The Hideaway by Sheila O Flanagan sees Juno Ryan arriving to the warm climate of Spain and specifically the small town of Beniflor. She has escaped from her work as a radiologist as things have not being going that well for her recently. She loves her job and always been dedicated to it but recent events have meant that her mind is straying and she cannot concentrate on the task at hand. A work colleague suggests taking some time out to be by herself, to come to terms with what she has discovered. Pilar originally comes from Spain so Juno takes her up on the offer of staying in her grandmother's house which has laid idle since her passing. I thought Juno was brave to go off on her own but I think deep down she knew she was struggling and staying in her present environment no matter how much she enjoyed her work was really not the thing for her at that time.

When we first meet Juno she is an emotional wreck and quite honestly a character that went on to be quite infuriating throughout the book because of the way she approached and dealt with things. I felt she lacked courage, strength and conviction and I understand she needed to go through a process to reach those emotional points and some sort of acceptance and realisation as to what her next step may be but the journey to do so was quite long and drawn out at times and I did feel the book could have been shorter. Juno feels her competence and strength have been called into question and that she is about to be tested to her limit. Upon hearing earth shattering news she becomes engulfed in anguish, grief and pain and these feelings only intensify. She hopes by getting away from it all that she can slowly begin to heal. But how can she when everything she believed to be true has been not even been called into question but rather thrown into utter disarray. She is experiencing a maelstrom of emotions and the question remains can she cope with what is ahead of her?

Initially I did feel sorry for Juno as the news she heard meant her life was turned upside down but after a while I thought hold on you had been taken for granted and used and if the major event had not happened surely sooner rather than later you would have discovered things anyway. You couldn't have gone on the way things were. As she settled into the villa Juno really needed to stop thinking and over analysing things. I don't think she was ever going to get the answers she so desperately craved instead she needed to man up so to speak and get over things instead of moping around. Seclusion and isolation would hopefully offer the closure she needed but was she willing to let her heart open up once again of some form of romance came her way?

In the first half of the book nothing much happened at all. There were times Juno spoke to no other characters bar a cat who had taken up residence at the villa. There was endless repetition of what she did every day and how she set about renovating the house as a means to take her mind off things but honestly this all became so monotonous and boring that I was just dying for something exciting to happen and for the pace to be ramped up big time. This never actually happened. Yes later there is more interaction as different characters start to make an appearance. Despite the potential the overall plot showed, I don't think this book ever really got off the ground and at times I did struggle with whether I should keep reading. I did keep going because I wanted to know the outcome for Juno but when spirits and ghostly happenings started to be mentioned, I thought this is too much and why is it being included in this book? It didn't need it at all. Some strands became too airy fairy for me and the mentions of chakras, spirituality and mysticality was just all a bit too much.

When the romance element did arrive I thought finally Juno was letting go and just throwing caution to the wind and going for it and who cares what the consequences were. She was on holiday and she needed to let go but then on the other hand given all the time she had spent explaining to the reader how her heart and mind felt was it just too soon? Then when someone else turns up out of the blue in the last quarter it just felt even more rushed and that decisions had to be made quick smart because we were nearing the end of the book. Yes the book was too long in my opinion but all the romance that came in the last quarter would have been better off from the midway point and curtailing the descriptions of her daily life in Spain in the earlier chapters would have been more beneficial.I felt that would have enabled the reader to get to the heart of the story much quicker.

The Hideaway wasn't the best book I have read by Sheila O'Flanagan. I was disappointed because I know what brilliant stories she can write as I have spent many an hour indulging in her writing particularly her earlier books. I view this book as one to read on holidays on a sun lounger as a book you pick up and down when you feel like it. It won't be the most memorable book you have ever read but I'm sure long term fans will enjoy it.

Sheila does it AGAIN!!! I just loved that this book takes place in a Villa/Spanish setting.
Such a beautiful lighthearted read.
This is a book we can all relate to. It’s about wanting to get away aand heal a broken heart and during that time you begin to find yourself.
Absolutely loved the characters!!
A real spiritual journey.
Will definitely recommend this gem!!

I've been reading Sheila O'Flanagan books for years and as always she does not disappoint. This another brilliant book by the author and shows again why she is so successful in this genre of writing. I loved this story from start to finish. The characters were endearing and the story line was well thought out. It is a real treat for Sheila O'Flanagan fans and look forward to reading many more novels in the future from the author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC

The Hideaway is a typical but charming romance. A woman goes to Spain to heal a broken heart, learns life lessons and happy ending. It's a cute easy read. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book is about a woman who goes to Spain to try and mend her broken heart. After a summer in Beniflor, she learns about herself and gets more than she bargained for. If you are looking for an easy read with a happy ending, then this book is for you. It leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling and the hope that life will always get better.

I'm happy I requested it because it was a great reading experience.
I loved the characters, the plot and the setting.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Headline and Netgalley for this ARC

Excellent story line which was gripping from start to finish. Great characters. I would highly recommend this book.

I love Sheila O'Flanagan books and this is one of my favourites so far. An excellent storyline, gorgeous location and lovely characters. Beautifully descriptive - I was transported to Spain with the fantastic details in the writing. A story of sadness, new beginnings, love, romance and friendship. Well paced - a very entertaining read. I loved the location particularly.

A perfect holiday or summer read, ideal for the beach or for an afternoon in the garden. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another fantastic book by this talented author . An easy read and one which I loved . After suffering a personal tragedy, Juno
Ryan takes extended leave from her job and heads to Spain to try and come to terms and recover from what has happened . She stays in a lovely villa and whilst she is there it doesn’t take her long to get to know the locals and get into the Spanish way of life. A story filled with some sadness but lots of happiness too. I loved the description of Spain and Spanish life. Great story

The Hideaway is another thoughtful, engaging and ultimately heart-warming novel by an author I have come to see as a favorite in this genre. The writing is eloquent, but very accessible and the characters multi-dimensional. I am always happy to hear a new Sheila O'Flanagan is being published!

What a great book, perfect for summer holidays. Juno has made mistakes in her life through no fault of her own and she needs to getaway and recover so when she is offered a place to stay from one of her work friends Pilar she jumps at the chance to go. In Spain where she wants To keep to herself she gets involved with the villagers and finds she is recovering with that comes a connection to her family she has never really felt close to. A great read showing time heals wounds.

I dont think there has ever been a book of Sheilas i havent liked.

Juno is a young girl, heartbroken and unable to function and requests an extended leave of absence from work. Her friend has a grandmother who has a cottage in spain and asks Juno if she would like to go and stay there. Juno jumps at the chance and then the story unravels into something quite wonderful. A time of healing and compassion and love. Set in the most wonderful place full of vineyards and orange groves, you can almost smell them as Juno is walking around.

I think we would all love to have an experience like this and i am going to read it again.

Sheila has long been one of my most favourite authors, and I always anticipate her next book with excitement, having read all of them so far.

Devastation hits Juno’s life and she flees to Spain to try to heal. The descriptions of the area of Spain are fantastic and you really feel as if you are there with Juno. The characters are believable, and the whole story is brilliantly written (as are all Sheila’s books!).

A beautiful book that I didn’t want to put down, and was left wanting more when it finished. Absolutely loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked Juno and the other characters and the Spanish scenery sounded absolutely beautiful. I got totally caught up in this story. I laughed and I cried and could imagine the characters and the scenery. I have read most of Sheila O'Flanagans books and they are all brilliant. I definitely recommend this book and also the other books she has written.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I enjoyed 'The Hideaway' and I think it would make a wonderful holiday read. The description of Spain and in particular the Villa Naranja where Juno goes to take some time out is very well-written. I got a real sense of the town and surrounding areas. I liked all the characters. I'm not sure about the man Juno eventually gets together with, not in terms of his character, but because of who he is (can't say any more without giving a spoiler).

This is a story about someone getting to know herself / finding herself / making peace with herself. I liked the sub-plot regarding Juno and her relationship with her mother. Banquo / Ophelia the cat made me laugh. The author leans towards the spiritual side at times. There's a lot to like.

If I had one small criticism it would be that I didn't strongly 'feel' Juno's emotion - perhaps she was a bit too matter of fact at times - but that was part of her character.

With thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a relaxing holiday read which is even set in the Spanish sunshine.
Juno waves goodbye to her boyfriend Brad who is off on holiday to Italy and is then devastated by some tragic news.
To get over her depression she takes a leave of absence from her work as a radiographer in Dublin and spends the Summer in a villa near Alicante, belonging to her friend Pilar’s family. Whilst there she gradually comes to terms with her situation and begins to feel part of the small, close knit community.
I thoroughly enjoyed this light hearted romantic novel which was so easy to read. The characters were well drawn and right from the beginning I was really rooting for Juno who finds herself in a difficult situation.
The author’s descriptions of the Spanish settings were great and I could truly imagine I was there enjoying the beautiful scenery and sunshine.
I have read one other book by Sheila O’Flanagan-The Missing Wife and that was also a great page turner set in a fabulous location.
I think this would appeal to fans of Marion Keyes as both authors have a lovely heartwarming style which is so easy to read. There certainly are some wonderful books coming out of Ireland at the moment!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for ny arc in exchange for an honest review.

A new Sheila oflannagan book is always cause for celebration and this book is no exception! Juno has had a bit of a life crisis so retreats to Spain to recover. And in Spain we meet a whole host of heart warming characters who help Juno recover her lost self. This book is easy to read with well developed characters and a gentle rhythm which lulls the reader. It’s calm, fun and enjoyable. I love Sheila O’Flannagan books!

Juno is a very engaging character who grows through the book. The descriptions of the Spanish setting were fantastic. Would make a great holiday read.

This book was wonderful, thoroughly enoyed it and couldn't put it down! Would recommend it to anyone. Perfect book for reading on holiday! Felt as if I was there in Spain experiencing the atmosphere!

THE HIDEAWAY by Sheila O'Flanagan proved a great read. After devasting news, the author took us on a journey from soul-destroying distress to acceptance and new beginnings. All the while the backdrop of sultry Spain with its orange groves, vineyards, and handsome men held the reader entranced. I read the book quite quickly. I wanted to know how Juno mended her broken heart. It seemed time and the beautiful Spanish scenery, along with Pep helped soothe the past.

Beautiful. I hope the author writes a follow-up to this book, as I would love to find out what happens next. There was so much more to know.