What a fun read. Definitely one you don't want to put down. Lots going on. Unique story line, which I really enjoyed. I couldn't recommend enough.

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve had this one for a while, so when the chance to join the tour and promote it came about I got involved. I’m just sorry I didn’t read it before now. This is a dual timeline story of sisters who fall out, of love and loss, with a spooky element thrown in.

Kate gets a call at work to say her niece and nephew have no one to look after them with their mum in hospital and can she help out. She drops everything and goes to see what’s going on. What she finds is not what she was expecting at all, her sister in hospital very ill and her children looking after themselves. She stays to help and soon gets intrigued by the old house in the grounds and the “ghost” stories surrounding it.

There’s so much going on after this, secrets are revealed in both timelines and help shape the future to come. I really loved how this story unfolded, trying to work out who Kate could trust and who she couldn’t (got that wrong!) and what lay behind both pairs of sisters split. Really well written and a gripping read, one not to miss.

The House of Light and Shadows by Lauren Westwood is a stunning fusion of romance, paranormal mystery, and historical fiction. This book tells tales of love, forgiveness, and otherworldly themes by alternating between the past and present in the setting of an old, enigmatic house. Good reading is produced by Lauren Westwood's vivid storytelling abilities and well-developed characters.

The plot revolves around two pairs of sisters: Adaline and Camile from the past, and Kate and Emma from the present. As the story switches between their accounts, it becomes clear how Rookswood House's mysteries affect both of their timelines. After an accident, Kate finds out about the house's eerie past and the unsolved problems between her sister Emma and her children. Injecting paranormal elements give the story a spooky, exciting distinctive dimension that will have readers on the tip of their seats.

The book examines a number of important topics, such as: The mansion harbors numerous secrets that have affected generations; in order to find peace, the protagonists must confront these hidden realities. As sisters deal with the past and present aspects of their separations, forgiveness and healing shattered relationships emerge as a recurrent topic. The growth of entwined relationships and the trauma brought on by family member loss lend credence to this story. As the plot is driven by mysterious incidents and ghostly experiences, paranormal mystery aspects heighten the tension and interest.

One can't help but grow close to Westwood's characters since they are so masterfully written. The difficulties andAdaline, Camile, Kate, and Emma all have very deep and delicate growth. Themes of reconciliation and the enduring power of familial ties, in particular, mirror the sisterly entanglements between the two sets of sisters.

As a writer, Westwood skillfully crafts a mood and draws her audience into the creepy environment of the old house. The reader is transported to the novel by the rich descriptions of the characters and surroundings provided by the fictitious descriptive prose. The novel's rhythm is so well-balanced with tense and reflective times that keep the reader interested.

The House of Lights and Shadows is part mystery, part haunted house and part family drama. It is all good reading.

Kate Goodman is about to interview for partner in her law firm, a single workaholic, she is less than thrilled to receive a call that her estranged sister Emma is in the hospital and her teenage niece and nephew, Izzy and Max have been fending for themselves. Kate goes to her sister’s house to take care of her niece and nephew and to find out how her sister’s seemingly charming life has gone so wrong. Kate has not seen or spoken to her sister in 15 years and she would be glad to keep it that way. Her sister lives in the gatehouse on the grounds of a dilapidated manor house called Rookswood House. Emma and her husband Philip bought the house to restore it into a boutique hotel, but Philip ran off with his secretary leaving Emma holding the bag. Rookswood House is eerie with many strange happenings and accidents. Kate soon begins to believe that the house is being haunted by a prior owner Ada Havelock, Ada was a renowned Victorian and Edwardian photographer. She photographed the macabre and the supposed supernatural. Ada is haunting Rookswood House and sees Kate as the person who could possibly help her find out what happened to her sister Camille. Camille disappeared after a shocking incident that happend at Rookswood House. Throw in a possiible love interest or two, possible vagrants and vandals causing mischief, and a ghost seeking closure and you have an intriguing story that keeps you guessing until the end.

This is the 3rd book I have read of Lauren Westwood’s and is definitely my favorite.

Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to read and review this book.

Kate Goodman is about to go into an interview where she is hoping to be made a partner in her London law firm when she receives an urgent phone call asking her to come to East Sussex to look after her sister's children, Isobel and Max. Given that Kate has been estranged from her sister for 15 years, she is most surprised to find out that she has been named as their emergency contact.

Kate drops everything, heads to their fancy school and finds out that the teenagers have basically been fending for themselves for a couple of months since her sister fell and injured herself in the old house that she owns, Rookswood House. Now her sister, Emma, is in long term care due to her mental health and addiction issues. Kate has no idea what has happened, or where Emma's husband is, but she does agree to stay and care for them.

Rookswood House itself is somewhat derelict, so Emma and her family live in the nearby gatehouse. Originally the house was home to Ada and Camille, known locally as the Weird Sisters. Ada, in particular, was well known for being a pioneering photographer, indulging in what we would see today as truly macabre photography. For example, early in the book there is a photo taken which is then developed in such a way so that the family is all neatly lined up as normal except the father is holding his head under his arm.

Despite the dangers in the derelict house, Emma finds herself drawn to the house over and over and, despite being a very practical person, soon believes that there is someone or something in the house that is trying to give her a message.

Kate tries to figure out how to care for two teenagers, both of whom are hiding things from her, the regular calls from the schoolmaster, the builder who says Emma has engaged him to help with Rookswood, although the scope of what that really means is unclear, and tries to work out exactly what happened with her sister. There is a lot going on!

This is a dual timeline novel, although to be fair, the majority of the book is in the modern storyline, It is not a 50/50 split. Every few chapters there is an interspersed chapter during which we learn Ada's story, and what it is that she needs Kate to do in order for her to be free and maybe save Rookswood at the same time. There are so many ways in which Ada and Kate and Emma and Camille's stories echo each other. Can Kate and Emma avoid the same ending to their own relationship?

I love a book where the house is a character. Rookswood has so many secrets and casts such an imposing presence on the pages. I particularly enjoyed all the information about the history of Victorian photography, strange as it might have been.

The only other book I have read by Lauren Westwood was the The Little Paris Toyshop which I absolutely adored (my review). This book has a very different feel to that one, so which is the more trademark Lauren Westwood book. I guess I am just going to have to read more from her to find out!

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews, British Isles Friday hosted at Joy's Book Blog and the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge which I host here. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

Rating 4/5

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lauren Westwood for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The House of Light and Shadows coming out February 18, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I love old, dark house stories. I also really love Victorian mysteries. I thought the mystery surrounding the house was interesting. I liked the story, but I wouldn’t say it was my favorite. I would read other books by this author.

I did not realise that this was a paranormal mystery, which is a genre that I do not like. I did however find this story intriguing and it kept me entertained. It has an historical element and a contemporary story. Rockswood House is a character in itself and the central figure. The parallels between the modern day sisters and the two sisters from bygone days are interesting. There’s themes of understanding, love and forgiveness. At times it becomes complicated. There are those who seek to mis-lead and manipulate by clever design. In the end family matters…and honesty!

When Kate goes to look after her estranged sister’s children in their creepy old house, she takes a photo of what seems to be a ghost. Frightened yet intrigued, Kate undertakes to uncover the secrets of the house and the two mysterious sisters who lived there over a hundred years before.

But like the illusions of light and shadow in the sisters’ strange and disturbing Victorian post-mortem photography, Kate discovers that all is not what it seems. Someone – or something – has their own plans for Rookswood House – and for Kate.

With a potential developer circling around, her teenage niece in danger from an unseen force, and new love on the horizon, Kate must unravel the secrets and lies of her own and Rookswood’s past before she loses everything she holds dear.

This story involves two sets of sisters, one set on the present day and one in the past. For various reasons they have both become estranged. Kate and Emma haven’t spoken for 15 years. Whilst Ada is desperate to find her sister so she can pass into the ‘other world’. There are also two teenagers in the story who create their own set of problems. At the centre of the story is an old house, a lovely house in its day but in need of restoration now. At times, there is quite a tense atmosphere created and some danger. There is also a touch of romance. I did enjoy this book, especially the backstory of Ada and her family. She lived in a time of great inventions, including photography, which she developed a passion for and plays a significant part in her story. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A ghost story would not usually be my first choice, but something about The House of Light and Shadows, by Lauren Westwood drew me in, much as the main character, Kate, is drawn to the mysterious Rookswood House.

This book is a real ‘page turner’ that will keep readers guessing to the end. I particularly liked the parallels between the present day sisters and the historical sisters of the past.

The well-developed characters, and some intriguing research into the history of early photography make this a compelling story. I will definitely be adding Lauren Westwood’s other books to my reading list.

Tony Riches

Kate goes to look after her estranged sisters' children. they live in a creepy old house. she decides to investigate the two sisters who lived there 100 years ago.

On the verge of becoming an Equity law firm partner, Kate's pivotal interview is interrupted by an urgent family matter. She goes to look after her estranged sister's teenage children, but she is conflicted, having had no contact with them or their mother for many years. The setting for this mystery is rooted in familial relationships, historical mysteries, and the paranormal. Rookswood House is crumbling, dangerous, and possibly haunted, and whilst the family resides at the gatehouse, the house calls to Kate, who becomes entangled in its web of pain and secrets. It is a haunting and poignant story with compelling characters and a menacing atmosphere. It soon becomes clear that nothing is what it appears to be, and everyone has secrets and ulterior motives. The dark, disturbing elements of Victorian England and beyond are explored, as is the fragility of family connections. The storytelling is believable and emotional, the romance is gentle, and the family drama resonates. The ending is lovely and perfect for such an enthralling tale.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This book had everything I love in a gothic mystery: an eerie old house, family secrets, and a haunting past that refuses to stay buried. From the first page, The House of Light and Shadows pulled me in with its beautifully atmospheric writing and gripping dual timelines.

When Kate arrives at Rookswood House to care for her estranged sister’s children, she’s reluctant to face old wounds. But the house has secrets of its own, ones that manifest in unsettling ways. After capturing what appears to be a ghostly presence in a photograph, Kate becomes entangled in the story of two sisters who lived there a century before.

The novel weaves together dual timelines, highlighting the striking parallels between the sisters of the past and those of the present. The themes of love, loss, and reconciliation give the story real emotional depth, while the gothic elements (Victorian post-mortem photography, whispers of ghosts, and the house’s dark history) add an irresistible air of mystery and suspense. And what I loved most was how everything tied together in the end in such a satisfying, heartwarming way.

This was one of the most immersive gothic mysteries I’ve read in a long time. Definitely a must-read for fans of spooky tales. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great paranormal mystery thriller which revolves around 2 sets of sisters who have fell out, one set in the present and one set in the past. there are many similarities between the two sets of sisters, however the sisters from the present are choosing to learn from the sisters of the past.
It's a great story with a unique take on the paranormal, there are feel good moments between the sisters but there is also alot of twists and turns.
It shouldn't work without going down the typical paranormal route, but it dies with this author its great.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The House of Light and Shadows follows two sisters who have lost their way over the years but when Emma, one of the sisters, ends up in the hospital, Kate drops everything to go help with Emma's two children. Upon arrival Kate finds their life to be much different than she had imagined and finds herself sleeping a short drive away from an eerie old mansion her sister now owns. Upon learning about some of the mansions previous owners the mystery begins when she can feel something or someone lurking in the shadows. Trying to cope with two teenagers, a lingering relationship with her sister and new mysteries about the mansion popping up at every corner, Kate must piece everything together before everything does her in.

I really enjoyed this historical mystery and loved learning about both timelines in this novel! Without giving too much away I loved how the past shaped the future of the house and how everything revolving around the house at the end made perfect sense. If you love a mystery with multiple suspicious characters and just a hint of the supernatural, this book is definitely for you!

The House of Light and Shadows by Lauren Westwood is a gothic thriller that promised more than it delivered. Told mostly through the viewpoint of Kate Goodman with introductory chapters, by the ghost haunting Rookswood, I found the book to be simple and readable. What brought the rating down for me was the lack of coherent characterization. Kate's character arc seemed to swing back and forth based on what Westwood wanted to do in trying to establish parallels between the two sisters in each timeline. The big reveal of the fallout cause for Kate and her sister Emma was easy to see coming, but Kate's reaction during the current timeline didn't make sense. Westwood having Kate act like the blame was all hers was just a weird choice and it threw me completely out of the story.

My other issue was that this was a ghost story. It lacked atmosphere and I found it hard to get engaged in the spooky scenes. There was no air of menace or fear and it was like ho hum, there's a ghost. The side characters felt like cardboard cutouts and even Kate's romances lacked heat.

Overall, I was just not impressed with The House of Light and Shadows.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the arc for review purposes.

Emma and Kate are sisters, who have been estranged for the past 15 years. However, when Kate learns that Emma is in hospital and her two children are alone, and likely to come to the attention of Social Services, she rushes off to the small cottage in the grounds of Rookswood House where they live. Izzy and Max are initially quite hostile to their absent aunt, and are very good at quarrels and mischief ,more than Kate anticipates, but family comes first, she thinks through gritted teeth.
Rookswood House was the Victorian residence of the Havelock family. Ada and Camile were sisters, who also suffered a falling out. Their father was a photographer, who experimented with new scientific ways to produce unusual photographs, using themes of the occult, and, later on, photos, strictly of the “ under the counter” variety.
Rookswood House has character, but not one that Estate Agents would happily admit to, it is a house full of ghosts, sadness and deep longings. The house is now under threat from modern developers, but Ada, has her story to tell and she is on a quest to find out what happened to Camile. Ada impacts upon the present day in many unusual and helpful ways, her escapades help to lift the level of unease and tension for all those close to the many secrets hidden within the house.
I loved the strong willed characters of Ada and Kate, they combine their energy to bring about a well deserved happy conclusion.
This novel uses both historical facts and fiction, there is a great deal of smoke and mirrors before this mystery adds up to make a wonderful , slightly scary read.
I rated this a five star read. My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers, Boldwood Books for my ARC, freely given in exchange for my honest review. I will leave copies to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.

Kate Goodman is on her way to the most important meeting of her life, a partnership interview, when she receives an unexpected phone call which turns her life upside down. Her estranged sister, Emma, is in hospital and Kate is named as next of kin for Emma’s children – Izzy and Max.

Emma and her children live in a cottage in the grounds of a beautiful but decaying house, reputedly haunted, which Emma owns. The last owner of the house was Adaline Haverlock, a noted Victorian photographer, who sadly became estranged from her sister Camile. Ada’s spirit can’t rest until she finds out what happened to Camile and she senses in Kate a person who could help her.

Told from two points of view (Kate and Ada) this is an engaging story about two pairs of sisters trying to overcome what drove them apart. Thoroughly enjoyable and I’d certainly look for other books by this author.

A great story of a woman who restarts life and decided to restore an old house, which is full of secrets. The mystery is great. I loved it!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this eCopy to review

The House of Light and Shadows follows Kate, who finds herself in a rather unsettling situation. After her estranged sister is injured, Kate steps in to care for her niece and nephew at their eerie old house, Rookswood House. From the moment she arrives, the atmosphere is thick with mystery and suspense. One of the most gripping moments is when Kate captures what appears to be a ghost in a photograph. This incident sets off a chain of events that leads her to uncover the dark secrets of the house and the two enigmatic sisters who lived there over a century ago.

What I loved most about this book is how it seamlessly blends historical mystery with elements of the supernatural. The Victorian photography adds a chilling layer to the narrative, making the reader question what is real and what is an illusion. As Kate delves deeper into the house's past, she faces numerous challenges, including a potential developer eyeing the property, her niece being threatened by an unseen force, and the possibility of new love on the horizon.

Westwood's writing is atmospheric and captivating, drawing me into the world of Rookswood House. The characters are well-developed, and the plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat. If you enjoy historical mysteries with a touch of romance and the supernatural, this book is a must-read