Loved it. I enjoyed how the book alternates between Grace in 1914 and Barbara during 1997. I felt like I really got to know the characters and was right there with them. My favorite part was learning about Grace and the life she lived. It's a good thing Oakdene needed so much extensive work or Barbara and her family would have never discovered the trunk or the secrets the house has been hiding. Loved the mystery surrounding the trunk, Grace and Algernon. When there's a war happening, people seem to fall in love after a few short days. Then when the fighting is over and the person returns home, it's always different. Someone questions why they fell in love. I think that happened to Grace. She never planned to get married and wanted to continue with school. The man she married came home as a different person. Mostly due to the shock of the war, but did she really know him to begin with? It's 1914, would William's sister, friends and mom just accept him? I want to believe they would, but it doesn't seem likely. Winn had very good intentions and wanted Bertie to live his best life and not hide his true self. She was extremely judgmental and thinks she knows best. She's extremely hypocritical because she's off living the life she wants against her parents' wishes. Winn was Grace's best friend. and refused to talk to her, probably because she didn't agree with her choices. Loved how Allegra's response to her daughter was always oh, Barbara. She must have said it a dozen times. The violin in the trunk was the push Barbara needed to start playing again.

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. Loved the cover of the book.

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

A beautiful, moving story that reveals a family's secrets from the era at the outbreak of World War I to the late 1990s.
The portrayal of young lives forever changed as war breaks out was particularly poignant and I felt such a deep connection to Grace, Winn & their families. There's a focus on the efforts at home rather than any battle scenes but the horrors that shaped these lives forever were still very apparent. I also loved the 90's storyline as three generations of women in Cambridge embark on changes following a death, but finally secrets from the past are unearthed during property renovations that will impact them all.
Tender, tragic and hopeful, The House at River's Edge transports you to life in different eras but with similar themes of grief, love and family.

This was a touching book about the effects of World War 1, and some secrets that were kept and unravelled in 1997. In 1914, we meet a group of friends, and then follow their progress through the war. There is a lot of sadness,and the post war issues of flu and shell shock create havoc. This is a story about acceptance and forgiveness and it is beautifully written. I enjoyed reading about the characters and the way that people learn to move on after life throws things into disarray. I hope to read more of this author. Thanks to NetGalley and BoldWood books for the chance to read this story.

I loved Rachel Burton’s new book which moved between modern day and the First World War and told the story of two women coming to terms with tragedy and learning to move on with their lives.
From the beginning I was pulled in to the worlds the author created and it was so interesting to see the common threads that linked, not only the two main characters but also the other family members, together.
I always enjoy Rachel Burton’s novels and The House at River’s Edge was no exception. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

1914: Anticipating a long summer of freedom at her friend's family estate in Cambridge, Grace Villiers is disappointed by an unexpected addition to their party. Then the new arrival offers to teach Grace to swim, and she is forced to see there is more to Algernon Lake than his reputation. But, with war brewing across Europe, this will be a summer that changes everything.

1997: Following her father’s sudden death, Barbara finds herself living with her mother in a house that is, literally, falling down around them. As she tries to put their new home in order, she discovers a photograph of her grandfather as a young man with his friend – two soldiers at the start of the First World War. Setting aside her grief, Barbara becomes determined to uncover their story, hoping it will bring her closer to the family she feels slipping away.

But when her search for answers opens up truths she isn’t prepared for, Barbara will come to realise, some secrets may be best left alone.

A wonderfully uplifting read… A lot of sparkle and mischief… The characters are fabulous… A very relaxing read!

I loved it! I’m sitting here with a big smile on my face!… Loved it!

This is the story of an English country house, during World War I and the late 20th century and the lives of the people whose fates were intertwined in a Great House