Amanda Prowse knows exactly how to write a fantastic story and she does it again with The Art of Hiding. I got engrossed in Ninas journey and really enjoyed every second of this book.

The Art of Hiding

I love a domestic drama and I think Amanda Prowse writes them to perfection.

Nina McCarrick has the "perfect" life, living in her dream home with her successful husband Finn, surrounded by luxury, bringing up her two sons Connor and Declan. Apart from doing the school runs her days are basically her own where she takes pride in keeping her beautiful house pristine and flower arranging. She is happy in the knowledge that she is safe and secure in her own world until one day while she watches her eldest son Connor playing rugby, she's receives a phone call telling her that her husband Finn has had an accident. She rushes to the hospital to find out he has been killed. It very quickly becomes apparent to Nina that her life was built on quicksand, everything she knew quickly comes toppling down around her as she realises the secrets Finn has kept from her. Suddenly faced with a serious amount of debt and the reality that she is going to be homeless with her two sons she needs some help and quick!
This is a story of loss, devastation and a gripping determination to leave what you know and stride ahead with bravery with whatever circumstances you are faced with.

I’ve had the pleasure of reading Prowse before in The Idea of You which was a wonderful book so when the opportunity to read her again came up I of course jumped at it; she did not disappoint. One of the things I love about her books is she writes the kind of thing you want to copy quotes out of to post on social media or write on post its to stick on your mirrors just because her prose is so beautiful.

Prowse has written yet another beautifully rendered view of the challenges so many face and how to overcome them with hope to not just survive but find strength and confidence to live your life to the fullest. She has created this endearing woman who faces some of life’s greatest hardships and setbacks only to take them on with poise. Having a sister myself I really took to the relationship she developed here and it made me walk down my own memory lane thanks to way her words seem to become their own life force.

One of the key elements Prowse teaches is how yes money is important to survival but it is NOT a guarantee of happiness which is something that often gets lost in today’s modern culture where the daily goal seems to be focused on getting rich as quickly as possible.

I have a feeling this is going to become one of my go to books when I feel like life is starting to beat me down a bit so I can remember how to find that inner strength to face the challenges with my head held high.

For fans of Kristin Hannah, this book is a wonderfully vibrant, very real read. This book is going to be one for the book lists for sure!

I think I sound like a broken record when it comes to amanda prowse books, as my reviews are all 5* and I say similar things each time. Yet again, Amanda doesn't fail to deliver. This is a story about Nina who comes from a poverty stricken childhood, to marry her knight in shining armour who whisks her away to a life filled with luxury and vast wealth. Or so she thinks.... until he dies and she discovers how much debt and hardship her 'knight' has left her in. This is another story of the strength of women, which amanda excels at. As highly recommended as ever!

The Art of Hiding was such a lovely, heart breaking read, I thoroughly enjoyed it, such a lovely family and what a lovely ending, I just loved everything about it!!

Nina McCarrick had it all; a rich husband, a beautiful home, two lovely boys living a privileged life - but now Nina McCarrick has nothing! One phonecall and her life has changed forever. Her husband Finn is dead and suddenly Nina is faced with the sudden reality of her financial situation; Unbeknown to her, Finn was in debt to the tune of millions and as her beautiful home is seized by bailiffs Nina returns to her impoverished roots in a rundown estate in Southampton, a place she thought she had left forever. Despondent, but spirited and fuelled by anger that her husband has left his family in this situation, possibly deliberately(?), Nina gradually begins to rebuild her life.
What I truly liked about this story was that there not even a sniff of a romance; no knight in shining armour to rescue the damsel in distress; no bachelor billionaire waiting to sweep Nina off her feet. No, this is entirely Nina's story; when she hits rock bottom, with the moral support of her sister, Nina begins to rebuild her life, find a place to live, get a job - and by the end of the book there is real hope for Nina.
This was an addictive, empowering read which I enjoyed immensely.


NB - No Amazon links as the book hasn't yet been published so cannot write a review

Another great read from Amanda, My only complaint is they are not long enough! Her books are ones I just want to keep on reading. Nina has everything on the surface. A rich husband, two boys and the most amazing house. But is she happy? One day Finn dies and suddenly everything she has is gone. He has left her with massive debts and her house is repossessed leaving her with nothing. The boys and Nina move to Southampton with her sister, they all have to adapt to a completely different life. A small flat, the boys have to go to a local comp and Nina needs to get a job. A really lovely story about hardships and how family can come together and make everything ok. Loved it.

I definitely have a new favourite author. This book is another excellent read. Nina looks to all like she has the perfect life. However life can change so quickly and all of a sudden nina is fighting for survival for herself and her family. The perfect life is just an illusion which even Nina believes but due to events Nina is force to strive and in doing so... well you will see from the story. The characters just step out of the book. Amazing

I found this very different from Mandy's recent books as the sadness happened at the beginning of the book. In some ways it was more of a self help book and how you can overcome the most awful experiences and still become a better person. It reminded me of the saying, you don't need money to have fun.

Amanda Prowse is the queen of true to life literature and this book is no exception. Written in her easy fast flowing style I read it in one sitting and didn't want it to end. With likeable characters that you quickly become attached to, it is an emotional read which will have you thinking about money, life and happiness.

Although I enjoyed this novel the best of it was the first third. I wanted to know more about Finn and would have preferred a darker side to the marriage. It became a little too saccharine for my taste at the end.

A fantastic book that touches upon how money can appear to make you happy and how in such a short time you life can totally change direction. An emotional story that deals with loss in its many shapes and forms. Fantastic descriptions that enable you to truly visualise and bring the story to life and that is sure to get you to shed a tear or two during the twists and turns. Thoroughly recommend a fantastic read with fantastic characters.

Another great book from Amanda Prowse. As with all of her books this is a situation that could happen to many people and shows how well someone copes when their whole life is turned upside down. Brilliant and highly recommend this book.

I learned about Amanda Prowse through TBC The Book Club on Facebook and have loved her books! The Art of Hiding is no exception. The story of Nina and her perfect life until it is no longer so perfect. She is dealt with one large obstacle after another but goes back to what is truly important and cherished. This book is outstanding!

I absolutely loved this book, brilliant insight into how quickly things can change in your life and there's nothing you can do! I didn't want this story to end

Loved this book, couldn't put it down. Shows the strength of family and how losing everything can sometimes be a good thing. Certainly made me think. Thank you again Amanda for another thought provoking, interesting read

Another thought provoking book by Amanda Prowse. When the head of the family, the house and all the money are snatched away in just days, Nina has to stop hiding away from life and rebecome the feisty, brave woman she once was. With her sister, Tiggy, alongside her, she learns to cope with a whole new life, which is the polar opposite of the life she has been living.
Having had a friend go through something similar, I could identify with the stages Nina went through, from anger and disbelief to acceptance finally. I felt the storyline was slow in parts, but I think this helped me to get under Nina's skin (and that of her sons) and to see how, while the changes to their lives was quick and dramatic, the changes to their new environment and life happened gradually.
This is a must for all Amanda Prowse fans.

Amanda Prowse is fast becoming my go-to author when I'm wondering what to read next as her books are always situated at the top of my reading pile; they really are the crème de la crème and never fail to deliver a real life story that tugs on your heartstrings.

The Art of Hiding was a bit different from Amanda's other books as the sadness hits right at the beginning when Nina's husband dies. I didn't even have a chance to get to know the characters so, although it was heartbreaking when Nina has to break the news to her sons, I was left dry eyed. I felt triumphant - I had beaten Amanda Prowse; finally, a book that wouldn't make me cry! I relaxed and drew myself into Nina's story: the turmoil of losing her house and moving to a pokey flat in Southampton, her boys having to leave their prestigious school, all the while having to cope with their recent bereavement.

Both Nina and the boys struggle to adapt to their new meagre surroundings, none more so than Nina's eldest son, Connor. Connor was set to be a shining star on his school rugby team and now he must start from scratch at a new school. It was Connor's love of rugby that ultimately made me cry at the after match party; my earlier triumph at not crying was deflated like a burst balloon, but I didn't care - my heart was bursting at the amazing scene painted by Amanda Prowse's beautiful words.

The Art of Hiding really makes you think about what makes you happy. It's not necessarily the treasured possessions that we surround ourselves with, it's the people with whom we share our life and experiences. Nina was just another of her husband's treasured possessions and she was so busy being a wife and mother that she ended up being a ghost of herself. It took the tragedy of losing her husband and going back to basics for her to really start living.

Yet again, Amanda Prowse made me cry but most definitely in a good way! Only Amanda Prowse could turn such a tragic situation into a heartwarming story of survival and reawakening. It's no surprise that I have awarded 5 stars and I'm sure that there will be many more 5 star ratings to come from other readers.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

The Art of Hiding is a very well written book with a great plot and characters. Grab your tissues.