Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
The blurb sounded promising: a dual timeline novel focussing on a grandmother and the granddaughter who inherits her house, a mystery thrown in and romance with complications. I didn't think the novel lived up to its promise with the romantic complications drawn out so long before the reveal that I didn't really care what had happened and the family mystery also drawn out so long that by the time it was revealed it felt like a big let down, just a cover up for an unfathomable reason. Even the mother / daughter relationship which was difficult because of the mystery seemed to be about nothing because both became angry about not knowing the big secret. If the book had been shorter I might have enjoyed the story more.

A dual timeline novel, we follow different generations in the same family. Starting in 1952, we learn how Vivien meets her future husband, Max, and comes to live by the coast in Norfolk. At the beginning, she seems inexperienced and naive but this fits in perfectly with the life she leads in a country which is emerging from a World War. Fast forward to 2019 and Vivian's granddaughter, Isobel, has returned to her grandmother's house, having inherited it on Vivian's death. Together with her mother, Gina, who lives in New York, Isobel has found excuses not to return to visit her grandmother and now harbours regrets. The past hangs over the house, in its neglected, musty walls and broken windows. As Isobel sets about repairing the building, she uncovers secrets from her family history.

This is a story about second chances and starting again. With a gentle romance, Isobel has to decide what she wants to do with her future. In fact, she is not the only character with decisions to make. In coming back to Norfolk, she has met up again with Nick. Coming to terms with the past and moving on is part of his story too, The setting is important to both Vivien and Isobel, as the coast brings a healing calm and a feeling of being at home.

In short: a mystery from the past, secrets buries in family history

Sumptuous storytelling does not get any better than Rachel Burton’s entrancing new novel, The Last Party at Silverton Hall.

A chance meeting in the London smog in 1952 between Vivien and Max is only the beginning of a whirlwind romance that sees them settling down on the Norfolk coast where they lead a quiet and serene life with their beautiful daughter. Vivien and Max appear to be the perfect couple who have it all: a loving relationship, a gorgeous family and a life that most people envy. But just how blissfully happy are Vivien and Max? What secrets lurk behind closed doors? Is their marriage as perfect as it seems? Or could there be something very sinister binding them together?

In 2019, Isobel is desperate for a fresh start and she hopes that the cottage she inherited from her grandmother Vivien in Silverton Bay will be the new beginning she had been hoping for. Isobel’s grandmother swore that she never set foot in Silverton Hall, so why has she just discovered a photo of Vivien at one of the stately home’s legendary parties in the 1950s? How well did Isobel know her grandmother? Why did she lie to her granddaughter? And what other secrets did Vivien keep from Isobel?

As she begins to piece together the tangled puzzle of her grandmother’s history with the help of an old friend, Isobel wonders what she is ready for what she is about to uncover – or whether she should have let sleeping dogs lie…

Rachel Burton is such a talented writer who writes sweeping, immersive and enthralling page-turners that keep me gripped from beginning to end. The Last Party at Silverton Hall is a dazzling tale of family secrets, forbidden desires and devastating lies perfect for Kate Morton and Rachel Hore fans. The Last Party at Silverton Hall is a novel readers will struggle to put down and it is one that continues to affirm Rachel Burton’s standing as an immensely gifted storyteller.

An intriguing story across two timelines and two very different relationships with a very satisfying conclusion.

The story is told over a dual timeline. The characters are well developed. The writing is good. The story flows beautifully. I liked the ending

An easy read dual timeline story set in 1952 and the present day. The usual plot line of discovering a grandmother’s secrets after inheriting a romantic property in a romantic UK location! A pleasant holiday read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC e-copy.

The Last Party at Silverton Hall

by Rachel Burton

Isobel inherits a large five-bedroom mansion from her grandmother Vivien. She is guilt ridden over not visiting her grandmother as much as she could have. After all, Vivien had raised Isobel, keeping her in their beloved Silverton Bay and out of British boarding schools when Isobel’s parents moved to America.

This is a family riddled with secrets. Isabel’s mother Gina and Gina’s mother Vivien never seem to have gotten along, and Isabel is not sure why. She never knew her grandfather Max, but he is a powerful presence in The Last Party at Silverton Hall. Many people in the town were aware of the family’s secrets which amazingly they guarded for years.

This work of historical fiction is told in a dual timeline. In this way the backstory of the family is gradually introduced as Isobel discovers it for herself by talking with long-time residents and unearthing pertinent documents.

Isobel is helped in her search for the truth by an old flame Nick with whom she shared an unforgettable kiss eighteen years prior, Neither is currently married and neither has achieved their original career goals. Nick, a trained physician, has a knack for restoring and flipping houses, and he offers his skills to Isobel as her large house is badly in need of a variety of repairs and renovations.

As secrets come to light, Nick and Isobel confront the past and prepare themselves for a future that they hope will include both of them and Silverton Bay.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Historical Fiction, Romance, Women’s Fiction

Publication: March 2, 2023—Aria

Memorable Lines:

“Life never works out the way we think it will when we’re young. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be proud of what we achieve. Just because things turn out differently doesn’t mean they aren’t worthwhile.”

Secrets have a habit of being revealed, she knew that. But at the same time, when they were, they could blow a life into pieces.

Perhaps we all feel as though we have all the time in the world, and then, when that time inevitably runs out, it takes us by surprise.

Set in the fictional village of Silverton Bay on England’s Norfolk coast, this is a dual timeline story of Vivien Burke Chambers beginning in the 1950s and her granddaughter Isobel Malone in 2019. This is a book about family relationships, learning to love yourself. and about how family history is sometimes surprising and always interesting. A satisfying read.

Isobel is grieving her grandmother and decides to start her life over in the inherited home left to her. When she finds a mysterious photo she can’t help but try to unravel the secrets that lie buried beneath time.

Rachel Burton does a fantastic job of drawing the reader into this dual timeline/dual point of view story. Full of compelling characters, family secrets, and romance, this story is one that satisfies and will keep you both engaged and intrigued.

This book follows dual timelines. Isobel in 2019 as she mourns her grandmother Vivien and renovates the house she has inherited from her. It also follows Vivien in 1952 as she meets a new man and moves to the house on the sea side.

I loved how the two timelines were entwined, and I was very intrigued as the story progressed. Vivien was captivating, and Isobel was relatable. I felt deeply for both of them as secrets were unraveled and relationships changed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed, and Rachel Burton does an amazing job crafting this story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really enjoy a dual timeline book that is done well and I think this is done well.

There appears to be secrets in both timelines that have stayed secret from the beginning. Will they stay secret, that's for me to know and you to find out and I recommend you do.

It's a really lovely story but also heartbreaking in parts. The keep such a secrets must be so difficult. For the secret to come out it may affect more people now because it's been so long.

Isobel is a lovely character and wow to have inherited a house. The house which is so well portrayed you know it's grand and beautiful. I have a feeling that the house dressed for Christmas would be absolutely stunning, like in the hallmark Christmas films I love so much.

I absolutely love that Isobel sees her old friend after so long, it feels serendipitous that her grandmother leaves her her home and her old friend happens to be there too.

The story where the past is connected to the present and the great history is a background of the family drama and affair.

Rachel Burton is a writer I know of. Her books are focused on the people. Their feeling, emotions, story they want to tell. Also, she always finds a places that are important, have a spirit and create a wonderful book based on it.

This time... This one is definitely her best book EVER.

I love it. I adore this place, the dificult story that has been told, the darker side of the family that has to faced the brutal reality. And, at the same time, we have present. Full of hope, new beginnings, relations to be born and feeling to be part of the bigger picture.

Beautifully written, sharing a magnificent and heart-warming story to discover.

I struggled with this one as it bounces back and forth from past to present. DNF 20% read - it is too confusing to switch back and forth and it is always at a cliffhanger

The Last Party at Silverton Hall by Rachel Burton

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Aria and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

A gripping and heartbreaking tale of family, duty and the secrets we keep from those we love most. Perfect for fans of Rachel Hore, Lorna Cook and Kathryn Hughes.

Two women. Two centuries. A life-changing night...

1952: Vivien and Max collide in the thick London smog. Within a few years, their whirlwind romance sees them living a quiet life on the Norfolk coast, blissfully happy with their beautiful daughter – at least, that's how it appears...

2019: Isobel is hoping for a fresh start when she inherits her beloved grandmother Vivien's house in Silverton Bay. But when she discovers an old photograph of Vivien at one of the infamous parties held at Silverton Hall in the 1950s, Isobel is forced to question how well she really knew her grandmother. Silverton Hall is a place Vivien swore she never went and never would – but why would she lie? And what other secrets was she keeping?

Together with an old friend, Isobel searches for answers. But is she prepared for the truth?

My Opinion

Told in two different timelines, this really was a lovely read. Isobel moves into Little Clarion following the death of her grandmother and begins to learn the truth that her family have kept hidden from her. A heart-warming story with second chances and secrets to be revealed.

Rating 4/5

An intriguing book that links three generations of one family to a small seaside village in Norfolk. Spanning many decades we have a story that interweaves untold secrets from the past with modern life and the stresses that brings. At the heart of the story we have Silverton Hall that links everyone together. This is a story of finding your right place and putting to bed problems from your past. Nick and Isobel return to their childhood homes to recharge their lives and work out where they are going next. There meeting again transforms their future and also their own families. Secrets are worked out and there we have a lovely story.

Very enjoyable & captivating dual time line story. I really liked how the author was able to bring the vibe alive for both eras. Thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

I love a good story that takes place in 2 generations of the same family to see how decisions made by the earlier generation affect the lives of the future generations. This book is just that. The older generation, Max and Vivien, made some decisions that affect their daughter Gina's life and the life of their granddaughter Isobel. And none of the connection would have been discovered if Isobel hadn't inherited her grandmother's house. I would love to have had the chance to go through my grandparents' attics to discover stories about previous generations.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

An enjoyable tale set in two different periods, the stories of Isobel and her grandmother.

This story of family secrets unfolds through two timelines: In 2019 with Isobel, and in 1952 with Vivien (her grandmother) and Max. When Isobel inherits her grandmother's house, she realizes that she didn't know the truth about her grandmother's life at all. Why did her grandmother keeps all these secrets? And is Isobel really ready to learn the truth?

Thank you Netgalley and Aria & Aries, Aria for the ARC!

I am a sucker for a good historical fiction book with a dual timeline, so The Last Party at Silverton Hall had me very excited, however, it fell a little flat. I liked the characters and the concept of the plot, but it lacked the scandal and drama I was desperately hoping for. What should have been a roller coaster was very one-note as each secret was revealed without much payoff. That said, it was a very easy read with compelling characters, and I almost read it in one sitting. If you’re looking for a simple, mild historical fiction you would enjoy this, but if you’re looking for a deep and engrossing escape, this one is skippable.