This is listed on Goodreads as number 6.25, but on Amazon as book 7. It is also supposed to be book 1 of 3 of the Godmothers. It's less than 100 pages in length.

The name Fern Michaels is one I've heard of before, and she seems to be a popular author, but I am not a fan of this book. The story fell flat with a rather large cast of characters for such a small book, and it's surprisingly boring. The biggest takeaway I got was that the characters have sex, and the main character, Sophie, can be rather rude at times. I found the characters to be rather lifeless, and I didn't like any of them.

I'm guessing this fits in a larger series somewhere, but after reading this, I wont be picking up the rest.

This is a wonderful story about Sara, a young woman coming home to settle her grandmother's estate. In the process she discovers what an unusual woman grandma Mags was and that friends come in all ages. The Hideaway is an old boarding house full of elderly residents that encourage her to live life on her terms.

as always fern has out done herself again in her latest book. I really enjoyed it and im sure you will nothing warms a heart more than to relax by the lake a read. this book is a must read for fans of ferns or even if you are looking for a good book.

This is definitely an easy read cozy. A nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Since it's not the author's first book with these characters, I was thankful for the list at the beginning of the book. It listed each character and their relation to the others.
Now, my disappointment... I knew it was part of a series, but didn't expect to be left hanging at the end. In other series books I've read, each of the books could be read on their own although much is lost if you don't read the books in order. This book was a third of one story. No conclusion! I would have given more stars to one long book.

The last Fern Michaels novel I read was ages ago, but I remembered that I enjoyed it so I was thrilled when I came across this one on Netgalley (thank you for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.)

Part One of the New Three-Part Godmothers Serial!

The best of friends, Toots, Ida, Mavis, and Sophie have been there for each other through thick and thin. Now Sophie needs the rest of the Godmothers to help her through something they’ve never faced before . . .

As Sophie De Luca has learned, many things really are better the second time around. She’s celebrating a wonderful year of marriage to her sweet second husband, Goebel. Meanwhile, the rekindled bond between Sophie and her childhood friends Toots, Ida, and Mavis is stronger and more supportive than it’s ever been. All four are happily settled outside of Charleston, and Toots, who’d sworn to never marry again after eight trips down the aisle, is so blissfully content with her beau that she might be ready for lucky number nine . . . with a little coaxing.

Yet ever since she and Goebel moved into their new home, Sophie has sensed something a little . . . unusual. Old houses often contain items left behind from previous owners, but what remains in this case is the legacy of a painful secret that only Sophie’s unique gift can uncover. It’s a special kind of challenge . . . and who better than three extraordinary friends to help her do it?

This was book 1 in a new trilogy so I was eager to dive into this story....it has ghosts and that's always up my alley. However, this is more so a novella so I was bummed to discover that it only took about a solid hour or two to read all the way through. I kept looking at the percentage tracker on my Kindle and thinking something must be wrong, that after 45 min, I couldn't possibly be 73% done. But yep, yep I was, so that kind of bothered me only because I felt that so much of this story could have been expanded on. I have the feeling that this will end up being an entire novel, split into three novellas to create the trilogy. I ended the book feeling let down, as though the book didn't end it's natural end; it more so got to whatever page had been predetermined to be the stopping point.

That set aside, there are definite strong bones for a really good story. I enjoyed the characters (though the minutiae of each and every thought being put out there became cumbersome) and loved how they all interacted with each other. I'm drawn into the plot and wish that there had been more of the spirit involved in this story. I'm sure, given how this one just abruptly ended, that books 2 and 3 will have a focus on that whereas this one is just the ground work for the rest of them. Overall, a really good beginning to a trilogy....

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1977718911

If you know the Godmothers, you already know that they are a particularly close-knit and well-meshed group of women. They’ve seen each other through a series of adventures and challenges, both in their own personal growth and with the people they seek to help and keep safe. Now things have settled, somewhat, and with everyone finding life proceeding nicely, Sophie is finding new challenges. Not in her marriage, a happy event for all, or even in her daily life, but a presence in her new house feels “off” and more than slightly threatening.

Sophie is the Godmother most closely tied to the “other”, her own gifts tend toward psychic and empathetic, and her ability to communicate with those who are no longer present in this world gives her an unusual perspective among the women. And her perspective is being tested now, with a confused and occasionally angry ghost that is desperate to gain Sophie’s help in finding answers for her.

Understand that this is only the first part of a story, as a serial, so there are plenty of unanswered questions, a cliffhanger and the story does not wrap up cleanly. But, if you are one who enjoys the series, and are drawn to stories that bring a touch of mystery to the table, while highlighting the friendships, support and solid relationships between the women, this is a wonderful start to a new adventure for the ladies. Michaels writes characters that you want to befriend and know – you celebrate their successes, worry during their difficult moments and grieve for their losses: and even in the short form, those moments are palpable and present. Stay tuned for the next in this serial, Get Away, coming in May.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

I suspect it would nicer if one was more familiar with the Godmothers than I am but this is nonetheless an entertaining and lightly written novel about four friends and their psychic snooping. I liked it for the friendship between the women more than for the romance or for the mystery. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Fern Michaels never ceases to entertain me and keep me glued to my book! The Hideaway is Part One of the new Godmothers Trilogy that brings the famous four on a journey like they have never experienced before. Thoroughly entertaining as always --wanting to see what happens next---the famous four always keep me captivated! Fortunately, the fun continues in the next book! Thank you so much for allowing me to read this title prior to publication!

I was not expecting this book. This book left me hanging. Seriously HANGING! It is in 3 parts and this is the first part. I can not wait to the next one comes! I think this is Fern Michaels best!

This was my first book in the Godmothers series. I'm not much of a romance reader, so I don't think I have read Fern Michael's books. Of course, I could be wrong.

However, this one was not a romance book. It was mostly about a haunted?? house and a group of older women holding seances. It was a short read and was just okay for me.

Thanks to Kensington Books for approving my request and to Net Galley for providing me a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

I accepted this book for review through Netgalley, having been a Fern Michael's fan for many years.
I have not read this series in proper order but enjoyed this book on its own, admittedly more with the sample of the second of the three books comprising this story included at the back. Without that taste of continuation, this book felt incomplete, the cliffhanger arriving too soon.
I feel that I will wait to purchase this story until all parts are available in one volume.

I enjoy books with psychics and supernatural elements. I appreciate strong female characters and stronger friendships. This book introduces us to a mystery, potentially a historical mystery.
The reluctant spirit needs help but I don't think she knows what to ask for. She is afraid and confused.

This build up to the actual story has me very curious. I am intrigued and will be looking for the rest of this story.

The Listed books below I didn't finish because I either lost interest or didn't like them to finish them!

Since all three books in the new godmother series by Fern Michaels relate directly to each other and since all the books are totally intertwined within each other, I am reviewing Hideaway, Spirited Away and Getaway together. None of the three books is particularly long, and each reads rather quickly, making them seem more like one “big” book. In this trilogy, the four friends, Toots, Sophie, Mavis and Ida, join forces to figure out what exactly is happening in Sophia’s new, apparently haunted house. Sophia’s psychic/paranormal abilities help the foursome as they move through a series of strange events, all related to the history of Sophia’s house. This is also a story of the four seniors who have “been there, done that” and are ready to settle down in happily married life once again. One thing I did not understand, however, is why after all the other books in the series, the author chose to provide short snippets of how the four came together as adolescents at a religious school none particularly even wanted to attend. It would seem that this sort of recap/back story would have been better suited for an earlier book in the series, if not the first book, where the four are introduced.

The story, as I said, move along at a nice, steady clip. I am not sure, however, if the way they choose to put the final piece of the puzzle together is the realistic way these sorts of things are done. I am not going to go into this more because I want to avoid spoilers. Naturally, throughout the three books we are introduced (or perhaps re-introduced in some cases) to the men, who now become an integral part of their lives and how the entire crew interacts and works together. In addition, Abby, the once-upon-a-time journalist daughter of Toots and mother of one-year old twins (the apples of their grandmother’s and godmother’s eyes) as well as her husband and twin children also play a solid, though not dominant, role in the book, giving the story a bit of hominess and levity. Nevertheless, I wondered sometimes, as I read, if these were the same characters from the other books and why things between and among Toots and the three godmothers seemed off, not really like the way they were in other books. Possibly, the introduction of men into the lives of these four women is what made things unlike the characters in the other books in the series. They just did not seem, as I said, like they were in the other books. The story reads well and quickly, as I said. The three books are well-written and interesting. I just found the way things were handled a bit off. If you enjoy other books by the author or if you enjoy this series, you will enjoy this one. I am also not sure about stretching the story over three books, as there was a storyline and plot, though not much of one. I am not sure having the reader procure three books was a great idea, though it is a bit unique. This is a fast easy read for someone who enjoys curling up with a book, or books in this case, and reading something or things that is/are quick and light. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

I have been reading Fern Michaels since I was a teenager. There is something comforting about her books.

I've read the first Godmothers book and reading Hideaway makes me want to go back and read the rest of them. We join the Godmothers as they have each moved to their respective homes in the outskirts of Charleston, SC. Sophie and her husband are occupying a 100 year old house with a terrible secret. The ghost is trying to make contact with Sophie but is having trouble doing so.

I don't usually read books involving clairvoyants and ghosts but Fern Michaels has a way to make you believe. You get so wrapped up in the story that you don't remember you aren't a fan of ghosts.

I cannot wait to continue the story as I am on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happened in the house many years ago.

Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review with my own honest opinion.

I just really enjoyed reading this book and getting sucked into these characters lives and this world the author has created. It was a good, solid, highly enjoyable read!

This book is the beginning of what may turn out to be the most challenging of what the Godmothers have gone through. There is something in Sophie's new home and it feels frightening. Can the other ladies help or will she keep them far away?

This book has a cliffhanger.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.