The London House - by Katherine Reay (Paperback)

The London House by Katherine Reay is an incredible story of how lies can affect generation after generation. In this fascinating time-slip novel, the past is mostly told through letters and journal entries which will capture your heart. The present has a perfect mix of heartache, romance, regret, and hope. Caroline Payne is named after her great-aunt Caro, who she's told died in childhood from polio. When Caroline's college friend, Mat Hammond calls her out of the blue one day, she discovers everything she thought she knew about her family's history may be false. Mat is writing a story about how we can pick up after tragedy and move on, but Caroline wants to know the truth about her great-aunt and Caro's twin sister Margo, Caroline's grandmother. I found this story to be absolutely enrapturing! I couldn't get through it fast enough to see what the truth of the Payne family history was. I highly recommend this one!! I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Caroline Payne is approached by old college friend, Mat Hammond who is writing an article. While doing research for a family, he discovered that a secret about Caroline’s namesake and aunt, Caroline. Caroline was told that her aunt died of polio as a child, but that is not the truth. It turns out that the twin sister of Caroline’s grandmother betrayed her country. She went to France to be with her German officer lover. Caroline does not believe this is the truth. She heads the family home in London to dig through letters and diaries buried in a trunk in the attic. The more Caroline reads, the more questions she has about Caroline Waite. Caroline and Mat keep digging until they uncover the truth. The London House by Katherine Reay is an engaging story. I thought The London House is well-written with developed characters. This story takes readers from the present day to the late 1930s and early 1940s. I can tell the author did her research for this story. The details are what brings this novel to life. Katherine Reay brings her world and characters alive with her descriptive writing. The pacing varies throughout the book (action speeds it up while overly detailed sections slow it down) and I thought the book was a little long. Quite a big of the story is told through letters and diary entries (very realistic) as Caroline and Mat work to uncover the truth. I wish the story had followed a straightforward timeline. It would have made for easier reading. I enjoyed the tie into Elsa Schiaparelli. I enjoyed the descriptions of her design house and her gorgeous dresses. Those who love historical fiction especially the World War II era will enjoy reading The London House. The London House is a dual timeline novel about misperceptions, misunderstandings, love, jealously, hope, and injustice.