"The Last Party at Silverton Hall" is a novel told in two distinct timelines: 1952 and 2019. The storyline was predictable at times but overall an engaging read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Isobel has inherited 'Little Clarion' from her grandmother Vivien. The house is in Silverton Bay in Norfolk, where Isobel spent most of her childhood when her parents moved to New York. She has many happy memories there & the main one being Nick, her childhood friend. After a difficult few years, she needs a new start in life & this is it!
The area starts to show her secrets that she had no idea about & life becomes so complicated, added by the return of Nick.

I love a Rachel Burton book. Her writing is so enticing & takes you to the eras with her descriptive writing. I was walking London In the smog & swimming in the sea, I was walking around Little Clarion looking at the changes I would make.

I read it in two sittings & wanted more, perhaps a sequel? Recommended read, enjoy!

Compelling family saga👍

Three generations of women and a well-plotted tale of the secrets that affected their relationships with each other. This story of Isobel, Vivien and Gina, told by alternating between past and present, kept me fully engaged. I had to and fully wanted to keep reading to confirm the roots of their hidden truths and how they shaped Vivien's marriage and her troubled relationship with her only child.

Isobel is floored by the family secrets she uncovers after her beloved grandmother Vivien's death when she inherits her Vivien's large, old house on the Norfolk coast. Isobel's return to Norfolk transforms from an escape from her unhappy life in London to a new start both professionally and personally, including a chance to reconnect with her teenage love and friends she abandoned.

I found the 9/11 connection in the story an interesting twist and the modern, closed door romance between Isobel and Nick juxtaposed nicely with Vivien's experience with Max.

I thoroughly enjoyed the novel plot, pace, characterizations and writing style. I would definitely be inclined to read more by Rachel Burton.

Thanks to Aria and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

This is a really beautiful feel good read.
A duel timeline story set in the 1950,s and 2019 surrounding the lives of Vivien and her granddaughter Isobel.
Isobel has always thought that the grandmother that she loved had secrets in her past that she was not happy to give up.
When her grandmother dies and leaves her house to Isobel she starts on a journey that will reveal these secrets and so much more that will change her life for ever.

This book has dual timelines, from 1952 and 2019, but it works and flows smoothly. I thought it added to the story.
Isobel inherits her grandmothers home, when she passes away, When she gets there and sees how bad the house is in, she isn't sure what to do. She realizes someone she once was close to had moved back, and his grandfather is the only one she is allowed to ask to help her.
This story captured my attention from the start and kept it until the end. It was enjoyable reading about today with all that was going on, and at the same time, sliding back into the past like looking at memories. I thought it was going to be more questions than answers, but that isn't the case. It blended together, slowly, but at a good pace. We learn, the secrets, the times when things were so different back in 1952, As Isobel found photographs that didn't add up, she decided to search for the answers. She finally decided to talk to her mother, which her mother didn't want to talk about, but her father called her back. She decided to continue to look for the answers.
When she discovered that she had kept a diary, she decided to fly to America to see her parents, because she thought her mother should read it first. When she got there, she and her mother talked, and her mother hadn't been home in years and Isobel wanted her to come home and go to the party and Silverton Hall. Her mother hasn't flown since 2011 and said she never would again. Isobel's father talked her into going over by boat, and her mother wanted to go home now that she understood things. There was one more question that they wondered about, and the night of the party, that question was answered.
I received an ARC from Aria through NetGalley.

This story's poignant mystery begins in the 1950s but isn't solved until 2019. It's a tale of betrayal, family, friendships and forgiveness but most of all, love and second chances. Isobel inherits the house she has always loved from Vivien, her grandmother. The house on the Norfolk coast has a wealth of memories but is rundown, like Isobel's life.

Set in dual timelines, the reader learns the secrets of Isobel's family and how they shaped the lives of three generations of women. The setting is lyrically described, and the characterisation of the three women makes this so compelling. The character and emotional development are believable, and the naivety of Vivien in the misogynist 1950s is portrayed well. The pacing is good, and the storytelling is engaging in this uplifting read.

I like the characterisation, the setting and the storytelling.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This is a dual time line story which, in the 2019 is about Isobel in and the Vivian’s story is set in 1952.

Silverton Hall now belongs to Isobel, after the death of Vivian and she is trying to clear out what’s not needed that her grandmother left behind.

Isobel has never known what happened between her grandmother and estranged and as mother, Gina, But now, she wants to find out.

I highly recommend this book.

Two timelines, exploring love and second chances. A lovely thoughtful story with characters that I was invested in. Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion.

I had not read any books by this author before so it was great to read something different.
It was a dual timeline story which of course has been done before but this was well done and not at all annoying or confusing as some books like this can be.

I found that the book kept my interest and though in some ways the storyline was predictable, it had some twists and turns I hadn't expected.
I did find some of the characters frustrating - I had never thought of the implications for some of 9/11 for instance but it kept be interested enough to want to know what happened and why.

However some of the story was sad - stigma and illegitimacy in the 1950s seems so odd these days - even for us oldies.
All in all a thoroughly enjoyable book for which I will not supply any spoilers

Thank you again

This book is set on two timelines from 1952 and 2019, which is really interesting. Revolving around the family line from Vivien in the 50’s to Isobel in the ‘present day’
Isobel is drifting and not really enjoying life in Cambridge when her beloved grandmother dies and leaves her the house on the coast of Norfolk, could this be a new beginning that can relight her passion for painting and drawing? There is so much to discover is the old house that hasn’t been renovated or even redecorated in over 60 years.
Evocative and atmospheric, heartening yet also sad, great love, loss and emptiness. This is interesting from the first page to the last!
Only 4 stars as I felt it was very repetitive in places, and stuck in places, don’t know if this was written in lockdown which would explain it. Nevertheless a great read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Aria books for the early read.

Loved it!! I was hooked from the start and had to know what Vivien's husband told her after the party. Max definitely seemed too good to be true when Vivien bumped into him in the fog. Vivien didn't love Max when she married him, but believed she could grow to love him. She saw Max as a means to get away from her current life, although she didn't realize what she was really giving up. Max didn't love Vivien, but she was exactly what he needed for his plans to work. Max had so many secrets and I couldn't wait until everything was finally revealed. Loved the dual timeline. Isobel and Nick were perfect for each other. Both of them were living lives they never expected. Nick was supposed to be a doctor and Isobel was supposed to be an artist. Sometimes life gets in the way and dreams get changed or side railed.

Definitely recommend the book. Loved the story, characters and writing style. There were so many secrets, not sure how they were kept for so many years. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Aria & Aries through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A dual time line novel following the stories of Isobel in 2019 and her grandmother Vivian in 1952. Isobel has inherited Silverton after Vivian's death and now she's sorting through all the things Vivian abandoned there. It's near been clear what happened and Isobel, estranged from her mother Gina, looks for answers. It's very much a novel of family and second chances with good atmospherics and a thoughtful bent. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good storytelling makes this a good read.

The Last Party at Sliverton Hall first came to my attention when it was featured on Sarah Bennett's Facebook page. Instantly I knew I needed to read it and I'm so glad I requested it.

Set on the beautiful Norfolk coast as well as London, this tells the story of Vivien, Isabel and Nick - a grandmother, granddaughter plus her love interest. Isabel is a girl who is heartbroken when her beloved grandmother dies. When she learns she has been left the house in Sliverton Bay, its her way of finally going home.

But there is two major problems: the house is in badly need of renovation work plus the fact that Vivien doesn't want the house sold for thirteen months. I was engrossed in this book from the moment I picked it up with its twisted and turns. The discovery of a picture opens a can of worms that send Isabel on a journey to unlock the secrets of her history including her late grandfather, Max.

I loved that the booked kept on moving from the past to the present, keeping me glued as I tried to find out the answers to the questions. Rachel has written such a brilliant book: one filled with twists and turns.

And the ending? I wanted to throw my kindle across the room! How could you do that to me Rachel? There better be a sequel because it feels there's more story to tell especially with Gina.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me early access to this wonderful book.

An enjoyable story written over two timelines. Isobel inherits her grandmother's house, a place she called home herself for many years when she was growing up, and a house that will unlock hidden family secrets. A well written story with intrigue & mystery, love & loss & best of all a little sprinkling of romance.

I loved the dual pov throughout this book, going between the present day and the 1950s.

Isobel inherits Silverton Hall from her grandmother. After finding old photographs of her grandmother she realises she might not know her grandmother as well as she thought she did and sets out to find the answers to all her questions.

Such a wonderful story and well worth the read!

2 timelines. Second chances. Old houses with a story to tell . Broken Dreams, hidden secrets and the strength to carry on. I liked this book, but I hoped it would pull on my heartstrings a little more. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

A great family story told in two different time periods. The characters were all well developed and very relatable. The plot told from the 1950's and 2019, transitioned smoothly from scene to scene and the story slowly build. The center plot is focused on the mystery behind the secrets of her grandmother's life. Truly an enjoyable read. Highly recommend.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

We follow a young woman, Isobel, in 2019 as she moves back to the home she once lived in with her grandmother. Dual-timelining is the early 1950s and her grandmother, Vivien, who is a young bride to a man who has something he's hiding. There is a secret to Isobel's past that Vivien took with her to the grave. As Isobel slowly works on restoring her home, she meets an old friend who is also working through his recent past.

This book was a character-driven drama with a touch of mystery. It was not a thriller nor something with a huge surprise. But the setting and interactions of the story worked for me and I enjoyed reading it. I would recommend it as a pleasant read, not edge-of-your-seat interesting, but not boring at all. It was just the right type of story to read a bit at night before bed.

I would read another book by this author.

Wow! This book is toll from two different points of view one is Isabel she is Vivian‘s granddaughter the other POV. When we meet Isabell she just learned that she inherited her grandmother‘s beloved Victorian although she is sad at its crumbling state and the mice that have taken up residence she wearily decides she’ll fix it up. Plus there was a stipulation in her grandmother’s will that she must live in the home for at least 13 months before selling it. The other stipulation is that she must get the elderly antiques owner Spencer to go through the house with her for valuables and to help
With any extras. So on her last morning staying at The Silverton hall hotel A worker name Ella engages Isabell in conversation and when she finds out Vivian was her grandmother, Ella is more than excited to tell her how much they loved her grandmother and her visits she made to the hotel. Ella also tells her oh by the way she also donated some photographs from the 50s in the hotels hey-day. And then I asked Isabell if she would like to see them. This is all new information to her because whenever she would ask her grandmother if she wanted to eat lunch there her grandmother would blow her off and Isabell never thought twice about it but now she’s rethinking everything. It seems Vivian had a whole life Isabell knew nothing about. In Vivians chapters we learn how she met Max the handsome banker who she would go on to marry and have a beautiful daughter but ultimately there was something that was shadow Vivian‘s view on things and almost ruined her whole life. When Isabell goes to the antique dealer to ask Spencer to help her go through the big house she is shocked to see Spencer‘s grandson there who she shared a moment with 18 summers before when he starts helping her fix up the house they both start feeling that same old feeling they had back then. I really enjoyed these books and loved Vivian‘s chapters and I really liked her character. It seems Isabell didn’t know her grandmother at all. I love a book that uncovers family secrets that was the last party at Silverton hall and what a party it was. I love this book and highly recommend it this is such a great mystery that is a definite solid four-star read! I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my reviewgg

Told in alternating time-lines, the early 1950s and 2019, this family saga is enticing, mysterious, and mesmerising. The town of Silverton Bay may be fictional, but it sure feels like a real place.
The book is really well-written, and the character development, and world-building is commendable. I loved all the characters, but I think my favourites must be Vivien and Spencer. Vivien has the makings of the strong, opinionated matriarch that features in a lot of family sagas, but she is also loving, and caring. Isobel is the perfect female protagonist: strong, persistent. I also loved Nick, with all his charms, allure, and mystery. Nick's grandfather, Spencer, is just as lovely, and I adored their entire dynamic.
The element of the story that kept me most spellbound was the secret. In my experience, family secrets can make or break a relationship, and I was on the edge of my seat, waiting to find out what happens with this secret.