I have firmly come to the conclusion that Jenni Keer can do no wrong in the literary world. She has fast become one of my favourite authors within the space of the first book of hers that I read (Burlington Square) to now. She is one of the authors that both myself and my mum love and can chat about her books for hours afterwards.

This latest book had all the elements that I love, The Titanic, paranormal, romance spanning time and space and WW1&2 stories. I had so many 'Aha!' moments when I figured out parts of the story line, only to get thrown a curve, a plot twist and a brand new character/plot line to leave me guessing. Sometimes I was correct the first time when it all came back around and sometimes I was gloriously wrong.

I enjoy Jenni's story telling and her descriptions of characters. I admire the zest and enthusiam but also the rawness and humanness of Olivia and the truth in which tiny pebbles can also create enormous unfathomable ripples.

What we think is something meant to be, may not just turn out the way we think it should. The enormity of the question 'What if', has made this book a smasher!

Thank you so much to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for allowing me an advanced copy to read. Mothers Day is now sorted! And, Jenni? DEAL!!

Thank you Netgalley for another great. This story is sort of confusing because there are two storylines between two worlds with the same characters. I am really confused about the ending but overall it is a great story. This book has mystery, romance, heartache, and even betrayal in it. I find all of the characters to be likable and the storyline is very interesting.

I really enjoyed this story as it had a bit of everything: historical fiction, magical realism, romance and mystery. I also liked that the FMC was a strong forward thinking girl/woman. 4⭐

A bit of a strange one, this. The Titanic part is merely a small part of the story and I loved the main character and found the historical descriptions of the time most engaging. This was an enjoyable book, albeit a little confusing at times as to what was going on, with the ending somewhat disappointing because of that. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the reading copy.

When I first started the book, I did wonder if it was for me. With the main character Olivia only 13 years old with a vivid imagination, fond of making up stories and living in a bit of a fantasy world, I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy it. But for someone so young she did a remarkable job of picking herself up and tried to make the best of the situation she found herself in, after the death of her parents left her effectively an orphan.

The family she found herself living with were not unkind but were somewhat distant and kept themselves at arms length, something Olivia found quite alien. I grew to like Olivia very much, she was quite a feisty character who didn’t let the adopted brothers get the better of her.

For me the book really took off when WW1 was declared. By this point Olivia was a little older and the plot began to draw in the stories of the wider family. I must admit I couldn’t quite get my head around the parallel world or timeline as it seemed. So that you have a couple of characters who exist in two separate lifetimes. To me that falls into the realm of fantasy fiction, which I’m not normally a fan of but there is so much going on in this book with so many fascinating characters and mysteries to solve it kept me completely absorbed. I always wanted to know what would happen next and looked forward to my next half hour with the book because they were such intriguing characters to be around.

Overall a really interesting plot, some brilliant characters and set over quite a long time period I enjoyed this very much. It’s something a little bit different, quite a few sub genres included to keep things interesting. I loved it.

This book was delightful! I was engrossed from the start, and the author did a great job of painting the characters in a realistic and flawed, but lovable manner. The journey these characters went on was whimsical, optimistic despite the cards they were dealt, and completely enchanting. Well done!

The concept of this one is fantastic. The idea of a parallel world where the Titanic completed its voyage, so good!

The execution of the concept just didn't work for me though. And while interesting, the plot was pretty predictable.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this novel.

Jenni Keer pushes at the boundaries of historical fiction with this novel, just as she did with its compelling predecessors. Her dual storyline shifts not time but worlds, moving sideways between the main female character’s experiences in the ‘real’ world and her separate and distinct experiences in an alternate universe. The time is the same in both worlds, but one pivotal event—the sinking of the Titanic in April 1912–causes a fork in history’s path.

The Titanic’s sinking ends young Olivia Davenport’s idyllic childhood. Her affluent and affectionate parents were killed on that historic voyage, as she might have been, had she not been left behind with the measles. Her parents had given her guardianship to her godfather, Sir Hugo Fairchild, and his wife Lady Cynthia, parents of four rambunctious sons. Her guardians are kind and generous, but not given to the expressions of affection that Olivia craves. She eventually teaches them much in that regard.

Before she really ‘settles’ in her new family at Merriford Manor, the fanciful Olivia spends hours in her quiet tower bedroom, dealing with her grief by imagining a world where the shipwreck never happened and she still lives happily with her parents. She is so devoted to this mode of escape that she imagines a companion of sorts on the other side of her bedroom wall. He is Seth, an employee on the estate with the same name and job as the groundskeeper for whom she has developed a precocious attraction. Her inappropriate crush compels Lady Cynthia to send him to another estate.

Without giving away the novel’s plot twists, this Seth, over the course of the Great War that takes away 3 of the 4 brothers, also disappears. Has Olivia simply outgrown her emotional need for him as she grows up, becomes actively involved in the war effort, and is increasingly distracted by the fate of the Fairchild boys? This is her own theory. But the war ends. Seth returns. And then the relationship ‘through the wall’ becomes something else again.

Keer is a wonderful writer and convincingly captures the female coming of age experience during the quickly changing times of the war and its immediate aftermath. Through the Fairchild’s circle and that of the ordinary, uneducated and struggling villagers working on their estate, she reveals much about the class hierarchies in place, and how they were destabilized by the war. Rich or poor, few were left unscathed by loss. And no one could return to things as they were.

Much as I was intrigued by the split-world concept, it was disappointing in its execution. Why it happened is not clearly explained. I’m still not sure about the connection between radiation from the Titanic and every bit of the earth’s ore, an undetectable ‘juddering of time’ that nonetheless created another, slightly different, world. Did the reality split affect only Olivia’s immediate world, or is it meant to have cleaved history entirely? Nor is the solution that Olivia and other-world Seth conjure really credible, even in the context of fantasy. Keer did a better job of justifying readers’ suspension of disbelief in her earlier novels. That said, however, if you are content to take each world, with their similar but different main characters as intriguing stories for their own sake (I am), there is much to enjoy here.

The House of Lost Whispers by Jenni Keer is a masterpiece! I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic.

Thirteen year old Olivia Davenport is left orphaned after her parents’ untimely deaths on the maiden voyage of the Titanic and she is sent to live with her guardians at Merriford Manor. Missing the imaginative, loving world of her parents, she feels alone, especially as the Fairchild family worries about the impending war in Europe and their four young sons.

One evening, she begins to hear the voice of a man, Seth, from behind the wall in her bedroom. Convinced it’s her imagination, she is determined to ignore him. After the war, when Olivia is an adult, she learns Seth is in a parallel universe, one in which the Titanic never sank. She would do anything to find a way into his world.


Title: The House of Lost Whispers
Author: Jenni Keer
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Release Date: April 7, 2025
Rating: 3.5⭐️

I really had to think about my feelings before I could review this one and I finally settled on 3.5 ⭐️

The overarching story was interesting - what if a ripple in time created two parallel universes that are separated by one major event? Olivia is a bold, engaging character. I enjoyed the pacing of the story as it covered a substantial amount of time and the story moved along quickly.

Unfortunately it falls flat for me in two places - it was really predictable to the point that I almost felt like I didn’t need to finish it. While Olivia was well drawn, the supporting characters weren’t as filled out, which meant her relationships felt incredibly surface. The romance storylines felt rushed and superficial.

The concept was there but the execution didn’t quite live up to it.

The House Of Lost Whispers
By: Jenni Keer

4 Stars

This was a story that brought magic to the life of a young lady. First, Olivia loses her parents on the Titanic, which leads her life down a completely different path. Being shipped to live with a new family, surrounded by the family sons, is not what she wanted. When she begins hearing a mysterious voice behind a wall, it brings her great hope. It also brings about mystery and magic and fantasy.

This story was done gorgeously well. It had a little of everything. It had loss and tragedy. It had war and peace. It also had romance. Magical, fantastical romance. It brought about a young girls dreams and brought them to life in a wonderful way. It was a story that was lyrical and magical and so easy to love. It was descriptive and kept me deeply captivated, from start to finish. I have always loved stories of the Titanic and the also The Great War, and this presented a magical story that had both plus so much more.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Reviews

Unfortunately, this book was just not for me. It was well-written overall, but the storyline was not my style.

I would have enjoyed the story much more if it would have remained in the main “world”, but when the element of the alternate world on the other side of the wall which was a mirror in some ways but not in all was introduced, it lost me.

The love scenes through were also not my favorite.

Basically the main character Olivia loses her parents on the Titanic and goes to live with some family friends who have two sons. WWI happens and the sons are shipped off. There is tragedy and romance. Olivia discovers a voice on the other side of a wall and they figure out he is in a parallel world. There is some tragedy and romance. And then there is more tragedy and romance.

The storyline and characters all came across a little too cheesy for me. I enjoyed parts of the book, but overall I would give this a 2.5 stars.

The House of Lost Whispers by Jenni Keer

The House of Lost Whispers by Jenni Keer is so eloquently wrote.
Olivia's character is sublime and you really,feel for the little girl trapped in a,world she doesn't, quite understand.
In more ways than one , it's magical .

Jenni Keer has done it again with another truly original story. This time Keer takes us on a journey with Olivia Davenport. Her parents perish on the Titanic in 1912 and she goes to live with her guardians, the Fairchilds. But what if the titanic hadn’t sunk?

Olivia hears a voice, a man called Seth is taking to her, from a parallel world, a world where so much is the same, but also quite different. He offers her friendship and companionship when she is at her loneliest. As the years go by and the country is irrevocably changed by the events of the First World War their friendship blossoms in to something more. Olivia dreams of meeting Seth and joining him in his world. With war, love, murder, heartbreak and hope, this book has it all!

I loved this book, the characters were all so believable, I lived the highs and lows of their lives and couldn’t wait to see what would happen.
Would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is prepared to listen!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story because it had a bit of everything. While a thread of sadness ran through it's entirety, the story covered all other emotions too making me laugh, cry and hold my breath and it makes me wonder if there is always an alternate? Fabulous!

The House of Lost Whispers (aptly titled) by Jenni Keer is an amazing, creative and exciting display of historical fiction and magical realism. Set in the past and drawing upon the Titanic disaster and the First World War, this complex novel captured my imagination and heart— hook, line and sinker with its powerful delivery, fascinating plot and intriguing characters! Let’s not forget the haunting romance between Seth and Olivia that crosses time and universes! My emotions were riding high and sometimes I felt like a rudderless ship tossed about the waves with all the twists and turns as I watched their dilemmas unfold. But thankfully the author navigates us well and we eventually come to a peaceful hum when waters quiet in the wee hours of a seemingly endless night of trauma.

I love Jenni’s novels and coupled with my interest in the Titanic, I knew this was going to be a rollicking ride. In our current world, the ill-fated ship has met its end on its maiden journey, along with taking down countless lives of its passengers. Olivia Davenport’s parents were on that ship and did not survive. She was meant to be on that voyage as well but circumstances prevented it which ends up being a blessing as this means her life was spared. But she is a child when it happens and losing her parents is a tragic and terrifying experience. She is a creative, imaginative girl with qualities and gifts similar to her parents—particularly like her father who is a famous novelist. It is into this area of creativity she plunges for refuge and as a way of working out her emotions.

Initially when Olivia is orphaned, after the death of her parents on the Titanic, she is taken in by her guardians, the Fairchilds. They live in a Jacobean mansion called the Merriford Manor and Mrs Fairchild begins to think of her as a daughter among her four sons who all grow to love their ‘new’ sister. Despite the love and attention she receives from the entire family, she still feels alone, until one day she hears a voice coming from the other of side of the wall in her tower bedroom. At first she thinks it is her imagination— a way her mind tries to deal with her grief. But when she is older, in her twenties, and the war has come and claimed so many of the Fairchild men, she begins to realise there is something unusual happening in the tower. The voice of Seth becomes her lifeline, a great comfort as they share their hearts, disappointments and dreams. During this time of getting to know each other, much to her amazement, she learns he lives in a world where the Titanic has not sunk. This means there may be other people she loves still alive. As she tries to grapple with this new reality, the frustration mounts as how will she cross from her world into Seth’s?

This is a stunning novel that is my number one favourite now of Jenni Keer’s. I devoured this beautiful heart-crushing story. From the first page, I fell head first into this realistic magical realm and never once slowed down. The pacing is excellent as it continues to spin and weave plots that leave your head swirling! There are some magnificent surprises and a number of tragic ones, too. This is a magnificent, well- crafted complex story. I will shout it from the rooftops of how much I loved The House of Lost Whispers for I cannot praise it enough! Loved, loved, loved it immensely. Such a clever, creative and captivating read! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a review copy.

First, Thank You NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC!

The House of Lost Whispers by Jenni Keer is written so beautifully. The well-drawn characters and the exploration of loss, love, and Olivia's journey of self-discovery and the setting were all fabulous. And Olivia reminds me of Sara Crewe from the classic A Little Princess, in which i love and adore so much. Olivia's character is not hard to emphatise with and her character was actually lovable. This book was truly enjoyable and make me thinks of all the what ifs a lot but also anticipating to moving on.

Will definitely recommend this book. Especially to those who love Historical-Fiction genre, with a lot of emotional exploration with a hint of sorrow and mystery.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was truly enjoyable and the perfect blend of whimsy, mystery and heartache. Olivia is a genuinely loveable character, and I did find myself empathising with her throughout. Jenni Keer has perfectly captured the melancholy of what ifs, and the anticipation of moving on.

I will certainly be recommending this.

Generally I quite enjoyed "The House of Lost Whispers" by Jenni Keer and the thought that there was another world behind the wall of the tower where the Titanic hadn't sunk. It was interesting thinking how Seth and Olivia could be together and yet apart at the same time. This was a comment on them living in parallel worlds and at the same time a comment on society. There were some parts I thought unnecessary (the romance scenes didn't really do it for me). Overall, enjoyable.

Absolutely marvellous! Such a unique story with heartbreak, loss, heartwarming moments, parallel worlds and plenty of 'what ifs'. Olivia Davenport is orphaned at age 13 when her parents die in the sinking of the Titanic. She goes to live with her godparents at Merriford Manor. In her tower bedroom she starts to hear a voice at night and, over time, her and the voice come to realise they are in the same time and place but in parallel worlds, with the voice in a world in which the Titanic doesn't sink. From there the story takes many a twist and turn as Olivia grows up, the family deals with heartbreak and loss through World War I and deals with its aftermath. The story is exceptionally well written and at no point did I feel confused or lost by the storyline. Olivia is a great character, so full of life. Thoroughly enjoyable!
Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and Jenni Keer for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.