riverlethe's review against another edition
3.0
Good story with solid characters. Pacing was uneven, cast was a little too big, and info was conveyed in a confusing manner. It felt like a traditional NR which needed one more broad story edit pass. I liked the addition of some non-white supporting characters and some acknowledgement of privilege, but she’s got to get her character diversity up if she’s going to stay relevant.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Hideaway
4.5 Stars
Written in the classic Nora Roberts style reminiscent of some of her earlier works, such as Public Secrets and River's End, Hideaway focuses on the development of the heroine from childhood into adulthood. Caitlyn Sullivan, the scion of a famous acting dynasty, is a very appealing heroine who overcomes the myriad of obstacles in her path with intelligence, strength, and resilience. One small issue is that young Cate sometimes comes across as far more mature than her age would suggest.
The romance is satisfying and anyone who has read a Nora book will immediately recognize the hero - solid, stalwart, loyal and sexy as all get out. That said, there could have been a bit more sizzle and spice to their relationship.
In terms of the suspense plot, the mystery element is minor as the identity of the villains is revealed early on and the action revolves around the lives of the victims as they adapt to the circumstances. Again one minor issue is that
In sum, Nora's writing is captivating from the start and this is an immensely enjoyable book recommended for fans and newbies alike.
4.5 Stars
Written in the classic Nora Roberts style reminiscent of some of her earlier works, such as Public Secrets and River's End, Hideaway focuses on the development of the heroine from childhood into adulthood. Caitlyn Sullivan, the scion of a famous acting dynasty, is a very appealing heroine who overcomes the myriad of obstacles in her path with intelligence, strength, and resilience. One small issue is that young Cate sometimes comes across as far more mature than her age would suggest.
The romance is satisfying and anyone who has read a Nora book will immediately recognize the hero - solid, stalwart, loyal and sexy as all get out. That said, there could have been a bit more sizzle and spice to their relationship.
In terms of the suspense plot, the mystery element is minor as the identity of the villains is revealed early on and the action revolves around the lives of the victims as they adapt to the circumstances. Again one minor issue is that
Spoiler
Charlotte got off much to lightly and it is a shame the Aiden never received is own HEA.In sum, Nora's writing is captivating from the start and this is an immensely enjoyable book recommended for fans and newbies alike.
chillawesome's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dgignac's review against another edition
4.0
A nice read. The first half of the book follows the story of Cate and her family, while the second half focuses more on Cate and her relationship with Dillon.
llina's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
amylittleford's review against another edition
4.0
*4.5
I'd like to thank Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! I read this with a Nora Roberts bookclub on instagram and really enjoyed reading it with a few other wonderful ladies!
This book is split into 4 parts and all focus on the life of Cate who was kidnapped at the age of 10 but manages to escape. The book follows her life after going through such trauma and we see how it effects her and how her past won't leave her alone. I really enjoyed Cate as the main character as we literally read her growing up and the reader was able to she her growth throughout. She became who she was meant to be and that was really lovely to read. It was really nice to have male characters (her dad and grandpa) who loved openly and expressed themselves giving Cate that support. This book really reinforces that we can't choose our family but we can choose who we allow into our lives.
Hideaway really reminded me of Under Currents, also by Nora Roberts, as they were so similar in certain areas but obviously very different as well. I really admire Roberts writing style and how she lulls the reader into a false sense of security and then the next line you read you remember that you're reading a thriller. I'm in awe of how she can mix two genres in her book and it still be so successful. The only problem I had with the book was that sometimes I couldn't tell which character was speaking which maybe my own fault but it seemed a frequent problem.
The romance of the story was obvious and bound to happen which I didn't mind because I was looking forward to seeing their relationship develop and it was kind of meant to be with what they experienced together when they were only 10 and 12. I felt like every character was so well written, even the characters you're not supposed to like because they were realistic. I loved how family was so important in this book as it just gave it that extra reason to love it.
I'd like to thank Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! I read this with a Nora Roberts bookclub on instagram and really enjoyed reading it with a few other wonderful ladies!
This book is split into 4 parts and all focus on the life of Cate who was kidnapped at the age of 10 but manages to escape. The book follows her life after going through such trauma and we see how it effects her and how her past won't leave her alone. I really enjoyed Cate as the main character as we literally read her growing up and the reader was able to she her growth throughout. She became who she was meant to be and that was really lovely to read. It was really nice to have male characters (her dad and grandpa) who loved openly and expressed themselves giving Cate that support. This book really reinforces that we can't choose our family but we can choose who we allow into our lives.
Hideaway really reminded me of Under Currents, also by Nora Roberts, as they were so similar in certain areas but obviously very different as well. I really admire Roberts writing style and how she lulls the reader into a false sense of security and then the next line you read you remember that you're reading a thriller. I'm in awe of how she can mix two genres in her book and it still be so successful. The only problem I had with the book was that sometimes I couldn't tell which character was speaking which maybe my own fault but it seemed a frequent problem.
The romance of the story was obvious and bound to happen which I didn't mind because I was looking forward to seeing their relationship develop and it was kind of meant to be with what they experienced together when they were only 10 and 12. I felt like every character was so well written, even the characters you're not supposed to like because they were realistic. I loved how family was so important in this book as it just gave it that extra reason to love it.
a_verthandi's review against another edition
3.0
Really closer to 3.5. Straight Nora in a good way, and just what I needed right now.
lassarina's review against another edition
4.0
It's never a question that I'll pick up the new Nora Roberts and devour it in as few sittings as possible. Sometimes that works out better than other times. This time it did work out, and I really enjoyed this book. Cate is a delightful heroine, smart and sharp and determined, and also flawed--her stubbornness is not really a benefit in a lot of ways. The ensemble cast of family and friends weaves together in a compelling way, and although her mother Charlotte is definitely a despicable, vain, shallow, garbage human being, there are so many women of so many different types and styles that it's clear Charlotte is just one type of person amid the crowd, rather than it being up to just her and Cate to display the entire range of feminine personality. Dillon is a delightful, calm, steady presence, happy where he is and knowing exactly who he is, confident and content with his land and his work, and aware of a lot of the world around him in a way that's refreshing.
This book has echoes of other Nora Roberts books - the most obvious comparison is Genuine Lies, because of the Hollywood connection, but it's also clear how her writing has evolved over the years. Hideaway is more diverse than many of her previous books, including multiple interracial relationships (some happy and long-term, some not.) The book addresses several instances of racism head-on, not as a "message" but as things that, well, needed to be addressed as part of the evolution of the story. For all of that, it doesn't feel like the characters of color are there just to be cardboard diversity cutouts, which is important.
The main relationship between Cate and Dillon is obviously set up right at the beginning, during the kidnapping and escape, but it doesn't come to any kind of fruition until very late in the book, probably the last third. This has been a trait of several of Roberts' books over the last few years, where romance is a big and important component later on but the book is overall more about exploring the life and growth of (at least) one of the main characters from childhood onward, usually through a major trauma. (Shelter in Place comes to mind.)
Speaking of that comparison, there were a few moments with the police investigation that gave me hives, and it's not the first time a Nora Roberts book has done that. Her cops are often the good guys and they bend or break the rules, we're clearly meant to understand, in pursuit of real justice. But the world doesn't work that way, and--well, it's June 2020 as I'm writing this, and I live in the United States. Specifically, I live in Chicago, and while I don't think it's appropriate to list the names lost to police violence in this city in a book review, it makes it really hard to swallow cops cutting corners especially around suspect rights, even if we "know" the cops in question are the "good" ones. (I'm fairly sure I wrote almost this exact paragraph for my review of Shelter in Place, but my opinion has not changed!)
That said, overall I really did enjoy this book and loved the characters in it, the wide range of things Cate experienced and the vast Sullivan clan. I think I'd enjoy rereading it. (Also, I really liked the resolution of the climactic action scene - a really, really good balance of self-rescue and assistance. Very solid.)
This book has echoes of other Nora Roberts books - the most obvious comparison is Genuine Lies, because of the Hollywood connection, but it's also clear how her writing has evolved over the years. Hideaway is more diverse than many of her previous books, including multiple interracial relationships (some happy and long-term, some not.) The book addresses several instances of racism head-on, not as a "message" but as things that, well, needed to be addressed as part of the evolution of the story. For all of that, it doesn't feel like the characters of color are there just to be cardboard diversity cutouts, which is important.
The main relationship between Cate and Dillon is obviously set up right at the beginning, during the kidnapping and escape, but it doesn't come to any kind of fruition until very late in the book, probably the last third. This has been a trait of several of Roberts' books over the last few years, where romance is a big and important component later on but the book is overall more about exploring the life and growth of (at least) one of the main characters from childhood onward, usually through a major trauma. (Shelter in Place comes to mind.)
Speaking of that comparison, there were a few moments with the police investigation that gave me hives, and it's not the first time a Nora Roberts book has done that. Her cops are often the good guys and they bend or break the rules, we're clearly meant to understand, in pursuit of real justice. But the world doesn't work that way, and--well, it's June 2020 as I'm writing this, and I live in the United States. Specifically, I live in Chicago, and while I don't think it's appropriate to list the names lost to police violence in this city in a book review, it makes it really hard to swallow cops cutting corners especially around suspect rights, even if we "know" the cops in question are the "good" ones. (I'm fairly sure I wrote almost this exact paragraph for my review of Shelter in Place, but my opinion has not changed!)
That said, overall I really did enjoy this book and loved the characters in it, the wide range of things Cate experienced and the vast Sullivan clan. I think I'd enjoy rereading it. (Also, I really liked the resolution of the climactic action scene - a really, really good balance of self-rescue and assistance. Very solid.)
hannas_heas47's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great audiobook! The narrator managed to make me think I was listening to a movie! Incredible book.
What did I like? I’ll admit the first part... I almost gave up. Charlotte was almost intolerable to listen to. After we got past it though the story picked up speed. I loved how Cait had a voice over job and pretty much explained how audiobooks happen which was pretty cool. The narration was highly enjoyable!
What did I like? I’ll admit the first part... I almost gave up. Charlotte was almost intolerable to listen to. After we got past it though the story picked up speed. I loved how Cait had a voice over job and pretty much explained how audiobooks happen which was pretty cool. The narration was highly enjoyable!