The Last House on the Street

Diane Chamberlain

Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction

From bestselling author Diane Chamberlain comes an irresistible new novel that perfectly interweaves history, mystery, and social justice.

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 neighbor, 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.

-Excerpt taken from Goodreads.

Check Goodreads to see the book’s ratings.

My Opinion 

5 out of 5 stars (5 / 5) “Why do you say ‘black’ instead of ‘Negro’?” I asked. “It’s a strong word.” “Couldn’t it be seen as insulting?” I asked. “Yes,” he said. “So I’m careful with it… I personally like the feel of it. The strength of it.”

Dear Ms. Chamberlain,

I have worked very hard on this cold, hard outer shell that allows me to not “feel all the feels.” And I very much like this outer shell. Then, I read this book and you somehow shot me through the heart right from chapter one. You broke it multiple times, then patched it up and broke it again. If I didn’t know any better, I’d suspect you and Kristin Hannah were BFFs. I hate this book and love this book but yet need to read everything you’ve written and have multiple copies of each. Darn you and all the feels.

I have added my return address asking for the return of my heart, my pride and an extra pallet of tissues. 

All the stars, all the tissues,

Kym 

Content Summary: F words: 1, serious social injustice, a small child drowns, having to run from people shooting, KKK, physical aggression, details of a man being tied and dragged behind a truck, kidnapping, bullying, death, grief, spouse death.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for this surprise gift!

The book released January 11, 2022.

**As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

5 Comments

  1. I have no idea what I just read, so it was good? The description sounds like one of those neighborhood secret type suspense thrillers until your tag said hist fic 😂

  2. I have loved the two Diane Chamberlain books I’ve read! I’ve been so curious about this one. I’m intrigued by the emotional impact! I read an article by a publisher yesterday that said the most important thing in a review is how the book made you feel. You nailed this review!

    • Thank you! I agree. Whether it’s being entertained, getting bored or getting my emotions going, it’s all how that book makes me feel. Ultimately, that’s how I gage my rating.

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