street. But every time Kayla tries to talk to her, particularly if it’s anything about the history of Round Hill and in particular the property Kayla’s house now sits on, Ellie clams up and gets extremely defensive.

The story is told in dual timelines, Kayla’s which is present day, and Ellie’s, which takes us back to the 1960’s and the Civil Rights Movement. What we get as the threads from the two timelines come together is a powerful and heartbreaking story filled with secrets, lies, shocking prejudice and violence, forbidden love, as well as a quest for justice.

Wow, what a book! Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. I was just dying to know what the heck happened at Kayla’s house all those years ago and I cried when the truth came out and the full scope of the tragedy was revealed. It was so heartbreaking and made all the more poignant by Chamberlain’s exquisite writing.

I love reading dual timeline novels, and Diane Chamberlain is quickly becoming a must-read author for them. Her new release is very relevant with so much voting legislation currently pending at state and federal levels. It's so frustrating that our nation is regressing rather than moving forward in this vital area

The Last House on the Street is set in a small North Carolina town in 1965 and 2010. The earlier timeline centers around Ellie, a 20-year-old college student who develops a passion for assisting Blacks to register to vote. She's determined to volunteer in the SCOPE project (Summer Community Organization and Political Education) even though all other volunteers are from the North and her family vehemently opposes her involvement. The prejudice, social injustice, and danger involved in this activity was effectively depicted and made me so sad and angry.

The more contemporary story features Kayla, a young widow as she goes through the bittersweet experience of moving into the home she designed with her recently-deceased husband. She doesn't want to live there, but she can't imagine anyone else living there either. Before and after her move, strange events occur that make her reconsider her decision to live in the beautiful home where her husband died. She has even more misgivings as she learns the history of the land her "dream home" is built on and meets the occupants of the only other home on the street.

I work in our county election office and believe strongly in voting rights for all so this novel hit a sweet spot for me. I was definitely more connected to the historic plot. The ways the stories are intertwined was carefully crafted and brought closure for key characters in both eras. It was difficult to read about the KKK and brutal acts of violence, but these are events in our nation's history that must not be forgotten.

Thank you to St, Martin's Press and NetGalley for the review copy of this powerful novel.

The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain is a story about a mystery and social justice, told in dual timelines. In the present day timeline, Kayla Carter is trying to decide if she should continue on with the build of her and her husband's dream house after his sudden death. She uncovers some disturbing things about the property that her new house is being build on. In the past timeline from the 1960's, Ellie has decided to join the Civil Rights movement against her family's wishes. Some terrible things happen due to her choice. Things that influence the present day timeline. I absolutely loved this book and thought the author did an amazing job tying both timelines together and teaching about the injustices that were happening during the '60s. Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

I ended up listening to the audiobook. It was long and slow moving but so worth it. Amazing story. I love historical fiction and this was one of those- I cannot believe this stuff actually happened- kind of book. Thank you

Thank you, NetGalley, for my ARC. Diane Chamberlain expertly weaves together the past and present in a beautifully written tale. The last thirty percent of the novel caused heart palpitations, and I could do nothing else until it’s satisfying conclusion. Don’t sleep on this one!

Five stars!
This novel is a dual timeline tale and is a combo of literary and historical fiction.
I had no idea what the Scope Project was, but now I do and did extra research while reading!
1965

Ellie Hockley is a young, fiery woman who wants to be strong in what she believes in. She wants to do the right thing and applies to be in the Scope project to get people to vote. She will be living with black families and focusing on their neighborhoods. People in her life are upset with her for doing this, and people in the community - especially Klan members - are angry.

2010

Kayla husband has died while building their dream home. She is left raising their child alone and strange things are happening where she is trying to settle into the new home.
Ellie, after all these years, comes back to town and meets Kayla and the history of the land her home is built on comes to light.
.
I absolutely loved this book! So thankful I had an ARC and highly recommend!

Just another absolutely amazing book from Diane Chamberlain! I love that her stories are told in multiple perspectives, and this was no exception.. I have long loved this author and the way she winds the story in such an artful, yet suspenseful way. My attention was help the entire time, as it always is, and can honestly say I really enjoyed it. I couldn't put it down!

I really loved Ellie & Kayla/Jackson. My only wish was to have some chapters from Jackson's POV. With everything that happened between them, and the secrets, lies, etc I feel like the end would have felt more rounded out and complete. Other than that, I really enjoyed this one! Diane has such a thorough writing style that really adds depth to her characters and the story as a whole.

I really enjoyed this one!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for my advanced copy of The Last House on the Street.

I ended up listening to this title on audio. =)

What I Enjoyed-

*The Audio- The Last House on the Street is narrated by Susan Bennett. She is a well known narrator with many books under her belt. She did an amazing job narrating this story.

* The Writing- Diane Chamberlain is an incredible storyteller. Her books are always easy to fall into and get lost in.

*The Dual Timeline & POV - I love a novel with a dual timeline. The Last House on the Street follows Ellie (1965 & 2010) and Kayla in 2010.

*The History- The Last House on the Street centers around the civil rights movement. I loved how Ellie joined the movement to fight for equal voting rights.

Why This Book Wasn't a 5 Star Read-

*The Romance- Ellie's romance in this book was necessary for parts of the storyline. However, it was predictable and seemed to escalate quickly.

*No Author's Note- I really enjoy reading what inspired an author to write a story. When it comes to books with a historical fiction aspect I do further research on my own but I also love hearing / reading extra tidbits about the time. I was just disappointed there wasn't anything extra.

Overall- Recommend. I look forward to reading more by Diane Chamberlain in the future.

3.5*

Diane Chamberlain is one of my favourite authors. I'm always excited when she has a new book out. I've read many of her books and she is a powerful writer.

In saying that I was a little disappointed with the start of the book (well the first chapter starts off rather intriguing...but then I found it to run pretty slow right up until the 50% mark.) The first half of the book was a definite 3 stars for me. The second half took off and I'm grading that part a full 4 stars. Hence my rating for the full story averages out to a 3.5 stars.

It's a dual timeline that alternates between 1965 and Ellie's story and 2010 and Kayla's story. The 1965 story was the highlight for me. It involved the civil rights movement, bigotry and the Ku Klux Klan in North Carolina. It was a very emotional story that enraged and saddened me. Kayla's story tied in nicely at the end but I was not as invested in it.

For the most part I enjoyed it although IMHO this is not Diane Chamberlain at her best. With an extraordinary catalogue like hers it's understanding that she will have the occasional mediocre one. I will still read any book by her in a heartbeat.

I'd like to Kindly thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for granting me access to this Advanced Reader Copy.

Diane Chamberlain has once again crafted with care an immersive, engrossing story about difficult issues and complicated relationships. I found both timelines engaging and felt invested in the lives and fate of both Ellie and Kayla.
While this isn't an easy read, Chamberlain brings such emotion, heart, and skill to her storytelling that I had a difficult time setting this book down until I reached the last page. Another memorable tale from an author I'm excited to read more from.

Diane Chamberlain’s latest novel is a historical fiction set in the deep south during the mid 1960s as the civil rights movement is growing, and it felt even more fitting that I finished it on the day we observe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day here in the states. This dual point of view novel flips between Ellie in 1965 and Kayla in 2010. And while the three novels I’ve read by Chamberlain all tend to have some kind of mystery, this is the first one I’ve read that takes a darker and creepier tone.

What I enjoy most about Chamberlain’s books are how they’re always rooted in historical facts. I always learn something new when I pick up one of her books.

In The Last House on the Street we meet Kayla, a recently widowed mother of one. Her and her husband were architects building their dream home when he died while working on their house. She has reservations about moving into the house where her husband died, but she also feels obligated to fulfill their dream. When mysterious people and occurrences seem determined to keep her away, she starts searching for answers.

In 1965, Ellie is the twenty year old white daughter of a prominent pharmacist in her small North Carolina town. As her awareness for the unequal treatment of black people in her community grows, she decides to spend her summer not working with her father in his pharmacy but volunteering with SCOPE or the Summer Community Organization and Political Education Project, a program created by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to bring voter registration awareness to black communities in the south. Despite her parents’ opposition, she joins the movement and her life will never be the same.

I read this one quickly, completely enthralled with both timelines. Chamberlain has done a nice job of amping up the tension and unease in Kayla’s storyline with the questionable people around her, the threatening events she can’t seem to avoid, and the oppressive woods surrounding her house. And Ellie’s experiences volunteering with SCOPE are inspiring yet terrifying. The prejudice and violence depicted in the story is a devastating reminder of the cruelty black people have endured at the hands of fellow human beings.

While overall I did enjoy this one, there were a few times I wanted to take Ellie and Kayla by the shoulders and ask them what they were thinking. They definitely both made some decisions that seemed obviously questionable to me. But the ending was satisfying and I enjoyed learning about SCOPE, which I’d never heard about before this book. It’s a reminder that while things may have improved since the 1960s, it’s at an immeasurable cost, and we still have so very far to go.

The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain is a historical mystery/thriller novel. The story is told in two timelines with on in the past in 1965 and the other taking place in 2010. The point of view changes between the characters just as it’s changing between the timelines.

In 2010 Kayla Carter is an architect who had spent years planning her dream home in Round Hill, North Carolina with her husband and had been planning to move in with her husband and daughter. However, as construction was happening Kayla’s husband died in an accident so now that the home is ready she is worried about living there alone with her daughter. It doesn’t help Kayla’s confidence when she is approached by a mysterious woman who knows too much about Kayla’s family.

In 1965, Ellie Hockley was a college student who was just finding her way in the world. Growing up in Round Hill Ellie had adored her aunt who was all about making a change in the world so when Ellie learned about a civil rights movement helping to register black voters she wanted to take part. Of course Ellie’s family was not happy to have their perfect southern daughter in the middle of the civil rights movement but Ellie still left for the summer.

The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain is the type of novel that really feels like a reader is going into it reading two seperate novels at the same time. Of course I knew that somehow the past would tie together with the more current timeline and became just as invested in both stories as the began to build. There’s tension in the present while the mystery of the past unfolds and of course it all ties together nicely after a few twists and turns. Definitely one to pick up that felt just as if the author brought the past to life within the pages.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I have grown to expect interesting and intriguing novels from Diane Chamberlain, and this one did not disappoint. The Houwe at the End of the Street is a dual timeline historical fiction piece, telling the modern day story of Kayla and the 60's based one of Ellie. Ellie was part of the SCOPES project, which was something I did not know about. It was a civil rights initiative that caused a young adult Ellie to learn more about her community while also straining her relationships. Kayla has recently moved into a home that was built on Ellie's family's land and triggers the unraveling of its history and secrets. If you are a fan if the author, you will enjoy this solid piece!

Really enjoyed this dual timeline historical fiction/mystery involving students with the SCOPE project in North Carolina which was a voter registration civil rights initiative conducted at the time of President Johnson’s 1965 Voting Rights Act. The story is good and well researched and kept me on the edge of my seat. The 2010 timeline was not as riveting, but it does all come together. It is heartbreaking to know that over 50 years after that historic civil rights legislation, there is so much work still to do and the fight is far from over. Recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC - it is available now!

I've read several of Diane Chamberlain's novels and have always enjoyed and appreciated her writing. While some might pass off her novels as merely "women's fiction" or lighter fare, I have so much respect and admiration for the way in which she includes meaningful, significant topics and issues within each of her stories. Her latest, The Last House on the Street, is no exception.

The novel is written in alternating perspectives/voices, and chapters alternate between Ellie's voice, in the mid-60s, and Kayla's voice in 2010. Ellie's story definitely seemed more developed, and was most interesting to me, but Kayla's story adds to the overall plot development and keeps the story moving along at a good pace. I don't think this is my *favorite* of the author's novels, but it is engaging, timely, and examines the lasting effects of racism on our society and the ways in which many continue to move forward, in spite of our nation's damaging past. This is a heavy read at times, so be aware, but recommend to those of you who appreciate stories like these.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Diane Chamberlain for an ARC of this book.
It’s 2010 and Kayla is about to move into her and her husband’s dream house. But tragically, her husband has died while working in the house. A mysterious lady shows up at her office to warn her against moving into the house. Shaken, but not deterred, she and her daughter move in. But a series of eerie events has Kayla wondering if she should have listened to the mysterious lady.
It's 1965, and Ellie, a college girl in the South wants to help with a social project, against the advisement of her parents, her friends, and even the person in charge of the project. But she goes ahead anyways and finds herself in over her head to the detriment of her family and the town she lives in.
This is the second book of Diane Chamberlain’s that I have read. This one was a slow starter for me, with Kayla’s story, but then once Ellie’s story started to hit its stride, I was hooked. If this was just Ellie’s story, I still would have been hooked. It was a compelling, at times nauseating, and sorrowful story. I was not aware of the SCOPE project and took some time to read about it once I finished the book.
Sometimes I struggle when there are back and forth storylines like in this book, but this one meshed seamlessly for me.
Another enjoyable read from Diane Chamberlain and looking forward to reading more from this author.

It's 1965 and the Civil Rights movement set in North Carolina is the backdrop for this tale of two time frames. Ellie is a young white woman of 20 that feels compelled to join the protestors trying to gain voting rights for the Negroes. Her parents are dead set against it, as is her boyfriend and her best friend. Within a month's time Ellie's life will forever be changed and those changes reach far into the future.
Going forward to 2010, a young widow with a small child, moves into her dream house unaware of all the ghosts surrounding her new home. Kayla is a young widow with a small child trying to move into the home she and her recently deceased husband designed and built. A serious of creepy and threatening happenings continue to erode Kayla's desire to be in the home.
The connection between Ellie and Kayla's lives is revealed by the past that's not forgotten; but there are those that want it to stay buried.
This history wrapped up in a mystery pulls at the heart strings and conscience with the story as timely and, more importantly, relevant today as it was in the 1960's.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for my early copy. All opinions are mine.

I have been staring at this review for two days now unsure of how exactly to put into words everything that I need to say. This wasn't a bad book by any means, some parts did seem to drag on (specifically the parts taking place in 2010), while other parts (the ones taking place in 1965) kept me glued to the pages.

This also isn't the easiest book to read, so if you're looking for some "light" reading, this probably won't be for you. The events that take place in 1965 focused heavily on the racial injustices happening at the time. Mainly the SCOPE project which went out into prominently black neighborhoods and encouraged them to register to vote once the bill was passed allowing them to do so. It also spoke about some of the peaceful protests that were held at the time, again to bring awareness to the cause. But with the peace comes the violence, so this book also touched on the actions of the KKK, the cruelty they inflected, and just how widespread their reach and influence really was at the time.

If you can make it through the somewhat lackluster events of the 2010's, which I really wish had been better developed overall, it all culminates in a heart-breaking and life-altering conclusion, which while somewhat predictable, was still a hit to the emotions.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Such a well written book about a sensitive subject. The characters just draw you in. The book transitions from 1965 to 2010 seamlessly, filling in gaps with each turn. Thanks to NetGalley for the privilege to read and review this book.