Amazon.com.au:Customer reviews: The Hideaway

Reviewed in Australia on 20 February 2022

This book was pure escapism and exactly what I needed. Part of me would love to run away and do something completely different, through the eyes of Sheila O’Flanagan I did.

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Stevie Smith

Holiday read

Reviewed in Australia on 3 August 2018

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Enjoyed this novel. A good holiday read. Predictable ending.

One person found this helpful

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Crazybookworm

So disappointing.

Reviewed in Australia on 17 March 2019

Irresistible?? Quite the opposite. Very disappointing. Just threw my physical book into the bin. The only book I had previously read was the missing wife, which I had really enjoyed. This Hideaway title doesn't even come close to it. Like it was written by a different author altogether.

Didn't like the amount of time that Brad kept being mentioned, skipped fair few pages, have never done that while reading a book before. Sorry just could not finish reading the story. You killed it in the early chapters for me.

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Satisfying and heartwarming — ideal for the beach or a duvet day

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 September 2019

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Although this doesn’t rank up there with the very best of Sheila O’Flanagan, The Hideaway is still an enjoyable book with many of the features fans have come to expect: likeable characters, a good, meaty storyline and a touch of romance. In a nutshell: an undemanding piece of escapism for the beach, a duvet day, or when you just want to comfort read.

Irish radiographer Juno Ryan has taken herself off to the Costa Blanca hills following the death of her boyfriend Brad in an Italian earthquake. Her heart is bruised and battered, reeling from the double shock of bereavement and betrayal. Can the Spanish sun and friendly locals help her overcome her sadness and find the motivation to pick up her life again?

Of course, it’s all very predictable. Despite wanting solitude, Juno finds herself getting drawn into the community, has a fling with a hot young Spaniard, and finally, after various false starts, is able to put the past behind her.

O’Flanagan is always easy to read, so the narrative jogs along nicely. As the main character, Juno is believable and, as a reader, it’s easy to empathize and get caught up in her emotions. I especially liked that there was much more to her than the standard wronged-woman cliché. So, apart from the romantic element, we had an awkward family dynamic adding to her feelings of distress and isolation. Although this thread was secondary to the main narrative, it developed into an important part of Juno’s transformation, and I was happy to see her dawning sense of self-worth. All in all a satisfying and heartwarming tale.

Thanks for reading my review. I hope you found it helpful. You can find more candid book reviews on my profile page.

9 people found this helpful

David

Not what it seemed

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 April 2019

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A well structured storyline with lots of interesting actors, which makes it worth reading. One can't help wondering whether Juno Ryan should have had some inkling that all was not what it seemed with Brad McIntyre, but being wise-after-the-event can be all too easy. Banquo, the silver-grey stray cat, who turns out to be Ophelia - all will become clear as you read the novel - was a clever touch. Max Hollander, Brad McIntyre's stepbrother might raise a question or two as you read. How would you feel about this scenario? There are plenty of other characters to enjoy in this novel, so treat yourself to a really good read, you won't regret it.

7 people found this helpful

Ioram

Bit too predictable??

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 November 2020

Verified Purchase

I liked this book despite "only 3 stars" rate. I enjoying the reading well spoken and never boring with page filling digressions. The protagonist is funny, cute and good hearted, I just don't see coming how the hottest guy of all Spain made a pass on her to go to the bedroom (she is depicted like average Irish girl in her thirties). Also she has got the feeling that all hot guys have eyes on her which to me seems a bit too much considering that average girls in South of Spain are very good looking. Even minor events in the book were absorbing and involving the reader 100%, the work of the author aimed to create a light hearted and funny book. NO NO to the final a bit rushed with a men popping out of the blue with a stupid excuse. Despite that last bit I recommend this book

2 people found this helpful

Jen 99

Brilliant

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 April 2019

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I enjoyed the setting in Spain. I felt I was in the sun. I enjoyed the love interests with the twist in the tale! I had guessed who would triumph in the end but not how it would be achieved!

5 people found this helpful

Book lover

Great Read!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 June 2018

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I loved this book! I discovered Sheila O'Flanagan recently and have read most of her books now and I was looking forward to her latest book. I love the Spanish setting, the character has just the right balance of vulnerability and sensitivity. The plot is a bit predictive but that doesn't matter because the writing is good and the setting is vividly described. She has the knack of making character's believable in a few sort sentences.This is a great summer read, or a winter escape. Sheila O'Flanagan just gets better each time!

5 people found this helpful

pinky

The Hideaway

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 April 2019

Verified Purchase

Yet again you draw the reader into the story and make one feel they are there, really enjoyed the book I was so part of it I ended up reading half of the night but well worth it, thank you and keep writing.

4 people found this helpful

Linda Farmer

Great Story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 July 2018

Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed this book and could have read more as the characters were so likeable. I particularly enjoyed the location descriptions as having just returned from a short break in a non-touristy area I could smell the oranges and bouganvilla.

3 people found this helpful

5 star		64%
4 star		21%
3 star		11%
2 star		2%
1 star		2%

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