Hiding Places

This was fantastic. I couldn’t put it down because I was so invested. I loved every second of this ride. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

This book! I expected profound and emotional, and I was not disappointed. Hiding Places is such a gorgeous, heart-wrenching portrayal of a young woman finding her footing after a traumatic event that steals every comfort she's ever known. It's going to resonate with everyone who has their own "hiding places" (so...everyone?? basically). And the social commentaries on mass shootings and the broken healthcare system in this country are spot on. As sad as it is, as a US citizen - if you don't have experience with one, you have it with the other (or both, increasingly). I loved Ellie and James, the golden retriever vibes of Benjamin, and the actual dog, Bandit.

I didn’t expect to love this as much as I did. I really appreciated the real life factors that Americans go through, (shootings, healthcare, trauma etc). The FMC was amazing, a savior to some and an enemy to others. Ellie worked through her trauma and became stronger. Bandit was also perfect ♥️
This was beautiful writing, dramatic but not overwhelming. I’m going to look for more from the author

Hiding Places by E.J Post is a blinding novel which is at once a reflection of contemporary soceity and the attitudes and behaviours displayed during and following the aftermath of catastrophic tragedy that has become sadly an almost daily occurrence in the US

Ellie and Tom had an idyllic life, hardworking, a happy marriage, lovely home and planning to have another child, until one fateful day, when a gunman walks into the diner where Ellie is due to meet her husband and their lives are changed forever. Ellie, an ER physician assistant, takes action, actions which will open wounds on multiple levels and not just her own

Ellie is a heroine to some and the worst villain to others, all under the glaring scrutiny of media and gossip, affecting every single part of her families life. A glaring commentary on contemporary soceital behaviours

Post's writing style is fluid and yet dynamic, dramatic yet gentle and all at once, honest and observant. I would recommend this book to everyone and anyone and especially those who have an interest in gripping thrillers, true crime and politics/ sociocultural issues.

Thank you to Netgalley, BDA Publishing and the incredible author E.J. Post for this fantastic ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

#netgalley #hidingplaces

I really enjoyed this book. The quick pace and the relative comparison to today’s society. The help needed in our mental health system and the quickness to judge. Great book!

Hiding Places really impressed me. Its a thriller, but also an exploration of grief, what happens to people who survived a tragic event, and how they may find comfort in other survivors because they feel like no one else will fully understand what they went through. There's also a focus on mental health and the system that fails mentally ill people time and time again.

I feel so bad for saying this, since we didn't even get to know Tom, but I shipped Ellie with James from their second scene together. I'm terrible, I know. I was really happy when their relationship progressed from co-survivors, to roommates, friends and then something more. It felt like such a natural progression, and it was beautifully written.

We get to see Ellie dealing with a lot of anxiety over what happened, if she did the right thing, if she should stay with James or leave, what she wants to do in life now that there's no more Tom, and then amplify that by a million when she gets arrested. Poor Ellie couldn't catch a break for most of the book.

That's why James is so important, he was there to ground her, help her through everything while dealing with his own survivor's guilt and injury. He's such a great character and perfect for Ellie, I think they balance each other out.

Though he also had some scenes where I was wondering what his intentions were, if he really was that kind or if there was a catch.

The story gripped me almost instantly, I read the blurb originally, but haven't given it a reread before I started so I wasn't sure where it was going until the gunman appeared, that was when I couldn't tear my eyes away from the screen until I finished.

The ending was satisfying. I saw one twist coming, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment.

I'd love to read more books by this author in the future, I love their writing style and storytelling. And this is a debut by the way, kind of unbelievable with how good it is. I can't even imagine how amazing E. J. Post's sophomore book will be.

*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

This book was so good. I absolutely loved everything about it. I cannot believe that this is a debut novel! The writing is excellent, the story is great, the characters are wonderful. I'm gushing, yes.

Ellie is such a likeable, relatable character. She feels like a real person, not a written character. I loved watching her growth throughout the book, seeing her blossom into herself through such trauma and hardship was such a breath of fresh air, especially considering the subject matter.

This book has some heavy content and it was handled with so much grace and compassion. It was a beautiful way to frame such sensitive societal issues and I loved the empathy and understanding from Ellie.

Aside from that, this book was just a great read. It was fast paced and exciting, and I loved the bit of romance sprinkled in, without it becoming a full blown romance novel.

I am so impressed with this book and can't wait to see what else EJ Post has for us in the future!

This was a very enjoyable read, right from the beginning. One that I wasn't able to put down until I finished! The main characters were so easy to fall in love with. Will be recommending this book to everyone!