This is one of those books I enjoyed reading, but it focused on the reality of living in the South I had not considered. The story goes back and forth between the racial turmoil of the 1960s and the present.

Kayla's husband accidentally dies while they are building their dream house. Kayla is devastated, but she must remain strong for her young daughter. Mysterious events create an atmosphere in which Kayla doesn't feel safe at her new home.

Ellie Hockley is Kayla's neighbor and her story is centered around her involvement in an organization trying to help her fellow black neighbors register to vote as soon as LBJ signs the voting rights bill. Ellie is ostracized by her family and friends as she becomes closer and closer to the population on the "other side of town."

Parts of the book were difficult to read because the scenes seemed so accurate as the racial turmoil reached a breaking point.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an eCopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kayla is about to move into the house she designed with her husband, however, there was a terrible accident and now it is just Kayla and her three-year old daughter, Rainie. A mysterious woman visits her at her design firm and all but threatens her to not move into the house. Now, Kayla is fearful for her daughter and herself.

The story then jumps to the mid-sixties during the rise of the civil rights movement. We are given the story of Ellie, a twenty year-old daughter of the local pharmacist in small town North Carolina. She desperately wants to be involved in an organization to help minorities register to vote, but her family and closest friends are against the idea. She fights for what she wants, but in the end, she realizes she may never have what she wants.

In the present day of the story, the two women are brought together in the same little town in North Carolina and find that their stories intertwine. The mystery of the story is built up and reveled rather suddenly towards the end of the book. Although the ending was rather rushed, Diane Chamberlain does a wonderful job of delving deep into developing the characters. It feels as though you are right there in the story with them. You feel their emotions and their struggles. Therefore, I recommend this book to all!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's press for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

I would say 'The Last House on the Street' is the best book of the year but since 2022 just commenced, it wouldn't do the novel justice.. Diane Chamberlain masterly weaves Ellie and Kayla stories together to provide readers a historical fiction account of the 1965's civil rights movement and the lasting effects of hatred.

Reading the story during the pandemic presented an account of how actions can adversely affect society. While living in a COVID era that's masking our lives, the Klan members donned hoods shielding them from recognition. The 60's freedom fighters put their lives in danger to secure rights, while the 21th century enters an era where rioters protest infringement.

Surgical masks protect from COVID while the Klan members masked identities. Growing up, Ellie Hockley and her best friend Brenda represented the ideal Southern belles. Raised to be intelligent and marry into prominent families, Brenda's marriage to Garner cemented her future.

When confronted with the injustices going on, Ellie joins the SCOPE movement to give everyone the right to vote. Leaving behind creature comforts, Ellie realizes that her community is hiding a secret and she's threatening to unmask the truth.

Will Ellie and Kayla be able to put the past to rest or have they reawakened secrets that the residents of Round Hill would rather keep buried? Thank to you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of 'The Last House on the Street' in exchange for an honest review.

It's rare for me to give five-starred reviews and while reading, I knew that anything less would be a disservice to future readers. Chamberlain's poignant read unleashes a chain of events that will keep readers on the edge of their seats while reliving a time in history that comes alive between its pages.

I received an ARC of The Last House on the Street in exchange for an honest review. This is a book about many things. It is a historical fiction about the SCOPE project of 1965, where college students were trying to educate and inform African Americans about registering to vote. This book is also a love story and a mystery. The story is told in two different timelines, 1965 and 2010. The 1965 timeline is much more interesting than the 2010 timeline, but the 2010 timeline is where you find out what really happened in 1965. Ellie joins the SCOPE project in 1965 and the story is about her experiences she had the summer of 1965, good and bad. If you are a Diane Chamberlain fan, this is a must read book.

An absolutely compelling read. I enjoyed the dual timelines and as with Chamberlain's previous historical fiction novels, this does not disappoint. When I wasn’t reading this book, I was thinking about it. Young love, conflict, mystery. Highly recommend!

As usual Diane Chamberlain has written an interesting and enlightening historical fiction story. The book deals with racial bigotry and features the scope project from the 1960’s. This project was supported by Martin Luther King in an effort to get the black community to register to vote and hopefully this would be a step forward begin to improve their lives. The two time lines of 1965 and 2010 are connected and a long held secret is finally revealed. The main character is a young southern white woman named Ellie. She is driven to be part of this project despite her family, friends and community’s objections. A horrible event from 1965 is finally brought to light in 2010. Ellie finally gets answers to what really happened fifty years ago.

Thanks to the publisher for an advanced e-copy of The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain.

The Last House on the Street explores similar themes to the author's 2020 novel, Big Lies in a Small Town, the major one being historic racism in the Southeast United States. The plot of both books were captivating and entertaining. I ended up rating both books the same 4-stars as well. For me, the romance plot in this latest one didn't really work. The main character, Ellie, was supposedly very smart, but she made some decisions that were either really dumb or deadly-selfish.

The theme of the book was informative, but nothing that hasn't been covered thousands of times before. Frustratingly, the author has used the same comments in both books claiming surprise that racism in North Carolina was an issue historically even though that state isn't part of the "Deep South". While the plot of the books both bore out that North Carolina had the same issues that existed in the "Deep South", I think the author is belaboring that point and missing the bigger opportunity: Racism exists everywhere to different degrees, not just in "The Southern States".

Diane Chamberlain is a great storyteller and I have enjoyed all the books I have read by her. The Last House on the Street and Big Lies in a Small Town were both good books, but neither had the impact I hope for with the theme of racism. The Last House on the Street didn't offer a lot of optimism or hope either, which may be realistic, but doesn't make for good escapism.

Diane Chamberlain in fast becoming one of my favorite historical fiction writers. I loved Big Lies in a Small Town when I read it in 2020, and The Last House on the Street is no exception. It was fantastic!

The story is told in two timelines. In the present we follow Kayla Carter, an architect who has just lost her husband to an unfortunate accident. She’s left with a young daughter to raise by herself in a large house set near the woods of a new housing development called Shadow Ridge. The first chapter starts off strong when a strange woman asks Kayla to do some renovations on her home and then the conversation grows more sinister. In the past timeline in the 1960’s, we follow Ellie Hockley, a college-aged white girl who, despite protests from her family, joins the SCOPE project, a project that helps encourage black families to register to vote.

My favorite aspects of this story were the way Chamberlain connected the present and past timelines and the way she creates characters. I was afraid I wouldn’t connect as much to the past timeline, especially after I was completely hooked by the present timeline from the very first chapter. But I quickly became immersed in the past because the character of Ellie was so complex and both the inner and outer struggles she faced felt so real and raw.

The author expertly crafts the plot so that both the past and present timelines work together seamlessly. There were so many little mysteries and revelations sprinkled throughout both timelines that made me constantly wanting to read just one more chapter. While I found the past timeline much more emotional, the present timeline contained so much mystery and suspense that I was equally engaged in those chapters, too.

I will always pick up a new Diane Chamberlain book. I’d highly recommend reading this book if you like historical fiction, like reading about social change, and love a dual timeline narrative.

*Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review

Oh my word Diane Chamberlain has done it again and written another absolutely awesome book. This book just had me enthralled from the very start, so so good.

I usually love Diane Chamberlain's books, but I just couldn't connect with the characters in this book. It is a well written book, it just didn't hold my attention. Please don't let my review stop you from giving this book a chance, a lot of people love it.
I received a complimentary copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Last House on the Street

SUMMARY
Architects Kayla Carter and her husband have designed and are building a beautiful home in the new Shadow Ridge Estates development in Round Hill. It was a home where they would raise their three-year-old daughter and grow old together. But instead, Kayla’s husband died in an accident while building the house in 2010.

Kayla is no longer excited about the house and is further frightened when a mysterious woman visits her at her office and threatens her against moving in. The woods and lake behind the property are thought to be haunted, and the new home is now being targeted by vandals leaving threatening messages.

Kayla’s neighbor Ellie Hockley grew up in Round Hill, just up the street from Kayla’s new house. As a teenager, Ellie left town in 1965 to join the fight for civil rights against the wishes of her scandalized family. When Ellie fell in love with a fellow volunteer, she discovered the frightening nature of the people living in Round Hill. When Ellie shares her story with Kayla, some long-buried secrets about the dark history of the land where Kayla house was built are revealed,


REVIEW
THE LAST HOUSE ON THE STREET grabs your attention in the first few pages and makes you want to know more. How could Kayla move into this house where her husband died? What does Ellie know about this property? Set in North Carolina, the chapters alternate between the lives of Kayla in 2010, and Ellie in 1965.


The story is meticulously built and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. Kayla who had just lost her husband and is now getting threats and Ellie who worked with the Civil Rights movement during the Summer of 1965 are expertly drawn smart, strong female characters. The writing weaves a tale that effortlessly blends the past and the present

Author Diane Chamberlain makes you feel the fear, pain, and courage that envelopes this dramatic and tension-filled story. Chamberlain has written 28 novels that focus on relationships between men and women, parents and children, sisters and brothers, friends and enemies, and the way people struggle with life’s trials and tribulations.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin Press for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher St. Martins Press
Published January 11, 2022
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

Captivating and heartbreaking. This story will stick with me for a long time.

In 2010, Kayla grieves the loss of her husband, who died while building their dream home in North Carolina. What should be an exciting time, is tainted with sadness while Kayla moves into their huge home with their 4 year old daughter. Kayla is then approached by a mysterious older woman, who warns Kayla not to move into their new house. How does she know so much about Kayla's life and why shouldn't she move in?

In 1965, Ellie is a young college student eager to fight for civil rights. When the SCOPE project needs white volunteers to help encourage black people to vote, Ellie volunteers despite her family's disapproval.
What ensues is a story of love, loss, friendships, family, heartbreak, activism and social justice.

I'm a bit of a loss of words when trying to describe how I feel about this book. I felt so much while reading this and appreciated how Chamberlain put so much care into each character and their stories. I went into this book blind, having no idea what it was about. This is not an easy book to read, but it's an important one.

The characters are so believable, I ended up feeling every emotion they were feeling. I admired Ellie so much for her bravery, and for standing up for what she believes even when she had so much at risk.

My only small critique would be that I was much more invested into the 1965 timeline than the 2010 one. I felt so much emotion in Ellie's story that Kayla's story fell a little bit flat for me. That being said though, I loved the way Chamberlain masterfully tied the past with the present.

This was my first book by Diane Chamberlain, and it won't be my last. I appreciate how she doesn't shy away from tough topics, and has taught me so much about past events in history that I had no idea about.

I definitely started off the reading year on a high note reading this book, and I highly recommend you read it too.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ellie Hockley was raised in a fine southern family in the small town of Round Hill. Heralded as a hero for attempting to save the life of a drowning child in the lake near her home, Ellie has always felt she didn’t deserve her recognition. Setting out to do something worthy, she signs up to assist registering blacks to vote under the new Voting Rights Act. The consequences of her involvement are far reaching, and she leaves never to return until she is needed decades later with the failing health of her family. The new neighbor, Kayla, is a recent widow and single mother. After a series of odd encounters related to the house things escalate. Will the truth about the property and everything that happened when Ellie was a young woman come to light? Another gripping novel by Diane Chamberlain, and I highly recommend it to all my friends. I received an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.

This book kept me interested the entire way through. I loved both story lines and was so intrigued with how they were going to come together in the end. I definitely didn't guess how it was going to play out! Highly recommend this excellent read for Diane Chamberlain.

I received The Last House on the Street as an ARC through Netgalley. This is told in two timelines, one back in 1965 and one in 2010 in the same small town in North Carolina. This was my first book I read wrote by Diane Chamberlain, and now I need to read more.

Ellie Hockley in the 1960's is moved to join the SCOPE movement to help get the word out to black neighborhoods how and where to vote, plus the benefit that comes from voting. While most people involved in SCOPE have come from the North, Ellie is insistent on participating against the wishes of everyone in her life. While the work is trying and the conditions for living are not what she is accustomed to, Ellie keeps on with the work.

Kayla in 2010 is getting ready to move into a brand hew house her husband and her designed together, back in the words near the Hockley residence. However, her husband has unexpectantly died in a home accident and as the date gets closer, Kayla is feeling more and more hesitant to move in. To make it worse, a strange woman tries to warn her off and continues to mess with her head. It seems there are other forces at work to try to keep Kayla and her daughter from moving into their new house.

Ellie leaves home and doesn't return until 2010 to take care of her ailing mother and brother. Her life and Kayla start to intertwine in more ways then they could ever imagine. Diane Chamberlain tells a moving and gripping story of civil rights, the struggles that African American and white folk alike, faced while trying to achieve what never should have had to be fought for. How prejudice can run deep in families and the courage it takes to stand up against your own parents even at times.

History and mystery!

A suspenseful novel that takes you through time and captivated you from the very start! It deals with a hard topic, but the writing is so well done and captivates the reader to keep reading to discover the truth.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the earc in return for an honest review.

I'm a big fan of Diane Chamberlain. She is the master of writing characters that pull you into the story. This one touches on a hard subject. It is riveting and powerful. I finished it very quickly. Thank you so much NetGalley and St Martin's Press!

The Last House on the Street Is a Dual Time Mystery Novel by Diane Chamberlain set in 1965 and 2010. It is an emotional story of love, loss, and a portrayal of how actions can change lives for generations.
This is a well written story with interesting characters but there were some parts of the story that were unrealistic. For example it was odd that 1965 Ellie thought people were poor and did not have indoor toilets or electricity because they did not vote or involve themselves in politics. Was Ellie so naive at 20 that she did not know that there were many people both black and white still using outhouses in the 1960’s and 1970’s?
Ellie’s historical storyline seemed to be more focused on solving poverty rather than the infringement of rights. However the story does address many of the evil practices of the KKK and the lack of punishment for their crimes.
I really enjoyed the suspense, mystery surrounding the characters, the house, and the suspicious relationships. The time periods and storylines were woven together well.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 4 Stars

The Last House on the Street alternates between 2010 and 1965, during a time of civil unrest in the south.

Ellie Hockley walked away from her family for nearly 45 years ago, fleeing to California after the worse summer of her life. In 1965, Ellie had big dreams to help with voter registration in mostly underserved, minorities areas throughout the North Carolina county. She's heralded a champion for the cause, but soon finds herself in danger and in a forbidden love story. Back home to care for her ailing mother and brother, Ellie finds the haunts from her youth colliding with the present day.

Kayla has built the home of her dreams at the end of the street, just down from old Hockley house which stands as it did in 1965. The lot was selected due to the woods that engulf the back portion of the property. A tragic event soon shrouds the homes future and unveils the woods harbor secrets that destroyed lives.

What happened in the woods that forced Ellie to abandon her family?
How is Kayla's family connected to the Hockley's?
Why does someone want to destroy her home that was Kayla's late husbands passion?

The Last House on the Street is a truly suspenseful novel, bringing together the past and the present is a glorious manner. This is an important read, as it deals the reader a dose of reality in a mystery.

Highly recommend this novel!

This book completely broke my heart into millions of pieces. I’m sitting here and I cannot stop thinking about it.
The book is told in two different time periods and two POVs.
Kayla- The Year is 2010 and Kayla has lost her husband, he died just before they were to move into their North Carolina dream home, both being architects and have put personal touches all over the new home the move is difficult and filled with memories. Kayla and her young daughter proceed with moving in even after the death of her husband . Just before they move in Kayla is confronted by an older, mysterious woman telling her she shouldn’t be living in the new home. The woods behind her house gives her the creeps and she can’t put her finger on why.
Ellie- The Year is 1965 Ellie was a young woman who firmly believes in Civil Rights, specifically the right for Black people to vote. She decides to join SCOPE, (Summer Community Organization and Political Education project). Filled with 500 volunteers from Northern and Western universities they are being sent into 75 rural counties with the aim of educating Black citizens about their right to register and vote. President Johnson is about to sign the Voting Rights Act ensuring Black Americans the right to vote. Against her parents wishes she joins and the experience opens her eyes to the KKK and she’s horrified to discover that people she thought she new are part of the KKK and harming and killing Black America’s, The summer of 1965 will change Ellie’s life forever and cause her to leave her childhood home behind for 45 years.
What connection does Ellie have to Kayla, we uncover a heartbreaking story that will stick with you long after the last page. I cried while trying to write this review. I want to warn my fellow readers that in this story there is racism and some parts of the story will break you, as you can imagine reading about a story that takes place in 1965 in a Southern state. Five heartbreaking stars!!