This is a strange tale. Firstly it is a historical story centered around a girl, Olivia, who becomes an orphan when her parents die in the sinking of the Titanic. Secondly it is a fantasy story when Olivia hears voices coming from inside the wall of her bedroom.. Interesting story.

I was unsure at first how this book would go, but then got swept away with the romance of it.
The differences between the worlds makes your heart ache for each character, finding a family then losing them due to the war, refinding love but through a wall and then finding him in this lifetime.

—A unique story where a young teen is orphaned when her parents die on the Titanic, and the young man she befriends through a sort of time slip.

While odd at times, I did enjoy this story. The ending was also a bit rushed but the premise was enough to keep me intrigued. Check this out next week when it’s released if you’re a fan of WW1 era, magical realism and romance. Thanks NetGalley!

Olivia Davenport was supposed to set sail on the Titanic with her parents, but came down with measles at the last minute, so she was forced to stay behind.. When news of the sinking of the Titanic and the loss of both of her parents reaches Olivia, she is whisked away to her godfather's mansion. The Fairchild's are nothing like her parents - they are very distant and have no idea how to comfort a grieving young lady. Olivia feels alone and friendless - until the day he hears a voice from behind the wall in her tower bedroom, that is. A voice from a man called Seth. It's not until after the heartbreak of war that Olivia discovers that he exists in an overlapping world,- a world where the Titanic never sank, where everything since has been just slightly… different. All Olivia wants is to find a way into his reality. And not just to see the faces of her beloved parents once again. But also to meet Seth. Who might just be the love of her life…

This book was so good. It wasn't an alternate reality story, but rather gave two versions - one of how things really were, and then the version of how things could have been, had the Titanic not met that fate. Then, seeiing all of the choices at different points in time, and where each timeline ended up. It was captvating, heartbreaking at times, and definitely something that I think you will thoroughly enjoy just like I did.

This one was a bit of a disappointment, if I'm honest. It was billed as a time slip novel, and it is, but the first half is more a fairly run-of-the-mill, predictable war story. This does set the scene, but it takes up a lot of the book and I didn't find it terribly enjoyable. The characters are interesting and likeable, but I really wanted to read about the time slip. That does become the focus of the second half, and things pick up, but it's also a bit frustrating and I didn't really get on with some of the choices the characters made. I also found the ending a bit of a let down despite it probably being the only way things could end. I think overall, it's a good historical fiction, but I wanted more time slip and I felt too long was spent setting the scene. If you go in prepared for it to be told in almost two separate parts, then I think you would enjoy it more.

I had an advance copy of this, so thank you to the publishers and Netgalley. My review is entirely voluntary.

The author’s, “ No 23 Burlington Square” was one of my favourite books of last year so I knew I’d enjoy this, and I did!
I think I’d describe it as an Historical, coming of age, feel-good melodrama with a fantasy twist?
The story follows Olivia, a young girl orphaned by the Titanic disaster and sent to live with her godparents & their four sons in a huge landed estate. She grows up amidst the horrors or WW1, dealing with huge amounts of grief. I thought these parts were excellent-the details, the atmosphere of looming war and then the horror of it during and after. Her childhood section of the story gave me Secret Garden vibes.
The fantasy twist comes in when she starts talking to another person on the other side of the wall and they slowly discover that they are from parallel worlds-one where the Titanic disaster never happened but most other aspects of their lives are the same.
I really enjoyed the mystery aspects of the story, especially the gasp out loud twists and thought Olivia was an excellent character full of zest & life. The central love story was lovely and heartwarming and I loved the resolution-for both Olivias and Seths.

Really enjoyed and would recommend. The author has a real gift for dealing with very difficult human emotions in a heartfelt way.

A cleverly written story which is like two books united together. The twists and turns whilst gripping are a challenge to follow at times. Olivias childhood ends with the sinking of the Titanic. She is offered a home with her godparents and enjoys being part of a family. But what if the Titanic didn’t sink? Is it her imagination or is there a parallel world that runs alongside? This book will keep you guessing until the end.

I was really looking forward to this book partly because of the promised mystical dual world element and also its links with the Titanic. The Titanic unfortunately only appears briefly to introduce the split in time. However the author appears to have had other ideas ready to include in this book. There is definitely a Downton Abbey theme going on and the dual world element is there. Not so much initially but more so in the second half of the book. I really enjoyed the feisty character of Olivia. She just came alive whatever was thrown at her. I also enjoyed the way the book was brought to a close (no spoilers). Very intricate, but clever and satisfying. This storyline could have gone badly wrong but on the whole it works and is a very enjoyable read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 |

Thanks @netgalley for the advanced copy!

This book sounded so utterly intriguing - part sweeping romance, part thrilling mystery and part heartbreaking WW1 drama.

When Olivia's parents both pass away on the Titanic, she's shipped off to live with her Godfather and his family at a country manor house. But with war in Europe imminent and the threat of their four sons being drafted, they have more to worry about.

Friendless, Olivia takes solace in the mysterious voice from behind the wall in her tower room. She believes Seth to be a product of her grieving imagination and thinks nothing of it. However, they soon discover that they are both very much alive, living in alternate worlds that run parallel to eachother.

Honestly, this book was so beautifully written. There's so much in it to unpack and so many overlapping genres that it will make the perfect book club read!

I've been in a bit of a slump lately and this one was just what I needed 🖤

The House of Lost Whispers is released on 27th April!

Another enchanting tale of historical fantasy by Jenni Keer with absolutely adorable characters and a gripping plot. This one explores what might happen if there were two versions of reality, and the impact on history if certain major events didn’t happen. It’s an intriguing premise - who hasn’t wondered how their life might have turned out if something significant hadn’t occurred? - how much are we fated to be with a certain person, and how much is down to random chance?
The book covers the events immediately preceding, during and after the First World War. Often moving and thought-provoking, I was touched by the story of the Fairchild family who took in the orphaned Olivia Davenport after her parents were lost at sea. Olivia is a wonderful heroine: plucky and optimistic, despite her life being overshadowed by grief. She is an imaginative, quirky ray of sunshine. I loved that she sometimes had to maintain her spirits through sheer force of will because her life is often very hard, and that this resilient courage had a positive effect on everyone she encountered.
Then there is the man behind the wall. I loved this character, too. Much of the humour in the novel comes through him, and the witty dialogue between him and Olivia really sparkles.
There are plenty of unexpected twists and turns through the story, which occasionally mashes genres, and towards the end I started to wonder if there would ever be a HEA. But ultimately I’m happy to report finishing this book with a highly satisfied smile.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

How to summarize this book? Olivia Davenport, after losing her parents in the sinking of the Titanic, moves into her godparents house and has a childish crush on a gardener there. Olivia also begins to speak to a parallel version of him in which the sinking of the Titanic never happened. Then follows a long non-fantastical section of the book on a separate WW1 romance and tragedy involving Olivia before a solving of a cold case murder and a return to her once childish crush.

(A note on content warnings: the *adult* gardener reacts appropriately to her crush on him and is not interested thank god. But you will read about a minor having unreciprocated feelings for him.)

As you can tell, this book has SO MUCH PLOT in it. My summary even leaves out many side plots like a sanitarium, a gay son, disfigurement, the importance of physical touch in parenting, and a matchmaker trope. All of this is both a strength and a weakness. I found both a very quick page-turner and some genre-bending that sometimes felt very abrupt from one to another. Did I just read a fantasy? A mystery? A romance? Adult? YA? Middle grade? No idea.

Despite all of this, Kerr’s writing is very cozy to me and I greatly appreciate this unique premise. The House of Lost Whispers would be ideal for a book club or for a romance reader dipping their toe into historical fantasy.

Thank you, Boldwood Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Based on the blurb, I thought this book was going to be more of a mystery, something even science fiction-y maybe. Find a way through the wall to this other world where the Titanic didn’t sink.
I found out, a bit slowly, that this is not that book. And to be honest, it could’ve been any number of larger than normal but not world ending tragedies, I do wonder: why the Titanic?
That being said WOW, this book had me in a chokehold. So many twists and turns, so much loss, yet so much imagination and unwavering optimism. I thought this story might be simple, but it wove all these threads through time and space together so beautifully. I read 50% of it in one afternoon, I could NOT put it down.
Olivia was such a delight. Her positivity is overbearing, but everyone around her NEEDS it. Did you see all those sad people in Seth’s timeline? Nah, they desperately needed Olivia’s unfailing spirit and hope. She faced an unthinkable tragedy, and sure the war is a much larger scale and cause for more depression and desensitization, but it’s the same grief.
In a time where I’m feeling quite hopeless about the state of our world and looking at Olivia and her privilege with skepticism and “what abouts,” the escapism DID make me feel better. I found the story moving and thoughtful. It’s so difficult to be optimistic in the world, but if more people had the guts Olivia has, maybe we’d scrape by.
I really, really loved this.

"The House of Lost Whispers" by Jenni Keer is a captivating historical novel that intertwines elements of romance, mystery, and the supernatural. Set in early 20th-century England, the story follows Olivia Davenport, who, after losing her parents in the Titanic disaster, is sent to live with the Fairchild family at Merriford Manor. Amidst the looming shadows of World War I, Olivia discovers a mysterious voice behind her bedroom wall belonging to Seth, a man from a parallel universe where the Titanic never sank. Their connection evolves into a profound bond that challenges the boundaries of time and reality.​

Keer's storytelling intricately weaves themes of love, loss, and resilience, set against richly detailed historical backdrops. The novel delves into the emotional depths of its characters, particularly Olivia, whose journey from grief to self-discovery is both poignant and inspiring. The introduction of a parallel universe adds a unique twist, prompting readers to ponder the "what ifs" of history.​

While the narrative is compelling, certain sections dive deeply into descriptive prose, slowed the progression of the plot. However, "The House of Lost Whispers" offers a thought-provoking exploration of alternate realities and the enduring human spirit, and is a great read for those who appreciate historical fiction infused with a touch of the fantastical.

Jenni Keer delivers a mesmerizing blend of historical fiction and magical realism in The House of Lost Whispers. Set against the backdrop of the Titanic tragedy and WWI, this beautifully layered novel follows orphaned Olivia Davenport, whose life takes a surreal turn when she begins hearing a voice—Seth’s—through the walls of her tower room at Merriford Manor.

Their haunting, time-bending romance unfolds across parallel worlds—one where the Titanic sank, and one where it didn’t—leading Olivia to question everything she knows. Rich with emotion, mystery, and imagination, the story is both heart-wrenching and hopeful.

With strong pacing, captivating twists, and deeply emotional themes, this is a standout read—Keer’s best yet. A beautifully crafted, unforgettable tale.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

3.5 Stars

I received this book as an Arc from NetGalley and Boldwood books and my thoughts and opinions are my own.

I picked up this book because it mentioned one of my favorite subjects, the Titanic. I thought this story was really cute and it kept my attention through most of it. I was expecting the titanic to play a bigger role in the story than it did. I also expected there to be more with the alternate world. Halfway through the story there was a mystery to solve and some romantic interest.

I thought that it was a cute, quick read and I would recommend reading it.

After thirteen year old Olivia's parents die on the fated Titanic voyage, she is sent to love with her godparents and their sons. However, when she hears a voice on the other side of her wall, it insists the Titanic did not sink, and her parents are alive and well. Who is the owner of the voice and how is Olivia hearing them?

The story also covers the period of World War One, and I enjoyed the descriptions of the disruption is caused in both existences, with different outcomes as to who survived and who did not. I did however find the story a little odd in places, almost as if the author didn't quite know what to do with her ideas. I enjoyed the writing style, and I found the ways the characters differed across the two existences to be interesting, but it felt perhaps as if the story needed a little further editing. 3 and a half stars, rounded to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in return for an honest review.

I will preface this by saying that I read and enjoyed The Ravenswood Witch, so was quite looking forward to this. The general writing style is quite similar. A sort of... slightly repressed Downton Abbey vibe. I think my problem with this book is that the author had two different ideas, and didn't make them gel well. If she'd written the "human story" that took up the first half of the book then that would be fine. But the book's description had already spoilered that this wasn't going to work out. And then the actual selling point of the book (what if the Titanic didn't go down) was just very strangely handled. I definitely got the feeling that she got part way in and then wasn't really sure how to resolve it, and I wasn't a fan of the way that she did.

Having said that, there were some lovely moments (and I did enjoy the twists that came in the latter quarter).

Jenni Keer....the Queen of historical fiction with a magical twist!!
I've come to love her writing and know to expect that little bit more, but even so, I was beautifully drawn in to Olivia's world and everyone around her, and this exceeded my expectations.

Spread over a few years, we meet Olivia as a young 13 year old who tragically loses both her parents aboard the Titanic, and follow her as she adjusts to a new life without them, whilst also living the fear and sadness of WW1.

Of course the blurb tells us it's also a story of a second reality of overlapping worlds- as ever this was done both cleverly and wonderfully! I can't recommend this enough.

“The House of Whispers” is a stunning & heart wrenching historical romance novel. I loved reading about the tale of 13 year old Olivia, orphaned by the tragic sinking of the Titanic and how fate, time & parallel worlds collided to bring peace to her through her darkest moments.

Olivia, is sent to live with her Godfather and his family, the Fairchilds, and asks to move to the tower room, where she can have alone time like a Princess hidden from all around her. In that lofty room one night she hears a voice, a boy who thinks she is a ghost! Each night they chat and spar fighting over which one of them is real and which a ghost. Slowly Olivia’s happiness returns, her friend restoring her faith in life, her sunny disposition and loving nature. The voice eventually stops. The lad had kept her going through her darkest times but had finally gone, possibly he was a product of her grief and vivid imagination?

Then War descends bringing with it unmeasurable grief and losses. Once again Olivia seeks solace in her own company in her tower room. The voice returns. His name is Seth and he claims to be the gardener on the estate. There was a Seth, he used to sleep in her tower room before she moved in. Between them, they realise they live in some kind of parallel world. In his World the Titanic didn’t sink, her parents lived, she didn’t suffer their tragic loss nor live with the Fairchilds. They continue to speak every night which restores the joy and lighr they both need after the ravages of war but despite the strength of their bonds they can not meet in real life nor tell anyone about it.

Even without the science fiction aspect, Olivia’s story is a compelling one of triumph over adversity, grief, loss and the power of true friendship. With the addition of the magical, romantic aspect I found “The House of Whispers” even more compelling as I read on longing for a fairy tale ending.

Oh my gosh!! What a wonderful story of WWI and the Titanic disaster. I was wrapped up in it right away. The mystery of it kept me reading late into the night.