This is one of the very best novels I have read in recent years. It is a magnificent family saga, full of mystery and surprises, romance and tears, and an intricate storyline spanning more than a century.
I was hooked from the opening scenes in 1937 at Gawthorpe Hall (a building I know extremely well), and then the action shifts backwards and forwards between different eras (all drawn with an evocative care for historical detail), different locations, and many different characters.
In many ways it's a tearjerker, an emotional roller-coaster, but it is also poignant and humorous, written with sensitivity, integrity and passion. The ghosts of real people clearly linger behind this sumptuously engaging narrative. I hope the lovers are reunited now.

Under the Stairs by Alan J Hill is a poignant journey through time, skillfully weaving the lives of a family grappling with love, identity, and the eternal quest for self-discovery. Initially, the narrative unfolds at a measured pace, allowing the characters to gradually reveal their complexities. Hill's masterful storytelling unfolds mysteries that persist until the very end, creating an enthralling experience that spans decades.

The multiple timelines and diverse perspectives, which could have been potential drawbacks, instead enhance the narrative, seamlessly interconnecting the characters' lives. Each era is vividly brought to life through detailed settings, social norms, and distinct character voices, showcasing Hill's meticulous research and storytelling prowess. The love story between Elsie and James becomes the emotional anchor, evoking a genuine connection with the reader.

While the inclusion of Susan and the fantasy element may be considered superfluous, the intricate subplots contribute to the overall richness of the plot. The moment of revelation hits with a powerful emotional resonance, leaving a lasting impact. Personally, I found myself wishing the book were longer, a testament to the captivating narrative that Hill has crafted. Under the Stairs is not merely a novel; it's a captivating exploration of familial bonds, love, and the perennial question of identity.

If you love you mysteries you will love this book. The book goes through multiple timeliness and a family and there set of characters. The author weaves the story through the various timelines in the quest find out the real truth. The author gives you hints and keeps you guessing. You become immersed in the story and want to know more about the characters and what's under the stairs.
So get ready for this read.

I liked this author's style of writing. It was sophisticated historical fiction, and it had a kind of suspense that meant I felt compelled to keep turning the pages. There were several storylines and narratives, and I think my only complaint would be that at times, I struggled to keep track of the time shifting, and found myself connecting with some characters more than others. That said, I enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Breathtakingly beautiful.
This book was a nice surprise to me, it had some parts that I consider bookish red flags, namely the multiple timelines and different POVs, however, it all worked together so well that I actually ended up loving these parts.
The intricate details of every time period were so clear and distinctive, they showed through description of the settings and social norms, and through the characters as well, the way they talked and their thoughts about life struggles totally reflected the time period they were part of.
Another aspect I admired greatly was, how each timeline had a different slang, to be honest the language itself differed greatly depending on the setting and the character.
The plot was simply fantastic, it was so rich and the sub plots were so entertaining. The love story arc was my favorite, Elsie and James's chemistry was undeniable and their struggle tugged at my heart strings.
Susan was a character I think should have been unwritten, she didn't add to the book, and the fantasy element wasn't necessary.
The moment when everything clicked I almost cried, I was that invested!
To me, I think the book needed to be longer, I wasn't ready to part with the story yet.
One of my favorite reads this year.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher*

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review ♥️

Under the Stairs is a sweeping family saga that explores themes of love, identity, secrets, and self-discovery across multiple generations. The story moves from a young girl's first love in 1936 to a young man's struggles with his identity in 1959, and finally to a young boy's discovery of hidden truths in the 1970s.

At first, I wasn't hooked on this book. But the more I read, the more I became fascinated by the family's tangled web of secrets and relationships. The author expertly drops clues and hints, keeping me curious and eager for answers. I love how the story moves between drama, history, and personal thoughts, with a journal adding a cool perspective. As the decades-spanning story unfolds, I found myself totally absorbed and unwilling to put it down. Now I'm hooked!"

Navigating the initial complexities of this book posed a challenge, with its shifting time frames and distinct language variations. However, once acclimated, the story and mystery seized control, drawing me in completely. The gradual unraveling of events, ultimately converging at the end, formed a deep connection with the characters. The satisfying closure sought by each character resonated well with me.

This book was a little tough for me in the beginning. Not only are we jumping through different time frames only to end up going back to multiple times, the difference in language during each time period took my mind some time to adjust. Once I became use to that, omg the story and mystery completely took over. The way everything unraveled slowly but eventually came together at the end really made me connect with the characters. I love how everyone who was seeking some sense of closure eventually received it. If you love history, you will definitely love this book.

✰ 2.25 stars ✰

“Under the stairs, that’s where it was.”

And perhaps the mystery would have forever remained Under the Stairs, if not for one young boy's pursuit of curious wonders that led him to uncover it. A secret that lay root before the events of World War II had even begun that transports itself through generations of families and intertwining them amidst an unexpected reveal that sadly doesn't quite get answered till nearly more than seventy years. A premise so alluring that one can't help but wonder what made my own curiosity not get sufficiently satisfied. Well, apparently - a lot. 😮‍💨😮‍💨

“There’s nothing wrong with a solitary pursuit if it keeps you interested and you believe it’s worthwhile.”

A story about identity and retracing your roots - a romance of heartbreak and difficult decisions, a history of lost chances and forgotten memories - a family bound together by mistakes and chance -these are the prevalent themes that were captured in Alan J. Hill's latest novel. Over the course of many years, we meet various members of the Holmes family and how each of them are led to do the hidden revelation of a past not ever revealed, a family member missing from the family tree. It is that relentless pursuit that binds the events of each that leads each of them to uncover bits of the past and where they can find the root of a connection to bind them all together as one. It is solely that prevailing mystery of whether or not they will find the answers that they are searching for is what compelled me to continue, because ufff - I had some serious complaints! 😠😠

The blurb reads 'an aching saga told across time' - stop, right there! No, I can not acknowledge it as a saga when the writing format screams otherwise. It is a story that spans nearly seventy years - and the author did not make it easy for readers by allowing us to go through each time period in one go. I had to start off in 1936, then visit 1959, jump to 1978, followed by the early 2000s and late 2010's and then go back - without any structure! 😩 The confusing time jumps that kept happening back and forth, throwing in unnecessary shifts in style, narration, documentation ranging from first pov to third pov, add in a couple of journal entries here and there, and hey, how about an essay, too? 😭😭😭😭😭😭 I couldn't handle it!

Also, at times, the writing felt really off - like, almost on a personal level, that wasn't appealing. Phrases such as '... sheep and shepherd comes to mind. That’s not fair. Sorry, journal. I’m a baaaaad girl. That’s a joke by the way,' I can turn an eye away from, but when 'NOOOOOO is used in the actual narration, without it even belonging to a train of thought - I'm going to be annoyed. 💢💢 It didn't help matters either that there wasn't even a family tree provided until much later that would help me keep track of each and every character. I seriously considered taking notes so I would remember who was who, but I don't want to be taking notes when I'm reading - I want to read! 🙎🏻‍♀️😭🙎🏻‍♀️😭🙎🏻‍♀️😭

“It’s amazing how resilient our minds can be when assimilating half-truths to suit a particular narrative.”

But, despite my major grievances with the writing, which sadly always takes precedence front and center, there were some parts that I did appreciate. I enjoyed how it all began - heart-breaking and honest and believable. ' Life was an adventure but had real grown-up dangers...' and for each of the respective characters it was palpable. A few characters' narratives I did enjoy, some - not so much. But, each was unique - I'll definitely award points for that. 👍🏻 Perhaps it had more to do with how they were written rather than their own personalities, but 1936 was definitely the strongest part for me; even if it was the 1970's that mattered most. The stairs, themselves, also played a key role in the narrative - spookily and intriguingly - in more ways than one.

I loved the connect the dot moment for me - when I, as the reader, pieced together what the identity of the person was - and reading his story and how he ended up the way he was. If I were to best describe it, it would be like two ships passing each other at sea - never touching, but still keeping each other company. 🥺 That was an emotion that sparked within me when it was revealed, and I did think it was captured quite well. I was not bored - shocker, I know - more like I was perplexed how this story could have been so much more enjoyable, if only the writing style was more favorable to my senses.

If only, it could have been told in a much more stable fashion, rather than transporting us through time whenever the author felt like it; it would have provided some cohesiveness to the story and a semblance of my head not spinning as I had to continuously keep track of what time period, the author wished to address this time. 🥴🥴 I considered many a moment to bow out, but I wanted to see if all would be revealed and how - and in the quietest and gentlest of ways, much like how life had been for some, the truth was brought to light. And, just seeing the past and the present get the closure that they were seeking made it somewhat worth me ploughing my way through my exasperated feelings. 😞

Under the Stairs is a slow start with a satisfying ending. I almost put it down and moved on multiple times in the first quarter of the book, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Mystery lovers who don't mind going back and forth timeframes will enjoy Under the Stairs.

I started this book and I admit, it started a little slow. It took me about a quarter of the book to develop a strong interest in the characters. The author does a masterful job of slowly unraveling this family’s complicated connections. Mystery throughout, some of which don’t get resolved until the very end. There is plenty of drama, a lot of exposition, a lot of history, and a dab of dialogue. A lot of this story takes place in the view of thoughts and feelings of each person. The journal was a nice touch to create a bit of variety. Spanning over multiple decades, this book gets hard to put down!