I’m delighted to be sharing my thoughts on The Hidden Beach by Karen Swan.
- Publisher : Pan; Main Market edition (9 July 2020)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 416 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1529006228
- ISBN-13 : 978-1529006223
- Reading age : 18 years and up
Two’s a love story. Three’s a crowd.
In Stockholm’s oldest quarter, Bell Everhurst loves her job working as a nanny for the rich and charming Hanna and Max Mogert, caring for their three children.
But one morning, everything changes. A woman from a clinic Bell has never heard of asks her to pass on the message that Hanna’s husband is awake. But the man isn’t Max.
As the truth about Hanna’s past is revealed, the consequences are devastating. As the family heads off to spend their summer on Sweden’s idyllic islands, will Bell be caught in the crossfire?
Book Review
I loved The Hidden Beach.
Bell is so much more than an employee in the Mogert household. She’s a part of the family! And often to the detriment of her own private life. When the secret is exposed, she becomes even more entangled …
I never knew what to make of Hanna mainly I think because I couldn’t work out what was motivating her and what decisions she would make. Although I understand what lengths a mother would go to being a mum myself, I didn’t agree on a few things she did.
Bell and Linus (he’s an amazing young person) were my anchors in this story. Oh and Emil. The more we get inside his head, the more empathy I had for him.
The flashbacks are intriguing (and seamlessly done). It took me a long time to have that ‘aha’ moment because I thought I had all the answers. The twists are very clever.
Karen Swan has such a skill in transporting her readers to the locations in her stories and this story is no exception.
Stockholm and island life were vibrant and alive. I always feel very fortunate to be able to experience a different culture and way of life vicariously and this author always delivers.
The ending was perfect. I read through my tears.
I think this line is brilliant. That’s how it feels sometimes doesn’t it!
“<snip> and following them back here, the lies and secrets pinned to them like shadows.”
The Hidden Beach by Karen Swan explores the emotions (sometimes irrational) that comes with being a parent; friendships; the love of other and the love of self.
It was a page turner for me.
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Karen Swan is the Sunday Times top three bestselling author of sixteen books and her novels sell all over the world. She writes two books each year – one for the summer period and one for the Christmas season. Previous winter titles include Christmas at Tiffanys, The Christmas Secret, The Christmas Lights, and for summer, The Rome Affair, The Greek Escape and The Spanish Promise.
Her books are known for their evocative locations and Karen sees travel as vital research for each story. She loves to set deep, complicated love stories within twisty plots, sometimes telling two stories in the same book.
Twitter @KarenSwan1 Facebook KarenSwanAuthor