An intriguing story across two timelines and two very different relationships with a very satisfying conclusion.

The story is told over a dual timeline. The characters are well developed. The writing is good. The story flows beautifully. I liked the ending

An easy read dual timeline story set in 1952 and the present day. The usual plot line of discovering a grandmother’s secrets after inheriting a romantic property in a romantic UK location! A pleasant holiday read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC e-copy.

The Last Party at Silverton Hall

by Rachel Burton

Isobel inherits a large five-bedroom mansion from her grandmother Vivien. She is guilt ridden over not visiting her grandmother as much as she could have. After all, Vivien had raised Isobel, keeping her in their beloved Silverton Bay and out of British boarding schools when Isobel’s parents moved to America.

This is a family riddled with secrets. Isabel’s mother Gina and Gina’s mother Vivien never seem to have gotten along, and Isabel is not sure why. She never knew her grandfather Max, but he is a powerful presence in The Last Party at Silverton Hall. Many people in the town were aware of the family’s secrets which amazingly they guarded for years.

This work of historical fiction is told in a dual timeline. In this way the backstory of the family is gradually introduced as Isobel discovers it for herself by talking with long-time residents and unearthing pertinent documents.

Isobel is helped in her search for the truth by an old flame Nick with whom she shared an unforgettable kiss eighteen years prior, Neither is currently married and neither has achieved their original career goals. Nick, a trained physician, has a knack for restoring and flipping houses, and he offers his skills to Isobel as her large house is badly in need of a variety of repairs and renovations.

As secrets come to light, Nick and Isobel confront the past and prepare themselves for a future that they hope will include both of them and Silverton Bay.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Historical Fiction, Romance, Women’s Fiction

Publication: March 2, 2023—Aria

Memorable Lines:

“Life never works out the way we think it will when we’re young. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be proud of what we achieve. Just because things turn out differently doesn’t mean they aren’t worthwhile.”

Secrets have a habit of being revealed, she knew that. But at the same time, when they were, they could blow a life into pieces.

Perhaps we all feel as though we have all the time in the world, and then, when that time inevitably runs out, it takes us by surprise.

Set in the fictional village of Silverton Bay on England’s Norfolk coast, this is a dual timeline story of Vivien Burke Chambers beginning in the 1950s and her granddaughter Isobel Malone in 2019. This is a book about family relationships, learning to love yourself. and about how family history is sometimes surprising and always interesting. A satisfying read.

Isobel is grieving her grandmother and decides to start her life over in the inherited home left to her. When she finds a mysterious photo she can’t help but try to unravel the secrets that lie buried beneath time.

Rachel Burton does a fantastic job of drawing the reader into this dual timeline/dual point of view story. Full of compelling characters, family secrets, and romance, this story is one that satisfies and will keep you both engaged and intrigued.

This book follows dual timelines. Isobel in 2019 as she mourns her grandmother Vivien and renovates the house she has inherited from her. It also follows Vivien in 1952 as she meets a new man and moves to the house on the sea side.

I loved how the two timelines were entwined, and I was very intrigued as the story progressed. Vivien was captivating, and Isobel was relatable. I felt deeply for both of them as secrets were unraveled and relationships changed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed, and Rachel Burton does an amazing job crafting this story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really enjoy a dual timeline book that is done well and I think this is done well.

There appears to be secrets in both timelines that have stayed secret from the beginning. Will they stay secret, that's for me to know and you to find out and I recommend you do.

It's a really lovely story but also heartbreaking in parts. The keep such a secrets must be so difficult. For the secret to come out it may affect more people now because it's been so long.

Isobel is a lovely character and wow to have inherited a house. The house which is so well portrayed you know it's grand and beautiful. I have a feeling that the house dressed for Christmas would be absolutely stunning, like in the hallmark Christmas films I love so much.

I absolutely love that Isobel sees her old friend after so long, it feels serendipitous that her grandmother leaves her her home and her old friend happens to be there too.

The story where the past is connected to the present and the great history is a background of the family drama and affair.

Rachel Burton is a writer I know of. Her books are focused on the people. Their feeling, emotions, story they want to tell. Also, she always finds a places that are important, have a spirit and create a wonderful book based on it.

This time... This one is definitely her best book EVER.

I love it. I adore this place, the dificult story that has been told, the darker side of the family that has to faced the brutal reality. And, at the same time, we have present. Full of hope, new beginnings, relations to be born and feeling to be part of the bigger picture.

Beautifully written, sharing a magnificent and heart-warming story to discover.

I struggled with this one as it bounces back and forth from past to present. DNF 20% read - it is too confusing to switch back and forth and it is always at a cliffhanger

The Last Party at Silverton Hall by Rachel Burton

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Aria and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

A gripping and heartbreaking tale of family, duty and the secrets we keep from those we love most. Perfect for fans of Rachel Hore, Lorna Cook and Kathryn Hughes.

Two women. Two centuries. A life-changing night...

1952: Vivien and Max collide in the thick London smog. Within a few years, their whirlwind romance sees them living a quiet life on the Norfolk coast, blissfully happy with their beautiful daughter – at least, that's how it appears...

2019: Isobel is hoping for a fresh start when she inherits her beloved grandmother Vivien's house in Silverton Bay. But when she discovers an old photograph of Vivien at one of the infamous parties held at Silverton Hall in the 1950s, Isobel is forced to question how well she really knew her grandmother. Silverton Hall is a place Vivien swore she never went and never would – but why would she lie? And what other secrets was she keeping?

Together with an old friend, Isobel searches for answers. But is she prepared for the truth?

My Opinion

Told in two different timelines, this really was a lovely read. Isobel moves into Little Clarion following the death of her grandmother and begins to learn the truth that her family have kept hidden from her. A heart-warming story with second chances and secrets to be revealed.

Rating 4/5

An intriguing book that links three generations of one family to a small seaside village in Norfolk. Spanning many decades we have a story that interweaves untold secrets from the past with modern life and the stresses that brings. At the heart of the story we have Silverton Hall that links everyone together. This is a story of finding your right place and putting to bed problems from your past. Nick and Isobel return to their childhood homes to recharge their lives and work out where they are going next. There meeting again transforms their future and also their own families. Secrets are worked out and there we have a lovely story.

Very enjoyable & captivating dual time line story. I really liked how the author was able to bring the vibe alive for both eras. Thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

I love a good story that takes place in 2 generations of the same family to see how decisions made by the earlier generation affect the lives of the future generations. This book is just that. The older generation, Max and Vivien, made some decisions that affect their daughter Gina's life and the life of their granddaughter Isobel. And none of the connection would have been discovered if Isobel hadn't inherited her grandmother's house. I would love to have had the chance to go through my grandparents' attics to discover stories about previous generations.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

An enjoyable tale set in two different periods, the stories of Isobel and her grandmother.

This story of family secrets unfolds through two timelines: In 2019 with Isobel, and in 1952 with Vivien (her grandmother) and Max. When Isobel inherits her grandmother's house, she realizes that she didn't know the truth about her grandmother's life at all. Why did her grandmother keeps all these secrets? And is Isobel really ready to learn the truth?

Thank you Netgalley and Aria & Aries, Aria for the ARC!

I am a sucker for a good historical fiction book with a dual timeline, so The Last Party at Silverton Hall had me very excited, however, it fell a little flat. I liked the characters and the concept of the plot, but it lacked the scandal and drama I was desperately hoping for. What should have been a roller coaster was very one-note as each secret was revealed without much payoff. That said, it was a very easy read with compelling characters, and I almost read it in one sitting. If you’re looking for a simple, mild historical fiction you would enjoy this, but if you’re looking for a deep and engrossing escape, this one is skippable.

When Isobel’s grandmother Vivien dies, she inherits her home in Silverton Bay. The house is falling apart, and it’s way more to take on than she expected, but Isobel needs a life change and returns to the Bay in hopes that she will find the things she needs there. A second chance with Nick may be exactly what she needs.
When she finds an old picture of her grandmother that confuses her, she spends her time trying to find out the truth about her grandparents and the grand Silverton Hall.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was easy to relate to Isobel. World events changed her life completely. The secrets of her family also turned her world upside down. Rachel Burton does a fantastic job developing her characters and it feels like you know them. I was rooting for Isobel and Nick from the beginning. And I needed to know about the Hall and Vivien.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for my advanced copy of this book.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentray copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

The scenery of this book was lovely and I could picturee the ballroom at the old hotel. I found the story promised to be bigger and did not follow through. The characters were redlatable and easy to read but there was no great story, no great love, just an enjoyabe story of two people who found one another again after years and lives apart. The story of Isobel's mother was intertesting but I felt that the story had the opportunity to be bigger, to be more interesting. This book kind of fell flat for me, there was no grand mystery just a quiet family tale.

I have read a few books by this author and the others I have read caught my attention way more than this one but I will definitely check out more books by this author. I enjoy her writing style.

I really enjoyed reading this. I love dual timeline books but feel they don’t always work, however this one does. As the story unravels you find out more about the characters, both past and present and start to really care for them and what happens.
You certainly feel like you are transported to Silverton Bay as the author describes everything so well.
With twists and turns and secrets kept through the years, this book with keep you guessing.