When her beloved husband Finn dies, Nina has to become the only breadwinner and parent. When
times are rough you find out who your friends are.
This novel raises some very interesting issues - is it better to be rich or be poor and happy? Is it better to be true to oneself or to be the person others want you to be? How important is honesty?
Without becoming too sentimental this novel covers important issues and then raises even more. A great read I found myself urging Nina on.

You can get addicted to Amanda Prowse's books. It is chick lit that can be read very quickly but is definitely above average and she seems to write a book after another!
This book, which is shorter than usual, deals with Nina who is married to Finn and have two boys. They are wealthy thanks to Finn's company. We realise from the beginning that Nina is not totally comfortable with herself, she comes from a poor background and finds it difficult to relate to the posh mothers who she has to meet.

Sadly, Finn dies in a car accident and Nina finds herself totally alone. Even more alone because she did not have any real friends. Then the surprise, Finn had a big secret and Nina realises that all their money, property and luxuries can disappear in a matter of hours.
She is forced to leave a life of luxury and no responsibilities and go back to Southampton where she grew up. Life is hard for her and her sons but maybe she can take control of her life for the first time.

The book is a bit of fairy tale at times but not totally unrealistic, although I could not understand why she did not claim at least child credits, better than letting your kids starve and freeze. I can relate to the fact that her posh 'friends' did not engage with her at all once they found out she was destitute. Someone from my family married into money and their in laws are very similar to some of the characters in the book.

As far as feelgood novels that can be read in a day go, this is rather good. Nina is a flawed character, she allowed her husband to control her completely and might appear weak but she trusted him, came from a different background and married him young. I can't criticise her too much for that. She has other endearing qualities as you can find out when reading the book.

I quite enjoyed the book but it was a little predictable. The happy ending seems inevitable although, of course one cannot wish for anything else. The story does explore some of the trappings of wealth and the effect these can/do have on a family but for me it feels a a little too moral. The book describes all wealthy families as shallow and the less well off as worthy. A bit too general I felt.

What a great read! It kept me up until the early hours; I just could not put it down! This is a story that grabs you and gives you the absolute need to read on, hence my late night. It could well be a true story and it certainly made me realise a few things that I need to change in my life. One thing is for sure, you never know what is round the corner and this book brought that to the forefront of my mind.

I love Nina and her two sons my heart ached for them so much after the tragic death of her husband. Not only that but to find out they're bankrupt. Nina's journey is not an easy one and it's definitely emotional. I'm so glad that she had her sister Tiggy in her life to help her through things, she is a great sister, she says things exactly how they are; you can't help but love her.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I will be going to check out her other books for sure.

Nina is devastated when her husband, Finn dies in a car accident. She knows that her life will be changed. She has never had to worry about finances. Finn always took care of everything. Her job was to shop, keep their beautiful home looking spectacular, cook and chauffeur their two boys to where ever they needed to go. Little did she know how much her life and the lives of her two sons would change. How much she would have to change as a person to be able to have a good life for her and the children. In doing this she will discover herself and the strength she had forgotten she had.
I enjoyed this book. Nina was a strong character. The other characters helped to make the story.
5 Stars

I enjoyed this novel, and it was interesting to watch the heroine change from the insecure rich man's wife to a strong independent woman. It points out well how you can't really be happy just trying to fit in to a role sommeone else has created for you.
Her sister was, perhaps, a bit too supportive considering how she had been treated in the past. I don't have a sister so it may ring true to those wo do.
This would be a good holiday read.

**Advanced copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

This is the first book of Amanda Prowse's that I have read and I enjoyed it a great deal. This story is about life, love, loss and finding out what is really important in life. There are not a great deal of books out there these days that are as realistic as this one was, which I adored. You felt what this family was going through, you laughed, you cried, you got angry and you rejoiced in their victories.

Nina McCarrick and her sons, Connor and Declan, are thrown one of the biggest curve balls anyone can receive, not once, but twice. Not only do they lose the patriarch of their family, they are dealt an additional blow when they find out that other lies are causing their life as they know it to be drastically changed.

You go on a journey with this family through the highs and lows and there are some wonderful lessons to be learned about what really makes a person happy in their life. This was a very well crafted book with enjoyable characters, a true to life story and it was overflowing with emotion.

While this was my first Amanda Prowse book, I can assure you it won't be my last.

Empowering and Thought Provoking, 5 stars 🌟 :
Wow Ms Prowse is the Queen of thought provoking powerful stories, with strong empowering women at the core.
In Ms Prowse latest novel The Art of Hiding we see what happens when you have it all, the perfect life, the husband, the family, the holidays, the private schooling not a concern in the world till one phone call shatters it all. Your husband has passed in an accident and he has lost it all, the business is gone and the bailiffs are at the door, you're homeless with only the basics to take with you.
This is how we meet Nina McCarrick and her boys Declan and Connor their world has come crashing down when her husband Finn passes away leaving her and her son's homeless and desperate. With no job and sheltered by her husband from the seriousness of the situation, we see how Nina fights to keep her little family together and rebuilds their lives. The reserves she calls on and how her estranged sister Tiggy helps Nina rediscover herself whilst she discovers who her true friends are.
Ms Prowse is truly a world class writer who draws you into the story so you are rooting for the characters and although the subjects of this book maybe sensitive Ms Prowse has covered the topics with her usual sensitivity and tact. That does not mean that there are not laugh out loud moments I particularly loved the interaction between the sisters and there are several stand out pieces of advice i.e, 'happiness lies in being content now’ and the marble analogy to name but a few of my favourites.
All in all a must read for fans of Ms Prowse but if this is your first book you won’t be disappointed.
Fyi I received my copy from NetGalley however, this does not influence my opinions as all opinions are my own.

The Art of Hiding is my first read by this author and it will not be my last. I truly enjoyed the author’s writing style and how real and relatable the story is even though it’s fiction writing. This allowed me as a reader to really dive in and live in the characters’ world.

It’s a fast-paced, easy read that allows you to feel for each character and the turmoil that they are facing unexpectedly. The story expressed the kind of strength one must muster up when is necessary and have a different outtake in life on one’s true definition of want versus need and redefine genuine happiness.

I will definitely be on the lookout for this author’s next work and backtrack on what else is already out there.

Over the years I’ve heard countless divorcees say they never handled the finances in their homes and were shocked after the divorce about various financial issues. Imagine losing your husband and then discovering that you are about to lose every material possession that you own. Whether we want to face it or not, this is a very realistic possibility for any number of us that aren’t in charge or involved in the financial affairs in our relationships, therefore, note to self and to everyone – get informed!

This story poses several issues about the overwhelming guilt and weight of debt, as well as, the absurdity of a spouse thinking they are being protective when they keep these issues from their loved ones. More importantly, this novel is about survival, growth, and reinventing one’s idea of happiness.

Nina struggled with such burdens helping her sons through their father’s death, then the loss of everything, then adjusting to a new town, new school, and new peers. All the while she was struggling on her own trying to find a job and her only support system being her older sister that, until Finn’s death, they had not been very close.

Nina’s strength and determination were incredible throughout this novel and I love that the author did not feel the need to include a love interest, but rather focus on Nina’s own personal growth. But the most outstanding and compelling character was her teenage son, Connor. His character was so wonderfully developed as he went from being angry to sad to helpful to caring. As time passed, his insight into his father’s death and their situation was so moving and so impressive, that he absolutely stole the show in this novel.

Let me say that this novel leaves you with a wonderful and optimistic feeling about life, but only after taking you down to the lows of losing everything and having to put everything back together all alone. The Art of Hiding is intelligent, relatable, emotional, and inspiring. It was such a pleasure to read and review this book by an author that I already admired. There is no unnecessary drama or exaggeration in this novel, but it is real life with real people that will shake you to your core, but eventually, inspire you.

*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing this novel in exchange for my honest review!

Now it's fair to say this isn't my usual genre, but I branched out and I'm glad I did! The story pulls you in and folds you into the world the characters inhabit. You see it, you feel it and you empathise and understand. Nina and her boys are living a life which they hadn't expected and their journey is sympathetically and honestly told. You will wonder. You will question. You will understand. I truly recommend this book

I enjoyed this book; it was easy to read, gripping and well written. The characters are believable and rounded and the storyline makes you want to keep reading. I turned to it after giving up on a rather slowly paced library book and found it a breath of fresh air. Good light reading, very suitable for holiday escapism.

A riveting plot from the very first page. Grabs you immediately and the pace picks up from there, holding until the last page.

Nina, a product of humble beginnings now has it all: a handsome and financially successful husband, two boys enrolled in a prestigious private school, a huge home you might see featured in Architectural Digest, and money to burn. But is she happy? When Nina's world is suddenly turned upside down, readers will wonder how this pampered princess will manage. It's really a story of her transformation. And completely believable at each step.

It's a novel filled with drama, tragedy, and the power of love and courage. A very fast read. And deeply satisfying.

This book is another story of an ordinary woman who faces many obstacles to overcome. Nina, the protagonist,comes from modest means and marries well. Her well insulated life unravels after her husband dies. Unfortunately, there are may horrible hurdles the family must tackle.The tale allows us to follow her and the children on their journey to discover a new life. At times, it was uncomfortable to hear about what Nina faced. This caused me to reflect on my life and marriage. There is a realization that it could happen to anyone .<br /> Ms Prowse reminds us that is easy to lose ourselves in life and become less. Through acceptance of our past, we can draw on our strength to reclaim who we are. Another axiom is Be content in the present or you will lose out on precious moments.

I loved the start of the book - great characters, super writing style, interesting opening scenes. Even as it unfolded the controlling husband and altered circumstances gave a dramatic plot .... but for me it was ruined by the cliches - the more genuine/ fun friends (adult and kids) were without money whilst the rich ones were superficial/ boring. I only finished it to see if there was a twist. There wasn't. What a shame.

Excellent harrowing story which involved tragic circumstances, hugely enjoyable while being heart wrenching. I was invested in the story from start to finish. I read it one sitting. I couldn't put it down. There were plenty of tears but I found the story very uplifting also. I loved it. Highly recommended.

This is the story is about a woman who seems to have it all - perfect marriage - house - kids but then with the death of her husband she loses everything. Her struggle to deal with a life that was full of hidden things and the upset of her children losing their lifestyle is well written and enthralling.
This is a quick read in all the right ways - meaning you can't put it down once you start. The characters are well developed and realistic - down to the minor characters of people in the neighborhood

Amanda Prowse does it again. This is the second book of hers that I've read, thanks to Net Galley and it's powerful… emotional… triumphant even. I want to read more about Nina, Tiggy, Connor and Declan, Gilly and the girls.

The plot is simple but emotionally charged beginning with Finn's death and discovering the financial difficulty they are all in. Nina's reaction to everything was believable and readers can't help but cheer her on as she tries to put the remaining pieces of their lives together in a less posh neighborhood aka the life she's known before Finn. I love that there's more to Connor than the usual teen angst and its lovely to see both boys grow into people with character and integrity and kindness. I feel that the boys from Kings Norton College could definitely learn and grow into.

In the scene where Kathy Topps was asking Nina if Declan would like to join her son Henry for tennis lessons and saying that, "…they learn so much better when there's an element of competition in it, …" I quite agree with Nina when she thought, "… it's the worst way to teach things. Who needs that added pressure?"

On p.15 the words "Oh no… That can't happen now. That won't happen again. There it was: the realization like a door slamming in her mind… bang!" resonated so much with me as my family is still grieving over the loss of my mother-in-law, and it does feel like that every time you thought of or do something and make a mental note to share that with your dearly departed loved ones, it does feel like a door slamming once you realize they're not physically there anymore.

On p.25 when Connor asked Nina "That's nowhere near my school. It's on the other side of town. He was heading out of the city. He wasn't on his way to watch me play rugby, was he?" it adds to Mr. Monroe's supposition when he said, "And I hate to think that I am the one who might be shedding light on Finn's untimely death…"

On p.28 when Declan said to Nina and Tiggy, "…but I hope that people [when they die and go to heaven] get to have a rest, either because they are very old and tired or because they were very busy, like Dad" made me very sad and hopeful at the same time that when our time comes and we die, that we too get to rest and that we don't have any spiritual chores to do.

My heart was filled with both sadness for Nina and rage at Finn when I came across the note Finn left behind, "My Nina, Things are hard for me — I feel like I am living in a world made of glass and with every day comes a new pressure that is pushing down down down and I don't know what will break first, me or my world…" If only Finn was strong enough, brave enough to share this burden with Nina and the kids, maybe together they all will be able to find a way to fix it. But Finn broke first.

And my favorite lines from the book first appeared on p.85 when Nina remembered the words from her own mother upon receiving a glass marble, "This is a little world, Nina. And if ever the real world feels too big or too scary, remember that it is nothing more than a little ball traveling through space and it fits right into the palm of your hand and the more courage you have, the braver you are when facing it, the easier it is to conquer!" which was repeated at the end.

As always, Amanda Prowse, is a gifted storyteller and writer. Emotions leap out at you and grabs hold of you until the very end. A quick read and all the characters feel real. I love seeing Nina grow from a timid mousy character into a brave, confident woman with friends she actually enjoys. I enjoyed seeing Connor and Declan also grow from feeling entitled to learning and showing compassion and kindness to others. I love how Nina's relationship with her sister, Tiggy, grow warm and affectionate as sisters ought to be. It's not easy but you sure have to try, just like with any relationship.

If you like a well-written, emotionally charged book with a good ending and memorable characters, set in Bath and Southampton and marketed as Women's Fiction, you will not regret picking this one up.

It was a great read.

The story of a strong lady who struggled and worked hard to get hold of her life and her children.

I was unable to keep the book down and haven't missed a single word from the book.

There were times I felt bad for Nina, especially when her elder teenage boy was so irritating. But soon understood that he was also good in many ways.

I loved the younger boy. He was such a sweet heart.

Author was able to portray the struggle that they went through and the pain they had to go through.

A great book and a great story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ms. Prowse and the publisher for allowing me to read this book prior to publication. Nina McCarrick's world is about to take a wrong turn - or is it a wrong turn? Gripping, soul-searching story that will have looking deep into yourself and others around you.