This was my first time reading a book from the author but I am delighted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading more books from the writer in the future

The book was archived before our group could download it. We are sure that we would have enjoyed the book judging from the reviews it has received.

I love the mystery within this book. The story is told over dual timelines. The author writes such good books that draw you into the narrative. The characterisation is so good. A good book

In 1965, Ellie is a young white student who has signed up to go into predominantly black neighbourhoods to help encourage residents to register to vote. It's unusual for anyone to do this in their own state but Ellie was very determined to do her bit for change much to the disapproval of her family and boyfriend. In the present day, well 2010, Kayla is a young woman who has lost so much already after the tragic death of her husband in the house they designed together.

At first I wasn't sure of the connection between the two women but as their stories progress and things become clearer I found myself drawn into both narratives although I found myself drawn to the historical timeline, which is rare for me, moreso than the later timeline although that's not to say I wasn't intrigued about the strange and sinister goings on regarding Kayla's storyline. Ellie was such a strong character who despite witnessing things that many of us wouldn't even be able to comprehend was determined to stand up for the rights of others. Whereas Kayla has already faced the most unimaginable loss but what is supposed to be a new beginning for her and her young daughter, turns into something completely scary and unimaginable.

Kayla is married to Jackson and they have a four year old daughter Raine, they are both architects building their dream home together in the exclusive Shadow Ridge Estates in Round Hill Carolina. But sadly Jackson dies in an accident in their new home before it is completed. Kayla and Raine proceed with moving in, but this house will always hold tragic memories.

Before Kayla moves in a strange woman warns her off moving into the house but soon after strange things start occurring leaving Kayla wondering if someone is playing tricks on her.

Layla's elderly neighbour Ellie is more welcoming but it is clear she has her own secrets.

We go back to 1985 and explore Ellie's family and a programme called SCOPE. Ellie has a passion for community service and joins a volunteer group to sign up black voters in rural areas.

These two stories are connected ... intrigued?

This gripping story has it all, drama, romance, death and prejudice. This book deeply moved me and will stay with me long after finishing it.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

I cannot believe I have had this book sitting on my kindle for so long and have only just got round to reading it. Diane Chamberlain is one of my favourite author's but I had not read one of her books for quite a while. I had forgotten how well she can write and how the stories just hook you straight in. I loved the main female characters in this book - Ellie and Kayla. I adored the North Carolina setting and the beautiful sounding architecture and woodland. I also love a good dual timeline narrative. However, this book is not a warm and cosy historical fiction. It is a brave depiction of a young woman determined to do her best for the Civil Rights movement in America during the 1960s, despite enormous personal cost and danger. The historical chapters were brought with tension and unease, but also with love and warmth. I could not put this book down once I started and am so glad to have finally read it.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for NetGalley.

Thank you to the publisher for my early copy.

I really liked the 2 timelines and there were some great characters but I just didn’t really gel with this book. Definitely worth a read though.

I had pretty high expectations for The Last House on the Street after really enjoying two of Diane Chamberlain's previous books. I was looking for a haunting, fast-paced novel and while it lacked a little in haunting, it definitely ticked the box for a speedy read.

The story is told from two perspectives and timelines - Kayla in the present day and Ellie's young adulthood in the 1960s. Kayla has recently lost her husband to a tragic accident and is reluctantly moving into the new home they designed together with their young daughter. Ellie's family still live in the neighbourhood near the new estate. When Ellie returns after decades away, she brings with her long-buried secrets, that might just explain why someone will do anything to stop Kayla from moving into her home.

I thought the dual narratives worked well together and was particularly eager to hear Ellie's side of the story and her involvement in SCOPE (something I hadn't heard of before reading this book). American history is something I've only really expanded my knowledge of through books, and I learned a lot from Ellie's timeline. Many of the themes were incredibly harrowing but felt well-researched and reflective of the time and location.

Without giving away spoilers, the twist felt a little too obvious to me as I didn't think enough of the other characters had a motive to fit the frame. It fell a little flat at the end and was a tad dragged out. I didn't really feel any connection to Kayla as her parts were so short compared to Ellie's who I feel like we got to know a lot better. I also felt deceived by the cover and title as I went into this thinking it was a creepy thriller but it was more historical fiction/mystery. Which is fine, it just wasn't what I was expecting/in the mood for.

I did appreciate the author's note at the end which gave some context to the subject matter and why the author chose to include certain events. They definitely added to the story but I wish it was more centred around the SCOPE project rather than just as a flashback.

"The Last House on the Street" by Diane Chamberlain is a suspenseful mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story revolves around a group of neighbors in a small North Carolina town and the disappearance of a teenage girl. Chamberlain does a great job of building suspense and creating complex characters, but the plot is a bit predictable and some of the twists feel forced. While the book is an enjoyable and fast-paced read, it lacks the depth and complexity of other mysteries in the genre. Overall, it's a solid option for readers looking for a quick and entertaining read.

4.5
A small town in North Carolina, where most of the residents are small minded, this does not stop Ellie from volunteering for SCOPE, a group aiming to get as many Black people as possible in the south to sign up to vote. She does
So, despite her parents prohibiting this and everyone else around her warning her off. What will the consequences of her joining SCOPE be?
Fast forward to 2010, Kayla is moving in a new house with her daughter, after losing her husband to a tragic accident and it seems there are some people who don’t want her living there. Why?

The book has two different timelines and the beginning I could not see the connection, slow start but once it captivates you, you are fully invested. At times hard to read, especially the last part, but even if it is a fiction book, it does talk about a very important part of American history. Brilliant writing!

The Last House on the Street is a split timeline narrative which gives us protagonist 1, Kayla, in 2020 and protagonist 2, Ellie, in 1965.

Kayla and her husband are due to move into their dream home but tragedy strikes when her husband dies in an accident. Already unsure about making the move just her and her young daughter, Kayla then receives threats telling her to leave her beautiful new home. Who is the mysterious lady and why do they want her to leave the house so badly?

Meanwhile Ellie, a privileged white student volunteers for the Summer Community Organization and Political Education (SCOPE) project, trying to encourage black people to register to vote. Ellie’s family is deeply troubled by her actions, but Ellie feels as if she’s doing the right thing.

I’ve always enjoyed Diane Chamberlain’s novels, and this one was passable, but it didn’t impress me as much as some of her others.

Ellie’s storyline was much more interesting, which in turn dragged down Kayla’s. I can imagine some people skipping hers to find more out about SCOPE, which was clearly very well researched and fascinating to learn about. However, Kayla’s world was just boring.

Personally I enjoyed learning about SCOPE because I had very little knowledge about it. However, I found both main characters irritating and the plot fairly predictable. Ellie’s white saviour complex became unbearable because it wasn’t believable that she was so good and so innocent… slightly nauseating if I’m honest. Then we have Kayla who was dull and uninspiring and showed no growth or character arc.

A disappointing miss for me.

Whilst I was very much interested in the half of the story that was set in the 60s about racism and voting, the second part was a little disappointing. I felt that the modern day sections left me feeling a little flat and wasn’t particularly scary or exciting.

I very much liked Ellie and Win. I’ll remember their story.

Honestly I went into this book thinking it was a thriller???? And even though it was far from, I am so so glad I still read this book. Such a moving story and one I’ve recommended so much since finishing it!!!!! It broke my heart at times and genuinely left me speechless. This is definitely one to check out!!!!!

I can always rely on Diane Chamberlain, for a well written and researched, meaty novel.
Full of interest in the present day as well as in depth historical chapters.
Great characters, and plenty to keep your interest and want to find out more.

Although I have read a lot of Diane Chamberlain's books I didn't enjoy this quite so much. It's told in dual timelines which I love and it's an interesting story.

Another five star from this author! This book is told in two timelines - 1965 and 2010. In 1965 Eleanor “Ellie” Hockley, a college student, is adamant about volunteering with SCOPE and making a difference in the civil rights movement. She falls in love with Win and it gets back to her family. In 2010 Kayla Carter, a widower, moves into her home in Shadow Ridge Estates with her daugther, Rainie. Ellie and Kayla cross paths as Ellie has come home after 50 plus years to help her mom and her terminally ill brother. There’s mystery to be solved, the characters are well developed some you like and some you don’t. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for my gifted copy. This is my honest review.

An absolutely gripping read that I just could not put down. I cannot recommend this book enough. I have already bought my Mum a copy. An absolute must read!

Another heartbreaking masterpiece from Diane Chamberlain, reminding us all of a time in America when things were even more divided than they are today.
Her ability to split the timeline into now and then cleverly linking the stories and the characters. This was not an easy read but probably needs to be read and shared with many in the hope that it will continue to educate.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.
Recommend

My thanks to Headline Review for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Last House on the Street’ by Diane Chamberlain. This novel was published in January. My apologies for the late feedback.

This novel surprised me as I began reading without prior knowledge of its plot. I had expected the usual tropes found in domestic dramas/psychological thrillers but instead it proved a moving story spanning generations in North Carolina.

In 1965 Eleanor (Ellie) Hockley, a young white college student, makes the decision to take part in SCOPE (The Summer Community Organization and Political Education), a voter registration civil rights initiative. Ellie is the only volunteer from the South and her participation proves controversial. Then she and fellow activist, Win, fall in love. Yet because he is a Black man, their relationship must remain hidden from her family and friends, especially as the Klu Klux Klan are once more re-emerging.

In 2010, Kayla Carter is a recently widowed architect, who is about to move with her young daughter into the dream house that she and her late husband designed. Yet from the start disturbing things begin to happen that suggests someone is trying to frighten her into leaving. Who and why?

Then Kayla meets a neighbour outside the Hockley House (the last house of the title). It is Ellie who has recently returned from California after forty-five years to care for her elderly mother and ailing brother.

As the narrative moves between the time periods, explosive secrets are revealed. In the course of the novel Diane Chamberlain explores the turbulent history of the 1960s civil rights movement.

On a personal note while I was a little young to be aware of these issues in the early 60s, I recall driving with my parents through the South and cars were being stopped at a roadblock manned by the KKK where they were collecting‘contributions’. After we passed through my father explained to me and my brother who they were. Chilling at the time and in retrospect.

Overall, I found ‘The Last House on the Street’ an exceptional novel that was moving and thought provoking. Given that voting rights are again under threat and with the rise of nationalism in the USA, especially in the South, it was a powerful reminder of the fragility of democracy.

I would struggle to be able to review this book due to issues with the file/download. The issues stopped the flow of the book. The issues are:
- Missing words in the middle of sentences
- Stop/start sentences on different lines
- No clear definition of chapters.

Not sure if it was a file/download issue but there were lots of gaps and stops/starts which really ruined the flow. I would love the chance to read a better version as the description of the book appeals to me. I would be more than happy to re-read the book with a better file or as a physical book as the book topic and genre are of interest to me. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.