I liked Vanishing act. I was hoping to love the hell out of this novel, but it was just okay for me.

Landon is a famous Hollywood movie star that simply needs a break from the limelight. He decides to vanish to a rural area in Hawaii. While there, fate steps in and he meets the woman that he will soon find is his other half and the love of his life...ZARA. Landon is not the only one hiding secrets though....Zara and her family are also hiding out for reasons you will soon find out.

The start of this novel is pretty slow and I had a hard time keeping my attention on this novel. I also found the plot rather predictable.

Enough of the heavy, now onto the positives. I loved Landon/Lance, I loved his commitment to Zara and the fact that he was the one to come forth and reveal his truths. Vanishing Act also has a rather adorable puppy...Zara calls him Marshmallow, Landon calls him Spike. This puppy is definitely a matchmaker.

Overall, Vanishing Act was just okay for me. I may try picking it back up and giving it a reread in the future to see if it was just me and my reading preferences at this time but as of right now it was just okay.

I think I'm in the minority on this one. It was just an ok read for me. I even put it aside a couple of times which is rare for me. The story is a good one but it never seemed to come together and it drags along in quite a few places. To be fair though the writing is good, the characters are definitely well developed, and the romance was nice.

I enjoyed this book my Ms Madden.
Our main characters are Landon Price and Zara Jobert. Landon is a Hollywood actor needing to escape his life and what better place than going to a secluded area in Hawaii.
Zara is not interested in the pretty boys , especially a mainlander .When at first he came on strong, she likes him even less. As time goes by, feelings develop until Zara feels betrayed when Landon’s real identity is revealed.
Both characters were well developed and like most individuals ,had to overcome personal issues in order to move forward.
A sweet romance story, with a HEA and lets not forget a lovely location.
I was gifted this copy by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

I was pleasantly surprised by Vanishing Act. I wasn’t expecting to do be sweet as it was or for it to get as emotional as it did. Maybe I have been jaded by the last few books that I have read because I honestly went into Vanishing Act expecting it to be a boy meets girl, boy and girl have hot explosive sex for chapters and chapters and maybe some action or drama is thrown in. Instead, what I got, was a well-written book that explored grief, how it affects people in different ways and of course love.


What I also liked about Vanishing Act is that the author chose to have Zara’s father and mother meet, fell in love and had children in South Africa during the latter part of the apartheid. The reason why they fled to Hawaii was heartbreaking and I can definitely see what Zara’s father had issues. Their older daughter, Lilou, was kidnapped, tortured and murdered by people who supported the apartheid. They also left a note saying that Zara and her other sister, Annia, were next. So, he did what any parent would do. He moved to protect his children. Unfortunately, he was also convinced that those evil people would come after his family and it did affect him. So I wasn’t surprised when certain events happened in the book. I could see it coming from the moment that the author introduced his character.

Landon’s story was also one that took me by surprise. I honestly wasn’t expecting the raw emotion when he was talking about his twin brother, Logan. Logan suffered oxygen loss during birth, which caused him to become mildly retarded. He and Landon were extremely close and when Logan died in a car accident, Landon blamed himself for not being there. I cried right along with him and Zara when he finally gave into his grief. A grief that he was not allowed to show because he was filming a movie.

I thought Zara was perfect for him, even if she was a little too sheltered (see above for the reasons why). She was probably the sweetest character that I have read about to date. And she wasn’t saccharine sweet either. This sweetness was a genuine sweetness. The growth of her character was amazing to read. She went from this quiet, sweet girl who just took her father’s suffocating overprotectiveness to a woman who was willing to give up her family to be with the man she loved. I loved reading it!!

Landon and Zara’s romance was sweet. What I really liked is that the author made them get to know each other, become friends. It was a refreshing change of pace from the boy meets girl and bam, they are in bed in the first chapter. The build up, the making out, the heavy petting, the getting to know each other was an excellent build up to when they had sex. The only complaint that I had been that they went bareback and that she actually asked him to because she wanted magic. That is the only part of the book that raised my eyebrows and made me go “Uh, okay“. You do know what comes out of “magic“……lol. I have 3 of them and they are not made of magic (even though one of them is convinced she is a unicorn fairy princess….but that’s another post).

I did expect the events that happened after they went to mainland-Hawaii to happen. He couldn’t stay undercover forever. But what I didn’t expect was the events that happened afterward. I think my heart broke right along with Landon and Zara and I will say that I think that Andres was in the wrong for his reaction. But, things are resolved and the ultimate happy ending.

How many stars will I give Vanishing Act: 4

Why: Well written romance that grabs you in the feels from the get-go and doesn’t let go until the end. Has relatable characters and a stinking cute dog name Marshmallow/Spike

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age range: Adult

Why: Sex and language

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

2.5



I loved it… until they finally kissed….

I really got into the story, the blurb seemed really interesting, I loved all the Landon/Spike interaction, the attraction between L and Zara. But then, all the story got cheesy and even boring.
Too cliché ad cheesy for my taste.

An Endearing Love Story!! One of those special kind of stories that keeps you smiling throughout all the pages of the book. Vanishing Act had me hugging my kindle when I was done, sighing happily and yearning for a romance as passionate as (Landon) Lance's & Zara. I read this entire book in one sitting. Everything captivated me from the romance to the back stories even the beautiful location that was so easy to picture thanks to the detailed writing of A.M. Madden. I love Vanishing Act. It's a heart warming feel good story. It just what a true romantic needs to read!

VANISHING ACT is a sweet and heartwarming story. I always enjoy books written by A. M. Madden, she knows how write a realistic story with believable and likable characters. Landon Price, one of the hottest actors in Hollywood, decides to take a few months off to clear his head. To get away from his hectic life, he decides to spend some time on a small Hawaiian island and doesn't tell anyone where he is going. For the first time in a long time, Landon can relax and has a sense of freedom. No one knows who he is and he can just be a normal person. While on the island, Landon meets Zara and he is immediately captivated by her beauty and innocence. From the moment Landon meets Zara, he can't stop thinking about her. She is young, naive and has only known island life.

After living in Los Angeles for years, where you can't trust anyone and everything is fake, Zara’s genuineness is refreshing and intriguing to Landon. Landon has never met anyone like Zara. She has no expectations of him and he can be himself. He keeps telling himself to leave her alone, but he can't. He is eight years older than Zara but he feels much older than her. Living in the island most of her life, has left Zara innocent and untouched. Yet Zara is also tough and strong and she knows how to fight for what she wants.

Landon and Zara live opposite lifestyles and have had very different life experiences and they are not sure if it is possible to mesh their lives together. I liked the plot and the story, although It moved a little too slowly for me. This story is told from alternating POV’s which I always like, because it is easier to understand what both characters are thinking and feeling. This a beautiful, enchanting story.

Zara and Landon meet when he decides to vanish for a while from his hectic life in Hollywood and goes to a remote location in Hawaii to get away for a while. He meets Zara's dog, Marshmallow, and they have a bromance going throughout the book. Zara goes looking for her dog and finds Landon has him. Sparks fly when they meet but Landon has to keep who he is a secret.

Landon (Lance) finds he is anonymous on the island and takes full advantage. He decides to tell Zara about the real him but keeps his real name and occupation a secret. Zara's dad and family fled South Africa when she was younger and have been hiding out on the island for years. Her father is paranoid and is suspicious of everyone. He immediately dislikes Lance and thinks he is hiding something. Zara decides to get to know Lance and they begin to spend time together.

Landon knows that he has to fess up to the truth to Zara but is afraid of what her reaction will be. The truth always comes out and he knows it needs to come from him and not a tabloid. What Zara's reaction is and what transpires with her family is something you will need to read about. To say their relationship is not always a smooth ride is an understatement. I did like how they both grew as people with each other. The book flowed well and was entertaining. I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Man, I'm not sure what happened with this story. It started off great, Landon overworked issues and needing time off for himself was pretty interesting, writing was great, then he left for Lanai and met Zara and the story took a nosedive. The writing just dropped off and got boring, one dimensional characters, the only half way interesting character was Marshmellow/Spike. Zara's father was a bit strange, again, there was no interest at all in his character, just fell flat for me. Wish it would have been better, would have loved for the story to finish as it started off as,

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.

Vanishing Act
By: A.M. Madden
📚💕⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💕📚

So much more than the surface

Author A.M. Madden has easily become one of my go to authors. Even though she will always give you a HEA the journey taken is NEVER predictable.

In Vanishing Act we go on Landon Price aka Lance White and Zara's Jobert's love story.

Landon a extremely popular actor escapes his life after not being able to grieve privately. He's been in the public eye and needs to go somewhere off the grid. Between movies he escapes to a island in Hawaii that's stuck in the 80's.

Zara a local girl from this tiny town truly doesn't know who he is Landon gets to show her the real him. Even though he keeps his name and his popularity hidden he finds something in this gorgeous girl and her little Maltese he's never had before.

Can these two people from two different worlds find something wonderful?

I really enjoyed this book and it kept me engrossed throughout. I really loved the characters and the way they interacted with each other. This is a fun, hot, romantic must read book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

Let me start by saying I think I just read a book that had everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks you Netgally for letting me read and review.

From a steady start to an explosive ending, this book gave me all of the feels.

Initially fearful that Marshmallow/Spike the dog would be the driving force behind this story, it soon became apparent that this would be a gentle and more serene love story than perhaps I have been used to. Reminiscent of Samantha Young’s easy going writing style, AM Madden tells a story that is happy, sad, funny and sweet, all in equal quantities. Yes, two characters who fall in love thanks to an errant dog does sound a little cliche, but this storyline worked and in doing so, takes readers on a journey that is fraught with difficulties, especially once Landon Price reveals who he really is.

Zara Jobert lives a now protected life, having fled from South Africa, so much so that she doesn’t recognise Landon when he chooses her remote Hawaiian island to hide away on. With the press left behind, Landon is able to reinvent himself as Lance White and in doing finds that Zara sees him for who he is deep down, as opposed to his public persona. Together they ease into a relaxed romance albeit a tentative one thanks to Zara’s father who is keen to protect his daughter from men at all costs.

As the story progresses, so do Landon and Zara’s problems and once the press find them, their secret love affair becomes fully embedded in the public, and also in Zara’s father’s, eye. Landon knows that Zara didn’t sign up to a lifestyle like his and tries to free her from his Hollywood shackles but will Zara give up on their love affair or will she, and Marshmallow, fight for the man they love?

This really was an enjoyable and sweet romance and an easy summer read. I have been torn over whether to give this 4 or 5 stars but something, for me, was perhaps missing in its simplicity. Maybe I’m too much of a drama queen now or maybe I just can’t accept an uncomplicated love story for what it is. Either way, I wholeheartedly recommend this book and I will definitely be reading more from AM Madden.

Unfortunately the book was not for me, no review was publicly posted on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads or Twitter etc, so no ratings were affected in relation to it.

I received a free advance reader copy from the publisher.

I had trouble getting through this. I swear a lot in my every day life and informal writing but felt the swearing in this was too much a lot of the time. the hero character was not likeable to me most of the book. he was very male. apparently I like my heroes to be less crass. but it was an easy read and set in a fun tropical locale. good beach read.

I thought this book was ok. It was odd how the hero narrated for the first nine chapters before we heard from the heroine and then it was hard to switch back and forth. For being in his thirties he certainly had a pretty immature inner dialogue. I never really got their love story. It seemed to pace strangely and I could never really get a sense of who the heroine was. The separation was odd at the end and for seemingly no reason. I wasn't enamored with this book halfway through but I read some positive reviews so I kept going but it never really did it for me.

Love this book. It's about a famous actor that went through a lot in the last 6 months and needed time away from the crazy Hollywood and fund who he was again. While he flew away and contacted no one but his mom. He was introduced to a dog one day that came to his door. But he didn't just fall for the dog he fell for the owner and did everything he could to get to know her including jokes and using her dog. This book is funny and heartwarming.

There were some sweet moments in this book however not enough to keep me engaged

Review of Vanishing Act by A.M Madden

ARC from NetGallery

I was lucky enough to see this book posted & was approved to read an ARC

I've found a wonderful new author & love when that happens ! I am rating this book 5 + stars & here's why ...

*Really well developed plot / storyline
*Characters are amazing - loved Zara & Landon
*Gorgeous setting
*Older guy - did I mention gorgeous with off the chart sex appeal - who is also funny , kind & generous
*Younger - gorgeous & inexperienced heroine - down to earth with a heart of gold

A chance meeting brings them together & Lance we find out is keeping a secret that when revealed could destroy their growing relationship

This is one of the best HEA & I know I will want to re-read - a sure sign of how much I loved the book ! I've been thinking about the story days after finishing it!

I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read more by this author

Lance aka Landon and Zara love story will make you believe that love is worth fighting for. Sometimes the best things are unplanned and unexpected. For Lance... that is what happened when unexpected guest ends up on his door. For Zara.... can she get past her fears? Can 2 people from 2 totally different worlds find the happiness..they didn't even see coming? I really enjoyed seeing the journey Zara and Lance take together. It makes you feel all kinds of emotion . You will fall in love with this book as much as I did. I haven't read a book by A.M Madden I didn't love. All of her books give me a book hangover. This one no different. I am so ready for beach season for sure now.

A.M. Madden has once again written an absolutely delightful romance. The unexpected love story between Landon and Zara is full of mischief and fun and tender moments. Their meeting was something the beleaguered actor never saw coming. It was a clearly a shot through his heart when he first set eyes on the local Lanai resident, the one with the addicting South Africa accent, and he was a goner!

The entire book is a push and pull between these two stubborn characters but I enjoyed that and the way they each made the other work for their affection. There are some very sexy scenes and a tenderness between them that made me swoon. Landon (aka Lance) is a bit of rogue and his charm is clearly very hard to ignore. Even Zara's dog Marshmallow (aka Spike), who stole the show more than once, can't resist him and I almost wondered who the adorable dog loved more!

Zara's very secluded world is a welcomed respite for the tired Landon and their time together opens both their eyes to what they really want out of life even when they thought they had it all figured out.

A wonderfully written book with unforgettable scenery that serves as the perfect backdrop to a love that is truly meant to be.

A solid 4 stars!

I do love a Hollywood romance! Landon Pierce is the hottest actor since Clint Eastwood but he's burnt out. He wants to get away and just be by himself. Much to the chagrin of his agent.

Once on a remote town in Hawaii, he finds a dog. Then the real owner a gorgeous beauty from South Africa finds Marshmallow, her dog. (Landon named him Spike) She has no idea who he is and he reinvents himself as Lance White.

Of course she is going to find out the truth and there will be angst, just like any great Hollywood movie. Vanishing Act is sweet and steamy and at times simply adorable.