Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!
This is my first time reading Diane Chamberlain and I was not disappointed.
With a dual storyline alternating between 1965 and 2010, this story builds slowly as a mystery unfolds in a small Southern town. Here you'll find themes of racism, grief, family trauma, and interracial relationships, among others.
The pacing was really well done, and I was engrossed the whole time. The last 25% of the book I couldn't stop reading, because I had to know what was going to happen.
I thought the characters were well developed and I had a real affinity for Ellie. Ms. Chamberlain also did a really good job of making the unlikable characters as bad as they could be!
I'm so glad I read this book and really look forward to reading more from this author.

Wonderfully written novel. The storylines were more profound than anticipated. A timely and important novel.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57693519

I'm not even remotely surprised that I fell in love with this book from the very first chapter. I've loved Diane's books for years and they just keep getting better and better! How she can take such a heavy topic and weave it into a beautiful story is beyond me!

Diane Chamberlain does not disappoint! Rich believable characters drive the story of a young woman who finds passion and heartbreak after joining a group to help blacks register to vote. Told in alternating times from the mid 1960’s and the 2000’s. Themes of civil rights, loss, family secrets and redemption.

A riveting book with dual timelines, 1965 and 2010. Set in a small community in North Carolina, the author has written a chilling account of the days prior to enactment of the Voting Rights Act, and the SCOPE program that was implemented to educate minority voters and encourage them to register to vote. While I remember the voting act, I had not known about SCOPE and the upheaval that occurred in the southern states. Nor did I realize the deplorable, and frightening conditions under which the Black community lived in the south at that time. Diane Chamberlain has expertly blended the stories together, with remarkable characters that bring the story of 1965 full circle in 2010. When newly widowed Kayla, meets Ellie, who had been one of the SCOPE volunteers, she discovers the secrets of the property on which she has designed and built her dream home, and why she and her daughter are facing a current threat to their safety. This is a timely, thought provoking book that sheds light into some of the darkest parts of our history. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy. It is the first Diane Chamberlain book I have read, but will not be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

In 2010 there are 2 houses on the same small street. One is old and run down. The other stylistic and new. The land around the houses is being made into a new subdivision. The owners of the old house refuse to sell, but soon they will be gone. There is some history between the families of the 2 homes, although none of them realize it initially.

The new house was built by a young couple, both architects, for their young family. The husband died in a tragic accident during the building. Kayla and her daughter, Rainie (3), will live in the house. Kayla’s father, Reed grew up in the same town and was childhood friends with the family in the old house. The old house has been home to generations of Hockleys. The elderly mother and her ailing adult son, Buddy are the only residents. The adult daughter, Ellie, now calls San Fransisco her home but she is back in town to care for her brother and mother.

The story goes back and forth between,1965 & 2010. 1965 concerns Ellie and the voting rights act and students helping to convince area Blacks to register to vote when President Johnson signs the promised Voting Rights Act. White locals, including her family members, were not happy when Ellie, a student at UNC, volunteered to help with the effort. Ellie discovers that bigots and members of the KKK abound in her community. There were bad feelings and threats, aimed at Ellie, her family and members of the black community. When Ellie falls for Win, a handsome young Black man, who is one of the leaders of the canvassing project, everyone - black and white, fear for the safety of the two young people and their communities. As the history of these families is revealed the truth rises to the surface.

Beautifully and sensitively written, realistic. Another excellent book by Diane Chamberlain. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A special thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the advanced copy of The Last House on the Street in exchange for a fair and honest review. Publication date: 1/11/22

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What a beautifully written, powerful, engrossing, painful story—made all the more painful by questions of how far we’ve really come since 1965. I enjoyed the narrative of both timelines--1965 and 2010—although the 1965 story was particularly gripping, especially towards the end of the book, when there was nothing more important to me than finding out what happened to the characters I was so invested in. The events and characters of the two timelines mesh perfectly and in a very believable fashion to create an unforgettable story. I’ll definitely be seeking out Diana Chamberlain’s other books and will highly recommend this one to library patrons and friends. Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an e-ARC of this extraordinary book.

This book was sent to me as an ARC though @netgalley and courtesy of @stmartinspress. I truly can’t thank y’all for your acceptances. Quickly become a favorite!

For as smart as I am when it comes to books, there’s always something new to learn, at least something new for me. Last week what I learned was the term realistic fiction. I had never known what to call a book that doesn’t really fit easily into a genre like romance, thriller, etc and I would often, at least mentally, refer to it as a book with a really good storyline. When I came across this term though, I definitely finally found a way to classify some of my favorites. Yes, this one has a dual timeline so I could focus on that and call it historical fiction but then that keeps the focus off the current day storyline. Yes, there’s some hint to mystery but this book is so much more than that. It is, at least for me, realistic fiction at its finest.

For me, Diane Chamberlain is a master when it comes to setting. It is through books like hers that I found my obsession with the Carolinas. A huge part of my heart belongs in South Carolina, whereas this book takes place in its northern counterpart. This book also moves along at a fairly quick pace. I finished ¾ fairly quickly but then forced myself to slow down so I wasn’t done it right away. For whatever reason, I have a hard time with historical fiction. I need to be able to directly relate to much of the aspects involved in the story. Yes, there have been some truly incredible standouts from this but for the most part, this is how I operate. Dual timelines are a way for me to feel more comfortable with the historical timeline and this one executes it so well.

My other favorites by Diane were Big Lies in a Small Town and Dream Daughter but this definitely ranks right up there, at least for me. Publication date is January 11th, a bit of a distance away but I plan to share it with others up til, and after, it comes out!

@netgalley @stmartinspress #DianeChamberlain #LastHouseontheStreet #bookstagram #NorthCarolinafiction #realisticfiction #WinterRead

This novel set in rural North Carolina is a work of contemporary fiction/historical fiction, alternating between 2010 and 1965. In present day, after tragically losing her husband while building their dream home Kayla proceeds with plans to finish the house and move in. However, it becomes increasingly obvious that someone doesn’t want her living there. In 1965 Ellie feels a calling to become a civil rights worker and volunteers to help register black voters, with or without the support of her family. I spent most of this book with an increasing sense of something terrible coming. If you pay attention there are enough clues to figure out what happened that ties the past and present together before it is revealed. Overall, a powerful read I would recommend to readers who enjoy historical fiction with split timelines, have an interest in civil rights history, or are in search of suspense fueled by the secrets kept in a small town. This was the first book I’ve read by Diane Chamberlain and I would definitely read more!

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for an E-ARC.
Publication date: January 11, 2022

A incredibly compelling novel, with a duel storyline that encompasses the years 1965 and 2010.
Wonderfully written, it holds the readers attention to the very end.
5 stars !
I gratefully received this ARC from St Martins Press via Netgalley for a honest review.

Thank you for my early review copy. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I believe this book will be a huge bestseller.

Early this year, I read my first book by Diane Chamberlain (Big Lies in a Small Town), and I absolutely loved it. So when NetGalley approved my request to read her new one in exchange for an honest review, I was thrilled. And I am happy to report that she has written another excellent novel.

One of the things I enjoyed in Big Lies was the use of the past/present format, and it is employed again here perfectly. The present tells the story of Kayla, a young mother who was recently widowed; her husband died in an accident in their dream home, which they designed together, while it was being built. She understandably feels a bit reluctant to move into it when it is finished, especially when a strange old woman seeks her out and warns her to stay away. But she forges ahead, though she is frightened of the deep, spooky North Carolina woods that surround the back of the house - and the strange and scary things that occur. There were several parts that were very creepy and I would not have wanted to live there.

The story in the past is that of Ellie, 45 years earlier. She grew up in the only house on the same street that Kayla's house would later be built on, and has joined a group of white students from the Northern states to help canvas and sign Black people up to vote. Of course, living in the South during those times, her family and friends were all against it, but she went ahead, and the experience changed her life forever. The chapters set in the past were vivid and I learned quite a bit about the Voting Rights Act (or rather, the months leading up to it).

Back in the present, Ellie has returned home for the first time in all those years to care for her dying brother and ailing mom. She and Kayla meet, and slowly things are revealed. I couldn't wait to see everything unfold and find out what exactly had happened in those woods in the past, and what secrets everyone was hiding - and who didn't want those secrets to be found out. There is so much more that happens, of course, but I won't spoil anything here. There were scenes that broke my heart, though, and were just unimaginable. I loved Kayla and Ellie and so many other characters, and I know this book will stick with me for a long time. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

This book wasn't what I expected, which isn't a criticism. It's two very different stories that eventually do intersect, but I felt it was jarring to flip back and forth between the more current time and the domestic drama and 1965 with its searing portrayal of racism and fighting for equality.

Having said that, the historical part of the story was richer and more interesting (though very upsetting at times). The stories eventually merged in a surprising yet inevitable way.

This is a well written and intriguing story. It peaked my interest from the very beginning. It takes place in two time frames during 1965 (dealing with civil rights and unrest in a small Southern town) and 2010,(more current day ) but it is easy to follow and keep up. Some intense moments that had me cringing, sad moments, but mostly eerie and mysterious moments that makes you want to keep reading to see how this story comes together.

OMG, i have READ MOST OF DIANE'S BOOKS ! Yes I’m yelling, but at myself and at my own foolishness! this one had me so intrigued, not only by the blurb, but also on other readers recommendations I am so glad I read this book, it is SENSATIONAL!

Another captivating book by Diane Chamberlain, Set both in the 1960's south during the Civil Rights era and 2010, the author weaves together the story of two women in the same town and their stories. Ellie, one of the woman, volunteers to help people register for voting during this tumultuous time. Kayla, a promising architect, who is recently widowed, moved into a house on the street where Ellie lived. When strange things begin to happen to Kayla's house and property, her history and that of Ellie's will begin to merge. Terrific read and will strongly recommend.

From the first chapter of this book I was hooked. I love all of Diane Chamberlain's books. She manages to grab the reader from page one and send us into a thriller of a story without even realizing it. Going back and forth between Ellie's story dealing with the social injustice of the 60's back to current times with Layla trying to figure out why she is being threatened was wonderful. I thought the ending kind of landed flat, but that doesn't change the fact that it was a great story. I felt like there could have been a physical chase/struggle between Ellie and her friend and the mom once Ellie realized they had killed Win. But Ellie got revenge without even realizing it, so I guess that works out perfectly. I will recommend this to my book club, to my friends to other readers. Job well done!.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
A beautifully written book about Civil Rights, Racial Inequality and a mystery. Alternating between 1965 and 2010, the main characters are real and likeable. Tackling a tumultuous time in our history and linking it to the new last house on the street decades later, this was a very interesting (if at times disturbing) read. Unraveling the mystery at the end is very satisfying.

I always look forward to reading a new Diane Chamberlain book. I know there will be a great story with characters that I will care about. This story is told from two points of view. The time is 2010. Kayla is a young widow whose husband fell to his death on an unfinished staircase in what was to be their family's first new house. Ellie is the other main character. The time is 1965 in North Carolina. She is drawn to a protest about the right for all to vote. Knowing the characters must be connected in some way kept me coming back eager to learn what happened in their lives. This book gets a five star rating from this reader.
I received an advanced reader's copy from St Martin's Press through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are completely my own.
#TheLastHouseontheStreet #NetGalley

The Last House on the Street is told in alternating time lines of 2010 and 1965.

In 2010 Kayla and her husband Jackson were building their dream house. He and Kayla are both architects and they had chosen this beautiful site in the woods for their modern home designed with enormous windows to make it feel as though you are really immersed in the forest but Jackson dies in an accident before the house is finished.

Kayla gets a visit from a strange woman claiming to have an appointmnet, but starts to warn her to abandon the house. She tells Kayla that the woods are haunted and that bad things will happen to them if they move in .Kayla is visibly threatened by this woman's threats and worries about her new house. Her father Reed reassures her that every thing will be just fine and she needs to move on with her daughter. Unsettling things start to happen soon after they move in the house.

In 1965 Ellie is a college student, attending school with her best childhood friend Brenda. Ellie, who has been influenced by her aunt to do things she cares about and to stand up for things she feels strongly about, learns of an organization called SCOPE, (Summer Community Organization and Political Education project). 500 volunteers from Northern and Western universities are being sent into 75 rural counties with the aim of educating Black citizens about their right to register and vote. President LBJ is about to sign the Voting Rights Act ensuring Black Americans the right to vote.

Against her parents wishes, Ellie forges her father's signature and signs up for the program. She quickly sees how wealthy her life is in comarison with the families she is staying with. She is dedicated to the team that she works with and soon becomes friends with Win, a Black student whom she is paired with to canvas the neighborhoods. She learns about the KKK and how connected they are with ties to local sheriffs and neighbors.

These two timelines are tied together by two main families that will come apart due to tensions and experiences they all shared. Some will be lucky enough when the truth is reavealed to heal old wounds.

This is a wonderfully written story with a strong message about the civil rights that are still being fought for today. I loved this story from start to finish.