I absolutely loved this book, brilliant insight into how quickly things can change in your life and there's nothing you can do! I didn't want this story to end

Loved this book, couldn't put it down. Shows the strength of family and how losing everything can sometimes be a good thing. Certainly made me think. Thank you again Amanda for another thought provoking, interesting read

Another thought provoking book by Amanda Prowse. When the head of the family, the house and all the money are snatched away in just days, Nina has to stop hiding away from life and rebecome the feisty, brave woman she once was. With her sister, Tiggy, alongside her, she learns to cope with a whole new life, which is the polar opposite of the life she has been living.
Having had a friend go through something similar, I could identify with the stages Nina went through, from anger and disbelief to acceptance finally. I felt the storyline was slow in parts, but I think this helped me to get under Nina's skin (and that of her sons) and to see how, while the changes to their lives was quick and dramatic, the changes to their new environment and life happened gradually.
This is a must for all Amanda Prowse fans.

Amanda Prowse is fast becoming my go-to author when I'm wondering what to read next as her books are always situated at the top of my reading pile; they really are the crème de la crème and never fail to deliver a real life story that tugs on your heartstrings.

The Art of Hiding was a bit different from Amanda's other books as the sadness hits right at the beginning when Nina's husband dies. I didn't even have a chance to get to know the characters so, although it was heartbreaking when Nina has to break the news to her sons, I was left dry eyed. I felt triumphant - I had beaten Amanda Prowse; finally, a book that wouldn't make me cry! I relaxed and drew myself into Nina's story: the turmoil of losing her house and moving to a pokey flat in Southampton, her boys having to leave their prestigious school, all the while having to cope with their recent bereavement.

Both Nina and the boys struggle to adapt to their new meagre surroundings, none more so than Nina's eldest son, Connor. Connor was set to be a shining star on his school rugby team and now he must start from scratch at a new school. It was Connor's love of rugby that ultimately made me cry at the after match party; my earlier triumph at not crying was deflated like a burst balloon, but I didn't care - my heart was bursting at the amazing scene painted by Amanda Prowse's beautiful words.

The Art of Hiding really makes you think about what makes you happy. It's not necessarily the treasured possessions that we surround ourselves with, it's the people with whom we share our life and experiences. Nina was just another of her husband's treasured possessions and she was so busy being a wife and mother that she ended up being a ghost of herself. It took the tragedy of losing her husband and going back to basics for her to really start living.

Yet again, Amanda Prowse made me cry but most definitely in a good way! Only Amanda Prowse could turn such a tragic situation into a heartwarming story of survival and reawakening. It's no surprise that I have awarded 5 stars and I'm sure that there will be many more 5 star ratings to come from other readers.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

The Art of Hiding is a very well written book with a great plot and characters. Grab your tissues.

This book was better than the last I read of hers but it seemed to end abruptly. I definitely wasn't expecting it to end when it did. Good message behind the book though!

I have read all of Amanda's books so far and was excited to read this. I can honestly say it didn't disappoint. It was a very well crafted story and one that everyone can relate to. It grips you from the first page and just keeps you wanting to carry on reading late into the night so you can see what happens next. You feel so much for the characters, wanting to help them deal with their grief if you could. I would recommend this book and author to anybody who loves a great easy read but also a gripping storyline. Amanda's books just seem to keep getting better and better

I loved this book, very easy to read, an incident that could happen to any of us.....an accident that could shatter anyones lives and anyones dreams......Makes you take a step back and look at your own life, look at all the good in it and to make you live each day to the full......I would like to think that I'm as strong as Nina, and I could bring my children up in a bad situation the right way and to the best for their lives......Loved it....

I love this Author. She always gets it right!! Highly recommend!!

A nice easy read of a woman learning to deal with her husbands death and the loss of her world. However, the main character was unlikable, which let down the story some what! The backstory of the family being danish added nothing to the story

Amanda does it again! Gripping, emotional, funny and eloquent I feel this latest creation is her best yet. I've never felt so emotionally invested in a character before and I've never wanted to shout at a book the way I sometimes do with a gripping TV show or film.
It took me just over 24 hours to read this book because I just couldn't put it down. It has taken me a little longer to be able to write a review as finding the right words to do this book justice has not been easy!
I managed to get 82% of the way through the book before I had to stop from the tears obscuring the words. After that I was constantly reaching for the tissues as the tears rolled down my face. I cried with laughter, sorrow and joy. I still cannot get over the heart wrenching relationship between the leading lady, her husband and her sons or how incredibly well each character developed as I read on. The depth of character, the realism of each person and the complexity of relationships is portrayed so accurately that I found myself willing the characters to succeed.
Written with such intensity in places I found myself speed reading desperate to turn the page and find the outcome of each event as it unfolded, simultaneously devouring every word not wanting to miss a thing.
The ending was superb, and I genuinely didn't see it coming, despite it telling me the percentage read on my kindle I found myself at the end of the book wondering how I got there. As always Mrs Prowse leaves you wanting more, wondering how the characters lives continue and dare I say it, feeling a little bereft that it's all over.
I was very fortunate to have been allowed access to an ARC and thank Amanda very much for the privilege of being able to read it so soon. I highly recommend this book and cant wait to read what Amanda produces next!

Once again, another 5 Star book by Amanda Prowse. This one really pulls at the heartstrings, I cried at the start, I cried at the end, and I loved every minute in between. At first, only in the first instances of the book, I wasn't sure what to make of Nina, she had it all and yet seemed very distant and cold. This didn't last long - as soon as the story unfolds, I warmed to her, and became so in awe of her strength of character and her love for her sons above all else. She is a formidable woman, who has been dealt one of the worst blows a wife and mother could ever deal with - the loss of her beloved husband. The devastations keep coming though, and her late husband is not all he seemed to be, leaving a question mark over his death and debt beyond belief. Despite having a sad start, this book evokes many emotions - Nina's sister Tiggy and her 2 sons are adorable and funny - the boys have lost their role model Father, but Nina deals with it with such bravery and protects these vulnerable kids from way more than any mother should ever have to. Amanda seems to capture the thoughts and feelings of a pre-teen and teenage boy wonderfully and I found myself relating to the mother/son bond that Nina naturally sometimes struggles with. Eventually, we get to see the true Nina, one that makes friends and can be strong and ambitious. Her strong-willed personality and defiance to be brought down by the events that have happened to her are what gets this family to a place where they are happy, in a loving place, reflecting on what the true meaning of happiness is. It certainly made me think, we are so caught up with "things" and other people's opinions of ourselves, and this story proves that sometimes all you need is the love of your family. A wonderful book, I am never disappointed by Amanda's novels, and I can guarantee you will enjoy this journey of love, loss and everything in between.

Nina is one of those characters that you develop mixed feelings for. I thought she was an insufferable snob to begin with. But when her world crumbles around her, she has no choice but to face reality and become a different person altogether.

Her 2 boys, Connor and Declan are a huge part of what I loved about this book! Little Dec is so sweet and I really enjoyed following their evolution. Tiggy is also a great, warm and funny character.

The journey we're taken on in this book is quite familiar to me. Not on the scale Nina faces, but enough that I completely empathize with her.

I am so grateful to have an author like Amanda Prowse writing books about normal women and families! They each teach us something and give us something unique to take away from the story.

The Art of Hiding was a very good book about Nina, who is spoiled by her husband and leads an upper class, pretty posh life. Sadly, as the synopsis lets us know, it all comes crashing down around her ears when her husband dies.

Not everyone has the strength of will to pick up the pieces and move on as Nina did. I mean, ultimately you have to, don't you? But she really went back to her roots and began fresh without having anyone else to lean on for financial support. She got emotional support from her sister, but had no one to help with bills etc.

I liked that this book really showed that people really can turn their lives around.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me this ARC.

Loved this book really enjoyed the story of Nina and her two boys coming to terms with their shock and grief and reaching a point of happiness in such different circumstances. Really uplifting story.

Another excellent book!

I love Amanda Prowse's books, they're always so quick and easy to get into-you're soon involved and hooked. This one is no different and I found it a great read.

Her books are based on everyday situations many of us go through. Fiction-yet so lifelike and believable, you’re able to totally immerse yourself in the story. Excellent dialogue keeps things moving along quickly so you soon whizz through it. These feelings and situations happen to lots of people-but Amanda Prowse is so skilled in putting it down on paper and keeping you glued to the book.

I was so moved by this. I read a big chunk of it one Sunday: There was a burst in our area and we didn’t have any water for hours so, as I couldn't get showered, I just sat in bed reading and reading-and didn't feel guilty at all! I was happy for any excuse not to have to put this book down!

Another excellent read which I can thoroughly recommend. I can’t wait for her next one now!

Yet again Amanda Prowse has written a stonker of a book that made my cheeks wet with tears. Nina seems to have it all. Until she doesn't. The book charts her story from a glamorous and successful life to what comes next. It is a story of loss and sorrow. Of deceit and anger. Of misery and pain. And hope. It is a story that resonated with me when Tiggy described how Nina had lost herself somewhere along the way. Is it a story about never really knowing people? I am not sure. I think it is a story about appreciating all we have in our lives and never losing sight of how amazing we are inside. An excellent read, highly recommended. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read it.

If your looking for a book that focuses on self-discovery in the face of adversity, then I recommend this one for you, just be prepared as it's definitively an emotional roller-coaster at times!

This is another powerful book from Amanda Prowse!

The characters in the book are great lovable people. Nina the main character a mother of 2 young boys, you just want to hold your arms out to her and hug her tight, her world comes crashing down around her in a flash. After dealing with one of the worst things to happen she is given the shock of her life when she finds out what secrets her husband was keeping.

We really see Nina grow as a character throughout the book and see her come out as a stronger more appreciative woman.

The Art of Hiding is packed out with emotions. Firstly we see sadness and pain through to anger, fear, then finally happiness.

I think the moral of the story is 'No matter how much you think you know someone you really dont.'

A great book by Amanda prowse, with her beautiful passionate words. This book tells the story of Nina, who finds out, that things were not as good as she had thought, when her husband dies and leaves her a mountain of debt. Nina has two kids to look after and with no job and no career, she begins her journey of self discovery, getting herself back to life. This story is all about hope, survival and finding the inner strength and confidence to deal with life and its setbacks. Nina does it with great dignity and honesty.
Nina has a sister, Tiggy, with whom she had disconnected during her married life. She reconnects with her in a most wonderful way. The love between sisters is so palpable, their childhood and their shared memories all come alive in Amanda's prose. Money is needed in day to day life but does not guarantee happiness, so beautifully shown in this book.
The Art of Hiding is a story of living after a great tragedy and finding happiness and contentment in the Now, the present and everyday... This is the underlying main message of this book.
Ms Amanda Prowse, you have done it again and there are so many thought provoking lines in this book. I am quoting the most beautiful lines of them...
"This is a scary world, and if ever the real world feels too big or scary, remember that it is nothing more than a little ball travelling through space, and the more courage you have, the braver you are, when facing it, the easier it is to conquer. "
Thank you for giving me these words to remember whenever I am scared or life gets to be too much.
Thank you Amanda for writing this book....