1965. A young white female student becomes involved in the fight for civil rights in North Carolina, falling in love with one of her fellow activists, a Black man, in a time and place where an interracial relationship must be hidden from family, friends and especially the reemerging Ku Klux Klan. As tensions rise in the town, she realises not everyone is who they appear to be. 2010. A recently widowed architect moves into the home she and her late husband designed, heartbroken that he will never cross the threshold. But when disturbing things begin to happen, it's clear that someone is sending her a warning. Who is trying to frighten her away, and why? Decades later, past and present are set to collide in the last house on the street.

This is a very powerful, emotive read and one that is extremely difficult to read at times. Sadly, it also feels like a timely read and reflective of some recent events. Chamberlain runs two time periods throughout this book, in my opinion, I could have done without the 2010 time line. Although good, I do not think it offered anything extra and Chamberlain could still have taken the plot in the same direction without it being in the book. However, the 1965 time line is extremely evocative, powerful and haunting. I immersed myself in Ellie's world, getting to know her and those around her. As I read this, I could see what was coming further down the plot and it was like a slow motion event, I desperately wanted to change it and I could not. Despite not being a fan of the 2010 thread, I did enjoy how Chamberlain brings them together, the ending of the book is where 2010 comes into its own. The emotion in this is incredibly raw and I could feel the pain ebbing off the pages. This read will remain with me for a long time.

The characters are good, Chamberlain has a complex cast with different personalities. Again, I preferred the characters in 1965, they felt more fleshed out and integral to the plot. I did enjoy Kayla as a character and she becomes more important as the book progresses, however, again I question whether the book would be missing anything if she was removed and I do not think it would.

'The Last House on the Street' is a very moving, haunting historical fiction read. Chamberlain writes eloquently and captures the raw emotion. Enjoyed is not the right word but I found myself utterly gripped by the read and the devastating events Chamberlain portrays.

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for an advance copy.

Once I got used to the back and forth between 'now' and the 'past' I really enjoyed this book. The story unravels the time in American history when racial tensions were high and related to votes being given to all without the need for a literacy test - I found it astounding that this wasn't as long ago as you would think.

The 'now' highlighted that the prejudice is still there and it being held on tightly by some who lived through it, while others are striving for equality.

A timely and well written book.

A real page Turner full of twists and turns.
Well written as par for a Diane chamberlain novel and moving

Another thoroughly enjoyable book by Diane Chamberlain! Once I picked it up I just couldnt put it down again! I simply cannot wait for the paperback version to be in shops so I can pick up a copy and read it again.

The Last House On The Street by Diane Chamberlian. This is a NetGalley read. I am a fan of the authors and she is very much like Jodi Picoult. The story alternates between 1965 and 2010. It’s about how these to years collide and the impact that Racism has had. It’s not a fast paced book but yet the way the author writes it’s compelling and really makes you think and at times it’s incredibly hard to read because of the reality of what happened to people because of the colour of their skin. I wouldn’t call it an enjoyable read because of the subject of racism however it’s an enjoyable read because of it rawness and honesty, because of it’s characters and the relationship between characters. Not all characters are loveable or likeable however again that’s what makes the book honest. I’ll be honest at times it’s harrowing to read, despite it being fiction, the subject is very real and what these people went through is real (yet appallingly not that long ago in 1965) and unfortunately even though things have changed slightly now with racism, no matter what your skin colour, you can’t help but know that violence towards people because of there skin colour still exists. It is also an eye opening and incredibly moving read in the sense that it’s not a subject I have read about before, there’s no reason why I haven’t, it’s just hasn’t been something I’ve read. It’s very hard to put into words how this book made me feel, sick at other peoples actions, sad that in 2021 violence toward people because of their skin colour still exists and I feel somewhat disgusted that some people are still like this. This book and the feelings it envokes is incredibly current . There is such brutality in this book and unfortunately there isn’t s happy ending, yet because of the emotion within this book, because of its subject, it’s left me with a very heavy book hangover, all I can keep thinking about is this incredible story and regardless of it’s subject it’s a WOW kind of book and is probably the most thought provoking book I’ve read this year. Simply WOW

I really enjoyed this book. It has been described as a historical novel but it also contains intriguing elements of a psychological thriller, which is a happy place for me: a page turner where place and time of the are highly relevant.

The novel is set in America’s deep South and told in dual timelines by Ellie and Kayla, two women of different generations. Ellie’s story plays out in the mid-6os, when she - inspired by her late aunt Carol - as a 20-year-old decides to join the civil rights movement in support of voting rights for black people. This decision has consequences and following some dramatic and life-changing events, she leaves her bigoted and racist paternal home and home town and only returns briefly as a 65-year-old to look after her ailing mother and brother.

This is where her story line touches Kayla’s, who in 2010 is just about -together with her little daughter - to move into her new-built House At The End Of The Street – of Ellie’s street. It is her dream home, lovingly designed by her and her husband, but disaster struck when he had a fatal accident in the house. Kayla is full of apprehension and mixed feelings about the move, not helped by the fact that there are clear indications that someone goes out of their way to put her off moving in. There is something about this plot of land that is scary and as we find out, linked to events that drove Ellie away from her home town.

This is a moving story of how personal tragedy is linked to larger social and political events and movements and of how the truth of the hidden past wants to come out despite all attempts to bury it for the sake of all those implicated. Our two heroines emerge from this process with a new feeling of freedom, Ellie found some sort of closure and Kayla is finally ready, to make a new life in her ‘haunted’ house.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A stunning read to remember. This is initially set in two time lines. With Ellie we are in 1965. Coloureds ( as they were called then) now have the vote and she is to join the SCOPE programme to help them register as so far there has been little uptake. Her parents won't be keen she knows and to fully be part of the programme she will be expected to live and work in the coloured area of town, staying with a family there.
Kayla in 2010 has recently lost her husband Jackson who designed a house for them- which she is just about to move into. Jackson died through an accident in the house and Kayla is now unsure that she wants to go ahead with the move but has little choice as she is currently staying in her fathers house which has also been sold. She gets a visit at work from a woman who appears to know things about her, personal things. This worry Kayla so much she calls the police as the woman appears to want to commit murder. Who is she and why has she visited and threatened Kayla?
Wow! Although fiction this gives a background into the civil rights movement and what they went through in the 1960’s- really not that long ago- but oh how the world has changed for the better. This came across as sensitively done and well researched. I felt for Kayla and wanted to hug Ellie- a strong, determined woman if there ever was one who stands out for putting others first and being totally unselfish in a world that only thought of themselves. A truly memorable inspiring read. Wow!
(rest of links on publication)

I loved this book it was such a brilliant story and Diane Chamberlain has this wonderful ability to draw you into the story she is telling making it impossible to put the book down. Told in alternating timelines and by Kayla and Ellie it deals with some really hard subjects but is done in such a fabulous way that makes you care deeply for the characters and the horrible situations they are faced with in a time when the civil rights and Scope campaign was a dangerous but important place to be.
This is an emotional read it made me really sad but it was also an uplifting read and I think the author has this unique way of putting that across. The characters were all excellent and the book was well crafted throughout I couldn’t put it down!!
So I will say no more as this is a book that should be picked up and read, it’s to good to miss I loved it and can highly recommend it as a 5 star read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Headline for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

As a long time fan of Diane Chamberlain's books I was delighted to offered the opportunity to read and review and advanced copy of her new title. It is a dual timeline book - 1965 and 2010 and covers issues of race, bigotry and forbidden love between coloured and white. It is a tale involving many ugly and downright nasty feelings, emotions and behaviour and in some places is quite a tough read. I didn't really warm to Kayla, the 2010 main character but the 1965 cast was excellent, even the dislikeable ones. It did take me a while to get into this book as it didn't seem up to Ms Chamberlain's previous books but as the story progressed I got more and more drawn into it and from 60% I just read until I finished it.

The Last house on the street by Diane Chamberlin is the first book that I have read, and it won’t be my last.
This is a powerful story set in 1965 America where a white girl joins a group of volunteers, spreading the word and encouraging black people to register to vote. But doing this she risks her own life and goes against her own families’ beliefs which causes trouble not only for herself but her family and the community she lives in. It even gets worse when she falls in love with Win a Black Negroe that’s in the group that she is campaigning in.
Thank you Headline for a copy of this amazing book. It stirred up a mixture of emotions as I kept on reading. This had an interesting dual storyline which no doubt will leave readers talk about for a long time. Not only in the time of 1965 but the time in 2010 when things are revealed what happened in the street all of them years ago. This is a great page turner. I highly recommend.

This story is set over two different time lines. The main characters in each are very believable. The story set in 1965 tells the important story of a white girl from America's south encouraging black people to register to vote. She falls in love with a black man which goes against the beliefs of her very racist community.
This is a well written book with a very serious message. I strongly recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the advance copy of this book.

This was the first book I had read by this author and I had really enjoyed it. I liked the way the story unfolded and I found the main characters very relatable.

Many thanks to netgalley and Diane Chamberlain for the advanced copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.

A great Historical Fiction book with a dual timeline based in 1965 and 2010.
Really interesting concept but at times hard reading. I enjoyed the build up of the story and of course the big reveal and my favourite character was Ellie who was so passionate about what she believed in! A very thought provoking book by a fantastic author.

This book was just simply amazing. It enthralled from the start. It was so atmospheric. The dual timeline of Ellie & Kayla is so moving and it gives you a wide range of emotions. The ending kept me guessing all the way but it was a worthy climax .

Emotionally Turbulent…
A powerful and page turning read from Diane Chamberlain. Told in a successful dual timeline, the narrative is credible and compelling and a tale that will keep the reader turning pages from first to last. Often distressing and emotionally turbulent, the writing is fluid and the storyline tense.

Set between two timelines I was soon hooked on this book. Its quite a dark read with some uncomfortable reading but I couldn't put this novel down. A well written, slow burn read it was a great escape read and I loved it

Intriguing story from this wonderful author. Was initially creeped out by the storyline but came back to it and got swept along in the tale. The dual timeline works well

I love Diane Chamberlain books and really looked forward to reading this. It was good and covered some interesting subjects with some varied characters but I did find it dragged on a bit. Not one of my favourites, but still well worth a read.

Set in two linked time periods this book examines prejudice and rascism in small communities.. It portrays this pretty well throughout the story but did not hold my interest.

A gripping and powerful tale.

I was entranced by the narrative. Spellbound by all the secrets I had to unravel.

The descriptions of the time and locations are at times brutal yet vivid and expertly crafted.

A hauntingly beautiful tale.