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The Last Village
CHILL WITH A BOOK AWARDS- PREMIER READERS' AWARD WINNER 2019 AMERICAN FICTION AWARDS FINALIST- HISTORICAL A B.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE The majestic Souter Lighthouse stands proudly at the edge of the cliff top surrounded by open grassy empty fields and overlooking a vast blue wilderness. Anna Charles knows nothing of the life that her grandmother once had here. It wasn’t until an unexpected engagement, that Anna discovered the past of her Gran and the truth behind an enduring love. Seventy years earlier, Lillian Smith, had been part of the close-knit community that once thrived in the village that existed next to the lighthouse. A chance meeting with a sailor one day, would change the course of her life forever. A moving novel set in the North East of England. The Last Village is an enduring love story which spans the 1940's and modern day, binding the generations.
214 pages, Paperback
Published October 12, 2018
11 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Audla English
1 book2 followersAudla English grew up in the North East of England.
Born in Sunderland, a graduate of Newcastle University and living in South Tyneside, she is passionate about this wonderful region which acts as an inspiration to her writing.
Her award-winning debut novel ‘The Last Village’ is a dual time-line historical fiction and is written as a dedication to the now sadly demolished Old Marsden Village which was built by the Whitburn Coal Company in the 1870’s. The Marsden Rock coastal setting is also used to weave a family saga style narrative around a beautiful part of north east England.
The novel is a moving love story about the life of Lily, a young woman growing up with her friends in 1945 whereas the other side of the story, in 2017, is about Anna and her own discovery of her grandmother’s past life- it is a novel which spans and binds the generations through family and friendship.
Born in Sunderland, a graduate of Newcastle University and living in South Tyneside, she is passionate about this wonderful region which acts as an inspiration to her writing.
Her award-winning debut novel ‘The Last Village’ is a dual time-line historical fiction and is written as a dedication to the now sadly demolished Old Marsden Village which was built by the Whitburn Coal Company in the 1870’s. The Marsden Rock coastal setting is also used to weave a family saga style narrative around a beautiful part of north east England.
The novel is a moving love story about the life of Lily, a young woman growing up with her friends in 1945 whereas the other side of the story, in 2017, is about Anna and her own discovery of her grandmother’s past life- it is a novel which spans and binds the generations through family and friendship.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 14, 2019
This isn't a very long book but it packs all the ingredients to make it so very memorable. Set in North East England, the area had built up over the years to house more and more residents but there had been a small village that once housed a community of families and now all that was left was the lighthouse. This side of the story is fact but the characters and their lives are fiction.
Anna Charles had always been close to her grandmother but it is only since she has become engaged that her gran begins to tell her the story of the village where she lived, the families who lived there and the sailor she fell in love with. The story goes from present-day back 70 years to when Lillian lived in the 1940s while in present-day Anna and her best friend are planning their own weddings.
I loved Lillian's story and the innocence that the era brought with it. There was a romance about having to wait for a letter to come through the letterbox, instead of instant messaging from anywhere in the world. Technology, health care and family life so very different from today. The lighthouse was very much a central feature in the story which had been a place that held laughter, friends and the beacon of hope for fishermen and sailors even to this present day.
I was very invested in all three stories and how many would turn into wedding days and beyond. Boy, this author had me holding my breath with tears in my eyes. Beautifully written, just loved it. Do keep reading after the story ends to find out more about the real last village where this story is set.
I wish to thank the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
Anna Charles had always been close to her grandmother but it is only since she has become engaged that her gran begins to tell her the story of the village where she lived, the families who lived there and the sailor she fell in love with. The story goes from present-day back 70 years to when Lillian lived in the 1940s while in present-day Anna and her best friend are planning their own weddings.
I loved Lillian's story and the innocence that the era brought with it. There was a romance about having to wait for a letter to come through the letterbox, instead of instant messaging from anywhere in the world. Technology, health care and family life so very different from today. The lighthouse was very much a central feature in the story which had been a place that held laughter, friends and the beacon of hope for fishermen and sailors even to this present day.
I was very invested in all three stories and how many would turn into wedding days and beyond. Boy, this author had me holding my breath with tears in my eyes. Beautifully written, just loved it. Do keep reading after the story ends to find out more about the real last village where this story is set.
I wish to thank the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
November 20, 2019
This is a must read book. A short and sweet story of love, friendship and relationships.
The relationship between Anna and her grandmother Lily is beautiful. And, here we get to see how Lily's story of her childhood and early life helps Anna make choices for the present day.
I really enjoyed reading Lily's story. Time was so much different back in her day, it was more wholesome and less materialistic. Audla English really brings out the differences in generations through the contrasting experiences both women have in the story.
I would love to have this story go on for longer, being transported back in time was lovely. And, knowing that the village that Lily talks of in the book was a real life place back in the day makes it more poignant. Lily's story might be fictional, but, there may be numerous true and similar stories out there to discover.
English's love for the north of England comes through passionately within this story, the description of the places and people will make you fall in love and want to be part of the community.
If you want a nice, easy read to warm you up on these cold winter days. Then pick up a copy of The Last Village and delve into the world of Lily and Anna.
The relationship between Anna and her grandmother Lily is beautiful. And, here we get to see how Lily's story of her childhood and early life helps Anna make choices for the present day.
I really enjoyed reading Lily's story. Time was so much different back in her day, it was more wholesome and less materialistic. Audla English really brings out the differences in generations through the contrasting experiences both women have in the story.
I would love to have this story go on for longer, being transported back in time was lovely. And, knowing that the village that Lily talks of in the book was a real life place back in the day makes it more poignant. Lily's story might be fictional, but, there may be numerous true and similar stories out there to discover.
English's love for the north of England comes through passionately within this story, the description of the places and people will make you fall in love and want to be part of the community.
If you want a nice, easy read to warm you up on these cold winter days. Then pick up a copy of The Last Village and delve into the world of Lily and Anna.
November 18, 2019
The Last Village is based on the real village of Old Marsden which was built by the Whitburn Coal Company in South Tyneside in the 1870’s and demolished by the 1960s with only the lighthouse shown on the book cover still remaining. Audla English tells her story from the perspectives of Anna in the recent present and her grandmother Lily just after the Second World War.
The story flits between now and then and read to me very much like a memoir at times, rather than a work of fiction. I did feel that if it weren't for the chapter headings, I might have found it difficult to distinguish between the voices of Anna and Lily as both had a similar way of thinking and talking and were written in first person.
I thought the relationship between Anna and her Gran was particularly well depicted and the love and respect they had for each other was clear. Audla English has given an excellent evocation of life in the 1940s North East mining community. The houses with their small yards and the lane at the back of the houses, with the children so excited when a delivery was made, were easy to picture. There were lots of details about the food people were eating, the clothes they were wearing etc and on occasion I felt that there was a little too much detail given. The author described a way of life that has passed. Indeed, by Anna's time, a whole village which has gone.
However, as we see through Lily, times gone by do live on in the memory. This was a sweetly, romantic story particularly the tale of Lily and Red. In many ways, the stories in the past and present reflected each other with two young couples preparing for their weddings and beginning married life. Both couples faced similar decisions showing that when it comes to love and life in general, sometimes things don't change much over the years. Through listening to her grandmother's story, Anna comes to realise that treasuring family and friendship is more important than financial success for her.
This was a relatively short and easy to read story and if you like family sagas, particularly with a historical slant, you will enjoy this book.
The story flits between now and then and read to me very much like a memoir at times, rather than a work of fiction. I did feel that if it weren't for the chapter headings, I might have found it difficult to distinguish between the voices of Anna and Lily as both had a similar way of thinking and talking and were written in first person.
I thought the relationship between Anna and her Gran was particularly well depicted and the love and respect they had for each other was clear. Audla English has given an excellent evocation of life in the 1940s North East mining community. The houses with their small yards and the lane at the back of the houses, with the children so excited when a delivery was made, were easy to picture. There were lots of details about the food people were eating, the clothes they were wearing etc and on occasion I felt that there was a little too much detail given. The author described a way of life that has passed. Indeed, by Anna's time, a whole village which has gone.
However, as we see through Lily, times gone by do live on in the memory. This was a sweetly, romantic story particularly the tale of Lily and Red. In many ways, the stories in the past and present reflected each other with two young couples preparing for their weddings and beginning married life. Both couples faced similar decisions showing that when it comes to love and life in general, sometimes things don't change much over the years. Through listening to her grandmother's story, Anna comes to realise that treasuring family and friendship is more important than financial success for her.
This was a relatively short and easy to read story and if you like family sagas, particularly with a historical slant, you will enjoy this book.
November 26, 2019
I found this to be a charming and engaging story which combined the different timelines so well, and really gave you the different perspectives of how life had changed over the years for the characters. It really captures the essence of a village that was demolished, but how important it was to the people who lived there and as Anna gets to hear the story from her grandmother Lily of her recollections, it opens up so much history and shows just how many stories go forgotten about as time moves on.
In the present, Anna is preparing for her own wedding, and is reminiscing about the lovely times she used to spend with her grandmother as she grew up but how she knows very little of the life her grandmother led whilst growing up, so it is lovely for both Anna and Lily to share time together and share stories that show that although time and expectations may have changed, at the heart is the need to surround yourself with good people and to be supportive of one another.
I loved looking back in time with the stories that Lily shared. It tells of her experiences during the war and how the community all pulled together, but that childhood innocence they all had was taken by what they witnessed and lived through.
Anna is dealing with her own issues as her wedding approaches, namely some bitchy comments from a so called friend, and really brings to light how circumstances can change people. Whilst Anna is all about finding ways to include those closest to her on her big day, others are more concerned about showing off and changing in personality.
It was a really lovely read and both timelines had so much to explore and enjoy. With the historical aspect, alongside the human impact, it really gave you a sense of these characters and the dramas they had to face and there's such a warmth about both Lily and Anna that you can't help fall in love with the both!
In the present, Anna is preparing for her own wedding, and is reminiscing about the lovely times she used to spend with her grandmother as she grew up but how she knows very little of the life her grandmother led whilst growing up, so it is lovely for both Anna and Lily to share time together and share stories that show that although time and expectations may have changed, at the heart is the need to surround yourself with good people and to be supportive of one another.
I loved looking back in time with the stories that Lily shared. It tells of her experiences during the war and how the community all pulled together, but that childhood innocence they all had was taken by what they witnessed and lived through.
Anna is dealing with her own issues as her wedding approaches, namely some bitchy comments from a so called friend, and really brings to light how circumstances can change people. Whilst Anna is all about finding ways to include those closest to her on her big day, others are more concerned about showing off and changing in personality.
It was a really lovely read and both timelines had so much to explore and enjoy. With the historical aspect, alongside the human impact, it really gave you a sense of these characters and the dramas they had to face and there's such a warmth about both Lily and Anna that you can't help fall in love with the both!
November 28, 2019
I love stories that feature lighthouses so I was immediately drawn in by the cover of The Last Village. It shows the magnificent red and white Souter Lighthouse standing on the cliffs above a small mining village in the North East of England.
The story is based around two generations, both of which lived close to the lighthouse. Anna's story takes place in 2017 as she meets the love of her life James and they prepare to marry. Other chapters then go way back to when Anna's grandmother (Lily) was a child, and on to 1945 when she met her sweetheart Red.
I loved the descriptions of the coast with its hidden arch and whites steps down to the pub and the little train which was affectionately called 'The Rattler'. The pub called The Beach Grotto provided welcome refreshments to the miners after finishing a long shift and children were told tales of how pirates met to hide their loot in the caves.
The comparisons between the two weddings, which were seventy years apart prompted some deep thinking about the true meaning of marriage. Friendship features heavily in both stories but the overriding theme was the unbreakable bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.
This is a charming, touching and romantic story and clearly a dedication by the author to a village that sadly no longer remains. The historical references are well researched and I really enjoyed Lily's story which was incredibly heartwarming. This is an easy, romantic read filled with nostalgia and set in an atmospheric location. A great debut!
The story is based around two generations, both of which lived close to the lighthouse. Anna's story takes place in 2017 as she meets the love of her life James and they prepare to marry. Other chapters then go way back to when Anna's grandmother (Lily) was a child, and on to 1945 when she met her sweetheart Red.
I loved the descriptions of the coast with its hidden arch and whites steps down to the pub and the little train which was affectionately called 'The Rattler'. The pub called The Beach Grotto provided welcome refreshments to the miners after finishing a long shift and children were told tales of how pirates met to hide their loot in the caves.
The comparisons between the two weddings, which were seventy years apart prompted some deep thinking about the true meaning of marriage. Friendship features heavily in both stories but the overriding theme was the unbreakable bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.
This is a charming, touching and romantic story and clearly a dedication by the author to a village that sadly no longer remains. The historical references are well researched and I really enjoyed Lily's story which was incredibly heartwarming. This is an easy, romantic read filled with nostalgia and set in an atmospheric location. A great debut!
November 24, 2019
There’s a real sense of the warmth, and also the importance of community, in this dual time novel which looks at what is happening to Anna, and her relationship with her boyfriend James, in the present day, alongside the story of Anna’s grandmother, Lily, in the 1940s.
The author writes with a real sense of warmth, bringing both the characters and the place to life in lovely detail. I particularly enjoyed Lily’s story in the 1940s which allows a fascinating glimpse into life in a small coastal community. Even though the individual stories of Anna and Lily move forwards and backwards in time there's a real sense of continuity and I enjoyed spending time in both time frames. Anna didn’t know very much about her grandmother but as the story progresses we learn what life was like in the shadow of the Souter Lighthouse in this small corner of the North East.
The Last Village is mainly about relationships, and of the complications of those which are taking place in the here and now, and also of romances which survive despite the difficulties of the past. I read the book over the space of a couple of afternoons, it's a really lovely story and whilst it’s not a very long read, it’s still packed with lots of precious, warm-hearted sentiments which bring to life lovely treasured memories of family, friendship and love.
The author writes with a real sense of warmth, bringing both the characters and the place to life in lovely detail. I particularly enjoyed Lily’s story in the 1940s which allows a fascinating glimpse into life in a small coastal community. Even though the individual stories of Anna and Lily move forwards and backwards in time there's a real sense of continuity and I enjoyed spending time in both time frames. Anna didn’t know very much about her grandmother but as the story progresses we learn what life was like in the shadow of the Souter Lighthouse in this small corner of the North East.
The Last Village is mainly about relationships, and of the complications of those which are taking place in the here and now, and also of romances which survive despite the difficulties of the past. I read the book over the space of a couple of afternoons, it's a really lovely story and whilst it’s not a very long read, it’s still packed with lots of precious, warm-hearted sentiments which bring to life lovely treasured memories of family, friendship and love.
May 15, 2019
I enjoy dual timeline stories and The Last Village appealed to me because of the two family stories and the social history behind them.
It's set around Marsden village in the north-east. The village was completely demolished in the 1960s according to the notes at the back of the book. Anna Charles' grandmother, Lily, had been part of that village, next to Souter Lighthouse, and events in Anna's life prompt her to talk to her gran about her life over the last 70 years or so.
This book reminds me of a memories project I undertook a few years ago. I asked local people about their lives in the area and this is exactly what Anna does with Lily. I enjoyed Lily's story although I did think it read like a telling of factual events rather than a work of fiction. I also liked the descriptions of the area, the Rattler steam train, the stairs or the lift down to the beach, the sailing ships and the lighthouse itself. I'm not sure that Anna's story added a great deal apart from as a device for Lily to share her memories but it did provide a lovely ending to the whole book.
The Last Village is a very quick read, a love story and a tale of friendship. It's very nostalgic which I liked. A pleasant way to spend a few hours.
It's set around Marsden village in the north-east. The village was completely demolished in the 1960s according to the notes at the back of the book. Anna Charles' grandmother, Lily, had been part of that village, next to Souter Lighthouse, and events in Anna's life prompt her to talk to her gran about her life over the last 70 years or so.
This book reminds me of a memories project I undertook a few years ago. I asked local people about their lives in the area and this is exactly what Anna does with Lily. I enjoyed Lily's story although I did think it read like a telling of factual events rather than a work of fiction. I also liked the descriptions of the area, the Rattler steam train, the stairs or the lift down to the beach, the sailing ships and the lighthouse itself. I'm not sure that Anna's story added a great deal apart from as a device for Lily to share her memories but it did provide a lovely ending to the whole book.
The Last Village is a very quick read, a love story and a tale of friendship. It's very nostalgic which I liked. A pleasant way to spend a few hours.
October 17, 2025
The Last Village is the kind of story that lingers in your heart long after you’ve closed the final page. Audla English paints a vivid picture of the windswept North East coast, where the Souter Lighthouse stands as a silent witness to generations of love and loss. Through Anna Charles’s discovery of her grandmother Lillian’s secret past, we journey across seventy years of hidden romance, heartbreak, and hope.
This novel beautifully captures how love can defy time itself how one moment, one meeting, can change everything. The writing is lyrical and atmospheric; you can almost hear the crash of the waves and feel the sea breeze on your skin. Fans of historical love stories like The Light Between Oceans will be enchanted by its quiet power and emotional depth.
A moving, memorable read that reminds us some loves never truly fade they just wait to be found again.
This novel beautifully captures how love can defy time itself how one moment, one meeting, can change everything. The writing is lyrical and atmospheric; you can almost hear the crash of the waves and feel the sea breeze on your skin. Fans of historical love stories like The Light Between Oceans will be enchanted by its quiet power and emotional depth.
A moving, memorable read that reminds us some loves never truly fade they just wait to be found again.
October 17, 2025
The Last Village is the kind of story that lingers in your heart long after you’ve closed the final page. Audla English paints a vivid picture of the windswept North East coast, where the Souter Lighthouse stands as a silent witness to generations of love and loss. Through Anna Charles’s discovery of her grandmother Lillian’s secret past, we journey across seventy years of hidden romance, heartbreak, and hope.
This novel beautifully captures how love can defy time itself how one moment, one meeting, can change everything. The writing is lyrical and atmospheric; you can almost hear the crash of the waves and feel the sea breeze on your skin. Fans of historical love stories like The Light Between Oceans will be enchanted by its quiet power and emotional depth.
A moving, memorable read that reminds us some loves never truly fade they just wait to be found again.
This novel beautifully captures how love can defy time itself how one moment, one meeting, can change everything. The writing is lyrical and atmospheric; you can almost hear the crash of the waves and feel the sea breeze on your skin. Fans of historical love stories like The Light Between Oceans will be enchanted by its quiet power and emotional depth.
A moving, memorable read that reminds us some loves never truly fade they just wait to be found again.
October 17, 2025
Audla English’s The Last Village is more than a love story it’s a haunting journey through generations, where the past gently shapes the present. Set against the lonely beauty of the English coastline, this novel bridges two women’s lives with grace and emotion. Anna’s curiosity about her grandmother’s life becomes our own, leading us into a forgotten village and a timeless romance that still echoes through the years.
The strength of English’s storytelling lies in her ability to weave atmosphere with feeling. Every chapter breathes nostalgia, every scene glows with tenderness. The lighthouse itself becomes a symbol of guidance, memory, and enduring love.
For anyone who loves beautifully written stories that explore family secrets, destiny, and the enduring pull of the heart, The Last Village is an absolute treasure.
The strength of English’s storytelling lies in her ability to weave atmosphere with feeling. Every chapter breathes nostalgia, every scene glows with tenderness. The lighthouse itself becomes a symbol of guidance, memory, and enduring love.
For anyone who loves beautifully written stories that explore family secrets, destiny, and the enduring pull of the heart, The Last Village is an absolute treasure.
April 13, 2019
The Last Village is a dual time-line historical fiction and is written as a dedication to Marsden Village and the surrounding area. The village was built by the Whitburn Coal Company in the 1870s and demolished ninety years later. The author also chose to use the Marsden Rock coastal setting to weave a family saga style narrative around a beautiful part of north east England.
The first story is about the life and loves of Lily, a young women growing up with her friends in 1945. The other side of the story, in 2017, is about Anna and her own discovery of her grandmother’s past life. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-dSD
The first story is about the life and loves of Lily, a young women growing up with her friends in 1945. The other side of the story, in 2017, is about Anna and her own discovery of her grandmother’s past life. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-dSD
October 8, 2019
Very good story from start to finish. This is a dual time line story with Lily relating the story of her life and relationships to her granddaughter Anna who is about to be married. The story reinforces the importance of family and the connection between the women in a family. In addition, particularly in Lily's story and the comparison with Anna's, it highlights the importance of strong friendships and the effect they have in supporting someone through their life. There is also a bit of mystery in Lily's story about her love that is not resolved for the reader until almost the end of the story. A very enjoyable, well-written romance novel.
April 14, 2019
A must read! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the heart-warming story which moved between a Grandmother and Granddaughter and detailed their experiences of love across the generations. Touching and beautifully written, would recommend to anyone.
June 8, 2019
The Last Village has received a Chill with a Book Readers' Premier Award.
www.chillwithabook.com
A lovely romantic story spanning the years. Very descriptive of the area and nostalgic.
Pauline Barclay - Founder of Chill Awards
www.chillwithabook.com
A lovely romantic story spanning the years. Very descriptive of the area and nostalgic.
Pauline Barclay - Founder of Chill Awards
October 29, 2018
A book that’s not afraid to make you smile or shed a tear, here’s to the next one by Audla.
March 17, 2019
I loved the narrative which detailed the close bond between Grandmother and Grandaughter in this book. Thoroughly enjoyable and heart-warming read. Would recommend to anyone.
November 30, 2019
We are proud to announce that THE LAST VILLAGE is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!
June 8, 2020
Nice little story,I enjoyed it’s happiness,not one “F “ word in it,makes a nice change.
February 27, 2020
I'm a huge fan of dual timeline stories, and I enjoyed the similarities and comparisons between the relationships Anna and her grandmother Lily had with their friends. I found Lily's story extremely compelling, and loved that part of her story kept me on the edge of my seat until almost the end of the book.
The location for the story, around the mining communities near South Shields appealed to me as I once worked in a role that involved me communicating with former miners in that area, and although I have not visited the area comprehensively, I felt an affinity with it. It was also rewarding to be able to picture the historic elements of this story.
I enjoyed the journey taken by Lily's husband Red, and the gifts he sent her on his travels. Not only was it romantic, I found his gift choices were a fascinating addition to the story.
This was such a heartwarming story of love, friendship and marriage, and one that I enjoyed a great deal.
The location for the story, around the mining communities near South Shields appealed to me as I once worked in a role that involved me communicating with former miners in that area, and although I have not visited the area comprehensively, I felt an affinity with it. It was also rewarding to be able to picture the historic elements of this story.
I enjoyed the journey taken by Lily's husband Red, and the gifts he sent her on his travels. Not only was it romantic, I found his gift choices were a fascinating addition to the story.
This was such a heartwarming story of love, friendship and marriage, and one that I enjoyed a great deal.
May 29, 2019
I found this book a lovely story to read. I am from the surviving Village that the main Characters lived in their Honeysuckle Cottage.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews