The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain

Hi everyone! Diane Chamberlain is another of my favourite authors for her ability to emotionally involve the reader in her stories.  The Last House on the Street is her latest book and publishes on January 11.  This was a 5 star read for me.

From The Publisher:

When Kayla Carter’s husband dies in an accident while building their dream house, she knows she has to stay strong for their four-year-old daughter. But the trophy home in Shadow Ridge Estates, a new development in sleepy Round Hill, North Carolina, will always hold tragic memories. But when she is confronted by an odd, older woman telling her not to move in, she almost agrees. It’s clear this woman has some kind of connection to the area…and a connection to Kayla herself. Kayla’s elderly new neighbour, Ellie Hockley, is more welcoming, but it’s clear she, too, has secrets that stretch back almost fifty years. Is Ellie on a quest to right the wrongs of the past? And does the house at the end of the street hold the key? Told in dual time periods, The Last House on the Street is a novel of shocking prejudice and violence, forbidden love, the search for justice, and the tangled vines of two families.

Book Review:

I adored this book.  Told from the perspectives of both Kayla and Ellie, this story is emotional and compelling. Although the book is marketed as Women’s Fiction, those readers that enjoy a good mystery or historical fiction will also appreciate it.

I felt connected to both of these protagonists and their individual storylines.  For the most part, Ellie’s life is detailed as a college student in 1965 who signs up to volunteer for a summer spent encouraging black members of the community to register to vote.  This part of the book is particularly moving and the author does a great job of setting the tone of this time in American history.

Kayla’s story is set in 2010 and details the inner conflict she feels with moving into the house that both she and her late husband (both architects) designed together.  The neighbours she meets (including the much older Ellie), provide glimpses into the history behind the property her new home stands on.

As the past and present stories intertwine, the mystery of the history of this land is answered.  The story is memorable and I know this is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time.  Those of you who have read and enjoyed Chamberlain’s earlier books such as The Dream Daughter and The Secret Marriage will be equally as moved.

Audiobook Review:

Susan Bennett performed the narration for The Last House on the Street and I loved it.  The quality of her voice is filled with the sweetness and compassion that was required for these characters and was a joy to listen to.  I recommend this version of this book to all that appreciate this format.

What I Liked:

• The intricacy of the plot is told realistically and with compassion.
• The thought-provoking and moving storyline
• The well-developed, likeable and strong female protagonists.

I Recommend This Book To:

Those readers who enjoy Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction and Mysteries.

My Rating:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Add The Last House on the Street to your Goodreads shelf

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and audiobook ARC for this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.

Similar Books I’ve Reviewed:

Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

Summer of ’69 by Elin Hilderbrand

Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!  Let me know in the comments if you’ll be reading this book, or have read previous books from this author.  As always, I hope that you have a wonderful day. ☺️