The House of Lost Whispers by Jenni Keer is a captivating and atmospheric novel that blends mystery, historical fiction, and a touch of magical realism.

The House of Lost Whispers transports you on a magical journey that is part romance and part mystery where two world's exist with very different outcomes.
A utterly spellbinding historical fiction that I couldn't put down, make sure to add this one to your reading lists!

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

At the age of 13 Olivia Davenport is orphaned when her parents die on Titanic. She is sent to live with her father’s best friend and his family, the Fairchild’s at their home, Merriford Manor. Lord Hugh and Lady Cynthia have four children, all boys and although they welcome Olivia they are a cold family and all Olivia needs is a hug. Her escapism from her tragic loss is her imagination, a world where she is a princess, a world full of make believe.

Briefly, after her godparents allow her to move into the tower she continues to grieve although she is beginning to break through the cold exterior of some of the Fairchild’s. Then one night she hears a voice that seems to come from the other side of the wall. In time it becomes clear that the person she is speaking to lives in a parallel world to hers, one in which Titanic didn’t sink and her parents survived the ship hitting the iceberg. I don’t want to say more for fear of spoilers.

A historical drama, with a romantic element, and a timeslip fantasy all woven together. There is a mystery element around a missing girl and a dramatic family story for both the Davenport’s and Fairchild’s in both stories. The timeslip element is done well and I couldn’t make up my mind at all whether it was real or just Olivia‘s vivid imagination. Olivia is a wonderful character and I so wanted a happy ending for her. Did she get it? You will have to read the book to find out.

I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this book but Jennifer Keer did not disappoint. I must admit I didn’t initially like the idea of parallel worlds and elements of war but I was pleasantly surprised. There are a few characters in this book living different lives between the two worlds but at no point did this become confusing which I’m very glad about. I loved how all the characters got their lives wrapped up with proper endings and not forgotten or buried in unnecessary subplots. All round an enjoyable book with a different story line from most historical novels.

The House Of Lost Whispers by Jenni Keer is a compelling historical novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.
This is a very unique novel. It opens as the Titanic sinks, but in another dimension – The Titanic survives! Parallel lives with subtle differences. Only two characters share this unique perspective, and for years, each believes the other to be a ghostly voice!
We see the devastation that World War I brings. A generation of young men, lost forever.
Those who returned home were scarred – physically or mentally or both. In August 1914 young men believed that war was glorious, an adventure. They were soon disillusioned. “There’s no glory in the waterlogged pits of death I walk through.”
The role of women was changing as they demanded the right to vote. Lives were opened up due to war, as the women stepped into the men’s roles. In fact, my own paternal Nanny said that the First World War gave her, her freedom as she worked in a munitions factory examining the shell cases.
After the war, women were still expected to make marriage alliances but they gradually broke out of this traditional mold.
All the characters were well drawn and believable. The leading two had some moments of tender dialogue. We see the lengths to which some will go in order to find their true love.
There are those who are harbouring secrets. Will they ever be brought to justice?
The House Of Lost Whispers was a very unique read, and one that entertained me as I read it in just one sitting.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

The House of Lost Whispers is unlike anything I’ve read before. It was absolutely charming and an incredible story.
This is a fantastic historical fiction that includes parallel universes. There is pain, suffering, laughter and light. The main character Olivia is quirky, hilarious, and driven to find happiness against all odds. It is star crossed lovers who can never be but somehow find each other in their own worlds.one of the most unique books I’ve read in quite a while.

Olivia most importantly is a dreamer and has the heart of a reader.

Well done!

The synopsis/premise of this novel was highly intriguing to me when I first came across this novel on NetGalley. I love reading stories based on the Titantic, and this one seemed pretty unique compared to other Titanic stories. The House of Lost Whispers centers around a young girl named Olivia Davenport, who has been orphaned due to losing both of her parents on the ill fated voyage of the Titanic in 1912. Olivia is sent to live with her new guardians in their large house known as Merriford Manor. However, things get interesting when Olivia begins to hear the voice of a man from behind the wall of her bedroom- a man who occupies a world in which the Titanic never sank. This is where the novel gets very interesting, but the pacing of the book was a bit slow for my taste. I thought the parts where Olivia comes into contact with the man behind the wall (Seth) would be a bit more exciting than it truly was as I was reading the book. I was really interested in the dual realities aspect of the novel, but the author does not really get into this aspect of the book until later on in the novel. I really enjoyed the characters, however, and loved Olivia in particular; she was very carefree and just a fun person. I think people who enjoy genre defying novels will like this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book is everything! Set in 1912 and carrying on through the first World War and beyond. The setting was fabulous, and the characters so authentic. The parallel universe part doesn't come into the story straightaway giving you time to know the characters first. Some really sad moments, and gets you thinking what if quite a lot.

Brilliantly well drawn characters and a good story, a very good read. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the novel, highly recommended.

This was such an interesting story, I love the idea of parallel worlds and what ifs - and the adventure that unfolds in this book was so intriguing to read.

An intriguing story- Downton Abbey meets The Butterfly Effect. The character of Olivia is delightful and engaging and is beautifully rounded. Her determination and zest for life really bounce through the novel.

At times this felt much like a young adult novel, but it was a page-turner with just the right level of mystery and detail to keep interest. There were some twists that I guessed wrongly and yet was satisfied with the answers. It seemed to come to a sadly abrupt end, I could have sat with these characters for a little longer and learned more of their eventual lives.

A true delight of a novel.

Any book that involves magical realism then I'm in, when that book also ties in the Titanic then i'm sprinting for it. Fantastic, I loved every second of it

Another excellent 'magical realism' novel from Jenni Keer - I think this is one of my favourites of hers so far.

Olivia Davenport is orphaned when her parents die on the Titanic; her godparents take her in, but the four boys aren't keen on her joining the family and nobody quite gets her vivid imagination.

She moves into a room in the tower, and hears a voice through the wall - at first she thinks it's a prank, but gradually she makes friends with the voice behind the wall.

And this is where the magical realism comes in: what if the Titanic didn't sink? What if there are two worlds co-existing, one where Olivia's parents are still alive and she never lives with her godparents and their family?

I don't want to say too much here because I don't want to give spoilers - but it's a thoroughly good read, covering everything from the changes in Edwardian society from 1912 through to the First World War, and then how people coped with its aftermath.

Beautifully written, and I loved the way Jenni wove real Norfolk legends (the Shrieking Pits) into it as well. Highly recommended.

4⭐️

[a copy of this book was provided to me by the published from netgalley. thank you!]

an interesting work of alternative history detailing what might have happened had the titanic not have sunk

After gorging on crime and psychological thriller books 95% of the time, I love nothing more than breaking up the darkness with some historical fiction, and this book was the perfect bright spot on a gloomy day!

Read as if it's two tales in one. The story is set in the 1910/20's, beginning with the sinking of the Titanic and carrying on through until the end of World War II. As you can imagine, an awful lot of trauma, tragedy, and heartbreak happened over these years, and this book explores everything that passed and every emotion felt.

Whilst at the heart it's a historical fiction, the author manages to weave in a whimsical magic thread with romance and a touch of mystery and drama.

Without spoiling it for anyone as I think, even the smallest spoiler will ruin the plot, Olivia Davenport is ophaned when both her parents lose their lives whilst aboard The Titanic

A girl with the most vivid imagination, who chases dragons and defeats the enemy, is taken in by her godfather, Lord Hugo, his wife Cynthia and their four sons, who don't take kindly to a young girl arriving into their family.

Moving into the tower, a place she feels she be alone, grieve and heal, one night she hears a voice through the wall. A voice she will come to rely on for many years to come. Is it a prank? A ghostly spirit? Or something more magical?

I adored this book! At times, it felt like a fairytale, and at others, it felt like a dark brothers Grimm story. The writing style was just spellbinding, and the way the author was able to seamlessly blend timeslips was completely engrossing.

What if everything in life was just a little ripple, and what would happen if those ripples changed direction? Would life have been the same?

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.

This is my first exposure to this author, and I was impressed by her skill in blending several genres seamlessly into an entertaining and enjoyable novel. This book has elements of historical fiction, magical realism, romance, suspense, and murder-mystery. The story is told in three parts over the period between 1912 and 1920, including the events of World War II.

Olivia Davenport has a highly developed imagination. Orphaned at the tender age of 13 years through the loss of her parents on the ill-fated maiden voyage of the titanic, she taken under the wing of her father’s best friend and now her guardian at Merriford Manor. Olivia’s adjustment to her new home is compounded by grief and the stilted emotional nature of her new “family.” When she begins to hear a voice through the wall of her bedroom wall, she believes Seth to be a ghost, but as the story unfolds, she realizes that she is connecting with a parallel reality in which the Titanic never sank and her parents as alive.

I enjoyed the character development in two different realities. There is a large cast of characters, yet I had no difficulty discerning the individuals in their parallel worlds. There were sufficient twists to hold my interest, and the pacing kept me engaged. My one criticism is the length of time between the initial connection between Olivia and Seth and their reunion after the war.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

This read is like two books in one. The author writes historical fiction with a twist. The other worldly element she adds to her stories is what pulls me in. I love how she seamlessly blends timeslips. There is a lot going on in this book but I was never once confused. It has mystery, murder, a time shift of fantastic proportions and Olivia's journey through her formative years.
There's also a huge cast of characters and events to keep track of. I liked Olivia, she could be a bit of a brat when young but grows up to be an interesting character. The first part of the book is mostly about her arriving at the Fairchild's and settling into her new life with four new 'brothers' to contend with. The voice in the tower only appears briefly here but in the second part it takes off and is the focus of the whole book. Two types of love story play out but there's an over shadowing of grief throughout the whole story. Time and again I guessed certain things only to be wrong and I loved this, the surprise element! It's all wonderfully done. This one will keep you up all night reading.
Highly recommend it and I can't wait for her next book!!

Many thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an early copy to read.

The House of Lost Whispers by Jenni Keer

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Recommend? Yes
Finished: March 13,2025
Format: Advanced Digital; thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC
Read this if you like: historical romance, alternate timelines, feisty FMC, HEA
Triggers: death of side characters off page, grief, loss of parents, disfigurement

The sinking of the Titanic changed the way the world traveled and thought about travel, but what if the ship never sank? All the lives affected would have changed, and those changes would have rippled out into time and space, but would those lives have been changed for the better?
I loved this little gem of a novel! With just enough romance to keep me happy and wistful and plenty of character development, I flew right through. In fact, I would love a sequel or two with the same premise!

The House of Lost Whispers by Jenni Keer is a beautifully written novel that swept me away with its blend of history, mystery, and emotional depth. The intertwining storylines of Olivia at Merriford Manor and Seth's alternate reality linked to the Titanic were both poignant and intriguing. Keer’s ability to seamlessly connect these timelines added a fascinating layer to the narrative. What stood out most for me were the well-drawn characters and the exploration of love, loss, and resilience. Olivia’s journey of self-discovery, paired with Seth’s compelling story, made for an emotional yet satisfying read. The atmospheric writing brought Merriford Manor to life, while the imaginative time-slip elements added a unique twist that kept me hooked. If you're someone who enjoys historical fiction with a touch of mystery and a lot of heart, this book is a gem. It’s one that lingers with you long after the final page.