Member Reviews
Fascinating!
I really loved reading The Hideway. The story is an easy read and the characters are believeable.
The kind of book you sit and read until the very end.
Can't wait till the next book!
I really enjoyed this book by Sheila O'Flanagan. I especially loved the setting in Spain and the connection of the character to the local community. Happy Reading!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Please note that this book is not for me - I have read the book, However I had to DNF and because i do not like to give negative reviews I will not review this book fully - there is no specific reason for not liking this book. I found it a struggle to read and did not enjoy trying to force myself to read this book.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused and thank you for the opportunity to read this book
Juno needs a break from her life. She doesn't feel part of her family and her love life has exploded spectacularly. She then makes a mistake in work and when she goes to her manager to hand in her resignation she advises her to take a break for the summer and come back refreshed. Her friend Pilar suggests that she goes to Spain to spend the summer in her grandmothers house as it is idle and her parents would be delighted to see someone stay in it.
And then her adventure begins. She starts the summer with a broken heart feeling betrayed and confused but slowly the good weather, some new friends and a strange cat help her to recover and look to the future. She may even find love. This is another great read from Sheila O'Flanagan with great characters in lovely sunny surroundings. A real feel good story.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review
I loved this novel which is my second book by Sheila O'Flanagan. I adore her writing style which is really pleasant and "airy". Sheila O'Flanagan used to feature inspiring characters showing a real determination despite that sometimes parts of their life could be painful or sad.
The plot and characters are well designed. I liked the story and Juno Ryan's character. Through easy reading chapters, we follow Juno, a specialist in radiography, in her journey of healing from the grief of the man she loves. Taking a short break from work, she leaves Ireland to Spain seeking quiet and peace. Her character and mental qualities allow her to be a member of a new community and to become again in love. The "hit" of the book was a wonderful description of Spain to such an extent we come out with a strong desire to visit all places where the story took place.
“The Hideaway” is among those books which give you such a sense of freedom and strong desire to travel. It is an excellent novel for those who are looking for a quick and inspirational read for holidays. I highly recommend it.
As always, a great holiday read from Sheila O’Flanagan. This one centred around Juno, who is nursing her broken heart after learning some shocking secrets about her boyfriend. She takes a sabbatical from work and leaves her life behind to take some time for herself in Spain.
But when her boyfriends brother turns up, the life she is trying to rebuild is in trouble of falling down again.
This is a feel good novel set in beautiful surroundings, if only we could all spend several months in Spain. At the same time it isn't terribly exciting. There is a certain amount of escapism and it would be a light hearted holiday read but not one that will keep you turning the pages late into the night. I have definitely read better books by this author.
Loved it. The description of Spain was beautiful. I would have loved to spend three months at the Villa Naranja, plus Pep was an added bonus. Spain was exactly what Juno needed, along with all the people in the village and the loving affection of Banquo. Juno was definitely unlucky in the love department with Sean and Brad. I can't imagine how she felt when she learned the truth about Brad. This was the perfect summer read. It was full of love, forgiveness, friendship and family. I loved how Juno kept saying that she just thought Banquo was a fat cat wen she finally discovers he was a she. The book just left me with warm and happy feelings and of course the need to travel to Spain.
Definitely recommend the book. I loved the characters, story and writing style. It was the first book I read by the author and I look forward to reading more. It was the cover of the book that first caught my eye and the story didn't disappoint.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Headline through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
What a great read! I loved the development of the characters and the way it was written made me eager to keep reading. Details and the past were revealed slowly but at exactly the right times. Also, I want to stay at Villa Naranja! It sounds beautiful! My only regret is that I didn’t read it sooner.
I received this ebook free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
The "if you like" threw me off and made it hard to get into. It didn't feel like a good match. BUT once I was in I really enjoyed it.
I love Sheila and I loved this book
I would recommend to anyone
I loved the Spanish setting and although you could tell what was going to happen, the plot made enjoyable reading.
I have read earlier books by Sheila O'Flanagan and really liked them. This one, not so much. I didn't feel that the plot was believable and that's a major issue for me.
I hope her next book will be more in my taste.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for kindly providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Another great book by Sheila O'Flanagan. Not the best I have read from her but definitely worth a read if you are looking for a good old beach read.
Juno Ryan is heartbroken and in desperate need of a break away from her daily life in Ireland. Taking a few months of unpaid absence from her job as a radiographer she travels to Spain and seeks respite, peace and quiet, and somewhere to mull things over.
Cue Juno helping a young boy with a dislocated shoulder, fixing up the villa and having a steamy holiday fling. She makes friends, becomes part of the small community and starts to heal and look after herself. All is going well until her previous lover's brother turns up looking for answers.
This book is about acceptance of grief, coming to terms with mistakes made and realising that you can love again. I really liked the believable characters, the story and the descriptions of Spain were beautifully written. I felt like I was there myself, basking in the sun with Juno.
A definite recommendation for O'Flanagan fans.
The hideaway - a fab read that had me hooked!
Makes me want to pack my bag and head off to Alicante!
I loved the plot and also the setting of Villa Naranja and the local town, it sounds bliss. Sunny climates, heart break and romance all wrapped up with Sheila O Flanagan brilliant story telling.
I really warmed to the main character of Juno, slightly set aside from her family, she leaves her friends and job behind to take a break after finding out the man she loves isn't who he seems. The relationship leaves lots of unanswered questions for Juno, she struggles with work and embarks on a holiday for a few months after an offer from a friend.
Makes me want to read on and on, Sheila sets scenes to make you feel like you are there(get me round that pool and into the orange groves to smell the scent).
The idea of going away to lick your wounds for a few months sounds ideal (even if not realistic for all). Think we all sometimes crave a proper break from life to evaluate things.
Love banquo... Or should I really say Ophelia the cat! You will understand when you give this a read.
Not sure how I feel about Max hollander the brother of Brad and does make you question what you would do in a similar scenario. You can't help who you love after all.
A lovely romance filled read, perfect for summer set in a sunny location!
I’d like to thank Headline and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Hideaway’ by Sheila O’Flanagan in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Dublin-born Juno is shocked by the news that her boyfriend Brad has died in an earthquake in Italy, but what’s more difficult for her to believe is that he had a wife Allessandra and son who were with him. When she’s given three-months unpaid leave to recover from her broken heart, Juno flies to Alicante to stay in Villa Naranja, the home of her friend Pilar’s late grandmother, and the blue skies and orange groves gradually aid her healing, not to mention Pep Navarro the good-looking pool cleaner!
‘The Hideaway’ is a delightful novel, easy to read and unashamedly romantic. I like the characters and the descriptions of the area, not to mention the men who are all good-looking and available and who manage to turn Juno’s head. This is definitely a feel-good novel with a happy ending which is perfect for reading on the beach, and I can recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. The hideaway, typical and charming romance. Juno is broken hearted and learns many life lessons. This was easy to read, fun and captured my attention from the beginning. The descriptions in the book are fantastic and make you feel as though you are there with the characters. I will definitely be looking up more books by Sheila O’Flanagan.
Juno Ryan is in mourning. The love of her life is gone and she’s putting her job at risk through her grief. But things are not as they appear to be and Juno finds herself with a sabbatical, a suitcase and a villa in Spain where she can regroup and resolve her problems.
This was a sweet book with a really interesting premise. I have to admit at about two thirds through I thought it would end one way and it went a totally different direction which I enjoyed. However, I found the characters to be unbelievable and at times unsympathetic.
I have read other books by the author that I preferred.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinions.
I will be reviewing this on Amazon May 17th, 2019
I received this ARC from Netgalley, in exchange for my fair and honest review. The Hideaway was my first book from this author. For me the book was a little slow at places in the book, I did enjoy the beautiful setting, yet found the storyline a little hard to get involved in. I enjoy a storyline that I can get lost in, and feel like that it could really be happening somewhere in the world around me, this book just didnt do that for me. Having said that I am sure many will enjoy the storyline, that is what makes reading so great no everything touches everyone in the same way.
The Hideaway is another wonderful read by much beloved author Sheila O'Flanagan. I have long been a fan of this author and will rush to get my hands on anything she writes, so this one was an easy sell for me. The gorgeous cover first drew my attention, and the story within is every bit as lovely.
Juno Ryan is beyond shocked to learn that the man she loves has been killed in an earthquake in Italy. If that alone is not devastating enough, he is identified on the news as having been on holiday with his wife and young son. Grieving, and trying to process both shock and anger, Juno retreats to the Villa Naranja in Spain, the home of a work colleague's mother. Juno sees the villa as a sanctuary where she can lick her wounds in the privacy of her self-imposed seclusion. Juno is not isolated for long, however, and finds herself being drawn into the community of Beniflor, even engaging in a sexual relationship with the neighbouring pool cleaner, Pep. Slowly, Juno begins to realize that she must cop on and start living her life again. But when her lover's brother turns up seeking answers, Juno has some questions of her own.
This is a lovely novel that will appeal to fans of Ms O'Flanagan. Sharply observed characters, and an inate understanding of the human condition are the author's trademarks, and they are each well-represented here. The novel, while emotional, ends on a positive note of hope, and living beyond tragedy. The Spanish setting is a lovely bonus. Recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline for this delightful ARC.
Received a copy of thiis book through NetGalley.
I have read Sheila O Flanagan books before but I found that the Hidaway is not one of her best,the main character seems a matter of fact approach to life,yes,she was in grief but dhe seemed soon to get over with it and move onto the next one.Found that the book had too much description going on without moving forward with the plot also a lot of things going on at the same time and then suddenly nothing but pages of description to follow.