I didn't guess the final twist and was on tenterhooks reading the final pages. I had no idea it ended that way, and Hannah's letter to Grace as the last page of the book was very well done.

I loved that Alfred tracked Grace down later in life There was also one sentence in the book that took my breath away - the way Morton describes Robbie moving a lock of hair from Hannah's face and saying, 'but however would I get to see you?'. So moving - I felt I was in Hannah's shoes and my heart was all a-flutter! Wonderful.

I loved how Hannah's telling Grace, 'you don't read shorthand' made sense to me at the end, and I understood Grace's refs to guilt.

I liked how Morton moved from one temporal setting to another in the book - think her writing crossed over from Grace's present to her Riverton past very well. I loved being transported back.

The opening line reminded me of du Maurier's Rebecca - last night I dreamt I was at Manderley again. And Grace reminiscing about her past reminded me a little of the lady in Fried Green Tomatoes at the Stop Cafe (that's the 2nd time something's reminded me of that book!).

The story didn't make me cry, but I was immensely moved. I'm impressed by the structure of the book - think it's structured brilliantly.

I wanted a book I couldn't put down, one that was easy to read and The House at Riverton didn't disappoint. I love stately homes so enjoyed the setting. I gave it 5 stars because it gave me exactly what I was looking for from a book, if that makes sense.

(Goes to show no matter what class of women were in that time period, no matter how wealthy, they were repressed, restricted. I imagine many upper class women accepted this, but for someone like Hannah, it must have been frustrating).

Guessed early on that Grace was Fredericks daughter & would have liked to have read a bit more about the affair between him & her mother. I enjoyed how it was written- as the old Grace telling her story. I didn't guess the twist at the end but thought it was brilliant. The best bit of the book. I agree the Ursula character wasn't really neccessary. I found it a bit slow in the middle part of the book. I was so annoyed with Grace for not leaving Hannah & going to Ipswich to marry Alfred. I felt Hannah didn't deserve her & that Grace was too devoted & loyal to her, which really frustrated me. Although glad she met Alfred again a nice touch by the author I thought. All in all a very good & enjoyable book & would read more by this author again.

I agree with you, I wanted Grace to go to Ipswich with Alfred too. I gathered Grace was Frederick's daughter on page 63, the way he looked at her as though he saw a ghost. It was very obvious, but the twist at the end wasn't. I too, would've liked to know more about Frederick's affair with Grace's mother. Would be really interesting. I couldn't stand Emmeline. Didn't Hannah say Robbie wasn't enough for her? I think she saw him as a ticket to freedom, but didn't want to part from her luxurious lifestyle. I didn't really feel sorry for her. I really enjoyed the book. Elements of it are similar to Atonement - I wonder if she took inspiration from it. I think it's a fun book, but as you say Amarie, not outstanding. It lacks finer detail I think, but is still a good read