Cover Image: Hideaway

Hideaway

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Member Reviews

As with recent Nora Roberts books, it has the usual flair, storytelling and drama involved. The storey is told through many generations but primarily through the granddaughter’s story. The characters are well developed and I really enjoyed reading it; however I found the pace of the writing quite tiresome. The story is evenly paced to the point where I wanted it to end but the writing with short sentences did not appeal.

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Never read a book from this author before so I was very impressed with the way the story was written.A most intriguing storyline from start to finish.The way the stars were portrayed really make the book so enthralling from start to finish.Would recommend this book to all readers of mystery novels.Certainly love to read more from this writer.

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While I found this book to be an ok read I found it tried to be a little bit of everything, A little bit of a romance or a little bit of a thriller, I wasn’t entirely sure. I found it a little predictable and couldn’t really connect with the characters.

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For fans of Nora Roberts easy story telling style. Set in California and New York, the story of the Sullivan family from the kidnapping of Cate and the repercussions over the next 20 years. A novel better suited to an holiday read as it's well written if not exactly thrilling.

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Another excellent novel by Nora Roberts one of my favourite authors. This did not disappoint me in the slightest, and had all the elements that we have come to know, expect and love about her novels.

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This was the 5th Nora Roberts book I have read this year and this is the darkest storyline yet.
Caitlyn (Cate) Sullivan is part of the Sullivan family, a Hollywood family with generations of the family involved in acting and theatre and as a 10 year old disappears during a hide and seek game at the Big Sur home of her great-grandparents. Her survival tactics even at such a young age leads her to a ranch where Dillon Cooper finds her hiding in his ranch kitchen and with the help of his family allow her to be reunited with her large and loving family.
Cate's experience leads her to find security with family members and she moves to Ireland and then to New York where she tries to make a life for herself away from the events of her life as a 10 year old. As she moves through her teenage years New York provides a place where she can live her life without press intrusion and she experiences the freedom of doing what she wants. However, her ordeal is far from over as difficult event in New York leads her back to the Big Sur coastline and back to the house of her ancestors.
It is here that she tries again to rebuild her life and is reunited with those that helped her all those years ago. With the support of her family and those that mean so much to her she again tries to find safety and security in every day life. However, the events of her past till threaten her.
This book is not romance-led I found it quite a dark story line and not at all what I expected from Nora Roberts. I was invested in Cate, she had suffered a terrible trauma as a young girl and the repercussions of this remained with her for a long time. She was a survivor and her relationship with her family and Dillon and his family and their way of life was heart-warming, exactly what I expected from this author.
If your interested in a strong female lead, driving her life forward, surviving and making the best of her life then this book is for you .

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Caitlyn Sullivan came from Hollywood royalty - but at the age of ten she was kidnapped and held for ransom. She managed to escape and found refuge in the home of Dillon Cooper and his Mother and Grandmother. From here the story follows Cate to New York, Ireland and back to Big Sur over a period of the next 20 years examining the impact of that one tragic event.

I am not a huge fan of books that divide up the characters life into time chunks in a novel - to me it feels like something is missing, you delve into that characters world at that point and then are whisked away to years later. To me it is like suffering from reading whiplash! Also, from the start we know who the protagonist is and that takes away the enjoyment of figuring out 'who-done-it' and a large part of the suspense. The romance part of the story also suffered, Dillon and Cate didn't get together until towards the end of the book - it felt like it was shoehorned in at the end which was disappointing.

Having said all that Nora Robert's is a truly gifted storyteller - I have read many of her books and will continue to do so. Just because the structure of a single book doesn't work for out me does not make it a bad book, it is just not a favourite.

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Hideaway by Nora Roberts follows the life of Caitlin Sullivan. From abduction as a child throughout her journey to adulthood. Nora covers success, talent, rejection, intimidation, betrayal and loss beautifully. The backdrop of a loving family and loyal friends is a great thread running throughout. I loved getting to know the good people and Grant’s skilful manipulation was well developed and portrayed. The book held my interest and was a great companion in the garden on a sunny afternoon and then later in bed when I just had to finish a chapter - always a great sign of an enjoyable read. Loved it

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Thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#Hideaway #NetGalley

You can always rely on Nora Roberts to tell a great yarn, and 'Hideaway' is no exception. She is one of the most natural storytellers I have come across, with a certain inimitable way of engaging her readers with her artfully contrived, epic narratives of the human condition. So, I do not damn with faint praise in saying that this novel lacks the element of suspense I expected. This, primarily, is the tale of nine-year-old Caitlyn's kidnap and the aftermath of the event, some years later. It is true that the mystery of the kidnappers identities are solved fairly early on in the book. But this does not make this a bad read. Quite the contrary, it was a great read. As someone who is not a fan of romance, I was quite pleased that this was lightly touched upon by Roberts. Nevertheless, 'Hideaway' is still a compulsive read. There is still enough mystery in narrative, particularly in the parts of the book that illuminate the life of adult Caitlyn, to grip even the most ardent of critics of crime fiction. Much to my relief, Roberts maintains her innate talent for weaving a twisty, human-interest tale. 'Hideaway' displays this in spades, even if this is not my favourite book from her burgeoning canon of works. Addictive and imaginative - a recommended read.

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I was really hoping Hideaway might be a new novel that throws back to some of Nora Roberts' incredible romantic suspense of the past - but suddenly not. I love Nora Roberts and will always read her newest novels (as well as re-read her old ones), but I can't help but feel she's writing to a template that doesn't quite fit with any genre.

For one thing, as a romantic suspense it is... not very suspenseful. The dramatic climax (which we know is coming in minute detail) happens about 5% from the end of the novel and spans a couple of pages at most. It's predictable and there's just not the sense of danger that Roberts used to write so well. The romance is also pretty underwhelming. There's no tension, barely any chemistry, and again this is an element that only comes to the fore much later in the story.

Roberts' most recent novels have almost been epics in that they follow a character from childhood through to adulthood. For me, this keeps the writing from being pacey or tense; I prefer in a romance that the love interests aren't only introduced as adults towards the end, and I like to gauge a character from their action in a few scenes instead of having their entire life spelled out for me.

This has turned into a fairly damning review, which isn't my intention at all. Nora Roberts is still an artist in her writing - she can turn a phrase like no one else and creates worlds (even when pure realism) that I want to dive into. Sadly, I just couldn't get into Hideaway like I wanted to. Following on from Come Sundown, The Obsession and Shelter in Place, to me Hideaway felt like it could have been any of these books with interchangeable characters and plots.

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This is not my usual read. I've never read Nora Roberts books before but decided to give this one a go. 4 stars only because I struggled to get into it. A good story and a page-turner. Recommended.

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The story is about the Sullivan's, a well-known family of Hollywood actors/directors etc.
9-year-old Caitlyn is kidnapped while attending a family funeral, a ransom of ten million dollars is demanded, however, she manages to escape. The kidnappers are caught, one of them is a member of her family. During her escape, a family living nearby help her, and they remain life long friends.
Caitlyn travels to Ireland and then returns to America, she is still receiving threats, somebody is trying to destroy her, will she ever find out who and why ??
Caitlyn, however, is determined to live life on her own terms, but when people start to die, Caitlyn needs to discover who it is before she becomes the final victim.
Not my favourite Nora Roberts book, but still a very well written book.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Little Bown Book Group UK and Author Nora Roberts, for allowing me to review this pre-publication.

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I do love Nora Roberts books. You know you will get great characters, a really interesting story line and a happy ending. This is no different.
Caitlyn Sullivan is 10 years old when she is kidnapped from her grandparents estate. Having been drugged she is taken to an empty house where she is left, unconscious. When she comes round she is threatened by a man wearing a clown mask. She manages to escape, and runs through first, where she sees a light.
This is the story of what happens over the next decade or so. The plot is well written and thought out, the characters, in the main, are likeable and although you know who the baddies are, you know they’ll get their comeuppance. The only problem for me is that they are really predictable . However a nice, easy summer read.

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I read this book during Coronavirus lockdown, and found it had me turning the pages easily enough to stave off boredom. The story is pretty straightforward, as are the characters and the settings. It was always clear there was going be a happy ending, so there was little suspense, and the writing style is undemanding and uncomplicated, if somewhat predictable and formulaic at times. This book is just the thing for filling time in lockdown or escaping with a gentle holiday read.

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I really enjoy Nora Roberts' books and was really excited to be given access to this book by the publishers and Netgalley and it turned out that this book was no exception. I really loved it. It starts back in 2001 with the kidnapping of Caitlyn from a family memorial and it quickly becomes apparent it was an inside job. The story progresses from there to the present day, mainly from Caitlyn's perspective, and is a tale that focuses very much on the human ability to survive.
I absolutely loved the blend of vengeance and family and love and even the bad guys being very obvious it didn't affect my enjoyment. The book is fast paced and most of the characters are warm and the kind of people you root for. The use of the beautiful region of The Big Sur was a big plus point for me too. If you are looking for a quick, engaging but not too demanding read, then this is for you.

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I loved this book! As usual Nora Roberts delivers a fabulous, interesting story with suspense running throughout.

The story is about the famous Sullivan family of Hollywood actors/directors etc. Not long after the book starts 10 year old Caitlyn is kidnapped, but escapes, and the perpetrators are brought to justice, one shockingly in her own family. During her escape she is helped by Maggie, Julia & Dillon, a family living nearby, and these stay lifelong friends, which added strand to the story.

The rest of the book is about Cate's story, moving to Ireland, coming back to the States, and finding her way in the world, but with the scandal of her kidnapping hounding her in the press now and again over the years, usually brought on by a certain someone seeking publicity.

The Sullivan family sounded such a great family, rich and famous, but all with great family values and every one of them there for Cate when she needed it, although she had a very strong personality and was very independent.

The suspense part was just enough for me, always there in the background, with a few incidents, but not scary enough to ruin the book, the 'bad guys' were caught in the end, and there was a lovely ending. I really enjoy the way Nora Roberts writes, I've always been a big fan of hers, her style is just so easy reading and I couldn't put this book down. Highly recommended.

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This was a remarkable thriller by the remarkable Nora Roberts that I had a great time reading. The way the writer depicted the characters will strike a chord with many of the readers, and the story will draw everybody in. Highly recommend this incredible thriller.

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I should mention that Hideaway is marketed as a suspense novel. But for me the suspense fell a bit flat. From the beginning it’s known who the perpetrator is, and the overall air of mystery and suspensefulness is just not there. Because of this, Hideaway feels more like a family saga in the first half, and a romance in the second half, with minor romantic suspense elements.

But besides all that, I had a great time reading it.

DILLON WAS MY KIND OF HERO.
SWOON!! Dillon was down to earth, kind, hard-working, protective and someone who wanted to take care of his woman but knew when to let go and step back. There was this amazing balance between Dillon and Cate. A give and take. Support, understanding, love, but also friendship. The whole enchilada. On top of that Dillon had the most amazing relationship with the two other women in his life, every time he called them his ladies I swooned.

AND I ABSOLUTELY ADORED THE SULLIVANS.
Big families, like the Sullivan’s enchant me. The entire Sullivan clan (minus ONE) was charming, charismatic, and loving, so very loving. They stole my heart with their level of support, love and understanding and most of all the willingness to let people be themselves, and love them for who they were.

The book was filled with amazing characters, and amazing friendships. It was filled to the brim with laughter, banter, and dialogues that made me smile. My heart was full of love for the Sullivans and everyone they called family.

BUT THERE WAS SOMETHING MISSING…
As I mentioned above, the couple didn’t get together until late in the book. And although, when Cate and Dillon finally came together, there was no doubt about their feelings. Slow but steady it built to a palpable crescendo. But compared to some of the author’s other books, the couple didn’t spend as much time together as I would have liked. And I think that’s mainly because the story focused on the Sullivan family, and Cate’s personal journey.

But all in all, this novel was a solid performance by the author. Captivating, especially the part about the career Cate eventually settled on, it couldn’t have been more fitting. Heartwarming, thanks to the many amazing relationships. And charming – my heart belongs to the Sullivan men.

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I love Nora Roberts. She is my all time favourite author. Her books are the perfect blend of romance and thriller, with strong lead characters, and set in a close-knit community. This book is no different. It follows the story of Caitlyn Sullivan, who is betrayed by a family member during a game of hide and seek when she's 9 years old. Afterwards, she puts her life back together with the help of her family, and the neighbours who rescued her.

The story is told largely from Caitlyn's perspective, but does like most of Robert's books do, and cuts to the storyline of the villains of the piece as well. I've always liked this aspect of her books, as it allows the reader to see any threat coming before the main character does. However, in this instance, and the reason why I've given this book 4 stars rather than 5, it felt like there was something missing. It almost felt like that part of the story was added as an afterthought. It also lacked any surprise, as the reader knows who the perpetrator is the whole time, and the confrontation was all over and done with in the space of about 3 pages. In books like "Carnal Innocence" and "The Obsession", the build up is slow, with the threat getting closer and closer as the storyline unfolds. In both cases, the reader learns who the killer is at the same time as the main character. There was none of this in "Hideaway", and I was left feeling a bit dissatisfied by it.

I did really enjoy this book, though. I've been struggling to read anything during the current climate (if you're reading this in the future, it's right in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic), and this held my attention and kept me calm and occupied, and I can give it no higher praise than that.

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What a fabulous book! Really it could have been a trilogy ! By the time I'd finished , I felt like I was an honorary member of the Sullivan clan, so immersed was I in their lives and loves and hopes and fears. Young Caitlyn Sullivan is abducted from her family's grounds during an innocent game of hide and seek, while her family are gathered to honour the memory of her great grandfather , head of the Sullivan acting dynasty. What ensues takes us on an exhilarating, thrilling journey as we get involved in all their lives. I don't want to issue any spoilers but I wholeheartedly recommend this beautifully written book. Nora Roberts is such an accomplished storyteller, it's easy to forget one is reading a work if fiction. I found it hard to switch it off at night and couldn't wait to dive straight back in again in the morning. The characters are lovingly crafted and totally believable and its easy to totally lose oneself in their world. .it was a world I was reluctant to leave!

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