Book Review

I was pleasantly surprised. 3.5/5

Synopsis: This novel is historical fiction, told in dual timelines with two different POV’s: Kayla in 2010, who recently built her house in Shadow Ridge Estates on a plot of land that she eventually discovers has sinister ties to the past, and Ellie in 1965 whose family lives on that same plot of land. Ellie, a young white woman living in the South decides to fight for the voting rights of the Black residents in her county by joining a civil rights group called SCOPE. Her family, friends and neighbours are anything but happy, and her choice to fight for racial injustice, while building close relationships with Black people, (and falling in love with a fellow SCOPE member) has deadly, horrible consequences. The past and the present collide as Ellie returns home 40 years later, to care for her sick mother and brother, and begins an acquaintance with her new neighbour Kayla, who is dealing with strange, threatening happenings in and around her property.

The author, Diane Chamberlain is a white woman, and both the narrators of the story are white women, and this is a story about racism and racial oppression. So, of course I read the novel with a severe critical lens, cause ya know, white people writing about racism can be a slippery slope, but all things considered, I wasn’t mad at it. Ellie is a character that is definitely criticizing white peoples lack of awareness, their ignorance, and their failings in regard to abolishing racial oppression. She comes to learn just how many people in her town are “secretly” racist (members of the KKK), and she is in a continuous fight with her family and friends who do not agree with her choice to join SCOPE. So, I think this novel is very much addressed to white people, IMO. White people are the ones who created the “racial hierarchy” thereby creating racism and racial oppression, and they are the ones who need to do the work to abolish it. It doesn’t matter if it was “your ancestors” doing, history is not stuck in the past, it ripples through the present, and has major impacts and influences on how our society is structured today. And this novel does a good job of showing that history doesn’t die, and how it continues to haunt the present. No matter how much times passes, people need to answer for their crimes.

The reason I give this novel a 3.5 instead of a 4 or 5 is because I found that some of the characters, especially Kayla, were not fleshed out enough, didn’t have enough depth, kind of one-dimensional. And that there were certain plot points that were also not as fleshed out or explained properly. It was a quick read, and I felt like there were moments that could have been expanded on, to give the overall story more depth. But all in all, the story had a clear-cut ending, and it all came full circle. The author definitely did her research and told an important, heartbreaking story. I would definitely recommend this book, especially to white readers or non-Black readers. Pub date: Jan 2022. Thank you, NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Two storylines. One in 1965. The other in 2010. The past has a way of emerging, and Kayla will soon find out why so much mystery surrounds her new home. This was a definite page-turner! Loved it!,

Diane Chamberlain has pulled off another outstanding work of psychological fiction. This had all the ingredients of a terrific story: well-rounded, flawed characters; dual time periods creating a plethora of suspense; and an age old mystery, which is not solved until the very end. Chamberlain deftly handles the difficult topic of racism and civil rights in the south, while creating a deep and very interesting story. It doesn’t get better than this.

When I started to write this review, I had a hard time trying to decide how to classify the genre of this novel (domestic? mystery? novel based on history? civil rights?). I've decided not to classify it at all except to say it's an excellent read!

The author weaves a story that takes place in Round Hill, North Carolina over two different periods of time, 1965 and 2010, and brings the characters from each together in a most interesting way.

The book starts in 2010 when the recently widowed Kayla Carter returns to work at an architect firm in Greenville, NC. She and her husband both worked there until Jackson fell to his death while building the dream house that he and Kayla designed together. Now Kayla moves into the finished house in Shadow Ridge Estates with her 3 year old daughter Rainie. Theirs is the first house completed in the development. But someone makes it clear that they are not welcome, and there are enough bizarre happenings, that Kayla seriously considers selling the house and starting anew somewhere else. The only person that makes her feel welcome is Ellie, a woman in her 60's who moved back from California to take care of her ailing brother and aged mother. She lives in the first house you see as you drive into the developing neighborhood, the old Hockley place.

In 1965, Ellie Hockley, 20, is home from spring break from the University of North Carolina. She's a reporter and photographer for the campus newspaper, and covering the current events has made her restless. She doesn't want to spend the summer working at her father's pharmacy as is expected of her. Instead, she plans to volunteer for SCOPE (Summer Community Organization and Political Education prject) and help the civil rights volunteers from the North and West in their work to register Negro voters. Everyone she knows is against this and they don't hesitate to let her know their feelings about the matter; her boyfriend Reed Miller, her best friend Brenda, her entire family, and even townspeople all urge and warn her not to do it. But Ellie is determined to take up the cause, and she does so. That decision will have far-reaching and long-lasting consequences.

I loved this book. It kept me engaged throughout, and taught me some things I didn't know. All of the characters are well-developed and their depth and richness made it easy to relate to them. I truly was sorry to see the book come to its satisfying conclusion! The only reason this book gets 4 rather than 5 stars from me is because one of the time-lines (1965) was by far more interesting than the other. While the author did a good job of weaving them together in the end, it felt a bit unbalanced. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this read!

My thanks to St. Martin's Press for allowing me to access an ARC of this book via NetGalley. The book is scheduled for publication on 1/11/22. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are given freely.

Another fabulous read from Diane Chamberlain. This novel spans decades and explores the themes of racism, love, and family. Amazing character development and the plot unfolded in a way that had and kept me hooked right from the first page.
Highly recommended for all!

* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest review

Diane Chamberlain remains one of my favorite authors! This is another enthralling book that pulls you in and has you engrossed in the characters life from the beginning. The book goes back and forth between two time periods (2010 and 1965) and you begin to figure out how the lives of Kayla, a young widow with a daughter, and Ellie , her elderly neighbor are related. The 1965 time period is hard to read at times, but it was the time period that I was most drawn to because I wanted to know what was going to happen. This was a book that I had a hard time putting down and it is one that will stick with me for a long time.

What a very emotional read!
What a very powerful read!
The story is told in duel timelines of 1965 and 2010.
The main characters are Ellie from 1965 and Kayla from 2010. They both have suffered and endeared immense loss,
A very powerful and emotional story that will draw you in. You will experience so many different emotions….joy, sadness, heartache, anger and disbelief.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

I will post this to my Goodreads today and to Instagram, Facebook and retail sites on 1/11/22.

This was my first Diane Chamberlain book, but it will not be my last. What an amazing dual timeline story that taught me about the SCOPE project. I knew there was a big movement in the 60s to register Black voters, I didn't know that it was the SCOPE project.

It is 1965, and Ellie Hockley, who has lived all of her life in Round Hill, North Carolina. She is in college, is dating a bank manager, and by all appearances seems to be set to be a pharmacist and marry this bank manager. Appearances aren't all they seem, though, and Ellie is drawn to the fight for civil rights. She is determined that all people should have equal rights and decides to become part of the fight.

It is 2010. Kayla Carter has lost her husband in a tragic accident. He working on the house they designed together. It is time for Kayla and her daughter to move into this house .but someone doesn't want them too. Someone is determined to scare Kayla away. There is a secret or two on that property and that secret needs to stay hidden.

Kayla's house happens to be on the same street where Ellie Hockley grew up. Ellie is back in North Carolina to care for her mother and brother. Kayla and Ellie do meet and their journey leads them to the truth hidden for more than 40 years A truth that casts light on certain people that is shocking and unsettling.

Ms. Chamberlain has written a powerful story that not only sheds light on a time in our history, but also provokes thought on the current state of our country. This novel will stay with me for a very long time. I cannot wait to read this author's backlist and learn more from her masterful storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley, Diane Chamberlain, and St. Martin's Press for the copy of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

The Last House on the Street is a historical thriller that goes back in forth in time from approximately 2010 to a time of turmoil in the south, the 1960s, The book starts in the near past of 2010 with a young woman who is set to move into a home that she and her architect husband have designed and built on a lot at the end of a wooded street. It is a beautiful modern home but brings sadness to the heroine of the story as her husband died in its construction. The lot where the house sits and an older home on the street and its occupants have a place in the history of the setting of the book. Ellie, who recently moved back from California to care for her mother and brother has a story to tell of the racial divide of the 1960s and its effect on families and friends in her small town. Her story is interwoven from a time 50 years past to the almost present day. As the plot unfolds the real story of what happened in the past, the courage of those seeking freedom for a people, and the attitudes of the old south are revealed in a startling conclusion.

This book was well written, the plot will keep you engaged, and the author handles the back and forth in time masterfully. The book includes rich deep characters, and tells a story that needs to be read. Families and communities were shattered and harsh realities are still hidden in many places in the south that are ugly and will startle today's readers. The book will stay with you and its story reveals the reality of the cruelty that humans are capable of inflicting against one another. I highly recommend this book. It is excellent. Thanks to #NetGalley#TheLastHouseontheStreet for the opportunity to read and review this well-told story.

It’s amazing what hate can drive a person to do. Chamberlain lays out a feast of deviousness, secrecy, hatred, love and the fight for freedom in so many ways. Told through two points of view, in two time periods, this twisted tale will leave you shaking your head and heart broken, but hopeful at the same time. This is definitely one that will keep you up at night!

I always know I’m going to love what I’m reading when I pick up a Diane Chamberlain book. As usual I was in love with the characters. I really enjoyed how it changed back and forth between the past and present each chapter. It made it very easy to keep up with the book and put everything together in my head. I was angry quite a lot of the book, due the terrible subject matter of the KKK and the voting changes President Johnson put in place. Real life is sometimes worse than fiction. I loved this book. Thank you Netgalley for the early read.

Diane Chamberlain writes another thought provoking novel. The story is based in dual time lines switching between the turbulent 60’s to 2010. The protagonists are Ellie and Kayla. Ellie’s story is based on forbidden love. Kayla’s story intersects with Ellie when she moves into her new home down the street from Ellie’s childhood home. The story reminds us of the horrors, of which black individuals had to endure during the early 60’s. It is a forbidden love story filled with rage, sadness and hope. My heart broke for Ellie and her true love Win and for, Kayla who became a young widow. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you #NetGalley, #St. Martin’sPress and #DianeChamberlain for the advance readers copy for my honest review.

The book starts in 2010 just after Kayla Carter’s husband dies in an accident while building the couple's dream house. Even though the house holds a tragic memory Kayla has no choice but to move herself and her 4-year-old daughter, Raine, into the new house.

In 1965 20-year-old Ellie volunteers to spend her summer working for the SCOPE project. The project's goal is to persuade black families to register to vote. Every single family member and friend of Ellie’s is completely against her volunteering for the group.

Back in 2010 when Kayla meets Ellie it is clear that Ellie is hiding something about the location that Kayla has built her new house on but what could it be?

Part mystery and part historical fiction, the Last House on the Street seamlessly alternates between Kayla’s point of view in 2010 and Ellie’s in 1965.

This book delves into racism in the south during the 1960s. Some parts of the book are very heartbreaking and gut-wrenching to get through. But no matter how uncomfortable it made me feel, I believe it is an important part of the book. If content related to racism and especially hate crimes is triggering to you then I highly recommend avoiding this book.

Otherwise, if you are looking for an eye-opening historical fiction book centered around a mystery, then I highly recommend The Last House in the Street.

The Last House on the Street will be available on January 11. Many thanks to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the e-galley in exchange for an honest review!

Historical fiction at its best! Told from a dual timeline of the present day and the 1960's segregated South, this book will captivate you with its gripping storylines and compelling characters. Another must-read book from master storyteller, Diane Chamberlain. Highly recommended!

This is a moving book about a young white privileged woman who becomes a civil rights worker, ,merged with her as an older woman moving back to her southern neighborhood to take care of family members and her new neighbor. The past merges with the present and the two main characters are very likeable though most of the town is not

This is my 16th Diane Chamberlain book. She’s my favorite author and this book did not disappoint. It’s told from dual timelines by 2 different women. The one timeline is historical fiction in the 1960s civil rights movement. I found this timeline a lot more engaging than the 2010 one but liked how they intertwined. The voting rights focus in the 1960s timeline was very timely given recent issues.

Overall like most of her books, the characters were engaging and the story kept me reading. I figured out quite a few things ahead of time but I did keep going back and forth guessing on some things.

Very moving historical fiction. Read the entire book in two days. Ellie is a strong lead character with a story and character traits that have remained with me. Relatable supporting characters, some positive and others negative. Suspenseful and surprising. Highly recommend.

After Kayla’s husband dies while building their dream home, Kayla knows she still needs to move into the home. While it will bring grief, this is the home they designed from top to bottom, and he would want her to live there. When someone comes to her work and warns her not to move there however, some weird things start happening around the house. At least she has Ellie, though there is some sort of past between her new neighbor Ellie and Kayla’s father. Will Kayla ever get to to bottom of what happened in the past?

This was a really hard book to write a synopsis for. So much happened and the synopsis above is only the tip of the iceberg. Who is looking for a tough read but amazing read? If you are, look no further! This book was so infuriating, and heartbreaking, but so so so good. I loved the dual timelines that my girl Chamberlain is known for! I also loved Ellie so damn much. I can only hope that I would have been as strong as her during that time. I was rooting for her from page one well past the end of the book. While Kayla’s story wasn’t as enticing to me as the past, I was still intrigued as to what was happening at her house, and why all these crazy things were going on. I don’t want to get too much into it, but this book was so amazing and you should read it!

THE LAST HOUSE ON THE STREET by Diane Chamberlain is a haunting novel of love, family and racial injustice that is filled with history and intrigue. Set in the small town of Round Hill, North Carolina, it is told in alternating chapters from two timelines, 1965 and 2010. In 2010, Kayla Carter’s husband, Jackson has died in a tragic accident while building their dream home in the elite new Shadow Ridge Estates neighborhood. Despite the terrible memories, Kayla feels she must still move into the house with their four-year-old daughter, Rainie, now that it is finished. Just before doing so, she is confronted by a mysterious woman who insists she should not move in. Who is this woman and why does she know so much about Kayla and the house? Kayla meets her neighbor, Ellie Hockley, whose family has lived in a house nearby for decades. In 1965, Ellie is a young college student, who goes against the wishes of her family and community to volunteer for the SCOPE project, a program where white students live with black families in rural areas to help them prepare to register to vote for the first time. At that time, racial tension runs high and shocking acts of violence are becoming more frequent. Ellie and her new friends are caught up in hateful and traumatic events that summer that will change their lives forever. As the story progresses, the two timelines intersect giving clarity to how the characters are related. This gut-wrenching novel covers profoundly difficult topics with honesty and compassion. This gripping story will stay on my mind for a long time to come. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ebook for my Kindle.
There are surprises and twists and turns in the book that I didn't see coming- overall, a good book.