The House on the Hill: A ghost story

Wow this book was so good! I couldn’t put it down! I usually only read at work during down time but I couldn’t wait to get home every night and lay in bed and read it! It kept me on my toes the whole time. I love the style of the book where it goes back in time to Sophie and then back to the present with Lauren and Ryan. Will definitely be reading more of your books!! So happy I came across this one. It’s been a long time since I was glued to a good book

The House on The Hill is a parallel story set in modern-day and eighteenth-century New England.

A year after her husband’s death in Afghanistan, Lauren leaves Boston for Cape Code with her chocolate lab puppy, Billy. Hoping to come to terms with Zach’s death, she rents an isolated historical house overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Lauren decides it’s the perfect place to focus on her writing.

When Billy is injured, Lauren meets local veterinarian Ryan Kelly who has an interest in local history. But not long after moving into Holland House, Lauren discovers she’s not alone. The ghost of Sophie Holland still occupies the place.

With Ryan’s help, Lauren is able to learn Sophie’s story and discovers the reason she still haunts the house.

While writing this review, it occurred to me we’re never told Lauren’s last name. While that has no bearing on the story, it’s something I found unusual for a main character. But overall, this was an enjoyable read.

Lauren’s husband died in Afghanistan during what was to have been his final tour of duty, leaving her to face the future alone. Gone are the hopes and dreams she had of a future together with the man she loved. But would that have been possible after she meets a young woman at her husband’s funeral? After a year of longing for a quiet place to collect herself, a place away from family and friends, a place where she can concentrate on her work as a writer, Lauren rents an old house that sits high on a hill just outside of Sandwich, Cape Cod. Not far from Boston where she lived, but removed enough to give her the space she needs. She takes her chocolate lab puppy, Billy, and sets out.

She doesn’t remain alone very long. Thanks to her puppy she meets Ryan Kelly, the local veterinarian. It’s easy to see there’s an attraction between them. And back at Holland House, the rental property, Lauren isn’t alone either. The ghost of Sophie Holland still roams the house and grounds. Mostly, though, she inhabits Lauren’s bedroom and can be seen looking out the windows, waiting for the arrival of a ship on the horizon.

When Lauren and Ryan, who has an interest in local history, join forces to uncover the history of Holland House, they grow ever closer. Ryan lost his wife shortly after his son was born and is still feeling the pangs of grief though the appearance of Lauren is helping greatly.

Here are my feelings: With Lauren a widow of just a year and Ryan also dealing with the aftermath of his grief, it’s nice to see them lean on one another for support. Their coming together seemed a bit awkward. Perhaps this was a trick of the writing. But I just didn’t feel their closeness.

With two story lines – one contemporary, the other set in colonial times – it was easy to keep the couples apart. But the historical time line was so much better written than the contemporary one. I would have enjoyed a story set completely around Sophie, her husband George Holland, and her true love Teddy Mercer (the pirate known as Mad Ted).

Overall, it was an intriguing story with history, ghosts, love, murder, betrayal, and illegitimate children thrown into the mix.

On a personal note, I wasn’t a fan of the formatting used, i.e., unjustified right margin. I’m being picky but that’s just me.