The Treasures is a great choice if you’re looking for family saga fiction. This first instalment in a multi-generational trilogy spanned the period from the 1940s through to the 1960s. Beginning in Spring 2024, we learn that a family home – Sevenstones – is being sold and from there we are transported back in time to meet Alice and then Tom.

I was initially sceptical about the premise of this novel. A collection of ornaments - which appear to be valuable for sentimental reasons only - are discovered at Sevenstones and the idea that they could be the key to unlocking a mystery about a family seemed rather far-fetched. However, as I continued reading, the execution of the novel caused me to re-evaluate my preconceptions and I read the story with increasing interest and enjoyment. When the narrative switched from Alice to Tom, I felt that I had to orientate myself in a new story, though ultimately I found myself enjoying both storylines equally and, as can be expected in this style of novel, the characters do meet. The narrative stayed interesting because of the changes that occur in the protagonists’ lives and because of unexpected plot twists. I didn’t feel that the blurb conveyed the richness of the setting and it also gave me the impression that the family’s story was predominantly inward-looking. However, the political and cultural context woven into the story, such as the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement, worked well in terms of grounding the novel in the time period.

I’m looking forward to continuing with the series and learning about the next generation. Thank you to Penguin, Viking and NetGalley for sharing this eARC with me in exchange for an honest review.

The Treasures by Harriet Evans

An English house, Sevenstones, is up for sale after being owned by the same family for many years. The first instalment of the trilogy is the story of Alice, a teenager living just outside New York in a house tied to a wealthy employer with a dark side, and Tom who was raised by his father in Scotland and then an aunt and uncle in London. The book covers their lives in suburban New York and post-war London, then the 1960s in New York where their lives become inextricably linked.

I absolutely loved this book and can't wait for the next instalment! The author is fantastic at depicting characters, locations and the era that the book is set in. I didn't want it to end and can't wait for the next one. Very VERY highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

I’ve tried three times to read this book and can’t get beyond 25%. I’m sure there’s an audience for it but it isn’t me.

This book, by one of my favourite authors, combines some of my favourite thing;, a story across timelines, some doomed romance, and characters you can really invest in. I really enjoyed the first part of this planned trilogy, working out how the stories of Alice, in her orchard in the US, and Tom, in London, would link up. Alice is living with her mother and her father, in a home tied to a job with an author and wealthy landowner. Meanwhile, Tom is plucked from his home with his dad in Scotland and taken to live in London with some previously unknown relatives. We see both children grow up, and their paths collide in a story of hidden secrets.
The book ends in a proper cliffhanger, so here’s hoping it’s not long until book 2!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

An inter generational novel that spans time and continents. There are a lot of characters to take on board and there are a lot of serious issues to deal with within the content. A substantial read setting the tale of Alice and Tom to follow on

The start of a new trilogy from Harriet Evans, this book is told in four parts. Following two characters it has a lot of background story in it - probably a build up to the next books. However it is written really well, and like her usual novels it is a big read. Definitely worth picking up

Beautiful and lyrical. The Treasures is a story to wrap its arms around you and pull you into its pages.
The two stories weave and flow and then find their way together. I loved reading Alice and Tom’s stories - destined to meet, their lives drawn together with an inevitable pull. The different links of the treasures the loss the Hope of belonging
The descriptions of Sevenstones and St Marks Place were written about so vividly and clear and I loved how we got to know so many characters within the two settings.
A wonderful first instalment for the Sevenstones trilogy and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

I was happy to put my hand up for this Netgalley offering as I’ve enjoyed several Harriet Evans’ novels before. She often centres her novels around an atmospheric house (Keepsake in The Butterfly Summer; Vanes in The Beloved Girls; Fane Hall in The Stargazers), which I’ve always found appealing. A bit like Manderley in Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca.

Early on in The Treasures we hear mention of a house called Sevenstones. I imagined a grand old English manor, full of secrets and mystery. In actual fact Sevenstones has more of a cottage feel, a country bold-hole where various members of the cast of characters arrive when they need a break. For some, including Tom Raven’s parents, it was a chance to take a break from the war – World War II that is – and where relationships were forged.

But we first meet Tom as a young boy, living in a two-room cottage with his much loved Dad in Scotland. At the age of nine, he is uprooted by his Aunt Jenny, leaving the simple life behind for more opportunities in London and public schooling, even though his aunt and Uncle Henry really have no idea about children or even running a house without staff. We’re in the 1950s, and there are bomb craters everywhere, and children from the upper classes aren’t to mix with the lower orders, or so Tom’s told.

There’s also another grander house in this book – Valhalla, the American home of the Kynastons. Alice is growing up as best she can, with a father battling demons and debts owed on his orchards. When he takes his life, it seems Alice and her mother are to lose their home on the grounds of Valhalla. Wilder Kynaston was a good family friend and offers them a lifeline, but there’s a price to pay.

We’re well into 1960s by now, and as Jack and Alice grow up on opposite sides of the Atlantic, another war has arrived, and with it the rise of the protest movement, women’s lib and the chance of new freedoms and ways of thinking. The novel takes you through these changes as our two young characters’ stories are set to intersect. But family secrets lurk, throwing roadblocks in their way.

Harriet Evans captures the time really well, and the dilemmas faced by young women like Alice who are trying to forge a new path for themselves, only to find they’re still chivvying for the boyfriends they tie themselves to. The men of the establishment still hold all the power, while choices for women remain limited. But there are others too, like the fathers of both Alice and Jack, who have been left haunted by the past, plagued by guilt or disappointment, also unable to be the people they want to be.

I was curious that the book starts with a modern day setting and a character, Emma, who doesn’t appear again, discovering the ‘treasures’ of the title. These are little mementos Alice has been given by her father on each of her birthdays. But I now see that this novel is the first of a trilogy – I’ll be intrigued to see how the story continues to fill in the gaps in the books that follow. The Treasures is a rich, immersive read with terrific characters you empathise with.

The Treasures is due for release on 12 June. It’s a four-star read from me.

Wow!! This is just epic!! What an absolute joy this first in a new trilogy from Harriet Evans including American culture of the 1950’s and 60’s then over to the wilds of Scotland and London in the late 50’s and early 60’s. The writing is intense intelligent astute tive yet it flows beautifully.
Alice has a collection of treasures mostly given to her by her beloved father but her life changes forever in the eve of her sixteenth birthday, growing up fast until she can make her own decisions and escape.
Tom Raven has grown up with his dearest father in a sheltered existence in Scotland when his life is changed completely by an aunt he has never known, taken to London for a new life school and upbringing.
The cottage of Sevenstones in Wiltshire unites Alice and Tom and draws them together from their pasts.
An ambitious heartfelt story spanning across the post second world war generations in the Uk and the USA, the culture, politics and community. Full of reminders of how far we have come in such a short time. The details and atmosphere is described brilliantly, at times I could feel the smog and grime of post war London with the bombed out houses. So too I could feel the oppressive heat in Alice’s world.
Beautiful intelligent moving and totally gripping from the first page!! This book is exquisite and relatable! I have treasures passed down too!!
Can’t wait for the second in this trilogy!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking books for the early read!

The Treasures is a slow burn read, which initially wasn't quite the pace I was expecting as the prologue is very catchy and instantly gripped me to know more about this collection of "treasures" and the house they're in. However, I slipped into the comfort of this pace and did enjoy the storyline very much, there are a lot of characters, location changes, and slips between stories that takes some placing, but I feel it is a well spun plot.
It is the first of a trilogy of stories centered around Seven stones, which is a house, but this book absolutely stands alone on its own without any cliffhangers so don't let that be a concern. Brimming with mystery, historical references, strong female characters and true love stories, I feel this is a book that grows on you and casts a spell.

The Treasures is all about Alice and Tom. They come from very different lives on opposite sides of the Atlantic but fate brings them together and through their own personal tragedies they slowly learn how much their histories intertwine.

This book is full of family secrets and revelations but I can tell there's much more to be discovered about these characters and their ancestors. It has definitely whet my appetite for the rest of the trilogy and now I wish I didn't have to wait!

What a wonderful read. The first book in The Sevenstones Trilogy spanning 1940 - 1960’s and introducing us to Alice Jansen and Tom Raven. The books opens with sale particulars for a house called Sevenoaks and a prologue in spring 2004 where Emma Raven is clearing the house and finds a little bag full of treasures; china animals, stones and other oddities. A slow burning but completely compelling story, beautifully written and surprisingly uncompromising.

Briefly, Hudson Valley, New York June 1965 where Alice lives with her parents. It’s the day before her 16th birthday and she wants another treasure to add to her collection. After school her father takes her for an ice cream and on the way home he steps in front of a train and Alice sees it all. Two years later she runs away to New York. Galloway, Scotland 1955 and Tom is about to turn 9. He lives with his father but his world is about to be torn apart when he is taken to live with his aunt and uncle in London.

Two wonderful main characters both of whom have less than pleasant childhoods. I don’t want to give any spoilers but I have to say that there is one character, a big part of Alice’s story I absolutely hated! Despicable in just about every way you can imagine. There are some very tough issues dealt with in the book from racism and sexism to rape and drug use, but all dealt with sympathetically. I really enjoyed this book, it’s both heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measures, and I very much look forward to book 2.

Loved this book - desperately need the next book in the series to find out what happens next. Became totally immersed in the story and struggled to put the book down.

A synopsis of 50’s-60s American through the eyes of two people’s lives. Tough subjects handled with compassion. There was the Vietnamese war, abortion was illegal, having a baby out of wedlock frowned upon but hippies emerging in San Francisco. Alice Jansen and Tom Raven are from quite different backgrounds but their stories converge in time. Another great story from the author of The Whalebone Theatre.

This was a really enjoyable read. It follows two individuals, Alice Jansen, and Tom Raven, who have two interesting backstories that unexpectedly connect at the end of the story, in a heartwarming way.

I've read books by Harriet Evans before and have always enjoyed them. They are pure escapism and easy to read.

Thanks to Harriet Evans, Penguin and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

Good storyline if at times a little depressing. However I really struggled with the sentences at times often being fairly short as this keep occurring in large chunks of the text. Personally struggled with the flow of the story due to this as it felt slightly jumpy and disjointed. Initially there is also a part where the tense is changed when describing her father. Overall at times I did have to flick back as I was a little confused especially initially when the story was being set out.

I love Harriet Evan's books and was delighted to be given an ERC of her latest... which is the first of her trilogy Sevenstones.

Alice Jansen keeps treasures.... her father gives her one each birthday... on her 16th birthday he takes her to the local cafe as normal... but on the way home he jumps in front of a train.

Tom Raven lives in the UK, when his Aunt dies a forgotten letter is found, and this leads him to Sevenstones on the Hudson

A great read - and I am looking forward to the remainder of the trilogy.

Unfortunately I don't think I'm the right audience for this book. I found it incredibly difficult to get into and also quite depressing. I found it weird in the beginning how one person, let's take Alice's dad for example, was referred to in 3 different ways because confused me and really stopped me reading fluidly.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

I loved the Whalebone Theatre, but I struggled with this book. I couldn’t get into it, it was incredibly slow and I felt so depressed reading it.

Love the author, but this one just didn’t do it for me il afraid.

My thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the copy.

oh golly what a book. Harriet is one of my top authors. so when i saw she had a new book i was automatically yearning to read it. her books are always filled with the most heart and this one delivered that and more. i loved it more than i can say. and this being the first in a trilogy i am so involved already. and already care about this trilogy and where it will take us readers. i loved how hefty this book was! when done right i cannot begin to tell you how such length to a book is a true privilege. you'll want to have this on your book shelf to keep for sure.
the book takes us to Alice and Tom in this book. first we come to Alice Jansen who lives in New York and is a collector of things from keepsakes to figurines and mementos that she uses to try and make sense of seek comfort from her fragile family.
then we have Toms story to follow. he cant understand why he keeps losing his things and people that matter to him. but still he feels there is indeed something missing from his life.
what comes next is the simply but riveting telling of a family. over a span of time we are truly given their world and their experiences. we arent hidden from some really tough subjects. we cant shy away from what our characters go through. but to get to know them feels like we are indeed the lucky ones. Harriet has truly capture my heart with this book. i dont want to say too much because i really want you readers to find yourself pouring over these pages as i did with fresh " wow" or gasps from them. or tears or smiles throughout. its such a gorgeous book. i would have read so much more in one sitting if my vital limbs werent in danger of going numb!
not just the characters but the time we are visiting feels so vivid and real. we feel like we can touch and see the things they did. and it brought me to a whole new generation of time.
i cannot wait for more from this book and what will come next. this book took our two characters and made their arcs seamless. if the other parts of this is anything near as good as this then wow we are all in for a treat.
now i just have to live in fear of whether ill get the chance to read the others.
stunning. thank you so much Harriet for over the years bringing me so much utter joy and warmth. one of my favourite authors and has been from my very first book of hers.