Hideaway is my first book by Nora Roberts and it was certainly a cracking induction for me!

The famous Sullivan family have all returned home to their ranch in Big Sur to celebrate the life of their patriarch Liam Sullivan who has passed. The daughter of Hollywood royalty, nine-year-old Caitlyn (Cate) is playing hide-and-seek outside with her cousins when she's kidnapped. Cate manages to escape her captors, running through the woods until stumbling upon an unlocked and inhabited house with lights; perhaps somewhere to feel safe? When teenager Dillon Cooper and his family find her in the kitchen quivering, bleeding and bruised, they listen to her story, provide refuge and comfort, and reunite her with her loved ones. But Cate doesn't yet know this harrowing ordeal and the aftershocks will follow her around for the rest of her life...

Nora Roberts clearly excels at writing family sagas about complicated relationships, family dynamics, love, and betrayal. It wasn't long after starting to read Hideaway when it started to weave its magic, drawing me into the warmth and strength of the Sullivan family and their close bonds and kinship. Cate was surrounded by love, tradition, and generations of relatives so her abduction thwarted a life that was guaranteed great glory and accomplishment. The impact was portrayed unobtrusively, without too much suspense and angst but still showing how that trauma influenced her career and life choices.

Hideaway is a story of deceit, manipulation, and vengeance... but it's also a story of strength and conquering adversity to find happiness and hope. The characters are well-fleshed out as relationships develop slowly making them more believable. This engaging, enjoyable read really worked for me and I was disappointed when it had to end. Highly Recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Little, Brown Book Group UK/ Piatkus via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

This was the first book I have read by Nora Roberts and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the whole Sullivan family (minus one obvious person) and think both Cate and Dillon’s families made this book for me. While I did find the book to be predictable in places, it still had me gripped from the very beginning. I expected it to be full of suspense, and for me personally, the book was more 80% romance and 20% suspense. Overall, this was a great read and I will definitely purchase more of Nora’s books in the future.

*Many thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

I’ve read books by this author before and enjoyed them so was pleased to be approved for this book and had high expectations. I felt a bit disappointed with the story, I expected it to be full of suspense, and for me the book was more 85% romance and 15% suspense. I thought the characters were likeable and believable and had good background histories .... sadly the story didn’t wow or thrill me though. I skimmed the last 40% of the book as it didn’t really engage me and at times I felt it was a little overly long and predictable. Overall, for me, this was an average read. 3 stars

Hideaway is the latest standalone novel from bestseller Nora Roberts; I didn't realise it was romantic suspense but I enjoyed it despite not being into anything romance-based. Caitlyn Sullivan, a daughter of Hollywood royalty, was already a star at ten, but still loved to play hide-and-seek with her cousins at the family home in Big Sur. It was during one of those games that she disappeared. Despite her glamorous background, Cate was a shrewd, scrappy survivor, and she managed to escape her abductors. Dillon Cooper was shocked to find the bruised and terrified girl huddled in his ranch house kitchen—but when the teenager and his family heard her story they provided refuge and comfort, reuniting her with her loved ones. Cate’s ordeal, though, was far from over. First came the discovery of a betrayal that would send someone she’d trusted to prison. Then there were years away in Ireland, sheltered and protected but with restlessness growing in her soul. Then, finally, she returned to Los Angeles, hoping to act again and get past the trauma that had derailed her life. What she didn’t yet know was that two seeds had been planted that long-ago night—one of a great love, and one of a terrible vengeance…

This is a high-stakes contemporary love story with lots of action and a decent pace. Cate is an interesting protagonist who is gritty with a strong and charismatic personality, even at the tender age on ten, and as the book unfolds the more intense it becomes; it has you hanging on every word desperate to know what happens. I loved that I immediately felt a subtle darkness and sinister atmosphere and it is so sophisticatedly done that it puts those "opposite to subtle” thrillers to shame; this is what Ms Roberts excels at. It addresses the issues of family ties, the unremitting desire for revenge, and the complications of love. This is the perfect escapist read for those looking for something easy and unchallenging as it requires no thinking at all. The cast of characters, however, do feel a little cliche or stereotypical, which was a shame. I will pick up her next book written under this nom de plume as so many people rave about them but I think my favourites will always be the ones written as JD Robb. This will appeal mostly to those who enjoy women's fiction/chick-lit and/or those into lighter suspense novels rather than those that are full-on. Many thanks to Piatkus for an ARC.

Very few authors grab me on the first page, but Roberts consistently does. Her writing style is seemingly effortless, pulling you into her stories. She is of course famous for her romances, but suspense is also something she does very well, as attested by her huge In Death series (under the name of J.D. Robb).

In this instance, both these elements are somewhat secondary. Yes, we have a kidnapping and subsequent threats and deceits, and a romance that builds slowly, but this story is really one of self discovery, of finding your inner strength in the face of adversity.

There is a certain amount of predictability, which is probably normal for this type of novel. On the other hand, it engenders a comforting familiarity that is very enjoyable, especially right now.


I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and to Nora Roberts for the opportunity.

Nora Roberts stand alone of 2020 follows the life of Caitlyn Sullivan is just nine years old when a game of hide and seek at a family party will change her life forever.

The story allows you to follow Cates journey as she grows from her experience and how both she and her family react. The book has a lot of different characters that play big parts in Cates life, Roberts brings them to life and your will love some and hate some as you follow the story, she connects you to the Cate the lead of the book in away that makes her feel like a friend. The pace is smooth and continuous so you see the development clearly.

The visual descriptiveness of the book is wonderful, for a UK born reader that has never been to the USA it’s wonderful, I can close my eyes and be there from the sea to the bustling towns, for me that in book is essential, I want to feel the scene as well as the people.

The book follows Cates life, with plenty of twists and turns, our girl certainly has to grow and adapt, the thriller element of the story keeps you going until the very end. The romance is well shown and not rushed , the development is lovely and so sweet, your willing them together as time goes on.

Hideaway is a great read, keeps you hooked from beginning to end and certainly one I will pick up and reread again

I must start with saying that I love this Author ………………...BUT I have found that the most recent books are becoming formulaic . They seem to follow a trend ……. a great beginning , a moderate middle and a flat ending .
I must add that I also hold this Author to higher standards than others in the same genre , as she has proven many times over that she can write to an higher calibre .

This story is set in three distinct parts - The Sullivan clan are celebrating the life of recently deceased Hollywood icon Liam Sullivan , when the unthinkable happens and his granddaughter ,Caitlyn ,is kidnapped and a ransom of ten million $ is demanded. As the site is secure an inside job is immediately suspected ……………… Caitlyn however is determined to rescue herself ……………….. setting in motion the destruction of her family's life as she knows it .
The second part is set mostly in New York as Caitlyn tries to rebuild her career …………. she is still receiving threatening messages ……………… someone is trying to destroy her ……………….Who and Why ??
The third part takes us back to Big Sur and the family home ……………… Caitlyn is determined to live life on her own terms and when people start to die it is a race against time to discover the perpetrator before Caitlyn becomes the final victim !!

The premise of the story was good and overall made for an enjoyable read .

I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review

I absolutely loved this book, thank you NetGalley for the advanced review copy.

I've never read a Nora Roberts book before but I was drawn in to Hideaway from the very first chapter, whisked away into the lives of the Sullivan family, made famous by their four generations of acting prowess.

The story revolves around Cate who is only ten years old when we meet her, already a couple of films under her belt. The entire family is gathered at the family estate in Big Sur for the memorial of Cate's great grandfather when the little girl is snatched away for ransom. What ensues is the story of what happens next, how one moment can change a family forever and how the bonds of family don't always have to be forged by blood.

The characters are fantastic, the different settings really adding to the tempo of the story and I adored the ending.

I can't wait to read more books by this author.

I have read other Nora Roberts books, but I seem to have grown away from them, as I found this just a little too "sugary" for me. There were so many characters, members of the Sullivan dynasty, that I lost all track of them.
The life seem rather too Hollywood for me to really enjoy, as not many people really live a life like that, so it as hard to relate.
The element of drama was also rather air brushed out, so really the book was not for me, sorry.

Wow, this is a fantastic read. It had me gripped till the last page. This book left me loking forward to reading more by Nora

I really love Nora Roberts books, especially her suspense novels. This one is no exception.

Ciatlin Sullivan is only 9 years old and a game of hide & seek, at her grandparents family party, results in her being kidnapped. This event shapes her life and how she copes.

Who was responsible and what are the consequneces? This is a fast paced read, you grow to love Caitlin and her family and what things to turn out well for her, but danger still lurkes and threatens this.

Read this book, it will not disappoint if you are a Nora Roberts fan.

Hideaway is the story of Cate Sullivan, the prodigy of a famous Hollywood family. She is kidnapped as a child and that trauma, with its underlying hurtful revelations, ripples throughout her life, re-shaping it from what could have to what can be, disrupting her set path, affecting not just her but her entire family and that of Dillon Cooper’s and forcing her to turn into a new direction.

I have to say upfront, I couldn’t believe it when I was lucky enough to get approved for the ARC of this book. Nora Roberts is my favorite author in the world. Her books saved my life, shaped my future and I can’t thank her enough for her stories. So I was over the moon when I got the ARC. My first ever Nora Roberts ARC! I was both excited and terrified to read Hideaway. The excited part is easy to understand but dread because, what if I hated the book? Or what if the story didn’t speak to me? My principles wouldn’t allow me to give a less than honest opinion. I can’t in good faith ever fake a positive review when I don’t like the book. But thankfully, my fears turned out to be groundless.

This book! This book was such a treat for me. So many good feels from it. So many strong emotions it evoked in me. That’s what most of Nora Roberts’ books do to me. They make me feel so much, such a depth of emotion and for a person with apathy, that is a treasure beyond any price.

Hideaway was filled with strong characters, not just Cate and Dillon but also the side characters were so good, well-crafted, each one with their own unique voice and personality. I admired Cate a lot, everything she went through, the courage it took to face her fears, to build up a different future for herself than the one she’d planned. Facing an unknown, not knowing where you’ll end up, who you’ll become, what you want to do with your life, finding your purpose can hold so much fear and dread. It takes a lot of strength to keep going, keep fighting for who you want to be.

Ah, Dillon! What is it about Nora Roberts, that her heroes always sneak in your heart and make a place for themselves? I loved the teen Dillon and the college-bound one. The adult Dillon was irresistible. He made a good contrast to Cate. He knew exactly what he wanted from his life and he was content and happy with his path.

I loved both families and all the side-characters were a delightful addition to the whole story. The plot-line had a simplicity that made it easy to read and the ending was kind of fast but interesting. This book was about the value of family holding together and friends being there for you. There was the heartbreak of hurt but it all fit in with the story.

Writing this review makes me want to re-read the book all over again and that says it all, doesn’t it? I think it’s the incredible measure of an author’s talent when the story she crafted leaves you with a wonderful sense of contentment and the urge to re-read the book right after you finished reading it.

Nora Roberts can surely write a story that will keeps you hooked till the last page.
This one was no exception and I loved this family saga well plotted and with a cast of great characters.
It was an entertaining and engrossing read and I appreciated the plot well told and the fleshed out and interesting characters.
It's a mix of genres and the author did a great job.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

3* Not what I expected from the blurb - more filler than thriller.

Though I've read this author w/a JD Robb, this is my first venture into her Nora Roberts' works. As expected, this book is very well written and has a clever blurb, which was what made me pick it up, thinking it'd be a bit like her JDR books. It wasn't.

The story had too many characters, too many names dropped, too many generations and there was a big mention of Ireland, only for me to find out that that part of the tale gets glossed over entirely. I wanted to see the Ireland talked about in JDR's books; I wanted to hear the accent that occasionally pops out in Roarke's words, but there was none of that. Instead, after a great start, the book turned rather bland and didn't feel like it matched the blurb.

Caitlyn was too 'little rich girl'. Too 'white girl privileged', which one of her family members actually used in a conversation with her. The tale was too bland and a little cliche. The storyline didn't feel organic; it felt like the characters were living in a Jackie Collins type setting, and there was no sense of danger. What I couldn't fathom here, was how, with it proven that there was no evil insider, how the messages kept getting sent to Caitlyn's phone, when she'd trashed her actual phone after the first one, bought a brand new one and got a new number that was only for her nearest and dearest.

It didn't read like a contemp tale, tbh, more like an expanded Silhouette book from the late 90s/early 00s. And why would a female lead need to discuss the number of lovers she's had, when the lead doesn't go into his? Not classy, not needed and made the tale feel rather chauvinistic in that element.

Tbh, the tale droned on and had too much filler for it to be a thriller, but it was readable.

ARC courtesy of Little, Brown Book Group UK, Piatkus and NetGalley, for my reading pleasure.

With the exception of a handful of novels, I think I have genuinely read every single Nora Roberts book. Every new book gets a pre-order, because I know I will never be disappointed. Hideaway was no exception.
This is my absolute favourite kind of Nora Roberts novel, now that she has moved away from pure romance. That family drama, stretching from the heroine being a young child, to adult. It’s truly what Roberts excels at! This novel opens with Caitlyn Sullivan, one of the granddaughters of a Golden Age Hollywood actor, at a family gathering. Of course it quickly turns to tragedy, and off we go.
Caitlyn was my favourite Roberts heroine in a long time! She was brave, funny, and extremely capable. She was surrounded by an extravagant family who would do anything for her. Roberts is fantastic at writing family, whether it be by blood or found. There is comfort in a Nora Roberts novel, and part of it definitely comes from these communities she creates that you cannot help but want to be part of. This was big family, but they were all distinctive, and authentic. There is a lot of love in this novel, filling every page.
Of course we can’t forget our hero, Dillon. Dillon falls in love with Caitlyn when he’s just a kid, and their love story is a slowburn. But, like always, it worth it. Who doesn’t love a gentle farmer as a love interest? Dillon is sweet, kind, and while he would protect Caitlyn at any cost, ever since they met he knew she could take care of herself.
Hideaway is everything good about a Nora Roberts novel. I laughed, maybe cried a little, and when the end came along I wished it wasn’t over. As always, I will be picking up her next book, and the next one after that, forever.

I absolutely loved this book. It seemed to be just what I needed right now. How can you not love a story filled with some great characters. Characters you fall in love with. But not just them but the descriptions of wherever the story was taking place, I felt like I was there at Big Sur. Feeling the sea breeze, looking out to sea from the house that Cate and the Sullivans lived in. Every sound and smell seemed to come to life.

I have been reading books by Nora Roberts for many years now, and she never fails to deliver. Told in four parts, beginning with Caitlin when she was 10, the day of her grandfathers funeral, the acting clan are gathered together, the children playing a game of hide and seek. Caitlin hides in a tree determined to win the game. But when the family meet later for dinner Caitlin is gone. Who has taken her? And how?

What the kidnappers didn’t count on was Caitlin’s strength and determination, as well as her clever mind, she managed to escape, and ran until she came across a ranch where she met, a young Dillon, his mum Julia and his Gram Maggie. They patched her up, called her family and the police. From then on Caitlin’s family were very protective of her, moving her to Ireland, for a few years. Until it was time for her to go back to LA, she had to decide if she wanted to carry on acting, as her father and grandfather and family did. She meets her first love at 18, but nothing ever feels safe, receiving threats via telephone calls. She her feels safe. Until she goes back to the family home in Big Sur, she is reacquainted with Dillon and his family again, although they have always kept in touch. But then several murders happen, are they related to her kidnapping?

Another good story from Nora Roberts, there wasn’t a great deal of real suspense as the reader knows early on who is behind most of the attacks. But that didn’t detract from the story. I lost myself in these characters, the relationships, the strength’s the characters had. A perfect read.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #Piatkus for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.

HIDEAWAY was a rich melding of a family saga with suspense and a gentle romance. It was also only my second stroll with Nora Roberts. The story started with an almighty thrilling bang and then the rest of the tale played out over decades. This growth of the readers knowledge and affection for the family was facilitated by great writing and a solid plot.

Caitlyn (Cate) was at the centre of a kidnapping plot, age ten, all due to the fact she was from a famous family of actors. The Sullivans as a family made for great reading even though I got confused with the many names and who was who in the first quarter of the book. The whole kidnapping plot made for tense reading and this tension ebbed and flowed through the years as the crime was never really put to rest.

The characterisation was the key strength in this read, all the characters, good and bad, had great depth. I loved to read about Cate’s mother, Noah, Dillon, Red, Michaela and of course Cate herself. There were a few niggles for me, some of the ‘darling world’ and privileged life of the Sullivans was a little irritating at times and I didn’t like Dillon’s consistent reference to his mother and grams as ‘my ladies’.

The plot was interesting, I wanted to get back to the book and although there were some unexpected twists, many of the twists were pretty predictable. I can’t say that aspect spoilt the read at all. The wrap up at the end was a little too swift and I would have liked a bit of the calm after.

HIDEAWAY has definitely made me want to read more of this genre from Nora Roberts and this family saga is likely to appeal widely.

Thank you Piatkus/Little Brown UK for the early review copy.

Gripping from start to finish, a fast paced, multi layered story of family, fame and finding comfort in your surroundings.
This story begins fast, a kidnapping, an escape, a mystery developed and solved within the first few chapters. This leaves the book open to many twists and turns as it progresses.
The main character Cate is likeable and we want so desperately for a happy outcome for her. Cate’s family, a Hollywood dynasty are again warm and loving, making it very easy to be “Team Sullivan” while reading.
Nora Robert’s fantastic writing style gives us chaos and uncertainty mixed with the most beautiful serene settings. It is so easy to picture the calmness and sanctuary of Sullivan’s Rest, The Ranch and the NYC home despite all the deceit and drama going on around the family.
Hideaway left me guessing right until the very last pages. Perfect escapism from start to finish

I am a massive Nora Roberts so was very excited to get the opportunity to review an ARC of her latest book.
In her usual style, this is a rich tapestry of storylines, wonderful characters and strong narrative. I enjoyed reading this and felt like I went on a journey as part of the “cast”. The strong family bonds were heartwarming.
A perfect book to read during this global pandemic, which allowed me to escape to a better place. Could not put it down.
5 stars

I really did enjoy this book and would love to have given four stars but it just doesn’t quite get there for me.
Nora Roberts is a new author for me. I like the way she wrote the book and developed each character, you feel like you really get to know everyone and it really portrays the importance of family and strong values.
For me, it was very predictable in places and somewhat draw out, I feel it could have been a lot shorter without loosing any important parts from the story.
You get a sense of the story from different character interactions but there is one central character, Charlotte, that you don’t really see her viewpoint. I would have loved to have had more from this character.
It’s a sweet tale of family values, families breaking apart and how a young girl, Cate, grows into a lovely young woman, but I would have liked to see her have a break at some point in her life, not having this hang over her for the best part of twenty years.
I would recommend it to anyone who loves a long story, not necessarily a romance more a tale of a young girls life, changed abruptly by a kidnapping, and how that affects her right through her adult life.
I would have loved to see a bit more at the end, after such a long tale, a bit more conclusion and confirmation that her old life is well and truly over.
Again, a sweet story, you will feel for the characters, they might make you shed a few tears but it may leave you wanting just a little more.