Book Review: The House of Lost Whispers by Jenni Keer

It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Jenni Keer back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The House of Lost Whispers.

On 15th April 1912, RMS Titanic sank and 1500 people lost their lives. But what if it had stayed afloat?

When the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic leaves thirteen-year-old Olivia Davenport orphaned, she’s sent to live with her guardians, the Fairchilds, in their huge Jacobean mansion – Merriford Manor. But the Fairchilds have more to worry about than a grieving young girl – with war in Europe imminent and four sons to protect.

Olivia feels alone and friendless. That is, until she hears a voice from behind the wall in her tower bedroom. A voice from a man called Seth. At first she thinks he’s a ghost. But it soon becomes clear that he lives in an overlapping world that is just a shudder in time away from her own. A world where the Titanic never sank… And everything since has been just slightly… different.

All Olivia wants is to find a way into his reality. And not just to see the faces of her beloved parents once again. But also to meet Seth. Who might just be the love of her life…

An utterly unforgettable reading group historical novel, that is part romance, part gripping mystery, and part completely heartbreaking First World War historical fiction. Perfect for fans of Titanic, In Memoriam and Lucinda Riley.

*****

The sinking of the Titanic in April 1912 is an event known to the world… but what if it didn’t sink?

When Olivia Davenport loses her parents, she is sent to live with her Godfather and his family. Her life’s path goes a certain way.

However, when she begins to hear a voice through the wall of her bedroom, she starts to question everything she knows.

Although I’ve had the pleasure of hosting Jenni Keer on Novel Kicks in the past, this is the first opportunity I’ve had to review one of her novels. I am fascinated by the history surrounding the Titanic so the premise for this book intrigued me a lot. I couldn’t wait to get started.

If I were to describe the idea behind The House of Lost Whispers, I would liken it to historical fiction meets Sliding Doors. It explores how one event, whether it happens or doesn’t happen, can have a profound effect on your life and how each scenario can be similar or so completely different and how even one decision can change everything. This story had me asking questions about what paths my life has taken for sure.

The plot grabs you and doesn’t let go. The author has created a clever and unique twist on this time period and there wasn’t a moment where I didn’t want to stop reading.

Olivia, from the moment you meet her, is a character with gumption. She goes against societal expectations of her and forges her own path, even if that means she is judged for it.  I loved her.

The other characters are also interesting and nuanced and I liked seeing how each of them developed within their own universes.

I am not sure what else I can say without spoilers. There were scenes where I cheered, parts where my heart broke for the characters but what flowed throughout was an enriching plot.

This book is a perfect fit for any fans of historical fiction and romance. I loved it and have fast become a fan of Jenni Keers novels.

About Jenni Keer  –

Jenni Keer lives in the glorious Suffolk countryside with her four grown up children, three demanding cats, but just the one husband. She is often frustrated by their inability to appreciate that when she’s staring into space, she’s actually working, and that watching television counts as research. Much younger in her head than she is on paper, she adores any excuse for fancy-dress and is part of a disco formation dance team.

Keer has written two contemporary rom coms and five quirky historicals, with two more due out in 2025.

The best-selling No. 23 Burlington Square (her 1920s sliding doors mystery) has now sold over 100,000 copies.

Say hello to Jenni on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Bookbub. Click here to sign up to her newsletter. 

The House of Lost Whispers was released by Boldwood Books on 27th April 2025. Click to buy on Amazon, Kobo and Waterstones. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.