If you are looking for a story to escape with, this heartbreaking, intriguing tale will captivate you. Olivia lost her parents in the Titanic tragedy and now lives with her father's best friend and his family. Materially, she wants for nothing, but emotionally, she is bereft, not just from her loss but also because the family are not the warm and demonstrative people she was used to. Olivia survives by disappearing into her vivid imagination and finding a place to escape when she is allowed to sleep in a turret room. What she experiences there shapes her life. The story's early chapters explore family life and friendship. The Great War changed the family forever with immeasurable losses and the formation of deep and lasting relationships. Afterwards, Olivia, now a woman, has a new tragedy to negotiate with the help of her imagination and a connection that is unquantifiable but real. The storytelling is immersive and evocative, the romance is passionate yet gentle, and the historical setting defines and gives authenticity even when some happenings defy belief. I like the characterisation, the historical setting, the storytelling and the mystical twist that draws the history, mystery and romance together in a resonating way.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

The House of Lost Whispers by Jenni Keer is an unforgettable novel that brings together romance, mystery and historical fiction, all wrapped up in a story about the Titanic disaster and what might have happened if she hadn’t hit the iceberg on that fateful night.

I’ve always been fascinated by stories about the very real and devastating sinking of the Titanic in 1912 and this one is no exception. It is beautifully written and captured my imagination from the very first page.

Thirteen year old Olivia is left alone in the world when her parents are lost in the sinking of the Titanic. Sent to live with her parents friends in their huge Jacobean mansion, Olivia feels lost and lonely. But with the very real threat of war on the horizon, the Fairchilds have more to worry about than the grief of their young charge, as they have four sons of their own to protect.

But then Olivia hears a voice from behind the wall of her tower bedroom and everything changes. At first she thinks Seth is a ghost, but it soon becomes apparent that there is so much more to this than meets the eye and that Seth is living in a parallel world. A world in which the Titanic never sank… and her parents are still very much alive.

Olivia is desperate to find a way into this reality, but not only to see her beloved parents faces again. No, she also wants to meet Seth – who she has a strong feeling might just be the love of her life…

Jenni Keer’s writing is gorgeous as she brings this tale vividly to life. The melding of historical fiction with romance and the mystery of a parallel world (with all the subtle differences that entails), is wonderful and I loved every word of it.

The House of Lost Whispers is a fantastic read that I would highly recommend.

Jenni Keer always delivers the unexpected and her books transcends just one genre from time travel, witches and sliding door themed novels. The House of Lost Whispers tackled parallel worlds linked by a brick wall in a tower. It was everything I wanted it to be and more. I love historical fiction with a twist and this screamed originality. With Olivia orphaned by the Titanic and arriving at Merriford Manor, there were elements of The Secret Garden but her personality and positive outlook were similar to Anne of Green Gales. This was an ideal combination. I fell in love with Olivia and was eager to stay with her throughout her life conveyed in the book.

Set around the First World War, the harsh realities home and abroad were delivered on the page, making this an emotional rollercoaster. Tissues were required as it became clear how different lives could be depending on the fate of the Titanic.

The evolution of the dynamic between Olivia and Seth, from annoyed reluctant neighbours to friendship to more, was sensuous, honest and oozed passion. I wanted them to have a happy ever after but with a universe between them, I could never guess how this could be. With unexpected twists and satisfying turns, it was an addictive and unforgettable read.

This is wonderful book for those who love historical fiction with a heart and need a reminder to strife to be happy like a honey bee.

I wanted to like this, but this book just was not for me. I was constantly routing for the wrong guy(yes multiple times) and ended up disappointed. There is a lot of sadness especially in the beginning of the book with the sinking of the Titanic and then WW1.
I was hoping this book would play more with the idea of a parallel world with a slightly different timeline but it barely mattered? Maybe the blurb just isnt fitting for the book:
"All Olivia wants is to find a way into his reality" I never really felt that to be the case, she asks about her version in that world but very little about her parents. They try once to bridge the gap, fail, and then well nothing we can do.
I also feel like this book suggests that there is one type of person that you are meant to be or could always end up being and I am not sure I agree with that. Our experiences shape us, especially loss and grieve, hurt and betrayal.
The endgame couples dont make sense to me as in their relationship was not build up enough.
The writing is great and kept me engaged even though I was not always a fan of the story.


Thanks to netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Olivia Davenport and her parents are due to travel on the inaugural sailing of RMS Titanic. However, the week before departure Olivia contracts measles and her parents travel without her. When the 'unsinkable' Titanic hits an iceberg and does sink, she is left an orphan. She goes to live with the Fairchild family at Merriford Manor. There she learned to cope with her loss, often withdrawing into her own vivid imagination. However, she is determined to live her life to the best of her ability and so she is a very positive, very fanciful and spirited young lady, who manages to provide inspiration to those around her.

The Fairchilds do their best to accomodate the young girl but they are a very different to her own family. Whereas her own parents were tactile and joyful, the four Fairchild boys know that they are loved but are never shown any affection.The family is very correct, very wealthy, very upper class.

One of the things that helps Olivia during this time is the voice on the other side of the wall. At first, Olivia and Seth annoy each other mainly because they are confused by the fact that they can hear each other but they can't physically see each other. They gradually look forward to the conversations that they have through the wall.

We see Olivia as she grows from a young girl into a young woman. We see her fall in love for the first time, and we see her dreams for the future.

As the years pass, World War I looms, and the Fairchild boys head off to war, one by one. Being wealthy does not protect young men from German bullets so, once again, Olivia faces unimaginable grief and tragedy. But this time, Seth is no longer on the other side of the wall, until one day he is back.

In time, they figure out that while their worlds are fundamentally the same, there are differences. In Seth's world, the Titanic did hit the iceberg but assistance came in time and the ship didn't sink, therefore Olivia didn't come to live at Merriford. It would have been easy to make the alternative history one where everything was bright and breezy, but the author avoided that. WWI still happens in the alternate history. It is still a terrible time of great loss but the outcomes were ever so slightly different in the other world.

Seth and Olivia rely on each other in many ways and realise that their feelings are growing, but with their two worlds being so separate and different, how can they be happy in the future.

This book is best described as genre bending. Is it a strong historical fiction story about the years between the Titanic sinking and post WWI England? Yes, it is. Is it also fantasy with the magical realism and alternate timelines? Yes, it is that too. Is it an unconventionally romantic story? Yes, it is. Regardless of how you want to label it, it is a compelling, well told story which tells of the traumatic effects of tragedy and war and the changes in society that it heralded.

This is the second Jenni Keer book I have read and I really like the way that she plays with genre and structure, and still manages to pull together all the different strands to make it a truly satisfying reading experience. I still need to read At the Stroke of Midnight and work through the rest of her backlist, but I will also be eagerly anticipating whatever she comes up with next

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge which I host. 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 4.5/5

I am endlessly fascinated by Titanic and I love a ‘what if’ story so when I heard about this book from Jenni Keer I knew I had to read it. A book with a sliding doors type narrative where in one part of the book we follow an orphan of Titanic and in another there’s a parallel world where Titanic did not sink? Count me in!

Titanic doesn’t actually make up a large part of the narrative, although it is referred to on several occasions. The book is more about the aftermath, whether it sank or made it safely to harbour. I enjoyed the idea that when something doesn’t happen, it has such a profound impact. People are different, opportunities are different, certain events don’t happen, while others do – does that make sense? It’s that idea that every action has a ripple effect, everything we do has effects that we don’t know about.

The story is split into three parts with most of the story being told from the point of view of Olivia Davenport. Young teenager Olivia is orphaned when Titanic sinks and goes to live with the Fairchild family in their manor house. She has a vivid imagination so when she hears a voice through the wall in her tower bedroom, she thinks it’s a ghost she is hearing. As we come to understand, the voice belongs to gardener Seth, someone she knows in her own reality but in this slightly different version of the world, Titanic did not sink and her parents are still alive.

There’s strong character development in this book which is natural given it’s a real coming-of-age story as we follow Olivia from early teens to a young woman. Like many young people of the time, she had to grow up quickly with the First World War looming then affecting every aspect of life. The Fairchild family knows tragedy as did most families.

I particularly enjoyed the third part of the book which is set after the war. Seth and Olivia reconnect in their different worlds and admit to strong feelings for each other. They are desperate to meet and since they can’t do that through the wall as it were, they determine to meet each other in their separate realities. What would they find, would there be that spark given their very different social standings, were they destined to be with each other no matter what happened? I was very keen to find out the answers which kept me eagerly reading.

The House of Lost Whispers is a great mix of historical fiction, romance and mystery with a dash of magic on the side. Intriguing and moving, Jenni Keer really will have you wondering ‘what if’ and hoping for a happy outcome for her characters.

A spellbinding historical page-turner from bestselling author Jenni Keer! Perfect for fans of Frances Quinn, Eve Chase and Lucinda Riley 💫 What if another world existed… where the Titanic had never sunk?
When the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic leaves Olivia Davenport orphaned, she’s sent to live with her guardians, the Fairchilds, in their huge Jacobean mansion. But the Fairchilds have more to worry about than a grieving young girl – with war in Europe imminent and four sons to protect.

Olivia feels alone and friendless. Until she hears a voice from behind the wall in her tower bedroom. A voice from a man called Seth. Convinced he’s merely a product of her grieving imagination, it’s not until after the heartbreak of war that Olivia discovers that he exists in an overlapping world, just a shudder in time away from her own. A world where the Titanic never sank… Where everything since has been just slightly… different.

I loved the unique premise and the wonderfully different plot in this book. I love historical fiction - and while I'm not big on alternate history in general, this is a cool spin off that idea. Wonderful characters, fascinating story. Well-written and gave me all the feels! 5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Well, let me start by saying that this didn’t at all turn out the way I thought it would. It has left me feeling oddly conflicted.

Olivia’s life is turned upside down when her parents are lost at sea after the Titanic goes down. She is sent to live with her guardians, the Fairchilds, and their four sons. Olivia has tons of imagination, which is such a delight to see. One day, she’ll be off fighting knights; another day she’ll be slaying dragons. So when she hears a voice through the wall of her bedroom one evening, surely it must be her imagination trying to guide her through difficult times? Or is it?

Could Seth really be on the other side of the wall, but in an alternate reality where the Titanic never sank? While much is the same, some things are different. Could there possibly be a way for *this* Olivia to meet *that* Seth? Might there be a tear in the ground somewhere that one of them could jump through?

Olivia is a fabulous character. Even at the age of thirteen, when her story starts, you can already tell she’s going to be a force to be reckoned with. She is going places, literally and figurately. And like a whirlwind she will bring change to pretty much everyone she meets. I absolutely adored her, and her refusal to conform brought a smile to my face. Society is changing after all and Olivia might just be at the forefront of it all.

Obviously, there’s a developing love story here. Not to fear, if you’re not into all that lovey-dovey stuff. Neither am I, and I found the romance to be at an acceptable level 😄. I quite honestly had more issues with the casualties of war. Those made me rather emotional, and the author showed quite well how if affected the lives of the family members, in more ways than one. That said, things didn’t at all turn out the way I expected them to and I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about that.

Because while the ending is perfect and somewhat unavoidable, it also left me feeling slightly disappointed. I’m fully aware that some of that is caused by my own over-analysing. For obvious reasons, I’m having to keep this vague so as to avoid spoilers, and I should just keep reminding myself that this is fiction after all. On the other hand, this also means I was clearly entirely invested in these characters’ lives to be feeling the way I did, and that’s never a bad thing.

And so, even with my little misgivings, I actually really enjoyed ‘The House of Lost Whispers‘. More than anything, though, I can’t help but wonder what kind of spell Jenni Keer has put on me because this isn’t something I’d normally read and yet I’ll probably keep coming back for more.

I wasn't sure about this book at first, if I'm honest. I'm not usually big on fantasy/speculative fiction or even historical romance-adjacent plots these days. I was so pleasantly surprised by this novel though and I think that's down to the author. I read Keer's The Ravenswood Witch last year and was completely charmed by it as well, despite it also being outside my usual reading genre.

The House of Lost Whispers almost has a fairy-tale quality to it. The pace and plot are… I guess dreamy is the best word for it, odd as that choice might seem. It reminded me of how I felt when I read books as a child - those "anything can happen" kinds of stories that pull you in and make you remember the joy of reading, of getting lost in a book. Four enthusiastic stars for this book and Jenni Keer is officially added to my must-read list.

Goodness this is an amazing mash up of my favourite book genres! Historical, time-slip, romance, mystery and some paranormal moments thrown in for good measure.
Such an intriguing storyline, it soon had me completely hooked, it was fascinating seeing Olivia settling down with her new family, witnessing how her relationships progressed with the sons of her guardians.
The voice in the tower room definitely added a new dimension to the story, it was mesmerising discovering what was happening and added more mystery and excitement to the storyline.
Some dramatic scenes really took me by surprise and made this book incredibly difficult to put down - I felt constantly in suspense as to what was going to happen next!
A wonderful fusion of genres, with unforgettable characters in a truly unique situation. This book was absolutely incredible to read.

Orphaned by the Titanic disaster, Olivia finds solace in a secret connection to an alternate world where the tragedy never happened. She hears the voice of Seth, a man who exists just beyond her reach. As their connection deepens, she becomes determined to cross into his reality, even if it means risking everything. Can their love bridge the gap between worlds?

This fascinating novel is engaging and inventive, with richly developed characters and a heart-wrenching plot. It’s an addictive, unputdownable read. The audiobook narration brings the novel to life beautifully.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

he House of Lost Whispers by Jenni Keer was an extraordinary read. Her writing style is intricate yet easy to read and follow. As a reader, it is evident that a lot of thought and planning went into crafting the plot, which covers everything from romance to murder mystery, time-travel loops, and the devastating effects of the First World War. I completed this novel in two sittings, only stopping to sleep, as I was unable to put it down. So many amazing concepts, as well as memorable characters, have been woven into this well-crafted story.

The female lead, Olivia, is reeling from the loss of her parents, who were aboard the Titanic. She is sent to live with very affluent family friends in the English countryside. Going from an indulged only child to living in a household with four boisterous and very independent boys is a massive culture shock and is significantly difficulty for Olivia. Just as she begins to find her groove, the threat of the First World War looms over the family, and inevitably demands the elder boys to enlist.

One day, Olivia hears a voice through her bedroom wall. As she begins to chat with this mysterious voice, she learns of a parallel universe where events such as the Titanic’s sinking never occurred. The introduction of this ‘time loop’ brings a slight fantasy element to the novel, making it exciting, adventurous, and different from other books. As the story progresses, we see Olivia develop a friendship with this character on the other side of the wall, setting off its own sequence of events.

I loved so many elements of this novel. I loved the female lead, Olivia, and the Fairchilds, the family who take her in as an orphaned girl. Raised very differently from Olivia, it is both heartwarming and adorable to see her influence on this family of rowdy boys, as over time they realise the importance of affection and expressing love. I also loved the setting of the book—the Fairchilds’ stunning estate, Merriford Manor. Keer writes with such vivid detail that every inch of the manor and its grounds forms beautiful images in your mind.

This book triggers a wide range of emotions as you read, including heartbreaking scenes that will likely bring a tear to your eye. The pacing is excellent; the novel flows exceptionally well, and every part of the story feels necessary. The author has done a meticulous job with this.

I have read one of Jenni Keer’s novels before and thought it was great, but The House of Lost Whispers has surpassed it and is now my favourite of hers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. I 100% recommend it to my fellow readers.

Jenni Keer has done it again with The House of Whispers.

Olivia Davenport lost her parents on the Titainic, but what if in a different, world a parallel world, the Titanic never sank? After her parents death Olivia goes to live with her godfather and his family is their lovely manor house. There in the wall of her bedroom she hears the voice of Seth, a young man who lives in the parallel world, what if that world has everything just a bit different from the world Olivia inhabits. With WWI on the horizon and all the horrors and heartache that entails, would Seth’s world be a better place to live?

I loved the premise of this story, This was an imaginative story and I really enjoyed it.

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

I honestly didn’t expect to love The House of Lost Whispers as much as I did, but it completely pulled me in. The atmosphere was incredible — creepy enough to keep me hooked, but not so scary that I couldn’t sleep after reading (which is honestly the perfect balance for me).

The story had such a good mix of mystery, emotion, and a little bit of magic. I really connected with the characters too — they weren’t perfect, but that made them feel so real. I found myself actually caring about what happened to them, which doesn’t always happen for me with books like this.

Overall, it was such a good read. If you like books that are a little spooky, a little heartfelt, and totally absorbing, you’ll probably love this one too. Definitely one of my favorite reads lately!

The Plot: I’m just going to take a moment to appreciate how much thought was put into this novel. A round of applause for Jenni Keer! 👏 I knew what I was getting myself into with just the blurb itself, knowing that the premise of a world where the Titanic never sank was what piqued my interest. But after that? Wow. I was not expecting the roller coaster ride of events that happened to our heroine, Olivia, and the people around her. There was drama, loss, romance, and mystery, keeping you on your toes and on the edge of your seat. I wasn’t bored for a moment. I’m sure we’ve all wondered what the world would be like if certain tragedies or events that shook the globe hadn’t happened. Although I wish I knew more about the “other world” and how the Titanic not sinking affected everyone and everything, it was still so interesting to read and see how Olivia’s world was different yet similar to the other one on the other side of the wall.

The Characters: Olivia was the combination of Anne Shirley and Pollyanna, two of my favorite characters. Optimistic, imaginative, talkative, and free-spirited, Olivia Davenport was not a force to be reckoned with. I don’t think I ever got annoyed by her or her optimism. Keer made sure her heroine was human and felt negative emotions as much as she felt the positive ones, navigating her way through each stage of her life. To be honest, I don’t think there is a character in this book that I disliked. They were all complex, deep characters that had flaws and hopes and aspirations. I found myself wishing them all the best, and was so sad when tragedy struck (and it does for every single one of them).

The Writing: Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like this book reads like a classic novel, and I am all here for it! 🙌 It was so fun and easy to read, especially since the prose wasn’t flowery or required you to have the vocabulary of a physics professor. (Don’t you hate that? 🙄) The story flowed well, no plot holes or stones left unturned, and I’d say the ending was satisfying.

Overall Thoughts: I highly recommend this book if you love the things mentioned above. I especially like it because it’s a historical fiction novel, but even if you aren’t into that, the romance, mystery, and fantastical aspect of the whispers in the walls is worth the read. I’ll definitely be reading more of Jenni Keer’s books in the future!

Content Warnings: death, grief, loss of parents/children, murder, slight swearing, mentions of nudity, mentions of war violence

Thank you to Boldwood Books for inviting me to read a digital arc via NetGalley. All opinions and statements are my own.

#TheHouseofLostWhispers #NetGalley

I like the author and have read several of her books. This one was again a nice and to the end very captivating story. The start was interesting and I liked the idea of a „ghost“ in the tower. That’s why I was a bit disappointed by the middle part, as it was a bit slow and long for the pushing the story forward. I understand why it had to be like it is, but at that time it was simply not that enjoyable. So that is the reason why I rated the book with 4 stars. Everything else was perfect: the characters and their development, the historical background, and the style. I will certainly keep an eye out for the next book by the author!

Olivia goes to live with her guardians after losing her parents on the Titanic. This book follows Olivia and her new family as the war breaks out and life changes.
This felt like an epic story and I loved it! I loved Olivia and her vivid imagination. It was happy, sad, magical and I couldn’t put it down! Definitely recommend!

Other than historical fiction, which is a personal favourite of mine, I had no idea what to expect from this book. I knew I had read rave reviews of her previous books, but that didn’t help other than reassure me that I would enjoy the writing style.
The story is set before and during the First World War and touches on the tragedy surrounding the sinking of the RMS Titanic. The Synopsis provides a good background and sets the tone for the book. The key element is that Olivia, a young orphan since the sinking of the Titanic, hears a man's voice through the tower walls where she’s decided to sleep while at her guardian’s estate. Although the voice is coming through the wall, his reality is different to hers, as on his timeline, the Titanic didn’t sink, and her fiancé wasn’t killed in the war.
The story unfolds against a backdrop of love and loss, while still holding onto the slim hope of a happy ever after for them. Olivia wants nothing more than to marry and start a family, and her tender age is obvious as she initially looks to the household staff for a connection.
As the years pass and war breaks out, Olivia’s attention shifts to her guardian’s sons, and she soon finds herself falling in love. The voice through the wall is all but forgotten as her life moves on. Sadly, heartbreak is never far away during wartime, and she returns to the tower, comforted by the memories.
The cast of characters is beautifully imagined, and I could honestly feel the heartbreaking anguish as war and tragedy came to the fore. The details of the descriptions gave me a real sense of time and place. Olivia remained stoic in the face of increasing tragedy, but her character never faltered. Suspending belief in a single timeline came in useful, and I would definitely recommend keeping an open mind as you read.
I loved Olivia and Seth and desperately wanted them to find a way to each other, but if you want to know if that happens, I’m afraid you’ll need to read the book, as I don’t knowingly include spoilers.
Once I fell into Jenni’s writing style, I was instantly drawn to the possibilities that the story presented. The thought that there is an alternative reality to our present experiences. This fabulous book challenges lateral thinking and introduces a new dimension where history can be perceived differently. What if there is a parallel universe where my parents didn’t succumb to dementia?

After reading and enjoying The Ravenswood Witch by this author by this author, requesting this from NetGalley was a no-brainer, and am I ever glad I did. This book was enchanting and very moving. Everyone is aware of the story of the Titanic, and this story is about Olivia, whose parents are passengers on that fateful trip. She finds herself living in the melancholy Merriford Manor and hears a voice in its walls, a mysterious man named Seth, who becomes a lifeline for Olivia. I enjoyed how well the author blended historical fiction with a bit of the paranormal. We have the Titanic tragedy and the First World War as backdrops.

Olivia is sucked into this relationship with Seth because of all her losses and her uncertain future. They have a connection like no other, and it was this unique take that had me from the get-go. Even though there were barriers to this relationship, their feelings for each other were unmistakable, and I was rooting for them the entire time.

Merriford Manor is a character as well; if these walls could talk, they would tell many secrets. The author’s descriptive writing paints a vivid picture of the home that creates a wonderfully atmospheric setting that fits perfectly with the mystery. The secondary characters, especially the Fairchild family, are well-developed and add to the story well.

This book is more than just a romance, it is a love letter to the strength of the human spirit. This is a truly original tale that was captivating and one I won’t soon forget. This is the perfect book for those who enjoy historical fiction with a dash of magic and a touch of romance. It is a book you will think about for a long time after the whispers vanish.