I enjoyed this book; it was easy to read, gripping and well written. The characters are believable and rounded and the storyline makes you want to keep reading. I turned to it after giving up on a rather slowly paced library book and found it a breath of fresh air. Good light reading, very suitable for holiday escapism.

A riveting plot from the very first page. Grabs you immediately and the pace picks up from there, holding until the last page.

Nina, a product of humble beginnings now has it all: a handsome and financially successful husband, two boys enrolled in a prestigious private school, a huge home you might see featured in Architectural Digest, and money to burn. But is she happy? When Nina's world is suddenly turned upside down, readers will wonder how this pampered princess will manage. It's really a story of her transformation. And completely believable at each step.

It's a novel filled with drama, tragedy, and the power of love and courage. A very fast read. And deeply satisfying.

This book is another story of an ordinary woman who faces many obstacles to overcome. Nina, the protagonist,comes from modest means and marries well. Her well insulated life unravels after her husband dies. Unfortunately, there are may horrible hurdles the family must tackle.The tale allows us to follow her and the children on their journey to discover a new life. At times, it was uncomfortable to hear about what Nina faced. This caused me to reflect on my life and marriage. There is a realization that it could happen to anyone .<br /> Ms Prowse reminds us that is easy to lose ourselves in life and become less. Through acceptance of our past, we can draw on our strength to reclaim who we are. Another axiom is Be content in the present or you will lose out on precious moments.

I loved the start of the book - great characters, super writing style, interesting opening scenes. Even as it unfolded the controlling husband and altered circumstances gave a dramatic plot .... but for me it was ruined by the cliches - the more genuine/ fun friends (adult and kids) were without money whilst the rich ones were superficial/ boring. I only finished it to see if there was a twist. There wasn't. What a shame.

Excellent harrowing story which involved tragic circumstances, hugely enjoyable while being heart wrenching. I was invested in the story from start to finish. I read it one sitting. I couldn't put it down. There were plenty of tears but I found the story very uplifting also. I loved it. Highly recommended.

This is the story is about a woman who seems to have it all - perfect marriage - house - kids but then with the death of her husband she loses everything. Her struggle to deal with a life that was full of hidden things and the upset of her children losing their lifestyle is well written and enthralling.
This is a quick read in all the right ways - meaning you can't put it down once you start. The characters are well developed and realistic - down to the minor characters of people in the neighborhood

Amanda Prowse does it again. This is the second book of hers that I've read, thanks to Net Galley and it's powerful… emotional… triumphant even. I want to read more about Nina, Tiggy, Connor and Declan, Gilly and the girls.

The plot is simple but emotionally charged beginning with Finn's death and discovering the financial difficulty they are all in. Nina's reaction to everything was believable and readers can't help but cheer her on as she tries to put the remaining pieces of their lives together in a less posh neighborhood aka the life she's known before Finn. I love that there's more to Connor than the usual teen angst and its lovely to see both boys grow into people with character and integrity and kindness. I feel that the boys from Kings Norton College could definitely learn and grow into.

In the scene where Kathy Topps was asking Nina if Declan would like to join her son Henry for tennis lessons and saying that, "…they learn so much better when there's an element of competition in it, …" I quite agree with Nina when she thought, "… it's the worst way to teach things. Who needs that added pressure?"

On p.15 the words "Oh no… That can't happen now. That won't happen again. There it was: the realization like a door slamming in her mind… bang!" resonated so much with me as my family is still grieving over the loss of my mother-in-law, and it does feel like that every time you thought of or do something and make a mental note to share that with your dearly departed loved ones, it does feel like a door slamming once you realize they're not physically there anymore.

On p.25 when Connor asked Nina "That's nowhere near my school. It's on the other side of town. He was heading out of the city. He wasn't on his way to watch me play rugby, was he?" it adds to Mr. Monroe's supposition when he said, "And I hate to think that I am the one who might be shedding light on Finn's untimely death…"

On p.28 when Declan said to Nina and Tiggy, "…but I hope that people [when they die and go to heaven] get to have a rest, either because they are very old and tired or because they were very busy, like Dad" made me very sad and hopeful at the same time that when our time comes and we die, that we too get to rest and that we don't have any spiritual chores to do.

My heart was filled with both sadness for Nina and rage at Finn when I came across the note Finn left behind, "My Nina, Things are hard for me — I feel like I am living in a world made of glass and with every day comes a new pressure that is pushing down down down and I don't know what will break first, me or my world…" If only Finn was strong enough, brave enough to share this burden with Nina and the kids, maybe together they all will be able to find a way to fix it. But Finn broke first.

And my favorite lines from the book first appeared on p.85 when Nina remembered the words from her own mother upon receiving a glass marble, "This is a little world, Nina. And if ever the real world feels too big or too scary, remember that it is nothing more than a little ball traveling through space and it fits right into the palm of your hand and the more courage you have, the braver you are when facing it, the easier it is to conquer!" which was repeated at the end.

As always, Amanda Prowse, is a gifted storyteller and writer. Emotions leap out at you and grabs hold of you until the very end. A quick read and all the characters feel real. I love seeing Nina grow from a timid mousy character into a brave, confident woman with friends she actually enjoys. I enjoyed seeing Connor and Declan also grow from feeling entitled to learning and showing compassion and kindness to others. I love how Nina's relationship with her sister, Tiggy, grow warm and affectionate as sisters ought to be. It's not easy but you sure have to try, just like with any relationship.

If you like a well-written, emotionally charged book with a good ending and memorable characters, set in Bath and Southampton and marketed as Women's Fiction, you will not regret picking this one up.

It was a great read.

The story of a strong lady who struggled and worked hard to get hold of her life and her children.

I was unable to keep the book down and haven't missed a single word from the book.

There were times I felt bad for Nina, especially when her elder teenage boy was so irritating. But soon understood that he was also good in many ways.

I loved the younger boy. He was such a sweet heart.

Author was able to portray the struggle that they went through and the pain they had to go through.

A great book and a great story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ms. Prowse and the publisher for allowing me to read this book prior to publication. Nina McCarrick's world is about to take a wrong turn - or is it a wrong turn? Gripping, soul-searching story that will have looking deep into yourself and others around you.

Nina really has to wake up and smell the coffee, which will be instant rather than gourmet from now on. Finn, her husband has been hiding his problems, and now they are hers to sort. Their two boys, Declan and Connor, are trying to come to terms with the completely new life foisted on them without warning. Luckily Nina's more street wise sister Tiggy can help a little. She is very much on their side, despite nursing a grievance over being sidelined for the years, when Nona was a Stepford style wife, at home looking after her family, and fervently flower arranging.

I enjoyed reading this, and seeing how a fairly molly coddled lady can take back control when all seems ruined. Her new neighbours come good in a Maeve Binchy kind of way. It is just a family drama, no crime to solve but otherwise reminiscent of Jodi Picoult - the schadenfreude feeling. No real mystery here, more adjustments and rewardingly developing strengths in all the characters. I read a proof copy of this through Netgalley.

She does it yet again, I can never fault Amanda's book there is nobody that quite writes like her. Poignant, beautiful, heart wrenching and heart warming all at the same time. I felt connected to all the characters in their own way and loved ther journey despite my tears. As always I'm already looking forward to the next one...

This isn't my usual type of read, but I was absolutely captivated by the story of Nina's struggle to cope after the death of her husband costs her not just the man she loves but her entire world. I love character driven stories and Prowse's characters are detailed, nuanced and believable. It's a sweet, uplifting read you'll want to read in one sitting. I did!

Thanks for auto approving me for this book, however, it's not quite the book I tend to read and review. I lean more towards the romance or erotica type books. Best of luck with this new release.

This book was entirely believable, good main character and great description of emotions for the whole family. There was nothing about this book that I did not like. Good read

Amanda Prowse knows how to deliver a punch to the heart! This is a compliment of high regard as she is also deft at slowly easing the devastation she inflicts until you find yourself fully immersed in the characters' world.

This is my second Amanda Prowse book and I find myself likening her to the late Maeve Binchy ( another grand compliment).

The Art of Hiding finds Nina McCarrick in a situation many females have found themselves in-- she suddenly has become head of the household without having any clue to the families financial standing. With two young sons to care for, Nina has little time to get her footing after her husband dies in a car accident.

I strongly connected with the characters in this story. A fairytale turned nightmare of a life. For me, the main message of the book is to ensure you partner with your spouse to equally shoulder the burdens of financial health and familial strength. These two elements aren't chores to delegate, both parties have a vested interest in the wealth and wellbeing of their family. Balance is a must.

Nina McCarrick was a typical homemaker and soccer mom that spent all her time taking care of her kids and family, that is until the day her husband was involved in a horrible accident that took his life. Dealing with his loss was bad enough for Nina and the kids but shortly after her husband passed away Nina finds that their finances were not what she had thought they were.

Left alone to raise the kids with no job and no savings Nina helplessly has to watch as their possessions get taken away. Without any where else to turn Nina packs up what was left of the luxurious life she had once known and heads to Southampton to the rundown area she grew up in and the sister she had left behind when setting out for her new life with her husband that is now gone and she wonders if she ever knew at all.

The Art of Hiding is actually the first book that I’ve read by Amanda Prowse although I’ve noticed her work before but just hadn’t taken the time to read any. Being an established author with so many books in print I went into this one expecting to enjoy it and thankfully I really did.

The story in this book starts off a rather sad one with the family being torn apart with the loss of Nina’s husband and you can’t help but feel for her and the kids. But what I enjoyed the most was the growth that was shown in overcoming so many obstacles afterward instead of just giving up. I found this one inspirational and quite compelling to read and will certainly look for more work by this author in the future.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Nina McCarrick came from very humble beginnings, but finds herself married to successful husband Finn, living with their two young sons Declan and Connor in a pricey home in Bath, England. Nina is a housewife, totally devoted to her husband, kids and home....and that's the way Finn wants it. We don't fully get to know Finn as his life is extinguished as the book begins. However, as the story unfolds we find that Finn kept financial business problems from his wife, and Nina and her children's lives are sent into a violent tailspin upon his death. This scenario forms the basis for this very poignant tome.

Nina and her children are forced out of their life of security, privilege and comfort to begin again from the ground up. There's something so satisfying about a story where someone returns to their roots, a life they thought they had left behind and improved upon, only to realize that tangible goods aren't what's really important in life. This is a story about triumphing over adversity, hitting rock bottom and finding the inner strength to make the best of a situation. In the end one finds values such as being a true friend, living humbly, the importance of hard work, and always being there for your family. There are also lessons to be learned about class warfare and wastefulness.

Quite frankly, I was skeptical about whether I would enjoy this book, but came away from it with a very full heart and a lump in my throat. This was a worthwhile read, indeed.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing an e-copy in exchange for my fair and honest review.

I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review. I thank them so much for the immense pleasure of reading this book.
What do you do when your world crumbles piece by piece and you are facing great responsibility and little self-esteem? If you are from strong stock, you pick yourself up and take it hour by hour and try to build a life once again.
That is the very simplified plot of this wonderful novel. It will break your heart and bring you to tears. It will make you want to stand up and cheer out loud in joy for this incredibly strong woman.
The author did an amazing job of writing this novel. I was so invested in the outcome. I was hoping for certain things to happen and I am happy to say that my thoughts are what happened.
I truly enjoy a story that includes all age groups, especially the elderly. From the youngest character to the oldest, they all had a piece of my heart while reading.
I highly recommend this novel!

An uplifting, amazing journey of a family who went from having"it all" to learning the meaning of "having it all."
It could be any family, any friend that has to learn this difficult lesson.
This is one book you don't want to miss. Tissues will be needed for those who get the message within this tremendous story!

Wow! Amanda Prowse has done it again. An emotional story of one family's grief and fight to re-invent themselves, we are introduced to Nina and her boys Connor and Declan as they live a privileged life in a small village. Nina is a stay at home mum and the boys go to private school while dad Finn is the bread winner, the owner of a construction company. Tragedy strikes when Finn loses his life in a car crash on his way to watch Connor play rugby. With no family nearby, friends and neighbours rally round to look after Nina and the boys in the run up to the funeral. Things change very quickly though when it becomes clear that the charmed life that they have been living is all about to come crashing down around them, with unpaid school fees and the accountant ringing constantly to demand an urgent meeting. People they considered to be friends turn on them and treat them with contempt once they are aware that the family are penniless and soon to be homeless. In desperation Nina contacts her estranged sister, and arranges to move back to the rundown area of her childhood. Memories of poverty and unhappiness come flooding back and Nina and sister Tiggy are forced to confront the issues which have driven them apart over the years. Step by step the family begins to rebuild itself, stronger and wiser than before and I have to admit to having a lump in my throat while reading one particular scene towards the end of the book. The children's characters are particularly well written and I am extremely impressed at the author's ability to evoke such a wide range of emotions so successfully. My one and only criticism is that we didn’t see much of dad Finn at the beginning of the book and perhaps get some hints from his behaviour as to what state of mind he was in.
This book is definitely going to be on the bestsellers list this summer.