I was given a copy of The Hidden Wife by Joanna Rees by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The book is the third book in the series but I haven't read the first two. I didn't feel this was a problem as the book does go over what has happened previously. The book is about vita who has run away to Paris from her brother and sister in law. There she must make a new life for herself keeping her previous family mill business a secret. I really enjoyed the story, found Vita a likeable character. I'll be looking out for the next book in the series.

I didn’t realise this was the second book in a series. Having not read the first I found the constant repeating of things that happened in the first book irritating. I stuck with it for a handful of chapters and then gave up.

Fabulous second book in the trilogy A Stitch in Time. The story has really developed. I cannot wait for the last book in the series! The drama surrounding Vita explodes in a riot of gambling, lingerie and intrigue! Great read.

Thank you Netgalley

Vita Casey has made it to Paris after fleeing London and her brother.

She is trying to keep a low profile and becomes a dresser for the dancers in a cabaret club where her friend Nancy is performing. Always in Nancy's shadow and seemingly picking up the pieces after her, Vita knows this is not the life she wants to lead in Paris.

Paris is where the fashion is and Vita's life is about designing and creating clothes. Nancy's life is one of late night parties, drink and drugs and it seems that Nancy is going to spiral down and Vita will not be able to help if she doesn't do something more.

A chance meeting leads to Vita getting to venture behind the doors a Paris fashion house and she finds herself with the chance to finally get her designs out there and make a name for herself.

Back in Darton, England. Vita's brother Clement has still not forgiven Vita for her actions and when his marriage throws up some interesting opportunities his new wife can see a way of the past being finally put behind them all.

Faces from the past come back to Vita and it doesn't matter where she hides, someone will always find her - whether that be brothers, sister in laws, wives and long lost lovers.

So much is packed into the pages of this book, you get a real sense of the Paris of 1928, the lifestyle led by the up and coming 'young things'. The live for this moment attitude and that money can buy anything, position, clothes, tables in clubs, yachts and women. Rees manages to remind the reader that actually not all lives were rich with wealth and position.

The book gives you plenty more questions to take you into the final part of the trilogy but I would strongly recommend you have read the first to really appreciate the story of this one.

Excellent historical fiction a must for all fans of this genre.

The Hidden Wife by Joanna Rees is the second book in the A stich in time series and a continuation from the first book.
After fleeing her brother in the previous book. Vita and Nancy start a new life in Paris. Nancy becomes a dancer at Les Folies Bergère and Vita becomes a seamstress there. But her dreams are for a better life and getting her designs known in Paris. The fashion capital of the world. As she feels she is second best to her friend Nancy for her being a dancer and the outgoing women she is, with her going to party and living life to the full.
Whilst back in her old town of Darton, Edith is now married to Clement and vows to ruin Vita anyway she can. But at first, Vita is doing well she gets a job a fashion house and she is also creating more of her Top-Drawer designs to maybe one day sell to the local department stores. Nancy is on a slow decline with drink and drugs. She meets Irvine King whilst working at the fashion house and they get close. But then her good life starts to go wrong, and she is wondering who she can trust?
Like the first book in the series I really enjoyed this. Vita her life in Paris, The Fashion houses. You really felt like you were there. A gullible girl but keeps landing on her feet and poor Nancy drinks her troubles away. Her brother Clement on the hunt for her but wife Edith seems to have better luck finding her and making her life difficult. There were some gripping moments in this and some unanswered questions. I can wait until the next book.

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

This is the 2nd book in a series and I must now read the first one
It does read ok as a standalone but I feel I would benefit from reading the series in the right order

I found it absorbing and really enjoyed it

I did not realise that this book was the second in the series, so there were quite a lot of events that it referred to that I had no idea of, which did affect how I read the book. I think the first book should be read first. I do not understand where the hidden wife comes from? I found the story ok, a little unlikely in places. I might go back to the beginning and read the first book to explain more about Vita's back story. The story ended without a conclusion, so I imagine there will be a third book.

The Hidden Wife is the second book in this series and as with the first book, it is enjoyable and entertaining.

At the end of The Runaway Daughter, Vita and Nancy are about to flee London as Vita’s brother Clement has found her. The story follows Vita and Nancy as they embark on their new life in Paris and the predicaments they find themselves in. Meanwhile, back in Darton, Edith has married Clement and is doing everything in her power to ruin Vita.

Although Vita appears to be gullible and naive she constantly seems to fall on her feet until Clement finds her again and once more she is running for her life. Who can Vita trust and where will she finally end up?

The Hidden Wife is an excellent addition to this series. I am looking forward to the next book from this author.