Both Nina and the boys struggle to adapt to their new meagre surroundings, none more so than Once again, I can count on Lake Union Publishing (and Net Galley) for a great book and a new author. Thank you for the e-ARC, which was provided in exchange for my honest opinion. this book made me think in a lot of ways...I was widowed (and this happens quick out of the gate, so this isn't a spoiler), but thank goodness I didn't go through losing everything at the same time. While Nina and her husband were in love, she starts to question their entire marriage. What was very unique and she captured perfectly was some of the feelings and anxiety that happens when you don't have money. I could completely identify with many of the things she wrote...not to that extent, but it rang true. What makes you happy? Sometimes it's not what you think. I loved this book, and I am going online right now to choose more of her books. Highly recommended.

The Art of Hiding by Amanda Prowse is a raw, powerful, and uplifting novel. It stirred a lot of my emotions and made them come out in a jumbled mess! It pulled at my heartstrings, made me think of my own happiness and life, and certainly opened my eyes. I very much recommend this book to fellow readers. It's a story about love, loss, and setting yourself free after the storm,.

At first I had a hard time relating to the main character, Nina, a recently widowed mother of two. It wasn't her circumstances that I had a hard time relating to, it was the choices, or rather lack of choices, she was making early on (& had apparently made throughout her married life). I kept getting really anxious for her every time she didn't react or respond to something that I knew was going to lead to more trouble for her in the long run- very frustrating! The author did a good job portraying the shock Nina felt in her sudden widowhood and change in financial circumstances and the absolute fog she was trying to push through just to function on a day to day basis. It was a pleasure to watch Nina grow and find her feet again, to watch her little family come together through their grief and new experiences. This was a quick read; I breezed through it in an afternoon. A solid contemporary story of family life.

4 stars

Nina McCarrick is enjoying a rugby match at the school where her two boys, Connor who is fifteen and Declan who is ten, attend. She receives a telephone call from the hospital that requests her presence immediately for her husband Finn has been in an accident. He passes away. Nina’s perfect life falls apart. Her two children are handling the problem in the only way they know how.

She receives the bad news that the school fees to the expensive private school her boys attend are two semesters behind in payments. This can’t be true. Contacting the management group that pays the fees Nina learns that there is no money to pay the fees. Going to the accountant, she learns that all has been mortgaged and there is absolutely nothing left. No money for school, the bailiffs are to turn up at the house soon and Finn’s brothers are unable to take them into their homes.

While going through Finn’s desk at home, something Nina has never done before, she finds an unfinished note that sounds suspiciously like a suicide note. Did he kill himself? Was it no automobile accident? Nina desperately tries to keep things normal for the boys, taking them to school, but how long until they can no longer go there? For the headmaster has given Nina the final notice.

After the bailiffs show up, Nina realizes that her life in the big, expensive house is over. She moves back to the Southampton estate of Portswood to a tiny apartment that her uncle owns. It is run down, the neighborhood is rundown and the neighbors are definitely not what the boys are used to. Nina feels her son Connor’s despair, but Declan is trying to make the best of it. Nina still is very angry at Finn for leaving them in this situation and cries frequently. She must get a job – and fast.

So find a job she does and things begin to look up. The boys are happier at school. Connor gets a tryout for the surprisingly good rugby team. Declan finds new friends. As does Nina.

This book is very well written and plotted. It is filled with precious memories, and some not-so precious. It is filled with good time and bad, joy and pain and most of all growth. The boys – and Nina – learn that having money is not as important as she once believes. Rather, it is the relationships that give freedom. It is the freedom to be who you are and the freedom to choose. This is a heartwarming novel; a feel good book that will make the reader’s day.

I want to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Press for forwarding to me a copy of this remarkable book to read.

This is a beautifully written story of heartbreak and loss. It's insightful and sad. After Nina loses her husband, she loses everything else. She somehow finds the strength to try overcome the situation she and her children find themselves in. It's a powerful story that will make you think about your life and loved ones.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my voluntary and honest opinion of it.

An outstanding read that I couldn't put down and finished from cover to cover in one day. A beautifully written heart wrenching story that has you emotionally gripped from page one. I only wish it hadn't ended and that there is a sequel on its way. Highly recommended.

If you have ever lost someone or know someone who has, then this book will open your eyes to the hidden struggles, the pain behind the eyes and the sense that the world as they know it has ended. It will also show you that possessions mean nothing and that what really matters is people and family. It will make you question your choices in life and Amanda has a way of telling you all this with beautiful writing, raw emotions and a friendly hug at the same time.

At the beginning Nina believes she has the perfect existence-family, large home opulent life style having escaped from an impoverished and troubled childhood. Her wrk disintegrates with the death of her husband who has hidden from her the actual state of their finances. She is left penniless and homeless shunned by her so called friends . She leaves Bath and returns to her Southampton roots and the friendship of her older sister. There with her two boys she has to build a new life. There is a sense of realisation that her life it's he husband was superficially fulfilling but she had given up her own dreams and ambitions to look after this family. Now she had to stand on her own two feet . She and the boys have a lot of readjusting to do and find out who you can rely on when the chips are down.
Carefully portrayed believable characters pepper this book and mad it a really god read.

THE ART OF HIDING. by Amanda Prowse. A smell, as though her husband was near, though he was to be at his son ball game. Then came the call husband was in hospital. He had been on the other side of town, not coming toward the game. Everything was left to her, what's with the
deliquent bills, to a tune of 8 million pounds. Trust, after twenty years, to be left with nothing, why did he put it all together. What about her and their family. Great plot, of her deciding what to do next, and coming to terms of what Finn did. Given ARC by Net Galley for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

THis book just wasn't for me. It was strongly written and the story is - I'm sure a timely relatable one - but I had a difficult time relating to the main character.

The Art of Hiding by Amanda Prowse is one of the most believable tale I've read. A story of loss, love, and hope. The loss of a father and husband, losing their home, and moving to a new place. Plus, a single widowed mother dealing with a teenager who seems like he's connecting with her anymore. A you're son who loves her still but is also wanting to be like his big brother. Sweet, heartfelt, and realistic.

The title, The Art of Hiding, fits well. I was amazed at how well the mother holds onto the little she has. Her sons. Going after a career, a new home, and a new area can place a lot of stress and emotions on a family that has already lost so much. But with time, there's hope and maybe even some healing. I was throughly entertained with this book. Every page was exciting. Something always caught my attention and held it there until the ending. Amanda Prowse is a talented writer. This, was the second novel of hers that I've read. Enjoyable, easy to follow along, and great characters to love. Overall, I recommend this novel to all.

Well-written, and observed. Amanda Browse gives a heartfelt view of a riches to rags story with all that entails. Ninna and her two boys are devasted when their husband and dad dies in a car crash. But worse follows. He died owing eight million. The bailiffs turn up and they are suddenly homeless. Moving from Bath to a dingy flat in Southampton is difficult and demoralising. Nina has no idea how to cope let alone get a job. What she and the boys find out is that family and love are worth far more than a big house or private school. Good observations but I would have liked more angst from the oldest lad Conor and thought getting a flat was rather too easy. Overall a good read.

When Nina’s husband dies in a car accident, her life falls apart as she realises that not only has she lost her lovely partner Finn, but that his business is bankrupt.
Finn has been keeping his money troubles secret from her and now, without warning, she is evicted from her beautiful home. Without friends, money or any qualifications, she needs to find some way to provide for herself and her two young sons.
The Art of Hiding is a solid, no frills discourse on survival even in the direst circumstances, and on the power of money to buy friends and acquaintances who may not be there when you really need them. The ramifications of this sort of event are many and varied, but Amanda Prowse has chosen the aspects on which concentrate wisely. There are some happy coincidences, and Nina is blessed in the forbearance of her children, but just as much realism peppers the pages of this book.
Especially welcome is the lack of arrival of any new love interest to make it all better.
I am grateful to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this copy.

A good example of contemporary fiction aimed at the middle class family woman, this does what is expected by an author who is an expert in her field. In fact it is somewhat helpful and reassuring for those of us who can relate to the problems and situations that can occur to us and our friends. Amanda writes about women and family situations with a lovely easy reading style and you can whizz through the novel whilst enjoying a good story. This type of read fits nicely between silly chicklit and literary fiction without trying to be anything it isn’t, well done Amanda you write just what a lot of us need.

Wow another fantastic thought provoking read from Amanda. This book takes you through every emotion as you read it. I absolutely love the beautiful way with words that Amanda has. I was drawn into the story from page one, and felt the emotions that the characters went through on their rollercoaster journey. I love that as well as a story you get to think experiences and wonder what you'd do in those circumstances

Powerful, emotional, sad, tragic, with the feeling "it could be me" all rolled into one amazing story. Might need tissues to hand. First book I've read by this author, will be ordering more from my home library service.

Nina leads a luxury life with her husband Finn and Connor and Declan their two sons. That is all turned upside down by one phone call from the hospital telling her that her husband has been in a car accident and has died.

Nina later comes to find out that they are millions of pounds in debt and facing everything being repossessed to pay back her husband's debt landing them having to uproot from their normal lives as they know, no more private school for the children either as they move in with Nina's sister, Tiggy on a ran down council estate.

It was a great book about a woman whose unknown strength gets her family through the toughest times they face as they hit rock bottom in life. Flipping their life around despite bullying the boys endure, finding a job being a struggle these are all things which we can relate to a lot and it could keep some hope that we can change our lives like in this work of fictional magic.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

I had never read a book by this author. She catches you in the beginning but it falls apart for a bit. It seemed like her struggle became redundant. I would have liked to have seen a bit "more". I loved the end when she starts getting things together, but given that it was a relatively short amount of time, it seemed to drag for longer than it should have.

Oh so good!!!! I couldn't put it down!!!! I read this is record time! Edge of my seat ride!!!! Thanks!! I will be buying some copies for the store for sure!!!!!