I have to say that I was disappointed in this book. It is well written, the characters are well formed and indeed it is a pleasant light read. Nevertheless it is a cliched story. From riches to rags makes good in the end. There is nothing there that makes this stand out for me from others of the same ilk. The interesting parts for me were the relationships between mother and sons, these I felt were well handled but for me the book gave me nothing else.

This is the second time I've tried to read an Amanda Prowse book and unfortunately the second time I've failed. Sadly I just don't think I'm the right reader for her work. Thanks for the opportunity!

This is my first book by Amanda Prowse and I was pleased to find it a compelling and easy read, not sappy at all, with genuine and sympathetic characters. Nina is suddenly widowed and worse, finds herself penniless and homeless with no job skills and two sons to raise. I was sympathetic with her plight and also incredulous that she was such a Barbie wife and so unwittingly clueless to her privilege and isolation. From here it becomes a belated coming of age story.

Nina married very young to a glamorous rich man who promised her the moon and assured her that from then on, he’d do all the worrying for both of them. After his death she slowly realizes that she was “so nervous of portraying the wrong thing, I became a cardboard-cutout wife, safe, vanilla, two-dimensional…it was a hard thing to process.” She has no where to go but back to the working-class neighborhood where she had come from and Tiggy, her estranged sister becomes her closest ally, who tells her “I think happiness lies in being content now – right now! Every day! That’s not to say you can’t plan and work for change, but if you are constantly waiting for happiness to start, waiting for the change that will make it happen, then you just might miss some really good days along the way.”

The deep hole that Nina and her sons have fallen into is one they slowly and painfully inch their way out of. From abundance they meet cold and hunger and with no job or job skills, Nina has few choices and is forced to hawk priceless personal possessions. Her sons who have attended the same posh school from the beginning, are suddenly starting a new school with commoners. I agonized with Nina as she labored to protect her children from the direness of their circumstances and keep them safe and though it all come to terms with the loss of her beloved husband and help her sons grieve for their dad.

The book doesn’t wrap up with a happy-ever-after ending but it doesn’t end on a note of hope. Nina has made a circle of friends for the first time in her married life and realizes that “her happiness is never going to be found in things; it was waiting for her, right here, in people.” She has a job, hopes to study nursing and knows it doesn’t matter what other people think. It’s what she thought that counted.

What a truly wonderful, thought provoking book. It is beautifully written so that you are totally absorbed into the story from the get go.

Briefly, the book is about a woman who falls on hard times and learns the true value of life not in "things" but in people and living life to the full with your family around you. This topic is so relevant now with so much emphasise in society on material things including where you live, what you drive and even where your children go to school with less emphasise on who you are and how you treat others. This book portrays this perfectly.
I am not a mother myself but I really felt the love the main character had for two sons and the determination to protect them.

This book really touched me and I smiled to myself on a number of occasions (I'm sure I must have looked like a mad woman on the way to the work on the bus!)

Brilliant book to read if you are looking at becoming a minimalist and want to lead a simpler life or if you just want to read a fabulous book that will make you smile!

Nina McCarrick's life is perfect. Then her husband is killed in a car accident and everything Nina relied on unravels. She's alone, bereft and facing a mountain of debt. With Nina's life of luxury gone, she wonders if she ever knew the man she married. Nina has to return to the rundown council estate and the sister and the sister she thought she had left far behind.

This is a beautifully written book with characters that are realistic, and it deals with real life experiences. Nina is such a strong character and I found myself really feeling for her and her two sons struggling to make a new life together. It's fast paced, easy to read book. It's filled with a range of mixed emotions, from anger, heartbreak, love, faith and loss. Have the tissues handy.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author Amanda Prowse for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Smashing...simply smashing!

Every once in a while we stumble across a read that is not the norm for us, and I have to admit this is not my typical read, however the timing was right when I fell across the book and I just had to read it; something in the description just resonated within me. Talk about having your emotions and heart yanked right out of you...Ms. Prowse did a wonderful job and the feels...oh mah dayum the feels. Nicely done!!

An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review of which this is both honest and completely voluntary.

I'm sat on the sofa on holiday, in front of open patio doors, trying to hide the tears just in case people walk past wondering what on earth has happened. That's my first thought about The Art of Hiding; make sure you've got some tissues handy because if you don't shed a tear or two (okay, okay, so maybe a few more), then you have a heart of steel.

I couldn't help but root for newly bereaved Nina, and not in that repressed way either; I'm talking American game/chat show encouragement with the hollering and whooping. Plagued by insecurities and doubt, she transforms herself from the vacuous 'yummy mummy' (I apologise, I hate that turn of phrase too!) to a thoroughly likeable, strong woman. Actually perhaps it is a little unfair to brand her that way in the first place; she essentially doesn't change, it's her persona that undergoes a transformation brought about by the death of her husband Finn and the subsequent events. I'm assuming that it's this ability to tap into everyday characters that makes Amanda Prowse fans keep coming back for more, certainly it's a major part of the appeal to me. The fact that I can easily identify with those presented to me makes me become more invested in their journey; I do actually care about what happens to them. Coupled of course with a style of writing that is well structured and controlled, which in this case makes The Art of Hiding a pleasure to read.

I enjoyed the way the novel entwined the grief of the family, together with their strength and the working through of the relationship between Finn and Nina. The question surrounding the death of Finn and whether the weight of what he was hiding bore any relation to it, was handled with sensitivity and honesty. It would be all to easy to blame him, but he's written in such a way that, particularly by the end, it's clear to see why he did what he did even if we don't agree with it. The family dynamics are realistic too; her two boys were delightful and once again I felt slightly envious of my lack of a sister with the bond shared between Nina and Tiggy.

So once again Amanda Prowse shines with The Art of Hiding - a terrific (if slightly emotional) read.

The Art Of Hiding by Amanda Prowse - wow it's a book that will blow your socks off! It will cause you to re-evaluate your life. It is a powerful contemporary read about grief and the resilience of the human spirit. I just could not put it down.
Lead character Nina was realistically drawn. Her emotions, following her loss, were spot on - grief brings tears, anger, a crushed spirit and shows you what you are really made of. I empathised with her character, recognising the conflict of tears versus anger. Her interactions with other characters were a joy to behold. She was the perfect mix of shy and vulnerable, and tough and gutsy. I loved her.
Grief hurts. It crushes spirits. Every day is a struggle. "Carrying on was what was required for all those who got left behind." Grief brings our true spirit to the surface - do we crumble or survive?
Family matters much more than stuff. Sometimes it takes a crisis to bring our focus to what is really important. The novel shows how stuff alters our focus and how relationships can suffer. Stuff is just stuff. Family matters. Family are "Bound by love, blood and shared history." No matter how they have been apart, family have the ability to pick up where they left off because of shared memories.
The novel explores the foundations on which we build our lives. There is the study of show and appearances. Those whose focus is wrong, whose foundations are built on wealth tend to keep what they have. They use people. In contrast, those with little give what little they have to help others. There is a sense of community. They care about people. The foundations of those who have less, are built on solid ground - they are built on relationships. "Happiness was never going to be found in things; it was... in people."
The novel is about true friends. There are some beautiful relationships built on people and not possessions.
The reader sees the awakening of characters, who blossom and become the person they were meant to be.
I found The Art Of Hiding such a powerful read. It really 'spoke' to my heart as I 'lived' the novel through the eyes of Nina. It is a novel that will move you emotionally. You will marvel at how much strength is left when you get to the end of yourself.
A wonderful study of grief, character and the resilience of the human spirit.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

"The Art of Hiding," is another fantastic novel from Amanda Prowse, in fact it's my favourite one yet. Like her other books, this focuses on how an ordinary family's life get turned upside down. When Nina's husband Finn dies in a car accident she realises he has been hiding all his financial troubles from her. With Nina and her two sons losing everything they know including their house, school and friends, can she now become to breadwinner and provide for her family? The characters were all believable and the heartwarming story full of hope and determination. Highly recommended.

Thank you to Lake Union publishing and Amanda Prowse for the advanced auto approved copy of The Art of Hiding.

This is the second book I have read that Amanda has written. The first The Idea of you. I love Amanda's style of writing, it's very engaging and her books are written in a way that they are easy reading. Its very easy to visualise the scene, It's almost as though you are stood right by the characters as you read. Looking in.

The Art of Hiding is no exception, I really enjoyed it. It's light easy reading and a welcome change from the psycholoythrillers I normally read.

Nina is the main character, along with her two sons and sister Tiggy. The book is centred around Ninas husband killed in an accident. And she soon learns the family are are bankrupt. This brings a massive lifestyle change for her and her sons. From the golden home with swimming pool. To a flat in a run down area. How will they manage? No money? Only family love. Will they survive.

Lots of thought provoking statemtns in this book. That really enforces that money doesn't make you happy. Another great book from Amanda Prowse. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication. Recommended for fans of Not just Amanda but also Katie Fforde....

The art of hiding is a emotional story about the loss of a loved one and the devastation it leaves behind.

Nina gets the devastating news that her husband has died in a car crash, she has to break the news to her children, then all the secrets he was keeping start to unravel pushing nina back to the life she knew before she met her rich husband.

I really enjoyed this read, the characters were beleavable, the story flowed nicely and held my attention all the way through. Would I recommend it ? Definitely, I couldn't put it down, excellent.

With thanks to Net Galley for this uncorrected proof copy.

I undertook the reading of this knowing that it was classified as Women's Literary Fiction, a tag that will probably put off many men from doing the same. A pity. The Art of Hiding is a well written domestic drama, a story of riches to rags. Nina McCarrick has it all, or so she believes. A successful husband running a construction business, a beautiful home, two sons - Connor and Declan - attending a superior school. It appears that money is no object until her husband Finn is killed in a car accident and her world comes crashing down. Finn has left behind a bankrupt company, an enormous debt, school fees unpaid. As the bailiffs descend Nina has to face the horror of losing everything.

Nina and her sons are forced to return to her roots in Southampton to face an impoverished future. The despair of the first half of this book is depressing but change comes as they all have to face the reality of poverty. Money does not buy happiness and Nina and her boys are courageous in the face of adversity. Nina's sister Tiggy plays a key role in helping Nina, Connor and Declan find their true selves.

I enjoyed it.

The Art Of Hiding is contemporary women’s fiction set in England. Nina McCarrick’s privileged lifestyle is thrown into turmoil when her husband suddenly dies in a car accident. He ran his own business and dealt with all the family finance, so she is overwhelmed when she discovers his business is bankrupt and she is left owing creditors a huge sum of money. Her home is re-possessed and the Bailiff’s arrive to collect on the debts.

Reeling from shock and angry that Finn had kept it all hidden from her, Nina is forced to take her boys out of their private school and pick over what the Bailiffs left. Distraught, confused and needing to put space between herself and those she thought were friends, the family leave Bath. Nina heads back home to Southampton and rents a small flat, close to her sister, where she desperately tries to secure a stable life for her sons.

I enjoyed this book, the author turned Nina’s life upside down, then lead the reader on a trail of emotion as Nina picked herself up hour by hour, day by day. There were highs and lows, steps forward and stumbles backward. At first I didn’t particularly like Nina, I thought her rather naïve not to have any idea about the family finance, and, in my opinion, she made a big mistake not being open with her children about the situation. But it did add to the drama, and no one knows how we would react ourselves in such a high tension situation. For those who enjoy delving into other people’s lives, there’s lots of everyday situations which will echo with many of the readers; from the stages of grief, to teenage turmoil and the daily grind of life.

This is the first book I’ve read from this author, but I can easily see why readers enjoy her work.

Amanda Prowse is all about writing detailed human stories in a way that just connects with me as I read the story. This one even more. The story is set in Southampton and Bath. My wife grew up in Southampton and her grandmother lived in the neighbourhood that Amanda has characterised her. We live near Bath.
Each page in this book was a gem. The characters and the scenario realistic, and unenviable.
The courage and determination of the main character was a testament to the strength of many women left in a poor situation by their husbands. The reaction of the children to the situation mirrors hopw my children would react.
Fantastic, Amanda. I can't wait for the next book.

A lovely powerful read - Nina has the perfect happy life or so she thinks, her husband dies suddenly and secrets start to emerge and Nina is thrown into a completely different life than she had before. Her and her 2 boys have to survive on little money and here Nina discovers a strength she didn't realise she had. An emotional read which had me in tears throughout the book. I haven't read any books by this Author before but I shall be looking out for more now. This book captures the trials of modern day life and one woman's belief in herself

Well written book about love, loss, family and friends. The main theme is can money buy you happiness? Every character is finely crafted so the reader can understand the thoughts and emotions of each of them. Strong female characters, beautifully portrayed. A perfect rainy day book.

A wonderful, easy read with characters who 'came to life', especially the two sisters Nina and Tiggy. Nina's loss was well described without being too morbid, and I cheered her on with her new life in Southampton. This is no 'chicklit', but a detailed family story well written by an established author. I did struggle to understand why Tiggy wasn't given Separate Legal Advice when her husband was mortgaging the family home, but in the end this did not detract from an enormously, satisfying book.

This book was, quite simply, superb! This is the second book I have read by Amanda Prowse and both were 5 star ratings. The story had fear, tragedy, betrayal, love, friendship, family, everything that makes a good drama. The book opens with the sudden death of Finn, Nina's husband. They have two boys, Connor, the eldest and Declan. It becomes quite apparent that Nina and Finn loved each other But Finn was quite wealthy when Nina first met and married him and she was blinded by this grand way of living and also because Finn wanted them to themselves, the two of them together were enough for him, no need for friends or entertaining. The boys were both at a posh school and never knew wanting, only knew wealth. Nina learns Finn was bankrupt, so all the money is gone, the house is gone and the furniture and belongings were taken by the bailiffs. She moves back where she grew up, in a flat owned by an uncle, a far cry from what the family was used to. She reconnects with her sister Tiggy, and finally finds a job. A beautifully written, tender tale, very hard to put down!

"She looked out, seeing the building through the eyes of her boys had lived in splendor, in a gracious house, attended a beautiful school and had taken their leisure among the pale Bath stone buildings of an orderly, prosperous city. And all for what? They had ended up back at the beginning, her beginning, and one she had fought to escape.".......


What starts out as a typical day for well to do mom, Nina, ends in tragedy with the death of her husband. She's left to cope with her two sons, as secrets her husband held are revealed soon after the funeral.

Their entire lives will change, and Nina will have to find a way to create a new life for Connor and Declan. Losing the luxury they're so accustomed too, only to have to return to her roots. The ones she thought she left behind, even the people she thought were her past.

The story was thoughtful and tragic. Children paying the price for their fathers decisions and secrets. Can Nina accept what was and let it go? Can she find it in herself the strength to create a new life? How will the boys lives change from the only one they ever knew?

Finns death changes the way Nina and her children relate to each other, and other family members. Will there be a life raft to this family? Will their burdens be theirs to carry alone? It captivated me from the beginning. Where do you go when you lose everything that makes up the fibers of your life?

Thank you Amanda Prowse, Netgalley, and Lake Union Publishing.

Amanda Prowse has done it again, another brilliant book.

The book tells the story of Nina and her boys Connor and Declan. They live in s beautiful house go to an exclusive school and have everything they could wish for, unfortunately their world comes crashing down when Njnas husband Finn dies leaving them with nothing.

The family move to a poor area of Southampton coming to terms with the death of a husband and Father and a major change in circumstances.

A brilliant book and I can't wait for Amanda's next book.