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julia_myendlesslibrary's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sslovesbooks_1's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoy Karen Swan’s summer and winter reads and this one is no different.
Set in the Swedish archipelago it follows Bell a nanny working for what she thinks is the perfect family. She has experienced tragedy and enjoys her life looking after Hanna and Max’s 3 children. One morning she takes a call to say that Hanna’s husband who has been in a coma for the last 7 years has woken up.
When summer comes and the family move to their holiday home on one of the small islands she is drawn into family issues and find herself caught in the middle of events.
There is a romance in this book which I enjoyed but the book’s focus is on relationships and family as secrets from the past threaten them all.
A really enjoyable read set in a beautiful part of the world. 4 stars for escapism and love and betrayal in the sun.
Set in the Swedish archipelago it follows Bell a nanny working for what she thinks is the perfect family. She has experienced tragedy and enjoys her life looking after Hanna and Max’s 3 children. One morning she takes a call to say that Hanna’s husband who has been in a coma for the last 7 years has woken up.
When summer comes and the family move to their holiday home on one of the small islands she is drawn into family issues and find herself caught in the middle of events.
There is a romance in this book which I enjoyed but the book’s focus is on relationships and family as secrets from the past threaten them all.
A really enjoyable read set in a beautiful part of the world. 4 stars for escapism and love and betrayal in the sun.
lovesresqdogs's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good quick read. However the ending felt a bit confusing and rushed. Lots of stories to still be told.
juliette_21's review against another edition
2.0
The front cover is well chosen, it's indicates mystery, beach location and a woman (Main character ?)
The book itself I liked, it was an easy read, something you'd read if you were just passing time on a train or something. It's not the best book of the year but the idea behind it is good enough to be made into a book.
The writing style is good, easy and fluid, you don't struggle to read this book and the scenes and story unravels nicely as you read.
I do have to say though that I found it difficult to warm up to the characters and appreciate them. I just wanted to slap them and they made me feel quite frustrated half of the time (especially Hannah). I also found myself skipping most of the parts with Bell's friends as they mostly bored me out.
To be honest I actually stopped reading towards the end as I just got fed up with the whole lot, I wouldn't really recommend this book even if the idea behind this book could have been made into something good.
The book itself I liked, it was an easy read, something you'd read if you were just passing time on a train or something. It's not the best book of the year but the idea behind it is good enough to be made into a book.
The writing style is good, easy and fluid, you don't struggle to read this book and the scenes and story unravels nicely as you read.
I do have to say though that I found it difficult to warm up to the characters and appreciate them. I just wanted to slap them and they made me feel quite frustrated half of the time (especially Hannah). I also found myself skipping most of the parts with Bell's friends as they mostly bored me out.
To be honest I actually stopped reading towards the end as I just got fed up with the whole lot, I wouldn't really recommend this book even if the idea behind this book could have been made into something good.
canadianbookworm's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
https://cdnbookworm.blogspot.com/2023/11/the-hidden-beach.html